City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, December 20, 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 Quick introduced Reverend Larry Caywood who opened the meeting with prayer. Commissioner Quick led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – December 13, 2021 The minutes of the December 13, 2021meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by an unanimous consent. Pleasant Valley Road – Chulio Road Guest Comments Three guests were registered to speak at tonight’s City Commission meeting regarding the Pleasant Valley Road annexation (File # A21-10-01) that was approved at the October 25, 2021, City Commission meeting. The property annexed at the October 25, 2021, City Commission meeting joined a larger tract of property already in the city limits. The owners of this property plan to develop a large residential subdivision. Speaking first was Mr. Otis Raybon, 20 Camelot Circle. Mr. Raybon stated that he feels that the City Commission did not have ample opportunity to hear all of the comments intended at the October 25th meeting. Mr. Raybon’s comments primarily concerned the safety of Chulio Road and Pleasant Valley Road, which will be significantly impacted if the planned subdivision is constructed. Mr. Raybon reminded the Commission that this subdivision, as planned, will be a high-density development and will be adding many additional vehicles to Chulio and Pleasant Valley Roads each day. Mr. Raybon stated that he has heard Chulio Road described as an unsafe road many times. He asked the City Commission to declare Chulio Road as an unsafe street, so that prospective buyers of homes in the new subdivision will know the risk they will be encountering. Mr. Raybon also encouraged the City Commission to require the new lots in this proposed subdivision contain a minimum of 60-feet of road frontage. Speaking next was Mrs. Barbara Raybon, 20 Camelot Circle. Mrs. Raybon stated there are many homeowners that will be affected by the proposed subdivision. These affected subdivisions are Twickingham, Woodfin Estates, Hampton East, Hampton Preserve, and other non-subdivision homes in the area. These affected homeowners total more than 500. Mrs. Rabon stated that these homeowners have not been properly heard and have not been receiving information concerning any plans for road improvements. Mrs. Raybon requested that, at a minimum, 4-way stops be installed at the existing subdivision entrances and exits. She concluded her comments by stating that Chulio Road currently is a heavily traveled road and receives a grade of “F”. The third speaker was Ms. Patricia Eastin, 2 Trent Drive SE. Ms. Eastin stated that the proposed subdivision containing over 1000 new homes will add at least 2,000 additional vehicles on average to the Chulio and/or Pleasant Valley Roads. Ms. Eastin reminded the Commission this 1 would make the roads even more unsafe, and she encouraged the City Commissioners to consider what is the “value of life”. Commissioner Doss encouraged the City’s Traffic, Transit, and Public Works Committee to continue looking at this proposed subdivision and for any improvements that can make the roads safer. Commissioner Cochran stated this Committee will continue to look at the situation. He also reminded everyone that approximately 90% of the Chulio Road is in Floyd County, not the City of Rome. By annexing this property into the City of Rome, the City will have some role in development oversight. Z21-12-01 Rezone 5 and 7 Shorter Avenue City Commissioner Quick introduced rezoning file # Z21-12-01, the request to rezone property located at 5 and 7 Shorter Avenue and identified by Tax Map # I13Z-511 and 512, from Office Institutional to Community Commercial. The Planning Commission has unanimously recommended approval. Planning Staff has also recommended approval. Assistant Rome Planner Brice Wood reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mr. Wood stated this property is the former site of the American Legion. The present development plan calls for an automotive quick lube facility and a coffee shop to be constructed. This parcel contains approximately 2.5 acres. Mayor McDaniel called a Public Hearing to order concerning the rezoning request. Speaking in favor of rezoning was Mr. Andy Camp. Mr. Camp is an engineer from Carrollton, Georgia representing the owners of this property. Mr. Camp was available for questions. There was no one else to speak regarding the matter, and the Public Hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the request to rezone 5 and 7 Shorter Avenue from Office Institutional to Community Commercial, and Commissioner Collins seconded. A property owner representative was present tonight and stated that they were from Nashville, Tennessee and were working on another project in our community and determined that this site would be an appropriate location for a development in Rome. The City Commission welcomed the owners to Rome. With the discussion concluded, the motion to approve the rezoning was unanimously in favor. 2022 Budgets Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson introduced the 2022 Budgets. These Budgets were placed on First Reading, and a Public Hearing was held at the December 13th City Commission meeting. There was no additional presentation at tonight’s meeting. Mayor McDaniel called a Public Hearing to order concerning the proposed 2022 City of Rome Budgets. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition, and the Public Hearing was closed. Mayor Pro Tem Stevenson moved to adopt the 2022 Budgets as prepared and presented by the City Manager and the Finance Committee. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Commissioner Cochran reminded the Commission that the latest inflation numbers indicate an approximate 6% inflation rate. With the 2022 Budgets, City employees will be eligible for merit raises ranging from 0 – 4 %. Cochran stated that this data determines that city employees will 2 make less money this year even with a pay raise . Commissioner Cochran requested that the City of Rome evaluate where our employee’s salaries are positioned in the market, and that we consider making needed adjustments next year. 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 garbage routes will be collected on Wednesday, 22nd. The December 31st garbage routes will be collected along with the Thursday, December 30th routes. The Walker Mountain Landfill will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day. North Broad Street Property Purchase – 1302, 1304, and 1306 City Manager Rich stated that the City of Rome has been evaluating the possibility of purchasing two parcels of property on North Broad Street. These parcels cover 1302, 1304, and 1306 North Broad Street. After negotiating with the owner and conducting an appraisal, Mr. Rich stated that the properties could be acquired for $250,000 (below appraised value). Commissioner Collins moved to authorize the purchase of 1302, 1304, and 1306 North Broad Street in the amount of $250,000, and this sale may close by the end of 2021. Commissioner Stevenson seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: YES: Stevenson, Bojo, Cochran, Davis, Doss, Quick, and Collins ABSTAIN: Askew (Family member employed by the United Way) Mr. Rich explained that these properties will be used by the United Way of Rome and Floyd County. Ms. Ali Mitchell of United Way was present tonight and stated that, initially, this location will be used as a community resource center shared with other local non-profits, and there will be a plan to establish a traditional family housing on this site in conjunction with the Salvation Army to be used for emergency family crisis. East Central Elementary School Access Road Mayor McDaniel announced that there will be a ribbon cutting for the East Central Elementary School access road on Monday, January 3rd at 10 a.m. This road was constructed as part of the 2017 SPLOST Referendum. Rome/Floyd County Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd County Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, December 21st at 10 a.m. in the Manis Business Center. Executive Session Mayor McDaniel announced that an Executive Session was held prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting for the discussion of one real estate acquisition matter. No votes were taken. Commissioner Doss moved to enter Executive Session, seconded by Commissioner Stevenson and an unanimous vote. Commissioner Quick moved to exit Executive Session. Commissioner Stevenson seconded, and there was an unanimous vote. 3 Commissioner Wendy Davis Mayor McDaniel announced that tonight was the final City Commission meeting for Commissioner Wendy Davis. Commissioner Davis has served two 4-year terms as a Ward 2 City Commissioner. The mayor presented Commissioner Davis with a gift from the City of Rome and a farewell card. Mayor McDaniel and each of the City Commissioners took time to thank Commissioner Davis for her service to the City of Rome. Each Commissioner spoke of some of the specific attributes of Commissioner Davis and how she worked to make Rome a better place for all of our citizens. Commissioner Davis has announced that she will seek the U.S. Congressional Representative Seat from our 14th District. Qualifying for this 2022 Election will take place in March, and the primaries will be held in May. Commissioner Davis took time to thank the City Commissioners, City Staff, and the citizens of Rome for allowing her to serve this community. Commissioner Davis stated that her primary focus throughout her eight years of City Commission service has been working to foster more public involvement and examining ways for our city to perform services in a different manner. In addition to seeking more effective and efficient operations, Commissioner Davis was always looking at bigger, broader projects and ways of serving our citizens. Rob Ware – Rome/Floyd Land Bank Authority Commissioner Doss moved to reappoint Mr. Rob Ware to serve an additional 4-year term on the Rome/Floyd Land Bank Authority. Mr. Ware is Mayor of Cave Spring and serves the Land Bank post which is appointed by both the Rome City Commission and the Floyd County Commission. Commissioner Askew seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Senator Johnny Isakson and Mike McDougal The City Commission acknowledged the recent passing of the former Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson and local radio entrepreneur Mike McDougal. Commissioner Quick took time to comment at length regarding Mike McDougal’s accomplishments and his importance to our local community and his great legacy. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Askew reported that the Parks and Recreation Authority will have a full Board meeting on Tuesday, December 21st at noon in the Parker Center adjacent to Etowah Park. Commissioner Collins stated that Parks and Recreation will be an important topic in 2022 as the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is revisited. Commissioner Collins expressed his hope that funding can be allocated for construction of a Splash Pad at Rome’s Banty Jones Park. Community Development Report Commissioner Collins reported that the Community Development Committee has recently approved changes to the 2020 and 2021 Action Plans. A total of $170,000 will be re-allocated from the Housing Rehabilitation Program to a new Neighborhood Park Improvement Program. 4 The Committee has approved for staff to move forward with drafting the 2022 Action Plan and to allocate the entire amount for neighborhood park improvements and administration. It is estimated that the City of Rome may receive approximately $700,000 in CDBG Funds in 2022, which will be an increase from previous years. Commissioner Collins also briefly reported on homeowner assistance grants that are available for painting and the possibility of an assistance grant for roofing improvements. Commissioner Collins also acknowledged a major cleanup that has occurred on Dean Street that included the campers and trailers adjacent to what was formerly the Roy’s Little Garden and Rick’s Little Garden Convenient Store. This area is much cleaner, and many problems have been eradicated. City Manager Evaluation – Executive Session Commissioner Bojo moved for the City Commission to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of performing the annual performance evaluation for City Manager Sammy Rich. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. The City Commissioners entered Executive Session at approximately 7:45 p.m. The Executive Session concluded later that evening. Mayor McDaniel reported that City Manager Rich received a favorable evaluation and a 7% salary increase. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the regular meeting at 7:43 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 5