City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, October 11, 2021 The Rome City Commission met at 6:30 p.m. this date in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall, 601 Broad Street. Mayor McDaniel presided with Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson and Commissioners Bojo, Cochran, Davis, Quick, Askew, and Collins present. Commissioner Doss was absent and excused. City Manager Rich was also absent, and Assistant City Manager Meredith Ulmer substituted for Mr. Rich. Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – September 27, 2021 The minutes of the September 27, 2021 meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by an unanimous consent. Domestic Violence Awareness Month Mayor McDaniel presented a proclamation proclaiming the month of October 2021 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Rome. This proclamation was presented to Rome Police Chief Denise Downer-McKinney, Mr. Lee Niedrach, and Lynn Russo, the Director of the Hospitality House for Women. Ms. Russo addressed the Commission and outlined some of the events planned, including the October 22nd “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event. Disability Employment Awareness Month Commissioner Davis presented a joint City/County proclamation proclaiming October 2021 as Disability Employment Awareness Month in our community. Certificate of Appointment – Tayesha Lytle Commissioner Quick presented a Certificate of Appointment to Ms. Tayesha Lytle. Ms. Lytle has been appointed to the Downtown Development Authority. Open Container Ordinance – First Reading Commissioner Quick announced that two options for an amendment to Rome’s Downtown Open Container Ordinance are being placed on First Reading. One option will extend the open container trial period through December 31, 2021. The second option will make the Downtown Open Container Ordinance permanent. These two options will be scheduled for Second Reading and vote at the October 25th City Commission meeting. Knox Box Ordinance – First Reading Commissioner Askew reported that a Knox Box Ordinance is being placed on First Reading. This ordinance is recommended by the Public Safety Committee. A Second Reading and vote is scheduled for the October 25th City Commission meeting. Annexations and Rezonings – First Reading Commissioner Quick requested that the following two annexations and four rezoning requests be placed on First Reading: 1  A) A21-10-01 – Request to annex the properties located at 572 Pleasant Valley Road and the portion of the 431 Pleasant Valley Road as shown on the provided survey, Silver Creek, GA 30173, Floyd County Tax Parcels K16-159 and K16-159D, zoned Agricultural Residential. (Planning Commission gives no recommendation, 4-4). B) A21-10-02 – Request to annex the properties located at 30 Wellington Way, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcels J15Z-258, zoned Suburban Residential. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7-0). C) Z21-10-01 – Request to rezone from Agricultural Residential to Suburban Residential for the properties located at 572 Pleasant Valley Road SE portion of the 431 Pleasant Valley Road as shown on the provided survey, Silver Creek, GA 30173, Floyd County Tax Parcels K16-159 and K16-159D. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 5-3). D) Z21-10-02 – Request to rezone from Heavy Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1102 Martha Berry Blvd, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y-344. Applicant/Owner: Doug Reeves; Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed use for the property located at 1104 Martha Berry Blvd, Rome GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y-343. Applicant/Owner: DeSoto Developers LLC; Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1104 Martha Berry Blvd, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y-338. Applicant/Owner: DeSoto Developers LLC; Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1200 Martha Berry Blvd. Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y-337. Applicant/Owner: Studio Siri LLC; Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1204 Martha Berry Blvd, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y-336. Applicant/Owner: RPB Investment; Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1109 North Fifth Ave, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y-340. Applicant/Owner: DeSoto Developers LLC; Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1105 North Fifth Ave, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y-341. Applicant/Owner: DeSoto Developers LLC; Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 0 North Fifth Ave, Rome GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y-342. Applicant/Owner: DeSoto Developers LLC. Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1212 Martha Berry Blvd, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y-335. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 8-0). E) Z21-10-10 – Request to rezone from Office Institutional to Neighborhood Office Commercial for the property located at 512 E. 1st Street, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcel J14C-169. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7-0). F) Z21-10-11 – Request to rezone from High Density Traditional Residential to Community Commercial for the property located at 625 Calhoun Avenue, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcel K13Y-270. (Planning Commission denied, 6-0). Public Hearings for these six items are scheduled for the October 25th City Commission meeting. 2 Curfew Ordinance Amendment - Tabled Secretary Smith explained that the proposed amendment to Rome’s Curfew Ordinance remains tabled. Commissioner Askew stated there is no recommendation at this time to remove this item from the table and consider it for adoption. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, October 19th at 10 a.m. in the Manis Business Center. Finance Committee Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson announced that the Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 20th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. GMA District 1 Meeting Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson announced that City officials recently attended the Georgia Municipal Association District 1 meeting held in Calhoun. At this meeting, Rome was recognized for accomplishments in several areas. Special Committee on Housing Commissioner Davis announced that the Special Committee on Housing met last week. Commissioner Davis also referenced the action by the Rome City Commission on July 12th, which authorized an expenditure of $1M from the American Recovery Program Funds. The expenditure of these funds was subject to the City of Rome determining that ARPA Funding can be used for these type of housing incentives. Commissioner Davis also reported that the property, which formerly housed the Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital, is being purchased by the City of Rome and Floyd County through the Development Authority. The Special Committee on Housing would like for the Development Authority consider retaining the 23 existing homes on this property. These homes could be sold to individuals and used for residential housing. There is also property around these homes that could be potentially be used for construction of additional housing. Commissioner McDaniel will bring this recommendation before the Rome/Floyd Development Authority at their next meeting. Fiddlin’ Fest Commissioner Quick reported on a very successful DDA Fiddlin’ Fest, which was held on Saturday, October 9th in downtown Rome. In addition to musical acts, there was also a car show at this Block Party. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Quick announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet next on Thursday, October 14th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Parks and Recreation Authority Commissioner Askew announced that the Parks and Recreation Authority will meet at 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 19th at the Lock and Dam Park. The Parks and Recreation Authority is holding meetings at various parks this year. 3 Community Development Committee Commissioner Collins announced that the Community Development Committee will meet next on Tuesday, October 12th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner Collins announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet next on Thursday, October 21st at 11 a.m. in the Rome Civic Center. COVID Vaccination Program Commissioner Collins announced that several organizations in Rome will sponsor a COVID vaccination event on Saturday, October 16th at the Community Kitchen location. Persons receiving vaccinations during this program will be eligible for an entry into a $1,000 raffle. 2021 Election Commissioner Davis reported that early voting will begin on Tuesday, October 12th for the City of Rome’s November 2nd Election. All seven School Board members and the three Ward 2 City Commissioners will be chosen during this election. There will also be Saturday and Sunday early voting during this cycle. Coosa Valley Fair It was announced that the Coosa Valley Fair held last week was the 72nd anniversary. Even though there was rainy weather during the week, there was very strong attendance at the Fair on Friday and Saturday. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4