HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting June 19, 2018
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
JUNE 19, 2018
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., June 19, 2018, the Hon.
Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Jefferson, Guilfoyle, Sias, Frantom, M. Williams, Fennoy, D. Williams,
Hasan and Smith, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
ABSENT: Hon. Davis, Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor: Well, good afternoon, everybody. We’re going to call this meeting to order.
Madam Clerk, I’m going to mention a few things, I’m going to mention a few things before we
get down to our Invocation and Recognitions portion of the agenda. A couple of them we will, I
see that you’ve added, okay all right, what I’ll do is I’ll flow with the agenda and then we’ll insert
those pieces in there. All right, we’ll call this meeting to order. The Chair recognizes Madam
Clerk.
The Clerk: Yes, sir, thank you. I call your attention to the invocation portion of our agenda
which will be delivered today by Pastor Alan Smith of the Asbury United Methodist Church after
which we would like to ask Coach Freace if he would please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance,
thank you, from Westminster Schools of Augusta.
Mr. Mayor: Please stand.
The invocation was given by Pastor Alan Smith, Asbury United Methodist Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
The Clerk: Pastor Alan, can you come forward? Office of Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr. By
these present be it known that Pastor Alan Smith, Asbury Methodist Church, is the Chaplain of the
Day. His spiritual guidance and civic leadership serves as an example for all citizens of Augusta.
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Given unto my hand this 19 Day of June 2018, Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Would you all join me in congratulating our Chaplain of the Day.
(APPLAUSE) Ms. Bonner, let’s do this. The Employee of the Month I want to move that down
and I want to get a couple of other loose recognitions, let’s get those out of the way first. I’ll go
in this order I want to take an opportunity this morning as we have done for the last I guess six
years maybe seven years now, all right thank you. You’re pinch hitting. I appreciate that, that was
a call from the dugout. We have had here in the City of Augusta our Annual Heroes Breakfast for
the American Red Cross. It is a time in our community where unsung heroes in our city are
recognized for their courage, their dedication through acts of heroism as well as kindness. We
were equally honored this morning to witness our very own fire chief receive the Community
Partner Hero Award along with Fire Station 15 receiving the Fire Rescue Hero Award and Deputy
Jason Williams receiving a Law Enforcement Hero Award. These fine men and their team
members to include ladies embody what community and public service are all about, on behalf of
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this great city we offer our heartfelt thanks and congratulations on their recognitions. At this time
I’m going to ask Mr. Mike Meyers if he’ll approach along with the rest of the team, if you’ll move
expeditiously Chief Taylor, Chief Scott, all of ya’ll come on up. Yeah, to the men and women of
our Fire Department if you’ll please just stand right here and our team okay, thank you. All right,
okay, thank you.
The Clerk: Members of the Augusta Fire Department and members of the community
would like to show their appreciation for Chief Chris James since becoming Fire Chief. We
seldom get an opportunity to show our gratitude to you for your dedicated work.
Mr. Mayor: Chief James, please stand. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Sias: Can you turn around so we can see you back here for a second? We want to see
you too ah, nice. All right, you can turn back around.
Mr. Mayor: Chief James, thank you for your dedicated service to this community. And
we understand the power team work as you said this morning in the video it could not happen
without these men and women who make up your team. And for that we are the better, we’re the
safer and we certainly are the more proud. Thank you for your service. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Sias: Speech, short speech.
Chief James: Very quick and you know that’s unusual but most of all I’d just like to thank
the folks I work with. We can think and we can come up with some ideas but what you see is the
end result comes from the work that you see these individuals that’s standing right here it’s the
work that they do. So to have a crew and have a team where you can throw out an idea and they
come back in a week or a few days and say Chief, here it is. This is what you asked for. And so
I’d definitely like to thank over the six year period that the team of folks that I get to work with
every day. They say your team is what makes you and so any award that comes my way or to the
city it truly is done because of the people that I work with. And when we say something the things
they do I can’t do myself. They do it and so most of all I’d like to thank all of them and as well as
Ms. Jackson and the Commission and the Mayor because some of the things that we accomplish
and we do we can’t do it without your support. I’m just blessed enough to be that man in the
middle that gets to run the ideas up and then take the directions down and see things done at the
end. And so thank you all, thank the team. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, thank you, all right thank you, everybody.
Chief James: Lunch break is over go (unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I don’t know if it qualifies for lunch. You didn’t provide it, we’re still
waiting.
Mr. Sias: The Mayor is buying, don’t worry about it, Chief.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay so, Ms. Bonner, I’m going to go to my next one right there if you don’t
mind that’s the young man right there, Doc Robinson.
The Clerk: Yes, sir. At this time we will recognize Mr. Robinson it’s just your father do
you want to come ---
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, if you’ll come around.
The Clerk: --- recognition of Doc Sirius Robinson Augusta Boxing Club 132 pounds,
Seven Time Georgia Silver Glove Champion, Three Times Southeast Silver Glove Region 3
Champion, Five Time Georgia Game Gold Medalist, Two Time Junior Olympic Regional Champ.
The 2018 Georgia Golden Gloves Champ, the 2018 Southeast Regional Golden Gloves Champ
and the 2018 National Golden Gloves Champ, tongue twisters, I apologize. Mr. Robinson, the
City of Augusta offers you our sincere congratulations on these tremendous accomplishments.
(APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: So remain standing we’re going to give him a moment to say something. I
had the pleasure of meeting this young man on this past Friday. He’s a young man who’s doing
great things not only in the boxing world but he represents the City of Augusta well. You know
Drizzie says I started from the bottom and now I’m here. This young man is the embodiment of
not the traditional story that we so often look to where he comes from a broken home and all of
this but what’s so significant is that he comes from a strong family. Would the rest of his family
members please stand who are in the audience today? His Mama, his siblings (APPLAUSE), his
Grand Daddy, Grandma. And we talk about the power of what it is to keep family together. This
is what happens when you keep families together. He’s a student at Augusta University. His
sister’s a graduate of Emory University. He’s the 2018 National Golden Gloves Champion, his
family and his friend are avid and active supporters. And I want to let you know we’re very proud
of him and what he represents in this community. Young man, would you say a few words?
Mr. Robinson: Of course you guys you have to excuse me if this doesn’t flow as it should
because I’m literally just getting done with a workout. But I standing right here right now I just
get a feeling of nostalgia because way back in 2010 you guys you honored me for something
similar in this exact same room. It wasn’t as many people here but I can say now seeing all you
amazing people it just makes it so much better, so much better. I look at you guys as family
because you all are citizens of Augusta and that’s where I come from. This award, me bringing it
back and winning it, it wasn’t just for me. It was for everyone and to let you know that if you keep
pushing you keep fighting you can achieve your dreams no matter what you go through. Just stand
constant, stand constant, consistent in everything, that’s it. (APPLAUSE)
The Clerk: Family, come forward please?
Mr. Robinson: Well, I may not, I would just like to thank my mother-in-law, my father-
in-law, my brother-in-law Don and his family, my sister-in-law Tammy Williams. We have a
really big family and everybody’s inspirational to this kid. I’d like to thank the Augusta Boxing
Club; it’s been tough.
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Mr. Mayor: I think in the words of Commissioner Marion Williams family first. This is
what you’re able to do when a community comes together to help young people accomplish their
dreams. They go out, they make us proud, they come back home and we get an opportunity to
celebrate what they do. Commissioners would you all please stand, let’s give the Commissioner
from let’s get them all in here, thank you. (APPLAUSE)
The Clerk:
RECOGNITION(S)
Augusta Cyber & Robotics Camp
B. Recognition of the first Augusta Cyber & Robotics Camp facilitated by the Augusta
Information Technology Department. (Requested by Commissioner Dennis Williams)
Ms. Allen: Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor and Commission. Today I am glad to present to
you the first Augusta Cyber & Robotics Camp and just to give you a little background of how all
of this started. Back in 2008 Augusta’s Information Technology Department started what was
called Camp Data and we actually did a Mobile Senior Camp in 2013. It is our way of doing an
outreach project to promote technology amongst our Augusta’s youth. We had about six camps
per year for about seven years and we have proven successful with at least 600 students. Augusta
should be very proud of the impact Camp Data has had on the students in this community. I often
run into students and parents that remember the camp and inform me on how the students are now
on their way to college. I ran into a previous student a few weeks ago who just graduated from
Josey and just wanted to say thank you because she was one of the first members of Camp Data.
I also received a very nice letter from Ms. Tandy Way Brown who graduated as a Star Student of
Richmond Academy and is the daughter of our very own Attorney Wayne Brown on the impact
Camp Data had on her and I’d like to share her video.
Ms. Brown: Hey, everyone my name is Tandy and when I was around ten years old I did
Camp Data and I had a great time, it was a really fun summer. And I started to feel my interest in
Computer Science and Coding and on my first year of college I got interviewed on Microsoft and
now I get to work for them during the summer here in Seattle, Washington. We have great projects
building all kinds of robots and cool features. My teammates are great; we have a ton of freedom.
Ms. Allen: I would like to think that the City of Augusta’s Camp Data Program had an
impact and had something to do with that just as well as the great parenting by Mr. Brown but I
think we can take a little credit for that. So now we go into Cyber & Robotics Camp, a lot different
then what we did in the past because of course now Augusta is quickly become the Cyber Capital
of the world and we must expose our children early to the world of Cyber. This camp consists of
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25 students in Richmond County rising 6 through 8 graders in each class. We have two 2-week
sessions. The first week we focus on Cyber and software coding, networking, cyber bulling, those
types of things and when I say coding students are really doing coding. Week two which is this
week they’re actually building their own respective robots so they’re doing robotics this week. As
everyone knows it’s easy to have a vision as Chief James was eluding to earlier. You can have a
vision but it takes a lot to make it happen and to make that vision come true. So just like the saying
goes it takes a village and that village consists of partners and teammates. So first of all I have to
too thank Ms. Jackson for allowing us to provide this camp. I asked her to nod her head yes and
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she of course nodded her head yes. So now I want to go ahead and recognize the rest of the village
who made this possible and I’ll ask that they stand or wave as I call their name. Ebony Hicks who
is actually the founder of the local chapter of Brown Girls that Code led our Cyber training. She is
phenomenal in what she does. The Clubhouse who worked with us when I went across the street
and talked to the Clubhouse about the robotics they partnered with us, provided us with the
respective robots, worked with us on the respective training and then we could do it inhouse. Fort
Gordon Alliance who allowed Mr. Ricky Perry to join us and work with us. The Tax
Commissioner’s Office who allowed for Just in Print to come and work with us. The Sheriff’s
Office, the Richmond County Board of Education. As soon as we notified them that we were
going to put this camp on Dr. Pringle made sure all of the middle schools had that notification.
The Stars and Stripes Ms. Carrie Dudley if she’s out in the audience somewhere she actually
provided us some things for the students so they can take with them. Also Airstrike Extreme Air
Sports Mr. Tyson Erdman and of course our Mayor’s Office. And then of course we have to go
into our team and again this is the team that helps make that village. These students that we have
today come from all over Richmond County, Langford, A.R. Johnson Davidson and Tutt. I mean
currently we have over 150 students on our waiting list today to get into the camp and we have our
next of course next month. So the team of course Information Technology team I cannot say
enough about the Information Technology team anytime I have those crazy visions or those crazy
ideas I go to the table and they’re willing to make it happen. So Shelly Good who has done an
awesome job in making sure she coordinated and communicated with the various parents. Diedre
McRae and Troy Taylor who have done an awesome job in assisting with the actual training and
always there to partner with us and make things happen. Glenn Hall, Tonoria Powell and Shannon
Johnson who have also have attended the robotics training and actually are the ones conducting
the robotics training for our students this week. Lea Kenrick and LaDon Seth who have been
phenomenal in providing support to the students. Michele Pearman who came up with our design
logo our internal graphic design what we call Robey and Jeff Lewis of course is phenomenal in
making sure our videos are on tap. And I cannot, cannot, cannot forget the parents who entrusted
us with their kids this past two weeks. I’ll ask that the parents and grandparents please stand.
(APPLAUSE) Thank you so much parents. And now I’ll play another short video and introduce
you to our first class. (APPLAUSE) So now I introduce to you our Cyber Robotics Camp
participants when I call your name please follow Ms. Good. Mr. James Ashburn (APPLAUSE)
Diamond Battle (APPLAUSE) Ronald Brown III (APPLAUSE) Madison Brown (APPLAUSE)
Nadia Clark (APPLAUSE) Xavier Clark Walker (APPLAUSE) DeMarcus Cavera (APPLAUSE)
Thomas Croyal (APPLAUSE) Brianna Curtis (APPLAUSE) Jason Dunbar (APPLAUSE) Tianna
Fletcher (APPLAUSE) Ezekial Frails (APPLAUSE) Dionne Hampton (APPLAUSE) Emerson
Hudson (APPLAUSE) Hayley Jones (APPLAUSE) Elliot LeVarius (APPLAUSE) Jordan Lawton
(APPLAUSE) Brandon Lynch (APPLAUSE) Raymond Porter (APPLAUSE) Rachel Rhodes
(APPLAUSE) Devine Thompson (APPLAUSE) and James Vaughner (APPLAUSE) This is our
first class. Brandon, okay. This is our first class of our Cyber & Robotics Camp participants.
These are some very, very intelligent students and I have been so, so thoroughly impressed with
this class and with the students and what they have brought to us as well as hopefully what we’ve
given to them. So thank you again Ms. Jackson, members of the Commission and Mr. Mayor for
your support and your approval of this camp. We love to put technology into the minds of our
students and we want to continue the partnerships that we have formed. So we’d like to take a
picture again with the Commission and if we can squeeze in so we can have something.
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Mr. Mayor: So, can they come around again?
Ms. Allen: Okay, you want me to come up there?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, yeah, if they’ll come around again.
Mr. D. Williams: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir?
Mr. D. Williams: --- (unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: I’m just kidding because last time I asked you you said I don’t know. All
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right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 2 Commissioner Dennis Williams who’s
been a staunch supporter of this program, Commissioner?
Mr. D. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. On behalf of the members of the Commission
I would like to take this opportunity to thank these young people in our community. And also to
thank Ms. Allen and her vision because as we all know Augusta has a great future ahead of us with
young people like this out in the forefront, but we as adults have to remember that we have to be
shining examples to the young people that’s in our lives and that look upon us. We have to be the
example of being the adults that we want them to be. And you young people that’s in school keep
going to school. No matter how rough it gets it gets bad one day but if you go to bed and get up
tomorrow it’ll be a brand new day and that brand new day could be just the day that you need. So
keep up the good work and keep representing our city greatly. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
(APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: So, Commissioners, if you’ll please stand. While they’re standing I believe
that there is, this is the first session. The Camp has two sessions. The second session number two
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will begin July 23 through August the 3.
Ms. Allen: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: And can they still apply for that or applications are closed?
Ms. Allen: Applications are closed.
Mr. Mayor: Oh my, all right okay, next year 2019, 2019 all right. (APPLAUSE)
Ms. Allen: Thank you again and again thank you, parents, for your support. We appreciate
you all attending today, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: All right, we have more for those of you who are standing. We have plenty
of seating available up front. Please come forward yeah, please come forward, yeah please come
forward. So today is the day of recognizing champions. All right. Madam Clerk Item C.
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The Clerk:
RECOGNITION(S)
Georgia Independent School Association Soccer Champions
C. Congratulations! Westminster Schools of Augusta Boys Soccer Team on capturing their
fifth straight state title by winning the 2018 Georgia Independent School Association’s
Soccer Championship Game on May 19, 2018. (Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy)
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor and Commissioner Fennoy would you please come forward to make
the presentations. And we have for our official roll caller would be Mr. Zach Hughes, Sports
Reporter for WJBF Channel 6.
Mr. Hughes: Thank you guys for having me. I’ve had the opportunity to cover this team
for two seasons now and Coach Freace’s message every time I talk to them is always so great more
about the process than winning the game. So, I respect him very much and this team and to win
five straight is incredible just covering high school sports for five or six years now. This is the
first time I’ve ever heard of a team wining five straight State Championships so definitely very
impressive. I’ll call the players and coaches that are here to come up and be honored and then as
they’re being honored ---
The Clerk: I want to share the wording.
Mr. Hughes: --- oh, okay.
The Clerk: Certificate of Recognition for your outstanding achievement and excellent
sportsmanlike conduct displayed during the 2018 Soccer Season. The City of Augusta recognizes
your commitment to athletic excellence and congratulates you for participating and clinching your
fifth straight Georgia Independent School Association’s Championship Game Title and 1-0
thrilling victory over Frederica Academy played at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia on May
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19, 2018. Given this 19 Day of June 2018 Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor.
Mr. Hughes: Thank you. All right, Head Coach Mike Freace, Assistant Coach Will Boyd
and then players, I don’t have your order so I’ll just go down the list. Brandon Smith, Goal Keeper,
Taylor Edmans, Score Keeper, William Campbell. I didn’t know if you wanted them all up or,
Anders McCauley he’s a Forward, Cole Bateman a Mid-Fielder, Sam Drake, Goalkeeper, Wright
Andrews, a Mid-Fielder, and then Assistant Coach Will Boyd. That’s everybody who’s in
attendance today. Players who aren’t in attendance but definitely played a pivotal roll Will
Hitchcock, Jr. Hitchcock, Daniel Newton, Jonathan Lutz, Thomas Polk, Thomas Drake, Caleb
McClarnon, Ben Oldham, Luke McCartney, Cale Windom, Sam Herron, Sam Carter, Caleb Case,
Jack Backer, Keller Bentsari, Whit Tisdale and then Assistant Coaches Jeff McClarnon, Sean
McClarnon, Athletic Director Tim McClain, Athletic Director Andrew Bryan and Student
Managers Davis Almond and Matthew Ross. (APPLAUSE)
The Clerk: We would like to have Coach Freace to please come forward. In Recognition
of Coach Mike Freace. Whereas Coach Mike Freace in 1997 graduated from Houston College
where he played four years of soccer winning two Conference Championships in three Region
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Championships. He graduated with a degree in Physical Education and whereas Coach this year
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entered his 17 season as Head Coach at the Westminster School. And during this time at WSA
the Wildcats have captured eight championships and combined 22-Region Championships. He
has coached both the boys and girls program during his tenure and his overall record at WSA is
395 wins, 96 loses and 38 ties. And whereas Coach Freace also serves as the Upper School’s
Principal at Westminster and teaches a class in Christian Leadership while serving as Augusta
Arsenal U18 Boys Coach and is currently paying in the Southern Regional Premiere League. And
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whereas on May 19 2018 under Coach Freace’s outstanding leadership the Westminster Boys
Soccer Team captured their fifth straight Georgia Independent State Association Title in a row by
defeating Frederica Academy 1-0 for the Championship Game played at Mercer University in
Macon, Georgia which brought great honor not only to himself but also to WSA and to our
community. And whereas Coach Freace’s leaving Westminster School of Augusta to accept a call
to full-time ministry with Missionary Athletes International in Charlotte, NC. And whereas the
City of Augusta wishes to congratulate Coach Freace on an outstanding career here in Augusta
and recognizes him for his dedication in teaching, coaching, and building outstanding students into
a team par excellence. He as demonstrated tremendous athletic talent and leadership and his
relentless pursuit demonstrated with the level of play and competitiveness for which Westminster
Wildcats are know he will leave a legacy that will be long remembered for his passion and
dedication to the game of soccer. Now therefore I, Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor of the City of Augusta
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do hereby proclaim Tuesday, June 19 2018 as Coach Mike Freace Day in Augusta, Georgia and
urge all citizens to recognize and applaud the efforts in the achievement of this exceptional athletic
leadership. In witness thereof I have unto set my hand and caused the Seal of Augusta, Georgia
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to be affixed this 19 Day of June 2018. Congratulations.
Coach Freace: Well, thank you. I mean it’s very surreal but thank you very much. I’ve
loved Augusta and my time here and lots of great memories working at Westminster. And just
you know pretty much speechless to be honest with you but just thank you for this recognition. I
want to quickly hand it to one of our team captains because we like to have our students always
speak. On behalf of our team so this is Brandon Smith one of our team captains.
Mr. Smith: Thank you, Coach. First of all I just want to say honestly coming in I remember
four years ago as a freshman when I first came in to play soccer honestly I really did not think I’d
be standing here today. Five state championships in a row later it’s unbelievable. I’ve been a part
of four of the state championships but as most of our teammates would say I believe winning a
state championship isn’t the biggest moment for our team. It’s really building the brotherhood
which is one of our goals of the year and it was just incredible being able to get closer to all these
guys behind me and the ones not here. I just want to thank all of them for being great brothers to
me. I want to thank all the Coaches, my parents and my family and I want to thank God overall
just blessing me with this team the past four years at Westminster playing soccer, so thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
Mr. Fennoy: When I looked at the newspaper and I saw where Westminster had one five
consecutive state championships I though it was a misprint, so I mean that is almost unheard of.
But I think that it’s important that the City of Augusta recognizes and acknowledges the talent that
exists in the City of Augusta. And it’s only fitting and proper that we as Commissioners and the
Mayor honor and recognize people that do outstanding things in Augusta. A lot of times we only
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have negative and bad things to say about the youth in the city, but we have some outstanding
people in Augusta that’s doing an outstanding job and I think it’s only fitting and proper that we
acknowledge them. If I can get a Point of Personal Privilege, Mr. Mayor, the Westminster Girls
Tennis Team is not here but they won two state championships also and there was a young lady
on that team that won the Individual Title for two years in a row so we have a lot of great people,
a lot of great things going on in Augusta and I’m just glad that we’re able to acknowledge them
and recognize the good job and the good things that they do here in our city. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: Congratulations.
RECOGNITION(S)
Employee of the Month
Acknowledgement of Augusta, GA June Employee of the Month.
The Clerk: At this time we will acknowledge our May Employee of the Month. We would
like to ask Ms. Heather Driver along with Dr. Gwendolyn Conner to please come forward.
(APPLAUSE) As they make their way forward, Dear Mayor Davis the Employee Recognition
Committee has selected Heather Driver as Augusta, GA Employee of the Month for May 2018.
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Ms. Driver began her employment with Augusta, GA on January 17 2015. On April 22 2017
Heather was promoted to H.R. Analyst II. Shortly thereafter an employee reassigned and Heather
took the initiative to perform duties of that position while also carrying out the duties of her new
position. A major function of the position was the facilitation of the on-boarding process. The
process included offering employment to candidates insuring pre-employment screening, work
inducted entering new hires and the One-Solution Program, issuing ADP timecards and processing
new hires for nine orientation totaling 225 employees. Despite the overwhelming workload she
consistently found ways to ensure that deadlines were met. Heather demonstrates great internal
and external customer service by going the extra mile to ensure departments are satisfied and their
needs are met. Employees from various departments including but not limited to the Sheriff’s
Office, Marshal, Airport, Information Technology and HR have all noted that Heather is thorough,
provides great detail about the subject matter, and follows through on tasks and inquiries. With a
positive attitude and while putting her own interests aside Heather consistently shows perseverance
and commitment to doing her best in the fact overwhelming obstacles and major project. Recently
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Heather gave up Blake Shelton concert tickets she had purchased as a 9 birthday surprise for her
daughter to devote herself to the successful implementation and phases of the Compensation
Study. Based on this nomination and Heather’s outstanding contribution to the Human Resources
and her services to Augusta, GA, the Employee Recognition Committee would appreciate you in
joining us in recognizing Ms. Heather Driver as the May 2018 Employee of the Month.
Congratulations, Heather. (APPLAUSE)
Ms. Driver: Thank you so much. I’d like to thank my manager for that nomination. That
was sweet. And I think my whole HR team. I couldn’t do anything without them so it’s nice to be
recognized for your work, so thank you. (APPLAUSE)
Ms. Jackson: Ya’ll know I don’t say anything too often I want Heather to come back, the
letter explains part of it but I just want to make sure everybody understands how much was on the
line when Heather gave up those tickets. I had promised 2,700 people that they were going to get
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raises on time and the entire team pulled together Finance, IT, HR everybody pulled together to
make sure that my promise came true. And we really want to recognize Heather for being able to
go above and beyond in terms of personal sacrifice to make sure that my promises were met so
thank you so much, Heather, we really appreciate this. (APPLSUE)
Mr. Mayor: So Heather I think what Ms. Jackson just said is that she would not only
provide Blake Shelton but Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker all through the rest of the year. Let’s give
her a hand again, congratulations. (APPLAUSE) Okay, Madam Clerk?
DELEGATIONS
D. Judge Daniel Craig an invited commentary. (Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy)
E. Mr. Johnny Chivers, Jr. regarding the renaming of the John C. Calhoun Expressway to
Veterans Memorial Expressway.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, our Delegation D and E will not be
available for today’s meeting due to some personal commitment today. Judge Craig had a funeral
of a relative and Mr. Chivers was unable to attend. They will be rescheduled at our next meeting.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
F. Mr. John Hayes regarding support of the proposed renaming of the John C. Calhoun
Expressway.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Mr. John Hayes, all right. As Mr. Hayes comes, I do want to take a
moment just for a brief moment. Ms. Allen, she recognized a number of people during the time
that she was doing the Cyber Robotic Camp. We do have two of our good friends here in the back
Grace Belangia and Eric Parker from the Clubhouse would you give them a hand for all they do.
(APPLAUSE) And in the spirit of one Commissioner Bill Fennoy, the distinguished gentleman
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from the 1 Mr. Chairman, Go Jackets.
Mr. Fennoy: (Inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: No, they’d fry Yellow Jackets, yeah, and they have a robot back there. See
that’s how that’s what it means to be a proud Yellow Jacket, you’re able to make robots. All right,
thank you, Mr. Hayes if you’ll again state for the record your name and your address or who you’re
representing. You have five minutes.
Mr. Hayes: My name is John Hayes; I live 1838 McDowell Street. I’m sure all of us can
recall how last summer white supremacists held a rally in Charlottesville, VA opposing the
removal of a huge statue of Robert E. Lee. They marched in a torchlit procession and chanted,
you will not replace us. The statue expressed their racially exclusive vision of who this country
belongs to and they felt that their America was threatened by its removal or some of the slightly
older ones of us here can readily recall how when democratic revolutions overthrew Communist
governments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union revolutionaries pulled down statues and
renamed places honoring Communist leaders. Removing those Communist symbols was part of
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overthrowing Communism. In both of these cases we can easily see that signs, statues, monuments
and place names are never neutral. They express in tangible form the values of the community.
Here in Augusta one of our major roads honors John C. Calhoun. This isn’t some inheritance from
a distant past but rather the 1966 creation of Augusta’s City Council. It’s important to take a few
moments to reflect on the scene in 1966. Whites had a near monopoly on local politics. The
Mayor, Commission Chairman, Sheriff, Police Chief and Superintendent of Schools were all white
men. Whites held every seat in the County Commission and 14 of 16 seats on the City Council.
The Richmond County Schools were still almost completely segregated. Augusta’s Roy Harris
was President of the Citizens Council, a powerful regional organization that fought the civil rights
movement in the name of “States Rights and Racial Integrity”. Atlanta restaurant owner and
staunch segregationist Lester Maddox who closed his restaurant rather than comply with the Civil
Rights Act was elected governor of Georgia that year. In Mississippi James Meredith was shot by
white supremacists early into his march from Memphis to Jackson. In Chicago Martin Luther
King was pelted with bricks as white mobs waved Confederate flags and yelled we want King.
Indeed, a national white backlash to the Civil Right Movement was underway with opinion polls
showing the majority of white Americans thought civil rights changes had gone “too fast” and that
King with his organized demonstrations was “irresponsible”. All of these things were going on in
1966 so when December of that year the City Council voted to name a new expressway after John
C. Calhoun they were making a defiant anti-civil rights gesture. John C. Calhoun wasn’t just any
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old somebody but the leading 19 Century theorist of states rights and held that slavery was a
“positive good for two unequal races”. This was loaded, political symbolism and expressed the
values of those with political power. Now I’m a history professor and I realize that neither the
events of 1966 nor Calhoun’s biography is on the front of everyone’s minds but public discussions
of this issue in Commission meetings and talk show through newspaper and TV have immediately
touched on issues of race and power that everyone feels in their bones. Those are live issues in
this community and they’re manifested in both material and symbolic ways. I agree with the
critique of some Commissioners that changing its symbol won’t change material realities but
changing a symbol isn’t meaningless. Removing a racially exclusive symbol would be a step
forward and we’re free to do that in our American political system. Anyone sitting in this room
today can see there are local politics look very different than they did in 1966 so why can’t we
discard a defiant reactionary place name and give ourselves something better. In a county that’s
voted two-thirds Democratic in the last three Presidential elections, three-fourths of the voters in
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the May 22 Democratic Primary said, change it. I think it’s important that the Commission be
responsive to voters and to the values that we as a community now hold. Thank you for listening.
(APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: All right, Mr. Hayes, thank you. Madam Clerk?
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
G. Mr. Bryan Birmingham regarding comments on our proposed Smoking Ordinance.
Mr. Mayor: There is fine, Mr. Birmingham, and again I’ll reiterate the same thing. You
have five minutes, if you’ll state for the record again your name and your address.
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Mr. Birmingham: My name is Bryan Birmingham. My address is 259 West Vineland
Road. I would like to propose that the committee consider giving an exemption to all existing bars
that currently allow smoking essentially grandfathering them in the same way you were planning
on giving exemptions to existing VAPE stores and Hookah Lounges. By doing this you will not
disrupt these businesses that were started and operated for years with smoking allowed in their
establishments and you also not disrupt their tax dollars coming into the county. I think it speaks
volumes that you have not had a single bar owner come forward and stand in front of you and tell
you this was a good bill for bars. This is because this is not a good bill for bars and there are two
very obvious reasons why. The first being if I want to make my bar a non-smoking bar I simply
have to put a sign on my front door and say no smoking is allowed. I do not need the government
to assist me in putting a sign on my front door. The second reason is also obvious to me. The last
I checked I started my business to make a living. I did not start my business because I had 100
hours a week to kill. I’m in this to make money as is all my other companions in this industry. If
this was such a sound business decision that would make us the money that the Breathe Easy group
is pretending it would make us, we would all have made our bars non-smoking years ago. It is
very easy with no experience in the industry to sit back and make promises and make up numbers
that are going to say this is going to be a great thing but for those of us who have been in the
industry myself since 1990 I know that is not the fact. Many other places that have enacted the
smoking ban have exempted bars. North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Missouri
across the seas China, the Netherlands, Portugal and France and others have come back and
reversed the law. Texas, Illinois, Delaware, Maryland and again across the seas Germany and
Austria. With all due respect to the Mayor Pro Tem’s comments, if you revisit this matter later
once you see bars closing down and owners driven into bankruptcy, there’s not a magic way that
we’re going be able to all of a sudden reopen our bars after we’ve been bankrupt. Our employees
are gone, our equipment is gone, our space is gone. You can’t just magically wave a wand and
change the law and all these bars you ran out of business will then once again be back in business.
Instead why not allow the business to continue, to continue as usual. These business owners who
have spent countless hours building their businesses can continue to operate and continue to
generate revenue for the county. Any person that wants to open a bar in the future would go in
knowing that they will be a non-smoking establishment. If the committee will agree to this, I’m
sure that all the existing bar owners would have no problem whatsoever in putting any signage that
the county deems necessary on their doors to warn people that they will be entering a smoking
establishment. Thank you for your time. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Okay, here’s our posture. I know there’s a inclination to clap and
applaud, I’m going to ask you to hold that. We had the same conversation a couple of weeks ago
but if you would hold your applause, okay? All right, you have a question for this gentleman or
would you like ---
Mr. M. Williams: I have a comment.
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Mr. Mayor: --- okay the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I received a call from Columbus, GA where the
now consolidated government, from another Commissioner who had been observing and knowing
we were dealing with the smoking ordinance and the information that he gave me that Columbus
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did not pass what we are attempting to pass here now. And the factual information that he said he
got from Breathe Easy was not factual at all. There was some misconceptions about some things
that was put out to us. I don’t smoke. I still don’t think that the government ought to get into
telling people how to run their business. If it’s legal they sell cigarettes and people are buying
them and they want to smoke. They ought to have that right if they chose to do that. But I’m a
little bit worried because the information that this Commissioner from Columbus Muskogee called
me and left me a message and his number to call him back. They brought great concerns to me as
to what was passing. Now they offered in this conversation he left on my cellphone that they
offered to offer a solution to Breathe Easy that they would allow smoking in front of their building
or something. Anyway they did make it some conception and they would not accept it so they
didn’t pass anything so I think we ought to be very careful about how we direct businesses now.
If you want to use this government facility that we control, I’ve got no problem with that. But if
you want to say you can’t bring them on this campus, I don’t have a problem with that. But I don’t
think we can do what we’re attempting to do, Mr. Mayor, and that is to force these businesses to
heed to somebody else’s standard. Now I hadn’t had that conversation before I would’ve brought
it up before but I got a call from Columbus, Muskogee they did not pass it, they did not pass it
because they had factual information they said was not factual so I think we ought to be considering
looking at that. I planned to pull that item because I can’t support it and I won’t just sit here and
let it go by like I will.
Mr. Mayor: Well, I understand and it’s certainly well within your right. There’s a reason
why Augusta, Georgia’s the second largest city and not Columbus anymore. All right, Madam
Clerk, we’re going to go to the next one.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
H. Messrs. Eric Yu & Russell Fiveash regarding Smoking Ordinance exemptions.
Mr. Mayor: All right okay so again, gentlemen, you have five minutes, five minutes, yes.
Mr. Yu: Name and address?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. Yu: My name’s Eric Yu 4301, Colony Square. I just want to say I actually don’t want
to be here. Some of you may or may not know my father. I feel like he’s the politician in the
family. I try and avoid this room at all possible. Born and raised here in Augusta, you know, my
father and I we have strong ties in the city and very proud of the fact that my Dad served in the
U.S. Army, Richmond County Police Department and the Fire Department. I had the opportunity
to meet you, Mayor, this past year with the Korean War Memorial for the we received some
recognition for the Korean War Memorial that my family funded and gave to the city. I’m here to
talk about my business (unintelligible), my two business partners here, Limelight Café, we took
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over August 12 2005 so it’s been almost 13 years and Limelight Café has actually been in
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existence since ’93 so this our 25 year. We’re made up of extremely loyal staff. I’m proud of the
fact that I have I feel like I have one of the lowest turnovers of employees. I have several
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employees that have been with me the entire time. I actually have an employee who’s even worked
longer than I’ve owned it. I’m here for my customers. I feel like I have, I’m proud of the customers
that I have. I have some of the most loyal customers I think you could hope for. I like to proclaim
ourselves as the Cheers of Augusta who regularly come if you don’t have anywhere to go. We
actually had a couple that wanted to get married in Limelight, didn’t happen. I thought it was a
very bad idea but you know people you know they come to celebrate graduations, births that’s you
know that’s they’re there for all that. You know I have a lot of Richmond County police officers
and fire department and they come and one of the things I really like is the opportunity to meet a
lot of the military that come into our bar, restaurant. And one of the things I enjoy is you know
we’ve done so many parties were people are deploying and I’m extremely happy and grateful when
they all come back home safely. We contribute a lot to the city you know via sales tax, exise tax,
payroll tax, you know, liquor licenses, unemployment tax, business license, food permits. It’s like
anything that the county wants to try and get us a couple extra dollars you know we contribute to
the city. All together through our various businesses you know we actually employ over 50 people
in the county. We employ a dozen or so law enforcement and guaranteed if there’s some sort of
charity in town through golf tournaments or I know we’ve been a big sponsor of the Man/Woman
of the Year; we’re always one the first people contacted. We considered going nonsmoking before
but then from my customer base they pretty much decided to riot and said if you do that then we’re
not coming back so we left our establishment the way it is because that’s where our customers are.
Now through the smoking ordinance I understand there are some people that will not come into
my establishment because we allow smoking and that’s fine. If you know where we’re located
they have plenty of options around Twin Peaks, Carolina Alehouse, Wild Wings but I’m okay just
having the customers that I have you know and that’s why I’m here because they really are family
and just like family there’s family members you love and there’s family members you can’t stand
but they’re your family and they come every day. You know if you want to come in at 12:30, one
o’clock you’ll see the same four or five people in there every day. So I just said them first whether
you guys give us the opportunity, whether we can have some sort of exemption I think I speak on
behalf of our business and the various other business owners here. You know I don’t see the
problem with allowing us to have an exemption to let us take the same you know. I think if you
want to ban something you know I have a problem with people smoking in their cars with children
in the car you know that’s something you know that something I think you should ban.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Yu, your time has expired.
Mr. Yu: Thank you so much for your time.
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you. Madam Clerk?
The Clerk: I call your attention to our consent agenda which consists of Items 1-32, Items
1-32. For the benefit of any objectors to our Planning petitions once the petitions are read would
you please signify your objections by raising your hand. I call your attention to:
Item 1: Is a request for a Special Exception in a HI (Heavy Industry) affecting property
known as 1710 Dixon Airline Road.
Item 2: Is a request for a Conditional Use Permit to establish a Nano Distillery in a B-2
(General Business) Zone affecting property known as 4 Eight Street.
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Item 3: Is a request for a Special Exception for a change of zoning from a Zone A
(Agriculture) to a Zone HI (Heavy Industry) affecting property located at 1710 Dixon Airline
Road.
Item 7: Is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone A (Agriculture) to a Zone LI (Light
Industry) affecting property at 3104 Mike Padgett Highway.
Item 8: Is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone R-1A (Multiple-family
Residential), Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) and B-2 (General Business) to Zone B-2
(General Business) affecting property known as 2192 and 2190 Gordon Highway and part of 3563
Milledgeville Road.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of those Planning petitions? I call your attention
to our Public Service portion of the 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 9: Is a for a retail package Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection
with the location at 2372 Barton Chapel Road.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to the alcohol petition? Mr. Mayor, members of the
Commission, our consent agenda consists of Items 1-32 with no objectors to our Planning or
Alcohol petition.
FINANCE
38. Motion to approve resolution in connection with the Depot Project to enter into an
installment purchase agreement with the DDA of approximately $8.2 million and an IGA for
additional support of the project for a combined support level of $14 million, with the Grant
Agreement between the DDA and Augusta Developers LLC. (Requested by Mayor Hardie
Davis, Jr.)
Mr. Mayor: Okay thank you so much Madam Clerk. For the record I want to delete Item
38 from the agenda. It’s on the regular agenda but I want to delete that item, okay? All right, the
Chair will entertain any motions to add or remove from the consent agenda the Chair recognizes
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the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to pull Item 1, ---
The Clerk: Just a minute Mr. ---
Mr. Mayor: Just a minute, Commissioner.
The Clerk: Okay, Item number one, sir?
Mr. M. Williams: --- Item 1, Item number 7, I need some clarity on 7 and Item 13 I believe
it is.
The Clerk: Item 13.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, if I’m not mistaken I don’t think, my colleague pulled
Item number 1, correct?
Mr. Mayor: He did.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, I’d like to pull Item number 6.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so all right just from a procedural standpoint I’m going to come
down to the Commissioner from, we’re not done yet. I’m going to come to the Commissioner from
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the 4. For Items 1 and 6 we will hear them as companion items if you don’t mind, okay? All
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right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
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Mr. Sias: Mr. Mayor, I’m going to yield to the Commissioner from the 7 if that’s okay.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 7.
Mr. Frantom: I’d like to add Numbers 41 and 42 to consent please.
Mr. Hasan: What numbers were those, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: 41 and 42.
Mr. M. Williams: Uh, I need some answers on 41. I mean I don’t have ---
Mr. M. Williams: Okay all right, with objection, all right, with objection.
Mr. M. Williams: --- I don’t know what we’re doing with that.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4, okay the
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Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to consent Item number 36 if my colleagues don’t have
a problem with it.
Mr. Sias: Uh, objection to that ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
Mr. Sias: --- I’m not against it, I, just for clarity.
Mr. Mayor: --- sure. All right, so we’re adding 42 to the consent agenda the sole one. The
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Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1.
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Mr. Fennoy: I’d like to add Item number 33 to the consent agenda.
Mr. Mayor: Okay ---
The Clerk: Item 33?
Mr. Mayor: --- 33.
The Clerk: Can we make sure they’re in the Chamber ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, please ---
The Clerk: --- and give the report from License and Inspection.
PUBLIC SAFETY
36. Approved placing Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in all public meetings held in
the Municipal Building. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
Mr. Mayor: --- yes, ma’am. All right, Item 37 is that a discussion or is that a request for
approval, is that a motion to approve something?
The Clerk: Which one is that, sir?
Mr. Mayor: Thirty-seven.
The Clerk: Yes, Commissioner Williams is requesting that.
Mr. Mayor: Okay so he’s requesting so motion to approve placing an EMT in all public
buildings.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor.
The M. Williams: That’s not what that’s stating, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay so that’s what I’m asking I’m asking, all right please clarify, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: We’re supposed to have some information brought back to us at the last
committee meeting, the cost it was costing for the EMT and I initiated a I guess a request for an
EMT to be on every in every public meeting as far as that one. But we were supposed to have
brought back the cost analogy what is was going to cost that’s why I put this on the agenda.
Mr. Mayor: So this is a discussion.
Mr. M. Williams: Right.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, any other motions to add or remove from the consent agenda?
There being none ---
Mr. Frantom: Motion to approve.
Mr. Sias: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
PLANNING
2. Z-18-25 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions listed below a petition by Carolina Moon Distillery, on behalf of
Morris Communications, requesting a Conditional Use Permit to establish a Nano Distillery
in a B-2 (General Business) Zone per Section 22-7 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
for Augusta, Georgia affecting property containing 0.66 acres and known as 4 Eighth Street.
Tax Map 037-3-013-00-0 DISTRICT 1 1. Operating hours related to the business shall
generally be limited from 11am to 11pm, with exception given to the week prior to and the
week of the Masters Golf Tournament. Alcohol sales must always be conducted in
accordance with the laws governing the class of alcohol license to the establishment.
3. Z-18-26 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve a petition by Robert R. Trescott, on behalf of Charles R. Trescott, requesting a
Special Exception to allow multiple-family residential use in the P-1 (Professional) Zone per
Section 20-2-(b) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting
property containing 0.14 acres and is known as 344 Telfair Street. Tax Map 047-4-208-00-0
DISTRICT 1
4. Z-18-27 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions listed below a petition by Kannerer Realty, on behalf of Jeff
Richards, requesting a change of zoning from Zone LI (Light Industry) with conditions to
Zone B-2 (General Business) affecting property containing 7.29 acres and known as 3069
Washington Road. Tax Map 011-0-076-00-0 DISTRICT 7 11. The approval of Z-18-28 a
special exception to establish a vehicle paint and body shop per Section 22-2 (a) of the
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting property containing 7.29
acres and known as 3069 Washing Road. Tax Map 011-0-0760-00-0 2. Automobiles in
running condition are allowed to be stored on site for a maximum time of 30 days. 3. The use
shall be conducted in accordance with all state and local environmental regulations,
including, but not limited to, those pertaining to air and water quality. 4. Issuance of
development permits shall be contingent upon submission development plans meeting all
applicable development regulations.
5. Z-18-28 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions listed below a petition by Kammerer Realty, on behalf of Jeff
Richards, requesting a Special Exception to establish a vehicle paint and body shop per
Section 22-2 (a) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting
property containing 7.29 acres and known as 3069 Washing Road. Tax Map 011-0-076-00-0
2. Automobiles in running condition are allowed to be stored on site for a maximum time of
30 days. 3. The use shall be conducted in accordance with all state and local environmental
regulations, including, but not limited to, those pertaining to air and water quality. 4.
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Issuance of development permits shall be contingent upon submission development plans
meeting all applicable development regulations.
8. Z-18-29 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions listed below a petition by Thomas Goforth-WTC Enterprises,
LLC, on behalf of Paige L. Tom and Bradford Loo, Yvonne Loo and Mai Po Loo requesting
a change of zoning from Zone R-1A (Multiple-family Residential), Zone B-1 (Neighborhood
Business) and B-2 (General Business) to Zone B-2 (General Business) affecting property
containing approximately 11 acres and known as 2192 and 2190 Gordon Highway and part
of 3563 Milledgeville Road. Tax Map 068-0-018001-0, 068-0-019-00-0 and part of 068-0-018-
00-0 DISTRICT 5 11. The following uses ordinarily permissible in the B-2 zoning district
shall be prohibited: (8) flea markets, (10) travel trailer parks, (14) gun shops, (15) pawn
shops, (16) funeral homes, (19) liquor stores, and (22) crematoriums. 2. Issuance of
development permits shall be contingent upon submission and approval of plans meeting all
applicable development standards. 3. There shall be sidewalks adjacent to all public ROW,
with the exception of Gordon Highway, and pedestrian facilities to facilitate safe movement
of foot traffic throughout the site.
PUBLIC SERVICES
9. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 18-22: A request by Ranchhodbhai
Patel for a retail package Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Hillside
Package located at 2372 Barton Chapel Road. District 5. Super District 9. (Approved by
Public Services Committee June 12, 2018)
10. Motion to approve Amended Contract with Bateman (Compass-USA). (Approved by
Public Services Committee June 12, 2018)
11. Motion to approve amendments to the Augusta, Georgia Code, Title 4, Chapter 2, Article
2, Litter Control, Section 4-2-9 Littering Streets and Sidewalks Prohibited so as to provide
regulations prohibiting the placing of posters, signs and advertisements on any public
property; and delete the section titled ‘Tiered Fee Schedule’. (Approved by Augusta
Commission on June 5, 2018 – second reading)
12. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend Augusta, Georgia Code Sections 3-5-1 and 3-
5-86 to allow personal transportation vehicles with specified safety features to be used on
certain street; to provide for definitions; to provide for safety requirements and registration
procedures for personal transportation vehicles to be used on Augusta streets for the purpose
of reducing harmful environmental emissions and supporting tourism; to repeal all Code
sections and ordinances and parts of Code sections and ordinances in conflict herewith; to
provide an effective date and for other purposes. (Approved by Augusta Commission on
June 5, 2018 – second reading)
14. Motion to approve requesting a referendum to approve changes to alcohol regulations so
as to allow for the sale of alcohol on Sundays beginning at 11:00 a.m. in accordance with
Senate Bill 17 and to authorize staff to bring back an ordinance to this effect for
consideration by the Commission. (Approved by Public Services Committee June 12, 2018)
15. Motion to approve Sommers Construction Company Change Order One in the amount
of $6,707.00. (Approved by Public Services Committee June 12, 2018)
16. Motion to approve Sommers Construction Change Order 2 in the amount of $2,910.00.
(Approved by Public Services Committee June 12, 2018)
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ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
17. Motion to approve the request from the Marshal’s Office for the purchase of one 2018
Ford F150. Allan Vigil Ford – Bid 18-184. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee
June 12, 2018)
18. Motion to approve Augusta’s Utilities’ request to purchase five new pickup trucks, one
replacement truck and two new trucks for the Utilities-Fort Gordon Division and two
replacement trucks for Utilities-Customer Service Division. Allan Vigil Ford – Bid 18-184
(Approved by Administrative Services Committee June 12, 2018)
19. Motion to approve contract to renovate the former Traffic Engineering Building on the
Municipal Building Campus into a Wellness Center for Augusta Employees to Contract
Management, Inc., of Augusta, in the amount of $213,798.00. Bid Item 18-181 (Approved by
Administrative Services Committee June 12, 2018)
20. Motion to approve the costs for the July 24, 2018 Statewide General Primary Runoff.
(Approved by Administrative Services Committee June 12, 2018)
21. Motion to approve Resolution of Support for the expansion of Augusta, Georgia’s EEO
Policy so as to prohibit discrimination based on gender, gender expression, gender identity,
and sexual orientation. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee June 12, 2018)
PUBLIC SERVICES
22. Motion to approve acceptance of a grant to Augusta Richmond County from the Juvenile
Justice Incentive Grant Program Funding Committee in the amount of $400,000 effective
July 1, 2018 for use by Richmond County Juvenile Court Multi-Systemic Therapy and
Aggression Replacement Training Programs. (Approved by Public Safety Committee June
12, 2018)
23. Motion to approve acceptance of Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Grant Award
in the amount of $173,728 to assist with operation of the State Court DUI and Veterans Court
Programs. (Approved by Public Safety Committee June 12, 2018)
24. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE AUGUSTA, GEORGIA CODE TITLE FOUR,
CHAPTER ONE, ARTICLE TWO, SECTION 4-1-43 RELATED TO ANIMAL SERVICES
FEES AND FINES; TO REPEAL ALL CODE SECTIONS AND ORDINANCES AND
PARTS OF CODE SECTIONS AND ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; TO
PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES PROVIDED HEREIN.
(Approved by Augusta Commission on June 5, 2018 – second reading.
25. Motion to approve the award of RFP 18-147 Mobile Emergency Operations Center to
Ten-8 Fire & Safety Equipment of Georgia, LLC and to authorize the Mayor to execute the
contract. (Approved by Public Safety Committee June 12, 2018)
FINANCE
26. Motion to approve 2019 Budget Calendar. (Approved by Finance Committee June 12,
2018)
27. Motion to approve the request from Dr. Paul G. Trotter for financial support in the
amount of $!5,000 from the Contingency Fund for the Georgia Mission of Mercy Event to be
held at the James Brown Arena. (Approved by Finance Committee June 12, 2018)
28. Motion to approve the reimbursement of special election payments from the City of
Blythe and the Richmond County Board of Education to the Board of Elections 2018
Operating Budget. (Approved by Finance Committee June 12, 2018)
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29. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend GA Code, Sections 1-4-6 through Section 1-
4-12 to change the name of the “Development Authority of Richmond County” to
“Development Authority of Augusta, Georgia”. (Approved by Augusta Commission on June
5, 2018 – second reading.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
30. Motion to approve RFQ #18-132 Selection of Engineering Firms for the Engineering
Consultants Roster. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee June 12, 2018)
31. Motion to approve bid award of RFP #18-300 for the Design and Concept for the
Whitewater/Savannah River to McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee June 12, 2018)
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
32. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Augusta Commission held
June 5, 2018 and Special Called Meeting held June 12, 2018)
PUBLIC SERVICES
33. Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A.N. 18-21: request by Michael T.
Snowberger for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in
connection with Bar 101, LLC d/b/a Chevy’s located at 3328 Washington Road. Ste. E,F.G.
There will be Dance. District 7. Super District 10. (No recommendation from Public Services
Committee June 12, 2018)
APPOINTMENTS
42. Motion to approve the following reappointments to the Richmond County Board of
Health effective January 1, 2018 for a four-year term; (Requested by Commissioner Sammie
Sias)
A. Mr. Ken Echols
B. Dr. Adair Blackwood
C. Dr. Jamie DeStefano
Mr. Mayor: --- we’ve got a motion and a second, voting.
The Clerk: Mr. Mayor, before we publish can we get Mr. Sherman to state for the record
the petitioner on Item 32?
Mr. Mayor: You mean on 33?
The Clerk: Thirty-three yes, I’m sorry.
Mr. Sherman: Okay Item 33, Mr. Snowberger, are you here?
Mr. Mayor: Okay, he is here.
Mr. Sherman: And so this is a motion to approve a New Ownership Application and it’s
A.N. 18-21 request by Michael T. Snowberger for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer &
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Wine License to be used in connection Bar 101, LLC d/b/a Chevy’s located at 3328 Washington
Road, Ste. E,F,G. There will be Dance. District 7. Super District 10. The Sheriff’s Office and
Planning and Development have reviewed the application and recommend that it be approved.
Mr. Mayor: He doesn’t need that, Rob.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors?
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. All right, continue voting.
Mr. Fennoy and Ms. Davis out.
Motion Passes 8-0. \[Items 2-5, 8-12, 13-32, 33, 42\]
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, we’re going to go top down. We’ll let them exit the
chamber and we’re going to go top down, we’ll do 1 and 6 first.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
1. Z-18-31 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions listed below a petition by Kirk S. Laney, on behalf of Kirk S.
Laney, sole member of Dixon Airline Recycling & Disposal LLC, requesting a Special
Exception to establish a Recycling Area for Concrete, Asphalt and Wood materials in the HI
(Heavy Industrial) Zone per Section 24-2(a)(17) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for
Augusta-Richmond County affecting property containing approximately 150 acres and
known as 1710 Dixon Airline Road. Tax Map 145-0-033-00-0 DISTRICT 6 1. Approval be
granted only for the areas specified for recycling on the Concept Plan presented with the
zoning case, which includes an approximately 3.16 acre area for concrete recycling, an
approximately 2.99 acre area for asphalt recycling and an approximately 3.35 acre area for
land clearing wood debris recycling. 2. The property owner must maintain the proper
permitting from EPD for the portable crusher, as long as the portable crusher is being
utilized on site. 3. The portable crusher must not be utilized outside of the areas specified for
recycling on the Concept Plan, which includes and approximately 3.16 acre area for concrete
recycling, as approximately 2.99 acre area for asphalt recycling and an approximately 3.35
acre area for land clearing wood debris recycling. 4. An inspection by the City of Augusta
and an inspection by the Georgia EPD must be conducted on the overall site and any prior
deficiencies found on the site must be corrected or remedied prior to a business license being
issued by the City of Augusta for any and all operation on the site; 5. The cemetery on the
property needs to be clearly delineated on any and all site plans, plats or depictions of the
site, the required cemetery buffer needs to be verified, and the cemetery and the required
buffer need to be adequately fenced to prevent encroachment by any of the recycling
operations should the cemetery be located in these areas; 6. The Site Plan for the recycling
activity must comply with any other State and Federal ordinances and regulations in effect
at the time of development. 7. All recycling/production/crushing or reduction activities must
be performed during the normal business hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. 8. No inert fill
activities may take place on the site. Concrete, asphalt and land clearing wood debris brought
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into the site, from offsite, shall be for recycling purposes only, and recycled or reduced
materials must conform to the EPD Rule for such activities. All recycled or reduced concrete,
asphalt and land clearing wood materials shall not remain on the property indefinitely. 9.
An annual inspection, as part of the annual business license renewal, shall be conducted by
Augusta Code Enforcement inspectors to ensure compliance with all provisions of this zoning
action.
6. Z-18-30 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions listed below a petition by Kirk S. Laney, on behalf of Kirk S.
Laney, sole member of Dixon Airline Recycling & Disposal LLC, requested a change of
zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone HI (Heavy Industry) affecting property
containing approximately 21 acres and known as part of 1710 Dixon Airline Road. Tax Map
145-0-033-00-0 DISTRICT 6 1. Approval be granted for lands on TPN 145-0-033-00-0
currently zoned A (Agricultural) to be rezoned to HI (heavy Industrial) to be in conformance
with existing use of the land. 2. An inspection by the City of Augusta and an inspection by
the Georgia EPD must be conducted on the overall site and any prior deficiencies found on
the site must be corrected or remedied prior to a business license being issued by the City of
Augusta for any and all operations on the site; 3. The cemetery on the property needs to be
clearly delineated on any and all site plans, plats, plats or depictions of the site, the required
cemetery buffer needs to be verified, and the cemetery and the required buffer need to be
adequately fenced to prevent encroachment by any of the recycling operations should the
cemetery be located in these areas; 4. An undisturbed buffer similar to the one shown on the
Concept Plan submitted with the rezoning request must be enforced between the proposed
mining operation and the existing residential structures. In no case, can the undisturbed
buffer be reduced below 100 feet in the width against the residential lots and all mining
activities must be performed during the normal business hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. 5. No
inert fill activities may take place on the site. 6. An annual inspection, as part of the annual
business license renewal, shall be conducted by Augusta Code Enforcement inspectors to
ensure compliance with all provisions of this zoning action.
thth
Mr. Mayor: Okay Items 1 and 6, Commissioner from the 9 and then from the 6 will be
on deck to speak to these matters. All right, the Chair recognizes Director Sherman.
Mr. Sherman: Okay, the two items before you are for a recycling facility on Dixon Airline
Road. Number 6 is asking for approval to rezone approximately 21 acres which is in the lower
southeast corner of this property from A to HI (Heavy Industrial) so that it can be considered as
part of Number 1 on your agenda. So Number 1 on the agenda is to establish a recycling area.
They’ll recycle concrete, asphalt and wood materials. None of the materials will stay on the
property. They’ll be recycled and then moved off the property. And then there are conditions for
the use of the property. They’ve submitted a site plan that shows the designated areas where these
the recycling will take place and then there is some other conditions that I’ll read through if you
like but they’re all (inaudible).
Mr. M. Williams: Rob, let me cut to the chase here. Now I guess the simple question how
many times has this been before Planning and Zoning for the same similar type situation here?
Mr. Sherman: Okay the, it’s been a few times actually.
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Mr. M. Williams: Okay that’s good, Rob. I am not going to waste any time with this but I
want to hear from the Airport Director.
Mr. Sherman: If I can make one comment the last time that it was before you though it
was for a different use it was for a C&D Landfill and that’s ---
Mr. M. Williams: And the name changing don’t mean it won’t be a C&D, Rob, to say
what the wording is saying. Changing the wording don’t make it any difference; it’s the same
principal, the same thing.
Mr. Sherman: Kind of sort of but just for clarity if I could.
Mr. M. Williams: I understand I mean but this is something that’s been ongoing. We
talked to the airport about it. We’re not against the project but the project cannot work there for
the simple reason the landfill whether it be a C&D or anything else is going to attract the birds and
everything else that’s over there. Now we heard there won’t be any trash. Okay, that’s not
supposed to be but when someone throws a lunch bag and a container when it gets dumped out
there you think the birds are going to fly over and say I’m not going down there because it’s just
a bag?
Mr. Sherman: Well now, they’re not bringing trash in.
Mr. M. Williams: I understand that but when trash gets into that, Rob, I’m not saying
they’re not allowed to bring trash themselves but you know that that stuff gets mixed up and when
it gets mixed up it’s going to cause some problems. I want to hear from the landfill director is the
one I want to hear from.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, let’s do this right here. All right, is there anyone speaking on
behalf of this request, this petition? Okay all right, so I want to hear from the representative and I
don’t see Lori Videtto here.
Mr. Hasan: I have a statement, I have a statement, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, do you have a copy for all of us to take a look at?
Mr. Hasan: Ms. Jackson may have it. I don’t know.
Ms. Jackson: I don’t have a copy. I do have a text message from her. She’s on vacation; I
can certainly read the text message.
Mr. Mayor: All right ---
Mr. Speaker: (inaudible).
Mr. Hasan: That’s what you said. I ain’t never agreed with that.
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Mr. Mayor: --- I know but that’s part of the problem.
Mr. M. Williams: But you can’t get them all the time down there ---
Mr. Mayor: I know.
Mr. M. Williams: --- you can’t get no one.
Mr. Hasan: She was going on vacation (unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: All right, I understand, I understand. Okay all right so we’ll go in this order.
We’ll hear from the requester, we’ll hear from Ms. Jackson or okay we’ll come back to you, sir.
All right, the Chair recognizes ---
Mr. Speaker: My name is Mr. William Wingate. I’m with WK Dixon and Company; I’m
representing Dixon Airline in this matter. The case before you or two cases, one is a zoning case
where there was a portion of this existing property that through the zoning process was determined
to be partially agricultural. The rest of the property and all the surrounding properties are currently
zoned Heavy Industrial. The property owner has asked to have this property rezoned to a light use
just like the remaining portions of the property so that it can conform with heavy industrial type
use. The second piece is the special exemptions for recycle. I think Commissioner Williams had
mentioned that this had come before you before. That was a completely different use they were
asking to use the property for a landfill operation. This operation will be purely recycle of
concrete, asphalt and wood materials that are all inert materials and not necessary for a full landfill
type of operation. These materials would not be buried on site. They would actually be reclaimed,
repurposed and put out for purchase by consumers in the area. This type of use is also being done
in similar zoning areas in other portions of Augusta and our client would ask that they be allowed
to use this type of reclaiming on their property. Those are the two items before you today.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I guess this young man is an attorney, is that right?
Mr. Wynngate: No, sir, I’m an engineer.
Mr. M. Williams: Engineer, okay. I probably need you to talk to my engineer when you
do the talking but the issue that I have with this area it’s been before this body several times to try
to establish exactly what they’re establishing now under a different name. The use of this property
is in proximity to airport. It’s been in question for quite some time. We had the Airport Director
to come and say he was not in favor. The FAA I believe now I don’t want to quote him he’s not
here. I thought Mr. Judon was out there but the FAA had mentioned that it wasn’t a good thing to
put that type facility that close to the airport. Now we done invested a lot of money in the airport
from remodeling, restructuring and adding different flights in and out of Augusta. I’m sure not
going to put people at risk to allow something like this to come up. And you’re saying that that
type of facility is not going to have household garbage. We get that, we understand that but when
25
you’re recycling or when you’re doing any type of recycling there, stuff’s going to get mixed up
anyway so I’ve got some issues with it, Mr. Mayor, when we have had the same issue come before
us several times. And I don’t want to get into the presenters who came who brought it who owned
the property. The property was a landfill, an inert landfill at one time and it was closed down but
now they’re talking about reopening it and I’m not going to put the people at risk like that. I’ve
got some serious issues with that and I think this body ought to be mindful of what’s being coming
and why it’s been turned down so many times. So if there’s something new that we hadn’t heard
I’d like to hear that but everything I’m hearing’s the same thing except just changing language.
So if from my Attorney and that’s what he does a lot that’s why I thought you might be an attorney
changing the language that don’t help me. That does not help me when you’re talking about
something so serious. And we don’t police what we’re already doing, we don’t police what we
already got. We’ve got stuff that we say we’re policing and it don’t get policed and to create that
I think it would be detrimental to the airport itself to let us approve something that has been turned
down several times by this board and I don’t even know how it got out of Planning. Now I did
miss one Planning meeting, Ms. Bonner, the last one I guess I was there but I didn’t make that one.
Mr. Mayor: Well so again, I don’t want to necessarily spend time debating but as my
understanding of this that had in fact been denied by this body and I don’t remember that. I do
know there was a petitioner who came at the same property last year and it was the same time we
were talking about updating our Waste Management Plan. That was supposed to have been
brought back to us that has not happened at this time. So, we have not denied anyone. Had that
taken place I don’t think the petitioner would be here pursuant to our current code so I ---
Mr. M. Williams: Our previous director Mr. Mayor and the director of the landfill ---
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, I understand ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- both of them had denied it as well.
Mr. Mayor: --- the action that we took was update the Waste Management Plan and to this
moment that has not been brought back to us. To this moment that has not been brought back to
us.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I beg to differ with you I beg to differ with you. Now we
were going to update the plan and had that plan been updated you would’ve had it back then but it
wasn’t updated and this facility was turned down. I asked Rob Sherman how many times had this
been before this body. At least four different times maybe five but at least four different times.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’m going to go down to the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, first I’d like to ask the gentleman a
question. What’s your name, sir, if you don’t mind?
Mr. Wingate: My name is Trey Wingate.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Wingate ---
26
Mr. Wingate: Yes, sir.
Mr. Hasan: --- exactly in terms of the concrete and everything that you’re going to be
recycling that’s before I make my statement that’s what I want to make sure, where are the
materials going to come from?
Mr. Wingate: The materials would come from contractors in the area. They’re purely
demolition materials ---
Mr. Hasan: Okay ---
Mr. Wingate: --- they come from construction sites.
Mr. Hasan: --- okay. Mr. Mayor, I called Ms. Videtto Friday and after that I talked to Ms.
Jackson so Ms. Jackson got the same I would assume the same information I got but I talked to
her after it was Friday at 4:26 p.m. that’s when she told me she was going on vacation. She said
we are strongly in opposition to allowing the facility to operate. They would be diverting material
from the Augusta Landfill and although they are not burying it on site, it still would have an impact.
Their proposal before it’s crushed to stock materials they have on site presumably sending it to
various vendors. Once those materials are gone they would be looking for outside sources with
this material which would impact Augusta’s operation. One part of her statement so it’s saying
that she’s strongly against it. Now I’m going to stop right there, Mr. Mayor, because she did give
him an event if it was to happen in the past at best we ought to be able to negotiate a fee or
something or charge a fee but she’s strongly against it if this Commission decides to do something
different so I want to honest about that. But here’s some of the reasons why we should not do this,
Mr. Mayor. Our previous director as we all know wanted to increase the fees and things because
of at the landfill because of loss of business. As you just heard the gentleman say that he would
be getting debris or what have you the things that they recycling, they’d be getting it from outside
vendors. Many of those vendors currently does business with Augusta, Georgia that would most
likely going to them because they’re able to sell it to them or market it at a much cheaper price.
We begin to lose money as a result of that. And we know once again our previous director wanted
to increase the fees. We finally found that out and we was against that. Also I’ve talked to
Commissioner Williams’ point the last time this issue was before us, I met with two persons who
operate landfills and persons who were in the sanitation business. They both said on two different
times and one of those persons even came from Atlanta to meet with me and they said that if we’re
going to allow these kinds of things to happen we might as well get out of the landfill business
because we’re creating competition for ourselves and they encouraged us not to do that. Also we
have to take into consideration that the debt that the landfill has incurred already that we’re trying
to pay off, we’re going to begin to lose money. Then we’re going to wonder how are we going to
continue to do the things that we need to do to keep that landfill in compliance with the federal or
the EPA the EPS whomever we have to be whose ever standards we have to abide by. Also we
begin to continue to lose money as a result of this coming in. Realize for Environmental Services
we get $400,000 dollars annually for demolition purposes so all these things and none of these
things are to the benefit of Augusta, Georgia where we stand right now and we should not create
competition for ourselves. Our Director had just said she was adamantly against it, that it’s going
27
to create competition with us because they’re going to have to get those products from somewhere
and those products most likely were part of or many of those products would be coming into us.
One of the things our previous director that we are trying to get him to do was potentially lower
the fee and try to get some of the business back that he was losing that was going other places and
we sit here and create competition for ourselves. We’re going to continue to lose business. And
as some other person said we have to make a conscious decision do we want to be in the landfill
business or not and at the same time how will pay off the debt that we’re currently in at the landfill.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 8.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor, thank you. I do want to bring up that this property has been
before us before. They wanted a C&D construction debris where they would be in direct
competition with Augusta-Richmond County and I got shot down. Well, the same company, the
same group actually had to face some of the EPA guidelines which they have met. They went
before our own departments to make sure that everything that they are in compliance with they
met if not exceeded. This has been passed through our own Planning and Zoning Board. Now as
far as the recycling going green you know we approved about six months ago for that landfill to
use the waste product from the landfill to convert into fertilizer, oil and one other byproduct. You
know in order to recycle inert as far as concrete, asphalt, wood is biodegradable after a period of
time but concrete and asphalt is not. The millions of dollars that we spend for the bulk out there
at the landfill just to be filled with concrete or asphalt is foolish money being wasted number one.
By being green in the recycling you’re putting people to work number one. You’re recycling the
money in an economy here. Augusta-Richmond County does not have the per se landfill
monopolized as far as the concrete, wood or asphalt. You have other inert landfills that was
approved by this body years prior. But we’re turning our backs on this one company and we’re
supposed to be business friendly. We just approved what $150/175,000 for the, to try to increase
business here in Augusta. The bar owners we just passed, well, it’s not passed so far but I’m trying
to pass smoking ordinance where you’ve seen them come before us that affects them personally.
We’ve got to be business friendly. I’m one of the business owners in Augusta and I’m concerned
about the direction that we are going as far as a county. This is actually recycling, it’s going green.
That’s the reason why we have recycling trash cans next to our regular trash cans and for it to be
a direct impact, heck, you can go to Burke County, you go to North Augusta, you can go to
Columbia County called Samples and they could actually take the product cheaper than Augusta
and probably cheaper than these guys could do it. I don’t want to cut off my nose to spite my face
on this but I’m going to make a motion to approve this.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’ve got a motion and a second to approve.
Mr. Hasan: (unintelligible) ---
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on, hold on, it’s not my first rodeo ---
Mr. Hasan: --- okay.
28
Mr. Mayor: --- I’m coming, I’m going to give everybody an opportunity to speak. All
th,th
right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 8 the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I just reviewed and looked back on a little history on this, this
whole project and this whole thing. Well, there’s one thing that has never changed on this agenda
item and that’s the thing that’s always given me pause and concern. 4420 Evans to Locks Road.
I’ve seen all kind of information about different ownership different names and after a conversation
earlier this morning I decided to go back and check this one final thing about this about the
ownership on this property and again it came back to 4420 Evans to Locks Road. So that tells me
that the names changed, the supposed concept changed, but the initial constant in the middle of
this has never changed. The initial constant has never changed. And based on that I can’t support
this. Thank you, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, I’ve got a motion and a second. We can do one of two things.
We can vote it up or down and we can move on, okay? We certainly can have more debate about
it. All right, the Chair recognizes the, Madam Administrator, Commissioner Hasan he spoke to
the text message. Do you have anything you want to add?
Ms. Jackson: No, he read the exact wording of the text message that I received as well.
She sent the same to both of us.
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Mr. Mayor: Very well, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I just don’t want us to lose sight of the safety issue as well.
And the Airport Director came in and explained to us how he didn’t support it because of the safety
factor so I’m ready to vote it up or down like you said but I just think we need to understand this
is not just about the landfill. We’ve been told several different things up here and how much
money it’s going to make for the city, how it’s going to save the city money and how it’s not going
to become a competition. All those things have been said numerous of times but I’m ready like
you, Mayor, to vote it up or down. I’m going down too.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, may I say something?
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on, to the petitioner do you have anything to add do you want
do something different?
Mr. Wingate: Sir, the property in question has been used for over 25 years for this type of
purpose. The adjoining property, the adjoining property to this property is being used for the exact
same purpose. Our client is only asking for fairness. They’re not asking for special conditions,
they’re asking for fairness. This property has been used for a mining site and for what was
previously an inert landfill under the previous ownership. The current owner stepped in on behalf
of a neighbor of his that was in difficult financial conditions and purchased the property. He has
invested significant amounts of money to put the property back into good compliance with any
issues that were outstanding. He only asks that he be able to utilize his property to the zoning and
compliance conditions that the rest of the citizens of Augusta get to do. The property is not, when
29
the discussing the airport, the airport obviously would have a concern if the property was being
used for a landfill however it’s been told to me since that last conversation that the airport has had
some other conversations about that. I’m sorry that they’re not here to speak on that today. But
the purpose that we’re talking about here has no bird attraction to it and bird attraction is what the
FAA is most concerned about when it comes to landfills. In fact, one of the other items that is
typically an issue with an airport is a waste treatment facility which we also happen to have right
off at the end of a runway. But because of those types of issues the FAA is always open to looking
at specific conditions. This property has not posed an issue for bird attraction. I would probably
challenge you to go and look at the property and ask yourself if there’s any bird attraction issues
that would be of significance to the airport. We would welcome conversation with the airport
concerning these matters, but I don’t believe the airport would be a significant detractor from this
type of property use.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, you’ve got a motion.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion ---
Mr. M. Williams: Do I need a substitute?
Mr. Mayor: --- hold on we have a motion to approve with a proper second. It’s well within
your right if you want to make a substitute you can do that and I’ll recognize you at this time.
Mr. M. Williams: I’m ready to vote on the motion that’s on hand.
Mr. Mayor: I think that’s good. All right, voting.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, you didn’t let me make my comment now.
Mr. Mayor: Well, I think you ---
Mr. Hasan: So what’s ---
Mr. Mayor: --- Commissioner suspend, suspend.
Mr. Hasan: --- go ahead.
Mr. Mayor: Voting.
Mr. Hasan: Hold on, Mr. Mayor, you hold, hold you told me you were going to recognize
me and now you’re going to go ahead and have the vote?
Mr. Mayor: I think that again we’ve heard substantial amount of debate on this.
Mr. Hasan: But everybody gets a chance to talk three times. I pulled one of the items as
well. I pulled Item number 6 which is attached which you made them as companion items. I don’t
have to say anything but I want you to be fair to me and to everybody in the audience because you
30
told me you would get back with me. Now if you just changed your mind and said, Mr.
Commissioner, I changed my mind and I’ll live with that.
Mr. Mayor: I didn’t change my mind in fact my mind ---
Mr. Hasan: You just didn’t intend for me to speak then?
Mr. Mayor: --- no ---
Mr. Hasan: No, that means yes, no?
Mr. Mayor: --- let me tell you why I intend ---
Mr. Hasan: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: --- here’s what I intend. I intend for you to vote.
Mr. Hasan: Say again now.
Mr. Mayor: I intend for you to vote but here’s what else I intend. I intend for you to have
communicated and you expressed your concern that the director says that this should not be
approved, is that not true?
Mr. Hasan: And I did and I wanted to reinforce that.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I know that. The Commissioner has already reinforced that so I need
everybody to vote, that’s what I need.
Mr. D. Williams, Mr. Frantom, Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. Smith vote Yes.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Sias, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Hasan and Mr. M. Williams vote No.
Ms. Davis out.
Motion Fails 4-5.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I’m ready to move on to Item number 13.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
13. MOTION TO APPROVE AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE AUGUSTA, GA CODE,
TITLE FOUR, BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE TO BE DESIGNATED ARTICLE 7 AND
NEW SECTIONS TO BE DESIGNATED SECTIONS 4-2-77 THROUGHT 4-2-97; TO
REPEAL AUGUSTA, GA CODE TITLE FOUR, SECTION 4-2-1; TO RESTRICT
SMOKING AND THE USE OF E-CIGARETTES IN PUBLIC PLACES AND IN PLACES
OF PUBLIC ACCOMODATION; TO REPEAL ALL CODE SECTIONS AND
ORDINANCES AND PARTS OF CODE SECTIONS AND ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT
31
HEREWITH; TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
(Approved by the Augusta Commission June 5, 2018 – second reading)
rd
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, the Commissioner from the 3 has asked to call in. It is well
within her right to do that to give her an opportunity to call in and at that point I’m going to
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recognize the Commissioner from the 9 to speak on this matter. Limit debate to ten minutes.
Mr. M. Williams: Let me know when you get her on the line, Ms. Bonner.
The Clerk: Say hello to your colleagues, Mayor Pro Tem.
Ms. Mayor Pro Tem: Hello, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners.
Mr. Sias: Hello, Commissioner Davis.
Mr. M. Williams: Mayor Pro Tem, thank you for joining us. I pulled this item because ---
Mr. M. Williams: Hold on, Commissioner ---
Mr. M. Williams: You just said ---
Mr. Mayor: --- I know, hold on. All right, I wanted to make sure you too, okay. The Chair
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recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mayor Pro Tem, I had this item pulled
today. I don’t think you heard the previous conversation but I did get a call from a Commissioner
in Columbus about this ordinance that they were misinformed by Breathe Easy. All of the
documents was not exactly as they explained it. They offered these conceptions and they wouldn’t
accept the conceptions so they didn’t pass anything. Alarmed me and made me think differently
about what they presented. I didn’t support this in the beginning and I still think it’s still not
feasible for this government to tell businesses how to run their business and I’m going to do
everything I can with my one vote to make a motion at this time to deny this request and let those
businesses handle their business the way they you know think is feasible for them. That’s my
motion, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Guilfoyle: I second it.
nd
Mr. Mayor: Okay, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 2.
Mr. Jefferson: If my colleagues’ motion passed what I need is not, I don’t need to say
anything ---
Mr. Mayor: Would you speak into, okay.
32
Mr. Jefferson: --- because my main concern is that we have some kind of exception to the
ordinance that would allow these facilities or current facilities that allow smoking to continue
having smoking in their facility. If not, I’ll vote against the whole thing.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, Madam Clerk, when this voted on previous there was roll call
vote, is that correct?
The Clerk: One was requested, yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct. All right, could we get that so we can bring that back forward
---
The Clerk: I beg your pardon?
Mr. Mayor: --- the roll call vote.
The Clerk: You want to do one today?
Mr. Mayor: No, well, yeah, I want to do that but what I want to do is I want to be reminded
of how everybody voted the first time.
The Clerk: Okay, I think the minutes are in your book.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, very good, which will include that then, is that correct?
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: So do I have to amend my motion, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: You don’t have to do anything.
Mr. M. Williams: --- to include the existing to grandfather them in?
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Mr. Mayor: Hold on, I’m still, the Commissioner from the 2 still has the floor.
The Clerk: They’re under Petitions and Communications, the minutes from last week’s
meeting.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
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The Clerk: It’s under Consent Agenda Item 32 the minutes held June 5 Special Called
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Meeting on June 12 are in your book, Item number 32.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Item number 32. Okay under Tab 32 and what item, Madam Clerk?
The Clerk: Number 32 oh item on the (unintelligible).
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Mr. Mayor: Right.
The Clerk: Item number 31.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
The Clerk: You want to know who voted?
Mr. Mayor: That’s correct.
The Clerk: Okay, voting No Mr. Wayne Guilfoyle, Mr. Grady Smith, Mr. Dennis Williams
and Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. Mayor: Okay very well, all right I just wanted to again we’re going to ask for a roll
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call vote again. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. This is an issue that gave me grave concern before, during and
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after. And my colleague from the 9 said he had received some additional information reference
Breathe Easy so I would like a member from Breath Easy to come up and answer that allegation
or that concern, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: So ---
Mr. Sias: --- Ms. Danielle Moores.
Mr. Mayor: --- I know, I know.
Mr. Sias: She might be stuck in her seat.
Mr. Mayor: Well, she’s waiting on me. I wish I hadn’t put anything in my mouth. All
right, the Chair recognizes Ms. Danielle Moores.
Ms. Moores: Good afternoon. Danielle Moores from Breath Easy Augusta. Thank you
again for the opportunity to speak. I’m here to answer some questions. And I wanted to point out
some clarification. It’s been mentioned that there was some misinformation provided by a group
called Breath Easy Columbus while Columbus, Georgia was debating a smoke free ordinance. I
wanted to clarify that that group is actually not affiliated with us. The name is the same. There’s
also a Breath Easy Savannah group, I believe there’s a Breath Easy Marietta group, a Breath Easy
Atlanta group. We essentially adopted the same name so it’s completely different people so I can’t
speak to the information provided in Columbus. But it is definitely not with our group and the
information that we provided the positions, the scientists, the researchers, the experts who spoke
on our behalf I personally can vouch for all of that and we’d be glad to answer any questions about
the information we provided. Also I want to point out the information about the North Carolina
and bars that were exempted in North Carolina those were one of the states that was mentioned by
one of the speakers earlier today. We actually have someone who actually worked with our group
34
and she actually helped write that law in North Carolina and I’d like to give her just a moment to
address that particular concern ---
Mr. M. Williams: Wait a minute ---
Ms. Moores: --- if you agree.
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on. I just wanted you to answer that one question.
Ms. Moores: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: I know that we’ve had a delegation already to speak and request exemptions
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and so the Commissioner from the 4 had a question that he wanted you to address. You’ve
addressed that at this time, all right.
Mr. Sias: And I’m fine with that I just can I, I want to follow up ---
Mr. Mayor: Please do.
Mr. Sias: --- with one thing, and that doesn’t include Ms. Moores. I’m trying to get this
gentleman, I can’t think of his name and I know it well from the Health Department I just, raise
your hand, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Dr. Jonathan?
Mr. Sias: Yes, Jonathan ---
Mr. Mayor: Arrogossi.
Mr. Sias: --- I just want to ask him one question.
Mr. Mayor: Sarge, okay all right, please come forward please forgive me for not saying
your last name correctly.
Mr. Sias: Thank you I don’t have a problem with asking tough questions or following a
hot pursuit. Ms. (unintelligible), do you agree with what Ms. Mores just said from Breath Easy?
Mr. Speaker: Yes, I do, sir.
Mr. Sias: How so?
Mr. Speaker: I believe the science and all the ---
Mr. Sias: No, no, by the affiliation.
35
Mr. Speaker: --- oh, those are separate groups. Each of these campaigns are local. I don’t
know how they’re funded but they’re all kind of grassroots so there’s a separate Columbus group,
there’s a separate Augusta group. Those things are true.
Mr. Sias: That’s right and not doubting Ms. Moores, I just need to hear the verification.
This is a serious issue, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner, I wish you had asked me that question. I would’ve given you
the same answer, I would have, I know that to be true. The lady knows of what she speaks.
Mr. Sias: I’m not doubting you, sir ---
Mr. Mayor: I know.
Mr. Sias: --- I wanted her help before (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I am, I’m all for a healthy living.
Mr. Sias: Can I stay healthy?
Mr. Mayor: If I get a chance to change the diet, yes. All right, the Chair recognizes the
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Commissioner from the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, I think one of my biggest concerns is that once again some of my
colleagues have access to information that, you know, everybody else don’t have access to.
Mr. Mayor: A common set of facts.
Mr. Fennoy: A common set of facts. That happened with the landfill situation where a
couple of people had access to information that I didn’t have access to but I think that you know
in order for me to make an informed decision, I’d like to have access to all the information that
everybody else has so that I can have, you know, cast my vote based on the information that I have
as opposed to have to hearing it from somebody else at the last minute.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah well, here’s what I’d like to do. We had a substantial amount of debate.
What’s always interesting about these matters that we tend to debate significantly on is that they’re
matters that were discussed, debated with previous commissions and there were failures to act
whether it was to support or not. And it’s kind of like stormwater. We talked about it for five
years even talked about it for nine years and you just talk, talk, talk, talk. But what this body has
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consistently said is you want to be about taking action. So the Commissioner from the 9 has
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made a motion to deny this and with a second from the Commissioner from the 8 and whether
you support that motion or you support the underlined motion, you’re going to have an opportunity
to decide that right now, all right? You have an opportunity to decide that. The main motion
which is why we’re here today is the second reading. It was approved again, Ms. Bonner, on June
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5 if that is correct and today our posture was to have the second reading, okay, but the
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Commissioner from the 8 the Commissioner from the 9 have said that they once again don’t
36
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support it. You’ve had four members who voted against this on June 5 the Commissioner from
ththth
the 8, Commissioner from the 9 the Commissioner from the 10 and the Commissioner from
nd
the 2 voted against this. It’s certainly well within their right to do the same thing this time.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I tried to amend my motion ---
Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- grandfather those who was already in business. If we want to pass
it, okay, I’m just going to I’m trying grandfather the ones ---
Mr. Mayor: Hold on ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- that’s already ---
Mr. Mayor: --- hold on, just hold on. So we have all of these opportunities here and again
we’re going to have an opportunity to vote on it. All right, the Chair’s going to recognize a guy
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who doesn’t speak often the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. Jefferson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. Jefferson: --- I want to make a substitute motion to go back to the original motion to
approve this on the second reading.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a substitute motion and a proper second. That is the superior
motion that is before us right now. All right, we’ve got a substitute. We will address this first and
if we address this first we’re going to do a roll call vote, absolutely okay? The substitute motion
th.
is to approve the ordinance as currently drafted that was adopted on June the 5 That is the
substitute motion with a proper second. Madam Clerk?
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
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The Clerk: Mr. Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Jefferson.
Mr. Jefferson: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Present.
Motion Passes 6-3-1.
Ms. Davis: Thank you, Ms. Bonner.
The Clerk: Thank you, ma’am.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, the next item is number seven.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, Point of Personal Privilege, Mr. Mayor.
th.
Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9 State your
inquiry.
Mr. M. Williams: You know we’ve got to be careful with this common set of facts you’re
talking about. I ain’t never going to tell everybody everything I know so when you came in and
you don’t have information then you didn’t look for none because if you want the information it’s
out there for you. But I ain’t going to tell you or nobody else that I’m going to tell you everything
I know. So there’s going to be a lot of days when we ain’t going to have a common set of facts on
38
this dais so we need to quit playing those games and tell everybody don’t know the same things
all the time. You can find anything you want if there’s a phone in your hand. If you Google it it’ll
tell you a lot of stuff.
Mr. Sias: What item are we going to, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: We’re going to Number 7.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
7. Z-18-32 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
approve with the conditions listed below a petition by Larry D. Chancey, on behalf of
Chancey Holdings LLC, requesting a rezoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone LI (Light
Industry) affecting property containing 1.32 acres and known as 3104 Mike Padgett
Highway. Tax Map 111-0-014-00-0 DISTRICT 1 1. Provide minimum 10 feet natural street
yard buffer along Mike Padgett Highway and Payton Road. The street yard shall measure
from the property line and must be interior to the lot. 2. Landscaping in the street yards shall
be consistent with provisions of the Augusta Tree Ordinance. 3. Collection of materials for
recycling or any storage of inoperable vehicles shall be prohibited on the property. 4. Storage
of repossessed vehicles must be screened with a privacy fence no less than 6 feet in height.
Mr. M. Williams: I’m waiting to be recognized, Rob. That’s all I’m waiting on. I don’t
want a common set of facts to get me today.
Mr. Mayor: And, Rob, I’m waiting on folks to clear the Chamber. The Chair recognizes
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the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Rob, I asked for this to be pulled because I wanted to know exactly what
this agenda item was going to entail. Now I read the back of it here but it talks about a lot of
different things so exactly what is this supposed to?
Mr. Sherman: Okay, if you are in Mike Padgett Highway looking at their business location
or the east side of Mike Padgett this property is to the right of their business. It’s zoned
Agricultural to be zoned requesting it to be rezoned Light Industrial. This is the store. They’ve
got the landscaping, the street yard landscaping, this is the storage of their operating equipment,
their trucks and their trailers. No inoperable vehicles. If they do put any repossessed vehicles
there, operable vehicles, they have to be in a screened in area.
Mr. M. Williams: Well, I mean if you look at that facility now they’ve got both sides of
the street. They bought all that other material and I’m afraid that once you approve this, those
automobiles that they’re towing in are going to stacked out there on 56.
Mr. Sherman: Well, they will not be able to do that. And then part of this came about well
there was Code Enforcement I guess sent them a notice back in January of ‘l8 but it’s also to clean
up the property on the other side of the road where they’re storing equipment. So that, the materials
39
that are not their operating trucks the operating trucks can store over there they don’t put in a fence
but on this piece of property it will be for their operating equipment no inoperable vehicles.
Mr. M. Williams: Rob, they’ve got tractor trailers, they’ve got I mean you name it it’s out
there. Just down the street now on both sides of the corner, we’ve been having an issue with that
for years hadn’t been able to get that resolved. Now once we approve and if it goes across the
railroad tracks that the brick recycled brick area there that’s got all the stuff on the walls supposedly
not being in operation, it’s in operation but it was supposed have been not moving but it’s still
moving. So how are we going to change that? If you go across the street what you’ve got is the
same situation we’re doing over and over again so how do we resolve, how do we get it to the
standard that it ought to be for somebody can deal with it?
Mr. Sherman: Well and this is moving in that direction. This is to give the company a
chance to get into compliance get some of that stuff on the west side of the road over here and then
there will not be any inoperable vehicles on this property. They have to be behind the fenced in
area that they currently have.
Mr. M. Williams: Between Code Enforcement, Rob, between the Marshal’s Office and the
Sheriff’s Office something ain’t getting done man.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you. Mr. Sherman, please tell us what that property across the street will
be used for once, if this is approved ---
Mr. Sherman: Where there’s ---
Mr. Sias: --- and just one second and that use will be in compliance with Code
Enforcement. And also will it be in compliance with being a good neighbor?
Mr. Sherman: --- that’s the direction we’re moving in. Nothing, no junk vehicles, wrecked
vehicles will be stored on the west side. There will be a privacy fence installed and the Chanceys
are here and they can inform you on what they’re doing there but working on that and getting this
rezoned is an effort to get them into compliance with the requirements.
Mr. Sias: And you have a commitment from them on that?
Mr. Sherman: Yes, they’re here and they can speak to that and it would be good to let them
put it on the record for you.
Mr. Sias: Can we do that, Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Well ---
Mr. Sias: --- it’s your meeting.
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Mr. Mayor: --- well, what do you propose?
Mr. Sias: That we hear from them.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, we can do that.
Ms. Josey: My name is Marcy Josey, 1969 Piedmont Street on behalf of the Chancey’s.
And yes, sir, we’re looking to move everything to the same side of the road that we’re on. We did
acquire the property across the street not knowing, which was our fault, what the laws would be
and what zoning was required or would be required of us to be there. We made that mistake and
we said we do. We acquired the property next door because the surrounding properties were
already zoned either Heavy Industry or Light Industrial so it was just that property was still rezoned
Agricultural. I mean we are a growing business in Augusta and we have been here. We do need
more area to place our equipment but I would like to say that we do intend on clearing up the west
side of the road. We’re not going to do anything with it. We’re just need a bigger area. We have
acquired a lot of heavy-duty equipment and we’ve kind of run out of room at 3102 so ---
Mr. Sias: Follow up here, Mr. Mayor. When you say you all are going to move across the
street get from the west side.
Ms. Josey: --- from Clary Drive, Valley Park area to 3104 Mike Padgett Highway.
Mr. Sias: Do you intend to, what would be the intended use of that piece of property ya’ll
acquired after that say this is approved.
Ms. Josey: Yes, sir, then you know we’re going to leave, we’re going to leave it vacant.
We’re not going to put anything on it but I would like to tell you, sir, it’s a step up from what was
there. I mean you know and I just want to bring it to your attention. You know the barber shop
and the old Benny’s Garage that was there 10 years ago, sir, that was not neighborly friendly either
but we have demoed those buildings and they are no longer rat infested places which is what you
still have at the corner of Clarey Drive and Mike Padgett Highway.
Mr. Sias: I am in support of what ya’ll are trying to do. I’m just trying to wrap it up so that
if you’re going to clear out that west side or if you still use it’s your property as long as you use it
within code so just don’t make any promises that won’t be kept. And basically just if ya’ll clean
that up and with this, if this item is approved then that gives ya’ll what you all need.
Mr. Josey: Absolutely.
Mr. Sias: Mr. Mayor, I didn’t pull but if, I’m going to make a motion that we approve
it.
Mr. Fennoy: Second.
Mr. Mayor: I think that’s a great motion; I’m fully in support of this. I’ve watched the
progression on Highway 56, been a long time resident over there and what they’ve done to clean
41
up that corner and the existing lot as well is what they’re going to do across the street is good for
the community. All right, we’ve got a motion ---
Mr. Sias: Before the motion leaves I just have one additional question.
Mr. Mayor: --- okay.
Mr. Sias: Do you all have a 50-ton tonable yet?
Ms. Josey: Are you thinking of a rotator, sir?
Mr. Sias: The rotator, I’m sorry.
Ms. Josey: Yes, sir, we do.
Mr. Sias: I’d sure like to see that one day.
Ms. Josey: You let me know where I need to bring it to and I’ll make sure it happens.
Mr. Hasan: You’re going to have to abstain now.
Mr. M. Williams: Bring it up to Jamestown.
Ms. Josey: Bring it to Jamestown? Can we pick up your automobile with it?
Mr. Mayor: All right, thank you, ma’am. We have a motion ---
Mr. Sias: Ya’ll don’t know that let me clear this up, Mr. Mayor. 50-Ton tonables are very
unique in the wrecker business, very unique, watch Road to on the ---
Mr. Mayor: Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t do it. All right, we’ve got a motion and a
second, voting.
Mr. M. Williams abstains.
Ms. Davis out.
Motion Passes 8-0-1.
Mr. Mayor: It’s nothing more than Commissioner Sias trying to once again reaffirm his
country credibility.
Mr. Sias: You know what, country builds character. Where are you from?
Mr. Mayor: The country.
Mr. Guilfoyle: You might be a hick, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: Oh my ---
Mr. Sias: There’s two kinds.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, all right, all right. Madam Clerk, they’re getting besides
themselves you can’t write, don’t write that down, Tom.
Mr. Sias: You’ll be stifling the free press Mr. Mayor.
The Clerk: I think we’re at Number 34.
Mr. Mayor: Oh yeah, yeah.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
34. Discuss event hours for Candlelight Jazz at the Augusta Common. (Requested by
Commissioner Marion Williams)
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, we’ve had this discussion several times before. We thought
we had the Candlelight Jazz hours changed to accommodate people who are coming in and wanted
to be there. I don’t know who reversed them back but I’d like to hear from Glenn as to how they
get from 7:30 to 9:30 again.
Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, ---
Mr. M. Williams: Is it something we had moved to I think 11:00 o’clock or 10:30 or
something but they moved it back.
Mr. Mayor: --- all right.
Mr. Parker: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, we did talk about that several times last year. During last
year’s concerts we surveyed 280 people and the results of that survey I’ll flip through real quick.
As you can see on your screen right now these are the people who come to the concerts 74% of
those people preferred the earlier ---
Mr. Mayor: Director Parker, suspend. We don’t is ---
Mr. Parker: (Inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: --- no ---
Mr. M. Williams: But Glenn ---
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Mr. Parker: I’m sorry, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Is there something you want us to put up there, okay there we go.
Mr. M. Williams: But Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir?
Mr. M. Williams: --- I mean we didn’t ask Glenn to do a survey of the people; we didn’t
ask him to question what they wanted. Now I guess if they didn’t want jazz they want country and
western, we’re going to change because the survey said country and western. Is that what we’re
going to do? I’ve got some issues because people that I surveyed felt really bad because the hour
was so short. It’s sunlight during 7:00 to 7:30 almost 8:30. It’s still sunlight so when people start
to come, it really don’t make sense for them to come downtown for an hour and turn around and
go back home. Now I had to deal with the sun at one point in my life. I don’t have to do that no
more and I don’t think people ought to be put in that situation unless they want to and people don’t
come out during the heat. The sun probably is going to be record heat they said, Ms. Bonner, I
really don’t know. But we talked about changing the hours, we came down, Commissioner Hasan
and myself, we talked we with you. We even talked about adding the speakers when it was needed
for the sound for people sitting in the very back couldn’t hear as good. But somebody in your
office or you decided to do something different. But this body ought to be the factor as to what
we’re going to do so, Glenn, I’m very disappointed in that now because if you did a survey it
looked like we would have at least not just do it at the Commons that people coming just do a
survey all over the city. But that don’t make good sense to me now, Mr. Mayor, I don’t agree with
that at all.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner, if you’ll hold on just one second here. All right, the
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Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6, Commissioner Hasan?
Mr. Hasan: Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Mayor, I’m sorry. Yes, sir, I really wasn’t going to say
anything you know but I can’t say anything different from what Commissioner Williams just said.
I’m a little disappointed too because I thought it was going to move to 10:30 because I thought
that’s what we agreed upon pretty much is going to do that. And like Commissioner Williams I
must say absolutely that even you decide to do a survey which I don’t think that’s what was being
asked it looked like you would’ve come back and told us that well we decided to do a survey. And
I don’t think that probably wouldn’t have gone without being checked to say you decided to do a
survey but to say you done a survey and decided to do it the way you currently was doing it, I think
it’s a disservice and disrespect to what the Commissioner (unintelligible) order and was expecting
of you to do. I’m like Commissioner Williams, I really have a problem with this one, I really do
because this is not what we ordered to do and if you wanted to do that, it looked like I said it
would’ve come back and told us what the results were and not to do that I think is a disservice and
I think disrespectful as well.
Mr. Mayor: Everybody suspend for a moment. Madam Administrator and Madam Clerk,
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we made a decision in this body last year. This is not the first time the Commissioner from the 9
has brought this matter forward. And early on before the 2018 Candlelight Jazz Series was to start
44
there was an action by this body to extend the hours, okay, it’s in the minutes. It was a clear action
that this body took to extend the hours and if I’m wrong then I’ll tell you I’m wrong but there was
th
much debate about this. The Commissioner from the 9 brought this forward. There was much
conversation about this and so we need to revisit this, we clearly need to revisit this, Madam
Administrator.
Ms. Jackson: Yeah, I think one of the things that Mr. Parker was going to highlight is up
on the screen. Actually some of the shows do end at 10:30. It’s a mix between 9:30 and 10:30, is
that correct?
Mr. Parker: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. Jackson: Can you talk a little bit more about what that means there at the bottom of
the chart?
Mr. Parker: I guess I would, you know in the survey information we found out last year
that most of the people prefer the early hours. What we observed was when we did the later
concerts last year people were leaving early. They were not, a very small portion of the folks were
leaving. So we tried to blend some concerts later this year but most of the concerts are ending
around 9:30 or so, still I don’t deny that. It’s difficult for some of the performers to do more than
a couple of hour set also so if we wanted to go to 10:30, I think one of the things we had talked
about is we would have to literally have two acts to do that. So you know it was our choice as a
staff based on those surveys to blend in some of the later concerts this year to give people that
option and just to monitor the numbers to see how they do. Our numbers I would say they’ve been
okay this year; they haven’t been great. We had two that where we had rain that we moved those
to May Park. The attendance at May Park any time you try something new I think like that the
attendance at May Park’s been very small, I think the numbers have been in the 60/70 range of
folks that are coming to May Park. But I do want to just highlight the May Park thing. I do think
that’ll grow over time people have got to become accustomed to on a Sunday night if it’s raining
for a number of years they haven’t come downtown and we cancel the concert.
Mr. Mayor: So, Director Parker, I want to mention two things and then I’m going to hear
from a couple of other members. I think the challenge that you have right now is the following.
One, this body believes that there was a clear directive and that happened last year. Number two,
you didn’t follow that. Number three, you did something that was completely different than what
was requested and that was to extend the hours until 10:30. Now again while we’re not necessarily
debating that that’s the reality of what the conversation is right now. You need to be mindful of
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that, sir. All right, I’m going to recognize the Commissioner from the 1 and then we’ll keep going
okay?
Mr. Fennoy: It’s all right, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay yeah, that’s the conversation, Director Parker. All right, I’m going to
go down and then come back this way. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the
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7.
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Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I guess my question was I don’t remember us voting
and if we did we did. I just don’t remember it but I mean I don’t think it’s right we’re going to sit
here and chastise someone for doing a survey when he’s surveying the people that are utilizing
this event. I mean I think that’s important to do to get a vibe and you know what these people
want to see and do. I mean I’ve been down there a few times and I’ve heard not just from Mr.
Parker but other people that they are leaving at 9:00 o’clock but again it’s one of those things if
we agreed to do it then we’re going to have to fund the agreement. I mean I’ve put on a lot of
shows. They were complaining a 90-minute set, then we’re going to have to have a second act.
So I hope we can get it straight. I just I don’t remember voting on it and if we did okay so thank
you.
Mr. Fennoy: Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you. I can’t you know I was reading the small print where I had to
put on my glasses and it clearly shows you know some ends at 10:30 and some ends at 9:30. Hell
if anything give the guy credit for at least trying to bring something down to the Commons,
something positive. Every time he comes up here, he gets ridiculed from one thing or another. If
we just shut down all functions at the Commons then we’d be fussing at him and saying why ain’t
you doing something? Well at least he’s trying ya’ll, that’s more than most. And it’s attracting
people to downtown but I’m you know some of ya’ll are disappointed in him but hell, just to set
up a gig with these bands it’s not that easy. You’ve got to negotiate to their deal and say give and
take. But like you said you’ll have it end at 10:30, you’ve have it ending at 9:30. Thank you, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Commissioner Marion Williams and then Commissioner Sammie Sias.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Fennoy. First of all nobody’s chastising. If that’s what
you call chastising, I would hate to see some real chastising if this is what this is. But we had
several meetings on this and we talked about extending the hours. We talked about how early
everything was turning out. In fact we had when we changed the hours, Glenn. I was there, there
was no signage to let people know and they was leaving. There was nobody telling anybody that
because when one group, we had two different bands. When one group was shutting down people
started to leave I said wait it’s not over with. But we had no signage to tell people that the hours
was extended and no sign telling the people we got another band coming. We even talked about
some local groups that could fill in and would be glad to fill in but we, you talking about getting
people downtown, Commissioner, and I agree with that that’s what we’re trying to do get people
downtown but you can’t get people downtown by shutting it down when they get down there. And
Glenn mentioned about people had to get used to it. If they know you’re going to be there, I’ve
been saying this for too long as well there ought to be music on the Commons every weekend if
the weather permits. Now when it rains, there’s nothing we can do about it; we don’t have the
facilities. We’ve been talking about having a screen, not a screen but a tent type area drawn over
that we could get up under in case it rained, trying to build people up downtown trying to keep
something going downtown but to shut it down because I go to bed at whatever time. I mean that
I shouldn’t even be the factor. Now if we had to say let’s do a survey and see what the survey said
then that’s what we would’ve done. So I totally disagree. I don’t think it’s chastising but I totally
disagree with what happened. Even the point of some going to 10:30, some going to 9:30, how do
they know which one’s going to go? As an elected official I wouldn’t know. I didn’t make that
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decision, we didn’t vote on that. Somebody else made that decision in Recreation I guess. So if
we’re going to have it at a certain time it ought to be every other month or every two weeks or
some kind of average. Now you put it on your schedule I think you got it on your schedule but if
you don’t see a schedule you go downtown you don’t know whether it’s going to be 10:30 or 9:30.
So I take issue again with the survey that was surveyed without the authority of the commission
giving that authority. Whether we voted on it or not we had plenty of discussions about that as to
what we wanted to do to try to build up. It don’t even have to be Jazz. It could be R&B, Country
and Western, Gospel whatever you want to put it ought to be something downtown all the time so
you can go. You can’t shut this city down at 9:30 at night. Somebody will say some people got
to go to work. If a man don’t have sense enough to go home and go to bed to get ready for work
in the morning then they ought to be there all night long. But if you’ve got to tell people to go
home at the same time so they can go to work the next morning, the crowd was staying, the people
were enjoying it and we act like we don’t understand that. That’s simple. This is about
entertainment, this is about people saying let’s go. Why would somebody drive from Waynesboro
to Augusta if they wanted to come from Waynesboro or North Augusta they come over here and
enjoy some music but it’s only going to be an hour and a half.
Mr. Fennoy: Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Sias: I’ve got a couple of questions. First off as far as Ms. Bonner, Ms. Bonner, can
you provide the minutes when that decision to extend the hours were made by the Commission?
Can we get that at a later date?
The Clerk: (Inaudible) I’ll put a (inaudible) on it.
Mr. Sias: I will thank you for that because that’s missing on my radar and I ain’t that smart
so if we can get that. Secondly, Mr. Parker, we approved for you all to get some kind of a tent
thing. Was it for the stage?
Mr. Parker: Are you speaking of a mobile stage that you approved about a month ago?
Mr. Sias: Yeah, but let’s move away from that for a second. A mobile stage also had I
think rain protection, am I correct?
Mr. Parker: Correct ---
Mr. Sias: Okay ---
Mr. Parker: --- for the band.
Mr. Sias: --- right and that’s my point I’m trying to get to. Would you, I don’t know if I
have to get this body to approve it but I’m going to ask you to look into something. Based on the
size of the Commons or half and half whether it’s the size or not I guess maybe not that important
but can you price just like a dump truck rolls back it’s cover back and forth, can you research a
device that could be motorized to pull a canvas cover or whatever cover over the Commons, half
and half, and see if that exists? And I know it does because every idea I’ve ever thought of it
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would’ve been invented somewhere. So if you would research that size of a, since, if we want to
have folks down there on a regular basis then if we are in the rainy season that thing could be on
standby to be able to roll a cover past that amount of the Commons either the half or the two halves
together. Would you research that?
Mr. Parker: Yes, sir.
Mr. Sias: Thank you. Mr. Chair, acting Chair or Mayor whichever one is back.
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, first I’d like to commend my colleague Commissioner
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Sias him, he and the Commissioner from the 9 they think alike. He mentioned that several times
so ya’ll think just alike. Maybe it’s time we do that. But the only reason I’m saying this, Mr.
Mayor, I made one comment and I really wasn’t going to say anything but I’m going to say this
because I think it’s important based on what my colleague Commissioner Guilfoyle said and I
think he’s right. He said every time it seems Mr. Parker comes, it seems as though we seem to
repeating ourselves or redundant. That’s not verbatim but I’m making a point so I want to make a
point here. And maybe it’s because maybe we’re not making ourselves clear of what we’re asking
of him or maybe he’s just doing what he wants to do because every time we do ask him to do
something he does but it takes two or three times. So maybe we’re not quite clear in terms of what
we’re asking of him and so we probably need to make ourselves a little clearer to make sure he
understands what we are asking because every time like you say whether it was cleaning up the --
-
Mr. Speaker: The Riverwalk.
Mr. Hasan: --- the Riverwalk and things of those nature it took several times for us to get
some clarity around those things so maybe we’re not quite we’re not making ourselves clear about
what we’re asking. And so I do agree whatever reason that seems to be happening, thank you.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 2.
Mr. D. Williams: Mr. Parker, was there any difficulty doing trying to schedule the bands
for the time slots that we wanted?
Mr. Parker: Ms. Greenwood, Ms. Yolanda Marshall does most of that. I don’t deal with
the bands personally. I’m not aware of any real issues she had with that, no, sir, other than the fact
a three hour again, a three-hour window for a band is a long time to play. If we go from 7:30 to
10:30, we’re definitely going to have to have two bands I would think yes, sir.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5.
Mr. Jefferson: Thank you. Well, this goes back to what I was saying a few months ago
switching gears a little bit. I made a statement many months ago that I didn’t think Augusta
Common was big enough to be a catchall. And it brings me back to my subject I keep harping on
48
that if in fact our contract with the Green Jackets is completed and finished, I would still like to
pursue discontinuing baseball at the Olmstead Park and turn that into an amphitheater and when
the amphitheater is not in use, there’s a big enough common grassy area to have concerts and other
things. We lost the Ice Capades off season that would’ve been an ideal size location for that. Also
we probably could’ve attracted something very similar to Lights of the South or a venue something
similar. And you know my heartburn with that you know I pleaded with the Administrator and
Mr. Parker to let’s look at that and the whole time I was trying to get a permanent venue there and
they was giving me the portable stage and baseball combination along with concerts. But I think
we will solve the problem of the Commons by putting a big enough venue to do things are versatile
and just put us on the map so we won’t be trying to squeeze a 10-pound show in a 5-pound venue.
With that I’ll cease and I saw Ms. Jackson’s hands go up so if you want to recognize her if she
wants to come back to me on that I would like to hear something because I haven’t heard anything
in several months since I talked about it and it seems like it fell on deaf ears.
Mr. Mayor: You know I’ll tell you I don’t know what’s in the water today. All right, the
Chair recognizes Madam Administrator.
Ms. Jackson: Very quickly we have asked the Central Services Department for a cost
estimate on what it would cost to convert that Lake Olmstead Stadium into an amphitheater,
specifically. Is it going to be less expensive to tear it down and build new or to try to get a
conversion so our staff should be working up some cost estimates that we can bring back to you
to let you know what the best options might be for an amphitheater over there.
Mr. Jefferson: Okay well tomorrow I could bring you a rendering that was given to me by
a friend and I could show you exactly with the infrastructure there what the possibilities are. And
if you own the property that’s half the battle and to do a conversion on something that’s going to
bring us the revenue it’s a no brainer. So I think we probably could move forward I mean because
if I had known that I would’ve been, I mean this is the first time I’ve heard and I talked about it
several months ago.
Ms. Jackson: And I apologize for not getting back to you but we have had staff working
on an estimate so we’ll have it to you as soon as possible.
Mr. Jefferson: All right so we can bring that and colleagues could share in the fun of
deciding what we as a group as the Augusta-Richmond County Government wants to do and not
have the tail wagging the dog in this situation. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you. All right, let’s do this. We’ve got a lot business still in front
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of us. I’m going to recognize the Commissioner from the 9 to close us out.
Mr. M. Williams: I just want to clear some things with Glenn about having an additional
band. You don’t have to have an additional band, Glenn. There’s Jazz music you can still play at
intermission time. You don’t have to have 3-hours continually by a live band. So, there’s a lot of
ways of doing that but if we don’t get creative we won’t do it. I just think that the time span is
really short. We need to open our city up so people can know they can come they can spend some
money there’s still stores open. They know they can’t smoke in the restaurants no more but they
49
still can come though, so I just wanted to clarify that about the additional band. There’s a lot of
local groups too that will be glad to fill in that we could listen to know that they’re talented not
just get somebody who say they can do it. But there are a lot of local groups who would be glad
to just have the opportunity to get on stage and do really well.
Mr. Parker: All these except two are local bands.
Mr. M. Williams: I’m talking about some amateur type bands; I can’t play dead right but
there’s some people who can.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
40. Discuss Storm Water Fee. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
35. Discuss establishing a James Brown Museum at the old Regency Mall Site. (Requested
by Commissioner Marion Williams)
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ll receive that as information. If there’s more discussion we’ll
come back to that, Commissioner. I’m going to ask a question Item number 40 Commissioner
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from the 9 can we move that, can we move that to committee? It’s just stormwater and obviously
there’s some work we need to do on that ---
Mr. M. Williams: (Inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: I don’t we’re going to, I mean we can discuss it but we’re not going to do
anything so can we move it.
Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got no problem moving it, Mr. Mayor, but when we get into
committee we want to consent it. We don’t want to talk about it in committee. So if we don’t talk
about it on commission, we don’t talk about it in committee, when do we talk about it?
Mr. Mayor: Well, I commit to you that we’ll talk about it at the next committee meeting
fully committed to that. I think it’s something we need to talk about and look for ways
(unintelligible) if you’re willing to do that. Okay all right, that’s what we’ll do with number 40.
Madam Clerk, we’ll move that to committee and ---
Mr. M. Williams: (Inaudible) 35.
Mr. Mayor: --- can we do the same with that one because we need more time to talk about
it (inaudible). I ain’t running away from it but I think we need to talk about it.
Mr. M. Williams: Move it if you want to move it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we’re going to do the same with Number 35, Madam Clerk. I’m
committed to having that a really broad conversation about that. Okay all right, Number 39 do
you want to vote that up or down?
FINANCE
50
39. Motion to approve renaming the John C. Calhoun Expressway – Veterans Expressway.
(Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy.
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Mr. Fennoy: Thirty-nine, what’s thirty-nine? I want to put that on the July 17 meeting.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I’d like to do that as well.
Mr. Sias: Did you do something with 36? I didn’t pull it. I just need that one question
answered.
Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, 35, 39 the action we’re taking we’re going to move
that to the July meeting, 40 we’re moving to committee, okay? And 37 all right, we’re going to
move 37 as well.
Mr. D. Williams: I want to talk about 37, it’s quick I’ll read a little paragraph and make a
motion.
nd,
Mr. Sias: Commissioner from the 2 are you sure you can’t wait?
Mr. Hasan: Yeah, he said he’s going to wait.
Mr. Sias: Appreciate it.
Mr. D. Williams: If the general consensus of my colleagues is to wait, I think it’ll be good
enough to wait because it’s not going to change the situation.
Mr. Mayor: All right, he waives, he waives. All right Item Number 36, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Thirty-seven next committee?
Mr. Mayor: That’s right.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
36. Award contract to construct a Pedestrian Bridge suspended over Reynold Street between
the Parking Deck and the Trade and Exhibition Center to R. W. Allen and Associates of
Augusta in the amount of $1,221,118.00. (No recommendation from Administrative Services
Committee June 12, 2018)
Mr. Sias: Mr. Mayor, I know you were going to recognizes me on that one because I held
that one up for consent.
Mr. Mayor: Hold on a minute ---
Mr. Sias: I’m just moving things along while you were in conversation.
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Mr. Mayor: --- I was actually going to, I thought the Commissioner from the 8 had pulled
that one.
Mr. Sias: No, that was me. You already consented it, I objected.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I know just toying with you.
Mr. Sias: And the only reason that I asked that to be just for an additional explanation
when we talked about when it was talked about in committee, there was a question of how much
we would be willing to pay. Was it going to be the one-million twenty-two, two-hundred twenty-
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one or was it going to be whatever the amount my esteemed colleague from the 6 had locked me
in that was authorized about five or six years ago? And I’m saying that wasn’t going to get us to
that. If we’re going to build this bridge, we just need to be committed to building it which we are
obligated by law to build. So I’m just trying to ensure that we wasn’t held up with, the next thing
you know we’re saying we don’t have that money. So, between my colleague and the
Administrator, can I get a little update on that, Mr. Mayor, and I’ll be ready to move forward.
Mr. Mayor: Well you know again I’m not a learned attorney. I’m just a lowly engineer
rambling wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer. I don’t think that there’s a statutory
requirement for us to build this bridge so I want to take that off the table. It’s not a statutory
requirement for us.
Mr. Sias: Was there a resolution to build it?
Mr. Hasan: It’s some other stuff to come with it.
Mr. Sias: (Unintelligible) statutory requirement ---
Mr. Mayor: No, sir.
Mr. Sias: All right.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so your question is the funding ---
Mr. Sias: Correct ---
Mr. Mayor: --- for this, is that correct? All right ---
Mr. Sias: --- do we have it all?
Mr. Mayor: --- all right, Madam Administrator.
Ms. Jackson: The funding for this is SPLOST V. I think the last time we discussed this I
said SPLOST VI. I found out later it actually goes back further than I believed so SPLOST V is
the funding source.
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Mr. Hasan: And what ---
Mr. Sias: Yes, sir. I just heard I just heard law mentioned again but thank you, sir.
Mr. Mayor: All right, I won’t take you back to the legislature, not today. The Chair
recognizes the Commissioner from ---
Mr. Hasan: --- Mr. Mayor, thank you. I think you enjoy making me sweat.
Mr. Mayor: I am.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to ask Ms. Jackson what was said in SPLOST V?
Ms. Jackson: I may have to defer to Mr. Schroer. He’s here and can discuss this. I’ll get
started and he can pick up where I’ll leave off. At that time I believe $1.45 million-dollars was
made available for this project. I understand the actual cost estimates at that time were about a
million dollars but they actually budgeted $1.45 for the project.
Mr. Hasan: Okay now let me say this when this came back up with us just recently, Mr.
Mayor, in the last several months when we entertained to forward with this bridge there was a dual
conversation. The dual conversation was that the Morris Group was intended to build a hotel and
then in building a hotel they was going to build a bridge from their hotel that was going to connect
to the parking deck and from there the parking then we were going to go ahead and build a bridge
from the parking deck to the conference center there, Convention Center, that was part of it. So
their bridge, their hotel, is not on the (unintelligible) they’re not building that. That basically we
entertained that so I don’t see how we at this point that we’re so obligated that we need to move
forward and do this. Why can’t we wait until they begin to decide to build their hotel? At that
particular time their climate got a little bad for them and I understand that. That happens but let’s
just wait until we do all of it because at that time everything will complement each other so we
can wait. If it’s $1.2 we got another and, Ms. Jackson, we’ve got $1.4. We still got an additional
$200,000 dollars for another year to wait on them. But that’s what the conversation was it was a
dual conversation.
Mr. Mayor: Well, for this body it was in fact a dual conversation and again what’s
effectively happened is that there’s been an effort to tie us to “the conversations” and some would
suggest actions of a previous commission. What I would offer at least from an engineering
perspective is that they’re using these prefabricated structures now to include pedestrian bridges
across highways and roadways that, and I know we got a recent estimate from R.W. Allen ---
Ms. Jackson: We actually have an actual bid document just to be clear. We actually put
the project out for bid based upon the commitments that we thought we had. So this number that
you have before you is actually based upon a bid document.
Mr. Mayor: --- so those numbers ought to presumably be better. All right, so here’s what’s
going to happen ---
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Mr. Sias: Can I get one more word?
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Mr. Mayor: --- the Commissioner from the 6 has the floor.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Jackson, can you help me? Last week you also
mentioned that they would have about $100,000 dollars to contribute to this. Is the $100,000
dollars still on the table?
Ms. Jackson: Yes, they’re still proposing to contribute the $100,000 dollars would be
broken down between $75,000 for architectural services and $25,000 for the actual construction
costs.
Mr. Hasan: So can you get a $100,000 check and then we put the $1.1 with that?
Ms. Jackson: We would, our request to them based upon staff recommendation to me is
that they actually do cut a check directly to us, correct?
Mr. Fennoy: Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Sias: Okay, can we get Mr. Tim Schroer back up here again please because he is, I
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heard what my colleague from the 6 said but that dual conversation to the best of my recollection
was to build the original committed pedestrian bridge over Reynolds Street along while with these
other folks were doing this and we could have them bid that out and do the construction for it. It
had nothing to do with that hotel from the beginning, nothing at all. This, remember now we’re
saying this was approved in SPLOST V. That hotel, that particular hotel wasn’t on the books when
SPLOST V was approved so I’m trying to get a little clarity. Based on the SPLOST
documentation, Mr. Schroer, did this SPLOST documentation say a pedestrian bridge from the
parking deck to the Convention Center?
Mr. Schroeder: No, sir, it did not. In SPLOST V the funding was for part of the Convention
Center. We went out for bonds to build the parking deck and part of the parking deck and the
Convention Center from the bonds in the SPLOST would’ve been a pedestrian bridge.
Mr. Sias: Okay so, clarify what you said. I’m a little slow so clarify that.
Mr. Hasan: No, you misrepresented what I said. There’s a difference being slow.
Mr. Sias: No I’m asking, excuse me, this is my conversation at the moment, sir. So could
you clarify that?
Mr. Schroer: We had $20 million-dollars, I think it was $20 million-dollars for the
Convention Center that was not enough. We went out for bonds, issued enough bonds to finish
the Convention Center, build a parking deck and part of the discussion then was to build the bridge
with the funds that were not spent on the parking deck and the Convention Center.
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Mr. Sias: Did this government commit to the best of Finance’s knowledge and records to
build that pedestrian bridge back then?
Mr. Schroeder: Yes, sir, it did. It’s part of the contract with the operator.
Mr. Sias: Now that’s what I thought so I wasn’t trying to misrepresent anything you said,
Commissioner. I’m talking about what the records have said what this government was committed
to do. I wasn’t in favor of the bridge but the idea, I wasn’t even elected at the time but the point
was we had a commitment to build that bridge ---
Mr. Hasan: Can I respond?
Mr. Sias: --- that pedestrian bridge over Reynolds Street. That’s all I’m saying.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Guilfoyle is next ---
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Fennoy ---
Mr. Fennoy: --- and then Mr. Marion Williams and then (unintelligible).
Mr. Guilfoyle: --- I appreciate you recognizing me. And everything and we could sit here
and talk for another three hours if ya’ll have time but I don’t I got to get back to work. I make a
motion to approve this as what we had approved five years ago.
Mr. Smith: Second.
Mr. Guilfoyle: And call for the question, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Hasan: I object.
Mr. Fennoy: What does this call, Andrew, what does call for the question mean?
Mr. MacKenzie: Call for the question means there’s no further debate on the call. It can
be overruled with a majority vote of the Commission.
Mr. Hasan: It don’t take all the majority, it just takes one person.
Mr. Fennoy: Hold on, Attorney, does it call for one person or a majority?
Mr. MacKenzie: One person can object and make a motion for it to be overruled but once
the motion is made, there’s no debate on it.
Mr. Fennoy: So Mr. Guilfoyle called for the question ---
Mr. MacKenzie: Correct.
55
Mr. Fennoy: --- so when he called for the question what does that mean?
Mr. MacKenzie: It means there’s no further debate of the question. The options are you
can vote on the underlined item or if there’s an objection then the person can make a motion to
overrule the call for the question and continue debate.
Mr. Fennoy: Is that what you’re doing?
Mr. Hasan: Yeah ---
Mr. Fennoy: Okay ---
Mr. Hasan: --- all I want to do is do what you just said. You said you were going to
recognize all of us. That’s all. You said you were going to recognize Commissioner Williams
next then myself and then I’ll be through with it.
Mr. Fennoy: --- so you’re making a motion to overrule?
Mr. Hasan: Yeah, I ain’t got to make the motion. I can object and we keep moving. We
don’t have to vote on it.
Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got my hat on. I’m waiting on my Attorney to tell me to stop.
Mr. Hasan: You ain’t got to do that.
Mr. M. Williams: But, Tim, I need for the Attorney to get it straight because this is a rule
we ought to know for sure. If someone objects then how do we proceed? I want to hear what my
Attorney says.
Mr. MacKenzie: All right, my suggestion would be if Commissioner Hasan would like to
have the motion to call the question overruled, he should make a motion to overrule the call of the
question.
Mr. Fennoy: And if he doesn’t make a motion what happens then or he or nobody makes
a motion what happens then we vote?
Mr. MacKenzie: As the Chair you can just call the vote ---
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. M. Williams: On what?
Mr. MacKenzie: --- on the underlined motion.
Mr. M. Williams: Oh no, sir, no sir, if somebody objects when you call for the question it
means you vote to see if there’s enough to keep the debate going. You take a vote to see if that’s
56
true and if the vote loses then you vote on the original motion. Ms. Bonner, I need you to help me
out now because my Attorney ain’t doing a good job.
Mr. Fennoy: Are you objecting, are you objecting?
Mr. M. Williams: I want the rule to be ---
Mr. Fennoy: Are you objecting?
Mr. M. Williams: --- I’m objecting to the rule, yeah.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, since we have no objection to the call for the motion all in favor ---
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Commissioner, you need to find out what we’re going to do about the
$100,000 dollars.
Mr. Fennoy: Is there any unreadiness?
Mr. M. Williams: That’s what the lawyer should have told you from the beginning.
Mr. Fennoy: Who has the unreadiness?
Mr. Hasan: I have some unreadiness, Mr. Commissioner.
Mr. Fennoy: What’s your unreadiness?
Mr. Hasan: My unreadiness I just want to get some clarity around a couple of things and
I’ll be through with it.
Mr. Fennoy: So we vote on the unreadiness ---
The Clerk: You can get his clarification (inaudible).
Mr. Fennoy: --- all right, what’s your clarification.
Mr. Hasan: My clarification is number one what Commissioner Sias pointed out that five
years ago or when the SPLOST V I was not implying that this hotel or this bridge that was going
to extend from that new hotel that don’t exist. I was saying as of late when we entertain this once
again in Legal it came to us that they were going to build a hotel and that’s why we began to
entertain it once again. So I’m saying once again because earlier we had refused it or it wasn’t
time to do it so when they brought back the issue and tied those together we decided to move
forward. Since that time they’ve taken the hotel off the table, they’ve taken their bridge that they
was going to build off the table, but now we’re back to building our bridge. I do understand in
SPLOST V we were supposed to it but we anticipated even though you budgeted $1.4 we were
talking about putting a million dollars in there. Now Ms. Jackson said they said they were going
to give us $100,000 dollars so if ya’ll are going to do it get the $100,000 dollars, if you’re going
57
to do it get the $100,000 dollars but don’t deny that people play you, they’re going to give
something then take it back and we still got to be legally obligated but they’re not legally obligated
to do nothing. That would be my concern. We continue to operate from a position of weakness
when we should be operating from a position of strength. I’m through, Mr. Mayor, I through. You
can vote now, I can vote too.
Mr. Fennoy: All right, is there anymore unreadinesses? That’s more, that’s the plural of
unreadiness, unreadinesses.
The Clerk: Yes, sir, we got it ---
Mr. Fennoy: All right.
The Clerk: --- we know you’re a scholar in the King’s language.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, so what’s the motion is to award the contract ---
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- so all in favor.
Mr. Hasan: And how much though?
Ms. Jackson: The bid is the $1.2 million-dollars so that’s the contract you’re voting to
award.
The Clerk: They said they were going to give the $100,000.
Ms. Jackson: Yeah, they’re supposed to contribute a hundred but you’re actually approving
the bid amount for the entire amount that’s listed on your agenda.
The Clerk: Are you ready?
Mr. Fennoy: Yeah.
The Clerk: Okay, voting.
Mr. Hasan votes No.
Mr. M. Williams abstains.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. D. Williams, Mr. Sias, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. Smith vote
Yes.
Ms. Davis and Mr. Frantom out.
Motion Passes 6-1-1.
Mr. Fennoy: What else we got, Ms. Bonner?
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The Clerk: That looks to be it. Well, we have Number 41.
Mr. Fennoy: Forty-one?
ENGINEERING SERVICES
41. Motion to request authorization to proceed with drafting edits to the Augusta, Georgia
Code, Chapter 3 Street Lighting, Section 7-3 to modify fee structure for the street light
system.
The Clerk: Well, we don’t have quorum after they leave.
Mr. Fennoy: One, two, three, four, five, six, we got six?
The Clerk: Yes, sir, we need seven.
Mr. Hasan: You need seven.
Mr. Sias: Dennis, we need you back over here a minute.
Mr. D. Williams: (unintelligible) I’m leaving.
Mr. Fennoy: He’s gone. We’re going to put this, refer this back to the, to be on our next
Commission agenda.
Mr. Sias: No, let’s put this on the Special Called Meeting for next week.
Mr. Fennoy: So what happens to this agenda item, Ms. Bonner?
th
The Clerk: Well, it could be well, we could take it to either the June 28 meeting or the
th
July 10 ---
Mr. Sias: Ms. Bonner, I’m asking you to put this on the next Special Called Meeting that
comes up the first meeting (inaudible).
The Clerk: Yes, sir, but those meetings, is this an emergency?
Mr. Sias: Yes.
The Clerk: Okay.
Ms. Jackson: But the next meeting is a regular meeting, isn’t our next meeting a regular
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meeting the 28?
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The Clerk: The 28 is a regular meeting. It’s not a Special Called Meeting.
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Mr. Sias: There’s not another committee in between if we don’t have a committee
(inaudible).
thrd
The Clerk: No, sir, our next meeting will be held on June 28 in place of our July 3
meeting.
Mr. Sias: When I say it’s an emergency (unintelligible) we’re talking about time sensitive
for the Lock and Dam. This is a time sensitive (unintelligible).
Mr. M. Williams: And it’s probably time, sir, but it ain’t an emergency, it still ain’t an
emergency.
Mr. Sias: I just explained what I (unintelligible).
Mr. M. Williams: But that’s two different things, that’s two different things, time sensitive
and emergency (unintelligible).
Mr. Fennoy: Ms. Bonner, is there anything else?
The Clerk: No, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Well, this is over with then.
\[MEETING ADJOURNED\]
Lena Bonner
Clerk of Commission
CERTIFICATION:
I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy
of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of The Augusta Richmond County Commission held on
June 19, 2018.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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