HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting July 17, 2019
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
JULY 17, 2019
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., June 17, 2019, the Hon.
Sean Frantom, Mayor Pro Tem, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. B. Williams, Sias, Fennoy, M. Williams, Davis, D. Williams, Hasan
and Clarke, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
ABSENT: Hons. Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor; Garrett (participates in voting by telephone on
Item 29), member of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’ll call this meeting to order, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Yes, sir, thank you. Our invocation will be delivered today by Anthony Booker,
Pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church after which we’ll have our Pledge of Allegiance led by
our summer interns. Thank you. Please stand.
The invocation was given by Reverend Anthony Booker, First New Hope Baptist Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Chief James, for that Flag. Thank you, Chief.
The Clerk: Reverend Booker, would you please come forward? Office of Mayor Hardie
Davis, Jr., by these present be it known that Reverend Anthony Booker, New Hope Baptist Church
is our Chaplain of the Day his spiritual guidance and civic leadership serves as an example for all
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citizens of Augusta. Given under my hand this 17 Day of July 2019. Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor.
Thank you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Please join me in thanking Reverend Booker for all he does.
(APPLAUSE) All right, before we get started on the Recognition portion of the agenda I would
like to direct everyone’s attention to the back where we have our Cyber and Robotics Camp. These
are 26 students; over two weeks they’re going to be working on cyber bullying, networking and
coding. Please join me in giving them a round of applause for what they’re doing. (APPLAUSE)
Thank you, Madam Clerk.
RECOGNITION(S)
Augusta Summer Interns
A. Presentation of City of Augusta Summer Interns.
The Clerk: I call your attention to the Recognition portion of our agenda. Presentation of
the City of Augusta Summer Interns.
Ms. Brigham: Good afternoon to the Mayor, members of the Commission, our Interim
Administrator, elected officials, department heads and guests. My name is Aliegha Brigham and
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it is my pleasure to stand before you to introduce the 2019 City of Augusta Summer Interns and
present them with their certificate. For the past 10 years the City of Augusta has generously
invested time into the Youth Leadership Augusta Program and offered them the exclusive
opportunity to work in various departments. Recently the City of Augusta has partnered with the
Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and their Students to Work Initiative and we will recognize
those students today as well. Please join me in congratulating all of these students. (APPLAUSE)
As I present the students, parents and departments are welcome to stand when your student’s name
is called. We will begin with the Youth Leadership Augusta Intern students. Please join the
gentleman up front as your name is called. Mr. Parth Patel Outstanding Engineering Intern.
(APPLAUSE) Ms. Quay Brown Outstanding Fire Department Intern. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Tamea
Thomas Outstanding Sheriff’s Office Intern. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Alexa Brown Outstanding
Procurement Office Intern. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Celeste Corbett Outstanding Marshal’s Office
Intern. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Diane Welcher Outstanding Animal Services Intern. (APPLAUSE) Mr.
Judson Pickett Outstanding Engineering Intern. (APPLAUSE) And Ms. Hailey Sparks
Outstanding Recreation Department Intern. (APPLAUSE) We do have one intern that wasn’t able
to be with us. Her name is Ms. Palmer Bowles and she was with the Utilities Department.
(APPLAUSE) Thank you. (APPLAUSE) We will now recognize the Students to Work Interns.
Students, please join the gentleman up front as your name is called. Ms. Jessica Hayne.
(APPLAUSE) and my apologies she was with the Mayor’s Office. Ms. Natalie Parrish from the
Mayor’s Office. (APPLAUSE) Ms. Madison Darling from Central Services. (APPLAUSE) Ms.
Lauren Sherman Information Technology. (APPLAUSE) Maelina McAppling Central Services.
(APPLAUSE) and Tamisha Lewis from Transportation. (APPLAUSE) We also had one Student
to Work Intern who wasn’t able to make it. Her name is Ms. Alexis Frasier and she was with the
Administrator’s Office. (APPLAUSE) Thank you. (APPLAUSE) I would know like to offer two
students the opportunity to briefly share with the Commission their personal experiences this
summer. First we will have Ms. Celeste Corbett followed by Mr. Parth Patel.
Ms. Corbett: Good afternoon. I am Celeste Corbett a 2019 graduate of Youth Leadership
Augusta and rising senior at Davidson Fine Arts. My summer internship was with the Marshal’s
Office and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. Thus far it exposed me to experiences,
circumstances and opportunities. I’ve had the chance to work with each department including the
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7 floor the office on the 7 floor, the airport, the substation and working Community Service. It
provided with many diverse opportunities that have helped me to reach my highest potential by
challenging me in ways I’ve never been before. It has also tested my strength as I vaguely
experienced what they do so much more intensely on a daily basis. This internship has also given
me the chance to meet with several people who have impacted my future endeavors with their
insight and knowledge and each of them being a vital part in my overall experience from working
at the front desk with Ms. Keegle or Mr. Eldredge to talking with kids with Captain (unintelligible)
to assisting Deputy Rhodes with her (unintelligible) tasking force project to witnessing the
condemnation of the house and everything in between. It has been nothing short of sheer
inspiration. So I want to thank you Marshal Lamkin and the entire Richmond County Marshal’s
Office, Mrs. Brigham and Mr. Kendrick for your kindness and for providing me with amazing
opportunity. Finally and most importantly, I want to thank God who is giver of it all, thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
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Ms. Brigham: Mr. Patel is having a little laryngitis and so I’m going to read what he has
written and he was the Engineering Intern. Parth, if you want to stand up here while I read this for
you? First of all thank you to Ms. Brigham who granted me this internship opportunity. I am very
lucky to have this type of internship and experience. Within the internship it was wonderful and
you have very few high school students who get the internship and have the opportunity to be an
intern. I was excited to see how the staff would be and on the first day with a positive attitude,
everything turned out to be great and more interesting, and I knew I would have a great time with
the people I worked with. Their work ethics and the way that they organize everything was
fabulous. Something that stood out to me was the way they treated one another with respect and
I’m not only talking about the interns but the staff as well. It was full of joy and it was a peaceful
experience. I would like to add that the internship has helped me explore different types of careers
and I think that this internship was a great source to my career exploration. Thank you again.
(APPLAUSE) As we close our presentation, I would like to give a special thank you to our
Chairman of the Youth Leadership Augusta Mr. Steven Kendrick and all of our Youth Leadership
advisors, a thank you to the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce as well as the Mayor’s Office.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I just want to say on behalf of the Augusta Commission and the
Mayor congratulations to all of you for the summer intern program and thank you to all of the
department heads to make this possible. We look forward to seeing great things having you back
here in Augusta, so thank you. (APPLAUSE) Madam Clerk, Delegations.
DELEGATIONS
B. Mr. Moses Todd regarding Augusta Recreation and worker safety Augusta-Richmond
County.
The Clerk: I call your attention to the Delegation portion of our agenda Item number B
Mr. Moses Todd regarding Augusta Recreation and worker safety Augusta-Richmond County.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Todd, please state your name and address for the record and you
will have five minutes once you start, sir.
Mr. Todd: Yes, Moses Todd 2115 Nolan Connector, Augusta, Georgia 30909. Mr. Mayor
and Commissioners, the reason that I’m here today is that most of us know that we had a tragedy
at Fleming Park on in October 2018. I’m here concerned about the safety of Recreation and Parks
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and the work safety of the workers of this government. On May 13 I was in a meeting that
Commissioner Sammie Sias chaired and it turned out to be more, it was supposed to have been it
was my understanding a subcommittee on the safety of the parks and it turned out to be that they
worked on most of the time fixing a snafu in the employee severance pay. And I can understand
that, you know, life happens, things happen. But I’d like to go back to earlier on, you know, let’s
go back to February. February of 2019 I was looking at the plans for Fleming Park after the tragedy
and you know there was Bernie Ward’s there were proposals to do some work at Fleming Park on
redoing the scoring, tile and some landscaping on the park. As I reviewed this Johnson Laschober
which is a very reputable company had the engineering and made the proposals and as I reviewed
this I didn’t see anything in there from Johnson Laschober for the underground electrical and that
had been in for 40 years. And I at that time emailed the Administrator and enlightened her on the
fact that there was nothing in there in reference to the electrical and she said that the Commission
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would look at it going forward and you did and you voted to replace the electrical. And since then
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there’s been talk about whether we want to you know use the park or not etc. At that May 13
meeting I wanted to make some comments and I was told to put it in writing and I did and I sent it
in and I made some recommendations or suggestions to the Commission and Mayor and
Administrator in reference of what I thought, my thoughts along the lines of safety for the
employees and safety as far as the parks go and it seemed nothing happened. So I’m here today
to say that the public need the opportunity to do public comments when you’re making major
decisions and you know we shouldn’t be pushed into a corner to say okay if you’re not going to
hear my comments, if you’re spending tens of millions of dollars that affects this government that
if you’re not going to hear my comments then you know maybe I’ll comment to you this way.
And there’s going to be an opportunity to comment for every citizen in this city so I would
seriously suggest to you that when you have these working shops, when you have these committee
meetings or even the Commission meeting that maybe you set some time aside when you’re
dealing with the ordinance or dealing with a major issue that you set some time aside for public
comment. You shouldn’t, I know that you do it when the law requires it and it shouldn’t just be
when the law requires it. It should be when it’s appropriate or you know to hear from the public
and when you make a major decision. I don’t care how much money you spent going to Vegas. I
don’t care how much money you spend for training. I do because we’re talking about peanuts
there. I do care about the tens of millions of dollars you spend whether it’s out of utilities or
automatic renewal on contracts or whether it’s buying or talking about buying streetsweepers that,
like you’re talking about buying going to the store to buy brooms. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, you might want to stay there, Mr. Todd. Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Todd, let me correct you on one thing. You
said about that meeting that was not a dedicated meeting to safety. Safety was a part of that
meeting. That was a Policy and Procedures Subcommittee meeting, so let’s just make sure we
correct it the record on what you’re saying now because you’re absolutely incorrect. That meeting
was a Policy and Procedures Subcommittee and a safety agenda was added to that, thank you,
Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. Appreciate it, Mr. Todd.
Mr. Todd: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you. I want to address Mr. Todd as well. I understand his passion
about safety of the parks and I don’t think his passion is any greater than anybody up here
especially not mine when it comes to protecting or trying to serve, serve the people. Well, he may
be passionate about the park. There’s thousands of other people may be passionate about
something else. You served on this board and I don’t think you can have a public hearing on every
issue in magnitude to have everybody come in and do that. I do think that the government belongs
to the people. I remind this board and myself often that I didn’t elect myself. The people put me
here. Whether I’m right or wrong I’ve been out front with you and everyone else. You mentioned
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about going to Vegas and I just got back. I’ve got no problem going. That’s where the conference
was set up at but when people throw that out there as if that’s going to frighten somebody or make
people think that we went on a gambling spree. I’m an old grown man if I want to go and gamble
I’ve got the right and the funds to do that so I don’t appreciate that comment thrown out there as
if we did something that was wrong. The conferences have been held in Hawaii and in my 16
years of serving, Mayor Pro Tem, I’ve been to Hawaii. Don’t want to go back. I don’t want to get
anybody plane, stayed for 9 hours. No more. I did that so you don’t have to worry about me going
back to Hawaii for any kind of conference. But I just want you to know that we’re here to handle
the business and I think when you was elected you tried to handle the business but we’re here to
do that. You may not agree with us, you may not understand us. You know the process. If you’ve
got a question no one is hiding or running away from anything. I take this job very, very seriously
and I’m going to do the best job I know how to do and if there’s somebody that can do the job
better my seat will be up in a few more months I welcome them to come and take this position.
But I just want to make sure, Mayor Pro Tem, that I brought up that point because I don’t want
nobody thinking that I’m here for a vacation. This is the worst vacation you can take if you think
this is a vacation.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Commissioner Williams. Madam Clerk, next delegation.
DELEGATIONS
C. Mr. Brad Owens regarding Augusta Filming. (Requested by Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr.)
The Clerk: Item Number C. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem and members of the Commission, Mr.
Owens sent an email communication. Due to a work conflict I request to be removed from the
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agenda as the delegation for the meeting on July 17 I will submit a request for one of the August
meetings at a later date. So we need a motion to delete this item.
Mr. Sias: So moved.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second to delete, please vote.
Ms. Davis and Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
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D. Ms. Geri Sams regarding the Georgia Cancer Center (Augusta University) 2 Annual
United in the Fight Against Cancer.
Ms. Sams: Good afternoon. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, Commissioners, Attorneys,
Administrator, Ms. Bonner, although I stand before you today in a different capacity it is one that
is very dear to me. I stand before you as a representative of the Georgia Cancer Center Executive
Board chosen to represent the city in our United Flight to Fight Cancer. Cancer is a disease that
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everyone has been touched in one way or the other and if your family has not been touched, you
know of some family who has. For me it was my mother with lung cancer who died September
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the 9 2002. Later my father with prostate cancer but God spared his life and he is a cancer
survivor. Cancer is a disease that everybody to everybody it is very personable. Today I’m
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soliciting your support at our kickoff which takes place on the 2 Annual United to Fight Against
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Cancer walk on November the 9 at Lucy Laney Football Stadium. We are asking that the city
bring teams of ten and we’re asking for a donation of $5,000 dollars which we’re hoping to collect
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citywide. On Wednesday July the 24 we will have a lunch in the Procurement Office for all of
those persons who will be representing their departments from 2:00 o’clock to 3:00. I stand before
you challenging all of the Administrators, the Attorneys, Ms. Bonner, the Commissioners, Mayor
to $100.00 donation for this cause so please support me in this and thank you very much.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, thank you for that. As someone, my father passed away
from cancer, my mom’s had it three or four times so thank you for that. Madam Clerk?
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
E. Introduction of the President of the Augusta NAACP and its vision and mission.
Mr. Ivey: My name is Melvin Ivey, 925 Laney Walker Boulevard Augusta, Georgia ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Ivey: --- President of the Augusta Branch NAACP. Grace and peace to all of the
Commissioners, Mayor Pro Tem, thank you all so much for this time. I felt that it was necessary
that I come and introduce myself to this Commission and to the Mayor in his absence and to share
the vision and the mission of the NAACP. For quite some time people have an opinion of the
NAACP without understanding what the mission and vision is so the vision of the NAACP is to
insure a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there are no racial hatred or racial
discrimination. The mission of the NAACP is to insure the political, educational, social, economic
equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Mr. Mayor
Pro Tem and to members of this Commission, I wanted to share this vision with you all simply
because we as the Augusta Branch NAACP will be addressing some issues. Some of those issues
are systematic discrimination within our city government. There are some ordinances on the books
and there are some decisions that are being made by this governing body. I want you to understand
that not to take these things personal this is business, this is the work of the Augusta Branch
NAACP and we want you to understand our position and where we’re coming from. The Augusta
Branch NAACP has no permanent enemies, no permanent friends, just permanent causes. Our
responsibility is to represent anybody anywhere and to fight injustice everywhere. So I wanted to
let you all know who the president is that the Augusta Branch NAACP is alive and well and thank
you for your time.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, sir, for all you do for our community (unintelligible) the
Commission, all right thank you. Madam Clerk, before we go to the, look at the consent agenda I
just want to mention Commissioner Dennis Williams our liaison for the School Board wanted to
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mention an event here on Thursday August 1 there’ll be an Augusta Digital Inclusion Summit.
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Please put it on your calendar at Murphy Middle from 7:30 until 11:00. So Thursday August 1
Augusta Digital Inclusion Summit where some of the students that you saw here earlier will be in
attendance, so thank you for that. Madam Clerk, the consent agenda.
The Clerk: Yes, sir. Our consent agenda consists of Items 1 through 23, Items 1 through
23. For the benefit of any objectors to our Planning Petitions once the petitions are read would
you please signify your objection by raising your hand. I call your attention to:
Item 1: Is a request with conditions a petition for a change of zoning from a Zone R-1C
(One-family Residential) to a Zone A (Agriculture) affecting property known as 1775 Nixon Road.
Item 2: Is a request for approval with conditions requesting a Special Exception to establish
a Family Personal Care Home located on property known as 2342 Dorn Road.
Item 3: Is a request to deny a petition requesting a Special Exception to establish a Family
Day Care Home on property located at 4004 Madison Lane.
Item 4: Is a Planning petition request with conditions requesting a change of zoning from
a R-1A (One-family Residential) to a Zone B-2 (General Business) affecting property known as
243 Camilla Avenue.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to any of those Planning petitions? Mr. Mayor Pro
Tem ---
Mr. Speaker: (Unintelligible).
The Clerk: --- we have one objector? I didn’t, okay. Our consent agenda Mr. Mayor Pro
Tem and members of the Commission consists of Items 1 through 23 with an objector to Item 3
our Planning petition regarding a Family Day Care Home located at 4004 Madison Lane.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, I’ll take motions to either add or remove from the consent
agenda, Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: I’d like to have a couple of items removed from the consent agenda Item
number 6, number 8 ---
The Clerk: You said remove or you want to ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Pulled.
Mr. Fennoy: --- pulled ---
The Clerk: --- you’re pulling them, okay, that’s 6 ---
Mr. Fennoy: --- 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20 and 21.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, we’ll mention agenda item number 27 and 28. Mayor
Hardie Davis has asked they go to the next full Commission meeting.
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The Clerk: --- refer to the next meeting, sir?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I’ve got a couple of questions about, I
mean I’m not opposed but I’ve got a question for our Planning and Zoning Director on 2 and 3 and
there’s one more, Ms. Bonner, that was talking about a Family Personal Care Home ---
The Clerk: Item 4, no, that’s for General Business.
Mr. M. Williams: --- but I know 2 and 3 was a Personal Care Home.
The Clerk: Oh, 2 and 3, yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Is that the only two?
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got a question for Rob, I mean we can pull them and ask that
question or he can answer it now Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Pull them ---
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, two and three.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- and we can do them together. Any further? Anybody got an issue
with 31 moving to consent?
Mr. Fennoy: I do.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Commissioner Mary Davis.
Ms. Davis: I make a motion to approve.
Mr. M. Williams: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
PLANNING
1. Z-19-27 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve
with the conditions below a petition by Linda M. Pearson requesting a change of zoning from
Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) to Zone A (Agriculture) affecting property containing
0.13 acres and known as 1775 Nixon Road. Tax Map 099-1-025-00-0 DISTRICT 2 1. A
manufactured home placed on the property must be 10 years old or newer from date of
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rezoning approval. 2. The site must conform to 27-7 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
or all necessary Board of Zoning Appeals variances must be obtained before a manufactured
home will be permitted on the property.
4. Z-19-31 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve
with the conditions below a petition by Russell Kirkland requesting a change of zoning from
Zone R-1A (One-family Residential) to Zone B-2 General Business) to establish road access
to 247 Camilla Avenue affecting property containing 0.46 acres and known as 243 Camilla
Avenue Tax Map -16-0-006-00-0 DISTRICT 7 1. The applicant must submit an engineered
plan for the site plan review complying with all development documents. 2. If the lot is to be
used for additional parking, storage or any use other than alternative access, a new
development plan must be submitted for site plan review and comply with all requirements
of the zoning ordinance and associated development documents.
PUBLIC SERVICES
5. Motion to amend Augusta, Georgia Code Section 3-5-86(i) so as to specify additional safety
equipment to be included on Personal Transportation Vehicles (PTV’s) that operate on
Augusta streets, and to waive the second reading. (Approved by Public Services Committee
July 9, 2019)
7. Motion to approve of the Daniel Field Airport DBE (Disadvantage Business Enterprise)
Program to include Mayor Davis signing the Policy Statement. (Approved by Public Services
Committee July 9, 2019)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
13. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD’s)
request to provide funding to Sand Hills Urban Development for the development of three
(3) single family affordable housing units for low to moderate income families. (Approved by
Administrative Services Committee July 9, 2019)
PUBLIC SAFETY
14. Motion to approve the Augusta Fire Department’s fund balance as the funding source of
fire suppression holiday compensation for the July 4, 2019 holiday extension through July 5,
2019 for all employees that was approved by Commission at the June 27, 2019 Commission
Meeting. (Approved by Public Safety Committee July 9, 2019)
ENGINEERING SERVICES
16. Motion to approve addressing the funding for three assessment/removal process during
the upcoming budget process. (Approved by the Engineering Services Committee July 9,
2019)
18. Motion to approve Change Order to Bid #14-134 East Augusta Roadway & Drainage
Project – Marion Homes for the repair and replacement of Sanitary Sewer Mains to Blair
Construction, Inc. in the amount of $280,546.00. (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee July 9, 2019)
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
22. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Augusta Commission held
on June 27, 2019 and Special Called Meeting held July 9, 2019.
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APPOINTMENTS
23. Motion to approve the reappointment of Richard Isdell to the Augusta Canal Authority
representing District 7.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’ve got a motion and a second. Please vote.
Mr. B. Williams votes No.
Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 8-1. \[Items 1, 4, 5, 7, 13, 14, 16, 18, 22, 23\]
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, Madam Clerk, we’re going to go to Number 33 our Audit
presentation.
The Clerk:
FINANCE
33. Audit presentation from Mauldin & Jenkins.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Bobby Williams before they get started.
Mr. B. Williams: Yes, sir. I’d like to ask if we have, we probably should’ve taken it off
the agend. I don’t like when somebody comes the day of the meeting to give us paperwork and
explain something like this. I think we need to have time to take a look at it if they have paperwork
that they need to give it to us today and take it up at the next meeting.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, I mean I understand and I’m going to ask Tim can moving
forward can we get this before the meeting, at least the Friday in our book before the meeting
moving forward, does that sound good, okay. And also can we get it emailed to us as opposed to
print it because we, many of us are electronic.
Mr. Schroer: Sure, we can send you an electronic picture.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, Mr. Edwards.
Mr. Edwards: Well, good afternoon. I appreciate ya’ll having me here. I’m sorry about not
having it until today, I fully understand that. The audit was filed with the State of Georgia with
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the GFOA by June 30 so it was issued several weeks back. What I’m here today to do is kind of
summarize some things for you all. Let me just also offer to you if you need me to come back I’ll
be happy to do so, no problem at all doing that. But what I’d like to do is cover some highlights
now that I think would be beneficial to think through. Again the overview of what we have today
is to talk about a variety of things to share with you who we are and just make sure you kind of
know who your auditors are, touch on things in this conference financial (unintelligible) what we
call (unintelligible), to talk about the audit opinion itself and talk about financial statement
highlights which I’ll spend a pretty good amount of time just highlighting things that I think are
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relevant to what if I were in your shoes things I’d want to know. Additionally we have some
recommendation and those kinds of things to make with you all that we discussed with
management and I certainly can answer any questions or discuss any matters while I’m here. A
little bit about the firm. I won’t go too deep we’ve got eight offices. I’m over in this neck of the
woods a great deal. We do a lot of different auditing and other accounting services for different
entities. We spend over 100,000 hours a year serving local governments like yourself. We serve
over 450 such governments including 55 counties like Gwinnett County and places like that. This
gives you a little example on this slide some of the clients we serve. Ones in green are county
governments, the three in blue up top are three other consolidated governments we serve Macon-
Bibb County, Columbus-Muskogee and Athens-Clarke just to share with you a little bit about who
we are. That being said I’m going to dive into the audit opinion. The number one thing you’d
ever want to know when you’re taking to your auditor are we in good shape and do the financial
statements are they properly reflecting the financial position and results and operations of this
community and the answer to that is yes. We are providing to you an unmodified opinion that we
believe the financial statements prepared provided to you all do present fairly in all material
respects Augusta Richmond County’s financial operations. Additionally one other thing we have
to do when we do an audit of this kind we have to test your federal programs. This year you all
had about $9 million dollars-worth of federal funds that had to be specially audited and we did a
special audit on those looking at compliance with rules and regulations, look at the controls, the
internal controls surrounding those operations and everything is good. We were able to render a
clean opinion on those so that’s another thing I’d want to know if I were in your shoes. Another
thing to touch on is this thing that the industry calls a CAFR, the CAFR. Yours is 213 pages long.
It covers 66 different funds or operations that you all govern including the General Fund which is
the heart and soul of it all but then you’ve like 27 special revenue funds, another eight capital
products funds. You’ve got, this is a big operation, it’s a very big operation and you all for the
last four years including this particular audit have gone above the minimum and that is you’ve
done something called the CAFR and you submitted a GFOA where you’ve been recognized
nationally as one of those that goes above and beyond the call of duty and I think this particular
document has been prepared for this year’s audit is going to meet the same criteria. When looking
at the big picture of Augusta Richmond County this is as I said earlier a very big operation. You
all have over $2 billion dollars’ worth of assets. Now before we get too excited about those assets
$1.4 billion of those is in your capital assets. We’re talking about your infrastructure you know
your roads, your curb and gutter, your storm sewers, your water system everything all those
facilities your fleets, buildings all that’s about $1.4 billion dollars’ worth of capital assets so it’s a
big, big operation. You’ve got about $900 million dollars’ worth of liabilities. Included in that
number of $900 million is about $170 million for pension, the net pension liability and the OPEB
I think I’ve talked to ya’ll in the past about OPEB the Other Post Employment Benefits that people
who work here accrue over time when they retire they get certain healthcare benefits. If you
remember I told you a year ago you would have that new standard that had to be put on the books.
It was about 115 of that 170 million this year so your liabilities include, I’ll just use a round or
about $200 million of pension and healthcare type benefits that you’re not paying out today it’s
something far out there in the future but it’s something accruing over time. Your equity or your
net position we call is $1.1 billion. Your overall activities. If you look at every part of this
government every fund you all took in about $470 million dollars’ worth of revenues this year you
spent as an expense about $433 million leaving a bottom line of about $37 million dollars. Now
before people get excited about $37 million this does not take into account all the funds you had
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to spend to pay back debt. It does not include what you then invested in capital assets, let me
explain. If we go to the next page we start off with that $37 million and if you add back $52
million of depreciation expense that’s what your capital assets that $1.4 billion it depreciated by
$52 million this year if you add that back as a non-cash expense. And then if you look at the
proceeds net of the paybacks of debt it was another $51 million that if you add that to the $37
million gives you your wherewithal to invest in the system and you all invested about $108 million
dollars. Let me make that clear. $108 million dollars was spent on your infrastructure facilities,
equipment, fleets. Everything. That’s not expense because they are then double expense due to
depreciation over time, but the cash flows required about $108 million dollars to be spent. That
left you about $32 million dollars. But in that $32 million was about $17 million of unspent
SPLOST that was included in your revenues that you have saved for another day to be spending
on those projects as originally passed in your referendum. So it left you about $15 million on the
bottom line which was about 3% of your revenues. That’s a good place to be. I don’t think it’s too
large, I don’t thing it’s too small, it’s actually kind of right where it ought to be. When you look
at a government of this size to have a bottom line of about $15 million with all the proactive
activities that you’ve got you’ve got to continue to build your wherewithal to be able to step
forward and do all these things these initiatives that you have. So I look at a community of this
size and I look at what we have here and the big picture of things Augusta had a good year, nothing
to brag about but you’re going in the right direction and I think that’s important. When you look
at the General Fund, the General Fund again is the heart and soul of this government. You all had
about $49 million in assets in the year. You had about thirteen and a half million of liabilities.
That gave you an equity position or fund balance of $35.7 million. What that gave you was about
90 days’ worth of available funds and I think that’s where you ought to be. I think having three
months is a healthy place to be. It’s not too much, it’s not too little. With you being a 12/31
government I expect you to have a lot of funds at 12/31 and why would have a lot of funds at
12/31? Because you just got property taxes that just came in the door here in the fall and you’re
going to be using those proceeds as you go into the next year. So that’s important to recognize
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what your year end is. It’s a 12/31 or December 31 year end and this is a healthy fund balance
but it’s not overly healthy. It’s just a good place to be. Your General Fund took in about $154
million in revenues. It spent about $150 million on expenditures. If you look at this diagram this
pie chart this gives you a little breakdown of where those revenues came from. Your property
taxes were about $54 million dollars, your other taxes including sales taxes and those kinds of
things were about $60 million, $61 million. And you can see some of the other revenues that we
had here. That’s your complete picture of the General Funds revenues. If you go to the next page
we give you your expenditures and you can see in red your biggest expenditure and this is not
unusual is in Public Safety. It’s about 44% of all your expenditures and the General Fund related
to public safety we’re talking fire and police, Sheriff those kinds of things and that’s about where
I expect a government of this size to be to be in the mid 40’s is about where you see the Columbus’s
and the Macon’s and the Savannah’s those kinds of places. This is the right place you’re looking
very comparable to a lot of other governments. That’s again something I’d want to know if I were
in your shoes. Looking at the last several years, the last six years of looking at your revenues and
expenditures at the General Fund you can see 2014 was our high mark year where we had a lot of
revenues and a lot of expenditures. Even then the expenditures were greater than revenues but as
you look at the last several years the last four years the green bars are the revenues and those are
just a little bit greater than the expenditures. And again if you’re growing with initiatives like you
have that’s the right kind of dimension to have. If you were in an environment where you were
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not growing and you had no interest in having initiatives and being proactive with things, if you
were in an environment that was economically downturned and things aren’t working well then I
would expect it to be the other way around but with what you all have here this is the right place
to be. You see that little bit of margin of revenues above the expenditures. This next slide shows
that change. The General Fund if you remember this year had about a $4 million dollar bottom
line. The last several years this will show you what else you had over the last few years. You did
it back in ’13 and ’14. You actually had a loss. You actually spent funds greater than the proceeds,
the revenues but the last couple of years you’ve been up there growing your fund balance to a
healthy position that is now rests upon. Another thing I’d like to look at is the relationship of fund
balance to expenditures. You heard me say you’ve got about 90 days’ worth of expenditures in
fund balance. You could go 90 days without a dime come in and be able to move forward. This
margin right here also shows how consistent you’ve been the last four years. If you look at the
blue line that’s your expenditures. If you look at the red line that’s your fund balance and notice
back in ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18 how they’re about the same margin apart. I think that’s hats off to you to
maintaining such a consistent and strong healthy situation as you approach your 12/31 year end.
Looking at your Special Sales Tax Fund it’s considered one of your major funds, it’s the Sales Tax
Phase 7 Statements. You’ve got about $47 million of assets only about a million dollars’ worth of
accounts payable and those kinds of liabilities. You’ve got a fund balance of just short of $46
million what that says to me is these products that you have as part of your referendum and plans
you’ve got a lot of wherewithal to go far with those. And it’s often times as SPLOST monies come
in and they’re spent slower than what they come. They’re collected and then they’re spent
accordingly over time and this is what we see here. You all have exactly what you wanted to have
as you go forward. Fire protection is another major fund about $20 million in assets and about $2
million in liabilities, $18 million of fund balance. It had about $28.8 million in revenues and $27.9
for expenditures for a $900,000 dollars bottom line. Again this is going in the right direction, this
is what you should see your funds do slowly over time. Your water/sewer is one of your larger
funds of course. It’s got about $668 million dollars’ worth of assets. Of that $668 about $571
million of that is in your infrastructure. You’ve got a lot of bonded indebtedness involved with
that operation of about $493 million in total liabilities so you’ve got about $175 million equity
position. This past year it had a bottom line of about $4 million; it took in about $92 and spent
$88. Your Regional Airport has a unique situation here. You’ve got total assets of about $117
million, $85 million of that is capital assets. You’ve got liabilities of $21 with a net position or
equity of $96 million. This past year you took in $28 million but that included something kind of
unique. It included $12 million dollars’ worth of grants and contributions that you got to continue
to enhance that facility so that gets added as a revenue but the expenditures put on the balance
sheet not on the income statement so it makes it look like you had a really strong year and I guess
economically you did but you had something unique this year with all those grants that you had
going through there for which the revenues on one part of the financial statements and the
expenditures are on the other so it looks like you made $10 million dollars bottom line which is
what the standards require but I’m just trying to tell you on a cashflow basis that’s not quite the
way it works but your airport is doing well. Your garbage collection system. I’m going to tell you
this is one of the few places that I go with garbage collection breaks even or actually makes a few
dollars. A lot of places that’s not the case. You all are doing something unique. You took in just
short of $21 million in revenues, you spent about $20 million in expenses, you had a $500,000
dollars bottom line. I don’t get to say that too often. Usually that’s a loss leader and usually the
General Fund has to bail these kinds of funds out so it’s nice to see this kind of relationship right
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here. Your stormwater also had an increase. You know stormwater is a relatively new operation.
When you look at most communities you all took in $25 million and you spent $15 million for a
bottom line of ten and a half. You’ve got some fund balance most of that’s in cash sitting over
there ready to be spent accordingly on your initiatives relative to stormwater.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Edwards, what is the $11.5 contribution there, what is that on
that screen?
Mr. Edwards: Just contributions from grants and from other parties from developers, things
of that kind.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Gotcha, thank you.
Mr. Edwards: Other communications. As your auditor I’m required to discuss with you
all any kind of issues that we had with the audit and to discuss with you all any kind of problems
we might have with independents, audit adjustments and those kinds of things if there were
anything. I’m happy to tell you there are no items that I need to tell you that were unique to
Augusta that might be problematic relative to the audit process. Everything went very smoothly,
great cooperation out of your management and all your other officials, all those out in the
constitutional offices as well. We got a great deal of cooperation here when we do the audits and
that’s always a good thing to be able to say. We do have manager points of recommendations, a
couple of these you’ve seen in the past. The first one at the Sheriff’s Office you’ve got some old
outstanding checks that we really think probably ought to be treated as unclaimed property and
follow the State of Georgia’s (unintelligible) laws and so we recommend that you all take a look
into that and see what we need to do to go in and take care of that unclaimed property. Number
two is at the Magistrate Civil Court and Probate Court you’ve got excess funds of about $95,000
dollars. That says basically an accounting problem meaning your assets are greater than what they
maybe should be, your liabilities of who you think the monies are due to are not matching up with
the funds that you have by about $95,000 dollars. I think that needs to be looked into further and
determine if that’s considered to be unclaimed property that has to go to the State of Georgia or if
we can find who the rightful owners are of that. Number three is over at your Streetlights Fund
which you all have in your CAFR noted as a special assessment fund. This past year had a loss of
about $400,000. We talked about this one in the past as well. It’s now got a deficit of just short
of $1.6 million. A year ago when I met with you it was just over $1.2 deficit so the deficit grew
this year and I would recommend that you all continue to look at that and consider your fee
structure, maybe even look and see if it’s time for the General Fund to step in and help subsidize
some of that deficit because ultimately we know that’s what’s going to happen if we don’t collect
the fees the General Fund’s going to have to jump in and that’s not unusual. Big Brother General
Funds have to do that all the time across the nation but that’s something we need to address here.
So when it looked like the General Fund had a $4 million-dollar bottom line maybe there’s
something we can do there to take some of those proceeds and put it over here and let’s continue
to revise our fee structure but maybe clean it up in the process because otherwise this deficit is
growing. Your Capital Assets if you remember you heard me say earlier that ya’ll spent $108
million dollars on capital assets this past year, huge operation of the enhancements to the city’s
infrastructure. It was probably one of the last things that we got during the audit process to get all
the schedules related to that that we could audit and our recommendation is simply that maybe we
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revisit that and do some periodic accounting that would help not have it be such a herculean effort
at the year end close. Right now there’s a lot of things going on and the ultimate accounting of
putting it in the right places and making sure all the schedules work seems to be a little delayed
and I would recommend that management try to find a way to do some interim schedules and
accounting for things so we don’t have to have such a herculean closeout relative to the accounting
process. Other matters and then I’ll close is there are some new standards coming out there in the
future, some that are going to effect you all going forward. One of the bigger ones is what we call
Number 84. They’re issued by GASB the Governmental Accounting Standards Board that you all
have to follow. Fiduciary activities are going to change how we reflect some of your activities in
the fiduciaries those things like Tax Commissioner, Sheriff that kind of thing, we’re going to start
having additional schedules related to that. In another year you’re going to have something relative
to lease accounting Number 87 and that’s going to require management to go back and look at all
of its leases and determine if we have leases that we have treated as operating in the past that all
need to be capitalized. Accounting of the past you always have to look at things and say is this a
capital lease or an operating lease. If it was a capital lease it goes on the books as an asset and as
a liability. If was an operating lease meaning something short and small we would not put it on
the balance sheet it would just be expensed as paid. That’s the way it’s always been and GASB
has decided now that every government needs to revisit this and put every lease on it’s balance
sheet both on the asset side and on the liability side. It’s in the name of transparency and that’ll
be effective in the year 2020. That’s going to be a big task for a lot of governments. I don’t know
what it’s going to be like here but I’ve talked to Donna and Tim about it all. I think they’ve got a
good understanding about what needs to be done but it will be something that will have to be
addressed going forward. And I think that pretty much concludes things. Again the audit was
issued in late June. If you all would ever like to meet, come visit with you again as a group or
individually, I will be happy to do so. I know this is a lot of information to digest; I fully get that.
I’m the only nerd in here. I’m the one that reads this stuff and likes this stuff but if there’s anybody
that wants to sit down and look at it and have a little bit more discussion I will be happy to do so.
I know that your management team will be happy to do so as well but feel free to give me a call
and let me come over here and join you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Mr. Edwards. We have, some of my colleagues have
some questions. We’ll start with Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Edwards, again first off I want to again thank
you for your special visit to come and talk to the community breakfast folks. That was great and
we really appreciate the information and your time coming to do that.
Mr. Edwards: Thank you.
Mr. Sias: So again I want to say thank you for doing that when you say you will come
that’s a true statement.
Mr. Edwards: Yes, sir.
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Mr. Sias: The question I want to ask you and maybe I missed it in there but when we talk
about our liabilities are all the things, I know we have a lot of utility bonding but all of our other
bonding is that included in that total $900 million dollar liability?
Mr. Edwards: Let’s see, go back to that and make sure we’re on the same slide, you’re
talking about there on that slide ---
Mr. Sias: Yes.
Mr. Edwards: --- that $900 million that includes every debt you’ve got from accounts
payable, accrued salaries to bonds indebtedness both on the governmental activities like maybe
governmental GO Bonds and it also includes your revenue bonds, everything under the sun is
captured on this one slide.
Mr. Sias: Well and great and one of the, follow up on that is you know when you for
example you take your personal credit and you say oh I’ve got 30% it better be what I stop at
before my credit score hits the bottom on discounted stuff. When you look at the City of Augusta
and you look at our, and I know you said it but I want to hear it under a kind of different language
our debt health. So if we were to look at the amount of projects that we have bonded out and these
kinds of things against our total I guess assets where do you see the city stands at? Have we reached
our bond limit or are we close to our bonding capacity? Where would you say we’re at on our
bonding capacity and as you can see the ability to insure that we pay it back?
Mr. Edwards: Well, I can’t give you specific numbers because that’s all a lot of judgement
and I’ve have to give some greater thought to it but I can tell you in a general perspective I think
you’re in a good place right now. You all have gone out to the bond market a great deal over the
last five to seven years and with that you’ve got a lot of what we would call new money. You’ve
also paid off some old debt with some new bonds. You’ve kind of refinanced as what we might
call it. But you’ve taken in some new funds and what you’ve been doing with that has been
spending it greatly on your system. Again this past year was no exception when you spent $108
million dollars on your system and a city of this size of this age is having to do this all across the
country right now. When I look at going specifically to your question on that same slide it shows
you’ve got $1.4 billion of capital assets, kind of like let’s call it the house and you’ve got $900
million of liabilities of which some of that’s just good old fashioned accrued salaries and those
kinds of things but let’s say that’s all long term. Your 900 compared to your 1.4 tells me that
you’re in a good place. Imagine if you had a house that was worth $100,000 dollars and all you
owed on it was $70,000. That’s not a bad place to be but if you own a house that was $100,000
you owed a $120 on it that would not be a good place to be. You all are in a good place right there.
When you look at your comparison between the fixed assets the capital assets themselves and the
long-term debt that you’ve got you’re in a good place. Additionally remember I said included in
that $900 million there was about $200 million worth of healthcare and pension so you start
whittling it down you’re actually in a good place right here. I’ve had a lot of governments over
the years that have had to adopt these new standards of pension and healthcare that are actually in
a deficit and so for you all to be in a positive that’s a great place to be.
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Mr. Sias: And the last comment. So then when you look at the reflection of our bonds and
what we’ve done in there then you will say those were down I guess I can say that we didn’t go in
a risky ventures with our bonds or anything like that so we’ve had a good clean judgement call on
what we bonded and the things that we’ve done like that.
Mr. Edwards: From an auditor’s financial perspective, yes. You know now the quality of
the work being done and how it’s being done I don’t have a clue on that but you know you all are
spending a lot of money on yourselves. You’re investing in the community. It’s probably those
kinds of things that a lot of people can’t even appreciate or understand but when you’ve got to go
out and put in new lines and get rid of old lines, you’ve got old sewer lines, you’ve got old curb
and gutters, you’ve got all these things that takes a lot of funds and it’s a lot of stuff that’s
undergrown that you don’t even see necessarily.
Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, Mr. Edwards, how are you doing, sir?
Mr. Edwards: I’m doing good, thank you.
Mr. Hasan: On the, you had a slide it said Garbage Collection Financial Statement. Does
that include all of the Environmental Services, that department? Is there any particular reason, is
that on here somewhere that I’m missing?
Mr. Edwards: Let me see something here and I’ll give you a more specific ---
Mr. Hasan: The landfill and all of that ---
Mr. Edwards: --- right ---
Mr. Hasan: --- does that exist somewhere?
Mr. Edwards: --- this is having to do with the collection, okay? Let me look at one thing,
I want to not give you an off the cuff answer. I want to make sure we get it right. When we look
at garbage no, this is just the collection process this is not the landfill itself.
Mr. Hasan: Is there any particular reason why we don’t have the landfill there?
Mr. Edwards: It’s not considered a major fund; it’s in all the non-major funds. It’s included
in that big slide where I got everything talked about as a giant entity but the only things I’ve got
slides individually you know those are categorized and happen to be a major fund.
Mr. Hasan: Well, it is an Enterprise Fund if I’m not mistaken.
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Mr. Edwards: It is but it’s not a major fund. It’s kind of lumped in with a bunch of other
funds that are smaller in nature.
Mr. Hasan: Okay well can you potentially answer the question for me here probably
yourself or Ms. Donna or Mr. Tim and that’s the $500,000 increase in net position. What direction,
I know it’s a good position anytime you’ve got a positive ---
Mr. Edwards: Right.
Mr. Hasan: --- so is this going in the right direction from previous years or do you know
where we stand in the day.
Mr. Edwards: It’s definitely going in the right direction. Garbage collection is one of those
things like I said earlier most communities don’t break even they usually lose money on the
collection itself not to mention the cost of the landfill. And so for you all to be able to collect all
this trash that you’re collecting and the fees your charging and the cost of the collection and to
come out with a positive bottom line I give thumbs up to that ---
Mr. Hasan: Okay.
Mr. Edwards: --- you seldom see that.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, I’m going to ask you once again. Compared to previous years is this
$500,000 a good number where it might’ve been $300,000 previous years or does it need to be
$700,000, that’s my real question?
Mr. Edwards: And I’m going to have to plead nolo because I can’t remember ---
Mr. Hasan: Okay.
Mr. Edwards: --- I would not want to give you an answer and have it be wrong but like I
said this year that’s looking good.
Mr. Hasan: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Edwards: I can get the answer for you but I just don’t know it right now.
Mr. Hasan: All right, thank you very much, thank you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Edwards, I appreciate all the good
news that you brought to us and the reports seem to be good. I’ve got a question but before I ask
that question I guess I’ll ask you is we’re in this position where we are now because Ms. Donna
Williams’ been pulling Tim’s coattails and keeping him back is that why we’re where we are now?
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Mr. Edwards: I think it’s a team game. I think it starts ---
Mr. M. Williams: Well, I’m just glad where we are I just didn’t know if, Donna’s a very
strong person. She can pull Tim back now believe it or not ---
Mr. Edwards: --- he’s a big guy ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- yeah, he’s a big guy.
Mr. Edwards: --- but you know we’ve been doing your audit only so many years and I can
tell you very quickly ya’ll are in a better place now than you were when we first got out here that’s
for sure.
Mr. M. Williams: And (unintelligible) but you mentioned when you first got started about
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June the 30 when you had to file some report was it ---
Mr. Edwards: The audit this 213-page document ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- had to be filed?
Mr. Edwards: --- is filed by six months after year end and it was filed during June.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay and my question is if it hadn’t gotten filed then, then what?
Mr. Edwards: If it had not been filed then you would ask for an extension from those
external parties. They would’ve hopefully granted it to you and you would’ve had either a month
depending on one entity and six months from another entity to extend.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, okay well, I mean I’m hearing the report we get a lot of bad news
but you know we don’t talk much about the good news. We’re not perfect for sure but I think like
you say I’ve been here a long time we are in a better place. There’s some things that we need to
continue to do and I just appreciate this report.
Mr. Edwards: Yes sir, thank you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Bill Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Edwards, how are you doing?
Mr. Edwards: Good, thank you.
Mr. Fennoy: The City of Augusta is self-insured I think.
Mr. Edwards: In certain things yes, yes.
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Mr. Fennoy: Okay your experience working with cities this size, do you recommend being
self-insured or what’s ---
Mr. Edwards: Again it’s kind of a loaded question. What I mean by that is there’s no
absolute answer ---
Mr. Fennoy: --- okay.
Mr. Edwards: -- I think you have to look at everybody’s situation individually, you have
to look at your exposures, what kind of things you have assumed the responsibility for and things
that you have not assumed responsibility for. There’s a lot of unique ways of self-insuring. Some
people say they’re self-insured when you can really look at and say no they’re insured it’s just like
it’s a giant deductible. You’ve got re-insurance out there and it’s at different levels, different cities
and counties have different levels of re-insurance. I can’t quote to you right now what each of
those individual re-insurance levels are but they’re like a glorified deductible. There is no perfect
answer on that. I think again what I would do on that question is get with management and look
at the respective risks that we’re talking about and look at the history and look and see what has
been our real exposure in the last five or ten years. Consider catastrophic always but I would just
look at each thing and individually make a decision. And like I said there is no one answer to this
question.
Mr. Fennoy: All right, thank you.
Mr. Edwards: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, any other questions? All right, thank you, sir. We
appreciate it.
Mr. Edwards: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Can I get a motion?
Mr. Hasan: Motion to receive as information.
Mr. M. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second, please vote.
Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Madam Clerk, we’re going to go to Item 34.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
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34. Discuss/approve the placement of a monument in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
(Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Reverend Fryer is here to address this.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Reverend Fryer, please state your name and address for the
record.
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Rev. Fryer: Larry Fryer, good afternoon, Larry Fryer 1115 6 Avenue, Augusta, GA
30901. Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. The Martin King Memorial Celebration Committee some
are here today. To our distinguished Commission members particularly Commissioner Fennoy of
District 1 whom we presented the project to he became immediately working with us and hoping
to make this a very successful project for our city of Augusta, Georgia. We want to thank him and
thank all of you for our past conversations with you to the Attorney, The Clerk and the City
Administrator where to discuss and briefly seek your approval for the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Memorial Statue Parks and Garden here in the City of Augusta. The sites that we have chosen and
agreed upon as a committee the first site we looked at and we thought was good was the Broad
and Tenth Street site. That was our first choice, the second was the Trinity CME Church area at
Walton Way and Eighth Street and the third site was the Judicial, I’m sorry property across from
the Judicial Center on Walton Way and James Brown Boulevard. Those were presented and the
committee approved firstly the Tenth and Broad Streets sites although we knew that we would
look and seek your wisdom and approval and support of whatever site may be done. We have
been working with this since 2007 and we made an announcement at the Beulah Grove CME
Church here in Augusta, GA that we wanted to erect a statue of Dr. King and that is also in the
Augusta Chronicle. We were looking at some $150,000 dollars for the statue and maybe another
$100,000 for whatever expenses we might incur. Our Attorney Mark Greene could not be here
today but he is working with us as well. That is the report we want to give today.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: May I ask Mr. Ussery to come forward?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Ussery?
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Ussery ---
Mr. Ussery: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- I’m not going to ask you for your name and address or where you work
but you’re familiar with the proposed Tenth and Broad Street site location?
Mr. Ussery: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Have you had a chance to do an assessment of that location?
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Mr. Ussery: From the Engineering Department’s point of few whatever this body decides
along with the committee is going to be okay with us. At the last meeting I attended I did say that
because of the upcoming TIA projects that any sort of infrastructure that may need to be installed
to accommodate the monument whether that be power or water or you know whatever that this
would be a good time to have those discussions since Broad Street’s going to be redone here
shortly. We’ve already brought on the consultants to look into the existing street and you know
design the engineering projects so that was the majority of my discussion in this item is if you need
something unique that’s not already there this would be a good time to put it in.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay so, Reverend Fryer, are you asking us are you asking for consent from
this Commission on the Tenth and Broad Street site?
Reverend Fryer: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I’m in support for sure doing the statue.
I don’t know the location Tenth and Broad is downtown for sure but I’m hoping the committee
thought about the amount of traffic that this type statue will generate. If we do that at Tenth and
Broad and there’s no parking or no way of people to visit the statue except riding by. Martin
Luther King we know the history I don’t have to get into that a man who has stood and through
the test of times but I’m wondering would that location be suitable when you talk about people
coming in and visiting that’s what we’re trying to do to not just build a statue to have something.
Now right down the street is where the famous James Brown statue is and people came by and
they don’t have a place to park, they don’t a place to get out and visit that, people are taking
pictures with it every time I go by but it’s in a location not conducive for the traffic that we should
generate for that. So has anybody looked at that location as far as the traffic or Engineering can, I
mean we know Broad Street is Broad Street so where will the parking come from and where would
the visitation be exposed and grow if we do that?
Reverend Fryer: Well, we talked with the engineer about it when we was in that meeting
and I think he could better answer that for us.
Mr. Ussery: We provided them the concepts that were provided to us by Cooper-Carey
when we did the you know the concepts that we use for public information and the meetings for
the TIA projects. The current concept does show some improvement in parking in that area. I
don’t know if it’ll improve it or not to handle all the traffic that we’re discussing here but there
should be more available parking than currently exists at that location if the final design matches
the concept that’s been approved by this body.
Mr. M. Williams: And that’s why this question came to my mind is that if we do the statue
of the magnitude I’m thinking that we’re going to do and we’re trying to attract people to
downtown, I just don’t see the parking part or the room for people to get there. We got to think
22
outside the box. We’ve got to have enough room for folks because I’m not talking about five or
six people coming a day I’m thinking hundreds will be coming. If hundreds are coming maybe
not every day but just on the weekend if you just consider the weekend where I mean do we have
enough space to do what we’re talking about doing? I don’t want to piecemeal this. I want to do
this right, Reverend Fryer. I’m with you now I mean there’s doubt but I think we’ve got to plan
this thing well wherever we’re going to put it on Broad it sounds great and I’ve got no problem
with that but the location and what we’re trying to do and to attract people I just don’t think that
will work in my mind. Now somebody may be able to show me a different perspective but unless
we’re going to close off something is this going to change some of the area but unless we’re not,
if we’re not going to do that I just can’t visualize how the flow is going to be able to flow through
there.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Reverend Fryer, has the committee decided that that’s the only option
or there’s multiple options and you’re asking us to ---
Reverend Fryer: Right that’s the one that the committee came with. I think you know a lot
of people are in walking distance from it. I think that what the engineering is doing now I don’t
know like he knows but I think it would be good. I don’t see a problem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- have you had a sit down meeting with the Engineering Department
about this?
Reverend Fryer: We met with them, yes.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, okay. Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Sias: Real quick, Mayor Pro Tem, I just want to ask something. I got to ask a question
for both. Reverend Fryer, on Tenth and Broad are you talking about where that basically where
that flower bed is in that area or on the other side of Tenth Street.
Reverend Fryer: It’s on the right there in the middle by the, was that a YMCA building --
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Where Tax Slayer is.
Reverend Fryer: --- right there where they have they just got an Augusta sign thing sitting
right there now.
Mr. M. Williams: That’s where the old clock used to sit I think we had a city clock there
---
Reverend Fryer: Right.
Mr. M. Williams: --- and that’s not conducive in my opinion.
Mr. Sias: So ---
23
Mr. Ussery: Currently, Commissioner, there’s a welcome to Augusta sign in the middle of
Broad Street in the walkable area of the median.
Mr. Sias: --- then my question would be then and that’s why I called it a flower bed. I think
I see what I’m looking at. But the question I have is will that area actually still exist after the TIA
project?
Mr. Ussery: If it’s designed according to the current concepts that have been approved,
yes.
Mr. Sias: It will be there as, is that the same width or what it is now?
Mr. Ussery: I don’t remember exactly but that area is supposed to be maintained as a
walkable area ---
Mr. Sias: Not a problem ---
Mr. Ussery: --- (inaudible) meeting.
Mr. Sias: --- I’m good with that. I just wanted to know if that area would still actually even
exist, okay.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Can I ask ---
Mr. M. Williams: (Unintelligible) Mr. Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- Hameed to come forward too?
Dr. Malik: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- Dr. Hameed, where they’re at and where this is I mean are we
confident as a department that you have all the specs and everything you need to move forward
and support or not here today for us?
Dr. Malik: I think we need to have more discussion. We’re okay with the location but we
have engineers on board and we need to sit down and figure out that there’s no conflict between
the road improvement and what they’re doing. What we have is a concept. That doesn’t mean it
can be built. There are a lot of other things may dictate some changes in the concept. So our
preference would be to have more discussion with them. We’re not necessarily opposed to the
location and they also have had the Board in there so it satisfied both the project what they’re
doing too, we’d like to have more discussion (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, okay, Commissioner Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, may I ask the Reverend Fryer a question?
24
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Sure.
Mr. D. Williams: Reverend Fryer, would the committee be open to the second choice
because the second choice will give you plenty of parking.
Reverend Fryer: Well, they have already voted that the second choice would be Trinity.
Mr. D. Williams: So may I suggest we stop talking about the first one and accept the
second one.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Is that, is the committee ---
Mr. Hasan: They ain’t offered a second one.
Mr. D. Williams: They offered three.
Reverend Fryer: This is Ms. Vanessa Davis (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- okay, Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Our whole concept too was to be right in the middle of everything that’s going
to be going on down on Broad Street. We want exposure, we want people to actually visit it and
so Broad Street is the key to the city and with us being on the back burner we will not get as many
visitors. We’re going to make this as a garden, I agree we might need to talk with the engineers
again to get the logistics down but we really think that Tenth and Broad is our best exposure.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Commissioner Williams, are you ---
Mr. D. Williams: I’m sorry, I’m through.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- okay. Commissioner Bill Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Dr. Malik ---
Dr. Malik: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- during the Arts in the Heart in Augusta Festival how many people do we
have downtown?
Dr. Malik: I’m not sure, we block the streets.
Mr. Fennoy: Yeah, we have over from what I understand over 30,000 people downtown
and they park somewhere. I mean it’s not like they don’t have a place to park from one end of
Broad Street to the other. And you have vendors in between and you don’t have any parking on
Broad Street and the people have a place to park. I agree that more discussion may need to take
place with DOT but I think that if we go ahead and approve this project pending the conversation
25
that we have with DOT then we could go ahead and get something started. This is the twelfth year
that you all have been working on that and I think it’s time for us to move forward. And I think
that if somewhere during the discussion they say that this is not doable then we come back and we
start working on a Plan B but I think that if they want to move forward with this location then we
go ahead and work with the TIA folks in order to make this happen.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Commissioner Mary Davis.
Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Hameed, what timeframe are we looking at as far
as possibly changing that whole landscape of that area?
Dr. Malik: We already have a consultant that could have a meeting this morning to, they
already started doing the field work so we can get together you know maybe even next week and
see zero in to that location you know. Again, Engineering is not opposed to the location ---
Ms. Davis: Right.
Dr. Malik: --- but I don’t want to design a road around the monument so we have to work
together and complement each other not create a restriction.
Ms. Davis: So are you all aware it might be, even if we approve the location and ya’ll get
a plan it’s still going to be some time as far as the whole construction and all of that.
Reverend Fryer: Yes and that will be good for us ---
Ms. Davis: Yeah ---
Reverend Fryer: --- for the money raising process.
Ms. Davis: --- okay good. I agree with Commissioner Fennoy if we move forward to look
at this area and ya’ll try to make it jell and make sure that the long term plan is what both the
committee and Engineering want to see happen.
Reverend Fryer: Yes.
Ms. Davis: Okay ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Is that your motion?
Ms. Davis: --- yeah, so my motion is to approve this location that was suggested by
the committee and also to continue discussions with Engineering to make sure both are on
the same page as far as the future project and what this design will look like.
Mr. Sias: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, we’ve got a motion and a second ---
26
Mr. B. Williams: I have a question.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- Commissioner Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: We’re just voting on location today.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, so we’ve got a motion and a second to approve the location,
voting.
Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right thank you, Reverend Fryer.
Reverend Fryer: Thank you all so very much and we’re going to work with you, we
appreciate you and as I heard a gentleman say about the great work you are doing we thank you,
Mr. Fennoy, we thank you so very much sir and all of you. And we’re going to do all we can in
working with the engineers, thank you again.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Reverend Fryer. Madam Clerk, we’re going to go to
Agenda Item Number 24.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
24. Receive an update from the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority regarding
status on the proposal for the new James Brown Arena. (Deferred from the June 27, 2019
Commission Meeting)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Johnson, please state your name and address for the record, sir.
Mr. Johnson: Cedric Johnson, 3387 Tanglewood Drive, Augusta, Georgia.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. All right, I guess Commissioner Williams was requesting
the next one as well but can you kind of give us an update you all had a meeting since last time we
met, can you give us an update on what transpired?
th
Mr. Johnson: Yes, sir. We met on July the 9 and a motion was made that the location of
the James Brown Arena remains in the same historic location downtown. And then it was stated
that the motion would be to engage Will and Perkins to complete their contract specifying this site
location.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Commissioners, any dialogue and thoughts and questions,
Commissioner Marion Williams.
27
Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Johnson, can you tell me what completing, what was the name of
the firm again?
Mr. Johnson: Will and Perkins.
Mr. M. Williams: Will and Perkins. Exactly what does that mean when the Board voted
had not voted in a long time but then they decided to go ahead and took a vote and now Will and
Perkins is actually going to do what?
Mr. Johnson: Well, Will and Perkins will complete the contract that we had paid them for.
What held us up was that the Authority did not want to go forward with Will and Perkins
completing their contract.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay but I’m trying to figure out what that consists of, what their
contract was for I guess the best way because the Board voted and they didn’t want to I guess
complete their vote, since they have voted what do that mean that Will and Perkins will do?
Mr. Johnson: Well –
Mr. M. Williams: I need, I’m trying to understand I know the Board voted so now Will
and Perkins who’s got a contract who’s going to get paid, what are they going to get paid to do?
Mr. Johnson: --- well, Will and Perkins had already been paid ---
Mr. M. Williams: Okay.
Mr. Johnson: --- and what they will come in and do they will come back and look at the
site location, they will also do renderings of the possibility of what the new arena will look at on
that site. And also they will have public meetings to get that information out to the public on what
we’re trying to do with the arena.
Mr. M. Williams: So they’re architects, they’re going to do architectural drawings of some
kind?
Mr. Johnson: Well, they’re not technically architects what they were doing is renderings
of what the site will look like, what the arena will look like, what it will have in the inside of it. It
won’t be in depth architectural drawings.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay and they’ll bring that back to the Board, I mean the Board will
bring it back to this body ---
Mr. Johnson: Yes, sir. They’ll bring it back to the Board and the Board will bring it back
to this body and once ya’ll have discussions over it the next step then will be to go out and have
public meetings to show the community of what we’re looking at doing.
28
Mr. M. Williams: --- and does that mean this location will be the location is that what I’m
hearing because I mean this body hadn’t voted but the arena but the Board has voted. So do we
have an opportunity, does it you know don’t come by us, I mean it’s something that will happen,
I’m just asking the question now.
Mr. Johnson: And let me explain that the best way I can ---
Mr. M. Williams: Okay.
Mr. Johnson: --- this body has voted on a site so you have already voted on a site so what
we’ll do we’ll bring this back to you, I’m not saying you can’t change it but the body did vote on
a site.
Mr. M. Williams: And what site was that?
Mr. Johnson: The current location.
Mr. M. Williams: This body voted on the current location?
Mr. Johnson: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We did.
Mr. M. Williams: Somebody should’ve woke me up because I sure fell asleep on that one.
I mean I know we put it out to the general public and I thought it was put out wrong because they
way it was put out it was confusing to the voters even myself. People are voting one way thinking
they’re voting another way. And I thought after that not binding vote, Ms. Bonner, is that right?
It wasn’t a binding vote but it was a straw poll vote, I didn’t know we had already voted. Why did
we go out to the public and get give them a straw poll vote if we done already voted we already
done said it was going to be there?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: There’s a lot of dialogue ---
Mr. Hasan: (Unintelligible) the Commission.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- all right anything, you good?
Mr. M. Williams: No, no, I’m still asleep. I mean I don’t understand it.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: I’m fine then.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, can I get ---
Mr. Hasan: Motion to receive as information.
29
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- I’ve got a motion and a second to receive as information. Please
vote. Thank you, Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you.
Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Madam Clerk Number 25.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
25. Discuss the removal of the term expired members of the Augusta-Richmond County
Coliseum Authority. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, sir. From my understanding I might need the Clerk to
reiterate what the motion was last time. I had this put back on the agenda because I thought the
motion was to remove those expired terms on the Commission but those expired terms turned
around and voted anyway. So if they were expired and we had it put on the agenda to remove,
how did they go ahead and make a vote now since they’ve been you know I mean since the and
maybe that wasn’t what was on the floor so that’s why I need the Clerk to reiterate what we, I think
Commissioner Hasan was the one who talked about removing those expired terms and when it was
on the agenda they still turned around and voted, now I’ve got an issue with that, Ms. Bonner.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Madam Clerk.
The Clerk: Yes, sir at our last meeting the initial agenda item read as Item 24. Upon
discussion of that item two motions were made regarding and one of the motions was to remove
those members, the Board who had voted against the measure. It failed. Then once those motions
were disposed of then there was a motion made to refer this item back to the next Commission
meeting. There was no action taken on the motion to remove the members, only to refer this item
back that’s why we have Item 24 deferred from the June 27th meeting. Then you asked that the
item to remove the members be placed on the agenda so technically there’s two separate issues
there.
Mr. M. Williams: And I get that. I understand. I thought Commissioner Hasan who made
the motion to remove those ---
The Clerk: It failed ---
30
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay.
The Clerk: --- it failed and then a subsequent motion was made after, the first motion was
to receive it as information and then we had a substitute motion to remove the members, both of
those motions failed. And then the third, then another motion was made to defer it to this meeting.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay and my concern was there was and I thought the motion had passed
to remove those members, how did those members have an opportunity to go and vote then to
make a move one way or the other when they was in mind was supposed to be on the agenda to be
removed and reappointed they had I guess the extension not the extension but the time period had
(unintelligible).
The Clerk: While their terms have expired, they’re now serving under the Georgia
Holdover Law that allows them to continue to serve until their successor is appointed. Either they
are reappointed or their successor is appointed so they’re in hold what we consider in holdover
status.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right. Commissioner Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Also, Commissioner, what was part of that
conversation as well Commissioner Sias wanted to know that the Commissioners have the
authority to go ahead for lack of a better term circumvent the Coliseum Authority and build the
arena ourselves, also another thing was about removing those members who have been in my mind
was holding up the process. With it also I think we asked the Attorney to kind of look at that and
see what those criteria’s was to remove persons as well and I think Ms. Bonner sent out to all of
us ones who terms had expired and pretty much with it we was also informed by who was voting
against it but also what it would take to remove some persons from the Board because it wasn’t
quite clear of that because that law had been rewritten by the delegation I think around 2009/2008.
And so as a result of that I think all of us got information that shares exactly how that was because
the way it was initially the way it is now we probably would’ve done wrong, even if we would’ve
passed the motion we probably wouldn’t have done it correctly. As I understand it and looking at
it if we wanted to remove someone from the Board number one you don’t need a cause but number
two you do need four members from whatever Super District 9 or Super District 10 and you can
pick up you need a total I think a total of seven members seven votes to make that happen, but four
of them have to come from that side of the table we’re removing those persons from. So we’d
have done that number one we’d thought six votes were there so we did not have the details so
now we have the details and we want to consider that moving forward but we had no details but
that was part of the discussion as well.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, can I get a motion?
Mr. Clarke: To receive as information.
Ms. Davis: Second.
31
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second to receive as information. Please
vote.
Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Madam Clerk Agenda Item Number 26.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
26. Augusta University local and minority business participation. (Requested by
Commissioner Marion Williams)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. I had this item brought to committee and I
also had it put on this agenda. This body approved a bond to help Augusta State get a lower interest
rate by using, and I might need to call on Donna or Tim or somebody to help me with that. But
my question was then what are the City of Augusta getting what do we get for that? And in that
conversation talking to some of the people over to Medical Industry, the Medical Village Pharmacy
and a couple of other businesses who shared with me there wasn’t any business coming from
Augusta State. And I said we just approved a bond to help them and then there’s no local business
coming not minority but just in some of the areas Medical Village is one of those areas that I buy
my prescription medication from, Sylvia, and they have been there for some 25 years they are so
close to MCG that you can reach out and touch their building from that building. So my question
was what are we doing to help the expansion of the city by using local and small business. And I
see that we’ve got somebody here from Augusta State.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We do, Commissioner Williams. We have Dr. Leeper, please state
your name and address for the record, ma’am.
Ms. Leeper: Yes, my name is Karla Leeper and I live at 5474 Kiokee Springs Drive in
Evans.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, can you speak to Commissioner Williams?
Dr. Leeper: Absolutely, let me address sort of the two issues that you raise. I’ll start with
the person that you know in the pharmacy. I don’t know in great detail about what their specific
situation is I do know that that pharmacy is in network for our insurance provider and so it may be
a marketing issue but I would be certainly happy to talk with them and sort of understand in more
detail what’s going on with their business and what they’ve tried and what’s not been making its
way through, but I’ll be happy to do that. In terms of broader engagement with the small business
community for the last nine months or so I have been the head of our operations unit which includes
most appropriately for this conversation our facilities and construction unit and we met, my team
met with our purchasing colleagues about six months ago and we’ve begun a new initiative called
32
the Lunch and Learn Series where we, we’re complex to deal with. We have a lot of state
regulations, there are lot of particulars that you have to understand in order to engage with us. And
so we are engaging in some outreach with small businesses to try to help them navigate our system
more fully. I have copies of the material that we provide to them. I’d be happy to share them with
you or anyone you want to send to me. But the idea is that we can work them and build a
relationship and help them understand what they might need to do to work with us, understand the
kind of work that we have in the pipeline and try to increase participation from those businesses.
So we want to build relationships with them and try to increase the number of them that are
competitive in bidding for our projects.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay.
Mr. M. Williams: And your name again, ma’am?
Dr. Leeper: Certainly my name is Karla and the last name is Leeper and I’m the Executive
Vice President for Operations for Augusta University and Augusta University Health.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay Ms. Leeper I just want to and I thank you for bringing that
information forth. I do know about the Lunch and Learn. I had at least two businesses contact me
when this was aired about the work or the lack of work or lack of participation at Augusta State.
They attended the Lunch and Learn and they thought it was a good meeting but hadn’t heard
anything since then. I mean small businesses may not know how to come to the table, may not
know how to what door to knock on to even get that opportunity. But I thought we’re very
important after buying my prescription medication and talking with the pharmacist was the first
person and we talked about it you know for a number of minutes there. And he says well I’m not
getting any business and I said not minority but I’m not getting any business and I said I couldn’t
understand that being that close it looked like there out to be a referral. They deliver and they got
no problem with there’s no charge for the cost to deliver meds to people. A lot of seniors can’t
get out, a lot of people don’t deliver no more but I think it’s important and I think you I appreciate
you coming and just sharing with us. I don’t plan to let this go. I plan to watch this to see as much
as I possibly can as an elected official that we work together so I certainly would appreciate it and
Medical Village is the pharmacy that’s been there for some 25 years in that same location. So I
would I certainly thank you for coming. A couple of Commissioners met and even wanted to go
by and talk to, and I’m trying to think of the owners name I can’t think of it now but ---
Mr. Fennoy: Curtis ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- who’s that?
Mr. Fennoy: --- Marshal Curtis.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, Marshal Curtis who wanted to meet with just to ask the question.
You know I know, Mary, people don’t understand but you have not because you ask not and if you
don’t ask for it you won’t get you won’t know. But I thank you for coming and I hope that we can
get this conversation rolling so to be able to work with Augusta State and move this city forward
as close as they are now. If they was across town you say hey, that’s too far. And I used to travel
33
now I used to go Walgreen’s and CVS you know until I realized I mean they buy their prescription
medication from the same place the other areas do and I had no problem I just hope that we can
work something out.
Dr. Leeper: Certainly well I left my contact information and for this or any other issue that
you think I can be helpful with please feel free to let me know.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Dr. Leeper, you have one more question I think ---
Dr. Leeper: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Ms. Leeper, is it Ms. Leeper or Dr. Leeper.
Dr. Leeper: It’s Dr. Leeper but Karla is fine.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, have you had an opportunity to meet and talk with our Compliance
Director?
Dr. Leeper: I don’t know that I’ve had.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and I think it would be a great idea for her to know what services you
all provide and for you to know what services she provides so that like on a workshop or a different
programs you all could work together, so Ms. Edwards ---
Dr. Leeper: I’d love the opportunity to partner. I can work with Cedric and we’ll get
something set up.
Mr. Fennoy: --- I certainly do appreciate that.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Great idea doctor, Commissioner Fennoy I called you doctor Fennoy
almost. Can I get a motion?
Mr. M. Williams: So moved.
Ms. Davis: To receive as information?
Mr. M. Williams: Right.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second to receive as information, please
vote.
Mr. M. Williams: I apologize for taking so long but the Mayor Pro Tem did that so, have
to put it on somebody.
34
Mr. Hasan and Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Madam Clerk, Agenda Item Number 29 I know Commissioner
Garrett wanted to call in for this one.
The Clerk: Yes, sir. I’ll call it in and you all can start discussion (unintelligible).
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SAFETY
29. Discuss Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Augusta, GA and Gold Cross
for ambulance service in Richmond County. (Requested by Commission Marion Williams)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: This is Commissioner Marion Williams’ agenda item.
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, sir, thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. I thought this had been taken
care of already then I found out that there was a date set that both parties had agreed to a date to
bring it forth to this body to go ahead and get the MOU distributed and everybody have an
opportunity to look at it and make sure everybody was in favor of whatever the MOU said, the
way the MOU is written, I thought sure that we have had all of that done and this was a done deal
but evidently it was not. I made a call to our Attorney, Mr. Brown, who shared with me that there
was a date that was set up that everybody had an opportunity to look at everything and finalized
this so that’s why it’s on the agenda.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Basically we approved everything and then we got it in writing and
both parties agreed to what’s, it’s the same thing ---
Mr. M. Williams: Exactly.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- we approved.
Mr. Sias: Say that again?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Both parties agreed to what we agreed to when we voted a month
ago or whenever that was it was put in writing. We drafted it, sent it to Gold Cross. They brought
it back to us with no changes and that’s what we have to vote on to implement it today.
Mr. Sias: And there was no ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Sias: --- Mayor Pro Tem, there was no, there was no MOU or anything distributed out
to be approved today.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: It’s in your book.
35
Mr. Sias: That is not so (unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Attorney Brown, was it in our books?
Mr. Brown: Yes.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay.
Mr. Fennoy: Behind Tab 29.
Mr. Brown: Yes.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Do you want to (unintelligible) Commissioner Fennoy ---
Mr. Sias: No, I want to say something here.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- okay.
Mr. Sias: On this Memorandum of Understanding I’ve got a couple of questions here as
far as the Memorandum of Understanding, I’ve got a series of questions. First off, Mayor Pro
Tem, I’d like to ask the Attorney a question.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Sure.
Mr. Sias: Attorney, is a Memorandum of Agreement a legal document, a legal and binding
document?
Mr. Brown: Let me answer that in part, Commissioner Sias, please. The Memorandum of
Understanding is a legal document. Whether it’s binding or not it cannot be discerned simply by
the title. You can have Memorandums of Understanding that are non-binding and you can have
Memorandums of Understanding that are binding. Memorandum of Understandings are slightly
more formal that a gentleman’s letter but the purpose of it is to outline the intentions and
understanding two or more parties have. In this particular Memorandum of Understanding it
embodies the terms that the Commission voted on and approved in a prior meeting about a month
ago. So the directive was for the Administrator and I to go back to Gold Cross with those terms.
Those terms have been placed in this Memorandum of Understanding. It has draft on it simply to
note that the Commission has not formerly approved the Memorandum of Understanding. In the
last meeting on this subject the Commission approved the terms that would be embodied in this
Memorandum of Understanding.
Mr. Sias: Okay, thank you, may I continue?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Sure.
Mr. Sias: Next thing Mr. Attorney ---
36
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir.
Mr. Sias: --- when we are disbursing when we are spending funds for a service we have in
our procurement agreement in our Procurement Code we’re supposed to use a bid process as such
for that. Now I’ve heard one of my colleagues say a couple of times oh this is a backdoor,
somebody’s doing a backdoor move on this. And if we’re not bid, these are services that we’ll
come out here with. This to me is a backdoor method to get around our Procurement Code. Our
Procurement Code says we bid we have to get these things through bid yet here we’re talking about
a service and it’s not a unique service. It’s not a service that’s provided by only one organization
or one such group here in the City of Augusta. So bottom line how did, is this averting our
procurement process, Mr. Attorney, and I’m not just trying to put you on the spot I’m just asking
a question.
Mr. Brown: I understand, Commissioner. Well I’m going to have to give you my opinion
and my opinion it does not violate our procurement code or our procurement policy. Procurement
policy would be that if we’re using public monies, which is the only monies we have, if we’re
using public monies to acquire or procure a service, it ought to be bid competitively. A
procurement of this size, however, there has to be sources from which to have bids. In this instance
there’s no other entity in the state or in the country that we can get this service from other than
Gold Cross because the state has designated them the sole ambulance service provider for
Richmond County. There’s no one else that can submit any information or bid we cannot procure
the kind of ---
Mr. Sias: I want to interrupt. I get that but I want to interrupt you for this piece. You said
we can’t get it because the state has already designated Gold Cross then here’s a point why then
are we procuring a service that is already there? And I’m not arguing with you, Mr. Attorney,
what I’m saying is based on your legal opinion, your legal advice, we’re procuring a service that
we can’t get from anywhere else because they’ve already given us the service. So then for me how
do we pay for something that we’re already receiving?
Mr. Brown: You’re not required to enter into this agreement ---
Mr. Sias: Thank you.
Mr. Brown: --- the city does not have to procure this service or these limitations or controls
from Gold Cross but it is my opinion the city does have the prerogative to do so if it desires. And
not my personal opinion but the Board the Commission decided ---
Mr. Sias: Sure.
Mr. Brown: --- the last period that they would procure those services if they could do it
under the terms that were approved a month ago.
Mr. Sias: And thank you, Mr. Attorney, for that and I’m not jigging on you I just needed
to get that information straight. So number one the service, there’s not a requirement for us to
37
even pay for these services and number two that they have been designated to provide these
services by the state under that requirement. And thirdly, Mr. Attorney, is there a lawsuit that is
relevant to Augusta? We’re not the parties to this lawsuit but are there, is there a lawsuit that’s
relevant to this issue that’s being pursued in the State Court of Appeals or somewhere in reference
to this particular service in the City of Augusta, is there?
Mr. Brown: There is a, you may be referring to the decision that was made by the Regional
Board to remove Gold Cross as the service provider. Judge Jolly enjoined that and the Attorney
General is appealing that with a Court of Appeals however in the interim Gold Cross remains the
sole provider of ambulance services.
Mr. Sias: And the last question ---
Mr. Brown: May I also add, Commissioner, depending upon the results of that suit if Gold
Cross prevails or I should say yes if Gold Cross prevails in that suit they will continue to remain
the state provider. If they fail at that suit and the Attorney General prevails then Gold Cross will
be terminated as the sole provider and the Memorandum of Understanding would also item have
to be terminated. The Memorandum of Understanding only lasts as long as Gold Cross is the
provider of ambulance services but that’s in the hands of the state and presently it’s in the hands
of the court.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay ---
Mr. Sias: --- thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Brown ---
Mr. Brown: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- do you, okay, are you looking at the Memorandum of Understanding?
Mr. Brown: I can.
Mr. Fennoy: On Number 6 it says Subsidy ---
Mr. Brown: Yes.
Mr. Fennoy: --- okay, they’re talking about paying a $400,000 dollars subsidy. Is that
going to be monthly or one lump sum?
Mr. Brown: The $400,000 dollars is an annual rate. It will be paid monthly prorated, that
is, it will, you will divide $400,000 by twelve and that amount will be paid per month for the
remainder of the year. For the year 2019 they will not receive $400,000 dollars. They’ll be paid
at a rate of $400,000 dollars on a monthly basis.
38
Mr. Fennoy: Prorated.
Mr. Brown: Yes, so they would receive about thirty plus thousand dollars a month
whatever forty divided by twelve.
Mr. Fennoy: So, because Gold Cross has the zone and because Gold Cross is required to
provide this service, does that mean that we are required to pay them a subsidy?
Mr. Brown: No, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, Commissioner Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Mayor Pro Tem, we talked about this many times. It’s just being
rehashed. I move to approve.
Mr. M. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second, Commissioner Dennis Williams.
Mr. D. Williams: No need.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, got a motion and a second.
The Clerk: Mr. Garrett, are you there? For the record Mr. Garrett was, had joined the
meeting telephonically but hold on just a moment let me get him back on the line. We’re
discussing the Memorandum of Understanding between Augusta, Georgia and Gold Cross for
ambulance service in Richmond County. A motion has been put forth for the Commission to
approve this MOU. We’re in the process of voting but hold on before you actually tell me how
you would like to vote.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, we have a motion and a second, please vote.
The Clerk: Can you tell me how you’re voting, sir?
Mr. Garrett: I’m voting yes.
The Clerk: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Garrett, Ms. Davis, Mr. B. Williams, Mr. Frantom, Mr. M. Williams and Mr. John
Clarke vote Yes.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. D. Williams, Mr. Sias and Mr. Hasan vote No.
Motion Passes 6-4.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, Madam Clerk, Agenda Item Number 30.
39
The Clerk: Are you staying on for the remainder of the meeting, sir?
Mr. Garrett: No, ma’am, I have another meeting to go to here.
The Clerk: All right then, thank you.
Mr. Garrett: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Agenda Item Number 30.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SAFETY
30. Motion to approve the award of RFP-191 Janitorial Services for Augusta Fire
Department Administration Office to Immaculate Facilities Group, LLC and to authorize
the Mayor to execute the appropriate documents. (Deferred from the June 27 Commission
meeting)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Sias: Move to approve.
Mr. D. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’ve got a motion and a second, Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Is there someone here to address that, Chief ---
Chief James: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- did this particular item go through the Procurement process?
Chief James: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: And I think this is a renewal?
Chief James: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: And when it was first presented did it go through the Procurement process?
Chief James: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Did it go through to your knowledge the same process that Gold Cross went
through and if you don’t, can’t answer that then you don’t have to.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Are you ready to vote?
40
Mr. Fennoy: No, I’m not ready to vote. I want my question answered. If you can answer,
Chief, and if you can’t if you don’t know then, and I guess my point is that we’ve got a Procurement
process that we do not utilize that we make exceptions for so that’s my point. I don’t have anymore.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second, Commissioner Marion Williams,
are you is that your hand up or are you?
Mr. M. Williams: Yeah, I go up and down up and down.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Let’s just vote ---
Mr. Fennoy: Let’s get it over with.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- let’s vote.
Mr. M. Williams: I mean but somebody needs to explain the process and I thought the
Attorney did a good job.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second, please vote.
Mr. M. Williams: I mean you shouldn’t take this stuff personally. Donna, I need you,
where you at? I didn’t see you back there.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’re voting here come on, come on ---
Mr. M. Williams: I haven’t voted yet, I hadn’t pushed the button (unintelligible) what I’m
voting on.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, I’m waiting on the screen here.
Mr. M. Williams: Waiting on the screen.
Mr. Garret out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay Agenda Item Number 31.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SAFETY
31. Motion to approve Amendment to the Inmates Food Services Contract with Trinity Food
Services Group, Inc. for Richmond County Correctional Institution.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Sias.
41
Mr. Sias: Move to approve.
Mr. D. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second, Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, is Joseph Warden here?
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Joseph Warden.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Bet he asks about the procurement process, I bet you five dollars.
Mr. Fennoy: Joseph Warden ---
Mr. M. Williams: Warden Joseph.
Mr. Fennoy: --- did this go through the procurement process?
Warden Joseph: Yes, sir, we totally go through the procurement process.
Mr. Fennoy: And ya’ll always use the procurement?
Warden Joseph: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Warden Joseph, my question to you is this the only service that can
provide this?
Warden Joseph: This is an amendment to extend our current contract.
Mr. M. Williams: I understand but my question to you is there any other vendor that could
provide this service ---
Warden Joseph: Absolutely.
Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, so it’s not a single source ---
Warden Joseph: No, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: --- there’s no limit as to nobody can do it.
Warden Joseph: No, sir.
42
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, I’m trying to do an education class ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Gotcha.
Mr. M. Williams: --- I hear that some people just don’t.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, we gotcha. We’ve got a motion and a second, voting.
Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Agenda Item Number 32.
The Clerk:
FINANCE
32. Discuss additional funding request(s) for the Marshal’s Office. (Requested by
Commissioner Marion Williams)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Where we at?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Marshal’s Office.
Mr. B. Williams: Is he going to ask about Procurement?
The Clerk: The additional funding for the Marshal’s Office.
Mr. M. Williams: Item ---
The Clerk: Item 32, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: --- 32 thank you, thank you, Madam Clerk and Mayor Pro Tem. I had
this item put on the agenda. We did approve, did talk with the Marshal about doing additional
work. And we asked him and I think Commissioner Hasan may have been the one who asked him
about additional equipment funds and the answer was told to us no, there was not going to be any
additional funds. Now after that meeting I’m hearing that we’re supposed to buy two new
machines and two not scanners but x-ray machines I guess is what we’re talking about. Shortly
after that we had an alarm system that went off. The Fire Department had pulled the alarm system
the next day to do a drill. I called Chief James and I said to him I said I don’t understand. He said
he’s been trying to do and he’s here to speak for himself been trying to do the fire drill for a while
but the very next day after we approved this for people for everybody to be screened. An hour
after they got to work everybody, the alarm, the fire drill went off. And the Fire Chief said that he
finally got with someone with the Marshal’s Department after months of trying to do the fire drill
and this happened and took all of that time went through all that process for folks who had just
43
gotten in, just got started to work that day and they had a fire drill. So I asked the Chief one
question I said how is it you have to call the Marshal to get approved to do a fire drill. He said
well, they’re over the building. They’re not over this building. They work in this building but
they’re not over this building. Now the Fire Chief is sitting right here so anything I’m saying
wrong he can correct me when I step out of line. So I said to him I said when there is a fire or a
fire related situation the Fire Chief is totally in charge not the Sheriff, not the Marshal, not the
Commission. The Fire Chief is in charge when it comes to life safety situations, when it comes
about fire whether it be a fire drill or anything else. If everybody else was surprised then why the
Marshal wasn’t surprised? Why do they have to be forewarned that there’s going to be a drill? So
I took issue with that. I took issue with that because I think that’s a play on words, a play on the
situation to make the Commission feel like we have not done what we needed to do. The Marshal
has no authority in this building except the authority this board gives him. Now somebody needs,
we talk about the rules, we talk about knowing the rules. I may be wrong, Mayor Pro Tem, and if
I am I’d like for the Clerk to point me to whatever code section that I am that I’m off base on. But
I took issue with that when we talked about have to having two machines then back down to one
machine then say the spent over thirty, $3,000 I’m sorry over $3,000 dollars on repairs. I asked
Finance, the Administrator talked with Finance to show me the records of where we paid $3,000
dollars on repairs and we’ve got a maintenance program. So I take issue with this because that’s
a way of frightening people especially this Commission to put us in a box. I don’t operate no box.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Let’s hear from Chief Deputy Peebles, let’s hear from him.
Chief Deputy Peebles: With all due respect I heartedly disagree with the way the fire alarm
or drill was portrayed. That was on my calendar well in a week in advance. There was no way
we could’ve known about the vote of this body prior to that. Additionally to my knowledge we
coordinated with the Fire Department. I don’t know of any delays we caused, we do try and be
good partners and good stewards and be partners with everybody here in the building and in the
government along with the citizens. So if there’s any information that is contrary to what I just
told you it would be the first I’ve known about it.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay ---
Mr. M. Williams: Can I respond ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- Chief James, do you want to speak on this?
Mr. M. Williams: --- no, no, no Chief James didn’t call the Marshal up. I need to talk to
him.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, go ahead.
Mr. M. Williams: Because I didn’t say the Marshal caused any delays. I never implemented
at any point that he caused any delays. My question was if the Fire Chief had been trying to do
this drill for months and he can speak to that and if the Fire Department got to notify the Marshal’s
Department before they do a drill, how is it that the Marshal’s got to be alerted and be on standby
and be ready when everybody else is supposed to be surprised? So if it’s a fire, they ain’t going,
44
a fire’s not going to send out an email, Ms. Bonner, to the department and say look I’m getting
ready to start the burning. Everybody ought to have the same opportunity to respond to the fire or
not respond. That’s not, that’s not fair for anybody who’s in this building ought to be, we ought
to know how you’re going to react like everybody else reacts. So I take issue with what the
Marshal just said about delaying. I didn’t never say he delayed anything. But I do know the Fire
Chief who sits there to me that he had been trying to get this drill done months and finally the day
after we approved screening everybody coming in and the request came down, I hadn’t even got
to that part about the request going to the Interim Administrator. I don’t even want to talk about
that but this thing just don’t pass the smell test, that’s all I’m saying. So if the Fire Chief wants to
address that part about trying to get the drill he’s sitting right there, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Would you like to hear from him?
Mr. M. Williams: Yes, sir, I sure would.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Chief James.
Chief James: Mayor Pro Tem and Commissioners, as Commissioner Williams stated he
did call me. I conferred with my staff. About a month or so prior to that we did reach out to the
Marshal’s Department. We were not asking for permission; we understand that we have that
authority to perform a fire drill. But as we have done in the past we usually reach out to the
Marshal’s Office as a courtesy because the Marshals are the ones that help us get people out of the
building. When our staff initially reached out to them, the individual that we talked to wasn’t there
or was on vacation. We called him back again and said we’re going to do this drill this coming up
and we’re going to do it on this day or that day are you going to be available to help make sure
people get out of the building. They came back and gave us a date, I can assure you I’ve been
talking to staff as it relates to whatever the vote was coming to Commission on whatever resources.
We had absolutely no knowledge of that and had nothing to do with anything about using the drill
so it could be used as an example to why something should be purchased or funding, the Fire
Department had absolutely nothing to do with that at all.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: You good, Commissioner Williams?
Mr. M. Williams: Yeah. Mayor Pro Tem and the Fire Chief kind of explained. I see I
understand he’s trying to walk between two thin lines but either walk on the line or walk off it.
It’s just simple as that. He stated that you tried to get the drill earlier and the Marshal was not even
in place or whatever my question to the Fire Chief is if you’ve got a fire drill and the Marshal’s
supposed to be able to assist you, they ought to know how to assist you without you telling them
that I’m going to do a fire drill and I want you to assist me or help us get a situation handled in any
other building. The other side is, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I’m switching over because the Fire Chief
did share that information. He tried several times to get the drill and nobody okayed it not okay
but gave him a date is what I’m hearing but like I said a fire don’t warn you when it’s coming.
The other side is that the machine that we asked the Marshal himself not Mr. Peebles but the
Marshal himself when he was talking about screening every one we approved screening everyone.
We asked him did he need any additional equipment and he said as far he knew he didn’t need no
equipment. Everything is fine, you used the wand. It’d be the same as they do in the courthouse
45
on Walton Way. But then the Administrator was approached and it happened to come up to just
the amount of monies that the Administrator can approve. But even though the Administrator can
approve it, it has to come from somewhere. If it ain’t budgeted then the Administrator who’s the
interim who didn’t know all of this I guess at the time since it has to be budgeted it has to find out
which budget it’s going to come from so it still had to come back to this body. But by him being
safety sensitive he don’t want to delay. He said okay and I told him that’s a play on his position
as the Interim Administrator to not to show the courtesy to this board as elected officials if you
needed that equipment. So I take issue with that, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I understand, Commissioner Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. I do believe that the Administrator acted
as he should have. I don’t think that we can put somebody in a position and basically manage every
decision that they make. I do remember that the Marshal did say I think I can get started with what
I have. I may have to come back to you but I do believe that if he has a situation he goes to the
Administrator and the Administrator makes a decision and it is below his threshold then he’s within
his job responsibility. And also I do understand that there was some issues maybe with the
Marshal’s Department and maybe the Fire Chief what have you but we don’t need to stand here
and pit one department against the other. I make a motion that we take it as information.
Mr. D. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second to receive as information, please
vote.
Mr. Hasan: I have one question.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Yes, I have one question ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay.
Mr. Hasan: --- to the Administrator, how many machines have we ordered?
Mr. Sims: One machine.
Mr. Hasan: Both ways so it’s not two machines, you know one emergency and one regular
process?
Mr. Sims: My instruction to the Marshal’s Office this came as an emergency purchase and
my instruction was purchasing one x-ray machine through emergency purchase.
Mr. Hasan: Was it an RFP or RFQ for another machine at this time?
Mr. Sims: Not to my knowledge.
46
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: I believe that the main reason we voted for everybody to be screened is for
the safety for everybody that comes in and out of this building. The Marshal’s Department from
my understanding is responsible for the safety for everybody that comes in and out of this building.
And I think that it’s our responsibility as Commissioners to make sure that the Marshal’s
Department has everything that they need to ensure the safety of everybody that comes in and out
of this building and tell Marshal Lamkin that I appreciate the great job that he’s doing for the
citizens of Richmond County.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, we’ve got a motion and a second, please vote.
Mr. M. Williams vote No.
Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 8-1.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Madam Clerk, Agenda Item Number 2.
Mr. Sims: I just had one update. I just want to make a clarification. When I spoke with
the Marshal’s Office as far as the, there were two x-ray machines requested. Only one was
purchased through emergency purchase. The remaining x-ray machine I indicated to the Marshal’s
Office to procure that one through a normal process so however way they start with the normal
procurement process but not through emergency purchase. It’s only one that’s been ordered
through emergency purchase.
Mr. Hasan: Can I respond to that?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: We put in on the table, Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’m not going to disagree with what you’re saying, go ahead.
Mr. Hasan: --- well, I’m going to be honest, Mr. Administrator. I think what you just did
you intentionally circumvented the procurement process. $25,000 dollars would’ve been your
threshold so you told them to break it down you get one here and one there. For me you
intentionally circumvented the procurement process. Thank you (unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Let’s not, Agenda Item Number 2 Ma’am, Madam Clerk, and can
we companion Commissioner Williams can we companion two and three?
Mr. M. Williams: Right.
47
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay ---
Mr. Hasan: Excuse me Number 3 please ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: You want them separate?
Mr. Hasan: --- yes, can I say why? You can go separately but I’d like to address number
three if you don’t mind.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I was going to do them together because I think your question is to
both of them. Do you mind if we do them together?
Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got no problem doing them together.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay ---
Mr. M. Williams: Rob, I ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- oh, I’m sorry.
Mr. M. Williams: --- there was some lady that was objecting to one of the ---
Mr. Hasan: Yeah, they’re gone that’s why I way saying to three.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: So we’ll just do two, okay Agenda Item Number 2.
Mr. M. Williams: Well, my question is ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Let her read it.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
2. Z-19-29 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve
with the conditions below a petition by Annie Ellison, on behalf of Ellen Taylor, requesting
a Special Exception to establish a Family Personal Care home per Section 26-1(H) of the
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting property containing 0.46
acres and known as 2342 Dorn Road. Tax Map 070-3-035-01-0 DISTRICT 5 1. A staff
member must live in the home or the home shall be staffed on a 7-day, 24-hour basis. 2. The
home shall be limited to 6 residents total. Either 5 clients and 1 live-in staff or 6 clients with
staff coming in shifts. 3. Any changes in the definition of the use, nature of the clientele or
increase in numbers of occupants shall require another Special Exception. 4. The applicant
must receive and maintain a City of Augusta business license and a license with the State of
Georgia. Proof of compliance with the minimum requirements of Chapter 111.8-62.01 of the
O.C.G.A must be provided, and the applicant must provide annual fire department
inspection reports. 5. All requirements must be met within six (6) months of approval of the
48
Special Exception, or the Special Exception is void. 6. If wheelchair bound persons reside in
the residence all 2010 ADA Standard for Accessible Design requirements must be met,
including but not limited to: • All doorways must be at least 3 feet wide. • At least one
bathroom that permits a wheelchair dependent person to use all bathroom facilities
unimpeded.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you. Rob, my question is with those restrictions when you’re
talking about businesses in the neighborhood will this business be allowed to put a sign up? Will
this business be allowed to look like a business or will it be or will they be able to do their business
but at the same time look like the neighborhoods already looking? There’s a problem, I’ve got
some issues when we allow people if it’s a childcare and they’ve got swings and signs all over the
yard saying a business because if we approve one business then we got to turn around and approve
another business and that’s going to change the concept of the neighborhood all together. I’ve got
no problem if it’s going to be remaining a community versus a business community so is that one
of the restrictions or can that be added to whatever’s approved?
Mr. Sherman: That could be added. We are talking about Number 2 is a Personal Care
Home ---
Mr. M. Williams: Uh-hmm.
Mr. Sherman: --- okay. So that has been a Personal Care Home in the past. It was in ’06
and they came back in ’11, 2011 to amend the zoning. They operated to 2015 then it closed. Now
someone wants to come back and operated it as a Personal Care Home. They, we can add that
they’re not to have any signage and other than that based on the code enforcement inspection of
the property it just appears as a home in a neighborhood. It’s in good condition, well taken care
of and it will blend right in.
Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got no problem along as it blends in but I did want to make sure
you don’t have a signage out there with people riding by because one’s going to spark another one
and then (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Commissioner Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: It is in District 5. You know I have had some conversations with some
of the people from Planning and Zoning so I’m okay with it.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Is that a motion?
Mr. B. Williams: Motion to approve.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion to approve and a second, please vote.
49
Mr. Garett out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Agenda Item Number 3.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
3. Z-19-30 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to deny a
petition by Malisa Wanjala, on behalf of Kimberly Godbee, requesting a Special Exception
to establish a Family Day Care Home per Section 26-1(F) of the Comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting property containing 0.46 acres and known as 4004
Madison Lane. Tax Map 053-4-012-00-0 DISTRICT 3
The Clerk: Are there any petitioners or objectors in the audience that would like to address
this petition to the Commission?
Mr. Hasan: Can I address that Mr. (inaudible) they’re gone.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, Commissioner Marion, have you already, you’re good,
Commissioner Hasan.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and to my colleagues, I inadvertently the two young
ladies who were sitting behind Mr. McDowell I inadvertently did not realize I thought we already
had dealt with those issues and I shared with them that they could go now pretty much and I made
a mistake but they wanted, as you know they wanted they did raise their hand and had some
objections. And with that being said also it is to deny but they also had sent a letter in to Mr.
Sherman’s Office asking to pull it and so I’m saying at least put it on the agenda at least to come
in and see Mr. Sherman agree to give them an opportunity to pull it or what have you. And by me
asking them to leave I would hope that my colleagues would just send it back to the next
Commission meeting.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: So you’re making a motion ---
Mr. Hasan: I make a motion to send it back to the next Commission meeting.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- we’ve got a motion and a second, Commissioner Marion
Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: I think if I can ask my colleague’s they was in favor of denying, is that
right?
Mr. Hasan: Yeah to deny.
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Mr. M. Williams: Okay if we deny this then if they wanted to come back and have some
discussion but I don’t think we ought to bring this back in again and do that when we can go ahead
and deny and inform them.
Mr. Sherman: They were not supporting the denial. They were, one was the homeowner,
the other is the applicant and they were objecting to it being denied. They had some additional
information they wanted to share.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, so a motion and a second to sent it to the next full
Commission.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Hasan: Thank you, colleagues.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Voting.
Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, Agenda Item Number 6.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
6. Motion to approve awarding Poolside Inc. Bid #19-233 for RE-plastering Brigham Swim
Center Pool and Augusta Aquatic Center Diving Well Pool. (Approved by Public Services
Committee July 9, 2019)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy pulled this agenda item?
Mr. Fennoy: How you doing, Ron ---
Mr. Houck: Doing fine, Commissioner.
Mr. Fennoy: --- did this go through the procurement process.
Mr. Houck: Yes, sir, it did.
Mr. Fennoy: In the past when you’ve had issues like this they go through the procurement
process?
Mr. Houck: Yes, sir, they do.
Mr. Fennoy: This is not a single source.
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Mr. Houck: No, sir, it’s not.
Mr. Fennoy: And you got competitive bids on this item?
Mr. Houck: We did.
Mr. Fennoy: That’s it.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: I was just going to pull up, that’s Brigham Center Pool right there. It
looks like algae on the bottom and it looks bad and that’s one of the pools being re-plastered,
motion to approve.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and a second. Please vote.
Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Next agenda item, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
8. Motion to approve the purchase one Airport Marshal’s vehicle in the amount of
$38,519.00. The Augusta Aviation Commission approved this request on May 2, 2019.
(Approved by Administrative Services Committee July 9, 2019)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy, I’m pretty sure it’s procured.
Mr. Fennoy: Well, I want to make sure did it go through the process ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: --- that we observed the process anyway.
Mr. Crowden: Yes, sir ---
Mr. Fennoy: How you doing ---
Mr. Crowden: --- fine.
Mr. Fennoy: Did this go through the procurement process?
52
Mr. Crowden: It did, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: And this is how you all Georgia vehicles through the procurement process?
Mr. Crowden: That is correct.
Mr. Fennoy: Did you have more than one company to bid on this?
Mr. Crowden: On Number 8 no, wait a minute ---
Mr. B. Williams: That was a good answer.
Mr. Crowden: --- no and I’ll tell you why. Other dealerships know who has the state
contract and other dealerships know what price the state contract is at which is far lower than what
they want to sell the truck for. They’re selling individual vehicles and maximizing their profit
level by sale of the one vehicle. The state contract maximizes his profit by selling mass quantities
of this vehicle and they won’t try and bid against him.
Mr. Fennoy: That’s all for questions.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy, is your questions for 9, 10, 11 and 12 the
exact same?
Mr. Fennoy: I’m not sure.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Exactly, Commissioner Sias.
Mr. Sias: Move to approve.
Mr. B. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion and second to approve.
Mr. M. Williams: You’ve got a hand up over here now you didn’t ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: --- thank you, Ron, now we talk about these cars all the time I’ve got no
problem but I need to know why is it that this Airport Marshal vehicle and not just a vehicle. Now
we’ve done thousands of these but why is it Airport Marshal vehicle?
Mr. Crowden: Technically the vehicle is being purchased by the airport for the airport and
they’re letting the Marshal’s Office use it for their duties in security of the airport.
Mr. M. Williams: So it’s coming out of the airport budget.
53
Mr. Crowden: That’s correct, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, thank you, sir. I ain’t got no problem with it.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, we’ve got a motion and a second please vote.
Mr. Clarke and Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Agenda Item Number 9 please.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
9. Motion to approve request for replacement of one Ford F250 Utility Body truck for
Recreation Trees and Landscape Division for $34,400 using capital outlay. (Approved by
Administrative Services Committee July 9, 2019)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: This is this your item right here?
Mr. Crowden: I’m sorry?
Mr. Fennoy: This is this your item right here?
Mr. Crowden: Yes, sir, it is.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, did this go through the procurement process?
Mr. Crowden: Yes, sir, the bid was sent out to 30 vendors. Only one replied back.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, how many vendors?
Mr. Crowden: Thirty.
Mr. Fennoy: Thirty and only one ---
Mr. Crowden: That was through the Procurement Department ---
Mr. Fennoy: --- okay.
Mr. Crowden: --- we provide them the specs. They send out the bid.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
54
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: You good?.
Mr. Fennoy: Yeah, I’m okay.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Motion to approve.
Mr. D. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’ve got a motion and a second from Commissioner Dennis Williams,
voting.
Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Agenda Item Number 10 please.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10. Motion to approve Tax Commissioner’s Office requests to purchase of one silver XLT
Ford Explorer via bid #19-215 in the amount of $34,712.00 – Allan Vigil Ford. (Approved by
Administrative Services Committee July 9, 2019)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, sir. Did this go through the procurement process?
Mr. Crowden: Yes, sir, it did through the Procurement Office.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and how many vendors did we have to submit a bid on this item?
Mr. Crowden: We sent it to the same dealerships that we sent to the other vehicles and to
this Ford product or SUV so we sent it to vendors from Ford, Chevy, Dodge and they get the bids
back, they evaluate the bids just to see if they’re compliant and then once they determine they’re
compliant, they send them down to us to make the final recommendation.
Mr. Fennoy: And this is how this vehicle was selected?
Mr. Crowden: Yes, sir, it was.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Marion Williams.
55
Mr. B. Williams: Motion to approve.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Ron, I need to know what why did we
specify one silver Ford 4WD. What’s the WD?
Mr. Crowden: Four-wheel drive.
Mr. M. Williams: Four-wheel drive. Why would the Tax Commissioner need a four-wheel
drive? They got to go up on the mountains to collect some taxes?
Mr. Crowden: That’s what he requested, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Oh, he requested.
Mr. Crowden: Yes, sir, that’s correct.
Mr. M. Williams: And because he requested it we have to honor that is that what you’re
saying?
Mr. Crowden: Well, because he’s a elected official I don’t question elected officials.
Mr. M. Williams: I understand. I understand. I do it all the time. I ain’t got no problem
with it but I’m just wondering why a one silver I mean a gray one or a black one or a green one
wouldn’t do but one silver XLT 4WD and I know what four-wheel drive stands for but I wanted
to bring that out. I’ve got no problem. It’s been through the process. If he wants a pink Cadillac,
we get him one of them so.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion from Commissioner Hasan and second by
Commissioner Davis. Please vote.
Mr. D. Williams and Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Agenda Item Number 11 please.
The Clerk:
ADMINSTRATIVE SERVICES
11. Motion to approve request to replace one Ford F250 Utility Body truck for Utilities
Facilities Maintenance Division at a cost of $38,760 using the GMA lease program.
(Approved by Administrative Services Committee July 9, 2019)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy.
56
Mr. Fennoy: Yes, sir. I notice on this agenda item right here you’re replacing. Is the same
process that’s used to replace is the same process that’s used to purchase?
Mr. Crowden: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: And it goes through the Procurement?
Mr. Crowden: Absolutely.
Mr. Fennoy: And we had more than one vendor to uh ---
Mr. Crowden: There were 30 vendors that were sent the packet from Procurement and
one, there was one bid. Only one bidder replied.
Mr. Fennoy: And that’s how this vehicle was selected?
Mr. Crowden: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: You good?
Mr. Fennoy: Yeah.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Motion to approve.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Got a motion and a second. Please vote.
Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 9-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Agenda Item Number 12 please.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
12. Motion to approve the award of contract to construct the Augusta 911 Center Addition
and Renovations to Contract Management, Inc. (CMI) of Augusta in the amount f
$866,528.00. Bid Item 19-181. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee July 9,
2019)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy.
57
Mr. Fennoy: How you doing, Ms. Douse?
Ms. Douse: Doing good, thank you.
Mr. Fennoy: How was this company chosen?
Ms. Douse: Through the Procurement process via selection method.
Mr. Fennoy: And we had more than one company to qualify or submitted a bid on this
project?
Ms. Douse: No, sir. Only one company submitted a bid.
Mr. Fennoy: So this is more or less a sole source?
Ms. Douse: No, sir. There, multiple companies came to the pre-bid and had an opportunity
to submit a bid but only one actually submitted one.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and that’s how it was selected because they were the only person that,
only company that submitted the bid.
Ms. Douse: Yes.
Mr. Fennoy: And you all are okay with the ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Come on, Commissioner Bobby Williams.
Mr. B. Williams: Motion to approve.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Fennoy: --- I’m not finished.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. Fennoy: But I’m not finished.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: You were sitting there asking, come on man, we’re better than this.
Mr. Fennoy: I’m talking about the process, I’m talking about the process ----
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. Fennoy: --- evidently, you all don’t know the process.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’ll give it back to you when Commissioner ---
58
Mr. Fennoy: No, you don’t give it back to me. I’ve got the mike ---
Mr. M. Williams: I’ve got the mike.
Mr. Fennoy: No, I’ve got the mike.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Come on.
Mr. M. Williams: Ms. Douse, I’d like to know about this addition ---
Mr. Fennoy: Ms. Douse, I’d like to know ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- renovation, addition and renovation.
Ms. Douse: Yes, sir.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, what addition are we adding to the 911 Center?
Ms. Douse: To the rear of the building they’re adding a conference and training room.
Mr. M. Williams: Has that been brought to this body to share, to see what that concept’s
going to look like when it’s finished?
Ms. Douse: It has not.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay and that’s the only issue I have. I looked at some other facilities
that we have done and there’s some things that have been done in the facility that wasn’t done
wrong but there was an addition to what this body thought was coming in there and I want to put
those, now I ain’t got no problem doing that but I don’t want to put those name out there, those
places out there as to what it was done. But when you’re talking about, when you say an addition
and renovation, this body need to know what those additions was going to consist of. We’ve got
kitchenettes, we’ve got full size kitchens, we’ve got all kinds of stuff that have been added and put
in a lot of different areas that this body don’t have a clue about unless we happen to go in there.
And so that kind of disturbs me a little bit when I see addition and renovation. If it’s going to be
a renovation of what’s there, are we going to have an addition to we need to know what they are
too not just say that and then this body approves it and we’re going to spend $866,528.00 on it and
then probably with a change order or two as well.
Ms. Douse: One of the things I can do going forward is ensure that the building plan is in
your agenda books but it was also in the bid document when it went out so my apologies for that
but in the future I will make sure that you have a copy of the plan in this agenda book.
Mr. M. Williams: Well, I would appreciate that because I went in a couple of facilities that
we had spent a lot of money on and not frequenting those buildings that often I’ve seen some
enhancements. It wasn’t bad but I think they went over the limit in my opinion as an elected
59
official. When those additions I would hope that those plans come so we’ll know exactly what’s
what. It’s too late after they build it to come back and say oh we’ve got a king size refrigerator
when we should’ve had a microwave.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Ms. Douse, when is this project scheduled to begin?
Ms. Douse: Probably about 4 to 6 weeks after we have a contract signed.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and how long would it be before it’s completed?
Ms. Douse: I think this is a 4 to 6 month construction project.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, thank you.
Ms. Davis: Move to approve.
Mr. B. Williams: Second.
The Clerk: We’ve have a ---
Ms. Davis: I’m sorry, yeah.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Do we have a motion and a second already?
The Clerk: --- yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, please vote.
Mr. Clarke votes No.
Mr. Garrett and Mr. Sias out.
Motion Passes 7-1.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Agenda Item 15.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SAFETY
15. Motion to approve and award the Inmate Food Services for the Richmond County
Sheriff’s Office to Aramark Correctional Services for the effective date of Augusta 1, 2019.
RFP 19-199. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee July 9, 2019)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Is there someone here from the Sheriff’s Department?
60
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I don’t think so.
The Clerk: It went through the procurement process RFP 19-199 ---
Mr. Fennoy: So that means it went through ---
The Clerk: --- it went through the procurement process. They’re the only ones that could
assign that number.
Mr. B. Williams: Motion to approve.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’ll let Commissioner Fennoy finish his question.
Mr. Fennoy: --- okay.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, I’ve got a motion and a second please vote.
Mr. Sias, Mr. Clarke and Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 7-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Agenda Item Number 17 please.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
17. Motion to approve award of Bid Item 19-127 for Rocky Creek Pumping Station Power
House to Border States Industries at a total cost of $367,675.00. (Approved by Engineering
Services Committee July 9, 2019)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Wiedmeier ---
Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- did this go through the procurement process?
Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes, it did.
Mr. Fennoy: And have you dealt with this company before?
Mr. Wiedmeier: I believe we bought equipment from them but I don’t, I’m sure of that.
61
Mr. Fennoy: Okay but you did say it went through the procurement process.
Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes, it went through the bid process.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and that’s how this company was selected?
Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Hasan: Motion to approve.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Tom, we’ve got a motion and a second and I’m going to support it but
I want you and me to go to the auditor’s up here today and what we’re going to find the way the
money in Utilities, all right?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Is that your question?
Mr. M. Williams: No, that’s my question I mean a statement.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Statement all right, we’ve got a motion and a second. Please vote.
Mr. Sias and Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Item number 19.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
19. Motion to approve proposal from Johnson, Laschober & Associates, P.C. to provide
supplemental engineering services for the Utilities Department’s Fort Gordon Cyber CoE
Campus Utilities phased projects in the amount of $200,500. (Approved by Engineering
Services Committee July 9, 2019)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Wiedmeier ---
Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes ---
Mr. Fennoy: --- how you doing?
62
Mr. Wiedmeier: --- I’m doing well.
Mr. Fennoy: Did this project, this project went through the procurement process?
Mr. Wiedmeier: It did go through the procurement process. It did not go through a bid
process though.
Mr. Fennoy: And what’s the difference (inaudible).
Mr. Wiedmeier: This is for professional services so we selected this firm based on them
being the most qualified firm.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, have you done business with this firm before?
Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes.
Mr. Fennoy: And you’re satisfied with the quality of work that they do?
Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes.
Mr. Fennoy: And this is how they was ended up getting the contract?
Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Marion Williams.
Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Tom, what’s the supplemental
engineering services for the Utilities Fort Gordon Cyber, I mean explain that because I think you’re
going to be dealing with the water part, right?
Mr. Wiedmeier: I did not hear the last part.
Mr. M. Williams: I think you deal with the utilities as far as the water is concerned.
Mr. Wiedmeier: That’s correct.
Mr. M. Williams: I mean how does water and Cyber go together tell me how what ---
Mr. Wiedmeier: So there’s a tremendous amount of construction occurring at the Fort
associated with the Cyber Campus. We have a lot of utility work; we’re abandoning lines, building
new lines to accommodate their construction.
Mr. M. Williams: Accommodate the cyber construction.
63
Mr. Wiedmeier: Right.
Mr. M. Williams: Okay, that makes sense ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right ---
Mr. M. Williams: --- it may not be right but it makes sense.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Can I get a motion?
Mr. B. Williams: Motion to approve.
Ms. Davis: Second.
Mr. Hasan: I thought we already made the motion.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ve got a motion, can I get a second?
The Clerk: Who’s that Mr. Hasan seconded it, right?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, we’ve got a motion and a second. Please vote.
Mr. Sias and Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
20. Motion to approve the installation of nineteen streetlights on Old McDuffie Road. This is
also to approve a new lighting tax district for all lots associated with the above road. Funding
is available in the Street Lighting budget account #276041610-5312310. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee July 9, 2019)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Ussery, this project went through Procurement?
Mr. Ussery: No, sir. This project, these 20 and 21 go through a different process. They
go through our streetlight petition process whereby the neighborhoods request the lights, we do a
survey of all of the people that are adjacent to the street where the lights were requested. Over a
certain percentage of them need to sign the petition and then we move forward with Georgia
Power.
Mr. Fennoy: So that’s how this, okay.
64
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All right, can I get a motion?
Ms. Davis: Motion to approve.
Mr. Hasan: Second.
The Clerk: Would that be for 20 and 21?
Ms. Davis: Thank you, Ms. Bonner.
The Clerk: Who was that you and who else?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Ben Hasan.
The Clerk: Is that right, sir? He asked for 20 and 21.
Mr. Fennoy: It can.
The Clerk: It can be?
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
The Clerk: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Voting.
Mr. Sias and Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
21. Motion to approve the installation of fourteen streetlights on Phinizy Road. This is also
to approve a new lighting tax district for all lots associated with the above road. Funding is
available in the Street Lighting budget account #276041610-5312310. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee July 9, 2019)
Mr. Sias and Mr. Garrett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Madam Clerk, is there any further business?
The Clerk: No, sir, that’s it.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I adjourn this meeting.
\[MEETING ADJOURNED\]
65
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
July 17, 2019.
______________________________
Clerk of Commission
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