Mayor & Commission Meetings

The meeting will be streamed and broadcast live. Interested members of the public can watch live online via YouTube at www.youtube.com/accgov or the YouTube app, via www.accgov.com/videos, via Facebook at www.facebook.com/accgov, or on ACTV Cable Channel 180 or at www.accgov.com/actvlive WORK SESSION AGENDA UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA Tuesday, September 13, 2022 – 5:30 PM City Hall Commission Chamber I. Call to Order (5:30 p.m.) Mayor Kelly Girtz II. Items for Future Consideration A. SPLOST 2020 Project 25 East Side Public Library - Project ......... John Simoneaux Concept and Site Selection Criteria SPLOST Project Administrator B. Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Expansion Project Update ..................Erin Barger Food Bank of Northeast Georgia President & CEO C. Planning Department Work Plan/Comp Plan Process ............................Brad Griffin Planning & Zoning Director III. Adjourn NOTE: All reports are draft. No final action is taken at this work session. The Work Session is open to the public; however, public comments are not received. September 15, 2022 Work Session  SPLOST 2020 Project #01 – Space Modernization – SP#1 Judicial Center proposed Project Concept & Site Selection Criteria  Classic Center Arena – Parking Deck Financing  TSPLOST 2023 Draft Tier Funding Schedule  9/8/2022 SPLOST 2020 Project 25 – East Side Public Library Project Project Concept & Site Selection Criteria Mayor & Commission Work Session September 13, 2022 Presented by: John Simoneaux, SPLOST Project Administrator 1 AGENDA & PURPOSE PURPOSE: Introduce the project concept and site selection criteria for the new East Side Public Library AGENDA: • History • Budget • Project Concept • Site Selection Criteria • Summary • Next Steps • Q&A 2 1  9/8/2022 SPLOST PROJECT STATEMENT “This project will provide funding for land acquisition, design, construction, and/or equipping of a facility and/or renovations, improvements, additions to, and equipping of an existing facility for the purpose of extending library services to county residents on the east side of Athens-Clarke County. This annex facility would be a full-service library consistent with the level of resources and services provided at other similarly situated public libraries in the county. Depending upon costs and funding availability, the facility may include, but not be limited to, spaces such as meeting rooms, study rooms, children’s area, teen area, popular reading space, computer spaces, a creation space complete with digital and modern technology, innovative spaces and technology, and associated parking and general infrastructure to support the facility. This project may also provide funding for the purchase of enhanced technology, access improvements for the disabled, and purchase of library resources for the Athens-Clarke County Libraries. Additionally, to the extent allowed by law, funds may be used as matching funds for leveraging grant opportunities.” 3 HISTORY • On January 31, 2019, Valerie Bell on behalf of the Athens-Clarke County Libraries Board (ACCLB) submitted a project for consideration for the SPLOST 2020 funding. • On August 6, 2019, the Mayor & Commission (M&C) approved the Call for the SPLOST 2020 Referendum; included in the call was the East Side Public Library (Project 25). The budget for the project was $14,499,000. The cost of Land Acquisition was not included in the approved project budget. • On November 5, 2019, Athens-Clarke County (ACC) voters approved the SPLOST 2020 Program Referendum. This Referendum included the East Side Public Library (Project 25). • In July 2021, the ACCLB approved the hiring of McMillan Pazdan Smith to develop a preliminary program for the East Side Public Library. This program was to better understand the needs of the library and to help apply for state funding for the library project. 4 2  9/8/2022 HISTORY (continued) • In July 2021, Manager Williams selected the User Group Members for the SPLOST 2020 Project 25 - East Side Library Project to help ensure the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County (ACCGov) long terms goals are promoted during the Project Development process. The appointed User Group members were: Valerie Bell, Beth Smith, Jane Russell, Toby Mayfield, Lawrence Harris (who has been replaced by Gary Venable, Greg Deal, Terris Thomas, and Mike Wharton (Ex-Officio). • On April 5, 2022, McMillan Pazdan Smith was selected as the design professional for the project • During May – August 2022, the design team worked with the User Group and Site Selection Committee to develop the site selection criteria and project concept. • On June 19, 2022, an initial programming session was held with key staff of the existing libraries in the Athens Regional Library system. 5 HISTORY (continued) • On August 8, 2022, the Site Selection Committee voted to recommend the Site Selection Criteria to go before the M&C during the Sept Work Session • On August 18, 2022, the User Group voted to recommend the Project Concept and Site Selection Criteria to go before the M&C during the Sept Work Session 6 3  9/8/2022 PROJECT BUDGET Project Funding SPLOST 2020 Project 25 East Side Public Library SPLOST Funding Available $ 14,160,020 State Grant Funding Available $ 2,000,000 Total Funding: $ 16,160,020 Proposed Project Budget Expensed & Encumbered $ 100,654 Designated Design & Construction Admin. Fees $ 750,000 Designated Testing, Permitting, Utilities, PM Fees, and Commissioning $ 1,317,346 Designated Public Art $ 61,000 Designated Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment $ 1,689,000 Designated Books and Resources $ 2,000,000 Designated Project Contingency & Land Acquisition $ 2,742,020 Total Available for New Construction $ 7,500,000 7 PROJECT BUDGET (continued) • Current Construction Budget: $7.5 M • Estimated Construction Cost/SF: $475/SF • Estimated size of facility based on current budget: Approx. 16 K SF • Cost/SF assumes an early 2024 construction start • Original SPLOST proposal from the Athens Regional Library System was for a 25,000 – 30,000 SF Library • Estimated construction cost to build 25,000 SF facility: Approx. $12 M • Total project cost would need to increase to: Approx. $22 M 8 4  9/8/2022 PROJECT CONCEPT AND SITE SELECTION CRITERIA Proposed Project Concept • Outlines high level “Must Have”, “Highly Wanted”, and “Nice to Have” design characteristics that will provide the basis of design for the new East Side Public Library, whatever size facility is built • Recommended by the User Group Proposed Project Site Selection Criteria • Outlines the “Must Have”, “Highly Wanted”, and “Nice to Have” characteristics that the potential sites for the East Side Public Library will be weighed against • Recommended by the Site Selection Committee and User Group 9 PROJECT CONCEPT Must Have: • A library that can accommodate up to 200,000 visitors annually. • A library that can house up to 50,000 books in its collection. • A library that can accommodate a variety of spaces including but not limited to those mentioned below: • A kitchenette in or near the large meeting space or accessible from multiple places and adjacent to meeting rooms. • A large meeting room with a divider that could be open to the public after hours. • Collaborative spaces to accommodate the increase in those working remotely. The spaces should include a range of sizes starting with smaller 1–2-person study rooms up to a 3-6-person study room. These spaces should also have the technology to accommodate virtual interviews and collaboration. • 1 Online Public Access Catalog per collection spaced throughout the library. • Children's area that includes a book collection and help desk that can also serve as circulation. • A desk that can house general information, circulation, and self checkout services. Should be able to accommodate at least 2 staff members at a time. • Staff lounge and staff only restrooms, as well as staff and volunteer storage. • Multipurpose space with counters, storage, and a sink. • Separate young adult area/teen station and collection, with a help desk. • Adult book and media collection including new book collection, periodicals, and Special Collection. • Meets the prerequisites as defined by the USGBC LEED (v4.1) criteria or similar certification in order to be considered "Certified" • Strong pedestrian and inter-modal connections. • Storage specific to each age group as well as separate courier storage. • Storage for carts and an elevated loading dock for circulation. • Outdoor accessible curbside returns area. • Security monitoring infrastructure. 10 5  9/8/2022 PROJECT CONCEPT (continued) Highly Wanted: • Shaded outdoor space that can be used for working on laptops, have access to Wi-Fi and collaboration. • Shaded and contained outdoor space for children’s activities as well as a nearby safe area for child pick-up and drop-off. • Space to accommodate expanding staff. • Is able to achieve a score of 50 or more points in USGBC LEED (v4.1) or similar certification to be considered "Silver." • Opportunity to expand employee office space. • Sensory area for patrons with specific needs. • Advanced accessibility accommodations with a hearing loops system in main meeting room. • Design to include shelving and spaces for foreign language collection and cultural representation collections. • Accessible curbside infrastructure for returns that is protected from the elements. • Separate young adult area with lounge seating, tables, computers, collection, and gaming station. Nice to Have: • Solar outdoor charging stations for devices. • An outdoor gathering space and meeting space for the community that could be accessed after library hours. • Is able to achieve a score of 60 or more points in USGBC LEED (v4.1) or similar certification to be considered "Gold" or "Platinum." • A recording studio with necessary technology and acoustic separation. • A private parenting room off the central area with seating and a sink. • A drive-through drop off for returns. 11 SITE SELECTION CRITERIA Community Values 12 6  9/8/2022 SITE SELECTION CRITERIA (continued) Community Values 13 SITE SELECTION CRITERIA (continued) Technical Values 14 7  9/8/2022 SITE SELECTION CRITERIA (continued) Technical Values 15 SITE SELECTION CRITERIA (continued) 16 8  9/8/2022 SUMMARY • Project Concept o Defines the “Must Have”, “Highly Wanted”, and “Nice to Have” characteristics that the design team will use as the basis of the design going forward • Site Selection Criteria o Outlines the “Must Have”, “Highly Wanted”, and “Nice to Have” characteristics that the potential sites for the East Side Public Library will be weighed against 17 NEXT STEPS • Public Engagement o Public Survey Posted after the Work Session o Public Engagement Session 1: 10/1/22 – 10 AM-12 PM Location: TBD o Public Engagement Session 2: 10/3/22 – 10 AM-12 PM @ Living Hope Church o Public Engagement Session 2: 10/3/22 – 5 PM-7 PM @ East Athens Development Corporation • Mayor & Commission vote on Project Concept and Site Selection Criteria – November 1, 2022 • Continuation of the Site Selection Process 18 9  9/8/2022 Questions/Comments 19 10  9/8/2022 FOOD BANK OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA CDBG-CV EXPANSION PROJECT TAKING OUR NEIGHBORS FROM HUNGER TO HEALTH 1 PURPOSE • Thank the Athens-Clarke County Government for their partnership • Update the Mayor and Commission on project progress; outline next steps • Discuss project funding and ARPA request 2 1  9/8/2022 OUR VISION We envision a community where no neighbor experiences hunger 3 OUR MISSION The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia works to address hunger and end food insecurity by serving communities across our region, providing consistent access to nourishing food and relevant education. 4 2  9/8/2022 OUR FOOTPRINT Banks Barrow Clarke Franklin Habersham Hart Jackson Madison Oconee Oglethorpe Rabun Stephens Towns White 5 OUR FOOTPRINT PER COUNTY Lbs. Distributed % of Lbs. County Meal Equivalent Request in 2021 Distributed Clarke 4,248,077 37% 3,540,064 $350,000 Jackson 1,340,633 12% 1,117,194 $100,000 Rabun 1,247,295 11% 1,039,413 $100,000 Barrow 826,013 7% 688,344 $100,000 Habersham 800,345 7% 666,954 $50,000 Oglethorpe 486,748 4% 405,623 $50,000 Stephens 437,304 4% 364,420 $50,000 White 389,161 3% 324,301 $50,000 Madison 346,586 3% 288,822 $50,000 Oconee 307,886 3% 256,572 $50,000 Franklin 299,406 3% 249,505 $50,000 Hart 254,402 2% 212,002 $50,000 Towns 169,956 2% 141,630 $50,000 Banks 140,470 1% 117,058 $50,000 TOTAL 11,294,282 100% 9,411,902 $1,150,000 6 3  9/8/2022 OUR REQUEST FOR SUPPORT Lbs. % of Lbs. Meal County Distributed Request Distributed Equivalent in 2021 Clarke 4,248,077 37% 3,540,064 $350,000 7 Our collective impact has grown from a yearly distribution of 350,000 pounds to 11.3 million pounds Year 1 x 32 = Present 30 YEARS OF IMPACT 8 4  9/8/2022 MORE THAN 1.1 MILLION GEORGIANS FACE FOOD INSECURITY. 14.4% OF CHILDREN 9% OF SENIORS 9 Food Food Food County Insecurity Insecure Insecure Rate People Children Banks 12.7% 2,390 460 Barrow 10.1% 8,210 2,270 Clarke 15.0% 19,010 4,120 Franklin 15.7% 3,610 880 NUMBER OF Habersham Hart 11.8% 12.9% 5,320 3,360 970 750 FOOD Jackson 9.3% 6,550 1,180 INSECURE Madison Oconee 14.6% 6.8% 4,340 2,660 1,020 250 INDIVIDUALS Oglethorpe 10.4% 1,570 410 PER COUNTY Rabun 15.5% 2,620 460 Stephens 13.6% 3,520 720 *PER FEEDING AMERICA MAP THE MEAL GAP 2020 Towns 12.4% 1,470 140 White 11.7% 3,500 580 Total 12.3% (avg) 68,130 14,010 10 5  9/8/2022 861 Newton Bridge Road, Athens, GA 46 Plaza Way, Clayton, GA FOOD MATTERS . . . SPACE MATTERS. 11 Total Fresh Pounds Volunteer Dry Food Facility Food Mobilized Capacity Storage Size Storage Approx. 22,197 Current 38,187 5,481 12 million 30 at sq ft Facility: sq ft sq ft once 62,964 30,539 10,071 17 million 60 or Proposed sq ft sq ft sq ft (42% more at Facility: (65% (38% (84% increase) once increase) increase) increase) CURRENT CAPACITY TO SERVE VS. POTENTIAL SERVICE GROWTH 12 6  9/8/2022 37-acre parcel at 890 Newton Bridge Rd. acquired in late August 13 14 7  9/8/2022 15 Total Project CDBG-CV ($8,895,322) Cost: $20,000,000 Food Bank “Local Match” ($2,223,831) Non CDBG-CV Fundraising (including challenge grants) Funding Needed: $11,104,678 In-Kind Gifts 16 8  9/8/2022 Total Project Cost: $20,000,000 = Land Acquisition (Completed): $608,619 (plus legal fees TBD) + Site Preparation: $3,400,587 + Building: $14,577,789 + Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment: $1,000,000 + Administrative Costs: $413,005 17 Project Funding Total Project Cost: Funding Received/ $20,000,000 Committed Non CDBG-CV Funding Needed: Funding Needed $11,104,678 $0 $10,000,000 $20,000,000 18 9  9/8/2022 Foundations PROSPECTIVE Individuals PROJECT SUPPORTERS Corporations Local Governments 100% Board Leader Commitment 100% Food Bank Staff Commitment 19 NEXT STEPS As soon as possible: Update project scope and budget; Finalize MOU October: Communicate updated project scope and budget with DCA November: Start bidding process; Start DCA fund reimbursement process December: Select contractor January: Begin construction 20 10  9/8/2022 “What is essential cannot be negotiable.” 21 11 Planning & Zoning Department Comprehensive Plan Update & Department Work Program Overview Mayor & Commission Work Session September 13, 2022 Comprehensive Department Plan Update & Work Program Purpose 5-Year Update of 2018 ACCGov Comprehensive Plan • Aligns with Georgia DCA requirements • Overview of process and timeline for completion Planning & Zoning Department Work Program • 28-month programming window • 37 work items included presently  Comprehensive Overview Plan Update 5-Year Update of 2018 Comprehensive Plan • Required per O.C.G.A. 110-12-1 with adoption required to maintain QLG (Qualified Local Government) status with the State of Georgia Steering Committee Members Connection to FY23-25 Strategic Plan • Sara Beresford • Comprehensive Plan is foundational document • Kristen Morales • Relates directly to portions of all 6 Goal Areas • Taylor Pass Plan Update Steering Committee Formed • Monique Sanders • Steering Committee & ACC Staff develop Draft Plan • Joey Tucker Update information • Grant Whitworth • Focus on Refreshing Data and Clarifying Language of the Plan • ACCGov Commissioner, TBD 18-Month Process (January 2022 – June 2023) • Multiple Opportunities for Public Input • Results: Revised Goals, Strategies, Initiatives  Comprehensive Public Input Plan Update Public Meetings Draft developed using… • Held in locations throughout the community • Plans and Studies adopted since 2018 • Census 2020 Data Drop-In Sessions • M&C Goals and Priorities • Hosted by the Planning Department • Steering Committee Review • ACCGov Staff Resources Online Comment • Public comments and questions will be collected online through the Planning Department website Public Hearings • 8 Public Hearing opportunities Comprehensive Plan Update Schedule Task Completion Date ACC Departmental Review and Initial Draft Update January 1-March 1 Formation of 5-Year Update Steering Committee March 3 Five-Year Update Kick-Off and Public Hearing March 17 Monthly Steering Committee Meetings #1 - #7 March 31 – September 15 Completion of Initial Draft September 22 Posting of Initial Draft Documents September 23 Public Meetings re: Initial Draft Documents 2022 September 26-28 Public Comment Period September 23-October 14 Planning Staff Compilation of Final Draft October 24 PC Public Meeting re: Final Draft November 3 M&C Agenda Setting November 15 PC Hearing and Submittal Recommendation re: Final Draft December 1 M&C Hearing and Authorization to Submit to DCA/NEGRC December 6 December 9 - 90-Day DCA/NEGRC Review and Revision Period March 10 Public Information Meeting re: Final Plan Document March 16 2023 PC Hearing and Recommendation re: Final Plan March 30 M&C Agenda Setting April 18 M&C Hearing and Adoption re: Final Plan May 2 Deadline for approval and adoption of Five-Year Update June 30, 2023 Planning & Zoning Department Department Work Program Overview Mayor & Commission Work Session September 13, 2022  Planning & Zoning Department – Work Program FY22 Review Record Activity 1,144 996 4,143 Construction Plans Review Records Zoning Permits Total 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 Admin Action Alternative Complaince Appeal Type III Billboard COA HPTI Concept Review Construction Plans Review Demolition Review DRI Review Engineering Assessment EA Permit Preliminary Plat Final Plat Subdivision Civil Site Plan Home Occupation Open Records Request Sign Review Zoning Verification Zoning Permit Timber Harvest TMP Pre-App Rezone Special Use Planned Development Variance  Planning & Zoning Department – Work Program FY22 Review Record Activity 1,144 996 4,143 Construction Plans Review Records Zoning Permits Total 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 Admin Action Alternative Complaince Appeal Type III Billboard COA HPTI Concept Review Construction Plans Review Demolition Review DRI Review Engineering Assessment EA Permit Preliminary Plat Final Plat Subdivision Civil Site Plan Home Occupation Open Records Request Sign Review Zoning Verification Zoning Permit Timber Harvest TMP Pre-App Rezone Special Use Planned Development Variance  Planning & Zoning Department – Work Program FY22 Review Record Activity 1,144 996 4,143 Construction Plans Review Records Zoning Permits Total 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 Admin Action Alternative Complaince Appeal Type III Billboard COA HPTI Concept Review Construction Plans Review Demolition Review DRI Review Engineering Assessment EA Permit Preliminary Plat Final Plat Subdivision Civil Site Plan Home Occupation Open Records Request Sign Review Zoning Verification Zoning Permit Timber Harvest TMP Pre-App Rezone Special Use Planned Development Variance Planning & Zoning Department – Work Program Weekly Planning Staff Time Distribution 3% Construction Plans Review 15% 16% Appointed Board Admin Staff-Level Permitting Inspections & Enforcement 18% 26% Data Management Direct Customer Sevice 6% 16% Special Projects  NEW PROJECTS 1 Comprehensive Plan, 5-Year Update 50% 2 Growth Concept Map Update 30% 3 Future Land Use Map Update 5% 4 Zoning Map & Code Update 5 Primary Zoning Code Revisions 6 Form-Based Code Elements 7 Revisions to C-D Development Standards 10% Response to Mayor's Charge 8 Inclusionary Zoning - Multi-family 100% 9 Inclusionary Zoning - Single Family 0% 10 "Missing Middle" Housing 40% 11 RS and RM minimum lot sizes 10% 12 Minimum Residential Floor Area Requirements 15% 13 Accessory Dwelling Units 10% ONGOING PROJECTS TSPLOST & SPLOST User Groups 14 Atlanta Highway Corridor 10% 15 Lexington Road Corridor 10% 16 Prince Avenue Corridor 80% 17 Costa Building 95% Planning Studies 18 North Downtown Design Area Overlay 100% 19 Epps Bridge Corridor Study Assessment 30% 20 Tract 301 & 302 Moratorium/Study Request re: gentrification 0% Inter-Departmental Projects collaborating departments in (parentheses) 21 Clariti Software Development/Implementation (BI, IT, TPW, PU, Fire, Solid Waste, Transit) 80% 22 BlueBeam Software Implementation (BI, IT, TPW, PU, Fire, Solid Waste, Transit) 85% 23 Data Governance Committee (GIO et al) 15% 24 CTC review of Community Tree Management ordinance (Central Svc-Landscape Mgmt) 5% 25 Single-Family Plans Review implementation (BI, TPW) 5% 26 Right-of-Way/Property Data collection SOP (TPW, GIO, PU, Tax Assess) 30% 27 Greenway network inclusion on TCC Map (Leisure Services) 30% 28 Certificate of Occupancy process overhaul (BI, Fire) 29 Sign Ordinance Revisions (Attorney) 5% 31 Planning Department Strategic Plan (Managers) 65% Anticipated Legal Challenges 32 Western Downtown Local Historic District/Saye Building Demolition 70% Other Projects… 33 Short-term Rental Policy and Program 0% 34 Countywide Historic Resource Survey 55% 35 Whitehall Mill Village Local Historic District 20% 36 St. James Cemetery Local Historic Landmark 35% 37 Classic Center/East Broad/River District Master Planning 45%  Comprehensive Department Plan Update & Work Program Current Priority Projects Implement new Plan Review & Permitting Software • Go-Live on September 12 Complete ACCGov Comprehensive Plan Update • Submit Draft to DCA December 9 Develop New Growth Concept Map & Future Land Use Plans