City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, December 13, 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, Doss, Quick, Askew, and Collins present. Commissioner Doss opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – November 22, 2021 The minutes of the November 22, 2021meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by an unanimous consent. Street Closing Resolution – Jennings Street Commissioner Collins moved to adopt a resolution, which would initiate the process to close Jennings Street (formerly a portion of Davis Street). Commissioner Askew seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. After the resolution is advertised, an ordinance for this closing will be brought back to the City Commission. After it is finalized, the closed street will be deeded to the adjoining owners – the City of Rome and Fountain Family Properties. A North Rome Youth Center project, which is part of the 2017 SPLOST Package, will be constructed near this property. Hazardous Mitigation Plan Update City Manager Rich explained that the City of Rome has been asked to adopt the 2020 – 2025 Update to the Floyd County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Commissioner Stevenson moved to adopt this resolution, which would adopt the 2020 – 2025 Update. Commissioner Bojo seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. City Manager Rich explained that the Federal Emergency Management Agency requires that every county and municipality have a pre-disaster mitigation plan in place. Rezoning – First Reading Commissioner Quick presented the following rezoning request: Z21-12-01 – Request to rezone from Office Institutional to Community Commercial for property located at 5 and 7 Shorter Avenue, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcels I13Z-512 and I13Z-511. (Planning Commission approved, 9-0). There was no objection to Commissioner Quick’s request/motion for this matter to be placed on First Reading. A Public Hearing is scheduled for the December 20th City Commission meeting. 1 2022 Budgets – First Reading Commissioner Stevenson announced that the Finance Committee has concluded their preparation and review work regarding the 2022 Budgets, and they are now ready for City Commission action. Mayor McDaniel called a Public Hearing to order concerning the proposed 2022 City Budgets. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition, and the Public Hearing was closed. Finance Director Toni Rhinehart reviewed the Budget outlining the following highlights: General Comments • The proposed budgeted 2022 tax revenues assumes a slight digest increase. • There has been steady growth in several major General Fund revenue sources. These include Sales Tax collections and the TAV Tax. • There is a modest increase budgeted for insurance premium tax. Licenses, and intangible taxes are budgeted to stay in line with 2021. • There is a significant increase in the required City contribution for Retirement – GMEBS. The required contribution went from $4,578,456 to $5,059,530. • No projected increases for Workers Compensation or Health Insurance for 2022. We are changing health insurance carrier from Blue Cross/Blue Shield to Cigna beginning in January 2022. • The current budget includes the addition of these personnel: 1) Additional Security Technician in Office of Technology 2) Additional Planning Assistant and restructuring of the Planning Department 3) Additional Environmental Inspector position and restructuring of the Building Inspection Department 4) Additional Admin Coordinator position in the Finance Department 5) Additional Admin Coordinator position in the City Manager’s Office 6) Additional employees (5) to implement the Quick Response team in Street Department to address utility paving 7) Additional HR Generalist in the Insurance Fund 8) Additional employees in Solid Waste Commission (Landfill) – two Heavy Machine Operators and one Environmental Compliance Supervisor • The recent pay adjustments for Police and Fire are included in this budget. • The General Fund is a balanced budget with the use of fund balance of $3.5 million and an increase in operational expenses of about 10%. 2  • Transfer to Capital increased significantly to encompass a large paving plan for 2022. • Payroll expenses include a 0-4% increase for employees. • We remain in the planning phase concerning transportation services for 2022 and how to implement going forward. We are still disposing of the Tripper buses from inventory. These funds are being held in Restricted Cash in the Transit fund to be used for future bus purchases as allowed by FTA. • Fuel costs are anticipated to be at or slightly above 2021. These Budgets will be scheduled for adoption at the December 20th City Commission meeting. Nixon Avenue Property to Land Bank Authority City Manager Rich explained that the City of Rome owns a piece of property near the intersection of Nixon Avenue and Porter Street. This property is identified by Tax Map # I14Z- 029. The City of Rome has no use for this vacant lot and would like to transfer it to the Land Bank Authority. The Land Bank Authority has the power to dispose of this property and may sell it to an adjoining property owner. Commissioner Askew moved to approve the transfer of the property as described by City Manager Rich. Commissioner Bojo seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Holiday Closings City Manager Rich announced that the Rome City Offices will be closed on Thursday, December 23rd and Friday, December 24th in observance of the Christmas Holiday. City offices will also be closed on Friday, December 31st in observance of the New Year’s Day Holiday. Thursday and Friday’s garbage routes will be collected on Wednesday, December 22nd. The December 31st garbage route will be collected along with the Thursday, December 30th route. The Walker Mountain Landfill will be closed on New Year's Day. 110 Broad Street City Manager Rich stated that the City of Rome has continued the investigation regarding the possible purchase of 110 Broad Street. As a result, Mr. Rich announced that the City of Rome can buy this property for $436,000. Commissioner Quick moved to authorize the purchase of 110 Broad Street in the amount of $436,000 (The City initiated appraisal came back at $480,000). This property sale could close by December 31, 2021. This property will be used by the Downtown Development Authority for a downtown incubator/accelerator project. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Executive Session Mayor McDaniel announced that an Executive Session was held prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting on the motion of Commissioner Collins, a second of Commissioner Doss, and 3 an unanimous vote. One real estate acquisition matter was discussed. No votes were taken. Commissioner Doss moved to adjourn the Executive Session, seconded by Commissioner Quick, and an unanimous vote. Finance Committee Commissioner Stevenson announced that the Finance Committee scheduled for Wednesday, December 15th has been cancelled. Commissioner Davis Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson expressed her appreciation to Commissioner Davis for her eight years of service to the Rome City Commission. Commissioner Davis did not run for re-election in 2021 and will be concluding her City Commission service at the end of 2021. Commissioner Davis is planning to run for Georgia’s 14th Congressional Seat. Stevenson stated that it has been a pleasure serving with Commissioner Davis. North 2nd Avenue Widening Project – GDOT Agreement Commissioner Bojo moved to approve an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation related to the North 2nd Avenue Widening Project. This agreement would authorize the construction contractor to perform the City of Rome’s utility work related to this project. The City of Rome will pay $428,840 for this utility/water work as part of this project. Commissioner Stevenson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. COVID Update Commissioner Cochran announced that there were 125 new cases and five deaths related to COVID in our community during the past week. Commissioner Davis stated the United States has had over 800,000 covid-related deaths so far. Transit Conference Commissioner Cochran expressed his appreciation for allowing himself, along with Commissioners Collins and Askew to attend the Transit Conference recently in Jekyll Island, Georgia. Commissioner Cochran stated this was a good event and allowed the Rome Commissioners to attend classes and meet managers from other transit communities throughout the State of Georgia. Bill Kerestes and Fred Taylor Commissioner Davis expressed her condolences regarding the recent death of Mr. Bill Kerestes. Mr. Kerestes has been involved in many volunteer roles within the City of Rome, especially in the South Rome area. Mayor McDaniel expressed his condolences to the family of Fred Taylor. Mr. Taylor recently died and was associated with OTR Engineering in our community and many other entrepreneurial ventures throughout the world. Rob Ware – Land Bank Authority Nomination Commissioner Doss announced that Mr. Rob Ware was being nominated for reappointment to the Rome/Floyd Land Bank Authority. Mr. Ware occupies the seat that is appointed by both the 4 City and County Commissions. A vote on Mr. Ware’s reappointment will take place at the December 20th City Commission meeting. Downtown Development Authority Awards Program Commissioner Quick announced that the Downtown Development Authority will hold its annual Awards Program on Friday, December 17th at 8:30 a.m. at the Marriott Courtyard Riverwalk. Community Development Committee Commissioner Collins announced that the Community Development Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 14th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. COVID Incentive Program Commissioner Collins announced that an additional COVID vaccination incentive program was recently held at Lovejoy Baptist Church. There are more incentive programs planned in the future. Commissioner Collins Commissioner Collins announced that his brother-in-law recently died from COVID-related complications. This gentleman lived in the Chattanooga area. Former Commissioner Slack Commissioner Bojo announced that former Rome City Commissioner Milton Slack recently underwent surgery but is recovering as expected. Rome Police Department - Response Commissioner Bojo praised the Rome Police Department for their recent response to an incident in the Maplewood East Subdivision. The Rome Police Department provided a quick and professional response to this issue. Christmas on Broad Commissioner Bojo announced that there will be a Christmas on Broad event at the Town Green on December 22nd. This event will take place from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Good Neighbors Ministry Commissioner Doss announced that the First Presbyterian Church of Rome and Good Neighbors Ministry are providing food boxes for those in need. 600 boxes will be prepared. Each box will feed a family of four for a week. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 5