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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting August 21, 2018 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER AUGUST 21, 2018 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., August 21, 2018, the Hon. Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. Jefferson, Sias, Frantom, M. Williams, Davis, Fennoy, D. Williams, Hasan and Smith, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. ABSENT: Hon. Guilfoyle, member of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Mr. Mayor: Mike, check one two, one two, we’ve got Jeff on the one and two is up top. All right, good afternoon everybody. I hope you had an amazing weekend and we are here to do the people’s business. The Chair recognizes Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Thank you, sir. At this time we will have our invocation delivered by Fr. Vernon Knight of the Saint Mary on the Hill Catholic Church after which we’ll ask our Airport Director if he would please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, thank you. The invocation was given by Fr. Vernon Knight, Parochial Vicar, Saint Mary on the Hill Catholic Church. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. The Clerk: Office of Mayor Hardie Davis Jr., by these present be it known that Fr. Vernon Knight, Parochial Vicar, Saint Mary on the Hill Catholic Church is the Chaplain of the Day. His spiritual guidance and civic leadership serves as an example for all citizens of Augusta. Given st under my hand this 21 Day of August 2018 Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Fr. Knight. Let’s give him a hand. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: That’s Mayor Pro Tem’s Pastor. Mr. Mayor: It is, it is, he’s my friend. Many of you may know just last year or maybe earlier this year, earlier this year the fire there at Saint Mary’s and again I think that was part of his home, that’s right. All right, well, thank you for what you do in the community and certainly there at the parish. God Bless You. The Clerk: I call your attention to the Recognitions portion of our agenda. RECOGNITION(S) Students2Work Program A. Recognition of the Richmond County Board of Education, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and the City of Augusta Partnership Initiative Students2Work Program. (Requested by Commissioner Dennis Williams) 1 The Clerk: Superintendent Pringle, are you here? Mr. Phil Wall, Ms. Sue Parr, Ms. Fran Fortin, well, do you all want to come up and participate? Commissioner Williams, you can come down with the Mayor. Office of the Mayor Certificate of Recognition given to Students2Work Program partnership between Richmond County Board of Education, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and the City of Augusta. Whereas the Students2Work Summer Intern Program provided opportunities for Richmond County High School Students to gain valuable hands-on experience in local businesses within the metro Augusta area. Students also participated in a weeklong life skills training session that included resume writing, interviewing skills, financial literacy, personnel branding, business etiquette, effective communication and time management skills. And whereas Students2Word afforded the students a chance to earn a half unit of credit toward graduation upon completion of the program. The bus transportation provided by the City of Augusta gave the students transport as needed to and from work which made valuable opportunities to receive invaluable formal mentoring and coaching guidance. And whereas the Students2Work Partnership provided an opportunity for students to apply their education in the workplace and also gave them an avenue to connect career paths and interests to job opportunities, motivated them to be great team players and to achieve high academic standards in the classroom as well as provide local businesses the opportunity to invest in the workforce pipeline and build goodwill for their business and industry sector. And whereas the Summer 2018 Summer to Work Program had 122 students representing all high schools in Richmond County and placed them in an 8-week paid internship with 74 employers with many participating employers allowing students to remain on their payroll to work after school and on weekends throughout the school year. And whereas these paid internships represented an investment of over $250,000 dollars paid in student earnings by local employers which have already communicated their commitment and support for the 2019 Students2Work Program. Directly to its success the Students2Work Program will be institutionalized and implemented every summer with the expectation that every student who desires an opportunity for a summer job will have the opportunity to have one. Therefore the City of Augusta would like to take this opportunity to earnestly thank the Students2Work Partnership and the Augusta Business Community for your outstanding support, leadership, keen sense of st vision and sensitivity to the needs of the students of Augusta-Richmond County. Given this 21 Day of August 2018 Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor. Congratulations. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Speaker: Thank you very much, Mayor, Commission, Commissioner Williams. We are very pleased with this initiative. It was something that was only a dream a year or so ago and through the efforts of those standing here and many that are not represented here I will tell you this has been a resounding success for our community, for our business community, for our students for our education initiatives. I represent the Chambers Business Education Advisory Council as Chair and I can tell you we have a very strong team of educators, business professionals, volunteers and this would not have happened without a lot of work. I have to give a hand to Sue Parr and the chamber staff, to Commissioner Williams for your commitment to this and play, the role you play on our Advisory Council, to Dr. Pringle, Margo Lewis who has served as hands on burger flipping. He was out there at the end given those kids something to be a little thank you for. But I will tell you that this is a, the first told the class that this is the first class of interns. There will never be another first class so it’s a very special time. And I asked them to raise their hand and say okay who has more money today than they did when they started. They all raised their hand I said okay, well let me challenge you with this that you really have more than money you’ve got experience and you have knowledge that your peers don’t have and there’s an 2 advantage with that. So again I encourage them to engage their peers, engage others to apply and I think next year we should double this number. So the business community with 74 businesses that supported this came out of their own pockets for the money that was required for this so again we appreciate the recognition, Mr. Mayor, and again we look forward to partnering with you continuing, thank you. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: RECOGNITION(S) MACH Academy, Inc. B. Congratulation MACH Academy, Inc. winning participants! In the 2018 American Tennis Association (ATA) National Championship Tournament, in Orlando, Florida. (Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy) The Clerk: Commissioner Fennoy, please come down, Mr. Mayor, you want to join the presentation. Mr. Fennoy: Yes, good evening, everyone. You know I think it’s good that the City of Augusta is given an opportunity to recognize and honor our youth. Our youth are our future and at MACH Academy they do an outstanding job of not only training our youth how to place tennis but training our youth how to live long, healthy, productive lives. The lessons that they learn go far beyond the tennis courts and these are lessons that they can carry them throughout their lives. I am so proud every time I have an opportunity to recognize and honor students not only the tennis court but the football field, baseball field, or basketball court but students that do well academically, and this is just a good example of what the future of Augusta is going to look like and I am so proud of the job that they have done and so proud of the job that the staff have done also. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Hardin, would you like to say a few words as well? Please do tell us about their most recent accomplishments. Mr. Hardin: Sure good evening, everyone. Michael Hardin, Chief Executive Officer and President of MACH Academy. Thank you Mayor thank you Commission, Commissioners for all of the support that you have provided. We would like to say that the athletic achievement as well as the academic achievement of our kids has made us very proud and we’d like to thank you a lot for what you’ve done in support of our organization throughout the years. (APPLAUSE) The Clerk: At this time we would like to present the Outstanding Recognition Certificates and we would like to share the inscription. For your outstanding achievement and excellence sportsmanlike conduct displayed during the 2018 American Tennis Association National Championship Tournament in Orlando, Florida. The City of Augusta recognizes your st commitment to athletic excellence and congratulates you for participating. Given this 21 of August 2018 Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor. Ms. McFarley: We have Alaina Thomas, she won the Girls Ten and Under Singles Championship. (APPLAUSE) Arianne Thomas, she finished third in the Girls Ten and Under 3 Singles. (APPLAUSE) Alaina Thomas and Arianne Thomas also won the Girls Doubles Championship. (APPLAUSE) Neiman Snead won the Boys 14’s Doubles as well as the 14’s Consolation Singles Finals. (APPLAUSE) Neiman Snead and Elijah Pinkney won the 14’s st Doubles Championship. (APPLAUSE) Coach Mike Hardin, he won the 1 National Singles Title for Men 60’s Singles. (APPLAUSE) We have Julian Quadrado, he won the Boys 10’s Consolations. We also have Giovanni Quadrado finish second in the Girls 12 and Under Singles Final, Flavius Henderson second place with the Boys 12 and Under Double he also won the Boys 12 and Under Consolation Finals. Gabriel Henderson finished fourth in the Girls 14 Single and we have Coach Jordan Harail, he won the Men’s Open Doubles and came in second for the Men’s Open Singles. Mr. Hardin: One point of clarification this just happened we have C.J. Allen here. He just won the Arthur Ashe Essay Contest so again here’s our academic achievement as well for Georgia. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: So we will have one made for him as well. I also want to take a moment to recognize Ms. Snead. This is Neiman’s mom. She’s one of our Chief Educators here at Davison Fine Arts, Assistant Principal there. (APPLAUSE) Fantastic all right, are you going to Georgia Tech? (APPLAUSE) DELEGATIONS C. Mr. Bill Lockett, regarding Augusta’s recognition of National Grandparents Day. The Clerk: We have one more recognition under our Delegation portion of the agenda. A representative from the Compliance Department, would you please come forward? The Office of the Mayor, the City of Augusta Proclamation in recognition of Grandparents Day. Whereas throughout history American families have been guided and strengthened by the support of dedicated Grandparents. These mentors have a special place in our homes and communities insuring the stories and tradition of our heritage are passed down through generations. On National Grandparents Day we honor those who have helped shape the character of our nation and we thank these role models for their endless acts of love, care and understanding. Whereas Grandparents witness great milestones in the lives of their children and grandchildren whether with us when we learn to read or ride a bicycle they celebrate every triumph, console us when we’re distressed and promote our dreams. Through years of hard work and sacrifice our forebearers have also enabled many of the rights and opportunities now accessible to all Americans. As a country and as a people our Grandparents have made us who we are today. Whereas National Grandparents Day presents a chance to show our deep appreciation and respect for the central roles that family elders play in our lives the legacy of these selfless caregivers is not only reflected in the principal and the sense of purpose they inspire in their loved ones but also in their unique ability to reach across ages and enrich the lives of generations of Americans. Now therefore I Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor of the City th of Augusta do hereby proclaim Sunday September 9 2018 as Grandparents Day in Augusta, Georgia and urge all citizens of Augusta to recognize the observance by honoring the lifelong contributions of our grandparents and recognizing the vital resources, love and history of our grandparents provide. In Witness Thereof I have unto set my hand and cause the Seal of Augusta, st Georgia to be affixed this day. Given under my hand this 21 Day of August 2018 Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor. (APPLAUSE) 4 Mr. Mayor: Receiving this Proclamation on behalf of Age Friendly Augusta is our Compliance Director Ms. Kelly Irving. Ms. Irving: Thank you, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the Commission, it is with great pleasure that I stand here on behalf of Commissioner Emeritus Bill Lockett as the liaison for our proud county as a representative for Age Friendly Augusta, Georgia. th It is truly a pleasure to receive this recognition celebrating on September the 9 2018 Grandparents Day. These individuals are so valuable to us as citizens and also to us as family members. With that I’d like to encourage you to acknowledge the grandparents in your families and please make sure that we are celebrating their heritage and continuing their legacy, thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: Thank you. I couldn’t say it because I’m not one but would all grandparents please stand, all of the grandparents in the audience please stand (APPLAUSE) congratulations thank you for your labor of love. The Clerk: Commissioner Williams, did you stand up? Mr. M. Williams: I sure did. The Clerk: Just wanted to make sure. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS D. Mr. Chauncey L. Rogers regarding Gold Cross cost being passed to the citizens. The Clerk: Mr. Rogers, apparently Mr. Rogers is not in the Chamber, Mr. Mayor. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS E. Mr. Ned Vaughn regarding his support of renaming the John C. Calhoun Expressway. Mr. Mayor: All right, Mr. Ned Vaughn. If you would state for the record your again name and address you have five minutes. Mr. Vaughn: Good afternoon. I’m Ned Vaughn, I live in District 3 at 812 Camellia Road. Looking back at previous discussion and coverage of this issue I’ve been struck by some of the reasons given for not taking action. One is to suggest that renaming the expressway would be to erase history but this is clearly wrong. Yes, of course it would change the name of the roadway but it would hardly erase the history or knowledge of John Calhoun. For example, I grew up in Alabama while George Wallace was Governor. Now he was elected to that office more than any other Alabamian in history and yet there is very little there or elsewhere named after him. Still his place such as it is in the history of the Civil Rights Era is secure. He will not be forgotten and nor will John C. Calhoun be forgotten if a roadway in Georgia is renamed. Another argument is that 5 renaming the expressway will do nothing to alleviate the most pressing problems faced by some in our community and I’d say that’s true as far as it goes but that’s hardly a reason not to act. With respect, the Commission routinely considers issues and takes actions that don’t meet that high standard. I’m certain that no one who support renaming the expressway opposes the aim of helping our needier citizens. I’m sure that like me they believe we can and should do both. Another reason given is that few who travel on the expressway now know or even care who John C. Calhoun was. Well, maybe that’s an argument against the state of U.S. history education but it’s no argument against taking action because in reality there are still plenty of folks who know what Calhoun fought for. When that landmark elevated expressway was named for John C. Calhoun Expressway in 1966 near the peak of the struggle to end forced segregation it undoubtedly sent a clear political message. Today 52 years later in spite of a great deal of important progress it continues to send a message intended or not because of the values that were so forcefully championed by its namesake. And that brings me to the perhaps the most frequent argument the slippery slope argument the idea that if the John C. Calhoun Expressway is renamed the Commission will then be forced to rename Washington Road or something say with the name Jefferson on it because those men like Calhoun were slaveholders. Well, that historical fact is true. But I am confident that most who support renaming the expressway would also join me in opposing wholesale changes being sought on that basis alone. Yes, Washington was a slaveholder but his enduring legacy was the indispensable service that he rendered in founding our nation and that legacy offsets some of the darker realities of his life and times. We can acknowledge basic historic context and ask how an individual acted in that context and by that measure figures like Washington, Jefferson and many others remain worthy of public recognition and honor because the values they fought for most energetically, the values that suffuse their enduring legacies are values that unite us, that elevate us. They are values at the heart of the American Creed. By contrast John C. Calhoun’s enduring legacy is one of division and a sustained passionate advocacy for the continuation and expansion of slavery. To argue as Calhoun did that slavery is a positive good for all in society including the slaves is to argue powerfully against the cherished value that all men are created equal. Calhoun was a highly accomplished man, an estimable politician but those values, the ones he fought for most energetically, do not deserve pubic honor. As I said Calhoun will be remembered by history but our society should reserve public honor for values that unite us. Can we do that perfectly? No. There will always be dissenters but we can easily and meaningfully improve our community by choosing not to honor values that divide us, values that the overwhelming majority of us profoundly reject and to choose instead to honor champions of values that can bring us together. I hope that you will do that today and I thank you for listening. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: Thank you. The Clerk: Top to bottom, sir? Mr. Mayor: Hold on just one second, Madam Clerk. Madam Clerk, before we go, before we go on I want to mention a few highlights that are noteworthy. I normally do this right before we do our delegations but I didn’t do that today. I want to remind everyone that on August the th 30 we’re going to be having the opening ceremony at the Cyber Security Academy of Excellence that’s another great step forward for our school system. Our Superintendent Dr. Angela Pringle th again that will be taking place Thursday, August the 30 at the Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School at 10:00 a.m. Just this past week we had the grand opening of the Marion E. Barnes 6 Skill Trade Wing at T.W. Josey High School. It’s another major step forward in partnership with the community, the business community, our labor community as well that was represented so it’s a good step forward. So that’s another opportunity for us to highlight the good that’s going on in the City of Augusta. On last week we also talked about a grant that the airport had received. Little did we know that they were receiving another fairly significant grant. The hits keep on coming, Mr. Judon, I think that was a grant in the tune of about what $18 million dollars, that’s fantastic We went from $700,000 to $18 million, that’s good math I like that. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Judon, for those who may not know, stand up, is our Airport Director. We bring him here from Charlotte, NC and he’s doing a fantastic job over there trying to grow our airport and the opportunities to fly out of Augusta so that you don’t have to drive to Atlanta or Columbia. You can do it all right here in the City of Augusta. He’s also working on trying to get a direct from Augusta, GA. I think our business community and the chamber their partners and they’re very staunch advocates and supporters of that so that we have a direct flight from Augusta, GA to Washington, DC. So again these are good things, things that we want to see happening in the City of Augusta that allow us to grow our city and make her her best. It takes community partnerships in order for those things to happen and again you’re to be commended for that. That’s all I’ve got today, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Okay, we’ll continue. I call your attention to our Consent Agenda which consists of Items 1-25, Items 1-25. For any for the benefit of any objectors to our Planning petition, Item number 5 once the petition is read would you please signify your objections by raising your hand. Items 1-5 are all ordinance amendments to our Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, are there any objectors to any of these amendments? Okay, I call your attention to the Public Service portion our agenda if there are any objectors to our Alcohol petition would you please signify your objection when the petition is read. Item 6: Is a request for and on-premise consumption Beer & Wine License to be used in connection The Southern Salad located at 1008 Broad Street. Are there any objectors to this alcohol petition? Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, our Consent Agenda consists of Items 1-25 with no objectors to our Planning or Alcohol petition. th Mr. Mayor: Okay, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Item 11 I’ve got a question about this item can you pull that one for me please --- Mr. Mayor: Okay --- Mr. M. Williams: --- eleven. Mr. Mayor: --- Item number eleven. st Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to add Item number 26 to the Consent Agenda with the name of the expressway to be Charlie Norwood Veterans Expressway. 7 Mr. Mayor: Okay, there’s an objection. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’ve got a question. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: I’ve got a question (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: All right on --- Mr. Sias: One through six, one through 5, do they require a second reading, Mr. Attorney? Mr. MacKenzie: No. The Clerk: Some of them do. Yes, they’re amending the ordinance and they will require a second reading. Mr. MacKenzie: I stand corrected. Mr. Sias: If no one pulled those then I request we waive the second reading (inaudible). The Clerk: Which one, sir, all of them? Mr. Sias: One through five. The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Mayor: All right, is there any objection to waiving the second reading on Items 1 th through 5? Without objection. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. Jefferson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It was about agenda Item number 26 --- Mr. Mayor: Yeah --- Mr. Jefferson: --- I have no objection to it going on the consent agenda but I would like to be clear on the wording of the motion that the motion is not to change the name but to send forth a Resolution to the state requesting that the name be changed so it would read exactly as what we’re voting for. And so if you don’t mind changing it to that wording, I have no objection to it going on the consent agenda. Mr. Mayor: I believe the gentleman knows of what he speaks, he concurs, he concurs. So all right, here’s our posture here’s our posture. It is not being moved to the consent agenda. There is objection and so there is objection yes, there is objection. All right, Ms. Bonner, you have the, a motion as he articulated it. The Clerk: Well, I was conferring with him, sir, to see if --- 8 Mr. Mayor: He supports it. The Clerk: --- well, I know but. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’m --- Mr. Mayor: All right hold on, I’m coming back to you, Commissioner, are you good? Mr. Fennoy: Yeah --- Mr. Mayor: I want to make sure you’re good. Mr. Fennoy: --- I am. Mr. Mayor: Then I’m going on to the next. Mr. Fennoy: Okay. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I had the same concern as District 5 Commissioner has and I’m little bit confused and then you’re saying there’s objection. Mr. Mayor: There’s objections to adding it to the consent agenda. Mr. M. Williams: I thought his objection was --- Mr. Mayor: No, the objection is not coming from him. The objection is coming from the rd 3 --- Mr. M. Williams: --- okay. Mr. Mayor: --- adding it to the consent agenda, he’s well within the right. All right, the th Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 7. Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to add agenda item number 28 to the consent. Mr. Mayor: So I would ask you not to do that because you haven’t, we don’t have any names. We need to identify some names and the posture for that is identifying who those candidates are likely to be and then selecting them. Mr. Frantom: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Okay, he waives. All right, so we’ll take nominations for names I think that’s the approach, Ms. Bonner, and we’ll do that when we get to item number 28, okay? 9 Mr. M. Williams: No, no, no. Mr. Frantom: So why would we, where are the names? Mr. Mayor: So those are consensus appointments that you nominate. The last two candidates, the last two individuals who were a part of the Unified Development Authority were one Walter Sprouse and former Commissioner Alvin Mason whose terms expired and there have been no nominations since that time. Mr. Frantom: Okay. Mr. Mayor: Okay Mr. Frantom: (Unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: Yes, with the previous appointees, yes. Hold on just a second, all right, so let me give a little history. You know what I shouldn’t do, I should not do the Clerk’s work. Ms. Davis: No, no, no we want you to do that. Mr. Mayor: Ms. Bonner, if you’ll if you’ll remind this body how we got to Item number 28 and remind the body of the information that was sent out several weeks ago. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: All right. The Clerk: The Unified Development Authority, it’s a group of 13 counties within Georgia and it’s, let’s see, let me pull my, my paperwork. It’s a Joint Development Authority of 13 counties, membership in the Authority is created by State Law 36-22-5. Over the last couple of years we have gotten a request from the CSRA Regional Development which is the liaison to this Authority requesting that Augusta appoints its two members. We have not had members on this Authority for quite a while. As you can see, that information was included in your book, our last appointees was Mr. Walter Sprouse and Mr. Commissioner former Commissioner Alvin Mason. Mr. Mason, when his term expired on the Commission, that seat became vacant. Mr. Sprouse moved out of the City of Augusta so thereby he was ineligible to serve on the Authority because he was not a resident of Richmond County. So this is a consensus appointment. Each member of the Commission is entitled to nominate a person to fill each slot. They will be voted on in the order in which they are nominated. The first nomination to receive six votes will be the person appointed to that particular position. We have two slots open. Mr. Mayor: All right, everyone’s tracking now, Ms. Bonner. All right so again that item remains on the regular agenda. The Chair’s going to entertain a motion concerning the consent agenda. 10 Mr. Sias: I’d like to pull Item 15. Mr. Mayor: Okay, Items 11 and 15 are being pulled from the consent agenda. Mr. Frantom: I make a motion to approve the consent agenda. Ms. Davis: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 1. ZA-R-252 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia by amending definition of min-warehouses in Section 2 (Definitions), Section 22-1- b(9)(General Business) Permitted Uses and Section 22-2 (Special Exceptions) 2. ZA-R-253 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition request to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia by amending Section 4 (Off-street Parking and Loading) – Nonconforming Parking and Loading Spaces. 3. ZA-R-254 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia by amending Section 28-B-7 (Signs) – maximum size signs permitted as address markers in residential zones. 4. ZA-R-255 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition request to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia by amending Section 19 – Planned Unit Development (PUD) in its entirety. 5. ZA-R-256 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition request to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia by amending Section 2 – Definitions, Section 4 – Off-Street Parking and Loading, Section 17 – R-3A (Multiple Family Residential), Section 17-R-3B (Multiple Family Residential), Section 18 – (Multiple Family Residential), Section 21 – B-1 (Neighborhood Business), Section 22 (General Business) and Section 26-2 – Special Exceptions relating to Lodging House and Boarding House. PUBLIC SERVICES 6. Motion to approve New Location Application: A.N. 18-27: request by Brad Usry for an on premise consumption Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with The Southern Salad located at 1008 Broad Street. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 14, 2018) 7. Motion to approve the submission of the 2035 Augusta Comprehensive Plan for review by the CSRA Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 14, 2018) 8. Motion to approve the Blanchard & Calhoun Annual Insurance Policy for the Augusta Regional Airport. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 14, 2018) 9. Motion to approve Bid Award 18-179 in the amount of $28,500.00 Chaplin & Sons Clearing & Demolition Contract for Window Removal & Asbestos Abatement Hangar One. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 14, 2018) 11 10. Motion to approve Bid Award 18-173 Hebbard Electrical Inc. in the amount of $66,033.00 – Electrical Equipment Replacement. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 14, 2018) 12. Motion to approve a request by Margaret Estelle Morrow for a Massage Operator’s License to be used in connection with Stella Morrow LMT located at 1833 Central Ave. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 14, 2018) nd 13. Motion to approve the 2 Amendment to the HVAC Services Contract with Gold Mech Inc. in the amount of $$2,312.48 for the Augusta Regional Airport. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 14, 2018) 14. Motion to approve Bid Award 18-178 in the amount of $26, 500 to Window World of the CSRA – Window Replacement Hangar One. (Approved by Public Services Committee August 14, 2018) PUBLIC SAFETY 16. Motion to approve grant contract for laboratory technician. (Approved by Public Safety Committee August 14, 2018) ENGINEERING SERVICES 17. Motion to approve the Award of Bid 18-207 in the amount of $6,690,609.41 for the Deans Bridge Road MSW Landfill Leachate Management and Earthwork to Gearig Brothers Civilworks. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 14, 2018) 18. Motion to approve Bid Award #18-197 in the amount of $83,731.00 for a Vibration Analysis Program – Control Southern. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 14, 2018) 19. Motion to approve the notification of award of contract to Blair Construction, Inc. for Services associated with construction of the Fort Gordon New Water and Sewage Connections under the Task Order Program for Infrastructure RFQ #16-178 in the amount of $294,274.20 per Bid Item #18-208. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 14, 2018) 20. Motion to approve an Encroachment Agreement for Easement, from Georgia Power Company, for the Fort Gordon Cyber CoE. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 14, 2018) 21. Motion to approve the notification of award of contract to Blair Construction, Inc. for services associated with construction of the SR 10 Water Main Replacement from Fort Gordon New ACP/Gate 6 to SR 223 project under Task Order Program RFQ #16-178 in the amount of $395,739.02 per Bid Item #18-302. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 14, 2018) 22. Motion to approve Supplemental Agreement Three for the Phinizy Center for Watershed Assessment & Inventory Project in the amount of $82,000 for the continued Watershed Geomorphic data collection and Monitoring System maintenance as requested by AED. RFQ 13-149 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 14, 2018) 23. Motion to approve Supplemental Agreement One for Constantine Engineering for Watershed Assessment & Inventory Project in the amount of $512,037.50 for the Phase 2 Storm System Inventory, Basin Analysis, and Data Review & Reconciliation as requested by AED. RFQ 13-149 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 14, 2018) 12 24. Motion to approve Zayo Group, LLC Application and Planters Communication, LLC Application to place and use their facilities in Augusta, Georgia Right-of-Way. Also authorize Augusta Engineering Department to process and sign all associated documents with consultation of Augusta Legal Counsel. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee August 14, 2018) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 25. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Augusta Commission held Augusta 7, 2018 and Special Called Meeting held August 14, 2018) Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, what I’d like to do is I want to take item number 26 first and then we’ll come back --- Mr. Frantom: We ain’t voted. Mr. Mayor: --- this is yeah after. All right, we’ve got a motion and a second for the consent agenda. The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: All right, voting. Mr. Smith votes No. Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 8-1. The Clerk: Let me talk to Commissioner --- Mr. Smith: Are we trying to keep this a secret? The Clerk: --- yes, sir. Mr. Smith: Oh well --- The Clerk: To waive the second reading we need unanimous consent and if you voted no, we can’t get unanimous consent. Mr. Smith: --- I don’t care about reading anyway. The Clerk: You won’t say anything, okay, sir, the second reading is not waived. We do not have unanimous consent. Mr. Mayor: All right, that’s fine. Mr. Smith: Some of you boys need some reading lessons, let me tell you but, no, I’ll go along with ya’ll got planned. 13 Ms. Davis: So he reconsiders. The Clerk: Okay he’s reconsider, okay, it’s unanimous with Mr. Guilfoyle out. Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 9-0. \[Items 1-10, 12-14, 16-25\] Mr. Smith: It’s my day to be odd. The Clerk: Sir, I’ve got the video. Mr. Sias: You’ve got the video you’re going to need it, I appreciate that. The Clerk: Where are we headed, sir? Mr. Mayor: Twenty-six. The Clerk: ENGINEERING SERVICES 26. Motion to approve the renaming of the John C. Calhoun Expressway – Veterans Expressway. (Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy) Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem. Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I’m not going to belabor this. I know there’s been a lot of discussion about this and I appreciate Mr. Vaughn’s comments those were great points that you made, and I agree with those. I am still sticking to my previous stance that I’m not going to go down the road with renaming existing buildings, monuments and highways. And I know you mentioned a slippery slope and you know we deal with so many different issues up here with the public and it gets controversial and that’s what our job is. Just in the past few months I’ve spent a lot of time with people wanting to change Washington Road or wanting to change the James Brown Arena just for different past things that people don’t agree with. So that’s my reason. There’s no ill will towards, you know, Commissioner Fennoy bringing this forward or anybody who supports that. I think this is going to move forward today so that’s fine but I did just want to make those comments and also that for us to be aware going down in either if it’s this Commission or the following Commission when there is an opportunity to name something to honor someone that we really take this into consideration of, you know, who we honor and what it represents. So, it’ll just make us more aware and I think that that’s something that’s really good that’s come out of this, so those are just my comments Mr. Mayor, thank you. st Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1 for a motion. Mr. Fennoy: Motion to approve, motion to adopt a resolution petitioning the Georgia General Assembly to rename the John C. Calhoun Expressway the Charlie Norwood 14 Veterans Expressway and that a copy of the approved resolution be presented at the upcoming joint meeting of the Augusta Legislative Delegation and the Augusta Commission. Mr. Hasan: So moved, second, second. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second. Mr. M. Williams: Question, Mr. Mayor. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 10. Mr. G. Smith: You know I think the money it’s going to cost to change the name and no matter what road you don’t like the name of the road or whatever or monument but we ought to spend that money on some of our elderly or either our youth and do something positive for Augusta. And if I was going to rename it something I’d rename it after this guy who used to referee with my brother in football and my brother when he talks good about somebody you ought to listen because other than that he hates everybody. But this guy right here, this is what we want to be about right here and he was a guy that lived with us during this era and you know John C. Calhoun I never met him, didn’t have a drink with him or whatever so I don’t know what in the hell kind of guy he is, don’t care. But if we’re going to do something under today’s situation look for this guy. He’s what we stand about. And you know I really think that if we’re going to spend see how much it’s going to cost or would cost and let’s put that money towards the youth or towards the elderly and that’s what we ought to be focusing and our future youth that was here of their progress. And you know and I love Bill Fennoy, don’t get me wrong. I don’t care if the guy’s name is Grady Smith Expressway. You know I’d say hey why change it but and spend the money leave it alone because look how many other roads if somebody really gets on a kick you know so you change that one you change this one you know just because he likes John Jones. I don’t care for John Jones but that’s my business and that’s the great thing about this country. And so I will say I’m for getting modern with a lot of stuff around here, but what’s it going to cost us and what value is it but like I say nothing against any of my colleagues. They got their ideas, I’ve got mine, and my thing is folks on today and our youth and our elderly and then progress of our students in school because we’ve got a lot coming this way and what’s that deal you know build it and they’ll come well they’re coming so we better start building. th Mr. M. Williams: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. No problem with name changing or anything else but I think this motion is to send it to State Legislature for them to change and send us something back in fact is that what this motion’s going to do? Mr. Mayor: That’s correct. Mr. M. Williams: Okay. Mr. Mayor: All right, we have a motion and a proper second, voting. 15 Ms. Davis, Mr. Sias and Mr. Smith vote No. Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 6-3. st Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, can I have a Point of Personal Privilege? Mr. Mayor: You may. Mr. Fennoy: I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues that supported this for supporting this but I’d also like to take this time to thank Dr. Milander, Dr. Hayes, Paul, Mr. Norwood, (unintelligible) for and Mr. Vaughn for their support and continued encouragement. I think when this item was first placed on the agenda we may have had two votes. Now we have the votes to move forward. But I would also like to ask any of my Commissioners or colleagues that voted against it would they reconsider so that when this goes up to the delegation we could have unanimous consent from the Richmond County Commission. Mr. Mayor: All right, again the gentleman displays great passion for what he speaks and again this will now move to the Legislature and they will get an opportunity to in the upcoming Transportation Bill to work on renaming it which is the process. And as they go through that annually the members of our delegation should know full well how to put the appropriate language in there for that purpose and we’ll sign it and we’ll make sure that they have a copy of it at our meeting that we’re planning for later in the fall. Again I want to thank everybody who’s been engaged in this conversation, a very worthy conversation to be had. Madam Clerk, we’re going to go top down in fact before we go any further there’s been a matter that’s certainly caught fire here over the last 36 hours in the community. And I was looking for an opportunity to have a brief discussion during the delegation part of our agenda and I’m going to ask this body if we could just suspend the rules without objection if we can just suspend the rules, I want to hear from a local leader Pastor Charles Goodman. But there’s a matter that has been brought to members of this body of great interest with regards to the Wallace Library and I want to give Pastor Goodman five minutes of time to one, clarify what’s again being erroneously communicated through social media and otherwise with regards to the matter regarding the Wallace Library. And so again we’ll suspend the rules if there’s no objection and I’m going to give Pastor Goodman five minutes to come and articulate and then we’ll get back to main agenda. Pastor Goodman: Good afternoon. Thank you, Mayor and to the our Commissioners and those who are present today I thank you for this last moment to come. I actually was in my sick bed and got up out to address what you have said has kind of caught fire over the last 36 hours and I just want to kind of put it out there because it’s painting not just the city or Commission and Tabernacle Baptist Church in what I perceive to be a negative light but also has some untruths concerning the Wallace Branch Library. So from my perspective as a church this began almost eight, nine years ago. The current person at the time who was over the library system had approached us about when they were building the new library downtown. And they told us that one of the things they had noticed at the Wallace Branch Library from a resource perspective was not hitting a lot of markers and what they wanted to do at the time was to move their employees 16 that were at the Wallace Branch to the main library, consolidate their operations and would we be interested in purchasing at that time. I said of course. I mean it’s right next to us if we had a desire even at that time and what we still desire if the building was available to create a Hamilton Wallace Impact Center that would enhance not just the church but also we thought would be community operations. At that time it was eight or so years ago. He got some pushback from his board particularly even one that was a member of our church so at the time he said you know, Pastor, I’ll be honest with you it’s not a fight I want to take in my last days over year so we said fine no problems, it’s not an issue for us. And so just recently here we are again and it was brought back to our attention to ask if the desire was still there which it is. And so there was a meeting yesterday one of my staff members attended to go to discuss or to bring it up to the I guess the Board of Trustees for the library. We shared our thoughts, we wrote a letter and just to share the building was open we’ll definitely be open to purchasing it. I thought everything went well from what I gathered from the meeting only to be awakened this morning from social media posts and those things concerned with it and we just want to get ahead of the fact that it was not our desire to close the library down. Our desire was if the building was available we would love to be in the opportunity to be able to purchase it to continue our mission as a church and for the community. So that was really the aim and intent and so I wanted to share that because I think that is erroneously out there that we’re trying to get the city to close the library down which is not it. It came to us as an option if the library was going to cease operations in that facility that we would love to be in an opportunity to be able to purchase it and provide resources not only for our congregation but our community. So that was the whole kind of piece that we have concerning that and I wanted to kind of address that because I think we’re being painted as trying to shut libraries down and do those kinds of things but I wanted to kind of get in front of that piece to address that. Our aim is still to same to make an impact in our community beyond the whole criteria that we had concerning to enhance the youth in our area. Also the space would also provide great opportunities for seniors in the areas and allow us to provide a lot of the same things I think that the library was trying to do. Once again it was for us at the time it was brought if perhaps the library was consolidating for us to be in a position to purchase that property. So thank you for the opportunity to come I just wanted to kind of clarify that piece and once again we’re not in the business of closing libraries down and once again I wanted to be clear of our aim of trying to just be in a position when it came to us of its availability. Mr. Mayor: So, Pastor Goodman, if you’ll stand if you’ll remain there, I think there are probably some questions but I think it’s extremely prudent for this body and those who are operating them the half of this body or should I say who operate on behalf of this government to as we consistently keep saying to not step out here on behalf of the city trying to make decisions th that we find out in the 25 hour and in particular on social media. That is not how we should be operating. And for individuals to be engaging in real estate transactions that one we’ve not discussed in closed session I would discourage that. I would discourage that whether it be libraries whether it be any other buildings that are under the purview of this city that this Commission certainly has purview over I would discourage that. All right, the Chair recognizes the th. th Commissioner from the 6 Okay, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, that’s a good one and as Chairman of Administrative Services there was a building or a facility that was going to be considered whether it be eight years ago or whether it be eight months ago it should’ve came through Administrative Services. My 17 question to you is though what department or what action was taken and who was it taken by to come to you. Pastor Goodman: From what I’m hearing I think from the Housing Department. Let me state this as well because I think it’s going on out there as if there was an assumption it was a done deal. I think from our perspective it was done as an exploratory kind of conversation if this was to happen would you be open to it. And so I’ll be honest with you I think a lot of the tension that I sense is perhaps undergirding it and we never assumed it was a done deal. The way it was brought to us was if this was an option would you guys be interested? Yes. What would you guys do with the property if this was an option? Here was our plans for it. Here’s something else to gather we need to go through the steps of seeing if there was gauged interest so I will be honest from our perspective it was never sent to us as a done deal. If this was to happen would you guys be interested? Yes. What would be your plan for it? Well here’s our plan for it and whatever the requisite steps it would take, it was not given to us like it would be something where it was already guaranteed to purchase so I want to make sure that’s not out there. We were going through what was told to us as a process of due diligence to kind of share if it was available would we be interested? Yes and what we do with the property? If there was the facility was vacated and was able to purchase it that hasn’t changed from eight years and it won’t change from eight more years. So I don’t know the tension that I sense is that I feel like people that come to us as if we just assumed it was already for sale or it’s a done deal. I think we all went into it from my perspective as an exploratory conversation and then it had not yet went through all of the ranks and that’s why I think my issue with the a lot of the things that’s going out there is that they’re already putting a sign on the door saying library closed and those kinds of things. We never were under the assumption it was a done deal. It was always for us an idea exploratory if this was an option would you all be interested? Absolutely, it’s right next to us, it’s in between two or our buildings on our facility and we could sense it as something to be utilized. Did we feel like it was a done deal? Absolutely not so that’s why I think a lot of the tension is because I think I’m hearing the people already put the sign outside the library, it’s closed, the church is trying to close the library down once again it was brought to us as an option if this building became available would you be interested? Mr. M. Williams: I certainly understand what you’re saying but my question was who approached the church approached the trustees or who approached anybody. Now I don’t do much on social media I understand there’s all kinds of stuff out there on that and I don’t believe anything anybody even tells me about social media because that’s what it is it’s a social deal what people make up and put all kinds of stuff out. But I do have a problem with this government who even had a conversation with you or with your staff and not have a conversation with Administrative Services or someone on this board whether it be the Mayor or somebody on the committee. So those are my issues and that’s how you stop that kind of stuff I think is when you address those persons who are approaching with an idea even what if this was available. I mean this government may have something totally different direction that we were going in but I hadn’t heard yet who or what department came to either your staff or yourself. Pastor Goodman: I think it was a conversation like I said that began some years ago initially with the library board and I then think that it was also a conversation with those in the development of our area so we’re always in conversation honestly about everything in that area 18 because we try our best to be a hub in the Laney Walker Community. So whenever there’s any opportunity I think we hear anyway whether you’re doing it with the convent, whether you’re doing with this place there’s always a conversation so I hasten to say specifically like it was one. It’s been an ongoing conversation since I’ve been here and I’ve been here eleven years and I know at least eight or nine of those years it was just used to us as exploratory. So once again I gathered from yesterday it was an exploratory meeting. I wasn’t even there and it was just an option if they were going to cease work in that facility and consolidate the things they thought about eight/nine years ago what will we do with the property I always thought that was the piece. So once again I understand what you’re asking but I’m sharing from our perspective how we’ve kind of approached it and whenever there was things I think you’re always going have conversations because once again we want to make sure that we maintain a strong presence in the Laney Walker community and it’s not just about us but about our community as well. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Pastor Goodman --- Pastor Goodman: Yes --- Mr. Hasan: --- good afternoon how are you doing, sir? Pastor Goodman: --- very well, thank you. Mr. Hasan: Well, I’m absolutely glad you made a decision to reach out and to come today and get some clarity around it because possibly from what you are saying there we probably won’t get it resolved today but it gives us a perspective on it as to how we got here. And I think as you hear Commissioner Williams saying per his committee Administrative Services or just the body in general we have not been involved in this conversation. And so that’s a good thing to know because we read it and engage in the conversation we do realize obviously there’s some conversations around us and it’s good to know you said well this conversation came to you eight or nine years ago and also it came to you again. And so those are the kinds of issues that we’re trying to deal with internally around how did we get here and so by you taking the lead on this and coming in and sharing and getting out in front of it, it probably would do you a lot of good and give us an opportunity to speak to the public around this issue that you are trying to invest in the community, the opportunity presented to you all and as a result you all saw fit to take advantage of it and so we have to have a conversation internally so I appreciate you coming down and sharing (unintelligible). Pastor Goodman: Once again I want to make sure the verbiage is in an opportunity well, possible opportunity --- Mr. Hasan: Right. Pastor Goodman: --- I want to also make sure, nothing was given to us as a guarantee, nothing was told to us that this is a done deal. 19 Mr. Hasan: Right. Pastor Goodman: I think once again as we’ve always been and I guess many of you can attest to it you always do your full due diligence so we were just progressing forward in what we thought was our due diligence whether they said yea or nay you know or if it was okay and if not, we knew there was multiple steps and not something that we assumed was going to be a done deal. What we’re going through what we thought was part of the due diligence process of a possible opportunity. Mr. Hasan: And I’d like to say one more thing, Pastor, if you don’t mind. Mr. Mayor, I’m going to take the liberty of saying something if I’m wrong she can just shake her head. I think also when we saw the Procurement Director getting up and coming up and speaking to the Attorney and asking to say something she’s probably saying you can’t sell a property like that. Pastor Goodman: She probably is. Mr. Hasan: She probably was saying you can’t sell a property that way either so we’re all out of bounds on this end you know so a lot of those things so once again, Pastor, thank you for coming down and getting ahead of this and we appreciate you doing that in a very deliberate manner. So, yes, I think that was her point we can’t sell property that way. Thank you, sir, thank you, Pastor, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Pastor Goodman: Any other questions or? Mr. Mayor: No other questions, Pastor Goodman, but I want to state for the record those that are watching and listening that one the city did not sole source property to Tabernacle Baptist Church. This is a fine institution of not only ministry but making an impact in this community has been for hundreds of years and will continue to do so. What we will not do is besmirch the good name of this church and the Pastor leading the church on the basis of you know actions that are again we did not know or were not aware of. And so there are normal methods upon which we dispose of property and as I’ve heard it from the Chairman of Administrative Services we’ve certainly not gone through those measures nor have we gone through the procurement process to do as such. So to those of you who do the watching on Facebook, social media or any other of those mediums the answer is no the church did not shut the library down, is not in the business of shutting libraries down. Pastor Goodman: Okay, thank you. Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Pastor. All right, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Yes, sir, I believe we’re at Item number 11. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 20 11. Motion to approve the award of Bid Item 18-204, LED Digital Display Message Boards to AAA Sign Co. in the amount of $141,435.00. (Approved by Public Services Committee Augusta 14, 2018) th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just needed some information about this board and what kind of board we’re purchasing for $141? What is it going to be used for I mean can somebody? Mr. Parker: It’s actually four, Commissioner, it’s not one it’s four and it’s called a board but it’s a sign. It’s LED a digital sign and we’ll have a new one at the Aquatic Center, Diamond Lakes, Newman Tennis Center and the Golf Course. So it’ll give us the ability, right now all of those have stagnant letters on them this will give us the ability to have video, to change the message, to share what we’re doing, to give information about the programs that are coming up, phone numbers to call those kinds of things. Mr. M. Williams: So this won’t be a message board this is a really a sign on each building. Mr. Parker: Absolutely. Mr. M. Williams: I’m thinking about the message boards you pull around something that may display something at this point but this is something that’s going to be attached on the sign I mean how would this --- Mr. Parker: Not attached to I thought you were going to say attached to the building not attached to the building. At Newman for example on Wrightsboro Road this will replace our existing sign on Wrightsboro Road but it gives us the opportunity to do some digital things there. Mr. M. Williams: --- and there will be four of them. Mr. Parker: Yes, sir. Mr. M. Williams: I mean I wasn’t against that, Mr. Parker, I was just kind of curious as to what kind of message board and it does have an ‘s’ on it so it explains more than one I’m just kind of curious. I’ve got no problem in supporting it. My motion is to approve, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got a question, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 7th. Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. My question is I mean I’ve never seen a golf course with a display board on it. I’ve never seen why I mean like what was the thought process to put these there as opposed to putting one down at the Augusta Commons to talk about what’s going on down at The Common? I mean --- 21 Mr. Parker: We do have, one of we looked at the volume of programs that goes on at different places. I will tell you we still have I think it’s a little over $150,000 in SPLOST to do more of these and we have talked about The Common as being one of the future places to place this, that sounds redundant but to put one at The Common, we’d like to do that. But we thought about you know the amount of programs that go on, the changes in the programs, the information that we want to get out to the residents that go by. Mr. Frantom: --- and I get it but my concern too is you’ve got three of them within a mile and it just, if you don’t drive that area you’re not, I mean and this is all SPLOST dollars? Mr. Parker: Most of it is SPLOST. We are taking some from Capital, our current capital. Mr. Frantom: I can’t support this today. I think that we’ve got to look at the bigger picture when you’ve got different areas and to put three within a mile of each other I just I can’t support that so thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. M. Williams: Can I have one more comment, Mr. Mayor? th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. State your question. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Parker, I’m still in support but I’m hearing you now saying the SPLOST dollars. And we had a conversation with you and Ms. Jackson and several others about our advertising on radio as to what we’re doing even TV. We’re not singing our own songs enough in my opinion. Now the money we’re putting into this. Do you think there will be a better advantage to do more radio/TV advertisement as to what’s going on at those facilities versus the sign, I’m just asking the question. Now you know we had this conversation about the other counties always advertising their name and what they’re going on and whatever and we don’t talk about ourselves and we don’t sell our own product, we don’t advertise our own product, how well other people advertise our products as well so the more our name is out there the more that we use that. It’ll be much more beneficial than like Commissioner Frantom just talked about if they’re going to be that close, it’ll be lighting up but it’s only going to be the same people in that same area within those four areas and you’re not going to have a lot of people coming through but if you advertise through the media through print and the radio/TV which is costly I understand because they’re in business but they’re effective as well. Mr. Parker: My answer to that would be it’s not one or the other. It needs to be both because one supplements the other. You do, with these signs and these display boards we’re going after a targeted audience of you know the tennis lessons for this group is this Tuesday sign up at this number those kinds of things. When you’re doing the ads like you talked about even though it may be for the concerts series we’re broadcasting that all over so I think one supplements the other. Mr. M. Williams: I’m in agreement with both at the same time doing both put the signs up but we need to put more into ‘media’ whether it be radio, TV or whatever it is to go along with these signs you know to let people know what we’re doing. But we’re just only putting this one side to it then we’re only going to affect one area that’s going to be these signs are going to be 22 visible to. But if you put it, even folks who may not live in the immediate area will say you what I need to go over there, I need to go down there I need to find that because I heard it on the radio. I didn’t see it I seen it on TV. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 7 for a question. Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, one more question. Are only the Newman, are there going to be sponsorships available to help offset the cost of these from an operating standpoint? Mr. Parker: In the past that’s been done at Newman. I don’t think it’s been done at the others but we do have the opportunity to do that now, yes. Mr. Frantom: Okay well again I like the idea. I just think that you know we don’t need all three within that close of an area. And I don’t think the Aquatic Center one how many people travel done that road so why couldn’t we do something a little bit more generic that talks about Augusta on near the Aquinas on the golf course side or something so, all right, thank you. Mr. Mayor: I heard a motion to approve but I didn’t hear a second. Mr. G. Smith: Second. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion with a proper second, voting. Mr. Frantom votes No. Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 8-1. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 15. Motion to approve recommendation from the Personnel, Policy and Procedures (PPPM) Subcommittee to adopt the revised Employee Appeals and Dispute Resolution 12.0 Policy. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee August 14, 2018) th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I support this item but I do think it needs a change in it. One of the things as you go through the steps of this resolution of resolving this issue if an employee is terminated if an employee can appeal to the Administrator then the employee can also appeal, if that doesn’t fit their need they can also appeal to the Personnel Board. But as you look at it the employee and the Administrator both have time limits in which to get their work done as far as getting the appeal in, identifying if they want to appeal it, the Administrator has 10 days once that employee files his appeal through H.R. is to have 10 days to get it done. And right now the way the Personnel Board they have up to 60 days just to schedule a hearing and I think and also there will be continuances in this. So, from this perspective I believe we’d need to amend this to require that the Personnel Board by scheduling through H.R. or H.R. scheduling these hearings that they 23 need to accomplish that work with 60 days from the time the employee files his or her appeal instead of just kind of leaving it out there and it can go on and on for a while. So if the employee has a time limit, the Administrator has a time limit, I think an appropriate time limit for the Personnel Board to hear it to get its decision done and then an additional five days to publish it so that’s a total of really 65 days so I think that’s more than enough time for the Personnel Board to get its job done. So I request that a draft of what that wording would look like from the Legal and the Administrator I just want ask them do they have that? Okay and that’s basically saying that once an individual files their appeal, the Personnel Board has 60 days to render their decision and five days to publish it. Mr. Mayor: All right, a common set of facts. The Clerk: (Inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Well, I think he’s making a motion but I want to make sure he get a common set of facts first. Mr. Sias: Let me address that real quick the common set of facts point you just made. Mr. Mayor: Yeah, hold on just a second, Attorney MacKenzie, do you have copies for everybody? Well if anything let’s just put it on the screen if you don’t mind. Again if you’re making an amendment, if you’re making a amendment to a document, let’s at least see it. All th right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, before we even look at any documents we’ve got an H.R. Director and I’d like to know what her thoughts were on the time and everything else. I would hope the Legal Department would have sent that to her and maybe she has viewed it I don’t know but I would want to hear her perspective before, I support her anytime. I’m not in H.R. I don’t know anything about that so I would listen to those. Professionals. Mr. Mayor: I agree. All right Attorney MacKenzie, can you go back to the podium and th walk us through the changes that the Commissioner from the 4 has --- Mr. Speaker: (Inaudible). Mr. Mayor: --- yes, that he’s proposed? Mr. MacKenzie: Sure, I’ll be happy to do that. I also just want to note this was the change he’s proposing is an addition to the other changes proposed by the subcommittee some other adjustments were made as well. The specific change that he’s referring to is on the screen, you see where it says 60 days all appeals to the board the last paragraph, shall be resolved in 60 days from the date of the filing of the appeal. Previously it has language that said that a hearing would be set within 60 days and so that’s the change he’s suggesting be modified, is that it, have a 60 day limit. 24 Mr. Mayor: What happens in the event there is an impasse and you’re not able to reach resolution in 60 days? Mr. MacKenzie: That is something that could be addressed either in the ordinance, that’s one of the reasons why I think it was worded before. I don’t really prefer that language for that very reason like what does it mean if you don’t have it within 60 days we could either clarify what that means or we could leave for the interpretation to be made later. Mr. Mayor: That’s not a good idea, that’s a horrible idea. I mean interpretations change, people change and at that point you’re not giving guidance. You’re being extremely subjective to personal proclivities and who knows what else, it’s probably not a good idea. All right, the Chair th recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: My question again has this been has this been discussed with the H.R. Director, has heads been put together and --- Mr. Mayor: All right, Dr. Conner, if you’ll approach, I’m going to come back to your thth Commissioner from the 4 but again the Commissioner from the 9. Dr. Conner: Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and Commissioners, to address the question that th Commissioner from the 9 has raised, myself along with a staff subcommittee was formed as a result of the result of the committee the Administrative Review Committee and here again that included myself, the attorneys our consultant Ms. Osei and a couple of other members. Yes, we have in constant communication as it relates to the proposed change. I am in support of it. There does need to be a time limit. And to your question, Mayor, if I may if a decision has not been made within that time limit I would ask you all to consider that whatever the previous decision is that that decision will stand as is. That would be my recommendation. So if they have not resolved it within that timeframe then that previous decision of termination should remain. Mr. M. Williams: (Inaudible). Mr. Mayor: I don’t know. Mr. M. Williams: And I’ve got no problem if that’s what Dr. Connor just said that should be in there though. Mr. Mayor: So Dr. Connor --- Dr. Connor: Yes, sir --- Mr. Mayor: --- you’re indicating that you support this phrase that’s been proposed by the th Commissioner from the 4. Dr. Connor: --- yes, sir, I am in support of it. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, Senior Attorney. 25 Mr. MacKenzie: I would be in support of that language as well. At least it clarifies what the effect is of not meeting the 60 day deadline as long as everyone is made aware of that effect, I would be okay with that from a due process perspective. Mr. Mayor: So you’re changing your position now? Mr. MacKenzie: I didn’t like the way it is without having a definition of what occurs if you don’t have the same result within 60 days but if you add the language that Dr. Connor suggested I’d be okay with it. Mr. Mayor: Okay so when we went to just the underlined statement you didn’t like that because it was quite subjective. Dr. Connor came and said well let me expand on that and you’re suggesting that we add something to the statement which is what you’re indicating. Dr. Connor: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Okay, you’re indicating that we should add something to the statement. Dr. Connor: Yes, sir, for clarity, yes. Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay all right, we’re going to give the Attorney an opportunity to wordsmith that and put that in there. All right, I’m going to go to the Commissioner from the, all th right, do you yield? All right, I’m going to go to the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you. On each one of the other steps they in fact what Dr. Connor said is exactly true. If those steps are not affected then it goes back to the previous one. And also reference a set of common facts in discussing this, it was my intent to make that motion I asked them to look at the wording of what would’ve been my motion. It wasn’t a thing of excluding anybody or that it was just something that we were moving forward with this and without a time limit on it and it really needed one, thank you. Mr. Mayor: I like what you’re (inaudible) all right, we’ve got an amendment that’s being proposed that the attorney’s going to make sure he gets drafted for us so that we’re clear on what we’re adopting. I thought this was going to be a fast meeting. All right, we’re going to stand in recess for five minutes. \[RECESS\] Mr. Mayor: All right, we’re going to go ahead and reconvene. Five minutes turned into twelve minutes on Commissioner Sammie Sias’ time. The Clerk: Good fellowship though. Mr. Mayor: Good fellowship. All right, the Chair recognizes Attorney MacKenzie to walk us through. 26 Mr. MacKenzie: Sure, on the screen you see some additional highlighted language that just clarifies that in the event the Board does not act within the 60-day period then the termination will be upheld. Mr. Mayor: All right, that’s the proposed language to the amendment. All right, is there objection? The Clerk: Yes, sir, well, it’s amended --- Mr. Mayor: Right, it’s amended --- The Clerk: --- Mr. Sias and Mr. Frantom are you --- Mr. Mayor: --- all right very good, this is what we’re voting on. All right, voting. Mr. Guilfoyle out. Motion Passes 9-0. The Clerk: I think that brings us to Item number 27. The Clerk: ENGINEERING SERVICES 27. Discuss and adopt funding proposal for comprehensive street light program. (Requested by Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Reference this item, there’s been a lot of discussion I’m sorry, thank you, sir. There’s been a lot of discussion about this item. I still think we need to chew on it just a little bit more and I think I propose that we have a Special Called Meeting for Thursday and the Administrator might come back with some additional information on that consideration. Mr. Mayor: Hold on, Ms. Jackson --- Mr. Sias: It wasn’t a motion; I was just proposing. Mr. Mayor: --- right I understand I appreciate that. Madam Clerk, based on what you know from a Thursday standpoint is there anything that we have out there that we already have out there? The Clerk: No, sir, not this coming Thursday. Mr. M. Williams: It’s somebody’s birthday. 27 The Clerk: It is and you’re invited aren’t you, okay. It’s like it’s 5:00 o’clock somewhere that’s the --- Mr. Mayor: It is yeah, is George out there somewhere? The Clerk: --- somewhere, no he’s on vacation. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Administrator. Ms. Jackson: Yes, I was making note of the fact that staff can be available any time you all can if you do chose to do a meeting on Thursday you pick a time we’ll be there. Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ll entertain a little bit more discussion (unintelligible). The Chair th recognizes the Commissioner from the 7. Mr. Frantom: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just ask I mean 11:00 o’clock is one there out there but also I ask that we bring can we bring the Contingency Fund amounts as well as the right-of- way acquisition fee amounts and publicize those so look at possibly putting those towards the streetlight deficit that day? Ms. Davis: Can we do it before? Mr. Mayor: Before 11:00? Ms. Davis: Well, can we do it before the meeting just to again think through it. Ms. Jackson: Certainly. Mr. Mayor: We can get that information absolutely I think we have that information delivered --- Ms. Davis: Just to chew on that. Mr. Mayor: --- by noon tomorrow at the latest, yeah okay. The Clerk: Thursday at 11:00. Mr. Mayor: Thursday at 11:00, let me see here Thursday at 11:00. The Commissioner st from the 1 he has a doctor’s appointment --- Mr. Speaker: He can change that (unintelligible). Mr. Fennoy: Change the appointment? Mr. Sias: No, change the meeting. 28 Mr. Fennoy: It’s my psychiatrist. Mr. Hasan: No, you need to go see him, please don’t cancel that. Mr. Mayor: Are you going to ask him can I get one more question? Mr. Sias: What’s the final time? Mr. Mayor: Well, we’re working on that. This is Thursday, if only we could get these phones to work --- Mr. Fennoy: You need a phone too, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: --- I do, I do know 11:00 doesn’t work. I’m with the Commissioner from the st 1 11:00 doesn’t work. All right, 1:00 o’clock? All right, 1:00 o’clock. Mr. Sias: 1:00 o’clock. Mr. Mayor: Now that’s all contingent upon us celebrating with the person who’s celebrating a birthday so Ms. Jackson is going to bring the cake --- Mr. Speaker: (Inaudible). Mr. Mayor: --- it might be okay well we know how to celebrate, we’ll have a party, we’ll have a party. All right, at 1:00 o’clock Thursday the notice will go out and we’ll have a meeting at that time, okay? I don’t think there’s any other business before us --- Mr. Frantom: Twenty-eight. APPOINTMENTS 28. Motion to approve the appointment of two ARC members to the CSRA Unified Development Authority in accordance with the attached Resolution. Mr. Mayor: --- 28 oh yeah, all right I’m rolling with the Mayor Pro Tem today. Mr. Hasan: Can we do that Thursday as well, Mr. Mayor, number 28? Mr. Mayor: Sure, that’d give you a chance to think about some nominations. I think that’s appropriate. All right, Madam Clerk, we’ll move Item 28 to Thursday’s Special Called Meeting. The Clerk: We have Item 1 and Item 2 --- Mr. Mayor: Yes. The Clerk: --- okay. 29 Mr. Frantom: I’ll nominate you on Thursday then. Mr. Fennoy: I’ve got a question about the 28. st Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Can Commissioners that are currently serving can they serve on that? Mr. Mayor: If you appoint them. Mr. Fennoy: Okay, if you’ve got enough votes, okay. The Clerk: Six votes can do it all. Mr. Fennoy: What about the Clerk of Commission? The Clerk: If she gets six votes. Mr. Fennoy: All right. The Clerk: I appreciate it but no thank you, respectfully decline. Madam Mayor Pro Tem, did he adjourn the meeting? Ms. Davis: No, ma’am (unintelligible) something to say. The Clerk: Oh, okay. Mr. Mayor: There be no further business before us, I think this meeting is adjourned until --- rd The Clerk: Thursday at 1:00 o’clock, Thursday August 23. \[MEETING ADJOURNED\] 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 Count Commission held on August 21, 2018. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 30