Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Commission Chamber Thursday, May 21, 2026 2:00 PM INVOCATION PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DELEGATION(S) A. Ms. Debra Estep regarding freedom of speech, calling out systemic concerns and community deflected as personal attack. B. Ms. Zakiya Mabery regarding Community Stress & Mental Health: The Emotional Impact of Environmental, Infrastructure, and Public Trust Concerns. CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1-23) PLANNING 1. SE-26-07 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE a petition by Harmoni Towers Asset Co, LLC, on behalf of Bonnie Reville Hayes, requesting a special exception per Section 28-A-5(A) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to establish a telecommunication tower, affecting approximately 0.23 acres out of a 69.73-acre tract located at 4816 Old Waynesboro Road. Tax Map # 320-0-011-00-0. Zoned A (Agricultural). 2. Z-26-08 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE a petition by Lesak Holdings, LLC, on behalf of ABW Properties Group, LLC, requesting to amend B-2 (General Business) zoning conditions from zoning case Z-07-104 to establish an automotive service station and repair garage for specialty vehicles, affecting property containing approximately 1.03 acres located at 1650 Barton Chapel Road. Tax Map # 054-0-028-00-0. 3. Z-26-06 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE a petition by GA 1602 Gordon Highway, LLC, on behalf of GA 1602 Gordon Highway, LLC, requesting to amend B-2 (General Business) zoning conditions from zoning case Z-22-56 to establish a convenience store, affecting property containing approximately 2.0 acres located at 1602 Gordon Highway. Tax Map # 086-2-154-00-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 4. Motion to approve Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) option of 1.038 acres Temporary Easements request from the Augusta, GA owned parcel/Augusta Levee for Bridge on SR 4 (US 25 BU) over Savannah River Project (PI#0013927). Temporary Easements boundaries depicted at attached GDOT Preliminary Right of Way Map dated 04/23/24 sheets 60-0004, 60-  0010, and described at sheet 60-0013 (Parcel 003). /AE (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 5. Motion to approve Emergency procurement purchase of 2- tanks for Sodium Hypochlorite Storage from Carl Eric Johnson.(Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 6. Motion to approve the purchase through a sole source procurement for the Wavetronix radar traffic detection and Traffic Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) equipment for Augusta Engineering- Traffic ITS Program. Also, approve funds in the amount of 42,436.68. /AE(Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 7. Motion to approve funding (SA2) to Cranston LLC (Cranston) in the amount of $10,000.00 for the Jones Street Roadway & Alley Improvements Project Construction Phase Services (CEI). AE/ RFQ 24-162 – 24ENG247.(Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 8. Motion to approve revision to funds allocation of Construction Contract to JHC Corporation in the amount of $1,395,854.70 for James Brown Blvd. (Twiggs to Laney Walker Blvd.) Improvements Project (PI# 0013707) for additional road paving & associated construction. Also, authorize and approve reallocating Engineering SPLOST Recaptured amount of $660,524.00 from James Brown Blvd Project (PI#0013707) to Engineering SPLOST Itemized as ADA Sidewalks ($54,317), On-Call Construction ($150,000), Sidewalks ($106,207), & Resurfacing ($350,000). AE/Bid #23-173(Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 9. Motion to approve Johnson, Laschober & Associates, P.C. to provide engineering services for the Utilities Department’s Fort Gordon Cyber Park Utilities. (RFQ 24-132).(Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 10. Motion to approve revision to funds allocation of Construction Contract to E R Snell Contractor, Inc. (ER Snell) in the amount of $5,027,990.71 for Wheeler Road (CR601) from I-20 to Augusta West Parkway (CR84) Improvements Project (PI# 0012867). Also authorize and approve reallocating Engineering SPLOST Recaptured amount of $1,000,000 from Wheeler Rd Project (PI#0012867) to Engineering SPLOST-Traffic Safety & Operation. AE / Bid 24-213 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 11. Motion to approve entering into an agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc. stating that Augusta, GA will pay for the Preliminary Engineering and Review for the Laney Walker/RA Dent and Wrightsboro Rd/RA Dent Intersections Safety and Operational Improvements Projects in accordance with the estimate $72,000.00. Also, approve the Agreement & associated documents to be executed by the Augusta, GA Legal Counsel and the Mayor. /AE(Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 12. Approve Railroad Coordination Agreement supplement funds to Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NFS) in amount of $41,726.00 in accordance with the NFS Force Account estimate supplement for Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Projects, Telfair Street (PI0011409) & 6th Street (PI0011421) Improvements Construction. / AE 13. Motion to approve Service Performance Damage Waiver Request by Augusta Residential Waste Collection & Disposal contactor, Coastal Waste & Recycling, covering initial thirty (30) days period. RFP 25-900A/AE. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 14. Motion to approve Sole Source Service of #7 RWPS Diesel Repair to W.W. Williams in the amount $83,160.90.Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 15. Motion to approve proposal to amend the current Professional Services Contract with Ardurra Group, Inc. for engineering design, bid phase, and construction administration services for the repair of Highland Avenue Water Treatment Plant East Filter Building roof to include engineering design, and construction administration services for repair of the Highland Avenue Water Treatment Plant Fort Gordon Pump Station roof and West Filter Building roof in the amount of $43,000.00 via change order. (26AUA031) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 16. Motion to approve proposal to enter an Engineering Services Contract with Kleinschmidt Associates to provide engineering and professional services for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) required stability analyses of the Augusta Canal embankments and various structures in the amount of $387,600.00. Kleinschmidt Assoc. is a prequalified vendor from RFQ 24-132.(Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 17. Motion to authorize the acquisition of a Right of Way and Permanent Easement involving property located at 2664 Willis Foreman Road (Parcel 178- 0-071-00-0) and 2678 Willis Foreman Road (Parcel 178-0-001-01-0) for the Willis Foreman Road Improvement project.(Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 18. Motion to authorize Funding for VacCon final lease Payment to Kanas State Bank in the amount of $261,070.12 . (ITB 20-261) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) 19. Motion to approve a proposal to enter an Engineering Services Contract with Johnson, Laschober, & Associates, PC (JLA) to provide engineering services for the abandonment of the existing Mayo Road Pump Station and realignment of sanitary sewer in this area in the amount of $61,900.00. (RFQ 24-132) (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 14, 2026) PUBLIC SAFETY 20. Motion to approve FY26 Delinquency Prevention Supplemental Grant award in the amount of $8,000. (Approved by Public Safety Committee May 12, 2026) 21. Motion to approve FY26 CHINS Supplemental Grant award in the amount of $25,000.(Approved by Public Safety Committee May 12, 2026) 22. Motion to approve addition to the IT Citywide Policies and Procedures regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence.(Approved by Public Safety Committee May 12, 2026) PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 23. Motion to approve the minutes of the Commission meeting held May 5, 2026. ****END CONSENT AGENDA**** AUGUSTA COMMISSION AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA (Items 24-48) PUBLIC SERVICES 24. A.N. 26-21 – New Location: Ammar Raza is the applicant for Skyrise Investment 2026 Inc, is requesting Retail Package Beer and Wine, located at 3526 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta GA 30909. District 5, Super District 9. (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 25. A.N. 26-23 – New Location: Arisa Albright is the applicant for Tiger Thailicious LLC dba Suea Thai, requesting Consumption on Premise Liquor, Beer, Wine, and Sunday Sales. This is located at 123 James Brown Blvd, Augusta GA 30901. District 1, Super District 9 (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 26. A.N. 26-24 – Existing Location, New Ownership: Aziz Ratnani is the applicant for Alex & Kavita Food Mart LLC requesting Retail Package Beer, and Wine located at 2078 Old Savannah Road, Augusta GA 30901. District 2, Super District 9. (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 27. A.N. 26-25– Existing Location, New Ownership: Darshana Somaiva is the applicant for DAZ Petroleum, LLC requesting Retail Package Beer and Wine located at 1898 Gordon Hwy, Augusta GA 30904. District 2, Super District 9 (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 28. A.N. 26-26 – New Location: Consumption on Premises Beer, Wine, and Sunday Sales. Karmarsha Johnson is the applicant for Anthony Johnson d/b/a Big Mama Soul Food #2, located at 720 E Robinson Ave Ste 101, Grovetown GA 30813. District 3, Super District 10. (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 29. M.N. 26-05: A request by Cheryl Connell for Massage Operator’s License to be used in connection with C-Y Transformations located at 3154 Perimeter Parkway Ste 1. District 3, Super District 10. (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 30. Consider a request from Mr. Nick Edmond/Augusta Soccer Club regarding partnership overview and future collaboration. (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 31. Update and progress for new Short Term Rental Agreement/Ordinance to assist with AirBnB issues and complaints. (Requested by Commissioner Tina Slendak) (Deferred from the April 28, 2026 meeting) 32. Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) – Approve Recommendation of Award to Piedmont Mining LLC in the amount of $2,140,506.52 for the Northwest Development Roadway & Utility project (ITB 26-144). This item was approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission April 30, 2026.(No recommendation lack committee quorum) 33. Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) – Approve Recommendation of Award to NetPlanner Systems Inc. in the amount of $1,556,877.35 for the Security Camera Improvement project. This item was approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission April 30, 2026. (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 34. Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) – Approve amendment to the Airport’s 2026 Budget: transferring $140,000.00 from “Available for Future Years” into the “Airport Administration Permanent Full Time Regular Salary & Wages.” This item was approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission April 30, 2026. (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 35. Discuss Indoor Smoking Ordinance. (Requested Commissioner Jordan Johnson) (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 36. Discussion on the short term rental ordinance with the respective subject matter experts that were brought together in 2024. Please refer to the STR policy analysis attached. (Requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam) (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 37. Reconvene the discussion from August 13, 2024, regarding our current ordinance on alcohol licensing Motion to approve directing the Planning and Development Department to provide data regarding alcohol licenses for off-premise consumption, specifically for package shops and liquor stores and to research the separation/distance requirements for off-premise alcohol consumption businesses. (Requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam) (Lack committee quorum August 13, 2024) (Requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam 5-12-26) (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 38. Address, Illegal Dumping and our current code. (Requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam) (No recommendation lack committee quorum) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 39. Update from the Augusta Marriott and ARC Convention Center. Receive as information an update from the Augusta Marriott regarding 2025 usage metrics for the Augusta-Richmond County Convention Center, including event activity, performance trends, and upcoming developments. (Requested by Commissioner Don Clark) 40. Motion to approve of the following annual bid item, as the estimated annual purchases for these items are expected to exceed $25,000.00. This request is in accordance with Sec. 1-10-58 of the Annual Contracts provision. Bid item 26-065A Fireworks for Independence Day Celebration. The recommendation for the award is for a one-year term with the option to extend for four (4) additional one (1) year terms upon mutual consent of both parties. (No recommendation lacked committee quorum) 41. Proposed revision to the Commission Rules of Procedures. (No recommendation lacked committee quorum) 42. Motion to ratify the Augusta Legislative Delegation appointments of Mr. Kevin Mack to the General Aviation Commission at Daniel Field (Rep. Brian Prince) and Mr. Clarence Thompkins – Augusta Port Authority (Rep. Karlton Howard) (Deferred from the May 5, 2025 Commission Meeting) (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 43. Motion to Strengthen Communication between the ARC Commission and RCSS Board. Support the establishment of committed discussions between the Augusta-Richmond County Commission and the Richmond County School Board of Education to eliminate barriers impacting communication, coordination, and collaboration between both governing bodies. (Requested by Commissioner Don Clark) (No recommendation lacked committee quorum) 44. Approve to convert PCN 027YE005 (Assistant Solicitor-General) to Chief Assistant Solicitor- General with a salary of $105,000.00 (action time sensitive May 1, 2026). (No recommendation lacked committee quorum) 45. Clarification of Richmond County Marshal’s Office Support Activities: Request for the Richmond County Marshal’s Office to provide clarification regarding prescribed support activities identified within the Augusta-Richmond County Charter, and to identify opportunities for collaboration with Code Enforcement to address trash, illegal signage, and community cleanup concerns. (Requested by Commissioner Don Clark) (No recommendation lacked committee quorum) 46. Update Regarding Housing Authority Development on Deans Bridge Road: Receive as information an update regarding the Augusta Housing Authority's development project located on Deans Bridge Road, including current status, community impact, and anticipated next steps. (Requested by Commissioner Don Clark) (No recommendation lack committee quorum) 47. Discussion regarding Business Operating Hours and Shutdown Operations. (Requested by Commissioner Don Clark) LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel 48. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act.