Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, June 06, 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 Pastor Mike Hearon, First Presbyterian Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RECOGNITION(S) A. Presentation to Patrick Broome and Tate Williams for their outstanding initiative, courage, and heroism in rescuing an elderly gentleman from a car that was submerged in the Savannah river on May 7th. Unanimous consent is given to approve deleting this item from the agenda. DELEGATION(S) B. Dr. Lester G. Jackson regarding opening a Botanical Sciences/Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Richmond County. Presentation is made by Dr. Jackson. C. Ms. Ashley Whitaker, representative Junior Achievement of Georgia regarding a funding request for the JA Discovery Center of the CSRA. It was the consensus of the Commission by unanimous consent that this item be referred to the Interim Administrator for further discussion with Ms. Whitaker and a recommendation back in  the next two weeks with a written copy of the presentation and the funding request to be given to the Commission through the Administrator. D. Ms. Garian Henry regarding a request for funding to improve living conditions for residents in the community of Magnolia Court Apartments/East Boundary. Ms. Henry did not appear before the Commission. E. Consider a request from Ms. Sharon Bush Ellison regarding revocation of business permit# LCB20190001393. Presentation is made by Ms. Ellison. CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1-9) PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Motion to ratify the approval of Z-23-18 by the Augusta Commission a request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by John T. Arnett Jr. & Karen B. Arnett requesting a rezoning from zone R-1A (One-family Residential) to zone P-1 (Professional Office) affecting property containing approximately 0.47-acres located at 3442 Peach Orchard Road. Tax Map #133-3-015-00-0. DISTRICT 6 (Approved by the Commission on May 16, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 2. Motion to ratify the approval of Z-23-19 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Celina Lofton on behalf of Blake Dornfeld & Olivia Golden requesting a rezoning from zone A (Agricultural) to zone B-2 (General Business) affecting property containing approximately 2.7-acres located at 2836 Tobacco Road. Tax Map #129-0-739-00-0. DISTRICT 4 (Approved by the Commission May 16, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 3. Motion to ratify the Augusta Commission's approval of Z-23-20 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Woda Cooper Development, Inc. on behalf of J-Mar Broad Street Investments, LLC requesting a rezoning from zone B-2 (General Business) to zone PUD (Planned Unit Development) affecting properties containing approximately 1.33-acres located at 1427 & 1437 Broad St. Tax Map #036-3-003-00-0 and 036-2-041-00-0. DISTRICT 1(Approved by the Commission on May 16, 2023) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 4. Motion to ratify the Augusta Commission's approval of Z-23-23 – a request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Brad Meister requesting to amend conditions adopted with rezoning application Z-21-24 for zone R-1E (One-family Residential) to zone R-1E (One-family Residential) without zoning restrictions affecting property containing approximately 3.78-acres located at 3055 Dennis Road. Tax Map #007-1-006-00-0. DISTRICT 7 (Approved by the Augusta Commission May 16, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 5. Motion to ratify the Augusta Commission's approval of Z-23-24 – a petition by Bobby Bagwell on behalf of CKJ Properties, LLC, requesting to amend a condition adopted with rezoning application Z-22-38 for zone R-1E (One-family Residential) to zone R-1E (One- family Residential) to allow for 22-foot-wide lots affecting property containing approximately 8.84-acres located at 2427 Boykin Road. Tax Map #166-0-004-00-0. DISTRICT 6 (Approved by the Augusta Commission May 16, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 6. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular scheduled Commission Meeting held May 16, 2023 and Special Called Meetings held May 23 and 26, 2023. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. APPOINTMENTS 7. Motion to approve the appointment of Reginald B. Forrest to the ARC Board of Zoning & Appeals representing District 6. Motion to approve.  Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 8. Motion to approve Mr. David M. Barbee, Sr. to the Historic Preservation Commission representing District 6. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 9. Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Carletta W. McGruder to the ARC Library Board of Trustees representing District 6. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. 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 10-45) PUBLIC SERVICES 10. Motion to accept the award of the Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionally Impacted Communities grant for Boykin Road Park. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 11. Motion to approve Pyro Shows East Coast, Inc. as annual vendor for the Independence Day Celebration Fireworks Show. Motion to approve.  Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 12. Motion to ratify the mayoral execution of the time-sensitive resolution for the pre-application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 13. Motion to approve Runway 35 Special Authorization Category II (Low Visibility) Approach, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reimbursable Agreement in the amount of $1,306,593.64. Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on April 27, 2023. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 14. Motion to approve the Letter of Intent between Augusta, Georgia and Georgia State Properties Commission for property located at 3423 Mike Padgett Highway. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 15. Receive as information an update on the Rowing Club needs and approve additional time for Central Services to return with required specifications and needed funding recommendations. Motion to approve receiving this item as information. Motion made by Guilfoyle. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 16. Approve the attached sole source procurement from Downtown Decorations, Inc in the amount of $99,876.00 for downtown area Christmas décor. Motion to approve with the Commission to receive a report on additional decorations for the Tobacco Road area.  Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 17. Motion to approve acceptance of grant award from the Governor’s Office’s Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionally Impacted Communities grant program for the Extending the Common: Bridging Recreation and Commerce in Downtown Augusta project. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 18. Motion to approve the purchase of one 2023 Digger Derrick truck, at a total cost of $319,000 from Altec of Birmingham, AL (Bid #22-266) for the Engineering Department – Traffic Engineering Division. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 19. Presentation of the Rightsizing Plan recommendations by Interim Administrator Douse. Motion to approve with the Interim Administrator to come back to the committee to provide an approximate date and time. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 20. Motion to approve a Strategic Plan Kickoff meeting on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 21. Messrs. Moses Todd and Jeff Rice Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 150 relative to Workforce Development Hub Augusta, Georgia. Presentations are made by Mr. Todd and Mr. Rice. 22. Motion to approve directing H.R. to start search for a Solid Waste Director. (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle Motion to approve deleting this item from the agenda.  Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 23. Approve sole source purchase order to Itron for the purchase of encoder receiver transmitters (ERTs) for Augusta Utilities. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 24. Motion to Adopt Resolution for Transportation Infrastructure Improvements Act (TIA) of 2010 Project Agreement (IGA) relative to the TIA2 funded Projects. Requested by Engineering. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 25. Approve entering into an agreement with (CSXT) CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC. Company stating that Augusta, GA will pay for the Construction Engineering, Inspection, and Flagging protection services, for the 13th Street Improvements Project in accordance with the estimate $49,509.00. Also, approve the Construction Agreement to be executed by the Augusta, GA Legal Counsel and the Mayor. Requested by Engineering Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 26. Receive update on Waste Management Waste Hauler Contract- Amendment2 Two-year Extension Terms Negotiation. Also, Review and Consider approving Engineering & Environmental Services Director Recommended Path Forward (Attached Exhibit A; listed at Memo 2/2 page). requested by Engineering / Bid 11-112 Motion to approve the recommendation of the Environmental Services Director to develop new contract documents and initiate a request for qualifications for the waste hauler contract. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 27. Approve Task Order Three funding for Forrest Hills Drainage Basin Drainage Improvements Engineering Services Agreement to Alfred Benesch & Company (Benesch) in the amount of $37,460.00 as requested by the Engineering. RFQ 19-148 Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 28. Approve supplemental funding (SA3) for Design Phase of the Design Consultant Services Agreement to CHA (formerly Wolverton & Associates, Inc.) in the amount of $25,000.00 for the Wrightsboro Road Improvements Project as requested by the Engineering. RFQ 19-238 Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 29. Receive as information an update regarding Ellis Street Property Assessment & Supplemental Drainage Study. Discuss findings on observed conditions of each structure and discuss the defects and likely causes of the observed conditions. It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be received as information without objection.. 30. Approve Augusta Engineering entering into Cooperative Services and Funding Agreement (Agreement) with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) Wild Life Services (WS) for assisting Augusta Engineering Reducing Beaver Damage and related Flooding Issues. Requested by Augusta Engineering. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. FINANCE 31. Task the Administrator with bringing back a status update on the 82.3 million of American Rescue Plan (ARP) spending plan in a line itemized breakdown format…. With name of Entity / Activity awarded, Award amount and balance / statue to date. (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 32. Present 2024 Budget Planning Calendar for Approval Motion to approve. Motion made by Mason, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 33. Motion to approve allowing the Administrator to bring back recommendations for funding sources for the request made by Ms. Ernesia Wright of the Georgia Soul Organization in the amount of $250,000. (Approved by Finance Committee May 9, 2023) (Deferred from to the May 16, 2023 Commission Meeting to the June 6, 2023 meeting) Motion to approve referring this item to the Administrator for a recommendation. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 34. Motion to approve the development of a plan regarding the reduction of the deficit of $1.3 million dollars of the Augusta Library with the division of this amount in half with $650,000 each to the Library and Augusta and a further division into two cash payments on the Library side of $325,000 each with one received by Augusta in FY2023 and one in FY 2024. On Augusta's side the $650,000 will be divided in half with $325,000 added as an increased funding level to the Library's FY2024 budget and the second payment of $325,000 will be added as an increased funding level to the Library's FY2025 budget with the total plan to be subject to a review by the Law Department. (Approved by Finance Committee May 9, 2023 and deferred from the May 16, 2023 Commission Meeting) Motion to approve a budget appropriation of $1.3 million dollars from ARP funding to the Augusta Library and then have them repay their debt of $1.3 million dollars back to the City. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Lewis. Substitute motion to approve this item as presently recommended. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by McKnight. (Vote on substitute motion) Mr. Johnson, Ms. Pulliam, Mr. Mason, Mr. Williams, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Garrett and Ms. Scott vote No. Motion fails 3-7. Motion to approve a one-time budget appropriation of $1.3 million dollars from ARP funding to the Augusta Library with the Administrator to draft an MOU agreement with details for a repayment plan. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Lewis. Ms. McKnight, Mr. Frantom, Mr. Garrett and Mr. Guilfoyle vote No. Motion carries 6-4.  PUBLIC SAFETY 35. Motion to approve Augusta-Richmond County FY24 Capacity Agreement for State Inmates to be housed at the Richmond County Correctional Institution Motion to approve deleting this item from the agenda. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 36. Motion to approve Community Cat Ordinance Amendment. (Approved by Full Commission April 18, 2023) Motion to approve and to waive the second reading. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 37. Motion to approve the FY2024 Criminal Justice Coordinating Council grant award for the Family Treatment Court Program in the amount of $134,120. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 38. Motion to approve the FY2024 Criminal Justice Coordinating Council grant award for the Adult Felony Drug Court Program in the amount of $727,962. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 39. Motion to accept FY24 Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Grant Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. APPOINTMENT(S) 40. Consider the following for appointment to the Augusta Economic Development Authority: (Submitted by Mayor Garnett Johnson)  1. Greg Hill (Requested by Commissioner Tony Lewis); 2.) Melanie Taylor (Requested by Commissioner Sean Frantom. 3) Deke Copenhaver (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle). To replace the following 1) Henry Ingram, 2) Brenda Bonner 3) Remer Brinson It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be deleted from the agenda. 41. Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Collette D’Antignac to Augusta Economic Development Authority to replace Mrs. Brenda Bonner. (Requested by Commissioner Francine Scott) Motion to approve. (No other nominations are noted) Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle. Mr. Garrett out. Motion carries 9-0. 42. Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Corey Johnson to the Augusta Economic Development Authority to the seat currently held by Mr. Charles Lamback. (Requested by Commissioner Alvin Mason) Motion to approve. Mr. Mason moves to close nominations. Motion made by Mason, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Mr. Garrett out. Motion carries 9-0. 43. Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Greg Hill to the Augusta Economic Development Authority to replace Mr. Remer Brinson. (Requested by Commissioner Tony Lewis and submitted by Mayor Garnett Johnson). Motion to approve. Mr. Frantom moves to close nominations. Motion made by Lewis, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Mr. Garrett out. Motion carries 9-0. 44. Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Deke Copenhaver to the Augusta Economic Development Authority to replace Mr. Henry Ingram. (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle and submitted by Mayor Garnett Johnson) Motion to approve. Mr. Mason moves to close nominations. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Williams, Lewis Mr. Garrett out. Motion carries 7-2. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel 45. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act. ADDENDUM ITEM 1. Receive update from Chief Tax Appraiser Scott Rountree regarding the upcoming home valuations. (Requested by Commissioner Bobby Williams) Unanimous consent is given to add this item to the agenda. Motion to approve receiving this item as information. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Johnson. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Garrett, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0.