Mayor & Commission Meetings

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Monday, April 15, 2024 Committee Members Present: Commissioner Patrick Davenport, Committee Chair Commissioner Mike Hamby Commissioner Tiffany Taylor Commissioner Melissa Link Commissioner Dexter Fisher Staff: Blaine Williams, Manager Jessica Beri, Purchasing Administrator John Hawkins, Deputy Chief Attorney Christy Bailey, Purchasing Austin Jackson, Senior Assistant Attorney Brad Griffin, Planning Director Chinesia Thompson, Recorder Bruce Lonnee, Assistant Planning Director David Boyd, Finance Director Committee Chair Davenport called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. A. Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Taylor made the motion to approve the Minutes of the March 25, 2024 meeting. Commissioner Fisher seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. B. Commission Identified Items of Interest: Advance efforts pursuant to recommendations from the Disparity Study (Mayor Girtz assigned to GOC on November 7, 2023) Finance Director David Boyd provided an overview of the Business Inclusion Program and what Procurement is currently doing to implement it, which aligns with the program's policy. Three of the recommendations from the disparity study involved contract standardization, which Procurement is working on. They are also updating relevant policy and ordinance provisions. Additionally, there is an upward trend being seen in solicitations receiving fewer than three responses. Manager Williams noted that this policy represents a change in the government's behavior, processes, and policies aimed at inviting and engaging more diverse vendors. While immediate results are not expected, the goal is to have a much more diverse pool of vendors to work with. Commissioner Fisher mentioned some constituents were concerned the program may not be expanded enough to include small businesses like cleaning services and landscaping companies. Mr. Boyd explained that Samantha Murray, the Community Business Procurement Coordinator, is currently reviewing the county's internal vendor database of 1,831 vendors. Out of the first 66 reviewed, 16 were registered in the Georgia Procurement Registry. The process involves checking if vendors are already certified as minority, small business, woman-owned, or veteran-owned enterprises. Mr. Boyd outlined the internal process developed for reaching out to local vendors with steps for becoming certified. The goal is to get more local businesses involved in the procurement process.  Manager Williams proposed creating a one-page document outlining the policy and its objectives, intended for Commissioners to share with constituents, with the aim of providing clarity and assistance. The Committee unanimously agreed to this suggestion. Commissioner Fisher motioned to advance this recommendation to the full Mayor and Commission, which was seconded by Commissioner Taylor. The motion passed unanimously. Review recently approved Short Term Rental Ordinance for any revisions necessary to comply with Georgia State Code and associated case law (Mayor Girtz assigned to GOC on February 6, 2024) Assistant Planning Director Bruce Lonnee presented maps to the committee, illustrating Short Term Rentals (STRs). One map displayed all 804 STRs, categorized by those with and without homestead exemptions. The other side of the handout featured a heat map, representing all 804 STRs and the one at the bottom showed specifically those with homestead exemptions. Lonnee noted that since the previous meeting, two additional home occupation permits had been issued. Additionally, there was one entity interested in pursuing the commercial STR plans review process, although the application process had not been completed. He clarified that the map depicted only the STRs under consideration for inclusion in the legal non-conforming list. Commissioner Hamby mentioned researching Tybee Island's short-term rental (STR) policy, which allows STRs in commercial areas and some existing ones in residential areas with occupancy regulations. Tybee also has penalty provisions where operators lose the right to operate after 3 citations. They have banned any new future STRs as well. The committee asked if they could outright ban new STRs in residential areas. Attorney John Hawkins stated that case law is evolving in this area, so research could be done to see if any recent guidance exists. He noted that banning new residential STRs would change the county's current zoning regulations for single-family zones, which would need careful consideration. Discussion turned to adding regulations around STR operations, such as caps per district, requiring cameras/signage, and limiting guest occupancy. Penalties and overall enforceability of regulations were also discussed. Manager Williams simplified the discussion by asking if the committee felt there were too many STRs currently, which they unanimously agreed with. He reframed Commissioner Hamby's points as 1) limiting occupancy and 2) not allowing any new residential STRs. The idea of a special license for STR operators was raised. Ultimately, the committee asked the attorneys to research and return with the requested information, and to allow time to digest the topics discussed in this meeting. Commissioner Hamby made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Fisher seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 2:08 p.m. Government Operations Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 04152024