Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, March 19, 2024 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 ABSENT Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle INVOCATION Reverend Thurman S. Norville, Jr., Pastor, St. James Methodist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RECOGNITION(S) A. Congratulations! 2023-2024 Westside Patriots Boys Basketball Team the Georgia High School Association's 2A State Basketball Champions. (Requested by Commissioner Bobby Williams) Recognition of the 2023-2024 Westside Patriots Boys Basketball Team as the Georgia High School Association's 2A State Basketball Champions. B. Mr. Moses Todd presentation of $500 from Plumbing & Steamfitter UA Local Union.150 to Coach Jerry Hunter Westside Patriots High School Boys Basketball Team; 2023-2024 Georgia 2A Champions. Presentation is made by Mr. Todd. DELEGATION(S) C. Greater Augusta Arts Council's selected finalists for the Gateway Sculpture at the Sand Bar Ferry Road location.  Presentation is made of the selected finalists for the Gateway Sculpture at the Sand Bar Ferry Road location. D. Mr. Ben Hasan- Discuss NVS Contract. Presentation is made by Mr. Hasan. CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1-21) PLANNING 1. Z-24-04 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve the petition by Morton McGann requesting a rezoning from zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business) to zone LI (Light Industrial) affecting property containing approximately 0.36 acres located at 2228 M L King Boulevard. Tax Map #072-1-134-00-0. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 2. Z-24-12 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve the petition by JSMG Development, LLC, to remove condition number 1 from previously approved Z-22-50 and rezone the property from zone R-3B (Multiple-family Residential) to zone R-1E (Single-family Residential) with conditions affecting property containing approximately 6.56 acres located at 3125 Richmond Hill Road. Tax Map #121-0-005-00-0. Motion to approve. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. PUBLIC SERVICES 3. Motion to approve 2024 Ground Transportation Agreement with Lyft, Inc. Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on February 29, 2024. (Approved by Public Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 4. Motion to approve Gates 3 and 4 Terminal Rehabilitation Project, Change Order No. 1. Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on February 29, 2024. (23BFA161) (Approved by Public Services Committee March 12, 2024)  Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 5. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD's) request to provide HOME Partnership Investment Program (HOME) Funding to Vetted Investments and Acquisition to develop new construction of four (4) affordable single family units on Lyman Street.(Approved by Administrative Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 6. Motion to approve the transfer of funds from E911 fund balance to E911 Capital balance in the amount of $231,418 for the emergency replacement of the power generator at E911 Emergency Services Department by Georgia Power. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 7. Motion to accept the FY24 GCIP Grant award for Communications 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 Administrative Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 8. Motion to approve utilizing the state contract (#SWC 99999-SPD-ES40199373-002) for the purchase of one Ford F250, at a total cost of $55,768 from Allan Vigil Ford for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis  Motion carries 9-0. 9. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD's) request of $72,846.01 to provide funding for the amendment of one (1) agreement involving the installation of one (1) road within the Twiggs Street Corridor identified as Ace Alley: part of the Laney Walker/Bethlehem Revitalization Project. Work has been completed. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 10. Motion to approve adding Brown Street to the Residential Parking Permit Program per the Augusta, Georgia Code section 3-5-95.11. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 11. Motion to approve and receive as information attached Exhibit A listed Emergency procured Services for purchase of a Rhythm In-Sync Traffic Signal System for the temporary traffic signal at Washington Rd. and River Ridge Drive. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 12. Motion to approve payment to Thompson Construction Group for services rendered at the Goodrich Street Raw Water Pumping Station as a sole source procurement. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 13. Motion to approve Sole Source Procurement of Repair Parts for Hypochlorite Generator. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 14. Motion to approve Lead and Copper Rule Revision Water Service Line Inventory Development Contract for AUD to HDR Engineering, Inc. (RFP #24-150) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 15. Motion to approve award of Construction Contract to Reeves Construction Company subject to Value Engineering and in the amount of $6,751,823.05 for Wrightsboro Road reconstruction & pedestrian Improvements Project (Marks Church Rd to Highland Ave.), subject to receipt of signed contract, proper bonds and other contract relevant documents. AE / Bid #23- 238 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 16. Motion to approve proposal from Cranston Engineering Group, P.C. to provide additional engineering services to the sewer design for the Augusta Corporate Park Utility Extension. (CO2_22AUA011) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 17. Motion to approve contract with Cranston Engineering to perform survey duties related to various USGS River Gaging Stations for $66,620.00. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. FINANCE 18. Motion to approve tasking the Administrator to arrange for the Commission to host a meeting to include the Sheriff's Office leadership, Jail administration, Court administration, Judges, the District Attorney's Office, the Solicitor's Office, Probation Services office, Social Services office, Pre-Trail Services and Carl Vinson Institute of Government regarding an effort to discuss ways to clear the backlog of cases in order to help reduce the jail population at the Webster Detention Center. (Approved by Finance Committee Mach 12, 2024). Motion to approve with the correction to include the Urban Institute in place of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. PUBLIC SAFETY 19. Motion to award Bid Item 24-137 Roof Service & Repair for the Augusta Fire Department to Vertex Roofing Company and authorize the Mayor to sign all appropriate documentation. (Approved by Public Safety Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 20. Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Commission held March 5, 2024 and Special Called Meeting held March 12, 2024. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. APPOINTMENT(S) 21. Motion to approve the appointment to the Keiyonna L. Lighten-Solomon to the Augusta Canal Authority representing District 2. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0.  ****END CONSENT AGENDA**** AUGUSTA COMMISSION AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA (Items 22-30) PUBLIC SERVICES 22. 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 Commissioner Bobby Williams) Motion to refer this item to the next Commission meeting and ask Planning & Development to provide the proper notification to the affected businesses. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. 23. Motion to rescind the 6 months probation for club Climax AKA Club Rain 1855 Gordon Hwy for failure to comply with ARC alcohol ordinance. (Requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam) Motion to approve referring this item to the next Commission meeting on April 2. Motion made by Pulliam, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam Mr. Lewis out. Motion carries 8-0. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 24. Motion to approve the award of bid #24-187, Grounds Maintenance Services for Various Facilities and Library Locations to the following compliant vendors for the year 2024 and 2025. LEP Contracting, LLP for services to be rendered to the Municipal Building, Public Defender's Office, and Transit Bus Operations Maintenance Facility in the sum of $54,975.00 for FY24 and $56,074.50 for FY25. Yellowstone Landscape for services to be rendered at Sheriff’s Administration and Augusta Judicial Center in the sum of $37,944.00 for FY24 and $37,944.00 for FY25. A.S.A.P. Landscape Management to perform services for the following library locations: Headquarters Library, Appleby Library, Friedman Library, Maxwell Library in the total amount of $22,860.00 for FY24 and $24,573.88 for FY25. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis  Motion carries 9-0. 25. Motion to approve price proposal Option B, not to exceed the greater of 2.5% of total ESCO Sell Price or minimum of $250,000, from IBA Consulting Engineers, Inc. dba NV5 Consultants. Motion to approve moving this item out for 30 days. Motion made by Williams. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion to refer this item back to the next Commission meeting after the Masters on April 16. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis Voting Nay: Smith-McKnight Motion carries 8-1. 26. Approve Phase 2 Audit of City-County Buildings by TRANE as it Relates to the Augusta- Richmond County Energy Savings PACT Project. In addition, approve payment of $398,00.00 to TRANE for Phase 2 audit. (No recommendation from Administrative Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to approve moving this item out for 30 days. Motion made by Williams. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion to refer this item back to the first Commission meeting after the Masters on April 16. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis Voting Nay: Smith-McKnight Motion carries 8-1. ENGINEERING SERVICES 27. Update on right of way maintenance schedule for 2024 (Requested by Commissioner Jordan Johnson) It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be received as information without objection. 28. Motion to approve the Administrator’s recommendation to extend the residential solid waste and recyclables collection second transition agreement between Augusta, Georgia, and Georgia Waste Systems, LLC from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025, for $21.86 per house, per month. (Referred from February 27 Engineering Services Committee) (No recommendation from Engineering Services Committee March 12, 2024) Motion to refer this item to the next Engineering Services Committee meeting. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis  Mr. Frantom out. Motion carries 8-0. 29. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire a portion of property, for federal highway funded and GDOT administered, Wheeler Road right of way and permanent easement (Parcel 030-0-008- 02-0) 3744 Wheeler Road. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis Motion carries 9-0. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel 30. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act. ADDENDUM ITEMS 1. RECOGNITION: Congratulations! 2024 February Years of Service (YOS) 25-50 year recipients. It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be added to the agenda without objection. Presentations are made to the February 2024 Years of Service recipients. 2. DELEGATION: Correction: D. Mr. Ben Hasan: Discuss NVS Contract. Correction: Discussion should be NV5. It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be added to the agenda without objection with the correction made.