Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, June 18, 2024 2:00 PM PRESENT Mayor Garnett Johnson Commissioner Brandon Garrett Commissioner Jordan Johnson Commissioner Bobby Williams Commissioner Sean Frantom Commissioner Francine Scott Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight Commissioner Stacy Pulliam Commissioner Tony Lewis Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle ABSENT Commissioner Alvin Mason INVOCATION Dr. David H. McKinley, Pastor-Teacher, Warren Baptist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RECOGNITION(S) A. A Resolution of Recognition presented to Augusta native Mr. James "Jim" Lacey Dent, American Professional Golfer. (Requested by Commissioner Jordan Johnson; Approved by the Augusta Commission June 4, 2024) Congratulations!!! 2024 May Years of Service (YOS) 25–50-year recipients Retirement Proclamation for Lieutenant Paul Johnson 36 years of service with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. (Requested by Commissioners Catherine McKnight and Wayne Guilfoyle) Presentation of a Resolution of Recognition is made to a family representative of Mr. James Dent. Presentations are made to the 2024 May Years of Service 25 to 50 year recipients. Presentation of a Retirement Proclamation to Lt. Paul Johnson. DELEGATION(S) B. Ms. Shelly Martin regarding concerns with noise from the Pedal Pub Bar and its effect on the luxury apartment community, The Augustan. It was the consensus of the Commission that the Director of Planning and Development Department meet with representatives of the Sheriff's Department, Ms. Shelly Martin of ATC Development and the owners of the Pedal Pub Bar to determine if a solution can be reached regarding the noise concerns involving the bar and adjacent homes and apartments in that area and report back with an update and recommendation to the Commission. C. Ms. Yolanda Brooks regarding constructive evictions relative to federal funded businesses/HUD Housing Authority. Ms. Brooks did not appear before the Commission. D. Mr. Michael Barnard requesting closure of the 900 block of Broad (Augusta Common side) from June 21st 10:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. on June 22, 2024. It was the consensus of the Commission that the request from Mr. Michael Barnard be honored for the closure of the 900 block of Broad Street on the Augusta Commons side from June 21 at 10:00 am until 5:00 pm on June 22, 2024 in cooperation with the Augusta Traffic Engineering Department and that the Augusta Pride group obtain a special events permit from the Sheriff's Department. CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1-15) PLANNING 1. Final Plat – S-992 – Bellemeade Landing – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE a petition by Bo Slaughter requesting final plat approval for Bellemeade Landing containing 67 lots, located at 2345 Golden Camp Road. Reviewing agency approval 5/17/2024 Motion to bring back this item at the Commission meeting on July 16, 2024. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Garrett Motion carries 8-1. 2. Z-24-22 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE a petition by Darren Meadows on behalf of Georgia Vitrified Brick & Clay Co., LLLP, requesting a rezoning from zone A (Agricultural) and B-2 (General Business) to zone B-2 (General Business) affecting properties containing approximately 165.21 acres located at 2883 Gordon Highway. Tax Map #064-0-004-01-0. Motion to approve. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 3. Z-24-23 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve a petition by Southern Civil Solutions, LLC, on behalf of NEK Restaurant Holdings, LLC and 3J7B Real Estate, LLC, requesting a rezoning from zone R-3A (Multiple-family Residential) and B-1 (Neighborhood Business) to zone R-1E (One-family Residential) affecting properties containing approximately 5.02 acres located at 2116 and 2132 Lumpkin Road. Tax Map #110- 1-028-00-0 and 110-1-027-00-0 Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 4. Z-24-24 – A petition by Kim Bragg on behalf of Bridging the Gap Augusta, LLC, requesting to ,remove conditions of B-1 zoning adopted with rezoning Z-07-19, which limits use of the property to an interior decorating shop or carpet cleaning business affecting property containing approximately 0.48 acres located at 112 Pleasant Home Road. Tax Map #010-0-059- 00-0. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 5. SE-24-10 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve a petition by OPW Unlimited, LLC on behalf of OPW 4275, LLC, requesting a special exception per Section 26-1(i) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to establish a privately owned and operated recreational facility affecting property containing approximately 80.79 acres located at 4275 Old Waynesboro Road. Tax Map #231-1-001-00-0. Zoned R-1 (One-family Residential Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 6. Z-24-16 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve a petition by Gulley Cat, LLC, requesting a rezoning from zone R-1C (One-family Residential) to zone R-1D (One-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 12.78 acres located at 3749 Old Waynesboro Road. Tax Map #170-2-054-00-0. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Garrett Motion carries 8-1. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 7. Motion to approve tasking the Clerk of Commission to engage The Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia to begin the process of leading and providing guidance to Augusta Richmond County down the path towards the creation of a charter review committee. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee June 11, 2024). Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 8. Motion to approve the creation of one Victim Witness Advocate in the Solicitor’s Office with an annual salary of $47,679.97, including benefits. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee June 11, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 9. Motion to approve the purchase through annual contract of network and internet enabled equipment for the next phase of the TIA Intelligent Transportation System project. Approve funds in the amount of $1,299,102.61. Requested by the Augusta Engineering & Solid Waste Department. (Approved by Engineering Services on June 11, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. FINANCE 10. Motion to approve funding for the General Primary and Nonpartisan Election Runoff. (Approved by Finance Committee June 11, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. PUBLIC SAFETY 11. Motion to approve the Augusta-Richmond County (FY25) Capacity Agreement for State Inmates to be housed at the Richmond County Correctional Institution. (Approved by Public Safety Committee June 11, 2024).  Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 12. Motion to approve amendment of the subsidy agreement (per diem rate) to house state inmates with the Georgia Department of Corrections. (Approved by Public Safety Committee June 11, 2024). Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 13. Motion to approve acceptance of the CACJ FY25 Family Treatment and Juvenile Drug Court Operating Grant in the amount of $135,537 with a $23,918 match amount. (Approved by Public Safety Committee June 11, 2024). Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 14. Motion to accept the FY2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) in the amount of $50,000 and authorize the mayor to sign all appropriate documentation. (Approved by Public Safety Committee June 11, 2024). Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 15. Motion to approve the minutes of the Commission Meeting held June 4, 2024 and Special Called Meeting held June 11, 2024. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Frantom. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0.  ****END CONSENT AGENDA**** AUGUSTA COMMISSION AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA (Items 16-19) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 16. MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY COMMISSION APPOINTING INITIAL MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF THE “GREATER AUGUSTA JOINT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. (Requested by Mayor Garnett Johnson) Motion to approve. Motion made by Scott, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. FINANCE 17. Motion to approve engaging UHY Advisors Mid Atlantic to conduct audit of Parks and Recreation. (No recommendation from Finance Committee May 28, 2024, referred from Commission Meeting June 4, 2024) Motion to deny the bid. Motion made by Frantom, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Garrett, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Johnson Motion carries 8-1. PUBLIC SAFETY 18. Update from the Administrator/staff regarding the proposal from Best Friends Animal Society. (No recommendation from Public Safety Committee June 11, 2024). It was the consensus of the Commission to approve revisiting this item in 30 days as requested by the Administrator. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel 19. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act. ADDENDUM ITEMS 1. Motion to approve the nomination of Commissioner Francine Scott as the Voting Delegate for the 2024 National Association of County Officials (NACo) Annual Conference on behalf of Augusta- Richmond County. (Requested by Commissioner Francine Scott) It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be added to the agenda without objection. Motion to approve. Motion made by Smith-McKnight, Seconded by Frantom Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Lewis, Guilfoyle Ms. Pulliam out. Motion carries 8-0. 2. Motion to approve Sponsor Agreement with the Georgia Historical Society on behalf of the Augusta Foxing Club. (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 Smith-McKnight, Seconded by Guilfoyle. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Lewis, Guilfoyle Ms. Pulliam out. Motion carries 8-0.