Mayor & Commission Meetings

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Mayor and Commission Tuesday, January 3, 2023 6:00 p.m. City Hall The 2023 organizational meeting of the Mayor and Commission was held this date. Probate Judge Susan Schaffer administered the Athens-Clarke County oath of office for a four- year term to reelected Mayor Kelly Girtz. Judge Schaffer administered the Athens-Clarke County oath of office for a four-year term to newly elected District 3 Commissioner Tiffany Taylor. Judge Schaffer administered the Athens-Clarke County oath of office for a four-year term to newly elected District 5 Commissioner Dexter Fisher. Judge Schaffer administered the Athens-Clarke County oath of office for a four-year term to newly elected District 7 Commissioner John Culpepper. Judge Schaffer administered the Athens-Clarke County oath of office for a four-year term to reelected District 1 Commissioner Patrick Davenport. Judge Schaffer administered the Athens-Clarke County oath of office for a four-year term to reelected District 9 Commissioner Ovita Thornton. Note: The State of Georgia official and loyalty oaths were administered by Judge Schaffer this date at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall room 103. Roll call was conducted. Present: Mayor Girtz; Commissioners Davenport, Taylor, Wright, Fisher, Houle, Culpepper, Myers, Thornton and Hamby. No one was absent. A motion was made by Commissioner Hamby, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to reconsider action of December 6, 2022 with reference to Bryne grant application by the Police Department. The motion passed by unanimous vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Hamby, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to a) Approve submission of an application by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) for, and accept if awarded, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program 2022 Existing Local Project Grant as per agenda report dated November 16, 2022; b) Authorize the continuation of four Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) sworn officer positions in the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force, consistent with the grant award; c) Adopt the following ordinance (#23-01-01) which was presented by title only; d) Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all documents associated with the grant; and e) Direct the ACC County Manager to develop a plan to be considered by the Mayor and Commission during FY24 budget discussions that, within the first month of FY24, reopens closed Athens Housing Authority community centers, expands the hours of ACC Leisure Services facilities, and expands access to programs in those facilities for youth from low income households. The motion passed by unanimous vote. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FY2023 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA SO AS TO PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING, IF AWARDED, FROM THE GEORGIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL’S (CJCC) BYRNE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE EXISTING LOCAL PROJECT GRANT PROGRAM FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO FOUR INVESTIGATOR POSITIONS DIRECTLY SUPPORTING EFFORTS OF THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA DRUG TASK FORCE; 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 Grants Special Revenue Fund to provide grant funding, if awarded, from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s (CJCC) Byrne Justice Assistance Existing Local Project Grant Program for expenses related to four Investigator positions directly supporting efforts of the Northeast Georgia Drug Task Force. Said Operating budget is hereby amended as follows: Grants Special Revenue Fund: REVENUES: Increase: CJCC Byrne Justice Assistance Existing Local Project Grant $139,460 EXPENDITURES: Increase: Police Department: Personal Services $139,460 SECTION 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. A motion was made by Commissioner Houle, seconded by Commissioner Myers, to approve Minutes of meetings of December 6; December 13, and non-voting meeting of December 13, 2022. The motion passed by unanimous vote. Election of Mayor Pro tem Commissioner Davenport nominated Commissioner Myers as Mayor Pro tem. Commissioner Wright nominated Commissioner Thornton as Mayor Pro tem. Commissioners Davenport, Houle, and Myers voted for Commissioner Myers. Commissioners Wright, Fisher, Culpepper, Thornton, and Hamby voted for Commissioner Thornton. Commissioner Taylor abstained. Commissioner Thornton was elected Mayor Pro tem for 2023. A motion was made by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Commissioner Houle, to adopt the following ordinance (#23-01-02) which was presented by title only. The motion passed by unanimous vote. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSION OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES The Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia hereby ordains as follows: SECTION 1. Except for the first organization meetings as provided in § 2-104 of the Charter, the Mayor and Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, shall hold its regular monthly business meeting on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chamber of City Hall, 301 College Avenue, Athens, Georgia, or at any other such locations as the Commission may, from time to time, decide. When a regularly scheduled business meeting of the Mayor and Commission falls on a Tuesday which is: (i) January 1 or July 4 or (ii) the date for any primary, election, or run-off, the Mayor and Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, shall hold its business meeting on the Wednesday immediately following such Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chamber of City Hall, 301 College Avenue, Athens, Georgia, or at any other such locations as the Mayor and Commission may, from time to time, decide. The Mayor has the discretion to make a public announcement regarding the postponement of a regularly scheduled meeting based on dangerous weather conditions or other emergencies that make it necessary to postpone such regularly scheduled meeting. The rescheduling of the postponed meeting by the Mayor shall be as soon as practicable thereafter, but no later than a date within the same calendar month. SECTION 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.  SECTION 3. The Clerk of Commission, in consultation with the County Attorney, shall have the power to correct scrivener’s errors. Public input 1. William Breeding - thanks for homeless encampment 2. Sally Coenen – supported climate change 3. Mary Babgy – need covered bus shelters on East Broad Street 4. B. A. Hart – thanks for summer camp program. Mayor Girtz announced the following CY23 committee asssignments. Government Operations Committee:  Patrick Davenport (Chair)  Dexter Fisher  Mike Hamby  Tiffany Taylor  District 2 Commissioner Legislative Review Committee:  John Culpepper  Jesse Houle  Carol Myers (Chair)  Ovita Thornton  Allison Wright Audit Committee:  Dexter Fisher  Carol Myers Ad Hoc Property Committee:  John Culpepper  Patrick Davenport  Allison Wright Liaison to Board of Health:  Allison Wright Liaison to Advantage Behavioral Health Systems:  Jesse Houle Liaison to Community Tree Council:  Carol Myers Liaison to Keep Athens Clarke County Beautiful  Allison Wright Liaison to CCSD E-LOST Committee  Allison Wright Emergency Medical Services Oversight Committee  Jesse Houle  Carol Myers Solid Waste Citizen Advisory Committee  Patrick Davenport Judicial Center Site Selection Committee  Patrick Davenport Public Safety Civilian Oversight Board  Dexter Fisher Deferred Compensation Committee  John Culpepper Pension Board  Mike Hamby Industrial Development Authority of ACC  Jesse Houle Downtown Development Authority  Mike Hamby SPLOST General Site Selection Committee  Carol Myers Development Authority of ACC  Mike Hamby Envision Athens  Carol Myers  Tiffany Taylor FROM MANAGER WILLIAMS: 1. Received for information was a report of manager acceptance of grant funding and budget amendments for month of December 2022. Commissioners Taylor, Fisher, and Culpepper expressed appreciation for the confidence shown them by their constituents and stated they look forward to serving the next four years. Other commissioners welcomed new commissioners and expressed appreciation for warming center during recent cold snap and to management and staff who volunteered their time. FROM COMMISSIONER HOULE: 1. Requested update on disaster plan. FROM COMMISSIONER MYERS: 1, Expressed appreciation to Public Utilities staff who responded to 214 calls for frozen water pipes during recent cold snap. 2. Invited all to March 19 Dancing with Stars where she will be a participant.  A motion was made by Commissioner Hamby, seconded by Commissioner Thornton, to adjourn. The motion passed by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. ___________________________________________ Clerk of Commission