Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, August 01, 2023 2:00 PM INVOCATION Reverend Johnny L. Hampton, Sr., Senior Pastor, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RECOGNITION(S) A. Director Anita Rookard, ARC Human Resources recognition of Augusta's 2023 Summer Interns. Presentations are made to Augusta's 2023 Summer Interns. DELEGATION(S) B. Mr. George Bailey regarding Local Benefit Celebrity Carwash for Paine College Presentation is made by Mr. Victor Wheeler. C. Mr. Eddie Kemp to discuss flooding at his home on Yates Drive. Mr. Kemp did not appear before the Commission. D. Attorney Jack Long on behalf of Spirit Creek Baptist Church regarding opposition to the special permit request by Renovation Solutions, LLC. Presentation is made by Mr. Jack Long. E. Ms. Garian Henry regarding the need for community housing enhancements/initiatives. Presentation is made by Ms. Garian Henry. F. Mr. Roy Simpkins regarding the value of maintaining mature trees throughout the city. (Requested by the Mayor's Office) Presentation is made by Mr. Roy Simpkins. G. Ms. Tara Perry & Michaela Wolfe regarding flood damage June 6, 2023 to their home. Presentation is made by Ms. Tara Perry. H. Ms. Connie Williams regarding partnering with City of Augusta through workforce development initiatives. Presentation is made by Ms. Connie Williams. I. Ms. Vancary F. Gibson regarding "Environmental". Presentation is made by Ms. Vancary F. Gibson. J. Mr. Marion Gibson regarding "Environmental" Presentation is made by Mr. Marion Gibson. K. Ms. Tonya Bonitatibus regarding the need for an Environmental Justice Ordinance in Augusta- Richmond County, Presentation is made by Ms. Tonya Bonitatibus. L. Ms. Latoy Taylor regarding storm drain flooding on June 22, 2023. Presentation is made by Ms. Latoy Taylor. CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1. Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Commission held July 18, 2023. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, 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 2-28) PUBLIC SERVICES 2. New Ownership: A.N. 23-27: A request by Vaibha Kumar Patel for a retail package Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Broad Beverage, LLC located at 209 5th Street. District 1. Super District 9. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Johnson. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 3. New Location: A.N. 23-28: A request by Jason Jones for a retail package Wine License and a consumption on premise Wine License (Sample Tasting Only) to be used in connection with The Augusta Wine Company located at 1918 Central Ave. District 1. Super District 9. Motion to approve.  Motion made by Johnson, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 4. New Location: A request by Christina Brady for a Massage Operator’s License to be used in connection with Restorative Massage & Wellness Center located at 204 Pleasant Home Road. District 7. Super District 10 Motion to approve. Motion made by Mason, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 5. Ms. Estrella Febus ACHA the Hispanic American Cultural Association of the CSRA regarding request to waive rental and staffing fees as an in-kind donation for the 28th Hispanic Festival to be held at the Augusta Common on September 29-30. (Deferred from the July 18. 2023 Commission Meeting) Motion to approve the waiver of the rental and staffing fees as an in-kind donation. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Johnson. No action is taken on this motion due to the passage of the substitute motion. Substitute motion to approve the waiver of the rental and staffing fees as an in-kind donation, to provide $5,000 to be used toward security costs and that the City of Augusta logo be included to identify the City as a sponsor of the event. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Johnson. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis Voting Nay: Garrett, Smith-McKnight, Guilfoyle Motion carries 7-3. 6. SE-23-03 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE with the conditions below a petition by Wynn Hotels Augusta, LLC requesting a special exception to develop an extended stay hotel per Section 22-2(d) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance affecting property containing approximately 1.83 acres located at 113 Charlestowne Way. Tax Map #011-0-222-03-0. DISTRICT 7 (Deferred from the July 18. 2023 Commission Meeting) Motion to approve. 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. 7. Motion to approve emergency repairs by Company Two Fire in the, not to exceed, amount of $130,000.00 for repairs to the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) CRASH 1 Vehicle. Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on June 29, 2023.  Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 8. A motion to approve a software service contract between Hopthru Data Management and Analysis Platform and Augusta, Georgia. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 9. Opioid Overview. (Requested by Mayor Garnett Johnson) A presentation was given by Dr. Lee Merchen, Director of Public Health, in Augusta, Georgia. 10. Request to approve submission by the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) of the amended FY2023 Annual Action Plan, representing $4,430,358 in investment in the housing and service needs of low and moderate income residents of Augusta, and grant the authority for the Mayor to execute the necessary documents required to be included with this submission. This submission also includes a Substantial Amendment Request for $1,540,181.45 in prior years’ CDBG funds and $301,400.57 in HESG-CV funds, reallocated to Augusta by HUD. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, 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 Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD's) request to provide funding for the installation of one (1) road within the Twiggs Street Corridor identified as Ace Alley: part of the Laney Walker/Bethlehem Revitalization Project. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 12. Motion to approve HCD's request to enter into partnerships to increase lead safety and awareness in the local community. Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 13. Motion to accept the FY2024 Budget Retreat Summary and affirm Quality of Life, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Homelessness, and Public Safety as the FY2024 Commission budget priorities. Motion to approve. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 14. Motion to receive as information update on relocating Augusta Rowing Club from Boathouse (No recommendations from Administrative Services Committee July 11, 2023) (Deferred from the July 18. 2023 Commission Meeting) Motion to approve postponing this item. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 15. Commission approval the award RFQ 22-167 as a GM/GC contract to E.R. Snell Contractor on May 17, 2022. Engineering has negotiated and is requesting your approval for the Construction Contract Phase of this project to E R Snell Contactor, Inc. subject to Value Engineering and in the amount of $60,613,333.83 for Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Project, Broad Street Improvements Project, subject to receipt of signed contract and proper bond. Also, approve recapture $513,847.00 from SPLOST IV St. Sebastian/Greene St Project and reallocate to Broad Street Construction. RFP 22-167 / requested by Engineering. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 16. Approve entering into an agreement with Georgia Power (GP), stating that the City of Augusta will pay for the GP Facility Relocation Cost on TIA Broad Street Improvements Project in accordance with the GP estimate totaling $56,223.00. Also, approve the Utility Relocation Agreement to be executed by the Augusta, Georgia Legal Counsel and the Mayor, and approve payment as requested by Augusta Engineering. Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 17. Augusta County-Wide Solid Waste Management Program associated Environmental Services Functions – Augusta Commission Resolutions & associated Policies Review, Discussion, and Best Way Forward. Requested by Engineering Motion to refer this item back to the next Engineering Services Committee. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 18. Approve Award of “Augusta’s Grounds and Landscaped Improvements Maintenance” Contract Part2 to Pond Maintenance of Augusta for Attached EXHIBIT A Contract Services, subject to receipt of signed contract and proper insurance documents. The Contract is effective 10/1/2023 for four years with an option to renew for one additional one-year terms. Also, approve $400,000/year to fund these contracted services. Requested by Engineering. RFP 22-301. Motion to refer this item back to the next Engineering Services Committee meeting. Motion made by Johnson, Seconded by Williams. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 19. Approve supplemental funding (SA3) for Final Construction Plan Preparation Phase of the Design Consultant Services Agreement to Kimley-Horn in the amount of $156,279.16 for the Monte Sano Ave. Improvements (Wrightsboro Rd. to Walton Way) Project. requested by the Engineering / RFQ 19-247. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 20. Approve the deed of dedication, maintenance agreement, and road resolution submitted by the Engineering Department for Haynes Station Section 15. Also, approve Augusta Utilities Department easement deed and maintenance agreement. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 21. Approve the sole source purchase of Mezzanine Platform for new Traffic Engineering warehouse located at 1568 Broad Street. Approve funds in the amount of $49,598. Requested by Engineering Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 22. Approve Amending ESG Amendment 10 To Add Appendix O, Water Tank Painting And Renovation Projects and Add additional Funds for Appendix I for Assisting with Collection System Inspections. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. FINANCE 23. Request Richmond County's Chief Tax Appraiser Scott Roundtree speak about property taxes as to why such an increase this year; also want to discuss a rollback as we supported last year. (Requested by Commissioner Catherine McKnight) It was the consensus of the Commission to receive this item as information without objection. 24. Motion to approve proposed 2023 mill rates for each taxing district at the computed rollback rate, advertise the required 5-year history of the digest and to schedule the date of August 29, 2023, for the meeting to adopt the rates as proposed. Motion to approve the proposed full rollback rate. Motion made by Johnson, Seconded by Williams. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Voting Nay: Guilfoyle Mr. Frantom out. Motion carries 8-1. PUBLIC SAFETY 25. Motion to approve the contract with Microsoft for the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement and Microsoft licensing purchases through Dell, Inc. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 26. Motion to approve agreement with the Georgia Department of Corrections to administer Paper- Based (GED) Testing to Inmates. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 27. Motion to approve Amendment #1 to RFP 18-149 EMS Ambulance Billing Contract to extend terms and to authorize the mayor to execute all appropriate documents. (Requested by the Administrator) Motion to refer this item back to the next Public Safety Committee. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. 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 28. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act. ADDENDUM ITEM 1. Motion to approve change order one (1) for Horizon Construction in the amount of $594,985.00 for construction of lighting at Jamestown Park as part of the Jamestown Park Improvement Project 22REC117 (ITB 21-275). (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle) It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be added to the agenda without objection. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle. Motion carries 10-0.