Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, November 21, 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 Elder Jerome Peterson, Pastor, Highway 56 Church of Christ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RECOGNITION(S) A. Congratulations! 2023 October Years of Service (YOS) 25-50 year. DELEGATION(S) B. Mr. Dave Olson, President of Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) would like to provide the Commission an update on our mission at the Savannah River Site (SRS). SRMC is the new liquid waste contractor at SRS. We began our contract in March 2022, and this is a 10 year contract with a potential for an additional 5 years. We employ approximately 3,700 employees and have partnerships within local communities (academia, chambers, non-profits, etc.) Presentation is made by Mr. Olson. C. Ms. Jasmine Ryans regarding streetlighting improvement proposal for 3313 through 3317 Mike Padgett Highway Presentation is made by Ms. Ryans. D. Mr. Richard E. Jones regarding repair work on manways and roads in Augusta. Presentation is made by Mr. Jones. E. Ms. Natasha Jenkins regarding support for iCandy University Dance Team. Ms. Jenkins did not appear before the Commission and asked that her item be rescheduled until December. F. Minister Dante Barley regarding abandon buildings and licenses. Presentation is made by Minister Barley. CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1-25) PLANNING 1. Motion to approveZ-23-46 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve with conditions a petition by Southern Civil Solutions, LLC, on behalf of Decorum Medicine, LLC, requesting a rezoning from zone R-1A (One-family Residential) to zone R-1E (One-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 5.36 acres located at 2620 Barton Chapel Road. Tax Map #095-0-020-00-0. DISTRICT 5 Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 2. Motion to approve Z-23-47 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to deny a petition by Mary Ross on behalf of Mary Ross and Richard Makerson requesting a rezoning from zone A (Agricultural) and R-3B (Multiple-family Residential) to zone R-3B (Multiple-family Residential) affecting properties containing approximately 4.83 acres located at 1015, 1027, 1029 and 1033 Moseley Road. Tax Map #338-0-003-42-0, 338-0-003- 41-0, 338-0-003-40-0 and 338-0-003-39-0. DISTRICT 8 Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 3. Motion to approve Z-23-48 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve with conditions a petition by Brandi Wallace on behalf of Sherri Valencia requesting a rezoning from zone R-1 (One-family Residential) to zone A (Agricultural) affecting property containing approximately 10.1 acres located at 1898 Brown Road. Tax Map #212- 4-002-00-0.DISTRICT 8 Motion to approve the petition with the addition of a 100 ft. buffer on the property. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam Voting Nay: Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-2. 4. Motion to approve Z-23-50 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve with conditions a petition by High Brass Development LLC, on behalf of Glenda Degenhardt and Johnny Anderson, Sr. requesting a rezoning from zone A (Agricultural) and R- 1A (One-family Residential) to zone R-1D (One-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 10.81 acres located at 2804 Meadowbrook Drive. Tax Map #119-0- 006-00-0. DISTRICT 5 Motion to approve referring this item to the next Commission meeting pending a meeting between the developer and some residents from the neighborhood area Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Garrett, Smith-McKnight Motion carries 8-2. 5. Motion to approve SE-23-08 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve with a condition, a petition by Mary Ross on behalf of Mary Ross and Richard Makerson requesting a special exception to establish a lodging and boarding house per Section 17-2(b) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance affecting property containing approximately 4.83 acres located at 1015, 1027, 1029 and 1033 Moseley Road. Zone R-3B (Multiple-family Residential). Tax Map #338-0-003-42-0, 338-0-003-41-0, 338-0-003-40-0 and 338-0-003-39-0.DISTRICT 8 Motion to deny the petition for the special exception. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. No action is taken on the original motion due to the passage of the substitute motion. Substitute motion to concur with the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve the petition. Motion made by Johnson, Seconded by Williams. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Mason, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis Voting Nay: Garrett, Frantom, Smith-McKnight, Guilfoyle Motion carries 6-4. PUBLIC SERVICES 6. Motion to approve New Location: A.N. 23-12: A request Henry Scheer for a consumption on premise Beer & Wine License and a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Mally’s Market located at 2860 Washington Rd. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 7. Motion to approve a request by Planning & Development to renew the existing Alcohol Licenses in Augusta. There will be Sunday Sales, Dance, Arcades, Wholesale, Alcohol  Catering, and an Adult Bookstore. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 8. Motion to approve Resolution designation of Sunday February 11, 2023, as the Sunday designated for Bars to be open for Sunday Bowl Sunday. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 9. Motion to approve New Location: Massage Operator: A request by Michael Martin for a Massage Operator’s License to be used in connection with The Athletic Standard located at 211 Hudson Trace. District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 10. Motion to approve Aviation Fuel Supplier Contract with Ascent Aviation Group, Inc. Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on October 26, 2023. RFP 23-246 Aviation Fuel Supply Agreement terms: (3) three-year agreement with (2) two one-year renewable options. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 11. Motion to approve the Purchase of Three (3) Golf Carts from Mr. Golf Carts in the amount of $36,870.00. Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on October 26, 2023. ITB 23- 222 (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle  Motion carries 10-0. 12. Motion to approve the Purchase of One (1) Baggage Tractor from Aero Specialties, Inc. in the amount of $58,490.00. Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on October 26, 2023. ITB 23-225 (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 13. Motion to Approve the purchase of one (1) Towbarless Aircraft Tug from JBT Lektro, Inc. for the amount of $136,437.00. Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on October 26, 2023. ITB 23-202 Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 14. Motion to approve increasing the Augusta Regional Airport 2023 budget in the amount of $1,000,000 for October, November, and December aircraft fuel expense. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 15. Motion to approve a grant award between the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Augusta, Georgia for the GDOT Transit Trust Fund Program. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 16. Motion to approve the Sec. 5307 Augusta Transit grant application between the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Augusta, Georgia. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle  Motion carries 10-0. 17. Motion to approve the Sec. 5339 Augusta Transit grant application between the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Augusta, Georgia. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 18. Motion to approve the Sec. 5307 Augusta Transit grant application between the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Augusta, Georgia. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 19. Motion to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Augusta Conventions and Visitors Bureau, Inc. for the implementation of an outdoor urban zipline adventure center on the 5th Street Bridge along the Augusta Riverwalk. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 20. Motion to approve proposed priorities for FY25 Federal Congressionally Directed Spending. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 21. Motion to approve and authorize Environmental Services (Landfill & Waste Collection) Operations Optimization (attached Exhibit A) Implementation to achieve Operations required Productivity & Efficiency; with the funding of three positions now and the funding of the  remaining two positions at a later date with the Administrator to move funding from one line item to another. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve with the addition of the word "new" in describing the three positions to be funded now and the remaining two positions to be funded at a later date. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. PUBLIC SAFETY 22. Motion to approve the purchase of a Modular building from Modular Technologies Inc. 23- 258 (Approved by Public Safety Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 23. Motion to approve VitalCore Health Strategies LLC amendment to contract for the Richmond County Sheriff's Office Inmate Medical Contract. (Approved by Public Safety Committee November 14, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 24. Motion to approve the minutes of the November 7, 2023 regular meeting of the commission and the Special Called Meeting held November 14, 2023. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. APPOINTMENT(S) 25. Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Dwight Bonner to the Augusta Port Authority representing District 1. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. 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 26-31) PUBLIC SERVICES 26. Motion to approve New Location: Address Change Only: A request by Zhi Ye for a change of address for Ye’s Massage from 3435 Wrightsboro Rd to 1912 Walton Way. District 1. Super District 9. (No recommendation from the Public Services Committee November 11, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 27. Request approval for Exceptional Circumstance Salary Increase to designated Central Service employees. (Requested by Commissioner Alvin Mason) 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 28. Presentation of Administrator’s recommendation for funding new jail pods. Motion to approve the recommendation of Option #2 from the Administrator for the funding of one new jail pod through a resolution of the URA for the bonds. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Johnson, Williams Motion carries 8-2. Substitute motion to delay consideration of Option #2 for two weeks until the December 5 Commission meeting. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott.  Voting No: Pulliam, Smith-McKnight, Mason, Lewis, Garrett, Guilfoyle. Motion fails 4-6. 29. Motion to cut 2% of the administrator proposed budget from all city departments including enterprise funds, NGO’s, outside agencies, and elected officials budgets. All money will be put in a reserve fund. The governing body will have a 6 month review of all departments. Each department/entity will have to show the need for additional money. The requests for additional funds will be voted and approved by the governing body. (Requested by Commissioner Sean Frantom) Motion to deny the request for a 2% cut in the budget. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Johnson. No action is taken on this motion due to the passage of the substitute motion. Substitute motion to cut 1% of the Administrator's proposed budget with a review to be done in six months by the Administrator, Finance Department and the department directors. Motion made by Mason, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Pulliam, Smith-McKnight, Mason, Frantom, Garrett, Scott, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Johnson, Lewis Voting Abstain: Williams Motion carries 7-2-1. ADMINISTRATOR 30. Approve the resolution adopting the FY 2024 budget for Augusta, Georgia. Motion to approve the budget as it is presented today by the Administrator. Motion made by Mason, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Williams Motion carries 9-1. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel 31. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act. Motion to approve the execution of the closed meeting affidavit. Motion made by Mason, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ADDENDUM ITEM 1. Motion to approve going into an executive session for the discussion of an urgent personnel matter. Motion made by McKnight, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0.