Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, March 05, 2024 2:00 PM PRESENT Mayor Garnett Johnson Commissioner Brandon Garrett Commissioner Bobby Williams Commissioner Sean Frantom Commissioner Francine Scott Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight Commissioner Stacy Pulliam Commissioner Tony Lewis Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle ABSENT Commissioner Jordan Johnson Commissioner Alvin Mason INVOCATION Reverend Dr. Dwayne M. Crew, Pastor, Williams Memorial C.M.E. Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DELEGATION(S) A. Minister Dante Barley regarding holding business license holders accountable. Presentation is made by Minister Barley. B. Mr. Melvin Kelly regarding affordable housing and homelessness. Presentation is made by Mr. Kelly. C. Ms. Patricia Geter regarding 1) community center 2) sidewalks 3) Speed humps for the Harper- Franklin Avenue and Camak. Presentation is made by Ms. Geter. CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1-20) PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Motion to approve A.N. 24-4 - New Ownership (Existing Location): Anilkumar B. Patel requesting Retail Package Liquor, Beer, And Wine for Overpass Package located at 3745A Peach Orchard Road. District 6, Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 2. Motion to approve A.N. 24-5 - New Location: Cheryl Strobridge requesting Consumption on Premises for Liquor, Beer, and Wine for The Allure Lounge located at 2059 Gordon Highway. District 2. Super District 9(Approved by Public Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 3. Motion to approve A.N. 24-6 - New Location: Dominico C. Simmons requesting Consumption on Premises for Beer and Wine with Sunday Sales for Toaste the Event Bar located at 1135 Broad Street. District 1. Super District 9.(Approved by Public Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 4. Motion to approve a request by Julia King for a Massage Operator’s License to be used in connection with Belladonna Aesthetics located at 3114 Augusta Tech Drive.(Approved by Public Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 5. Motion to approve a request by Miranda Wade for Massage Operator’s License to be used in connection with Mirandas Therapeutic Touch Massage located at 3958 Wrightsboro Road. District 3. Super District 10.(Approved by Public Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 6. Motion to approve the recommendation of the Administrator to allow the Central Services Department to develop a scope of work to replace both the electrical and the floating dock  systems at the 5th Street Marina which will be done through a procurement process for Augusta to determine a cost estimate as well as a funding source. ((Approved by Public Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 7. Motion to approve Sole Source Contract with Trapeze Software Group for the Upgrade of the PASS IVR System. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 8. Motion to approve the execution of a Georgia Power Underground Easement at 2463 Golden Camp Road (Henry H. Brigham Community Center and Park).(Approved by Public Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 9. Motion to approve the Commission directed bus tour to occur on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 10am to 12pm. (Approved by Public Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 10. Motion to approve tasking the Administrator with compiling a list of all affected homes and citizens in the area in order to determine a scope of magnitude and to determine an estimated cost relative to the June 22, 2023 flood at 2513 Argonne Drive (Ms. Rhoda M. Hann) and neighboring houses. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve adding this item to the next legal meeting agenda. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 11. Motion to approve the recommend Approval of Request to Replace Utilities Oracle Software Licensing and Maintenance Plan. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 12. Motion to approve RFQ # 24-205: the Sanitary Sewer Connection Program – Phase 3 (SSCP-P3) to extend the program life via a new contract and renew funding for Augusta – Utilities Department. Award is for one (1) year with the option to extend for four (4) additional one (1) year terms.(Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 13. Motion to approve supplemental funding (SA4) to Hussy Gay Bell (HGB) in the amount of $280,936.00 for the Broad Street Improvements Construction Phase Services (CEI). AE / RFP 18-311.(Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 14. Motion to approve award of Construction Contract to Reeves Construction Company subject to Value Engineering and in the amount of $4,021,957.00 for Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Project Dennis Road Improvements, subject to receipt of signed contract, proper bonds and other contract relevant documents. AE / Bid #23-234 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 15. Motion to approve continued funding of the current “On-Call Property Appraisal and Acquisition Services for Augusta Engineering” Contract in the amount of $150,000. AED / RFP 22- 147. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 16. Motion to approve the continued funding of the current On-Call Field and Laboratory Testing for Soil and Construction Material, and Geotechnical Inspection and Investigation (CMT_Geotech) Services contract in the amount of $127,170.00 for Broad Street Improvements Project-Geotech.  Atlas assigned to Broad Street construction-SUE. AE / RFP 19-179 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 17. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of way (Parcel 004-3-030-00-0) 3047 Dennis Road. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. FINANCE 18. Motion to accept the FY24 GCIP Grant award for Finance Internship. The ACCG Civic Affairs Foundation provides the Summer 2024 Georgia County Internship Program (GCIP) funding in the amount of $3,259.50. (Approved by Finance Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. PUBLIC SAFETY 19. Motion to approve $140,000 for the creation of one (1) Deputy Marshal, one (1) Corporal, and the purchase of safety gear, in support of the Marshal's Office Expanded Litter Program funded from Contingency Fund. (Approved by Public Safety Committee February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 20. Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Commission held February 20 and Special Called Meeting held February 27, 2024. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0.  ****END CONSENT AGENDA**** AUGUSTA COMMISSION AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA (Items 21-37) PUBLIC SERVICES 21. Motion to approve one-year suspension of the Alcohol License for Allen Voncelillies, Club Climax a/k/a Club Rain, 1855 Gordon Highway, for failure to comply with Augusta-Richmond County Alcohol Ordinance.(Approved by Public Services Committee February 13, 2024) (Deferred from the February 20, 2024) Motion to approve placing this club on six months' probation with the stipulation that three special duty police officers be used at this business. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam Voting Nay: Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-2. 22. Presentation by Ms. Loriana Pope-Mathis to discuss two properties on her street and holding the property owners more accountable. (Deferred from the February 27, 2024 Public Services Committee Meeting) Motion to delete this item from the agenda. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 23. Presentation by Mr. Brian Green regarding our City Charter and progress. Presentation is made by Mr. Green. 24. Motion to approve HCD’s residential and land acquisition process to include housing units and vacant lots not to exceed $200K, as put forth via the attached flow chart. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 25. Motion to approve HCD’s commercial acquisition process to include commercial units and vacant lots, as put forth via the attached flow chart. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle  Motion carries 8-0. 26. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD) request to enter into a MOU with Zeta Xi Omega Housing Foundation for the purpose of developing two (2) single-family workforce housing units identified as 1103 and 1109 13th Street, within Laney Walker/Bethlehem at a later date. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 27. Approve Design Concept Plan for Fleming Tennis Center and continue with the Preliminary and Final Design Process. Concept Plans presented by ISM – Project Manager Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 28. Approve Design Concept Plan for M.M. Scott Park and continue with the Preliminary and Final Design Process. Concept plans provided through ISM serving as project manager. It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be approved without objection. 29. Approve Design Concept Plan for Hickman Park and continue with the Preliminary and Final Design Process. Concept plans provided through ISM serving as project manager. It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be approved without objection. 30. Motion to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Augusta, Georgia and the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc. for $50,000.00 in funding to be granted for the support of festivals and events. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 31. Receive as information a presentation of the 2023 Annual Report. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 32. Motion to approve Design Concept Plan for Newman Tennis Center – Phase I, and continue with the Preliminary and Final Design Process. Concept Plans created by Project Manager – ISM. Motion to approve putting in six clay courts for Newman Tennis Center. Motion made by McKnight, Seconded by Garrett. No action is taken on this motion due to the passage of the substitute motion.  Substitute motion to refer this item back to committee. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 33. Consider the requested Director of Augusta Human Resources' recommended recruitment process for the position of Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Augusta. (Approved by the Augusta Commission February 27, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 34. Presentation and discussion by Coastal Waste & Recycling of Georgia LLC. for RFP #23- 112.Solid Waste & Recyclable Collection Services-Zone One. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Garrett) Motion to delete this item from the agenda. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. APPOINTMENT(S) 35. Consider the reappointment of Mr. Bill Hollingworth to the Augusta Economic Development Authority. (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 36. Consider the reappointment of Ms. Sharon Renee D’Antignac to the Augusta-Richmond County Board of Tax Assessors. (Requested by Commissioner Francine Scott) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel 37. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act. ADDENDUM ITEMS 1. Consider actions against the business and/or alcohol license of Smart Grocery and Ziden Grocery, LLC (Stop N’ Go) including probation, up to termination. (Requested by Planning & Development Department via the Administrator) It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be added to the agenda without objection. Motion to approve placing these two businesses on 6 months’ probation with one special duty police officer on duty from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at each business. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Garrett. Substitute motion to bring these businesses back in six months to determine if the situation has improved with the use of a special duty police officer on duty from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Motion made McKnight, Seconded by Guilfoyle. Voting Yea: McKnight, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Pulliam, Williams, Lewis, Frantom, Garrett, Scott Motion fails 2-6. (Vote on original motion) Voting Yea: Williams, Frantom, Garrett, Scott Voting Nay: Pulliam, McKnight, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion ties 4-4. Motion to approve placing these two businesses on 6 months’ probation with one special duty police officer on duty from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at each business. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Williams, Frantom, Garrett, Pulliam, Scott Voting Nay: McKnight, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion fails 5-3. 2. Motion to reappoint Ms. Juanita Burney to the Richmond County Board of Tax Assessors. (Requested by Commissioner Jordan Johnson) 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 Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0. 3. Revised supporting documents for agenda items #24 and #25. (Provided by Administrator Douse) 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 Scott. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 8-0.