Mayor & Commission Meetings

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Mayor and Commission Tuesday, January 7, 2025 6:00 p.m. City Hall The 2025 organizational meeting of the Mayor and Commission was held this date. Judge Schaffer administered the Athens-Clarke County oath of office for a four-year term to newly elected District 6 Commissioner Stephanie Johnson. Judge Schaffer administered the Athens-Clarke County oath of office for a four-year term to reelected District 2 Commissioner Melissa Link. Judge Schaffer administered the Athens-Clarke County oath of office for a four-year term to reelected District 4 Commissioner Allison Wright. Judge Schaffer administered the Athens-Clarke County oath of office for a four-year term to reelected District 8 Commissioner Carol Myers. Judge Schaffer administered the Athens-Clarke County oath of office for a four-year term to reelected District 10 Commissioner Mike Hamby. 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. Commissioner Hamby exited at 6:04 p.m., after taking oath of office. Roll call was conducted. Present: Mayor Girtz; Commissioners Davenport, Taylor, Link, Wright, Fisher, Johnson, Culpepper, Myers, and Thornton. Commissioner Davenport arrived at 6:05 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Thornton, seconded by Commissioner Myers, to approve Minutes of meetings of Tuesday, December 3; Tuesday, December 10; Tuesday, December 17; and non- voting meeting of Tuesday, December 17, 2024. The motion passed 8 - 0. Commissioner Johnson abstained. Written communications There were none. A motion was made by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Commissioner Link, to amend the Agenda to add as item 14 appointment of an Acting Manager. The motion passed by unanimous vote. Recognitions Mayor Girtz recognized the following newly elected officials and partner agency leads and each gave a brief introduction: District Attorney Kalki Yalamanchili Coroner Michael Eberhart Tax Commissioner JP Lemay Sheriff John Q. Williams Athens Housing Authority CEO Sheila Crisp Boys and Girls Club CEO Shawonna Coleman A motion was made by Commissioner Fisher, seconded by Commissioner Link, to adopt the following ordinance (#25-01-01) which was presented by title only. The motion passed by unanimous vote. AN ORDNANCE ESTABLISHING THE DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSION OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, Section 2-104 of the Charter of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia (1990 Ga. Laws 3560, as amended), requires the Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, to “meet for organization and swearing-in purposes on the first Tuesday after January 1” and at such meeting, to “select the date when it will hold its regular monthly meetings”; and WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 2-104 of the Charter, the Commission hereby establishes the dates of its regular monthly meetings herein; NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia hereby ordains as follows: SECTION 1. Except for the first organization meeting as provided in Section 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 calendar month at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chamber of City Hall, 301 College Avenue, Athens, Georgia, or at any other such location as the Mayor and Commission may designate from time-to-time. When a regularly scheduled business meeting of the Mayor and Commission falls on a Tuesday which is either (a) the First of January or the Fourth of July, or (b) 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 location as the Mayor and Commission may designate from time-to-time. 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. Furthermore, the Mayor is authorized to make a public announcement that a regular meeting of the Mayor and Commission is to be moved from the Commission Chamber of City Hall, 301 College Avenue, Athens, Georgia, to a suitable location elsewhere in Athens-Clarke County due to legitimate concerns for the public health or safety. 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 any scrivener’s errors found in this Ordinance. Election of Mayor Pro tem A motion was made by Commissioner Thornton, seconded by Commissioner Myers, to nominate Commissioner Fisher as Mayor Pro tem. The motion passed by unanimous vote. Commissioner Fisher was elected Mayor Pro tem for 2025. Old business - Consent Items under this section were discussed at prior public meetings and were presented for consideration as a single item. Only one vote was taken. Public input 1. Suzanne Warrenfeltz – supports SPLOST 2020 Project 28, Recovered Material Processing & Reuse Facility Project A motion was made by Commissioner Davenport, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to consent to action on the following four items. The motion passed by unanimous vote. 1. a. Approve Change Order to the Construction Services Contract with Pencor Construction for the additional scope of work as described in Facts & Issues (F&I #5) for the East Washington Street Park in the amount of $420,000 as per agenda report dated November 8, 2024; b. Approve the Revised Intergovernmental Agreement (Attachment #1) with Athens Downtown Development Authority;  c. Adopt the following ordinance (#25-01-02) which was presented by title only; and d. Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX 2011 PROGRAM BUDGET SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR PROJECT #32 COSTA BUILDING RENOVATION; 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 SPLOST 2011 Capital Projects Fund to provide additional funding for the SPLOST 2011 Project #32 Costa Building Renovation. Said Operating and Capital budget is hereby amended as follows: SPLOST 2011 Capital Projects Fund: REVENUES: INCREASE: Athens Downtown Development Authority Payment $420,000 INCREASE: Project #32 – Costa Building Renovation $420,000 SECTION 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. 2. a. Authorize the Transportation and Public Works Department staff to apply for the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank Grant, administered by State Road and Tollway Authority, in the amount of $1,700,000 to fund 70% of the Hawthorne Avenue and Oglethorpe Avenue Intersection Improvement Project value (Attachment #1); as per agenda report dated November 22, 2024; b. Accept the 2025 GTIB Grant if awarded; c. Adopt the following ordinance (#25-01-03) which was presented by title only; and d. Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FY2025 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA SO AS TO PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING, IF AWARDED, FROM THE GEORGIA STATE ROAD AND TOLLWAY AUTHORITY GEORGIA TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE BANK GRANT; 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 State Road and Tollway Authority Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank Grant; and for other purposes. Said Operating and Capital budget is hereby amended as follows: Grants Special Revenue Fund: REVENUES: Increase: GTIB Grant $1,700,000 EXPENDITURES: Increase: Transportation & Public Works Department: Capital Expenses $1,700,000 SECTION 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. 3. a. Approve the Proposed Project Concept for the TSPLOST 2023 Project 15 Sycamore Drive Pedestrian Improvements Project, as generally shown in Attachment #1 as per revised agenda dated December 17, 2024; b. Authorize staff to advance the Proposed Project Concept for Sycamore Drive Pedestrian Improvements (TSPLOST 2023 Project 15) into the Preliminary Design Phase; c. Approve the Athens Cultural Affairs Commission’s (ACAC) recommendation (Attachment #2) that the TSPLOST 2023 Project 15 Sycamore Drive Pedestrian Improvements is appropriate for Public Art with a proposed budget of $8,400; and, d. Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents. 4. a. Approve a Multi‐Phase Design Services Contract to ACCGov On‐call engineering firm Pond & Company for Lexington Road Corridor Improvements Project (TSPLOST 2023 Project 02), as described in Facts & Issues #6 and generally illustrated shown on Attachment #1 for a cost not to exceed $675,000 as per agenda report dated November 7, 2024; and b. Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents. Old and new business – Discussion Public input 1. Joan Rhoden – supports FY25 Housing Counseling Funding Recommendations 2. Sarah Ruppersburg – opposes Boulevard and Nacoochee Avenue – Proposed All-Way Yield 3. Barbara Daniels - supports FY25 Housing Counseling Funding Recommendations A motion was made by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Commissioner Myers, to a. Authorize the Transportation and Public Works Department (T&PW) to submit an application, as shown in Attachment #1, for the Georgia Department of Transportation Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (GDOT LMIG) in the amount of $1,555,749.97 as per agenda report dated November 7, 2024; b. Accept the grant funds, if awarded; c. Adopt the following ordinance (#25-01-04) which was presented by title only; d. Approve the 2025 LMIG Project List, as shown in Attachment #3, which will partially comprise the Calendar Year 2025 Pavement Maintenance Program (CY25 PMP) Project; and, e. Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to sign all related application documents. The motion passed 8 – 0. Commissioner Johnson abstained. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FY2025 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA SO AS TO PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING, IF AWARDED, FROM THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION LOCAL MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENT GRANT (LMIG) FOR RESURFACING ROADWAYS; 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 Department of Transportation local maintenance improvement grant (LMIG) for resurfacing roadways; and for other purposes. Said Operating and Capital budget is hereby amended as follows: Grants Special Revenue Fund: REVENUES: Increase: Local Maintenance Improvement Grant $1,555,750 EXPENDITURES: Increase: Transportation & Public Works Department: Capital Expenses $1,555,750 SECTION 2: All ordinances or part of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. A motion was made by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to a. Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Georgia Department of Transportation and Athens‐Clarke County Unified Government for the FY25 Georgia Transit Trust Fund funding (Attachment #1) as per agenda report dated November 19, 2024; b. Approve the submission of an application by ACCGov Transit for the FY25 Georgia Transit Trust Fund funding; c. Accept the grant funds if awarded; d. Adopt the following ordinance (#25-01-05) which was presented by title only; and, e. Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all contracts and related documents. The motion passed 8 – 0. Commissioner Johnson abstained. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FY2025 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA SO AS TO PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING FROM THE GEORGIA TRANSIT TRUST FUND THROUGH THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR TRANSIT PROJECTS; 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 from the Georgia Transit Trust Fund through the Georgia Department of Transportation for Transit projects; and for other purposes Said Operating & Capital budget is hereby amended as follows: Grants Special Revenue Fund: REVENUES: Increase: Georgia Department of Transportation Transit Trust Fund Program $195,525 EXPENDITURES: Increase: Transit: Georgia Transit Trust Fund Projects $195,525 SECTION 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. A motion was made by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Commissioner Davenport, to a. Approve of the Proposed Project Concept for the SPLOST 2020 Project 01, Facilities Space Modernization, SP #2 - Proposed Renovation of Courthouse as per agenda report dated December 17, 2024; b. Authorize staff to advance the SPLOST 2020 Project 01, Facilities Space Modernization, SP #2 to the Bid and Award Phase in accordance with the approved Project Concept;  c. Declare that, since this SPLOST 2020 Project 01, Facilities Space Modernization, SP #2 is predominately equipment replacement that it is not appropriate for public art elements to be included as part of this SP #2 for the SPLOST 2020 Project 01, Facilities Space Modernization Project; and, d. Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents The motion passed 8 – 0. Commissioner Johnson abstained. A motion was made by Commissioner Davenport, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to a. Approve the SPLOST 2020 Project 26, Recovered Material Processing Facility SP #1 Proposed Schematic Design as generally shown in (Attachment #1) for the Recovered Material Processing & Reuse Facility (SPLOST 2020 Project 26, SP #1) as per agenda report dated December 2, 2024; b. Authorize staff to advance the Schematic Design to the construction bid & award phase; and, c. Authorize the Mayor and appropriate staff to execute all related documents. The motion passed 8 – 0. Commissioner Johnson abstained. A motion was made by Commissioner Link, seconded by Commissioner Thornton, to HOLD: Boulevard and Nacoochee Avenue – Proposed All-Way Yield as per agenda report dated November 14, 2024. The motion passed by unanimous vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Fisher, seconded by Commissioner Thornton, to support the TAD Advisory Committee recommendation and approve the Newton Bridge Road TAD Advisory Committee Community-Identified Priority List as per agenda report dated November 7, 2024. A substitute motion was made by Commissioner Myers, seconded by Commissioner Link, to support the Mayor sponsored option for the Newton Bridge Road TAD Advisory Committee Community- Identified Priority List. The substitute motion made by Commissioner Myers, seconded by Commissioner Link, was modified to HOLD until Tuesday, February 4, 2025 for the Newton Bridge Road TAD Advisory Committee Community-Identified Priority List. The motion passed by unanimous vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Link, seconded by Commissioner Myers, to a. Approve the proposed FY25 Housing Counseling Program funding recommendations listed in Attachment #1 as per agenda report dated November 14, 2024; and, b. Authorize the Mayor and appropriate ACCGov staff to execute all related contracts and documents. The motion passed by unanimous vote. 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 new business items. The motion passed by unanimous vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Fisher, seconded by Commissioner Thornton, to approve the amendment to an Intergovernmental Agreement regarding $600,000 loan previously provided to the Athens Housing Authority for the North Downton Athens project. The motion passed by unanimous vote.  A motion was made by Commissioner Thornton, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to adopt the following resolution authorizing settlement of the claims of Charles Hardy. A substitute motion was made by Commissioner Davenport, seconded by Commissioner Link, to DENY the resolution authorizing settlement of the claims of Charles Hardy. The substitute motion failed by roll call vote with Commissioners Davenport, Link and Myers voting YES; and Commissioners Taylor, Wright, Fisher, Culpepper, and Thornton voting NO. (3 YES; 5 NO) Commissioner Johnson abstained. The original motion passed by roll call vote with Commissions Thornton, Taylor, Wright, Fisher, and Culpepper voting YES; and Commissions Davenport, Link and Myers voting NO. (5 YES; 3 NO) Commissioner Johnson abstained. A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSION OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE SETTLEMENT OF THE CLAIMS OF CHARLES HARDY; AND FOR OTHER LAWFUL PURPOSES. WHEREAS, on or about February 26, 2024, Charles Hardy (“Hardy”), filed a lawsuit in the Magistrate Court of Athens-Clarke County, (Civil Action No. MC-01-CV-24 0386), that was subsequently transferred to the Superior Court of Athens-Clarke, (Civil Action File No. SU24CV0217), against the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia and Blaine Williams (collectively referred to as “A- CC”) and Brent Temple for $9,795.44 plus court costs of $150.00 for a total of $9,945.44; and WHEREAS, Hardy alleged he was denied the opportunity to take some of his personal property from the former homeless encampment and, following several attempts to retrieve said property, the property was stolen or destroyed (“Hardy’s Claims”); and WHEREAS, A-CC and Hardy desire to voluntarily resolve Hardy’s Claims and all other disputes that may exist between them by compromise and without incurring additional attorney’s fees, expenses, and costs of litigation; and WHEREAS, without admitting liability or fault, the Commission finds it to be in the best interests of the A-CC to resolve Hardy’s Claims as set forth below; NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission hereby resolves as follows: SECTION 1. The Commission does hereby approve and authorize the payment of the sum of Seventy Five Hundred and 00/100 Dollars ($7,500.00) in settlement of Hardy’s Claims. SECTION 2. The Attorney for A-CC and the outside counsel retained for purposes of defending A-CC against Hardy’s Claims shall have authority to take all further actions necessary to carry out the intents and purposes of this Resolution and to prepare, or to cause to be prepared, any and all documents necessary to effectuate the resolution of Hardy’s Claims as agreed to by A-CC and Hardy. SECTION 3. The Mayor of A-CC shall have authority to take all further actions necessary to carry out the intents and purposes of this Resolution, including but not limited to, the authority to sign any documents as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the intents and purposes of this Resolution. SECTION 4. The Commission hereby declares that the foregoing preamble and whereas provisions set forth hereinabove constitute, and shall be considered to be, substantive provisions of this Resolution and are hereby incorporated by reference into this provision. SECTION 5. In the event scrivener’s errors shall be discovered in this Resolution after the adoption hereof, the Commission hereby authorizes and directs that each such scrivener’s error shall be corrected in all multiple counterparts of this Resolution. SECTION 6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its approval by the Mayor or upon its adoption into law without such approval. Mayor Girtz made the following recommendation. Pursuant to Section 4-101(a) of the Charter, I recommend Bradley A. Griffin to serve as Acting Manager beginning at 5:01 p.m. on January 17, 2025, through and until May 2, 2025, unless extended to a date certain by mutual consent of the Unified Government and Mr. Griffin. I request that you approve this recommendation and authorize me to execute an employment agreement related to Mr. Griffin’s service as Acting Manager, subject to Mr. Griffin being required to sign an employment agreement to confirm acceptance of his appointment to serve as Acting Manager.  Under this agreement, Mr. Griffin’s employment will begin on January 8, 2025, to allow for a transition period from the current Acting Manager, Mr. Jones, to Mr. Griffin. A motion was made by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Commissioner Link, to approve said recommendation. The motion passed by unanimous vote. Public input on items other than those listed on this agenda 1. Alvin Sheats – First time in history that we have had this many people of color as elected officials 2. Joseph Carter – Requests a targeted audit of the Water Business Offices’ billing practice 3. Theresa Omonovich – Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement Proposed Resolution for Building a Path to Equity for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color submitted December 4, 2024 4. Broderick Flanagan – Disparity in the community – work together to foster equity and inclusion and expressed disappointment in Commission for voting against raises for Neighborhood Leaders FROM MAYOR GIRTZ: 1. Announced the following committee assignments: Government Operations Committee: Patrick Davenport (Chair) Dexter Fisher Mike Hamby Tiffany Taylor Melissa Link Legislative Review Committee: John Culpepper Stephanie Johnson Carol Myers (Chair) Ovita Thornton Allison Wright FROM ACTING MANAGER JONES: 1. Budget transfer of $774 from FY25 General Fund Operating Contingency to the Commission’s Office for the purchase of additional cell phones. 2. Expressed thanks to the community as he prepares for new job opportunity in North Carolina. FROM COMMISSIONER THORNTON: 1. Supports audit of the Water Business Office. 2. Find creative ways to solve the affordable housing issues. 3. Goal for this year is to look into better ways to use Tax Allocation District funds. FROM COMMISSIONER MYERS: 1. Plans to review the Charter to address county services. 2. The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement Proposed Resolution for Building a Path to Equity for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color is forthcoming. 3. Thank you to the UGA Student Government for breakfast. 4. Organizing a Town Hall Meeting for the 2nd Tuesday in February in the evening at the Firehouse – more information to come. FROM COMMISSIONER CULPEPPER: 1. Looking forward to working with Commission on funding for the Classic Center Arena. 2. Prayers for UGA student who was injured on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans. Hoping for a speedy recovery. FROM COMMISSIONER JOHNSON:  1. Expressed thanks to those that entrusted her with their vote and acknowledged those that did not vote for her; expressed sincere gratitude to campaign team and family; and expressed goals for District 6. 2. Looking forward to working and collaborating with colleagues. 3. Planning a District 6 Town Hall Meeting for later this quarter – more information to come. FROM COMMISSIONER FISHER: 1. Expressed gratitude towards colleagues for electing him Mayor Pro tem for 2025 and looking forward to working with the Mayor in new role. FROM COMMISSIONER TAYLOR: 1. Appreciates the growth she has experienced with this body of Commissioners. FROM COMMISSIONER LINK: 1. Organizing a Town Hall Meeting for Thursday, January 23, for District 2 at First AME Church – more information to come. FROM COMMISSIONER DAVENPORT: 1. Consideration of pedestrian safety issues on W. Broad Street. 2. Suggested at the next retreat, discussion be held on public input process. 3. Planning a District 1 Town Hall Meeting via Zoom – more information to come. A motion was made by Commissioner Davenport, seconded by Commissioner Thornton, to adjourn. The motion passed by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. ________________________________ Deputy Clerk of Commission