Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting October 15, 2019 REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER OCTOBER 15, 2019 Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., October 15, 2019, the Hon. Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor, presiding. PRESENT: Hons. B. Williams, Garrett, Sias, Fennoy, Frantom, M. Williams, Davis, D. Williams, Hasan and Clarke, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission. Mr. Mayor: All right, good afternoon. We’re excited to have everybody here on today. Madam Clerk, I think they’re ready to do the people’s business. We’ll call this meeting to order. The Clerk: Yes, sir, thank you. The Reverend Dr. J.R. Hatney is unable to be with us today however his Associate Pastor Reverend Johnny Hampton from the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church will deliver our invocation and would like to ask of Interim no he’s not, he is interim Deputy Administrator Mr. Maurice McDowell to please lead us in the Pledge. Would you please stand. The invocation was given by Reverend Johnny Hampton, Associate Pastor, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. The Clerk: Office of Mayor Hardie Davis Jr., by these presence be it known that Reverend Johnny Hampton, Senior Pastor of the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church is Chaplain of the Day his spiritual guidance and civic leadership serves as an example for all citizens of Augusta. th Given under my hand this 15 Day of October 2019, Hardie Davis Jr., Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Would you join me in thanking Reverend Hampton for his service today (APPLAUSE) thank you. The Clerk: I call your attention, are we ready, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am. RECOGNITION(S) E911 Director’s Award A. Congratulations! Director Daniel Dunlap on receiving the 2019 PSAP’s (Public Safety Answering Point) Finest Director of the Year Award. (Requested by Commissioner Dennis Williams) The Clerk: Okay, I call your attention to the Recognition portion of our agenda. We ask that Mr. Daniel Dunlap if he will please come forward. Do you have some folks you want to bring with you? You do, he’s got a team. Commissioner Dennis Williams, the Mayor, the Administrator. 1 The Clerk: The Mayor and members of the Augusta Commission would like to offer their congratulations to Director Daniel Dunlap on receiving the 2019 Public Safety Answering Point Finest Director the Year Award. Congratulations, Daniel. (APPLAUSE) Mr. D. Williams: Good afternoon. I’d just like to take this moment to thank Mr. Dunlap for the wonderful job that he has provided for our city here in Augusta. And the 911 Center has improved drastically under his leadership and it appears with the increase in new technology it’s going to get much better under his leadership. So once again thank you and your staff for a fine job. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: We’re extremely excited as city to have phenomenal leadership like you’re providing, Mr. Dunlap. Most recently the 911 Center was also recognized nationally by Peace APP as well. I think it speaks to the incredible work that your team is doing. You’ve got a phenomenal team. Thank you so much for saving lives in Augusta, Georgia. You’re not just answering calls but you’re saving lives and you’re doing it in an efficient way with an incredible team. Thank you so much for what you do for the City of Augusta. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Dunlap: I just want to say one thing again. It is an individual award but it cannot be done without the great staff I have. I can go on and on, another national award, it’s impressive but we’re not done and we’re just going to keep going and keep getting better. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Mayor: If I can get the Commissioner to please stand and fall in the middle here for a photo. Madam Clerk --- The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: --- I want to mention a few things of importance on today that I think are worthy of sharing with those in the audience. There’s so much amazing work being done in and around the City of Augusta and it takes a team to be able to do that. Would all of our service members please stand? All of our former service members if you served in the military in any of the branches would you please stand? (APPLAUSE) Wonderful. Today while it largely does not th affect those of you who stood today is White Cane Day. Tuesday October the 15 or in particular th October the 15 all across this nation is a day that’s reserved as a result of a joint resolution of Congress HR 753 that was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States to th proclaim October 15 each year as White Cane Safety Day. I had the privilege this morning of visiting the VA the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Uptown Division where today we recognized those individuals particularly our service members who are part of the Blind Veterans Association and their efforts around the white cane as a tool that’s used by individuals who are blind enabling them to travel safety and independently across this community. I recognize that today because of the efforts of Carol Burrowbridge in our Compliance Office who has done phenomenal work working around the issues of ADA in the city. She was noted there while I was at the Uptown VA and we are very, very, very pleased and appreciative of having team members like that in Ms. Edwards’ team in the Compliance Department so thank you for the work that’s being done there. Again Blind Veterans Association today we celebrate all across Augusta White Cane Safety Day. I also mention, Madam Clerk, that Georgia Lottery Corporation here in 2 Richmond County this morning or should I say this afternoon met with some lottery officials and I want to just mention it’s impact in the community because sometimes we hear it, we see the signs and the peaches all across the television and you pop your head in the convenience stores but let me tell you its impact in the community. Here in just Richmond County alone from 1994 until 2019 from the beginning of the lottery until today retail of commissions has resulted in 178 million being returned back to retailers who are involved in the whole lottery effort here in the city or county of Augusta. Retailers whether you’re large or small they receive 6% of sales of tickets and again it’s resulted in 178 million. Hold your breath on this next one. Here in Richmond County alone $1.5 billion has been returned in prize money to folks in Richmond County and that’s pretty phenomenal. It gets better. The number of students who have received either the Hope Scholarship or the Hope Grant which is what allows students to attend the Technical College system of Georgia. We have 45,000 students in Richmond County who have been the beneficiary of those proceeds from the Georgia Lottery process. In terms of Hope Dollars again that includes the Hope Grant, you have the University System of Georgia which is our four-year schools, TCSG which is our Technical College System of Georgia. That equates to $227 million dollars that students who are Richmond Countians have received the benefit of here in Augusta. In terms of Pre-K which Georgia has one of the most significant Pre-K Programs in the country, we have 43,000 almost 44,000 students who have been beneficiaries of Pre-K Programs here in Richmond County to the tune of $159 million dollars. That’s pretty phenomenal. So in terms of total dollars that have resulted in Richmond County are ended up here, $2.1 billion dollars have shown up in our city as a result of the Georgia Lottery process. I think that’s noteworthy information in that we don’t mind sharing. I think it’s important for us to share those things no matter what opinion you have as it relates to the lottery this is the impact that it’s making in our county and effecting and allowing students who otherwise would not have gone to school to be able to go to school and I think that’s just incredible. My final point that I want to raise is the issue of the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. There are a host of conversations going on about this issue. What I’m pleased about is the fact that the four counties that came together Richmond, Burke, Columbia and our friends over in North Augusta have remained steadfast in our staunch support of what we believe to be the best option because the Corp of Engineers clearly has no idea of what it is they believe is the best option and so this body entered into a resolution and we have continued to stand firm with regards to that. There are continuing to be conversations about this issue on next week. We will be a part of the Chamber, we meaning members of the Augusta Commission, will be a part of the Chamber Fly- in to DC where we will engage our members of Congress around this issue. We will be vigilant in our position and North Augusta will be a part of that trip along with our friends from Columbia County as well. I want this citizens of Augusta to know that we are prepared to take the fight to the Corp. This is not an issue where we are just simply ‘being silent’ but there’s not time for a whole bunch of talking. There needs to be some action and unfortunately the Corp is not in a position to be doing any active right now because they’re not certain based on the failure of the drawdown from earlier this year. So I want all of our citizens in Augusta to know your government is engaged in this discussion and we will engage at all levels and in the appropriate arenas. We won’t spend a whole lot of time just out there talking but we’ll engage so that ultimately something gets done that allows us to maintain the pool and make sure that our economic growth and development opportunities continue to be available to us not just here in Augusta but in South Carolina as well with all of the work that’s being done across the community. That’s all I have, st, Madam Clerk. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1 state your inquiry. 3 Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, may I have two points of Personal Privilege? Mr. Mayor: You may. Mr. Fennoy: First of all I think I saw him around here a few minutes ago but to say congratulations to Don Clarke for the recipient of the Giving your Best Award. He has done an outstanding job in this area in working with the military population especially those that have disabilities. And he along with former Mayor Bob Young has taken the lead on trying to get a veterans cemetery here in Richmond County. Next I’d like to take this opportunity to say congratulations to Terry Elam, the President of Augusta Technical College, a Paine College graduate and also a friend of mine and tomorrow at 3:00 o’clock at Augusta Tech they’re going to be acknowledging Terry by naming one of the buildings in his honor. And also Augusta Tech Drive will be changed honorary changed to Terry Elam Drive so if you get a chance go by and tell Terry congratulations and if you see Mr. Clarke tell him congratulations on his award also. Mr. Mayor: Thank you very much, sir. All right, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Yes, sir. DELEGATIONS B. Ms. Brenda Durant, Executive Director Greater Augusta Arts Council regarding presentation of city grant recipients. The Clerk: I call your attention to the Delegation portion of our agenda our first delegation will be Ms. Brenda Durant, Executive Director Greater Augusta Arts Council regarding presentation of city grant recipients. Ms. Durant: Thank you, Mayor, Commissioners. I’d like to introduce Ms. Pax Bobrow who will be reading the allocations for this year and Mary Schroer who will be standing with the Mayor to hand out the checks, Mary is the Vice President of the Greater Augusta Arts Council. Ms. Bobrow: Thank you, Brenda. Each year the City of Augusta allocates funding to the Greater Augusta Arts Council to distribute to the nonprofit arts community of Richmond County. City leaders recognize the importance of public financial support to sustain a wide variety of artistic disciplines and expressions. For fiscal year 2020 funds were reallocated in increments to support general operating expenses up to $7,000 dollars or special projects up to $5,000 dollars. This year’s recipients are The Augusta Chorale Society. Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I’m coming. Ms. Bobrow: Oh, oh I can just, you know extemporize for a bit. This year’s recipient The Augusta Chorale Society receiving $7,000 dollars for an Art Works General Operating Funds Grant. The representative this year is Melissa Wolfe who is the President of the Board of Directors for The Augusta Chorale Society. The mission of The Augusta Chorale Society is to be the sympathetic, symphonic chorus of the CSRA. Our organization provides the opportunity for talented singers in the area to sing great chorale works and for the residents of this community to 4 get to enjoy performances of great chorale literature. Next we have the Augusta Chorale receiving $7,000 dollars for an Art Works General Operation Funds Grant represented by Dr. Phyllis Anderson who is the Artistic Director of the Augusta Chorale. Since its beginning in 1983 the mission of the Augusta Chorale has been to celebrate the beauty of song by presenting diverse and challenging chorale music which inspires our members and audiences. Next we have Augusta Concert Band receiving $2,000 dollars for an Art Challenge Project Based Funds Grant represented by Larry Fedders their treasure. The Augusta Concert Band is a community organization made up entirely of volunteers who give generously of their own time and talents to provide musical entertainment throughout Augusta Richmond County at no charge. Next we have the Augusta Players receiving a $7,000 dollars Art Works General Operating Funds Grant represented by Scott Seidel their Executive Director. Their mission is to contribute to the social capital of the community by developing the skills, community spirit and artistic sensibilities of those who participate. The Augusta Players produce musical theater productions of the highest quality providing extraordinary opportunities for aspiring artists to perform and gain proficient training. Next we have the Augusta Symphony receiving a $5,000 dollar Arts Works General Operating Funds Grant represented today by Gillian Stewart their Executive Development Assistant. The mission of the Augusta Symphony is to share the joy of great musical performance th with our community. Together we are music. Now in its 65 season Augusta Symphony is the primary professional orchestra for Augusta’s River Region and pursues its mission through annual symphonic pops and family concerts that reach approximately 20,000 people each year. Next we Colton Ballet Company receiving $4,970.00 for an Art Works General Operating Funds Grant. They are represented today by Kathy DeLoach, their Board President. The mission of the Colton Ballet Company is to provide professional quality dance performances for the community encouraging and enhancing a greater public awareness and appreciation for dance as an art form. Next we have Creative Impressions receiving a $2,565 dollar Art Challenge Project Based Fund Grant represented by their President Shaneta Newton. Organized in 1996 Creative Impressions has developed into a chorale music ensemble of excellence which is making an impact on the lives of those it touches. Next we have the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art receiving a $3,176 dollar Art Works General Operating Funds Grant represented by Heather Williams, their Executive Director. Since 1937 the guiding mission of the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art has been to provide opportunities for visual arts education and to develop visual arts awareness and appreciation throughout the greater Augusta community. Next up is the Imperial Theater receiving a $5,000 dollar Art Challenge Project Based Funds Grant represented by Charles Scavullo, the Executive Director. The mission of the Imperial Community Theater, Inc. is to preserve the historic Imperial Theater in downtown Augusta and provide a classic venue for performing arts groups, artists and audiences from Augusta and the surrounding area. Next we have the Jessye Norman School of the Arts receiving a $7,000 dollar Art Works General Operating Funds Grant represented today by Gary Dennis, their Executive Director. The Jessye Norman School of the Arts mission is to develop students to become creative, caring, visionary, responsible citizens through the transformative power of the arts. Next we have the Morris Museum on Art receiving a $7,000 dollars Art Works General Operating Funds Grant represented by Kevin Grogan, their Executive Director. The Morris Museum of Art exists for the purpose of collecting and exhibiting the art of the American South and interpreting it in regional, national and global contexts. We have next the Sacred Heart Cultural Center receiving a $4,829 Art Challenge Project Based Funds Grant represented by Kim Overstreet, their Program Director. Built in 1898 Sacred Heart Cultural Center served as a Catholic church until its last mass was held on July 1971. The facility was 5 rescued from 16-years of vacancy, vandalism and near destruction and after extensive renovations the building was reopened in 1987 as the Sacred Heart Cultural Center with a mission to preserve and maintain the Sacred Heart building as a national register historic site and to function as a center for cultural activities. Next we have Storyland Theater receiving a $3,850 grant for an Art Works General Operating Funds Grant. They are to be represented today by Tiffany Bridges, their Business Manager but I think perhaps that Ms. Bridges was unable to get here today. We’ll get her her award and check later. Storyland Theater presents life quality theatrical productions performed by adults for children and families especially those who otherwise might not have the opportunity to experience the magic of theater. And last but not least we have Westabou receiving a $5,320 Art Works General Operating Funds Grant. They are represented today, oh there you are by Katie Kameen, the festival assistant for the organization. Westabou is a multi-arts festival hosted annually that is dedicated to enriching the cultural fabric, economic sustainability and social vitality of the region. Thank you all. Now we’re going to have a great picture. DELEGATIONS C. Rev. Victor R. Thomas, Pastor Greater Mr. Canaan Baptist Church regarding residential development in the Sandhill Community. The Clerk: Our next delegation Item C, Rev. Victor R. Thomas, Pastor Greater Mr. Canaan Baptist Church regarding residential development in the Sandhill Community. Mr. Mayor: Father Thomas, if you would also just tell us who the other Pastors are that are representing Sandhill as well and then if you’ll just let us know your church, the name of your church. You have five minutes, sir. Rev. Thomas: Okay --- Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Rev. Thomas: --- we’ll let each Pastor (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: Okay. Mr. Henderson: Rev. Charles Henderson, Pastor Rock of Ages ME Church. Mr. Copeland: Pastor Rufus Copeland of the Garden Grove Baptist Church. Mr. Miller: George Miller, Elam Baptist Church. Mr. Thomas: And I’m Victor Thomas, Greater Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. The purpose that we’re here today is to relay the decision of the Sandhill Community and along with the Pastors about the John Road Project. We were granted in August a 60-day window to go back and discuss what the future of the Sandhill Project is and the decision of the residents and the Pastors of the community that we’re asking for a vote that we support on the John Road Project, a single-family dwelling. It has been stated that developers are asking for condominiums. The code in Sandhill is for the single-family dwelling and we’re asking that this Commission board will vote on that 6 today so that we can put this project to rest. And we’re not asking for a handout but we’re asking for a hand-up. We’re not asking for you all to give us anything but to reinvest in the Sandhill Community. We want to, once we get the support, we have scheduled, we have scheduled meetings where we can talk about revitalizing and rebuilding affordable homes in the community. Sandhill itself is probably one of the most exquisite undeveloped areas in Augusta. On one side you’ve got the Country Club, on the other side you’ve got the Augusta National and on the other side you’ve got Summerville and Augusta College on the other side you’ve got Surrey Shopping Center, West Oak Cemetery. And work is being done all around those areas and nothing is being done in Sandhill so we are asking Commissioners to let the code stand for single-family dwellings and we are not in favor and I’m speaking with the support of the ministers and we have some community members here that we are not in favor of condominiums but single-family dwelling. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, if you are here representing the Sandhill Community, would you please stand. Ms. Davis: Ms. Bonner, do you want to count (inaudible) --- The Clerk: Maurice, do you want to count --- Ms. Davis: --- I can help. The Clerk: --- help you get this side McDowell get this side please. Ms. Davis: I’ve got 29 on my side. Mr. Mayor: Okay Dr. Thomas, one of the things I do want to point out to those of you that are, you may be seated. We have a count. To those of you that are in the audience this is an important matter. That is why the Pastors have brought the delegation down. That item is not on today’s agenda and in preparation for any additional conversation going forward I think you’ve certainly taken the first step towards that. It is not on the agenda today but it certainly informs this body what your grave concerns are as we have that issue revisited. I just want everyone to be fully aware of that it’s not on the agenda today in terms of the specific matter, the planning matter that was on the agenda but rather you coming as a delegation to express your grave concern and the posture you’d like for this body to be in, all right, thank you. All right, are there any other comments from the Pastors? Rev. Thomas: We’re just thankful to have the opportunity --- Mr. Mayor: Okay. Rev. Thomas: --- to present what we feel (unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: All right, so don’t go anywhere. All right, the Chair recognizes the st Commissioner from the 1. 7 Mr. Fennoy: Reverend Thomas, how is the development of Sandhill moving at this particular time? Rev. Thomas: Well, we have had several meetings with Hawthorne and Hawthorne’s present today Welcher and we’ll let him speak on that part of the redevelopment of Sandhill. Mr. Fennoy: Are you okay with that, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor: Sure. Mr. Welcher: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, you know as of direction how the Community Development Department has had several conversations with the delegation, Pastor delegation of Sandhill. Of course they are very adamant about their neighborhood from a revitalization standpoint. HCD has shared with them what it is, what the neighborhood transformation is, what it can be. We visually have provided that to them. We’ve also provided would be next steps so I think you know there’s definitely support from a neighborhood perspective and we have done everything within our willpower to sort of inform them to the best of our ability. Mr. Mayor: Continue. Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Welcher, one of the things that was shared with me by members of the Sandhill Community since I’ve been in office is that the only thing that they have had so far have been conversation. They want to see some action done a lot like what took place on Pine Street, a lot like what’s taken place around Twiggs Street. So what is it that you need from this Commission in order to make that happen? Mr. Welcher: If you follow the rules of the development you follow progressive steps. Today of course we’re not here to talk about you know what type of bond structures and those types things. But I think our next step if it’s the will of the body would be to go back and massage and revitalize to revise a development plan that was created back in ’03 and ’05. That would be your next step. Typically a development plan typically runs anywhere between $10 and $15,000 dollars so that would sort of be the next step if it’s the will of the body to answer your question. Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: You done --- Mr. Fennoy: --- I’m done. th Mr. Mayor: --- all right, thank you. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We realize this is not on the agenda to be voted on today but I’ve got several calls from the Sandhill Community about people have been and I use the word harass about selling their properties. People have been worried because people have been knocking on their doors and writing letters and even calling trying to get them to sell their property 8 in order to build I guess this project that’s been discussed today. And I’m glad that the preachers have come down and stood in numbers along with the neighborhood to let us know that we’ve got a community there that’s been left out for a long time and not just Sandhill now but that’s one of them. Mr. Welcher, we talked this morning about this same similar situation how growth happens on one side of town but doesn’t happen on the other side and that’s, my granddaddy used to say on the other side of the railroad tracks is where I live and nothing happens over there. But people are really sick and tired of being sick and tired. We’re trying to find a way hopefully through Housing and Urban Development preachers that we can move forward. Now if someone owns some land that’s a whole different process now when somebody owns their land. I heard Dr. Thomas talked about what the code says and single-family dwellings but the least of us that have been left out we need to be brought up to the table. We don’t need to be brought up after everything is over with. So I’m talking to Housing and Neighborhood Development. Now if this body needs to do something it needs to be brought to us for us to make those decisions and make those cuts if necessary to move stuff in those directions. Dr. Thomas, you wasn’t at this meeting this morning when we talked about East Augusta, same thing. Certain parts of the city are striving and other parts are not doing very well. And people are watching, people are looking, people are smarter now. These smart phones are pretty smart; they’re smarter than I am but people have gotten really educated about what’s going on. They’re looking and they’re looking at this body as to what we’re doing what is supposed to be done for the people in this community. I’m going to stay on it as much as I can, Dr. Thomas. You and the other preachers ought to know that we’re going to try and push it as much as we can. Now there’s a limit that we can if we don’t own any property. I heard someone mention about Pine Street and how to redevelop Pine Street. I’ve got some issues with that because we moved some folks out and brought some more folks in and they don’t look like the folks that left there either. So we need to understand what we’re building and how we’re building. We need to be inclusive. you might not like that but that’s the truth now and we need to be real. We need to be real about it because people are smart now. So I say that, Mr. Mayor, that we going to do what we can as an elected body to make sure that everybody’s fed from the same trough. Ya’ll know what I’m talking about. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9 --- Mr. Hasan: Sixth. Mr. Mayor: --- the sixth. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I’d like to speak to Mr. Welcher. Mr. Welcher, for the most part I think we as a governing body we understand some of the things that you bring to the table to some degree to make the things happen that the pastors want to happen in the Sandhills area. Can you, you don’t have to mention those things now but can you send us if it amounts to five things that you need from them to be partners in this relationship, you know it’s a relationship so can you just send that to all of us so we’ll have that. You don’t have to try and elaborate about that today but you can also let them see it so they’ll know what you’ve sent us that you expect from them as partners in trying to develop the Sandhill Community. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. 9 Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Is there any further discussions? All right, we appreciate you coming out, yes, sir. Dr. Thomas: I have one question. When will we know anything in terms of how the Commission will be voting towards putting the, putting this to rest because --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Next commission meeting, Rob? Next commission meeting, sir, so three weeks the first meeting in November. The Clerk: Yeah the first meeting, the first Tuesday in November. Dr. Thomas: --- great, one other question then I’ll put it to rest. th Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: November 5. Dr. Thomas: Why were we given the 60 days to come back? Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Rob, do you want to speak on this? Come forward. Dr. Thomas: We were asked, you all gave us a 60-day window --- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Right. Dr. Thomas: --- and we did what you all asked us to do and I’m just concerned why we have to come back if we held up our end of the deal. Mr. Sherman: Okay, I suppose to come back in 60 days with the plan that has been discussed in the neighborhood. The applicant is here, the zoning application like the Mayor said is not on the agenda today. We will put it back on the agenda for the first full, first Commission meeting in November. I believe everyone understands the, where the neighborhood is coming from and then a decision will be made at that time. Dr. Thomas: I’m not going to be confrontational but it’s still unfair. We brought the community here to show our position--- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yes, sir. Dr. Thomas: --- you all told us to come back in 60 days. We did that and now we’ve got to get everybody back together and do the same thing over and that’s unfair to the community. Mr. Mayor: Dr. Thomas, so one we want to be just in all of our dealings, we fully understand that. So this testimony that you provided it will be preserved as you well know it is being recorded. As such we will use that information as we’re making our decision at the meeting in November. Dr. Thomas: Thank you. 10 th Mr. Mayor: The next full Commission meeting is not until October 29 --- th The Clerk: No, November 5. thth. Mr. Mayor: --- November 5 I’m sorry November 5 The committee meeting will be on th the 29 and then the full Commission meeting will be on 5 November, okay if ya’ll just pause for a moment --- Dr. Thomas: Can it get back on the agenda? Mr. Mayor: --- we need to pause for a moment. All right, so let me frame this for everybody. This is a delegation. The delegation portions of our meeting this is where you effectively are able to come and provide public comment. This is the request of who asked to be on the delegation. We’ve provided them their 5 minutes and quite frankly 16 minutes. We’re not here to debate this matter. It is not on the agenda but what we will do is at that meeting provide opportunity when that petition is placed on the agenda you can bring your delegation back or you can chose not to but you will be heard. You will be heard if you chose to come back on 5 November, sir, and this delegation you will be heard and given the same amount of opportunity to speak to that matter at that time. But to your point you don’t want to have to marshal everybody and bring 39 people back next time 39 plus four. You don’t want in a nutshell to have to do that but you’re more than it is within your right to be able to do that as a community, okay? We have heard you and this body will take those things under consideration as we come to that meeting on 5 November okay? Mr. Sias: Mr. Mayor, may I make one comment? Mr. Mayor: All right, I’m going to give you a chance the Chair recognizes the th Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you sir and to the pastors I just want to remind you all you all are objecting to that agenda item. You’re not the applicant so therefore the process kind of works around the applicant. You are not being i.e. jerked around. It’s just the applicant’s item is not on the agenda at this time but you are able to present your side so it works around what the applicant is requesting, thank you. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. He’s not the, he is the applicant. That application is not on the agenda, it is not on my agenda. This was a delegation’s opportunity to come and have their voices heard and certainly he could’ve as well but I’m not going to debate this matter. This is not the day for that. I recognized you’re here today but we’re not going to debate this matter, okay, at that point. All right if you’ll approach, all right if you’ll state for the record just your name, who you are, sir. Mr. Steed: Bob Steed, Steed Realty Group. I represent the owner at 613 Johns Road and the only thing I want to do is clarify I’ll save everything else for the meeting. But to clarify because we’ve stated this several times that we are more than happy to build six freestanding single-family 11 homes. The exception we’re asking for moves it from four to six. It’s in the books. It was approved by the Planning Commission and we are more than happy to build six freestanding homes, no condominiums. So I didn’t want that to be a misunderstanding that carried forward. Mr. Mayor: Thank you very much. Madam Clerk. The Clerk: DELEGATIONS D. Mr. Danny Scott regarding a proposal in association with National Apprenticeship Week to eliminate Tire Blight and reduce illegal dumps through Green Demand Career Initiative Partnership. Mr. Mayor: Mr. Scott, if you would again state your address. You have five minutes, sir. Mr. Scott: Thank you, Mayor Hardie Davis and Augusta Commission for allowing me to speak regarding eliminating Tire Blight and reducing illegal dumps. Again my name is Danny Scott I’m the Executive Director of Studio Farmer Incorporated a 51C3 veteran led urban agribusiness startup that’s operated by limited resources of farmers. Studio Farmer is an Augusta Civic Group Tire Collection Program participant, an Augusta Land Bank Authority Pilot Project Partner and an energy assistance advocate for beneficiaries of donor support agriculture and we are delegates for the proclamation of Georgia Permitted Tire Carriers during National th Apprenticeship week. On April the 16 2019 the Augusta Commission approved an MOA for us to receive a 2019 Seeds for Life Grant that requires Studio Farmers to retain or hire at least one underserved person in the environment. Having said that we would like to announce that our participation with the Keep Augusta Beautiful Adopt a Spot and as a civic group tire collection program affiliate it has allowed us to identify an industry occupation that is most feasible solution to help eliminate tire blight, reduce illegal dumps, decrease the city budget and expand our donor knowledge of benefits for properly disposed tires. Basically what I would like to ask is that on behalf on National Apprenticeship Week and as a permitted tire carrier we’re asking that the Augusta Commission to recognize the value of apprenticeships by submitting a proclamation to appear on National Apprenticeship Week and to interact with that and allow us to change or adopt a spot name to promote industry awareness and the expense and the demand of clean career initiatives. This is my first agenda meeting so I’m not familiar with the protocol to even try to make that happen. I just knew I could submit for the agenda to come ask you guys in regards to Apprenticeship Week. Mr. Mayor: You’re doing mighty fine. Mr. Scott: (Unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair will entertain any kind of questions or comments of our presenter. Mr. M. Williams: I’d like to know just a little bit more about if he can enlighten me just a little bit more about what your group is doing and how successful it’s been. 12 Mr. Scott: Right now what we’re doing we’re helping the landfill, Solid Waste Department, reduce, address the tire blight situation especially with illegal dumps. When we first started with the program I think we just had started Seeds for Life Grant around the time. We identified an occupation that could be supported by Apprenticeship Week that will help create jobs. See one of the things it’s for, in the memorandum the MOA it states that well we’re required to create at least one occupation. The Civic Group Tire Collection Program that the landfill has has been basically kind of helped allow us to do that. I am meeting with the director, the new director of the landfill tomorrow in regards to how we can move forward with this program to make it more beneficial for the community. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, if I can I mean I get that point. My point is there’s a lot of illegal dumping of tires around the CSRA for sure. I can name you four or five places where tires are still sitting now. But my point is I need to know how your organization is doing that I guess moving those to a better place, am I making sense to you what I’m trying? Mr. Scott: Yeah, we basically actually people may be actually doing the illegal dumping are recognizing that what we’re how we’re helping the community they may say hey look, yeah people there’s one stipulation that does even allow us to deal with tire shops because they’re most likely the ones some of the ones doing illegal dumping. But from our efforts, what we have been doing we have gotten a lot of feedback from those particular entities of how they can participate with the project of even getting tires to an end use cycle, another beneficial use. So just by having those discussions I think we are able to help just reduce the problem all together and also address the MOA the Memorandum of Agreement for my Seeds of Life Grant of actually establishing an occupation of (unintelligible) farming. We have had several individuals in off Olive Road in the community that’s approved work with us you know so one of the biggest problems about who does it is that people don’t even have opportunities or any way of just engaging in the community to create social economic activities or anything like that. So I see this as one way of getting people to basically understand that how keeping their community clean ain’t just about, basically just volunteering. People want to see, they want to be more you know involved in it and the tire dealers now they’re looking at it and say hey look if this guy’s creating an Occupational Apprenticeship that’s going to basically help us or keep us from having to illegally dump tires, with us being a nonprofit we have a program now where people can donate the tires and that way we can also give them like a receipt on the fair market value of tires. So we have different incentives in place that could definitely address this issue but what we’re asking for from the Commission is to help us recognize National Apprenticeship Week in November. There’s a week in November that there will be celebrating National Apprenticeship Week and the occupational recycling and reclamation work is something that we’re going to be kind of celebrating during that week. The adopt a spot name right now when I first got when we first got it done kind of doesn’t reflect what we’re doing right now and I’d like to adopt a spot to kind of reflect that, that too. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. Okay, Mr. Scott, thank you for coming and sharing with us. Madam Clerk, I think what I’ve heard him ask for today is a proclamation from the Commission - -- 13 The Clerk: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, very well all right, thank you. Mr. Scott: Thank you again, Commission. The Clerk: I call your attention to our Consent Agenda which consists of Items 1 through 21, Items 1 through 21. For the benefit of any objectors to our Zoning petitions would you please signify your objection by raising your hand once the petition is read. I call your attention to: Item 2: Is a request for concurrence of approval requesting a change of zoning from a Zone A (Agriculture) to a Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) affecting property known as 2395 Gordon Highway. Item 3: Is a request for a Special Exception to establish as Family Personal Care Home on property known as 2503 W. Kensington Drive. Item 4: Is a request for concurrence to approve a petition for a Special Exception to establish an Inert Fill Area and Construction and Demolition Landfill at property known as 1710 Dixon Airline Road. Item 5: Is a request for approval with conditions a request for a change of zoning from a Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) to a Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) affecting property known as 622 Crawford Avenue. Mr. Mayor: Hold on. We’re going to let Ms. Bonner finish the roll and then we’ll come back and I will get the petitioners who are for or against a particular item, okay? Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Item 6: Is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone A (Agriculture) to a zone R-3B (Multiple-Family Residential) affecting property known as 1304 Flowing Wells Road. Item 7: Is a request for a change of zoning from a Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) and R-3C (Multiple-family Residential) to a Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) affecting property known as 1710 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Clerk: So do we have objectors to Item number 2? Are there objectors to Item number 3? Are there any objectors to Item number 4? Number 5, okay we need a count. Ms. Davis: I’ll count them, 24. The Clerk: 24, thank you. Mr. Sias: That’s the one that the petitioner requested to be deleted, correct? Mr. Mayor: That’s removed. The addendum item does not apply. 14 The Clerk: Are there any objectors to Item number 6? Number 7? Number 8? Okay, Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, our Consent Agenda consists of Items 1 through 21 with objectors to our Zoning Petition Item number 5. th The Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. B. Williams: I’d like to pull Number 5. Mr. Mayor: All right, pulling Number 5 the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the th 4. Mr. Sias: I’d like to pull Item 3 and 11. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to pull Item Number 4 please. rd Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 3. Ms. Davis: Mr. Mayor, I just have a couple of quick clarifications on 6 please. Mr. Mayor: All right, so we’re pulling Item Number 6. All right, thought I saw another hand. Ms. Davis: I think we’re good. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, Madam Clerk --- The Clerk: Sir --- Mr. Mayor: --- I think I’d like to pull Items 1 through 21. The Clerk: --- you’re pulling Items 1 through 21? Mr. Mayor: Yes, I’m just kidding, just kidding. Ms. Davis: I want to make a motion. rd Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 3 for a motion. Ms. Davis: I make a motion to approve. Mr. Hasan: Second. CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING 15 1. FINAL PLAT – MAYO PLACE TOWNHOMES – S-899 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Southern Partners, on behalf of Porter Fleming, to approve the final plat for Mayo Place Townhomes. This residential development is located on Elizabeth Court and contains 4 lots. Tax Map 006-0- 010-00-0. (Project under performance bond) DISTRICT 7 2. Z-19-39 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Crowell & Co., Inc. on behalf of 0890967 B. C. Ltd., requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 13.10 acres and known as 2395 Gordon Highway. Tax Map 067-0-001-00-0. DISTRICT 3 7. Z-19-47 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions below a petition by Trotter General LLC, on behalf of Melvin Barton Properties, requesting a change of zoning from Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) and R-3C (Multiple-family Residential) to Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) affecting property containing 2.26 acres and known as 1710 M.L. King Jr. Boulevard. Tax Map 059- 3-329-00-0 DISTRICT 1 1. This approval is to construct approximately 7,500 sq. ft. building with accompanying 30 parking spaces and will substantially comply with the proposed plan. 2. This project shall comply with all development standards and regulations set forth by the City of Augusta, GA. 8. ZA-R-257 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta Georgia by amending Section 2 – Definitions to remove the “no restaurant component” from the definition of Micro Brewery, Nano Brewery, Nano Distillery, Pico Brewery and Pico Distillery. PUBLIC SERVICES 9. Motion to approve the Change Order #1 to the contract with Southeast Site Services for Electrical Vault Building Original Bid #18-244A in the amount of $154,234.70. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 8, 2019) 10. Motion to approve a Resolution in support of a State Veterans Cemetery. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 8, 2019) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 12. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD’s) request to provide funding to assist one (1) low to moderate-income homebuyer with down- payment assistance to purchase a home in the Laney Walker Bethlehem Revitalization areas. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 8, 2019) 13. Motion to approve replacing Commission’s gas allowance with a $500.00 dollar a month car allowance. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 8, 2019) 14. Motion to approve recommendations from the Administrative Policies and Procedures Sub-Committee regarding the revised Severance Policy. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 8, 2019) FINANCE 15. Motion to approve asking for a waiver from the fee adjustment in 2019 and adjust the fees in 2020 with the budget calendar. (Approved by Finance Committee October 8, 2019) 16 16. Motion to authorize the preparation of the necessary resolution and documentation in order to issue water and sewerage revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $21,000,000 (the “Proposed Bonds”) in connection with capital projects supporting the expansion of the Fort Gordon water and sewerage system as described on Exhibit A; to authorize Augusta’s financial advisor, Davenport & Company LLC, to prepare and distribute a solicitation for proposals to all financial institutions the financial advisor deems to have an interest; and to bring back to the Commission such resolution and documentation along with a recommendation as to which proposal to accept for final approval. (Approved by Finance Committee October 8, 2019) ENGINEERING SERVICES 17. Motion to approve award of Bid Item #19-277 to Legacy Water Group, LLC. to construct the Fort Gordon Cross Basin Lift Station and Force Main under the Task Order Program RFQ #18-263 in the amount of $3,086,045.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 8, 2019) 18. Motion to determine that Merrimac Avenue North of Old Ironsides Boulevard, as shown on the attached map has ceased to be used by the public to the extent that no substantial public purpose is served by it or that it removal from the county road system is otherwise in the best public inters, and to receive as information the results of the public hearing held regarding the issue of abandonment pursuant to O.C.G.A. §32-7-2, with the abandoned property to be quit-claimed to the appropriate party(ies), as provided by law and an easement to be retained over the entire abandoned portion for existing or future utilities as directed by Augusta Engineering Department and Augusta Utilities Department and adopt the attached Resolution. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 8, 2019) 19. Motion to approve the installation of 22 street lights in the Haynes Station Phase 10 development with an annual cost of $6,951.12. Also approve the creation of a new lighting tax district for the 56 lots within Phase 10. Funding is available in Street Lighting budget account #2760416105312310. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 8, 2019) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 20. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Augusta Commission held on October 1, 2019 and Special Called Meeting held October 8, 2019. APPOINTMENT(S) 21. Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Quincy Jordon to the Housing & Community Development Citizens Advisory Board representing District 4. The Clerk: Who was that seconding? Mr. Hasan, thank you. Ms. Davis and Mr. Hasan. Mr. Mayor: All right, we’re ready, Madam Clerk, voting. The Clerk: Okay, can we get a show of hands, sir? Our voting machine is, Mr. Clarke yes, Mr. Hasan yes, Mr. Dennis Williams yes, Ms. Mary Davis, Commissioner Marion Williams, Mayor Pro Tem Frantom, Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Sias and Mr. Bobby Williams and Mr. Garrett out, thank you. 17 Mr. Garrett out. Motion Passes 9-0. \[Items 1, 2, 7-10, 12-21\] Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I’m going to Number 5. The Clerk: PLANNING 5. Z-19-45 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions below a petition by John P. Hitchcock requesting a change of zoning from a Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) to Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) affecting property containing 0.18 acres and known as 622 Crawford Avenue. Tax Map 035- 4-081-00-0 DISTRICT 1. Should the market cease to operate the property shall revert to the current R-1C zone and uses. 2. The structure must comply with all applicable building codes. 3. The site must comply with all applicable site plan regulations. th Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. B. Williams: Yes, sir. 622 Crawford Avenue is a place where you have a constituent trying to establish a commercial business in the neighborhood. And it is right across from Bethel AME Church and they are here today because they object to the rezoning so I believe we have the Pastor who will speak to it. Mr. Mayor: All right, very fine, Pastor from Bethel. Pastor: Thank you, Mayor and the council it’s my privilege to be here. I simply rise on behalf of all the members of Bethel AME Church to request that we remain as a residential one- family unit. We believe that changing the zoning in this particular area would adversely affect the properties and also the institutions such as churches surrounding it. And for the betterment of the community we will look forward to remaining as a residential area to do more work. st Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Motion to deny. Mr. B. Williams: Second. st Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion from the Commissioner from the 1 to deny and a second, voting. Motion Passes 10-0. The Clerk: Where are we headed, sir? Mr. Mayor: Well, I just want to make sure we get the right caption on this one. 18 The Clerk: Oh, it was Number 5. Mr. Mayor: It was? What had happened was Mr. Speaker: It stated Number 1 but we know it was for Number 5. Mr. Mayor: --- okay. All right, the Commissioner from the 8th out. He was here okay I think they call that a sneak attack he snuck in. Mr. B. Williams: I think they’re waiting on the results, Mayor. Mr. Mayor: No, we know what they are. It was unanimous. The Clerk: The record will reflect that there was a unanimous vote to deny Item Number 5, sir. Pastor: Mayor and Council if I will we want to thank the Mayor and the Council for their cooperation and we look forward to working with all of you in the future to build a better Augusta. Thank you. Mr. Mayor: Thank you. All right, Madam Clerk, we’re going to go to Number 4. The Clerk: PLANNING 4. Z-19-43 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions below a petition by Kirk S. Laney, on behalf of Dixon Airline Recycling & Disposal LLC, requesting a Special Exception to establish an Inert Fill Area and a Construction and Demolition Landfill per Section 24-2-18 and of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia and amend conditions from Z-18-31 affecting property containing approximately 52 acres of the total 150.76 acres and known as part of 1710 Dixon Airline Road. Part of Tax Map 145-0-033-00-0 DISTRICT 6 1. Approval be granted for a Construction and Demolition Landfill and an Inert Landfill on approximately 51.9 acres of land designated as “Proposed C&D-Inert Landfill with C&D-Inert Waste Recycling” as delineated on the Conceptual Site Plan submitted with the Special Exception application and which is located entirely east of the power transmission lines and easement and which is also currently zoned HI (Heavy Industrial). Those areas previously zoned by Special Exception (Z-18-31) in 2018-approximately 3.16 acre area for recycling of concrete product, and approximately 2.99 acre area for the recycling of asphalt product and an approximately 3.34 acre for the recycling of land clearing wood debris product for a total of 9.5 acres for recycling;, 2. An inspection by the City of Augusta and an inspection by the Georgia EPD must be conducted on the overall site and any deficiencies found on the subject property must be corrected or remedied prior to a business license being issued by the City of Augusta for any and all operations on the site;, 3. The cemetery on the property needs to be clearly delineated on any and all site plans, plats or depictions of the site, the required 19 cemetery buffer needs to be verified, and the cemetery and the require buffer need to be adequately fenced to prevent encroachment by any of the inert fill and construction and demolition fill and/or inert landfill or construction and demolition landfill activities and operations, should the cemetery be located in any of, or close by to any of, these areas; 4. A 200’ buffer similar to the one shown on the Conceptual Site Plan submitted with the Special Exception application must be enforced between the proposed inert landfill and Construction and Demolition landfill operations and the existing residential structures and also be enforced against the existing exterior boundaries of the subject property. In no case, shall an undisturbed buffer be reduced below 200 feet in width against the adjoining residential lots. 5. An annual inspection, as part of the annual business license renewal, shall be conducted by Augusta Code Enforcement inspectors to ensure compliance with all provisions of this zoning action and the previous zoning action for recycling (Z-18-31). 7. Should the inert landfill and Construction and Demolition Landfill activities and operations on the site cease, change in scope of work, or change in size a new Special Exception will have to be applied for prior to start of any future operation (other than the areas previously approved by Special Exception, in the specified areas, as part of Z-18-31 within this area. 8. The owner must maintain the proper permitting from EPD and DNR for any and all activities and operations on the subject property, including the 9.5 acres approved under Special Exception (Z-18-31) for the recycling areas. 9. The Site Plan for the Construction and Demolition Landfill and Inert Landfill must comply with all local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of development. 10. All Construction and Demolition Landfill and Inert Landfill activities and operations must be performed during the normal business hours of 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. 11. A Business License will be required prior to the start of any Construction and Demolition Landfill and Inert Landfill activities and operations. Permitting by the State for Construction and Demolition Landfill and Inert Landfill activities and operations will be required prior to the issuance of a Business License. Mr. Mayor: All right, Rob, if you’ll approach. The Chair recognizes the, well no not Rob th yeah maybe, maybe not yeah, all right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. Mr. M. Williams: --- Rob is standing there but I’ve got some information here. This is something that’s been back and forth on this dais for quite some time been through Planning and Zoning, been pulled off of Planning and Zoning and come back. There’s been violations back in th June I think June the 24 2019 there was a letter from EPD and EPA about some of the violations and some things that’ve happening there. So I asked the Clerk to pull those minutes and I want her to read as she passes those out to read those violations. And, Rob, you tell me how from June to today that those violations have been cleared. There was a letter that was sent out by our own staff stating some facts that the Commission did not approve, that we had no knowledge of and I’m just amazed at how this thing keeps coming back over and over and over again. So, Mr. Mayor, if the Clerk will just read those violations for me I would appreciate it. 20 Mr. Mayor: Okay let’s let everybody get what you’ve got right here, all right, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: These letters from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division to Mr. Wright McLeod regarding Dixon Airline Road th Recycling and Disposal LLC. On June 13 2019 an Environmental Protection Division representative met with the Dixon Airline Recycling and Disposal representative at the subject property to determine of the consent order were met. After the site visit the division representative conducted a final review and determined that the company remains out of compliance. This letter will summarize the continued flagrant and willful violations below: 1. Overall documentation law confirms the amount of concrete materials removed is 4,864 tons originally boring depth of a slurry by the CSRA testing and engineering in a pit estimated that approximately 9,375 tons were on the property. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, all right, you don’t have to read it all --- The Clerk: Okay. Mr. Mayor: --- I think now that we have copies in front of us, all right, Commissioner. Mr. M. Williams: I guess my question, Mr. Mayor, from this violation it proves where some material was carried out on 1750 Hephzibah/McBean Road and buried there. I’m appalled at how this keeps coming back. It came back through Planning. I spoke on it at that issue, have no vote in Planning I just sit on that board. But I just think that we will be making a grave mistake being that close to the airport we got our own landfill facility where we’ve been told how much more garbage we need. We say we only have one truck out there. We don’t have the funds to buy the equipment. How can we give any business away to somebody else if we’re not producing what we need to produce? So it’s a lot of confusion here I’m sure but I think we need to look at this very carefully. I think the Administrator and somebody else needs to go back and research this and make sure that we’re dotting all our ‘I’s’ and crossing all our ‘T’s’. I cannot understand from June th the 24 until now to this day that we’re supposed to believe that all this has been resolved. Now I didn’t know until I got into the research there was state and local EPD and EPA. The state is the one I’m really concerned about the infraction. So I think we need to look at this very, very carefully before we make the wrong decision in my mind. Trying to place it this stuff has been adamant. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, my concern here is the letter that we see th in the back that’s dated June the 18 2019 where it was written to Mr. McLeod and it says some very troubling things for me. It says, I’m going to read a couple of these bullet points making my bullet points. Historically Augusta believes that a competing C&D Landfill would have a significant function impact on Augusta’s Solid Waste Program however the news/updated data does not support such assertion. The new waste carriers that shows the Deans Bridge Road Landfill only receives 5% C&D material. This amounts the C&D does not create a significant financial risk to Augusta because. Then it goes on Augusta has seen a significant increase, yes, sir. 21 Mr. Mayor: (Inaudible) one second, can you tell us where you’re at right now? Mr. Hasan: If you look in your book behind the Item 4 when you look in the book behind the plans and stuff, the plan. Mr. Sias: (Unintelligible) paper where you passed out. Mr. Hasan: Sir? Mr. Sias: (Unintelligible). Mr. Hasan: Okay, do you see it, Mr. Mayor? Okay, it also says most of the C&D material received by Augusta controlled by Augusta and directed by Deans Bridge Landfill via contractor or other means. Then it says recently the Deans Bridge Road Landfill has seen an increase in tonnage due to the changes in the recycling market with the devaluation of the recycling market less material being recycled increasing the amount of waste received by Augusta thus lowering overall percentage of function impact of C&D materials. Let me just stop there, Mr. Mayor. My th first thing is this particular letter here was sent out by Ms. Becky on the 18 and prior to that (unintelligible) letter of consistency because of the one sent out by Ms. Videtto before she left. And the challenge for me, Mr. Mayor, number one, I don’t know where we have a new free market system. I’m not aware that we have approved this process to move forward and for a director to write a letter of support of this magnitude but it never come before the Commission especially when they have previously opposed this and they approve it going out the door. When you talk about there’s going to be no financial impact to Augusta, let me read that part then I’ll come back to that. It is furthermore that Augusta moving into a free market system Augusta general forum will see an overall benefit economic benefit through taxation, license fees, ad valorem tax sales, tax property, property taxes and consider other revenue generating methods. Mr. Mayor, I don’t see anything that supports that assertion and this is why I concur with my colleague Commissioner Williams. And I will say for the record, Commissioner Williams, in terms of the consent order we th do have a consent order here that’s August the 29 it gives some credence that Mr. McLeod to clean those things up those matters up I do need to say that for the record. But all these other things here, Mr. Mayor, I think our Administrator, our Law Department and our Planning & Zoning need to look at this because this is asserting that they will have no financial impact on our landfill and I don’t think anybody should make those kinds of decisions going out the door when they’re previously on the record of June/July of last year was against it themselves but going out the door they make this assertion and Ms. Becky who was the interim prior to the gentleman coming on board she follows up with the letter of consistency that concerns me and the Commission never authorized any of these things. Mr. Mayor: All right, Commissioner --- Mr. Hasan: So my motion will be to send this back to the Administrator to look at it with the Law Department and Planning and Zoning and try to find out the overall financial impact if any on our Landfill. 22 Mr. Mayor: --- all right, that’s your motion. Mr. M. Williams: Second. Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a second. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner th. from the 4All right, he waives. The Chair recognizes the Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Can we get some of these answers because I’m ready to make a substitute motion. Mr. Hasan: You can’t make an answer today because these are (unintelligible) you can’t get that answer today, Commissioner. First let them look into it. Mr. Mayor: All right, so I’ve got a motion and a second. There’s unreadiness. All right - -- Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I make a substitute to approve. Mr. Garrett: Second. Mr. M. Williams: Point of Order, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: --- all right, state your inquiry. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, sir. If these violations were, had happened when there was no license involved how can we control, how do we know that these violations will not reoccur? Tell me what’s been changed to make this event done the way it should be done versus just doing what was, been taken place. Here it is now 1750 Hephzibah/McBean Road. There was some illegal dumping materials moved then so it’s too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence now. I’m not opposed to any business. We’ve been told by directors, I called the new director who had not much input because he you know he just got here. But from the letter that was, came out of our Landfill opposing and as they go out the door the wording changed but we didn’t approve that. That didn’t come from this body. Mr. Mayor: All right, so let’s do this. You had a Point of Order and what you’ve done for us is kind of expressed further concern further establishing unreadiness. Why don’t we do this. Now our main motion is to simply refer this back to committee to have them find out those answers as it relates to impact. We have a substitute that says let’s just approve it without getting that information without ascertaining what the impact is. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I think Mr. Troutman will come to speak (unintelligible). Mr. Mayor: Okay, so then I’m okay with him coming to speak if we want to have somebody else speak on this but again I just want to state our posture right now, okay? All right, no, you stay right here, Dan. Okay, now I think what you can ascertain or at least speak to is the th issue of the business model. What I heard specifically from the Commissioner from the 6 was 23 wanting our staff to answer for us the overall impact as it relates to our Landfill and what that looks like. Are you prepared to answer that today? Okay, speak into the microphone, sir. Mr. Troutman: I’m not prepared to answer that today. Mr. Mayor: All right very well, okay. Mr. Troutman: Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners. Let me first say that the consent order that you are referring to in the first inspection revolved around the Department of Transportation doing a site inspection. And first off, I’m with Alternative Construction Environmental Solutions. We’ve been a consultant to Mr. Laney since he, before he acquired the property. And they took grindings from the interstate project with a DOT approval letter and placed them on the site out there. EPD changed regulations at some point in ’18 that no longer allowed that process. We happen to be the first site for them to come back out and look at. They have since required DOT to change their procedure. The reference you make to that inspection that the material was buried on another site is inaccurate. It was hauled to a site that showed a different address. The consent order had three addresses that material could go to. It was the same property just it’s in rural Richmond County and the addresses didn’t line up. It was the same property. Their subsequent inspection approved that. Their subsequent inspection approved that all the materials were spread properly. The subject inspection approved that it was all removed from the depositing area and that all testing and all work that was required by the consent order was completed by Mr. Laney and his staff. So the yes, they came out and did an interim inspection at my request. We were supposed to be done earlier and if ya’ll remember we had the rainiest spring we’ve had in a long time and it had to dry out to be moved and we had to extend the date and we asked them to come out and take a look and the lady that came out, Ms. Adrienne Tabor, issued that report saying no I don’t think you’re done. We had a meeting within two days of that event of receiving that letter and put about two-thirds of that to bed that being the address being the biggest thing because they did think we had hauled it to a place we weren’t permitted to. And we didn’t move any of it. It stayed there. It was fine. It was just an address error. The property was still the same property that it was supposed to be spread on for agricultural purposes. This is effectively lime. It doesn’t have the same value as agricultural lime because it’s a larger particle size but it is used for lime and it was spread on fields to be used for fertilizer. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor? Mr. Speaker: And if I could also speak --- Mr. Mayor: I’m sorry, if you could state --- Mr. Troutman: --- oh, I’m sorry, my name is Dan Troutman. I live at 1339 Wingfield Street and am an employee of Alternative Construction and Environmental Solutions in Augusta Georgia, I’m sorry. The Landfill question, there was a reference to us receiving a letter rejecting this from the landfill. We have never received that. As part of the State DOT state Environmental Protection Division requirements to permit a C&D or inert landfill you are required to go to the local landfill and make sure that it is in line with their waste plan. That was requested of them. At no time has this been thought to be a financial burden. Less than 2% of all of your waste is C&D as the letter 24 points out. You’ve even reduced your price on that. The majority of your C&D material is material you spec that has to go in there from the demolition of the blight houses in Augusta. Nobody takes C&D to a Subtitled D Landfill because it’s more expensive. There are C&D landfills and inert landfills that are less expensive and they haul it to the closest one and that’s where the business model is. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, let me respond to that. Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on. Okay, I’ve got a motion and a second but I’ve got a substitute motion that’s been provided to us the substitute and a proper second to the substitute. Let’s try to dispose of these two things, one for the substitute or if it doesn’t get sufficient support, okay? All right, the matter we’re voting on right now is the substitute which was to approve the request for Item 4, all right, and then we’ll come back. All right, voting. Ms. Davis, Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett and Mr. Clarke vote Yes. Mr. Fennoy, Mr. D. Williams, Mr. Sias, Mr. B. Williams, Mr. Hasan and Mr. M. Williams vote No. Motion Fails 4-6. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’ve got one more point. This letter states that they’re just summarizing what have continually flagrant and willful violations with this stuff. That tells me something. I don’t know what it would tell somebody else now but if they wrote that on the EPD letter here. Mr. Mayor: All right, so let’s do this. Let’s go ahead and vote on the main motion. The main motion was to refer this back to committee and get the information --- The Clerk: To the Administrator. Mr. M. Williams: To the Administrator. The Clerk: To the Administrator, the Attorney working with Environmental Services Department to determine financial --- Mr. Mayor: Impact. The Clerk: --- impact on the Augusta Environmental Services Department. Mr. Hasan: Planning, Ms. Bonner. Mr. Mayor: Voting. The Clerk: Planning? Okay, Planning Department. Mr. Mayor: Voting. 25 Mr. Clarke votes No. Motion Passes 9-1. Mr. Mayor: All right, thanks, Dan. Mr. Troutman: Am I allowed to ask a question? Mr. Mayor: Well, they’re going to follow back up with you and your team. Mr. Troutman: Okay that’s it so we’ll hear back from? Mr. Mayor: From the Administrator’s Office or Planning. Okay, thank you. All right, Number 3. The Clerk: No, he just referred it back to ya’ll (inaudible). Mr. Mayor: The Administrator working in partnership the Attorney. The question before us is around financial impact as you come out of the Administrator’s Office. th Mr. Troutman: That would be at the November 5 meeting. Mr. Mayor: That’s correct. We’re on number 3 and then we’ll just go top to bottom Madam Clerk. The Clerk: PLANNING 3. Z-19-42 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions below a petition by Nadine R. Pulling requesting a Special Exception to establish a Family Personal Care Home up to 6 residents per Section 26-1(H) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting property containing 0.26 on property known as 2503 W. Kensington Drive. Tax Map 107-0-265-00-0 DISTRICT 5 1. The home shall be staffed on a 7-day, 24-hour basis. 2. The home shall be limited to 4 residents total with staff coming in shifts. Any live-in staff will be counted towards the maximum occupancy of 4 residents. 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 Special Exception, or the Special Exception is void. 6. If wheelchair bound persons reside in the residence all 2010 ADA Standards 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. 26 th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I have a couple of questions I want to ask Mr. Sherman reference this item. You know I’m not particularly a fan of these businesses that move into the neighborhoods but the one thing, Mr. Sherman, on this particular agenda item (unintelligible) there is at least six major objectors that have to be met by this applicant. My concern is number one the timeframe that’s given for them. They’ll be from my personal opinion they’ll be operating long before they fix all those things. So here’s what I’d like to ask you. What is the process that Planning has to verify all these things are done and insure that they’re not having residents or anything until all that is done? That’s my question. Mr. Sherman: Okay, if I can start off with saying that it’s currently being used as a Personal Care Home 3 which is not required to come before you for approval. It’s allowed by just getting an SUP. So the owner has three clients there now. She’s asked for the Family Personal Care Home which allows up to six. She only wants four so she will have to be in compliance. The property has been inspected, it meets the square footage requirements, the bedroom requirements for having four people there and then everything else (unintelligible). Mr. Sias: You have six things in here that says need to be approved, need to meet comply with prior to approval. Mr. Sherman: Well the and these are the things that she’s already in compliance with and these are generally what we put on all the personal care homes requirements that it be staffed 7- days a week 24-hours a day, the home should be limited to four residents. That’s what she’s asking for. Any changes in the definition of use means she has to come back. The applicant must receive and maintain City of Augusta business license. She has one currently and comply with the state requirements. She’ll have to have it inspected by the state and everything has to be met within 6 months but in this case everything’s (inaudible). Mr. M. Williams: And if my colleague’s got any other questions can I get --- Mr. Sias: I wasn’t finished. Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, I thought you was finished. You were looking around like you were surprised at who’s in a leadership position. Mr. Sias: No, somebody was trying to tell me something. Mr. M. Williams: Okay. Mr. Sias: Okay, Mr. Sherman, so what you’re saying is all these things that you put on here these conditions have already been met? Mr. Sherman: Yes. 27 Mr. Sias: But then answer me a question. Why is the statement all requirements must be met in six months of approval of the Special Exemption? Mr. Sherman: Yeah, so that’s a statement we provide in the zoning ordinance when someone applies for a Special Exception all of the activities have to begin within six months. If it ceases to be used that way for one year then it loses its, that Special Exception status. This is just a stamp we put on it saying just remember these are the requirements. Mr. Sias: All right, I move to approve. Ms. Davis: Second. Mr. M. Williams: Commissioner Bobby Williams (inaudible). Mr. B. Williams: That’s good, I was going to do that. Mr. Hasan: I have a question. Mr. M. Williams: Commissioner Hasan. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Sherman, you said she’s up to six clients that can receive. Mr. Sherman: For a Family Personal Care Home by the ordinance you’re allowed up to six provided you have the space, etc. She’s only going to four. Mr. Hasan: But does she have space for six or you have, but (unintelligible) at this point. Mr. Sherman: She only has space for four. She’s got three --- Mr. Hasan: Okay --- Mr. Sherman: --- she’s only going for one more. Mr. Hasan: --- okay, thank you. Mr. M. Williams: We’ve got a motion and a second. All those in favor let it be known by the normal sign of voting. Mr. B. Williams: Do you want us to press the button? Mr. M. Williams: Wave your hand, it don’t make no difference. Mr. Clarke and Mr. Frantom out. Motion Passes 8-0. Mr. M. Williams: Next item, Madam Clerk. 28 The Clerk: PLANNING 6. Z-19-46 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions below a petition by Cranston Engineering Group, on behalf of MEM Real Estate LLC, requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone R-3B (Multiple-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 27.4 acres and known as 1304 Flowing Wells Road. Tax Map 029-0-045-00-0 DISTRICT 3 1. If this project does not materialize within one year from approval, the tract of land will revert back to Agriculture zoning. 2. This approval is for no more than 462 (17 units/acre) Acres, no less than 762 parking spaces, three (3) stories and shall substantially comply with the submitted plan. 3. This project shall comply with all development standards and regulations set forth by the City of Augusts, GA. Mr. M. Williams: Commissioner Davis. Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Sherman, I just wanted to get some reassurance about the traffic issues in that area especially Wrightsboro Road and Wheeler Road and it is just a two-lane road Flowing Wells, just wanted to make sure that was taken into consideration. I didn’t know if there was any provisions put in there for any traffic flow improvements if needed. Mr. Sherman: Okay the main entrance is Interstate Parkway and not Flowing Wells Road. Ms. Davis: Gotcha, okay I didn’t see that when I pulled it up. So ya’ll are comfortable as far as that traffic flow with the addition? Mr. Sherman: Yes, they’ll be conducting a traffic study as well. Ms. Davis: Okay, does that come back to you, Mr. Sherman, to ya’ll’s department? Mr. Sherman: It’s part of the site plan review (inaudible) review committee (inaudible). Ms. Davis: Okay and just to the applicant I just had some concerned citizens because of that Flowing Wells so I’m good. I’ll make a motion to approve. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’ve got a motion and a second, it’s on you. Mr. Mayor: Voting. Mr. Fennoy and Mr. Frantom out. Motion Passes 8-0. The Clerk: 29 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 11. Motion to approve an amendment to the AUGUSTA, GA CODE Section 1-2-13 (Rules of Procedure), Section 2.01.02 to clarify that any voting member of the Commission is permitted to make a motion at any point, without needing recognition by the Chair, during any public meeting of the Commission, to become effective upon approval. (Approved by the Commission on October 1, 2019 – second reading) th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. I just still number one that this is a bad agenda item for the decorum and rule application of our process and procedures so I’ll make a motion to deny. Mr. M. Mayor: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a substitute motion. Mr. Mayor: Hold on, hold on. Mr. B. Williams: I have a question, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: I’m sorry. Mr. B. Williams: I have a question. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, that fails, there’s no proper second. All right, the Chair th recognizes the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. B. Williams: Is this if you make a motion that still doesn’t allow you talk, it just allows you to make a motion. Is that what we’re doing? Mr. Mayor: Well --- Mr. B. Williams: It just allows you to say --- Mr. Mayor: --- it says that debate begins at the point in time you make a motion. Mr. B. Williams: --- but you can’t but you don’t start speaking. Mr. Mayor: Well, I think what we’re saying is --- Mr. Hasan: Come on, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: --- if you take number eleven, if you take number eleven, the practice I mean I didn’t realize that there had been on October 1 that this was approved because that wasn’t the posture I thought we were in but at the end of the day I mean we don’t need to keep playing around with this. What we’re saying is anybody can just blurt out at any time and say motion to approve so if you start talking, I can say motion to approve --- 30 Mr. B. Williams: --- right. Mr. Mayor: --- while you talk. Mr. M. Williams: That don’t stop you from talking either --- Mr. Mayor: That’s right. Mr. M. Williams: --- you just made a motion to approve. Now you’re going to complicate this now. We done did this enough. Anybody can make a motion. Our legal counsel has told us that practice becomes our rules. So we approved that anybody can make a motion. That doesn’t stop you from talking, you can’t stop people from talking. These are elected grown people up here. You cannot do that, because you’re the problem, man, you’re creating stuff. You tried to confuse my colleagues a few minutes ago when anybody can say something and that was an outright lie. That was not true. Mr. B. Williams: Let’s call for the vote. Mr. M. Williams: No, I’m not going to sit here and act as if I don’t see what you’re doing. Maybe no one else does. Mr. Mayor: You’re the only person who’s confused. Mr. M. Williams: I make a motion to approve. Ms. Davis: Second. Mr. Mayor: We have a motion and a second, voting. You’ve been here 16 years and you’re still confused. Mr. M. Williams: That’s right. I’ll still be confused when I leave here being around folks like you. Ain’t no way I’ll get straightened out. Ms. Davis, Mr. B. Williams, Mr. Hasan, Mr. Garrett, Mr. M. Williams and Mr. Clarke vote Yes. Mr. D. Williams, Mr. Fennoy and Mr. Sias vote No. Mr. Frantom out. Motion Passes 6-3. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, I think we’re on the regular agenda at this point. The Clerk: PUBLIC SERVICES 31 22. Accept funding awards from GDOT for: 1) Metropolitan Transportation Planning Services Contract (PI#0016551-PLN) in the amount of $373,763.20. Local match requirement is $93,440.80 2) 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (PI# 0016812-PLN) in the amount of $216,000.00. Local match requirement is $54,000.00 Ms. Speaker: Good afternoon. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. Move to approve. Mr. D. Williams: Second. Mr. Mayor: Voting. Mr. Frantom out. Motion passes 9-0. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 23. Discuss Depot Project. (Requested by Commissioner Ben Hasan. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, in talking with a couple of my colleagues the last couple of days there’s a little unreadiness right now and at the same time we do know that there’s arrangements being made for all the principals to come and meet over the next couple of weeks so at this time I’ll respect that and make a motion to delete this from the agenda. Mr. Sias: Second. Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a motion and a second to delete, voting. Mr. Frantom out. Motion Passes 9-0. The Clerk: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 24. Discuss/receive information from Human Resources Department regarding the city’s process and procedures relative to Work Place Violence incidents involving city’s workforce. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams) th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. 32 Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I asked the Clerk to have this put on the agenda because I have requested this information for at least 30 to 40 days and when I made the Clerk aware of my intent to put it on the agenda I finally got some information. But I need to know from the Administrator or from whomever the process and procedure when there’s workplace violence what happens, what’s the procedure. First I need to know why I couldn’t receive this information I guess that’s my first point is after I requested it through the Clerk’s Office and still didn’t get it until I threatened to put it on the agenda and after I got the information after that I told the Clerk to leave it on the agenda. So --- Mr. Mayor: All right, Administrator Sims. Mr. Sims: Commissioner Williams, your question, your first question regarding workplace violence we have someone from Risk that would be able to really go into the details about the process and procedure regarding that. As far as your second question as far as the notification of the issue once the Administrator’s Office was aware of the matter we reached out and followed up on that matter. Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, if someone’s coming to give me the procedures is that what we’ll do now? Mr. Crozier is going to tell me how the procedure’s supposed to work because it didn’t work like that. And my next question and you can get ready for it if it did work, why didn’t work like that? I want to hear his answers. If there’s a procedure --- Mr. Sims: Yes, sir. Mr. M. Williams: --- and it was done by the procedure then it should’ve been done by the procedure all the way so, Mr. Crozier, if you can help me understand. Mr. Crozier: Yes, sir, good afternoon. We do have procedures for workplace violence in the PPPM on Pages 119 and 120 and it basically calls for us to try to make sure everybody is safe, we separate people when necessary and work with the departments and take action on an individual if it’s necessary. Mr. M. Williams: Okay, so was the procedure followed that you know of? Mr. Crozier: On what particular incident? I think I need to be careful answering on individual circumstances. Mr. M. Williams: I’m being told by my legal attorney today I don’t keep him all the time but today he’s telling me don’t disclose nothing but Human Resources knows about this incident and if Human Resources knows about the incident I guess they may be the one to answer because if you don’t know then that means the procedure wasn’t followed because did it go to your office? Ya’ll handle that? Mr. Crozier: Yes, sir, very often we are brought into the situation and work with the departments. We work with several departments to try to make sure everybody is safe and separated when necessary to work things out. 33 Mr. M. Williams: Well I guess, Mr. Mayor, I’m not getting my answers and I know I’ve got to talk light around naming what the incident was and who it happens to but ain’t nobody explained to me what process did happen. I guess that’s the best way to answer the question. Tell me how it was handled through H.R. whether it be the Administrator, the Attorney, or someone from H.R. I see Ms. Williams over there but somebody needs to explain to me what did happen. th, Mr. Mayor: Let me ask this question, Mr. Commissioner from the 9 let me entertain a motion to move this to Executive Session --- Mr. B. Williams: So moved. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: --- so that, because if the answer you want that’s the place for you to get that full answer. Mr. M. Williams: Well --- Mr. Mayor: Everybody’s dancing trying to figure out who and/or what is the issue, okay? So let’s talk about it in there if you don’t mind. Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, I mean are we going into Legal now are you saying or are you talking about putting this on Legal for next week which is going to be at least three months I’ve been requesting this information now. Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ll entertain a motion to go into Executive Session now. Mr. M. Williams: So moved. Mr. Fennoy: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, voting. I’ll give Madam Clerk time to get ready. All right, motion to enter into Executive Session. Mr. M. Williams: Just taking this one item, is that right? Mr. Mayor: Single item. Mr. M. Williams: Okay, single item. Mr. Brown: Personnel. Ms. Davis, Mr. B. Williams, Mr. Hasan, Mr. M. Williams and Mr. Clarke vote Yes. Mr. Fennoy and Mr. D. Williams vote No. Mr. Sias, Mr. Frantom and Mr. Garrett out. 34 Motion Fails 5-2. Mr. M. Williams: So, Mr. Mayor, since we can’t go into Legal could we continue to talk about this issue because this issue’s going to get resolved. I mean I’m tired of people in position doing things the way they want to do it and not by the rules. That’s why we’ve got them. Now we’ve got enough problems up here with the rules but you get paid. We don’t get paid. Those that get paid are going to follow the rules now, those that get paid. Now I don’t know about these fellas up here they ain’t making much, they’re making the same I’m making. Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor --- th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. B. Williams: --- I make a motion that we send it to Legal for next week. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: Okay, all right, we’re going to refer this to the next Executive Session meeting th that’s scheduled for the 29. All right, that’s our motion, voting. Mr. M. Williams: It’s still going to be three months before I get an answer. Mr. Mayor: No --- Mr. M. Williams: Yeah, it is. th Mr. Hasan: On the 29. Mr. M. Williams: Yeah, but you don’t know when this thing started --- Mr. Mayor: --- I don’t. Mr. M. Williams: but you don’t know. It’s going to still be three months like I said. Mr. Mayor: Okay, okay, common set of facts. Mr. M. Williams: Common set of facts. Mr. Mayor: I don’t know what’s going on. Mr. M. Williams: I mean I requested the information and then just lately just no response and I got onto the Clerk and I said well put it on the agenda and that’s how I finally got something. Mr. Mayor: All right, voting. Mr. Frantom and Mr. Garrett out. 35 Motion Passes 8-0. The Clerk: PUBLIC SAFETY 25. Motion to ask the Fire Chief to pursue all possible avenues to get all three fire stations constructed as scheduled and bring back a report at the Commission meeting. (Regarding the Fire Station Construction funded by SPLOST 7 and motion to approve the award of Bid Item #19-185 to R. W. Allen for the construction of Fire Station #20 for a total contract price of $3,260,075 and to authorize the Mayor to execute the appropriate documents). (Approved by Public Safety Committee October 8, 2019) Mr. Mayor: All right, we’re going to ask the Fire Chief to approach. All right, this was approved by the Public Safety Committee. All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from th the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. Chief James, this was about there had been in the works and the plans to build three new fire stations in the City of Augusta, one on Telfair Street, one out on off of Deans Bridge and the other one off Gordon Highway and I know the one at Telfair is already under construction and moving along rapidly. Then there were the other two one on Deans Bridge and the other one but I think as you noted in your previous audience with the Commission construction costs had went up 32% and those other two fire stations you were having you were short of funds to build both of them and you were considering delaying one and that was very concerning to myself and others. And so the question was how much money you were short and I think you indicated probably about $2 million under the new construction costs and what we asked you to do was go back and see if there were monies from your fund balance or other sources that you could do to get these two fire stations built particularly the one on Gordon Highway with all the growth that we have out there and that is for me is a definite public safety priority. So were you able to locate and find availability to the total money additional money you would need in your fund balance? Chief James: Yes, sir, we do have the available funds in our fund balance to cover the construction costs so that we can build all three stations. Mr. Sias: I would like to make a motion to approve the Chief getting his money from his fund balance. Mr. Hasan: Second, I have a question, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: I’m going to come to you. All right, I’ve got a motion and a second to approve the Clerk has that recorded. All right, I’m coming to you. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner th from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor --- Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir. 36 Mr. Hasan: --- Chief James --- Chief James: Yes, sir. Mr. Hasan: --- let me say, are you at the point needing two more stations or you need a total of three stations because you’ve got one on Telfair Street. I think my colleague mentioned that. Is that one of the three? Chief James: Yes, sir. Mr. Hasan: That’s one of the three so was there any addition in costs there? Not change orders, I’m not talking about a change order. I’m talking about additional costs in construction from the SPLOST 7. Chief James: Yes, the initial fire station came in at $3 million dollars --- Mr. Hasan: --- okay. Chief James: --- which was about a half million dollars more than was budgeted in 2014/15 --- Mr. Hasan: Okay --- Chief James: --- from SPLOST. Mr. Hasan: --- okay, my colleague also mentioned so for other words for the two that you need so you need money for two additional stations and not three. Chief James: Yes, sir. Mr. Hasan: Okay and so then how much money do you need for those two additional stations above what your current price factor was? Chief James: It’ll be as I said last week a little over $2 million dollars to make sure that we cover the cost for all of them. Mr. Hasan: And so that goes back to the 32% increase in construction since SPLOST 7 was passed? Chief James: Yes, sir. Mr. Hasan: Okay, thank you very much. The Clerk: Mr. Mayor? 37 Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Before you finish Mr. Sias to get clarification on your motion that was to approve Station #3 construction from fund balance and approve Fire Station # 20 as listed in the agenda item, is that correct? Mr. Sias: Yes and no, let me just kind of clarify was that for the Chief to get the additional funds from his fund balance --- The Clerk: Right. Mr. Sias: --- to complete the whole set of stations. The Clerk: Well, they have it for #20 so the fund balance will be used for the two additional stations, Chief? Chief James: There are current funds in SPLOST 7 to complete Station #20. When we go to complete Station #3 the new Station #3 at Gordon Highway and Powell Road then we will use the remaining SPLOST 7 funds and any overage of that will be we will be requesting that we use fund balance. When that station goes out for bid, the total price, we will still have to come back to Commission and get approval. Mr. Sias: But you’ll only be coming back to get approval for the purchase. You won’t have to be coming back to get approval for additional money if we take care of that today. Chief James: Correct. Mr. Sias: So do I need to modify my motion and say for additional funds to complete Station #3 only? Chief James: Yes, sir, that’ll be fine. Mr. Sias: It was a little bit broader you need some slack but that’s fine my colleague down there (unintelligible). Chief James: Also to go ahead and award Station #20 as requested in the item. In the item we’re requesting that we approve Station #20 because those funds are already available in the SPLOST 7. Mr. Sias: And what you asked for approval today as well? Chief James: Yes, sir. Mr. Sias: Okay, let me try that again, Ms. Bonner. Thank you, Mayor, for that we complete approve Station #20 and also approve any additional funds from fund balance to execute and complete Station #3. 38 Mr. Hasan: Second. The Clerk: Sounds good. Mr. Hasan: Is that what you needed? Chief James: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I’ve got a clearly stated motion and a second. The Chair recognizes the th Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m in support of what’s been said but these stations will still have to be bidded out. Procurement and the Compliance Director will still have the same input. I don’t want to approve anything. I mean I’m trying to figure out why we I mean unless the fire station’s going in the ground why are we trying to rush this and say that you know we got to go approve this like we were told we weren’t going to approve no more. If everything’s going through a normal process why is this even necessary in my, I’m just asking the question. Mr. Mayor: So the reason we’re having this conversation is that there’s a funding shortfall. When they came and scoped the project for the building of new fire stations pursuant to SPLOST 7, that was passed by 62% in 2015. You concluded that there was a shortfall. And now they’ve identified a funding source for any shortfall that may happen as it relates to Station #20 and whatever that third one is (inaudible). Mr. M. Williams: Okay I get that, Mr. Mayor. Like you say I’m going to be messed up I leave here but I’m smart enough to understand that there’s been a process --- Mr. Mayor: Yeah (inaudible) normal procurement process. Mr. M. Williams: --- through normal procurement process so, Chief, what’s in your fund balance? I mean if you’ve got enough monies there to do that how much do you have in your fund balance? Chief James: In the fund balance the unreserved fund balance we have $8.8 million. Mr. M. Williams: $8.8 million. Okay that helps me understand that there shouldn’t be no shortfall, there shouldn’t be no problem. We act as if we’re going to take the money and put it in the Clerk’s Office and we ain’t talked about that so I don’t get it but as long as we go through the same procurement necessary, the same bid process. I see R.W. Allen has built four or five. I don’t know who’s going to build the next four or five but if it goes through the same process I ain’t got no problem with it but we act as if something was happening and we wasn’t giving them any money. If he had came and told this body he was short and he had money in the fund balance we would approve that. That’d be crazy not to. Mr. Mayor: That’s why you’re having the conversation (unintelligible). 39 Mr. M. Williams: Well, it makes it seem like --- Mr. Mayor: He done exactly what you said. Mr. M. Williams: --- okay, all right. Mr. Mayor: All right, voting. Mr. Frantom and Mr. Garrett out. Motion Passes 8-0. The Clerk: FINANCE 26. Motion to approve the Contribution Agreement between The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts and the Augusta-Richmond County Board of Commissioners. (No recommendation from Finance Committee October 8, 2019) Mr. D. Williams: Move for approval. Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. Mayor: Voting. Mr. Frantom and Mr. Garrett out. Motion Passes 8-0. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, let’s go to Item Number 28. The Clerk: APPOINTMENTS 28. Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Shell Knox Berry to the Economic Development Authority to fill the vacant position previously held by Pat Schaffer effective immediately. (Requested by Commissioner Mary Davis) Mr. B. Williams: So moved. Mr. Fennoy: Second. Mr. Mayor: I’ve got a motion and a second. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from th the 4. Mr. Sias: That rule ain’t changed yet so but I’ll withdraw for the sake of decorum. 40 Mr. Mayor: Voting. Mr. Frantom and Mr. Garrett out. Motion Passes 8-0. Mr. Mayor: I think I’m giving out of gas today. That’s probably what it is. I’m going to eat a cookie and recharge in a minute. The Clerk: Get your sugar level up. Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I’m going to recharge. The Clerk: FINANCE 27. Discuss the inadequate advertising for events held at the Augusta Common. (Requested by Commissioner Bill Fennoy) st Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1. Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, I had an opportunity to go to the James Brown Birthday Bash in The Commons. It was a free event but only a handful of people were there. And then later on I had an opportunity to visit the, attend the Angie Stone Concert. Again there was only a handful of people there. And most recently it was the Drifters and the Tams and all three events were excellent events. I mean they put on a good show but the attendance was very poor. And I saw Marion over there by James Brown. Evidently he knew he had some tickets but he said he didn’t know anything about it. And a lot of people that I talked to said that the reason that they didn’t go because they didn’t know. I think Ron and I had a discussion at one of the events about the attendance and I just want to happen, what needs to happen so that if there’s an event in The Commons area we get the support that we need from the city and the people in the city in order to make these events successful. th Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Commissioner Fennoy is right. I was downtown and it was an excellent, excellent, excellent event but this is not the first time that I have said that we don’t promote or advertise anything positive in Augusta. All the negative stuff flies everywhere but we don’t do any support. Now with all the money we spend on a lot of different things, Sylvia, but we, I don’t understand how we could have an event such as the one that was last week at The Commons. It wasn’t on the radio, it wasn’t on TV, it wasn’t on social media. In fact a better question to ask Ron, where was it advertised at because it was not publicized enough for anybody to want to come and spend time. Augusta is the center point of this area now. You may think it’s Evans Town Center but that’s not true. But you here that on the radio, TV we hear it all over the place. And it's a poor frog my granddaddy said don’t praise his own pond. You heard that before hadn’t you, Sylvia? Well, I don’t understand why we can’t see that we have to advertise. I tried to do a business a long time ago, Mr. Mayor, and the man told me said a sign or no business a sign 41 without business is a sign of no business. That means if we don’t think it’s good how do we expect for other folks to think it’s good? If we don’t promote it, if we don’t put it out there, how do we expect other people to do it? So all I’m asking this body is to not to get onto Ron but put some money in play so we can spend money with the Chronicle. We can spend money with all the TV stations. We can spend money wherever it’s necessary to promote our events. That’s why we are lacking. That’s why people thinking that I mean if you don’t care about yourself who do you expect to come in and praise it? So Commissioner Fennoy came out of the facility and other people came out talking about what a great event it was but it was very little participation and I chalk that up as to who we advertise with what we talked about. We don’t do nothing unless it’s negative and that’s going to spread. You don’t have to promote that; it’s going to spread by itself. But we ought to push those events with some dollars behind them. Now the more money you spend it looks like the more money you ought to make and I’m not just talking about local people I’m talking about around the CSRA around Augusta, South Carolina, Waynesboro, Thomson, everywhere. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I hope my colleagues don’t take offense to what I’m about to say. I agree with Commissioner Fennoy and Commissioner Williams and so what I’m about to say is the previous director as well as Mr. Houck at this point the thing that concerns me every time we ask about these issues I do know that they’re the directors of that department but the person most notably who handles those things is Ms. Yolanda, I don’t know her last name. But you know she ought to be here too to try to tell us what’s going wrong because she’s directly the feet on the ground around (unintelligible) I think I might’ve mentioned it to you the last time. I don’t think it’s no offense to yourself, Mr. Ron, I don’t know whether you feel that way or not and I know you may have the details but here’s a person you have on the ground everyday that’s live and breathing on that site and we need to probably hear directly from her but maybe we’re just whistling Dixie we’re not going to make nothing happen and maybe she can give us some insight what is not happening and what we can invest in. And so for me I would just appreciate that don’t mean nothing will change but we need to hear I would think the person who’s directly engaged in that whether it’s radio stations or what have you to try to give us some insight on what we can do better and I just think that just makes good sense to me. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. B. Williams: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. I want to make a motion that we ask the Recreation Department to come up with strategic plans for advertisement and to report back to us in 30 days. Mr. Fennoy: I’ll second that. Mr. M. Williams: I’ll second that too. I had a comment, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: All right, I’ve got a motion and a second. All right, we know what that is. Madam Clerk, she’s tracking it. I’m going to go all the way down to the end, the Commissioner th from the 10. 42 Mr. Clarke: I just have one probably inquiry here is that I want to know what the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau’s part they have in playing in this. It seems like they would be promoting the events in Augusta, Georgia as well and I’d just like to get an answer from them. Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, I’m trying to get my fighting spirit back. The cookie didn’t do it for me. I see I’ve got, I’ve got my son the reporter here so I’m going to get on my preaching soapbox now. We have on more than one occasion had this conversation. We have talked about Go Augusta. We have approved these new promotional icons with the green GO on them and yet we still keep having these conversations. We have approved the $150,000 dollars to say we’re going to use these resources for this purpose and absent me getting a text message I didn’t know the Tams, the Drifters, Angie Stone, and I’m the Mayor of the doggone city, had no idea. We are as disconnected when it comes to the things that we should be doing in your words creating this wow factor, creating this synergistic approach to how we talk about what’s going on in our city whether we’re working collaboratively with the CVB, whether we’re working with the Arts Council and I’m sick and tired of it. I’m just going to be frank with you I’m just sick and tired of it. Week after week, month after month we go through this disconnected fashion of trying to do things in our city that ultimately end up with very little to show for of where we create that momentum, that passion, that energy. I started this conversation a year, four years nine months and 15 days ago, Madam Clerk --- Mr. Hasan: Who’s counting? Mr. Mayor: --- I am, about a Communications Department to focus solely around talking about Augusta and what we’re going to do, what we’re doing and it falls on deaf ears because it’s th the Mayor’s idea. Well, in the words of the Commissioner from the 9 they pay me big bucks to have ideas and what I need then is a group willing to support some of these ideas and all I’m interested in is how do we create an Augusta that works for everybody. So we can call Yolanda down here, we can call Benish Brown down here but until we decide if we’re going to put in place a framework for an organization that works we’re just casting pearls before swine and ultimately ending up with the same results in wanting something different. And in a few minutes we’re going to have a budget conversation and this budget doesn’t talk about a Communications Department, it doesn’t talk about marketing, it doesn’t talk about any of those things and I’m sick and tired of it. They tell me when you get sick and tired you do something different so I want to know whether we’re going to do something different. We’ve got GO green icons GO Augusta, Grow Augusta I’ve got the governor riding from one side of the state to the other talking about Georgia Grown. He was down in Moultrie, Georgia just yesterday with jalapeno sausage burgers and everything else. I’m right here in Augusta Georgia. I want to doggone see something different; that’s what I want to see. So you already got $150,000 dollars to help you with marketing and promotions and if it ain’t happening, it’s because of this body right here not deciding to lay aside the political weapons of warfare of who’s idea it was and say we’re going to get something done. That’s what I want to know. And I’m going to come back to you and I’m going to go all the way down to the th end. The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Now we spent all that money on Go Augusta like you just mentioned, Mr. Mayor, and I questioned all that about we spent all that money from two letters and they got the same two letters in Aiken, Go Aiken and we spend I don’t know how 43 many thousands of dollars, Ms. Bonner, to I say, we had folks come up from Florida to tell us about Go Augusta. I mean I couldn’t believe that but we spent that money. But water runs downhill. Now we can call Yolanda in, we can Ron in. We need to tell them what they’re going to do. We need to give them the resources to do it. We don’t need to ask them what they need. We need to tell them this is what they’re going to do to promote our city in a lot of different areas. Now here it is again, Mr. Mayor, we sit up here and we talk about, the buck stops with us. The tail shouldn’t keep wagging the dog all the time. It ought to be sometimes when we can say we’re going in this direction. So we don’t need to get Ron, Yolanda. We need to tell them what we’re going to do with advertising, we need to tell the Administrator what we need to have in our budget, every event we need to promote in Augusta ought to be on everything everybody else is on all the radio stations not just country and western that I like. All radio stations ought to be advertising with us. All TV stations ought to be advertising with us but we don’t do that like you say and we sit here and say what are we going to do. When an event comes to this city we ain’t talking about the people just in Augusta. When I talk about advertising, Mr. Mayor, I think about far reaching people, Saluda, everywhere our TV stations, our radio stations goes we’re advertising. Now we’re not advertising Augusta but we hadn’t made anybody do their job. We had not given them the resources to do their job. If we give them the resources tell them what we want it’s up to them to do it our find another body to go in their place to do it. That’s easy, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor: Well, I thought so for four years, 10 months, 15 days ago too but clearly it’s th. not that easy. I believe that there’s a motion down here from the Commissioner from the 5 I think it’s part of the solution but we need to expand that and I think you’ve got a second from the st Commissioner from the 1. But this is a matter we need to clearly sit down and decide what we’re going to be as a city with these types of things and unless we’re having that complete conversation we’re just wasting our time. Mr. M. Williams: Mr. Mayor, that event Fennoy talked about was as professional as you ever could find anywhere and not just to singing, not just the sound but the special effects with the lighting was as good as you’re going to find anywhere. I was amazed and you can count the people. And the police officer sitting out there now don’t get me started on them they’re out their lollygagging like it’s this old man don’t, that’s a whole other issue so let’s go on and take a vote, what’re we going to do because. Mr. Mayor: Okay all right, we’re ready to vote. Mr. Sias: I’m ready to vote too. I had my hand up. Mr. Mayor: Okay, I didn’t see that. Okay, I didn’t see you. The Chair recognizes the th Commissioner from the 4. Mr. Sias: Thank you, sir. It’s been my reminder this body on more than one occasion that we have a very professional organization that can help promote and advertise this city and an event and that’s the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. And we already have now, you can shake your head if you want to Commissioner but I’m going to say what I’ve got to say now. Mr. Hasan: I’m agreeing with you, you don’t want me to agree with you? 44 Mr. Sias: Not the way you look. But anyway we have a very professional organization that can get this done but we will not allow them to do it. We keep hodgepodging. I’m going to agree with what you said a little over here and a little over there and Rec folks that are stressed out trying to get their day to day duties done and we have an organization that’s right here ready and willing to do and do what we ask them to do as far as those things and they know how to do it but we won’t utilize them. Is there a motion to utilize them? Mr. B. Williams: No, is that the CVB you’re talking about? Mr. Sias: Yes, thank you, sir. I guess you can recognize him now. Mr. Mayor: I’m ready to vote. Mr. B. Williams: All right, can we can I change my motion to CVB instead of Recreation Department? Come on Mayor, all right --- The Clerk: (Unintelligible) I assumed you were directing it to Administration to put together with appropriate staff --- Mr. Sias: (Unintelligible) CVB. Mr. B. Williams: --- so you have Administration. The Clerk: --- to include, yes, sir. Mr. B. Williams: Okay and that’s fine. The Mayor has a headache, come on now. Mr. Sias: So what’s your motion? Mr. B. Williams: Motion is Administration to put together a plan --- The Clerk: Strategic plan --- Mr. B. Williams: --- strategic plan --- The Clerk: --- (unintelligible) to include the CVB. Mr. B. Williams: --- yes, ma’am, that sounds good. Mr. Sias: Didn’t we do that a while back when we requested that the CVB be the lead agency --- Mr. B. Williams: That was for --- Mr. Sias: --- what was that for? 45 Mr. B. Williams: --- downtown. Mr. M. Williams: Putting up a James Brown something and they ain’t did nothing in the 16 years I’ve been here. Tell me (unintelligible). Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor, she’s got the motion let’s vote please. She’s got the motion, she’s got the motion. Let’s vote please. Mr. Mayor: Voting. Mr. B. Williams: Thank you. st, Mr. Mayor: The Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 1 state your inquiry. Mr. Frantom and Mr. Garrett out. Motion Passes 8-0. Mr. Fennoy: Mr. Mayor, a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to go to Perry Georgia and on the radio station in Perry Georgia I heard them advertising the KISS Family Reunion. I think we’ve got the resources here we just need to communicate and pull everybody together to make stuff happen. Mr. Mayor: All right, Madam Clerk, we’re going to stand at ease for five minutes. Mr. Mayor: All right, okay, we’re going to go ahead and get started and, all right the Chair recognizes Administrator Sims. You have seven minutes, I’m just kidding. The Clerk: Five more than he needed. Mr. Mayor: That’s right, just kidding just kidding. Mr. Sims: Good afternoon, Mayor and members of the Commission. I am pleased to present for your consideration the Administrator’s recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2020. This budget reflects Augusta, Georgia’s commitment to provide a safe and healthy community with a high quality of life for our citizens. This budget made every reasonable attempt to align with Funding Proposal Priorities determined by the survey. I’m happy to present the 2020 Proposed Budget that reflects natural growth in our revenue sources and without the need for increased taxes or fees. This budget is our first step on our journey as we enter into 2020. For our 2020 revenue budget we are projecting $168,098,660 dollars. Also would like to make a note of the Departmental Operation Budget request, the New Program Request, the New Personnel Requests as well as NGO Funding request. What the departmental request you will see it was $172 million dollars. What the New Programs Request was $5.7 million, new personnel $3.8 million and for the NGO’s additional funding $900,000 dollars. So again what the Revenue Budget of $168 million and with all of the additional requests from the departments as well as the new programs for 2020 new personnel for 2020 we were working with a funding shortage of $15 46 million. All of those requests were a total of $183 million dollars. For our 2020 revenues in comparison to our 2019 revenues we are looking at a $5.7 million additional revenues however again as I mentioned last week we have our existing commitments such as Gold Cross, Probation, Election expenses, Disparity Study, full funding for the programs approved in 2019, full program personnel approved for 2019 which shows a total commitment of $2.5 million dollars. For our 2020 revenues $887,730,000 dollars, for our expenditures $887,973,850 dollars. I’d like to report for General Funds and Law Enforcement funds both are balanced. The exception is with our Fire Fund, the Fire Insurance Premium Tax constitutes a 45% of available revenue stream and within 10 days we will have additional information regarding this and this will be adjusted in our proposed budget the adjustment will be incorporated in our actual amount in our proposed budget. Funds receiving General Fund support DUI, Crime, Victims Assistance, 911, HCD, the airport, transit and grants as approved by Commission. Streetlights fund is currently showing its balance however we are expecting to have a meeting the first quarter of 2020. As stated on the screen (unintelligible) structure as it exists generates an adequate revenue and we will be discussing it again first quarter 2020. So our budget assumptions were a 2% growth in our digest, a 2.5% growth and lost a 3% growth in our Ad Valorem and a $200,000 dollars increase in electric franchise fees from the 2019 amount received. GDP in comparison to 2019, 2019 we were reflecting a 2.6, 2020 we’re reflecting only a 1.9%. In terms of the Georgia GDP we’re looking at 3.5, it was 3.6 in 2019 and in 2020 it’s 2.5. One would ask what shows a great city. Research shows investing in your infrastructure, livability, fiscally sound, economic development and investing also in your most greatest asset, your employees. The budget theme reflects those key factors. Maintenance of our infrastructure, reduction of blight, fiscal health of our city, economic development and also investment in our employees. Our budget reflects there are going to be some new positions in the General Fund as well as our Special Revenue Enterprise Funds. I know it shows very light on the screen but I’m just going to highlight one or two. In our Board of Elections we are proposing a Deputy Register Position. We think it's critical for the upcoming election as well as it’s for stability in that department. We’re also projecting for new programs, new programs such as I’m highlighting roads and walkways. We’re addressing our infrastructure, we’re proposing a half a million dollars towards roads and walkways as far as trees and pothole repairment and again some of the programs are listed here. This budget reflects 146 miles west of us the City of Atlanta is saying we’re full. I want us to have the mindset that we reflect we’re open. We want to be open for economic development, we want to be open for growth, we want to make sure our employees th are happy. Also I’ve listed on the calendar some dates for follow up work sessions: October 30, ththth. November the 6, November the 8, November the 13 Again the budget adopted date th November the 19I’d like to make reference to this. This is the preliminary discussion knowing that things could change. I’d like to recognize Office of the Administrator’s Office, my deputies Tony, Maurice, Jessica, Wanda. I’d also like to recognize the Finance Department for doing a great job Donna, Tim and the rest of her team they did an outstanding job as well as all of the departments and agencies, questions? Mr. Mayor: So with regards to the calendar I think this our first stab at what the proposed work session dates will be. There was an email with this, you have an email with the same information in it that was sent out on yesterday I believe. So at this point we will entertain additional questions with what’s been presented thus far with an understanding that over the next two weeks we will spend time doing a deep dive into the budget. There will be additional information that is requested from the Commission but thank you and your team for presenting 47 this. We look forward to lively conversation about making sure that we accomplish those things that you talked about, Administrator Sims. Mr. Sims: Thank you. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 9. Mr. M. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Sims, is there anything in here about maintenance as far as whatever we’re doing all over the city as far as upkeep, keeping things going? We build, we do a lot of stuff but if we don’t maintain it then it's like useless so is there anything and I was out (unintelligible) email so I might’ve missed it so if you had something in there. Mr. Sims: Yes, sir, we are dedicating a half a million dollars towards infrastructure particularly with potholes and tree maintenance. Mr. M. Williams: Okay, that’s potholes and tree maintenance. I’m talking about maintenance period. I’m talking about when you talk about potholes and tree maintenance you’re going over to Engineering. There’s an enterprise situation where they’ve got monies to do some things in that so where, how does that separate I guess. Mr. Sims: In one of our workshops we’re going to have specific questions addressing operations and infrastructure and we’ll be happy to talk about that in detail then if that’s the will if we’re able to do so by the will of the Commission. Mr. M. Williams: Okay, this thing needs to be thought about before we look at what we’ve got if we can’t maintain it we can’t keep it up to par. If we build structures and have events and then can’t you know we hear about all of the Riverwalk and the stuff that we’re not maintaining even down there. Here we are again we’re talking about our city and we’ve got to do a better job as to holding people accountable and doing the maintenance work that needs to be done to go along with it. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Chair recognizes the Commissioner from the 6. Mr. Hasan: Mr. Mayor, I know we’re not getting really over into the budget so I’m going to ask a question of you and give you the liberty if you don’t mind so the Commission we can discuss that question later and I’m comfortable with that. But what I want to look at is on your introductory page the second page, Mr. Administrator, the bottom paragraph and I’ll read it says in the same vein the Administrator’s Office recommended budget includes funding for three new positions in the Marshal’s Office for specific purposes of addressing blight. Mr. Mayor: All right, so hold on a minute, Commissioner. All right, what page are you on? Mr. Hasan: On the second page in the book. 48 Mr. Mayor: All right, so you’re under Tab 1? Mr. Hasan: Yes and this is his address to the Commission --- Mr. Mayor: Oh, okay. Mr. Hasan: --- the introductory page from his office, the second paragraph. Mr. Mayor: All right so --- Mr. Hasan: The bottom paragraph, I’m sorry. The Clerk: The Administrator’s presentation. Mr. Mayor: Right. Mr. Hasan: Are you ready for my answer? Mr. Mayor: Yes, go ahead. Mr. Hasan: So my question is when we passed, when we passed this something from the Marshal to do --- Mr. Mayor: Five positions. Mr. Hasan: --- for five positions and that came with that how did you get to three positions on that because it was passed with five positions and as a result of that five positions was going to be allowed. It was supposed to pay for itself. Mr. Mayor: So, so we adopted the new fees, that was number one --- Mr. Hasan: Right. Mr. Mayor: --- which provided us the opportunity for five positions. Now in your narrative th I believe the question that the Commissioner from the 6 is asking is are these three on Page 2 of your narrative are these three positions that are ‘focused around blight’ included in the five, that’s your question. Mr. Hasan: Well, pretty much it is just three additional or just three persons from that increase. A total of eight positions or is either reduced by two positions from the five. It’s not the same thing, no, it’s not the same thing. Mr. Sims: It’s not the same thing. Mr. Sias: The Marshal said he’d able to take three of those positions. It was only five requested. 49 Mr. Hasan: So do you, okay so let me ask you then to answer my question. From what we increased those fees is there a separate item somewhere in this book to address that with the five with the five that came from the adjustment of the fees? Mr. Sims: There was a proposal for five but as far as in the budget book it reflects three as well as the projected revenue that will reflect for those positions. Mr. Hasan: So also in other words so you’re, his projection ya’ll are going to agree on projections so for you it’s more like it’s going to represent three positions as opposed to five. Mr. Sims: From my understanding I think there was a proposal for five. We as far as what this proposal, proposed budget it reflects three positions. The mindset is we want to see as far as how it was going to be working the first year and then implement the additional two positions. Mr. Hasan: Okay, I’ll leave it alone, thank you, I’ll leave it alone, okay. th Mr. Mayor: All right, the Commissioner from the 5. Mr. B. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I do believe that we have a lot of questions and we could be hear all night. And we’ll be discussing these same questions I believe in workshops. Mr. Mayor: We will. Mr. B. Williams: So I want to make a motion that we adjourn take our books home --- Mr. Hasan: Second. Mr. B. Williams: --- yeah, well he seconded it. Mr. Mayor: Okay --- Mr. Fennoy: (Inaudible). Mr. Mayor: --- say that again? Mr. Fennoy: I don’t know if you’ve got six votes to adjourn. Mr. Mayor: All right, we’ll find out, all right, voting. Mr. M. Williams: What are we voting on? Mr. Mayor: To adjourn, all right, let’s go home. I call this meeting adjourned --- Mr. B. Williams: Well, without objection. 50 Mr. Mayor: --- without objection. The Clerk: Let’s go home without objection. Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett and Mr. Sias out. Mr. Fennoy, Mr. D. Williams vote No. Motion Fails 5-2. \[MEETING ADJOURNED\] Lena Bonner Clerk of Commission CERTIFICATION: I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of The Augusta Richmond County Commission held on October 15, 2019. ______________________________ Clerk of Commission 51