City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, November 8, 2021 The Rome City Commission met at 6:45 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, Doss, Quick, Askew, and Collins present. Commissioner Cochran opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – October 25, 2021 The minutes of the October 25, 2021meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by an unanimous consent. Executive Session Mayor McDaniel announced that the City Commission met in Executive Session prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting for the purpose of discussing one real estate matter and two litigation updates. There was no action taken. Commissioner Bojo moved to enter into Executive Session. Commissioner Quick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Commissioner Bojo moved to exit Executive Session. Commissioner Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Hospice Month Commissioner Bojo presented a City of Rome proclamation proclaiming November 2021 as Hospice Month in our city. This proclamation was presented to Ms. Denise Dye and Mr. Larry Hall representing a regional hospice organization. Annexation – First Reading Commissioner Quick announced that the following annexation was being placed on First Reading: A) A21-11-02 – Request to annex property located at 9 Simpson Drive, Rome GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel, H12Y-463, with no change in zoning as Suburban Residential. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 6-0). There were no objections to Commissioner Quick’s request/motion, and by unanimous consent, this was done. A Public Hearing on this request will take place at the November 22nd City Commission meeting. Curfew Ordinance Commissioner Askew announced that the proposed Curfew Ordinance Amendment had been tabled at the September 13th, September 27th, October 11th, and October 25th City Commission meetings. Commissioner Askew now moved to take this proposal off the table. Commissioner Collins seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 1 Commissioner Askew moved to send the proposed Curfew Ordinance Amendment back to the Public Safety Committee for further study and consideration. Commissioner Collins seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. The proposed amendment in its current form would reduce Rome’s youth curfew from 11 p.m. until 10 p.m. and would be applicable citywide. Election Results Secretary Smith announced that the City of Rome’s November 2nd Election was successfully held. Three Ward 2 Rome City Commissioners have been chosen, and the seven School Board members. The results of the election are as follows: Rome City Commission - Ward 2 *Top 3 - Elected Elaina Beeman 1387* LuGina Brown 1013 James Doss (I) 1638* Vic Hixon 976 Tyrone Holland 546 Randy Quick (I) 1497* Total 7057 Rome Board of Education *Top 7 - Elected Pascha Burge 1208* Will Byington (I) 1784* Faith Collins (I) 1848* Melissa Davis (I) 1775* Jill Fisher (I) 1755* Alvin Jackson, Sr. (I) 1793* Tracy McDew 1012 Ron Roach 936 John Uldrick (I) 1633* Total 13,744 2,697 of the City of Rome’s 21,056 registered voters participated in the election – A 12.81% Turnout Rate. Commissioner Askew moved to accept the results as presented. Commissioner Stevenson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Secretary Smith noted that, if there is any minor change to these election totals based on the Floyd County Board of Elections & Registration Certification, those changes will be so noted. 2 Veterans Day Holiday City Manager Rich announced that the City of Rome’s Administrative Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. Thursday’s garbage route will be collected on Wednesday, November 10th. The Walker Mountain Landfill will also be closed on the 11th. South Rome Alliance – Corrective Deed and Access Easement Agreement City Attorney Andy Davis stated that two minor issues were needed regarding the South Rome Alliance. The first item is a Quit Claim Deed for the parcel release of a subordinate deed to secure debt that improperly encumbered the South Meadows property. The second item is an access agreement in which the City of Rome grants an access easement over and across a portion of the City’s property for the benefit of the proposed South Meadows Development near Pollock Street. Commissioner Collins moved to authorize approval of both documents as explained by City Attorney Andy Davis. Commissioner Askew seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 206 Blacks Bluff Road – Property Purchase Commissioner Bojo moved to authorize the City of Rome to execute a real estate contract to purchase property located at 206 Blacks Bluff Road in the amount of $50,000. Commissioner Stevenson seconded the motion. It was explained that the City of Rome has, for many years, attempted to buy various properties near the Blacks Bluff Road Wastewater Treatment Plant. Commissioner Bojo’s motion to authorize the purchase of this property from Ms. Carol Brooks Cox, in the amount of $50,000, was unanimously approved. Opioid Lawsuit Resolution Commissioner Davis commented on the class action lawsuit, led by the City of Rome, regarding the National Prescription OPIATE Litigation. Mr. Davis read the following preamble for the resolution: “A resolution of the City of Rome Georgia agreeing to be bound by the Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Georgia and certain local government entities concerning the National Distribution and J & J Settlements and directing the execution of the “acknowledgement and agreement to be bound by a Memorandum of Understanding”, “subdivision, distribution, settlement, participation form”, and “Janssen Settlement Participation Form”. Commissioner Stevenson moved for the adoption of the resolution as presented by Mr. Davis and to authorize City Manager Rich to execute all needed documents related to this matter. Commissioner Bojo seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Special Called City Commission Meeting Mayor McDaniel announced that the City Commission would meet in a Special Called Commission meeting on Friday, November 12th at 8:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. 3 Rome/Floyd County Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd County Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, November 16th at 10 a.m. in the Manis Business Center. Mauldin & Jenkins – Audit Services Commissioner Stevenson moved to approve an extension of the agreement for Audit Services with Mauldin & Jenkins for the next three years. The Audit Services will be for the City of Rome and for the Rome School System. Commissioner Cochran seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Public Works, Traffic, and Transit Commissioner Cochran announced that the Public Works, Traffic, and Transit Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 10th at 10 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Transportation Policy Committee Commissioner Cochran announced that the Transportation Policy Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 17th at 10 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Health Report Commissioner Cochran announced that there have been 306 COVID-related deaths in Floyd County to date. 15,499 verified cases of COVID have occurred in Floyd County since the beginning of the pandemic. COVID vaccinations have been approved for use in the 5 – 11-year range. Commissioner Collins suggested that local health officials, once again, address the City Commission at a future Caucus concerning the current state of the COVID pandemic in our community and the predictions for the upcoming holiday season. United States Infrastructure Bill Commissioner Davis reported on the Infrastructure Bill that was recently passed by the United States House of Representatives. This Bill had been previously approved by the US Senate. President Biden is expected to sign this in to law. Commissioner Davis reported that the State of Georgia is expected to receive the following funds: 1) $8B for road projects; 2) $225M for bridge improvements; 3) $1.4B for public transportation; and 4) $6.9M for airports. Defined Contribution Plan 401a Match Commissioner Doss moved to execute the necessary Georgia Municipal Association documents related to our 401a Defined Contribution Plan. The City of Rome will increase the employee salary match from 1.5% to 2% beginning January 2022. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. This matter was discussed at a previous City Commission Goal Setting Session and has been recommended by the City’s General Administration Committee, Pension Committee, and Finance Committee. Commissioner Doss encouraged all city employees to participate in this matching program. 4 Tourism Commissioner Doss announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 17th at 11:45 a.m. in the Rome History Center. Historic Preservation Commission Commissioner Doss announced that the Historic Preservation Commission will meet on Wednesday, November 17th at 2:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, November 15th at 5 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Askew reported that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Board will meet on Tuesday, November 16th at noon in the Activity Room of the Thornton Center. Public Safety Committee Commissioner Askew announced that the Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 16th at 2 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Fire Overview Committee Commissioner Askew reported that the Fire Overview Committee, originally scheduled for Tuesday, November 9th, has been cancelled. Veterans Day Ceremony Commissioner Askew announced that, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 11th, a Veterans Day Ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Known Soldier at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. Also present during this ceremony will be Rome’s traveling replica of the United States Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is the 100th anniversary of Arlington’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The traveling replica tomb will also be on display at City Hall on November 9th for a Veterans Day Concert. Keep Rome/Floyd County Beautiful Commissioner Collins announced that the next meeting of the Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission will take place on Monday, November 15th at 4 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:13 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 5