Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, September 17, 2024 2:00 PM PRESENT Mayor Garnett Johnson Commissioner Brandon Garrett Commissioner Jordan Johnson Commissioner Alvin Mason Commissioner Francine Scott Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight Commissioner Stacy Pulliam Commissioner Tony Lewis Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle ABSENT Commissioner Bobby Williams Commissioner Sean Frantom INVOCATION Reverend Nadine Ellsworth-Moran, Associate Pastor, Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RECOGNITION(S) A. Congratulations! 2024 August Years of Service (YOS) 25–50-year recipients. Presentations were made to the 2024 August Years of Service recipients. DELEGATION(S) B. Messrs. Bob Young and Don Clark regarding final report on State Veterans Cemetery Augusta. Presentations were made by Mr. Young and Mr. Clark. C. Ms. Janet M. Small regarding the lack of an Electric Utility Company's Service Center in Augusta and the price of apartment rentals. Presentation was made by Ms. Small. D. Ms. Jo A. Nash-Conner to discuss the issues surrounding the Marina where I live. Presentation was made by Ms. Nash-Conner.  CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1-17) PLANNING 1. Z-24-31 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE a petition by Reid Forzley requesting a rezoning from Zone P-1 (Professional/Office) to Zone R- 1C (One-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 0.17 acre located at 803 Metcalf Street. Tax Map #035-3-357-00-0 DISTRICT 3 Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 2. SE-24-13 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to DENY a petition by Sid Hone on behalf of Greater Apostolic Temple, requesting a special exception to construct a church parking lot affecting properties containing approximately 1.18 acres located at 3002, 3004, and 3006 Green Forest Drive. Zoned R-1C. Tax Map #118-0-242-00-0, 118-0-243- 00-0 and 118-0-244-00-0. DISTRICT 5 Motion to refer this item back to the Planning Commission and ask the petitioner to meet with the community to address the concerns they have and to include the Traffic Engineering and Utilities Departments in the discussion. Motion made by Scott, Seconded by Johnson. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 3. SE-24-14 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE a petition by Widespread Properties on behalf of Dennis Rich requesting a special exception to construct one-family detached and attached dwellings affecting property containing approximately 60.99 acres located at 2359 Old McDuffie Road. Zoned R-1A. Tax Map #083-0- 107-03-0. DISTRICT 5 Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 4. Motion to approve adding additional funding to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences to pay for continued services at a cost of $30,000 quarterly, ratify funding for quarters 1 and 2 2024, and to allow extension of the MOU in 2025 as funds are available. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 5. Motion to approve emergency procured rental equipment (Horizontal Grinder) at “Rent-to- Lease” terms from Vermeer Southeast Sales & Services, Inc. for continuity of Environmental Services Waste Intake Operation and keep Solid Waste Facility in compliance with its regulatory permit Operation & Maintenance requirements. Rent is on monthly basis and lease term is forty- eight (48) months. Monthly rent and lease amount is $48,000 and $13,517.25, respectively. AE (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 6. Motion to approve Supplementing Construction Contract of Sediment Dredging and Disposal Construction Services to Waterfront Property Services, LLC Waterfront Property Services, LLC dba Gator for continuation of sediments dredging and including Turknett Spring Sediment Basin area. Also approve supplemental funding in the amount of $644,000.00 for Turknett Spring Sediment Basin dredging activities. AE/ RFP 20-224 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 7. 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 $61,580 for James Brown (Twiggs to Laney Walker) Phase III Improvements Project. MEG assigned to James Brown Phase III construction. AE/ RFP 19- 179 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 8. Motion to approve supplemental funding (SA2) for continued roadway pavement assessment & asset Inventory data verification and analysis to Infrastructure Management Services (IMS) in the amount of $189,000.00 for Augusta Roadway Infrastructure Pavement System Assessment and Preventive Maintenance Solutions Professional Services Agreement. AE/ RFQ 21- 242 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 9. Motion to approve the deed of dedications, maintenance agreements, and road resolutions submitted by the Engineering Department and the Augusta Utilities Department for Hearthstone Commons.(Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 10. Motion to approve the purchase through a sole source procurement for the replacement of Richmond County’s Rhythm In-Sync Adaptive Signal Timing System for next phase of the TIA Intelligent Transportation System project. Approve funds in the amount of $567,574.92. Requested by the Augusta Engineering & Solid Waste Department.(Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 11. Motion to approve the sole source purchase of 2 – Verderflex Hose Pumps in the Amount of $27,410.00 from J.H. Wright & Associates. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 12. Motion to approve beginning the process to procure the traffic control chain curtain device as displayed by the Traffic Engineer and to reopen Olive Road immediately. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Mason, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. PUBLIC SAFETY 13. Motion to approve Reinstatement of 1% to Animal Services Budget. (Approved by Public Safety Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 14. Motion to accept two grant awards from Discretionary Community Project Grants- Office of Justice. RCSO Body Worn Camera program Awarded: $690,000.00; RCSO Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Initiative Awarded: $317,000.00 (Approved by Public Safety Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 15. Motion to approve Inmate Telephone Contract Addendum E.(Approved by Public Safety Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 16. Motion to approve the purchase of Latent workstation for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office via Sole Source Procurement. (Approved by Public Safety Committee September 10, 2024) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 17. Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Commission Meeting held September 3, 2024 and Special Called Meeting held September 10, 2024. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0.  ****END CONSENT AGENDA**** AUGUSTA COMMISSION AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA (Items 18-33) PUBLIC SERVICES 18. A.N. 24-40 - New Location: Ricky Patel for Siya Ram Investments GA, LLC, BDA Sparks by Hilton requesting Beer and Wine consumption on premises with Sunday Sales located at 1050 Claussen Road. District 7, Super District 10 (Lack committee quorum) Motion to approve. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 19. A.N. 24-41 – Existing Location, New Ownership: Retail Package for Beer and Wine, Sarita Gammage Applicant for Prabish Foodmart1, Inc. DBA Prabish Food Mart located at 1675 Olive Road. District 1, Super District 9 (Lack meeting quorum) Motion to approve. Motion made by Mason, Seconded by Scott No action was taken on this motion due to the passage of the substitute motion. Substitute motion to refer this item back to the Public Services Committee. Motion made by J. Johnson, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 20. A.N. 24-42 – Existing Location, New Ownership: Consumption on Premises Liquor, Beer and Wine with Sunday Sales, Joseph Tankersley applicant for Tanksaug, LLC, DBA Tanks Bar & Grill located at 215 Tenth Street. District 1, Super District 9. (Lack meeting quorum) Motion to approve. Motion made by Johnson, Seconded by Guilfoyle. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 21. Motion to approve A.N. 24-43 – New Location: Consumption on Premises Liquor, Beer and Wine with Sunday Sales, Alesia Council for The Patio1, LLC, located at 2417 Milledgeville Road. District 2, Super District 9. (Requested by Commissioner Bobby Williams)  Motion to approve. Motion made by J. Johnson, Seconded by Scott. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 22. A request by Amy Grier for Massage Operator’s License, Garden City Wellness in connection with existing Bliss Salon located at 1432 Monte Sano Avenue. District 2, Super District 9. (Lack meeting quorum) Motion to approve. Motion made by Pulliam, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 23. Approve the Daniel Field Airport Amended FY2024 Tentative Allocation of $2,750,000 State funding and approve Mayor Johnson signing the acceptance letter of this tentative allocation.(Lack meeting quorum) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 24. Approve the Daniel Field Airport FY2025 Tentative Allocation of $1,841,331 FAA & State (GDOT) funding and approve Mayor Johnson signing the acceptance letter of this tentative allocation. (Lack meeting quorum) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 25. Motion to approve instructing the Planning and Development Department to review and offer amendments to the Historic Preservation Ordinance, Bylaws and Guidelines as it pertains to appeals. (Requested by Commissioner Sean Frantom) It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be referred back to committee. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 26. Receive as information the emergency request for the repairs of the two air handler units located at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in the amount of $35,428.00 by Augusta Chiller Service. (Lack committee quorum) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 27. Request to approve the sole source procurement from Critical Components Services in c/o with Schneider Electric for the installation of 32 new generator batteries and the replacement of 16 existing generator power batteries at E911 Emergency Services Department in the amount of $42,174.00.(Lack committee quorum) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 28. Receive as information the emergency request for the assessment and corresponding drawings for the Augusta Riverwalk electrical distribution and lighting systems in the amount of $84,500.00 by Johnson Laschober & Associates, P.C.(Lack committee quorum) Motion to approve receiving this item as information. Motion made by J. Johnson, Seconded by Mason. It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be received as information without objection. 29. Motion to approve the award of bid #24-214, Animal Control Center – Floor Replacement in the amount of $87,000.00 to be performed by Riley Contracting, Inc.(Lack committee quorum) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 30. Motion to approve utilizing state contract (#SWC 99999-SPD-ES40199373-002) for the purchase of a 2025 Ford F350, at a total cost of $77,680.50 from Allan Vigil Ford for the Recreation Department.(Lack committee quorum) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. 31. Motion to approve the Second Amendment to the Agreement, dated January 28, 1985, between the Church of the Good Shepherd of Augusta, and Augusta, Georgia, the Augusta, Richmond County Public Library and the Scott B. and Annie P. Appleby Trust. Motion to approve.  Motion made by Smith-McKnight, Seconded by Guilfoyle. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Mr. J. Johnson out. Motion carries 8-0. FINANCE 32. Approve resolution authorizing the refunding of Water and Sewer Bonds Series 2012 and 2014. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Smith-McKnight. Voting Yea: Johnson, Garrett, Johnson, Mason, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 9-0. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel 33. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act.