Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, October 03, 2023 2:00 PM PRESENT Mayor Garnett Johnson 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 ABSENT Commissioner Brandon Garrett INVOCATION Reverend Tommie L. Benjamin, Pastor, Trinity C.M.E. Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DELEGATION(S) A. Ms. Cheryl Fleming regarding opposition to the renaming of the Augusta Riverwalk. Presentation is made by Ms. Wilson. B. Ms. Betty Powell regarding naming the Riverwalk in honor of Ed McIntyre. Presentation is made by Ms. Powell. C. Ms. Monique Braswell regarding the annual Feast before the Feast Event. Presentation is made by Ms. Braswell. CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1-6) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 1. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD’s) request to enter into contractual agreement with David Green Realty, LLC. for property management services (RFP 23-273). Recommendation of award is for a 2 year contract with option to extend for three (3) additional one (1) year terms. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee September 26, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 2. Motion to approve two (2) Rehabilitation Projects in partnership with Curry Home Improvement. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee September 26, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 3. Motion to approve utilizing state contract (#SWC 99999-SPD-ES40199373-002) for the purchase of five Ford F250s, at a total cost of $271,350 from Allan Vigil Ford for the Richmond County Fire Department. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee September 26, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 4. Motion to approve directing the Administrator to obtain completed Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) from all departments by December 31, 2023 and report back to the Commission the agreed upon SLA timeframes for each service request. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee September 26, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. FINANCE 5. Motion to approve agreements with Development Authority of Augusta (AEDA) for two projects, for Retail Recruitment and Industrial Recruitment, that were included in SPLOST 8, and to authorize the Mayor to execute all appropriate documents. (Approved by Finance Committee September 26, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 6. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of commission held September 19, 2023 and the Special Meeting held September 26, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. ****END CONSENT AGENDA**** AUGUSTA COMMISSION AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA (Items 7-34) PUBLIC SERVICES 7. New Location: A.N. 23-39: A request by Reginald M. McGee for a consumption on premise Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with 211 Bar & Grill located at 4630 Mike Padgett Hwy. There will be Dance. District 8. Super District 10. Motion to approve. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Williams. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Ms. McKnight out. Motion carries 8-0. 8. New Location: A.N. 23-40: A request by Robert Robertson for a consumption on premise Wine License to be used in connection with That Flippin Egg #3 located at 3321 Mike Padgett Hwy. District 6 Super District 10 Motion to approve.  Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 9. New Location: A.N. 23-41: A request by Vy Nguyen for a consumption on premise Incidental Wine License to be used with Solar Nails located at 3697 Windsor Spring Rd. District 6 Super District 10 Motion to approve. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Williams. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 10. Motion to approve Historic Preservation Training September 13-15, 2023 for members of the Augusta Historic Preservation Committee Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 11. A motion to consider approval of the Georgia Power Electric Transportation Make Ready Program Customer Proposal Acceptance Letter. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 12. A motion to renew the Sec. 5311 Rural Transit grant application between the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Augusta, Georgia for July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 13. Consider approving an Easement Deed, from Georgia Power Company, for a permanent access easement. Motion to approve.  Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 14. Motion to approve Supplemental Agreement for a Tree Study on existing FAA Grant. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 15. Motion to Approve Change Order #1 to contract with RW Allen Construction for Fuel Farm Improvements for a total increase of $34,215.96. Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on August 24, 2023. 23BFA132 Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 16. Request for Augusta Planning and Development Department to provide a status update on amending the current ordinance to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). (Requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam). Motion to approve receiving this item as information and to ask Ms. Delaney to bring back an update to the Commission in four months regarding the amendment to the ordinance. Motion made by Pulliam, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be received as information without objection. 17. Approve the placement of a public art sculpture within the 511 Reynolds Street Pocket Park. (Requested by the Administrator) Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 18. Discuss and implement new policy for employees physically clocking in including SES employees. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Garrett) Motion to refer this item to the next committee meeting. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 19. Motion to approve renaming one of the Augusta Recreation athletic ball fields, at the Diamond Lakes Regional Park located at 4335 Windsor Spring Rd, Hephzibah, GA, in honor of Fred Ancil “Andy” Cheek, III. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee September 12, 2023) (Deferred from the Commission September 19, 2023 meeting) Motion to approve tabling this item and items 20 and 21 indefinitely and not change the name of anything. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by McKnight. Voting Yea: Frantom, Guilfoyle, Smith-McKnight Voting Nay: Johnson, Mason, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis, Williams Motion fails 3-6. Motion to approve the item as stated. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis Voting Nay: Frantom, Smith-McKnight, Guilfoyle Motion carries 6-3. 20. Motion to approve the renaming the Augusta Riverwalk Park to the name of Edward M. McIntyre, Sr. Riverwalk Park, and the Augusta 8th Street Plaza to the Edward M. McIntyre, Sr. Square at 8th Street, and placing his name on the entrance of the 8th Street bulkhead archway. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee September 12, 2023) (Deferred from the Commission September 19, 2023 meeting) Motion to approve. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Lewis. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis Voting Nay: Frantom, Smith-McKnight, Guilfoyle Motion carries 6-3. 21. Motion to approve the renaming of the Augusta Utilities/Engineering Building, located at 425 Walker Street, Augusta, GA, in honor of former Utilities Director Thomas D. Wiedmeier P.E. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee September 12, 2023) (Deferred from the Commission September 19, 2023 meeting) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Lewis. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis Voting Nay: Frantom, Smith-McKnight, Guilfoyle Motion carries 6-3. 22. Motion to approve a collaboration between Augusta, Georgia, and the City of Savannah and the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless, to launch a public awareness campaign ‘Give Change That Counts’, and to authorize the mayor to execute all appropriate documents. (No recommendation from Administrative Services Committee September 26, 2023) Motion to approve bringing this item back for consideration in two weeks. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 23. Presentation by Mr. Ming F. Lin regarding the demolition of his driveway located at 3653 Wrightsboro Road. Motion to approve receiving this item as information Motion made by Scott, Seconded by Mason. It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be received as information without objection. 24. Receive as information Purchase of Quincy Compressor & Accessories in amount of $89,665.91 from Quincy Company for Landfill Gas Plant. Requested by Engineering. Bid 22-057 Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 25. Receive as information Purchase of Waste Wheel Carts in amount of $94,080.00 from Otto Environmental Systems. Requested by Engineering. Bid 23-165 Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 26. Approve $180,000 to continue the funding for the current Waste Wheel Carts Contract to Otto Environmental Systems. Requested by Engineering. Bid 23-165  Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 27. Approve and Authorize Execution of Augusta’s Zone 1 Residential Waste & Recyclable Collection Service Contact Extension Agreement with Georgia Waste System LLC for a Transitional period up to Six (6) months beginning January 1, 2024 to ensure continuity of such Contracted Services during existing contract transition to a new contract (RFP 23-112). Requested by Engineering. Bid 12-112 Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 28. Approve Award of “Augusta’s Right of Way & other Areas Trees Management and Trees Removal” Contract to Big Dog Stump & Tree and Atlanta Premier Tree Solution, LLC subject to receipt of signed contract and proper insurance documents. The Contract is effective 10/1/2023 for three years with an option to renew for two additional one-year terms. Requested by Engineering. RFP 23-252 Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 29. Approve Authorizing Augusta Engineering & Environmental Services Department Soliciting Qualification Based Proposals for Conducting Audit, Condition Assessment, and Operational Assessment of presently Augusta’s owned Street Lighting/Outdoor Lighting Facilities (Overhead Lighting, Fixtures & Associated Items) and Accordingly Developing Potential Energy Saving Upgrades & Operational Program. Requested by Engineering Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. FINANCE 30. Motion to approve funding to replace irrigation system for the entire length of Henry Street. (Requested by Commissioner Catherine McKnight) Motion to approve moving forward with obtaining an RFP to determine the cost to replace the irrigation system on the entire length of Henry Street which would be done in phases. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by McKnight. Motion is rescinded by Guilfoyle. It was the consensus of the Commission to receive this item as information without objection and allow the Interim Administrator to proceed with getting cost estimates to make the repairs to the irrigation system. 31. Consider a request from Mr. Aaron Matthews regarding a property tax abatement for the property located adjacent to Matthews Motors at 1365 Gordon Highway. (No recommendation from Finance Committee September 26, 2023) Motion to approve refunding the taxes after he has paid them on this parcel of land. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by McKnight. No action was taken on this motion. It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be received as information without objection. PUBLIC SAFETY 32. Approve assigning the honorary name designation of Frank Yerby St to Hall Street. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 33. Discussion concerning facility conditions and treatment of inmates at the Charles B. Webster Determine Center. (Requested by Commissioner Catherine McKnight) Motion to refer this item to the next committee meeting. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel 34. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act. ADDENDUM ITEM 1. Motion to approve/ratify the Augusta Legislative Delegation’s appointment of Mr. J. Noel Schweers, III to the Augusta Canal Authority to fill the unexpired term (due to the resignation) of Ms. Jeanie Allen. (Requested by Representative Brian Prince) Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle. Motion carries 9-0.