Mayor & Commission Meetings
Regular MeetingAthens-Clarke County, GA · May 17, 2022
Minutes
Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
Mayor and Commission
Special Called Session
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
6:03 p.m.
City Hall
The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia met this date in a special called
session. Present: Mayor Girtz; Commissioners Davenport, Parker, Link, Wright, Denson, Houle,
Edwards, Myers, Thornton, and Hamby. No one was absent. Commissioner Davenport came in at
6:04 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting was to conduct two public hearings; consider two items of new
business; enter into executive session; and consider any other item in proper order.
A motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Parker, to amend
the agenda in regard to Section F to enter into executive session for an attorney/client conference to
discuss a document that is not releasable under the Georgia Open Records Act as is authorized by
O.C.G.A. §50-14-3(b)(4). The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public hearing #2 was conducted on the proposed FY23 budget as required by the Taxpayer Bill
of Rights passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 1999.
Citizen input
The following citizens spoke in support of additional funding for the library.
1. Rebecca Ballard
2. Valerie Bell
3. John Jefferson
4. Lindsay Josey
5. Janet Smillie
6. Sean Hribal
7. Nike’ Shimobi-Obijuru
8. Jamie Mendenhall-Turner
9. L. Elizabeth Hood
10. Charlene Brickman, Phd
11. Jane Russell
12. Erika Massie
13. Heather Stangle
14. Theresa Cullen
The following citizens spoke regarding other budget-related items.
15. Teresa Friedlander – supported complete streets and Vision Zero position16.
16. Sam Rafal – supported funding for EMT training for firefighters
17. Essie Bell – reduce taxes
18. Danielle Bonanno – supported homeless/emergency housing
19. Allen Jones – supported millage rate reduction
20. Patrick Sheridan –supported reduction in sales tax
21. Cameron Harrelson – supported additional funding for police
22. Susan Monteverde - supported millage rate reduction
23. Benita Davenport – supported funding for Juneteenth and Leisure Services master plan
A public hearing was conducted to receive general comments on the proposed FY23 budget.
Citizen input
There was none.
New business – consider under suspension of Rules
A motion was made by Commissioner Thornton, seconded by Commissioner Myers, to suspend
Rules of Commission for consideration of two new business items. The motion passed by unanimous
vote.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Commissioner Link, to
a) Accept the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) Grant, administered by State Road and
Tollway Authority (SRTA), in the amount of $750,000 to fund 8.8% of the Tallassee Road Bridge
Replacement Project value as per Attachment #1 of agenda report dated April 27, 2022;
b) Adopt the following ordinance (#22-05-44) which was presented by title only amending the TSPLOST
2018 Project 10 Tallassee Road Bridge Replacement Budget to provide grant funding for the construction
of TSPLOST 2018 Project 10 Tallassee Road Bridge Replacement (Attachment #2); and,
c) Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to sign the GTIB Grant Agreement (Attachment #3) and all
related documents.
The motion passed by unanimous vote.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE TRANSPORATION SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX
2018 PROGRAM BUDGET SO AS TO PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING, IF AWARDED, FROM THE STATE
ROAD AND TOLLWAY AUTHORITY (SRTA) FOR PROJECT #08 TALLASSEE ROAD BRIDGE
REPLACEMENT PROJECT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
The Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia hereby ordains as follows:
SECTION 1. The Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia desires to amend the
TSPLOST 2018 Capital Projects Fund to provide grant funding, if awarded, from the State Road and
Tollway Authority (SRTA) for the TSPLOST 2018 Project #08 Tallassee Road Bridge Replacement Project.
Said Operating and Capital budget is hereby amended as follows:
TSPLOST 2018 Capital Projects Fund:
REVENUES:
INCREASE:
Georgia Transportation
Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) Grant $750,000
EXPENDITURES:
INCREASE:
Project #08
Tallassee Road Bridge Replacement Project $750,000
SECTION 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
A motion was made by Commissioner Hamby, seconded by Commissioner Thornton, to
a) Award ACCGov ARPA State and Local Recovery Funds (SLRF) funds to the Athens
Housing Authority as per agenda report revised May 17, 2022 in the amount of
$3,466,666 for the North Athens Downtown Redevelopment Project from the following
sources:
Up to $1,733,333 of ARPA SLRF from the “Affordable Housing” allocation;
Up to $1,733,333 of ARPA SLRF from the “Contingency” allocation;
b) Direct the Attorney to develop the required subrecipient agreement for the above ARPA
funding award for future M&C ratification;
c) Approve an additional allocation of SPLOST 2020 Project #2 Affordable Housing Project
fund for the North Downtown Athens Redevelopment Project in the amount of
$1,733,334;
d) Direct the Attorney to develop the subsequent intergovernmental agreement for the
above SPLOST 2020 Project #2 funding for future M&C ratification; and
e) Authorize the Mayor, Manager, and appropriate staff to execute all necessary project -
related documents.
The motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Houle, to
enter into executive session for an attorney/client conference to discuss a document that is not
releasable under the Georgia Open Records Act as is authorized by O.C,.G.A. §50-14-3(b)(4). The
motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Commissioner Myers, to pause this
special meeting until after adjournment of the agenda setting session which immediately follows. The
motion passed by unanimous vote.
The Mayor and Commission entered into executive session at 8:20 p.m. and reconvened into
open session at 9:30 p.m. for the purpose of adjournment.
No discussion was held. No votes were taken.
Mayor Girtz announced a tentative special called session Thursday, May 19, 2022, 5:00 p.m. for
an attorney/client conference to discuss a document that is not releasable under the Georgia Open
Records Act as is authorized by O.C.G.A. §50-14-3(b)(4).
A motion was made by Commissioner Parker, seconded by Commissioner Davenport, to adjourn.
The motion passed with nine YES votes. Commissioner Thornton had exited the executive session at
9:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
_____________________________________
Clerk of Commission
Agenda
If making a public comment, please fill out the form available on the table in the hallway to help ensure
that your information is correctly entered into the minutes. Once you have spoken, please hand your form
to the staff in front of the podium for the Clerk.
TENTATIVE AGENDA REVISED 5-16-2022
UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA
SPECIAL CALLED SESSION
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022, 6:00 P.M.
CITY HALL
A. Roll call
B. Purpose of meeting: conduct two public hearings; consider two items of new business; and any other
item in proper order
C. Conduct public hearing #2 on the proposed FY23 budget as required by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights
passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 1999. If you wish to address the Mayor and Commission in
person, please go to the podium and state your name and address. RULES OF THE COMMISSION
STATE THAT A CITIZEN MAY SPEAK ONCE FOR UP TO THREE MINUTES.
D. Conduct general comment public hearing on proposed FY23 budget. If you wish to address the Mayor
and Commission in person, please go to the podium and state your name and address. RULES OF THE
COMMISSION STATE THAT A CITIZEN MAY SPEAK ONCE FOR UP TO THREE MINUTES.
E. New business – consider under suspension of Rules
1. Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) Grant 2022 Acceptance and Agreement
2. SPLOST 2020 Project #2 Affordable Housing: added financial commitment for North Downtown
Athens Redevelopment Project.
F. Enter into executive session for an attorney/client conference to discuss threatened or pending litigation
G. Consider any other item in proper order
H. Adjourn
A qualified interpreter for the hearing impaired is available upon request at least 10 days in advance of this
meeting. Please call (706) 613-3031 (TDD {706} 613-3115) to request an interpreter or for more information.
If making a public comment, please fill out the form available on the table in the hallway to help ensure
that your information is correctly entered into the minutes. Once you have spoken, please hand your form
to the staff in front of the podium for the Clerk.
TENTATIVE AGENDA
UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA
AGENDA SETTING SESSION
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022, 6:00 P.M.
CITY HALL
If business has not concluded by 8:15 p.m., there will be a 15-minute break.
A. Citizen input. If you wish to address the Mayor and Commission on any item listed below on the consent
agenda, please go to the podium and state your name and address. RULES OF THE COMMISSION
STATE THAT A CITIZEN MAY SPEAK ONCE DURING THE FOLLOWING PORTION OF THE AGENDA
FOR UP TO THREE MINUTES WITH A 30 SECOND REMINDER AT TWO AND A HALF MINUTES.
B. Consent agenda. Recommended by Mayor, Mayor Pro tem, Manager, Assistant Manager, Attorney, and
Clerk for placement on the consent agenda for Tuesday, June 7, 2022.
1. Approve: Amend Department FY22 Budget - Acceptance of funds from the Georgia Department
of Public Health (DPH)
2. Approve: Request for $95,000 in contingency for the FY22 Elections Department budget
3. Approve: Acceptance of the Athens-Clarke County iTree Eco Study Final Report (M&C Version)
4. Approve: Bulk chemical contracts for Public Utilities Department – Water Treatment Plant and
Water Reclamation Facility
5. Approve: Wastewater connection fees for Athens Land Trust: 874 and 876 Waddell Street
6. Approve: Georgia Accountability Court Funding Program Grants – Western Judicial Circuit
7. Approve: Intergovernmental agreement between Oconee County and the Unified Government of
Athens-Clarke County - Juvenile Court Judge cost sharing
8. Approve: Brooklyn Creek Interceptor Improvements Phase 1 - Bid award
9. Approve: Sanford Stadium sanitary sewer interceptor improvements - Phase 1 Design
10. Approve: Design professional on-call civil engineering services contract awards [RFP #01059]
C. Citizen input. If you wish to address the Mayor and Commission on any item listed below under old and
new business please go to the podium and state your name and address. RULES OF THE
COMMISSION STATE THAT A CITIZEN MAY SPEAK ONCE DURING THE FOLLOWING PORTION OF
THE AGENDA FOR UP TO THREE MINUTES WITH A 30 SECOND REMINDER AT TWO AND A HALF
MINUTES.
D. Old business
11. Formalize the establishment of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission
E. New business
12. SPLOST 2011 Project 27, Seagraves Drive memorandum of agreement and preliminary plans
approval
13. SPLOST 2020 Project 30 - Airport Capital Improvements, SP #1 - Runway 2-20 Pavement
Rehabilitation including safety area improvements - Construction services contract award
14. SPLOST 2011 Project 22, Youth and Community Enrichment Facility – Project site selection
criteria
15. Complete Streets Policy
16. Contract renewal for the Neighborhood Leaders Program
17. Mayor and Commission designation of additional paid holidays per Section 1-9-7 (b)(2)(h) of the
ACCGov Personnel System Code of Ordinances
18. Adoption of the FY23 Operating and Capital Budgets; establishment of 2022 property tax rates;
Approve Schedule of Fees and Charges for FY23 and other purposes
19. SPLOST 2011 Jacobs Project Management Company Program/Project Management
professional services contract amendment and budget ordinance
20. SPLOST 2020 Project 03 – Classic Center Arena – Proposed construction contract change order
#1
21. Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) from the Office of Senator Raphael Warnock (D‐GA)
for fresh food access and affordable housing – title only
22. Phase I accelerated concept recommendation from the ARPA Affordable Housing Advisory
Committee – title only
F. Receive staff reports and public input, item by item, on recommendations from the Athens-Clarke County
Planning Commission. Following each staff report, public input will be received; however, this is not the
required public hearing which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 7, 2022. If you wish to
address a zoning related item, at the appropriate time, please go to the podium and state your name and
address. RULES OF THE COMMISSION STATE THAT A CITIZEN MAY SPEAK ONCE DURING THE
FOLLOWING PORTION OF THE AGENDA FOR UP TO THREE MINUTES WITH A 30 SECOND
REMINDER AT TWO AND A HALF MINUTES.
23. Request of Scott Haines/W&A Engineering, Development Authority of Unified Government of
Athens--Clarke County, Georgia) for rezoning from E-I (Employment–Industrial) to E-I (PD)
(Employment-Planned Development) on 58.87 acres (of a 132-acre parcel) known as 110 Voyles
Road. Proposed use is light industrial addition. Type II District 9
Planning Commission recommendation: Approval (unanimous)
24. Request of Smith Planning Group, El Marojo, LLC, for rezoning from RS-8 (Single-Family
Residential) to RS-5 (PD) (Single-Family Residential; Planned Development) on 1.85 acres
known as 1010 Oglethorpe Avenue. Proposed use is single-family subdivision and muilti-family
residential. Type II District 5
Planning Commission recommendation: Approval w/condition (unanimous)
A qualified interpreter for the hearing impaired is available upon request at least 10 days in advance of this
meeting. Please call (706) 613-3031 (TDD {706} 613-3115) to request an interpreter or for more information.
Wireless access will be available for general use shortly before, during, and shortly after each Mayor and
Commission meeting. Connect to “A_Registered” User name: public Password: may17
Free parking deck vouchers for citizens attending the monthly Regular Voting Meetings, Work Sessions, and
Agenda Setting Meetings of the Mayor and Commission held at City Hall are available on the 2nd floor of City
Hall.
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