Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, May 02, 2023 2:00 PM PRESENT Mayor Garnett Johnson Commissioner Brandon Garrett Commissioner Jordan Johnson Commissioner Bobby Williams Commissioner Alvin Mason Commissioner Sean Frantom Commissioner Francine Scott Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight Commissioner Stacy Pulliam Commissioner Tony Lewis Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle INVOCATION Reverend Anthony Booker, Senior Pastor. Broadway Baptist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RECOGNITION(S) A. Congratulations! James Joyner, Engineering Department, April 2023 Employee of the Month Presentation is made to the April 2023 Employee of the Month. B. Acknowledgment: ACCG, Georgia's County Association, has named Augusta, Georgia, a recipient of the 2023 Georgia County Excellence Award for the 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge. (Requested by IA Takiyah Douse) Acknowledgement of Augusta, Georgia as the recipient of the 2023 Georgia County Excellence Award for the 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge. DELEGATION(S) C. National Small Business Week in Augusta. (Requested by Commissioner Francine Scott) Recognition of National Small Business Week in Augusta. D. Mr. Moses Todd to discuss the need for an internal auditor; waste, fraud and abuse prevention. Presentation is made by Mr. Moses Todd. E. Augusta Pride, Inc. regarding a request to cover security costs for two events: Beats on Broad scheduled for June 23,2023 and the Augusta Pride Festival scheduled for June 24, 2023. Motion to approve funding in the amount of $5,000 for security costs for the Augusta Pride Festival scheduled for June 24, 2023. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis Voting Nay: Smith-McKnight, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-2. F. Mr. Morris Porter regarding a request for funding assistance for security for the 2023 Juneteenth Parade. Motion to approve funding in the amount of $5,000 for security costs for the 2023 Juneteenth Parade. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis Voting Nay: Smith-McKnight, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-2. CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1-21) PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Motion to approve placing Voncellies Allen d/b/a/ Level 9 Sports Bar & Grill located at 3054 Damascus Rd on six months probation for failure to comply with the Augusta Alcohol Ordinance and Occupation Tax Ordinance. (Approved by Public Safety Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 2. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD's) request to provide CDBG funding to reconstruct one (1) single family unit, identified as 1216 Branch Street. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 3. Motion to approve the development of (1) single-family home, new construction. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 4. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD's) request to provide funding to Sand Hills Urban Development in partnership to assist Vital Steps in becoming a developer for the Sand Hills Area and support the construction of two (2) single family units to be sold to low income homebuyers.(Approved by Administrative Services Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 5. Motion to ratify funding for diesel fuel required during the canal shutdown. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 6. Motion to approve MOU with Augusta University to develop an internship program centered around Smart City sensors and programs. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 7. Motion to approve Engineering Services to upgrade AUD’s Master Plan for delivery of projects and services for the next 5-year period. Audurra (Constantine Engineering) is a pre-qualified Engineering Consultant for the Utilities Department (RFQ 18-132). (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 8. Motion to approve Funding for Grant Writing Services targeted at water and wastewater. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 9. Motion to authorize and approve Supplemental Agreement Number Eleven (SA11) for Cranston Engineering in amount of $131,104.00 for the Augusta Levee Task Order. Task Order includes Levee structural encroachments condition assessment including drainage and structural inspections. Requested by Engineering / RFP 19-241(Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 10. Motion to approve Supplement funding (SA2) to Infrastructure Systems Management, LLC in the amount of $295,420.23 for the Greene Street Improvements Construction Phase Services (CEI & Construction Rescoping). Requested by Engineering / RFP 18-312.(Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 11. Motion to approve proposal from CDM Smith, Inc., to provide additional services for the Sanitary Sewer Model of the Fort Gordon Service area for the Utilities Department CO Amendment 1 - 19UTI809(Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 25, 2023). Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 12. Motion to approve proposal to enter an Engineering Services Contract with Cranston Engineering Group, P.C., to provide Planning and Due Diligence Design services towards the  repair of the Augusta Canal Diversion Dam in the amount of $30,000.00. (RFQ 18- 132) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. FINANCE 13. Motion to approve a request from the Augusta Boxing Club regarding reimbursement (refunding) of 2022 property taxes. (Approved by Finance Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. PUBLIC SAFETY 14. Motion to approve $2,300,00 of Fire Department Fund Balance for the emergency purchase of a new aerial truck, repair two fire pumpers, repair one reserve aerial truck purchase light vehicles and $145,000 from Property Sales for the purchase of an air truck. (Approved by Public Safety Committee April 25, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. APPOINTMENT(S) 15. Motion to approve the Augusta Legislative Delegation's appointments and reappointment as attached to various ARC authorities, boards and commissions. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 16. Motion to approve the reappointment of Mr. James Anderson to the Historic Preservation Commission representing District 10. (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 17. Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Tonia Gibbons to the Augusta-Richmond County Library Board of Trustees representing District 9. (Requested by Commissioner Francine Scott) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 18. Motion to approve the reappointment of Davis Beman to the Augusta Aviation Commission representing District 10. (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 19. Motion to approve the appointment of Elmyra Chivers to the Board of Zoning and Appeals representing Commission District 4. (Requested by Commissioner Alvin Mason) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 20. Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Christine B. Rhodes to the Augusta Richmond County Library Board of Trustees representing District 10. (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 21. Motion to approve the minutes of the Augusta Commission held April 18, 2023 and Special Called Meeting held April 25, 2023. Motion to approve.  Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ****END CONSENT AGENDA**** AUGUSTA COMMISSION AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA (Items 22-26) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 22. Motion to approve the renaming of Sammie Sias Way to Jamestown Lane effective immediately. (Requested by Commissioner Alvin Mason) Motion to approve. Motion made by Mason, Seconded by Guilfoyle. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Williams Motion carries 9-1. FINANCE 23. Motion to hire a local third party accounting firm separate and independent from the external auditors who perform financial statements audits on an annual basis to perform regularly scheduled internal financial and operational audits on all City departments ensuring every department is audited at a minimum of once every four years. Said firm will present findings quarterly to the full Commission. (Requested by Commissioner Catherine McKnight) Motion to hire a third party accounting firm separate and independent from the external auditors who perform financial statements audits on an annual basis to perform regularly scheduled operational audits on all City departments ensuring every department is audited at a minimum of once every four years. Said firm will present findings quarterly to the full Commission. Motion made by Smith-McKnight, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Johnson Voting Abstaining: Williams Vote is taken to end debate on this matter. Mr. Mason and Mr. Johnson vote No. Vote carries 8-2. (Vote on the motion)  Motion carries 8-1-1. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 24. Consider/approve the nominated slate of Georgia Municipal Association's District 7 Officers for 2023-2024. Mr. Frantom nominates Ms. Catherine McKnight as Augusta’s vote to serve as the 3rd Vice President. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 25. Motion to approve Georgia Department of Revenue Resolution of appointment for James Scott and William Mills to Augusta-Richmond County Board of Assessors. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel 26. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act. ADDENDUM ITEM 1. Motion to approve entering into Contract Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for Acquisition of Right of Way (ROW) Willis Foreman Road Improvements Project (PI #0013703). Also authorize Augusta Mayor and Clerk of Commission to execute “Resolution of the Local Government” Document, Georgia E-Verify Affidavit, and ROW Contract Document (electronic and hard copy) Engineering Department. (Requested by Commissioner Alvin Mason) Unanimous consent is given to add this item to the agenda. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0.