HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting December 4, 2018
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
DECEMBER 4, 2018
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., December 4, 2018, the
Hon. Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Guilfoyle, Sias, Frantom, M. Williams, Davis, Fennoy, D. Williams,
Hasan and Clarke, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
Mr. Mayor: Good afternoon, everybody. We’ll call this meeting to order; we are here to
do the people’s business. What an outstanding December it is already. We are looking forward
to enjoying our time not only together but with our family and friends as we step into the month
of December. The Chair recognizes Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Yes, sir, at this time our invocation will be delivered by Bishop Rosa L.
Williams, Pastor of the Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church. Would you please stand followed
by our Pledge of Allegiance.
The invocation was given by Bishop Rosa L. Williams, Pastor, Everfaithful Missionary
Baptist 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 Bishop
Rosa L. Williams, Pastor of the Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church is Chaplain of the Day.
Her spiritual guidance and civic leadership serves as an example for all citizens of Augusta. Given
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under my hand this 4 Day of December 2018, Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Would you please join me in thanking congratulating Bishop Rosa Williams
for her service to this community? (APPLAUSE)
The Clerk:
RECOGNITION(S)
Congratulations!
A. 2018 November Years of Service recipients.
The Clerk: I call your attention to the recognition portion of our agenda the City of Augusta
offers its congratulations to our 2018 November Years of Service recipients which will be
presented by Ms. Williams of our H.R. Department.
Ms. Williams: Thank you. Good afternoon Mayor Davis, Commissioners, special guests,
Directors and citizens of Augusta, Georgia. My name is Sylvia Williams, Employee Relations and
Training Manager for the H.R. Department. Today it is my esteemed pleasure to recognize the
November Years of Service recipients. For the Month of November 2018 we have 34 individuals
celebrating 5 to 20 years of service with Augusta Richmond County. This afternoon we would
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like recognize our 25 to 50 year of service recipients. For the Month of November the total years
of service and institutional knowledge being celebrated today is 110 years. When I call your name
please come forward. Diane Evans Augusta Richmond County Library 25 years. (APPLAUSE)
Richard Johnson Augusta Fire Department 25 years. (APPLAUSE) William Adams Augusta
Sheriff’s Office 25 years. (APPLAUSE) Annette Coker Augusta Information Technology 25
years. (APPLAUSE) Congratulations to all of our Years of Service recipients. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, what I’m going to do first there are two items that are before
us. There’s a request, two requests for additions. There’s one that you see in front of you to
approve a bid award for the Regional Airport and there’s a second one that is for us to call for a
Special Election for the currently vacant seat of District 5. Do I have unanimous consent to add
those to the agenda, without objection?
Mr. Fennoy: No objection.
Mr. Mayor: With objection ---
Mr. Fennoy: No objection.
Mr. Mayor: --- yeah without objection okay those items, all right those items are added to
the agenda. I want to take a moment this afternoon to share just a few things of interest and
importance to the community. And at the top of that list today we are reflective of the life of our
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41 President George Herbert Walker Bush who passed away on Friday night. He was not only
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our 41 President but also served as Vice-President, head of the CIA, was one of the youngest
naval aviators in 1943. He served this country as a statesman in more ways than one but I think
the rich legacy that the President H.W. Bush leaves us is a legacy of faith, family and forever
representing this country. And so on today while his remains are in state there in Washington, DC
I want to take a moment of silence here in the City of Augusta for a great American a great
President. In fact he was our oldest living President. And so if you would pause with me for a
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moment as we remember the life and the legacy of our 41 President George Herbert Walker Bush,
thank you. I also want to share just a few updates of community events and activities. On Friday
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November the 16 we hosted the 4 Annual MDK Summit with 260 of Richmond County High
School junior and senior males attending. We are very fortunate to have a city that supports our
young men in this community and in particular those young men who some would deem are at
risk. We’re also very fortunate to have an amazing partnership with Youth Challenge Academy
and our Superintendent of Schools Dr. Angela Pringle. We are now tracking 260 of our young
men through the school process wanting to make sure that they are successful in every endeavor
of their lives. This was an amazing time that was hosted at the Miller Theater. It was a great
partner and an opportunity for us to show these young men life skills, provide training and also be
exposed to the Miller Theater in ways that they perhaps never have been before. In the coming
months there will be a lot of conversation around the Complete County Census. I’ve been
appointed by the Governor to be on the Complete Count Committee and the census is an extremely
critical matter for communities across the State of Georgia and certainly our nation and I’m going
to be asking not only this body but our community to be actively engaged in this endeavor to make
sure that as we begin the Complete Count for the 2020 Census that our community is actively
engaged. Federal resources are tied to the census numbers that we have and we will be establishing
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a committee that will participate in that effort. If there are questions, please do not hesitate to
contact the Mayor’s office as we look forward to working with everyone with regards to that. And
then my final note that we share there’s been a lot of discussion on this body since 2015 to now
there’s been a great deal of conversation in the paper as well and other media outlets about the
issue of blight in our community. A number of efforts by collaborative departments and/or entities,
the Administrator and I have been working with Department Directors and staff to put together as
was asked by this body for the Mayor and the Administrator to put together a complete plan of
action and that was requested in 2016 and we’ve been working on putting that together and look
forward to sharing with you what those outcomes are in the days ahead. All right, Ms. Bonner, I
think that’s all I’ve got for right now.
The Clerk:
ELECTION OF OFFICER(S)
B. Nominate an individual to fill the vacant District 5 Commission seat until a special election
is held to fill the seat. (Commissioner Sammie Sias)
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. before moving forward I’d just like to get one clarification from
the Chair, this will be nominative process, am I correct?
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, the gentleman is correct. We’ll receive nominations for candidates at
this time.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. And we know it’s important that we have representation for all
citizens of our county and our city and unfortunately we lost one of our fellow colleagues and it’s
now time for us to take action to insure that those citizens have continued representation until a
special election is held. And to that effect I nominate Mr. Johnny Few.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 4 has nominated Johnny Few. All
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right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is an ongoing process and it happened in
many cases in this Chamber before and probably will happen many times in the future. As the
District 9 Commission I have no problem with Mr. Few for sure but I want to make another
nomination and as the District 9 Commission who represents that district now in the absence of
anybody that’s not present being in the Super District, I feel strongly about trying to do what the
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4 Commissioner said and that is to have somebody to represent that district in the fashion that the
people need to be represented. But as the District 9 Commissioner I would like to at least have
another nomination. I’d like to nominate Mr. Bernard Harper to fulfill that seat until a special
election is being held. We know that I think the resolution you’ve got today says that a special
election be taken place in March. I don’t remember the date but I want to nominate Mr. Bernard
Harper.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, the Commissioner from the 9 nominates one Bernard Harper. Okay
again as has been indicated and we will vote on this in just a moment but the special election will
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be called for the date certain March the 19 2019, the date certain. The Chair recognizes the
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Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to enter another nominee into the process and
that’s Rev. Karlton Howard.
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Mr. Mayor: The Commissioner from the 6 has nominated one Rev. Karlton Howard.
Mr. D. Williams: Roll call vote, sir.
Mr. Mayor: All right, nominations will close, nominations will close at this time. Okay,
all right, as an aside I’m going to be lighthearted. I do want to take an opportunity to recognizes
a fellow Yellow Jacket in the audience out there, Mr. Donald D’Antignac. Go Jackets, yes we’re
working on that, we’re working on that, are you available? All right, Madam Clerk, we will vote
on the nominees as they have been entered in.
The Clerk: This is for Mr. Johnny Few ---
Mr. Mayor: Yes.
The Clerk: --- nominated by Commissioner Sammie Sias.
Mr. Clarke: Abstain.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Madam Clerk, I haven’t been able to meet the nominees and have full
discussion with them so I’m going to vote no today.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Madam Clerk, I do not know Mr. Few nor has anybody reached out to me
so I’m going to have to vote no.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
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Mr. Hasan: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. D. Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. M. Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Present.
Motion Fails 3-4-2.
The Clerk: Next Mr. Marion Williams nominates Mr. Bernard Harper, Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke: Yes.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Ms. Davis: He just walked out, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: I was reached out about Mr. Harper so that’s a yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
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Mr. D. Williams: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Present.
Mr. Fennoy out.
Motion Fails 3-4-1.
The Clerk: Nomination made by Commissioner Hasan for Mr. Karlton Howard. Mr.
Clarke:
Mr. Clarke: Abstain.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Ms. Davis: Out still.
The Clerk: Mr. Frantom.
Mr. Frantom: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: No, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Sias.
Mr. Sias: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Present.
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Mr. M. Williams votes Present.
Mr. Fennoy out.
Motion Fails 2-4-2.
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, Point of Personal Privilege, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: State your inquiry.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, sir. As the Super District Commissioner for District 9 and
ran half of this city really citywide, Mr. Mayor, but at least District 2, 4 and 5 our previous
Commissioner Grady Smith when he had that opportunity to select someone this whole board this
whole body followed his lead because he was the Super District 10 Commissioner. He made that
decision. Nobody abstained, nobody vote against it. We allowed him to choose someone to sit in
the seat temporarily. Now that same courtesy should have been extended but I knew going in there
wasn’t enough votes to do really anything because everybody’s scrounging to get who they want
versus getting someone just to fill the seat. I just think it’s a travesty for us to on one day do one
thing and on another day do something else. Whoever gets the seat like you just stated, Mr. Mayor,
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the election will be in March the 19They have to run for the seat if they really want the seat.
We can’t place them in the seat; they have to be elected by the district. But I’m just sitting here
listening what we just went through and what we went through before and everything went smooth
as pie and now everybody’s got an opinion. Everybody wants to do that so I guess, Mr. Mayor, I
guess it’s just the luck of the draw so I’m not going to worry about that but I did want to make that
statement that when we done this before we had no issues what the Super District Commission
chose the person we supported that because he was the Super District Commissioner but then when
it changed hands just tell me, Mr. Mayor, that everybody said it would change.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, a lot of passion about that statement; I couldn’t agree with you more.
So what we’re going to do is we’re going to suspend on this we’ll revisit it on next week after we
have some more discussion we’ll revisit it next week. And again have some broad discussion.
All right, Madam Clerk, let’s get on with the agenda items. I’d like for us to take up the two
addendum items first if you don’t mind starting with (inaudible).
The Clerk:
ADDENDUM
30. Motion to approve bid award and contract for concrete footings for passenger boarding bridges
at Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field to Graves Construction Services at a cost of $145,000.
(Requested by Commissioner Sammie Sias)
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I’m sorry, what we’re going to do is add both of these to the
consent agenda.
The Clerk: Oh, okay.
Mr. Mayor: I’m sorry. We’re going to add both of them to the consent agenda and then
you can just take the consent agenda from there.
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The Clerk: Okay, all right well, we’ll add the addendum items ---
Mr. Mayor: To the consent agenda.
The Clerk: Okay Public Safety Chairman Commissioner Dennis Williams offered under
the Public Service portion of our regular agenda Items number 23, 24, 25, 26, 28 and 29.
Mr. Frantom: Number 27?
The Clerk: No, sir, I don’t know if that was meant for discussion sir, Item 27.
Mr. D. Williams: (Unintelligible).
The Clerk: Okay he’ll include it, he’ll include that.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, okay all right, that’s fantastic. All right outstanding, without
objection without objection, Ms. Bonner ---
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: --- we’ll add those items to the consent agenda.
Mr. M. Williams: Items 23 through ---
The Clerk: That was, yes, sir, Items 23 through 29.
Mr. Hasan: Are we at pull yet, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: I’m sorry ---
Mr. Hasan: Are we at pulling anything yet?
Mr. Mayor: --- well, I didn’t think you had anything to pull.
Mr. Hasan: I do, I do.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, so the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to pull Item number 12 please.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, very well. Okay all right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from
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the 1.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a motion to approve the consent agenda.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
PUBLIC SERVICES
1. Motion to approve a Contract Term Extension with Bateman (Compass-USA) July 1,
2017 – June 30, 2018. (See attachment for explanation) (Approved by Public Services
Committee November 27, 2018)
2. Motion to approve the 2019 Cooperative Agreement with CSRA Regional Commission
for Senior Nutrition Services for Augusta, Georgia. (Approved by Public Services
Committee November 27, 2018)
3. Motion to approve Tentative Allocation for a Grant to overlay Runway 5-23 at Daniel
Field Airport. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 27, 2018)
4. Motion to approve the Second Contract Amendment, Change Order #1 with Hebbard
Electrical in the amount of $6,803.79. (Approved by Public Services Committee November
27, 2018)
5. Motion to approve the Johnson Controls Hangar One Fire Alarm Systems Contract in
the amount of $31,523.00. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 27, 2018)
6. Motion to approve the McCarthy Change Order #2 include verifying the accuracy of the
final figures and making any necessary corrections. (Approved by Public Services
Committee November 27, 2018)
7. Motion to approve the Contract with Piedmont Landscaping Management. (Approved by
Public Services Committee November 27, 2018)
8. Motion to approve recommendation of the Lake Olmstead Stadium temporary rental fees
before the renovations are done. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 27,
2018)
9. Motion to approve the Southeast Site Services Contract for the Airport Electrical Vault.
(Approved by Public Services Committee November 27, 2018)
10. Motion to approve Window World Contract Amendment #1 in the amount of $7,375.00.
(Approved by Public Services Committee November 27, 2018)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
11. Motion to approve the infuse of additional funds to assist Project Sponsors with day-
today operations. Repurposing Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
funds to support Project Sponsors with operations of currently implemental program
services will reduce lapse in services for clients during restructure to outlaying counties.
(Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 30, 2018)
13. Motion to approve Bid #18-270 and award the contract to proceed with the roof
replacement of the Wallace Branch Library to Young’s Roofing & Painting, Inc. of
Martinez, GA in the amount of $45,404.00. (Approved by Administrative Services
Committee November 27, 2018)
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14. Motion to amend Ordinance Augusta, Georgia Code, Title One, Chapter Seven, Article
Four, Section 107-51 by repealing in part and amending in part Section 800.016 of the PPPM
related to criminal history. (Approved by Commission November 20, 2018)
FINANCE
15. Motion to approve annual Leave Buy Back in the Amount of 24 Hours to be paid on the
December 21, 2018 paycheck. (Approved by Finance Committee November 27, 2018)
ENGINEERING SERVICES
16. Motion to approve award of Construction Contract to E R Snell Contractor, Inc. in the
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amount of $5,652,594.75 for Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Project, 15 Street
Pedestrian Improvements Project, subject to receipt of signed contracts and proper bonds
as requested by AED. Bid 18-260. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November
27, 2018)
17. Motion to approve Supplemental Agreement No. 2 between the Department of
Transportation State of Georgia and Augusta, GA for P.I. #0010686 Augusta Beautification
along Riverwatch Parkway and have Mayor’s Office execute agreement. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee November 27, 2018)
18. Motion to approve proposed rate structure for residential water and sewer rates.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee November 27, 2018)
19. Motion to approve contracting with W.K. Dickson & Co., Inc. to provide preliminary
engineering services to extend sanitary sewer to the Belair Road area at a cost of $95,000.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee November 27, 2018)
20. Motion to approve and authorize Augusta Engineering Department (AED) to submit,
accept and receive Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Financial Assistance
from GDOT FY 2019 and FY 2020 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (FY10
LMIG & FY 2020 LMIG) for Road & Drainage Improvements & maintenance projects
(Listed under Financial Impact Section). (Approved by Engineering Services Committee
November 27, 2018)
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
21. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Augusta Commission held
November 20, 2018 and Special Called Meeting held November 27, 2018)
PUBLIC SAFETY
23. Motion to approve the grant award in the amount of $3,756 for the supplies that will be
used in the prison program – From the Dog House to the Big House Dog Training Program.
24. Accept an award in the amount of $6,000.00 from the Department of Homeland Security
for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Bomb K-9 Unit. The monies will assist RCSO in
sustaining the Bonb-K-9.
25. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is requesting to accept an award from the Georgia
Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $28,080.00. RCSO will use this funding to
sustain and maintain the GEMA Region #5 CBRNE Response Team.
26. Motion to approve the allocation of funding for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office
(RCSO) in the amount of $133,900.00 to implement the Department of Homeland (DHS)
State Homeland Security Grant Program.
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27. Approve contract with Motorola Solutions, Inc., to implement an Interview Room
Recording and Digital Evidence Management System for the Richmond County Sheriff’s
Office. RFP #18-231.
28. Motion to approve Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Georgia Department
of Corrections and City of Augusta Animal Services.
29. Approve and accept a grant award for the continuation of the Victims of Crime Act
(VOCA) Grant with funding from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Georgia to
provide services to crime victims for the period from October 1, 2018 through September 30,
2019, and authorize the Mayor to execute the necessary documents.
ADDENDUM
30. Motion to approve bid award and contract for concrete footings for passenger boarding
bridges at Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field to Graves Construction Services at a cost
of $145,000. (Requested by Commissioner Sammie Sias)
31. Motion to approve a Resolution calling for a Special Election to fill the District Five
Commission seat vacancy.
Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second, voting.
Motion Passes 9-0. \[Items 1-11, 13-21, 23-29\]
The Clerk: Item number 12, sir?
Mr. Mayor: Hold on a second, Ms. Bonner.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
12. Motion to adopt updated policy establishing procedures and guidelines for dedication
plaques to be installed in new and renovated Augusta, Georgia facilities; dedication plaques
be installed for projects costing over $1 million dollars and the Commission will determine
whether or not to install dedication plaques for projects costing less than $1 million dollars
and the Commission will review and approve all plaques before their installation. (Approved
by Administrative Services Committee November 27, 2018)
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Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir.
Mr. Hasan: Ms. Douse, how you do, ma’am?
Ms. Douse: I’m good, thank you.
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Mr. Hasan: Ms. Douse and I’m going to apologize to you in advance because as you all
were discussing this last week about the million dollars and I came in at the tail end of that
conversation so I owe you an apology because you’re probably going to be redundant but I’m
trying to get some clarity around this. In terms of the $1 million dollars or less, above or less, what
precipitated this language to come in here about making decisions about a million dollars?
Ms. Douse: The million dollars was just offered as a benchmark or as a guideline for staff
to know projects that exceed this particular dollar amount would automatically get a plaque. Of
course any project regardless of the physical costs would be determined by the Commission if you
would like a plaque added to that project or not. But at least $1 million dollars was giving staff a
benchmark as I said before to know when we would absolutely place a marker on that particular
project.
Mr. Hasan: Okay and my concern around that just because I think you create a problem
that we didn’t have. We didn’t have a problem with that. Clearly anything that we was doing
pretty much in terms of a building a new building in particular that a plaque was going to go there
and we know obviously we can’t build a building for less than a million dollars but also you had I
think we had some things in our renovation policy. So I think to implement that in I think well
intent and I applaud you for that but I think you create a problem we didn’t have because I think
the biggest issue that we had and why we had to revise this. And personally I’ll be honest with
you I don’t think that was even necessary. I think the thing that was necessary that is it clearly
comes back to the Commission because that is what did not happen with the plaque that was
installed at Henry Brigham. It did not come back before the Commission for final approval. We
agreed to it and it went on without coming back. That was the only thing. Obviously I understand
about the interpretation you know whether this was a building or not. Obviously we knew it was
not a building. I think that was, you know I don’t put much stock in that part of it but the part about
what our biggest issue was the Commission having the final approval and getting a final look at
what we approved. That was the final I think. So that’s what I saying this here I think it creates
some more problems. Next question, next question. Do we have something for in terms of doing
renovations? What is our current policy for renovations when we do renovations?
Ms. Douse: Concerning plaques?
Mr. Hasan: Yes, concerning plaques, yes.
Ms. Douse: There is none hence the reason why all projects in excess of $1 million dollars
and so that benchmark could apply for renovations projects as well.
Mr. Hasan: So previously the ones that we approved when in ’16 it said nothing about
renovations?
Ms. Douse: No, sir, it did not.
Mr. Hasan: So did ya’ll draft what we had discussed?
Ms. Douse: I’m not understanding your question.
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Mr. Hasan: Well, my question was just like I was saying when it comes back before the
Commission I remember my colleague Commissioner Mary Davis in particular asking about will
the Commission have the final say so. I don’t have any of those minutes with me today. I’m
operating from recall and we discussed a lot of different things about that you know.
Ms. Douse: I do have the minutes from the meeting in 2016 and in the agenda item it stated
that the plaques would come before the Commission for approval before installation, however,
that language was not in the policy.
Mr. Hasan: And okay but if you read the conversation those things were acted asked
directly would it come back before us and that was said yes it would come back before us. I think
Mary Davis was one, Commissioner Mary Davis I’m sorry made those comments. So that was
the real thing I think you did a lot things here, I think well intent, I think what the biggest issue I’d
like to see the language come out about the $1 million dollars. That’s just me, my colleagues may
not agree with it. I just think we should be able to do it pretty much any time those things come up
and the Commission makes the final approval in renovations as well because we’ve done some
renovations, some properties and things and of late. We’ve renovated your office, we’re currently
renovating the office out there. I’m not looking for a plaque on those things. I think based on the
decision that you all made around the park out there I kind of just I’m kind of soft on your
judgement right now. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, very good, the Chair recognizes the Commission from the 9.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, Ms. Douse. I’m a little bit confused about the project costs less
than $1 million dollars. When you say less than $1 million dollars I mean you get into my checking
account now. You ain’t going to have a dollar that’s less than a million so how do we determine
what’s less than that’s going to have a plaque?
Ms. Douse: Well, it was suggested in the policy that projects less than $1 million dollars
the Commission would then determine if a plaque would be placed on that project or not.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, so it’s not so much as $1 million dollars. It’s if a project came in
for whatever reason whether it be remodeling or whatever and it wasn’t a million dollars or more
then the Commission would make that decision.
Ms. Douse: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, it gets me to another question then. When would a plaque be
necessary for anybody or anything I mean because of the amount?
Ms. Douse: Because with this policy this policy recommends all plaques will be placed on
projects that exceed $1 million dollars. Again that’s just a recommended benchmark. The $1
million dollars can be changed to whatever you’d like it to be. If you want it to be removed that’s
---
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Mr. M. Williams: No, no I’m just trying to get an understanding and I said plaque. When
we build buildings and this building here has been remodeled and then rebuilt, fire stations rebuilt,
courthouses and there’s always been a plaque on those. Donna Williams started that when she got
here. Where’s she at today? I don’t see her, anyway Donna started that. But my point is when
you put a plaque on the ground for a walking park or something in that level, that nature. Who
decides that?
Ms. Douse: The Commission would make that determining factor.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay because any building of any magnitude ought to have something
with the date and time and the service and all of that ought to go for any building that the city does.
But I guess my question was around putting a plaque at a walking track, putting a plaque at the
park you know so.
Ms. Douse: Yeah, the Commission would have that final decision.
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Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 8 State your
inquiry.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor, you know as far as Ms. Douse she’s trying to follow the lead
of the Commission basically and a benchmark is a set aside number hopefully that the Commission
would understand we ain’t going to a plaque on a $200,000-dollar renovation on a regular office
or anything like that. But she was trying to be proactive having a benchmark at a million dollars
and that’s pretty understanding. I wouldn’t want on a walking track out there in Hephzibah or
anything like that. You know to be truthful what policy we had in place was suffice. For us to
adopt a new thing I mean it’s never been a problem until it came up a month and a half ago as far
as the plaques and here we are you know having the director up here and questioning her. But you
know if we guided her to come back with a solution and she did, it’s not the perfect solution but
at least it was something. So you know I don’t know if there’s a motion to carry this forward I’ll
make a motion to delete this item.
Mr. Mayor: All right, so let’s do this before you even make that motion, Commissioner.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: I want to draw everybody’s attention to Tab 12 last page, back of the page.
There are two Amendments A and B and I’m going to suggest that a friendly amendment to this
draft is that you strike A and leave B in place and B would become A and C would become B and
D would become C, that’s a friendly amendment.
Mr. M. Williams: So moved.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
Mr. Mayor: All right, voting.
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Mr. Guilfoyle votes No.
Motion Passes 8-1.
Mr. Hasan: That’s it, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: No, that ain’t it, okay, all right.
ADDENDUM
32. Motion to approve going into an Executive Session.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
22. Discuss the hostile work environment in the Augusta Law Department. (Requested by
Commissioner Marion Williams)
Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ve got one more item on the agenda and this item is a matter
relative to personnel so I’m going to ask for a motion to go into Legal.
Mr. M. Williams: So moved.
Mr. Hasan: Do you need a motion to go in Legal, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I’ve got a motion. I need a second.
Mr. Frantom: Second.
Mr. Mayor: I’ve got a motion and a second, voting just this item on 23 that’s what we’ve
got, that’s all we’ve got ---
Mr. Guilfoyle: Twenty-two.
Mr. Mayor: --- 22, I’m sorry, 22 Item 22.
Mr. Fennoy and Mr. Guilfoyle vote No.
Motion Passes 7-2.
\[EXECUTIVE SESSION\]
Mr. Mayor: This is our last item so I don’t think that there’s any additional business before
us. If you’ve got a few minutes stop by the office and have some cake with us. I’d love for you to
do that.
33. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia’s
Open Meeting Act.
Ms. Davis: Motion to approve.
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Mr. Fennoy: Second.
Mr. Guilfoyle out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
\[MEETING ADJOURNED\]
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
December 4, 2018.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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