Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Commission Chamber Tuesday, November 04, 2025 2:00 PM INVOCATION Reverend Tony Christie, Pastor, Hillcrest Baptist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DELEGATION(S) A. Ms. Lashawndra Robinson regarding Storm Water Drain Bank Maintenance Proposal to be approved or denied. B. Mr. Pieter Friedrich regarding pending risks to the free speech rights of Augusta residents. C. Ms. Lovetta Ford, Interim Director Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center regarding programs and benefits the VA brings to the region. (Requested by Commissioner Don Clark) D. Mr. Moses Todd suggestions for balancing the FY26 general fund budget. CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1-11) PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Motion to approve a change order in the amount of $30,569 to the agreement with RD Brown for the construction of Henry Brigham Community Center. Funding is available in account 272-06- 1312/54-13120 (22REC181). (Approved by Public Services Committee October 28, 2025) 2. Motion to approve the award of RFP 25-125 for Transit Operations and Maintenance Services to MV Transportation, Inc. for a period of three (3) years with the option to extend for two (2) additional one (1) year periods for a total agreement up to five (5) years. The initial contract period would begin January 1, 2026, and end December 31, 2028. Award is contingent upon receipt of signed and executed contract.(Approved by Public Services Committee October 28, 2025) 3. Motion to approve the Public Transit Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) as drafted for the Augusta Transit Department by the Georgia Department of Transportation in accordance with 49 CFR 673.11(a)(1).(Approved by Public Services Committee October 28, 2025) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 4. Motion to approve the purchase of five Chevrolet Tahoe’s, at a total cost of $276,373 from Hardy Chevrolet and total upfitting cost of $28,912 from West Warning Equipment Sales &  Service, LLC for the Fire department.(Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 28, 2025) 5. Motion to approve Memorandum of University between the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia by and on behalf of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and Augusta-Richmond County. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 28, 2025) ENGINEERING SERVICES 6. Motion to approve Approve Augusta Utilities Contracts For Water Meters. AUD received and reviewed proposals from 5 proposers in response to RFP 25-174. Bager Meter was identified as the best overall proposal for Categories 1 and 4, and Delta Municipal Supply Company as the best overall proposal for Categories 2, 3, and 5. Each contract is for a fixed price per item purchased. AUD will not be purchasing all of the required meters at once, but rather will be doing so over the 5 years of the contract. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 28, 2025) 7. Motion to approve establishing or updating new retention ponds and maintenance requirements based on ownership responsibility. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 28, 2025) FINANCE 8. Motion to amend the audit scope for engagement of the Recreation and Parks Department to not look at utilities at 100% and to allow UHY (Mr. Reagan) to provide an analytical table on location and type of expenses. (Approved by Finance Committee October 28, 2025) PUBLIC SAFETY 9. Motion to approve Change Order #2 with a not-to-exceed amount of $300,000 to Task Order #1 for Hurricane Helene Cost Recovery Services through Tetra Tech. RFP 24-917. (Approved by Public Safety Committee October 28, 2025) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 10. Motion to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2025 Commission meeting. APPOINTMENT(S) 11. Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Lafawn Pinkney to the Small Business Advisory Board representing District 1. (Requested by Commissioner Jordan Johnson) ****END CONSENT AGENDA**** AUGUSTA COMMISSION AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA (Items 12-25) PLANNING 12. SE-25-11– A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE a petition by Dorinda Anin-Amponsah requesting a special exception per Section 26-1(h) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to establish a family personal care home with 6 clients, affecting property containing approximately 0.31 acres located at 3602 Abbey Road. Zoned R-1A (One-Family Residential). Tax Map # 095-0-115-00-0. (Deferred from the Commission Meeting held October 21, 2025) 13. SE-25-13– A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to Deny a petition by GURU NAAM, LLC, on behalf of Convenience Retailers, LLC, requesting a special exception per Section 21-2(c) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to establish a liquor store, affecting property containing approximately 1.25 acres located at 2220 Gordon Highway. Tax Map # 067-0-050-00-0. Zoned B-1 (Neighborhood Business). (Deferred from the Commission Meeting held October 21, 2025) 14. A request to AMEND Ordinance No.7980 that was approved July 22, 2025, by the Augusta Commission for Planning & Development zoning case Z-25-24. The request is to remove condition #8 from the recommendations. The Planning Commission and P&D staff are both in agreement with the removal of condition #8. (Deferred from the Commission Meeting held October 21, 2025) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 15. Motion to approve the purchase of one toro mower at a total cost of $103,221.91 from Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation for the Recreation department. (Disapproved by Administrative Services Committee October 14, 2025) (Deferred from the Commission October 21, 2025 meeting) 16. Motion to approve bid #25-218 for the purchase of two 2026 Animal Transport Trucks at a total cost of $144,290 from Akins Ford for the Animal Services Department. (No recommendation Administrative Services Committee October 14, 2025) (Deferred from the October 21, 2025) 17. Task the Administrator to oversee all department Directors to evaluate each vendor contract for compliance, performance, and financial feasibility; develop a standardized evaluation metrics to guide and document the review process across departments. The metrics should provide clear criteria for assessing contract performance, compliance, and financial impact to the city. Findings from each department’s review should be compiled into a consolidated report for presentation and recommendations to the Commission. (Requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam) 18. Task Administrator Office with presenting evaluation metrics to be used for annual evaluations for each department Director in the next 90 days. Metrics for Directors should include a report of staff evaluations performed by the Directors. (Requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam) 19. Have the Commission Vote on the recommended Charter Review Final Rendering as conveyed to our citizens and Charter Review Committee Members at the onset of this process. The Commission Vote should take place prior to the Charter Change recommendation being sent to our State Delegation. (Requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam) 20. Task the Administrator with developing a structured application and review process for nonprofit organizations requesting City funding. Discuss the application process including: 1. Having NGO define, how their offering addresses a clearly defined measurable community need. 2. Metrics for determining long-term, positive community impact and sustainable results;  3. Require transparency and accountability in all financial disclosures and proposed uses of funds; and 4. Utilize a competitive, data-driven evaluation process to ensure equitable and effective allocation of City resources. Applications will be reviewed and scored by a committee. (Requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam) ENGINEERING SERVICES 21. Motion to approve authorization of a grant agreement and funding acceptance under the Emerging Contaminants, Small and Disadvantaged Communities (ECSDC) Grant Program between the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) and Augusta, Georgia for the preliminary study and design services as it relates to evaluation of the presence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the groundwater system of Augusta. Approval of this item will include the ability for electronic signature by Augusta. (Requested by the Administrator) 22. Motion to approve that the portion of Dogwood Terrace Apartments, consisting of approximately 722 feet of Bolt Drive as shown on the attached plat, has ceased to be used by the public to the extent that no substantial public purpose is served, and that its removal from the county road system is otherwise in the best public interest, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 32-7-2; further, that this action is subject to Engineering recommendations, and the Mayor is authorized to execute any necessary documents to process this approval. (No recommendation Engineering Services Committee October 14, 2025) (Deferred from the October 21, 2025 to allow Augusta Housing Authority and City's Engineering Department an opportunity to meet with the Neighborhood Association) PUBLIC SAFETY 23. Have RCCI report the total for the Inmate Mobile Units to construct the new RCCI Facility. (Requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam) APPOINTMENT(S) 24. Consider the following for appointment to the Richmond County Opioid Settlement Advisory Board. (Requested by Mayor Garnett Johnson) LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel 25. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act.