City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, February 14, 2022 The Rome City Commission met at 6:30 p.m. this date in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall, 601 Broad Street. Mayor Stevenson presided with Mayor Pro Tem Cochran and Commissioners Bojo, Beeman, Doss, Quick, Askew, Collins, and McDaniel present. Commissioner McDaniel opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – January 24, 2022 The Minutes of the January 24, 2022 meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by an unanimous consent. Arbor Day Commissioner Doss presented a joint City/County proclamation proclaiming February 18, 2022 as Arbor Day in our community. This proclamation was presented to Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Director Hannah Bagley. Georgia Day Commissioner Quick presented a joint City/County proclamation proclaiming February 12, 2022 as Georgia Day in our community. This proclamation was presented to Ms. Linda Easterwood and other representatives of the Xavier Chapter of the Georgia Daughters of the American Revolution. Optimist Day Commissioner Bojo presented a City of Rome proclamation proclaiming the first Thursday in February as Optimist Day. This proclamation was presented to five representatives of the local Optimist Club’s present at tonight’s meeting. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month Commissioner Beeman presented a City of Rome proclamation proclaiming February 2022 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This proclamation was presented to local representatives of the Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia and the Hospitality House. Black History Month Commissioner Collins presented a City of Rome proclamation proclaiming February 2022 as Black History Month in Rome. Joining Commissioner Collins during the presentation of this proclamation was Police Chief Denise Downer-McKinney, Mayor Sundai Stevenson, Commissioners Bonny Askew and Elaina Beeman, and Rome/Floyd Planner Director Artagus Newall. North Pointe Subdivision – Sam Evans Mr. Sam Evans, representing the North Pointe Subdivision, addressed the City Commission. Present along with Mr. Evans were approximately 25 residents of the North Pointe Subdivision. 1 Mr. Evans had previously submitted a four-page letter to Rome City Commission members regarding concerns of the subdivision’s residents. At tonight’s meeting, Mr. Evans specifically addressed traffic, retention pond concerns, curb and gutter issues, potential water pressure issues, and the subdivision rear entrance. The letter and concerns voiced tonight are related to the adjoining Crestwood Subdivision that is currently under development. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Evans and the other guests for their attendance and the comments presented. Housing Authority – Cave Spring Consolidation Commissioner Cochran moved to adopt a resolution which would authorize the consolidation of the Cave Spring Housing Authority with the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority. Commissioner Cochran pointed out that the City of Rome will continue to appoint five members to the Northwest Georgia Consolidated Housing Authority. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: YES: Cochran, Bojo, Doss, Quick, Askew, Collins, and McDaniel ABSTAIN: Beeman Rezoning – First Reading The following rezoning File Z22-02-01 was placed on First Reading: A) Z22-02-01 – Request to rezone from Community Commercial to Multi-Family Residential for the property located at 707 E. 2nd Ave., Floyd County Tax Parcel J14F-175. (Planning Commission recommends approval 6-1). A Public Hearing for this rezoning request will take place at the February 28th City Commission meeting. Alcohol Ordinance Amendment – Wine Pouring/Consumption Hours Secretary Smith explained the proposed Alcohol Ordinance Amendment on tonight’s agenda. As recommended by the Alcohol Control Commission, this proposed amendment would alter the hours of wine pouring and consumption. Currently, wine cannot be poured until 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday. The proposed ordinance would authorize wine to be poured and consumed beginning at 6 a.m. (the same hours allowed for beer pouring and consumption). Sunday pouring hours, which begin at 11 a.m., would not be affected by this ordinance amendment due to the configuration of Georgia law. Commissioner Cochran moved to adopt the Alcohol Ordinance Amendment regarding wine pouring and consumption hours as described. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: YES: Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, Askew, Collins, and McDaniel NO: Bojo 2 ULDC Text Amendment – Townhomes and Tri/Duplexes Along Major Streets It was noted that, at the January 24th City Commission meeting, a proposed Unified Land Development Code Text Amendment, which would allow townhomes and tri/duplexes along major streets with restrictions, was tabled. Commissioner Quick moved to remove this proposed ULDC Text Amendment from the table. Commissioner McDaniel seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Commissioner Quick moved to adopt the ULDC Text Amendment to allow townhomes and tri/duplexes along major streets with restrictions. Commissioner McDaniel seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Rome/Floyd County Development Authority Mayor Stevenson announced that the annual Strategic Planning Session with the Rome/Floyd County Development Authority, the Development Authority of Floyd County, and the Floyd County Members of the Gordon/Floyd Joint Development Authority, will take place on Friday, February 18th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Manis Business Center. Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that there will be a Called Meeting of the Redevelopment Committee on Tuesday, February 15th at 1:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Water and Sewer Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on March 3rd at 9 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Alcohol Control Commission is scheduled to meet on Monday, February 21st at 5 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. This planned ACC meeting has been cancelled. Historic Preservation Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Historic Preservation Commission will meet next on Wednesday, February 16th at 2:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that there will be an Arbor Day celebration on Thursday, February 17th at 1 p.m. on West First Street behind Synovus Bank. Library Board Commissioner Beeman announced that the Library Board is scheduled to meet on Thursday, February 17th at 4 p.m. in the Sarah Hightower Regional Library. Riverside Parkway Commissioner Cochran announced that there are plans to restripe the lane markings on Riverside Parkway in the near future. 3 Landmarking Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Landmarking Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 15th at 1 p.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Community Development Report Commissioner Collins reported on several informational items discussed at the February 9, 2022 Community Development Services Committee. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, February 17th at 11 a.m. at the Rome Civic Center. Parks and Recreation Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd County Parks and Recreation Authority will hold Committee Sessions on Tuesday, February 15th beginning at 11:15 a.m. at the Shorter Avenue office. Parks and Recreation will be a topic at the planned May 25th Rome City Commission Goal Setting Retreat. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4