City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, April 11, 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 Beeman opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – March 28, 2022 The Minutes of the March 28, 2022 meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by an unanimous consent. Fair Housing Month and Community Development Week Commissioner Beeman presented a proclamation proclaiming April 2022 as Fair Housing Month in Rome. Commissioner Quick presented a proclamation proclaiming the week of April 11th – 15th as Community Development in Rome. These proclamations were presented to representatives of the City Community Development Department: Bekki Fox, Suzanne Parris, Logan Drake, Molly Majestic, and Amanda Carter. Ms. Fox addressed the City Commission and spoke briefly about each of these two designations. National Garden Week Commissioner Askew presented a joint City/County proclamation proclaiming the week of April 17th – 23rd as National Garden Week in Rome and Floyd County. This proclamation was presented to Ms. Kathy Cooper, co-president of the Seven Hills Garden Club. Sexual Assault Awareness Month Mayor Pro Tem Cochran presented a joint City/County proclamation recognizing April 2022 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Rome and Floyd County. This proclamation was presented to Assistant City Attorney Frank Beacham who is a board member of the Sexual Assault Center. ULDC Amendment, Annexation, and Rezonings – First Reading Secretary Smith announced that the following ULDC Text Amendment, Annexation, and Rezonings were being placed on First Reading: A) Approve ULDC Text Amendment – To amend the ULDC to remove the requirement that the Rome/Floyd Planning Commission approve any/all final subdivision plats and allow administrative approval. (Planning commission recommends approval, 7-0). B) A22-04-01 – Request to annex the property located at 75 Huffaker Rd; Tax Parcel, H12Y-436, zoned Community Commercial (No change). (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7-0). C) Z22-01-01 – Request to rezone from Suburban Residential & Community Commercial to Multi-Family Residential for 290 acres of property located at Highway 411 at East Rome Bypass; Floyd County Tax Parcels K15W-002, K15W- 004, K15X-259, K15X-262, K15X-264, K15X-266, and K14Z-001. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7-0). D) Z22-03-05 – Request to rezone from Community Commercial to Multi-Family Residential for 34 acres of property located off Dodd Blvd; Floyd County Tax Parcels J15W-455, J15W-456, K15X-021, and K15X-027. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7-0). E) Z22-04-01 – Request to rezone from Heavy Industrial to Light Industrial for the property located at Division Street and John Davenport; Floyd County Tax Parcel I13Z-031. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7-0). 1  F) Z22-04-06 – Request to rezone from Community Commercial to Light Industrial for the property located at 145 John Davenport; Floyd County Tax Parcels I13Z-093, I13Z-094, and I13Z-094A. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 6-1). G) Z22-04-08 – Request to rezone from Office Institutional to Heavy Industrial for the former NW GA Regional Hospital Site located at Division Street and 100 Marable Way; Floyd County Tax Parcels I13X-015, I13X-016, and I13X-017. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7-0). A Public Hearing for these items is scheduled for the April 25, 2022 City Commission meeting. Land Bank Authority Agreement - Amendment Secretary Smith announced that the City Attorney’s Office has prepared an amendment to the City/County Land Bank Authority Agreement. This amendment will expand the Land Bank Authority membership from five to seven members. The City of Rome and Floyd County will each have an additional appointment. This amendment also establishes a staggered term arrangement for the seven Authority members. Commissioner Collins moved to adopt the agreement amendment as presented. Commissioner Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Brad Roberson – Deputy Fire Chief City Manager Rich announced that Deputy Fire Chief Curt Pierson recently retired. The City of Rome conducted a search for Mr. Pierson’s replacement, and Battalion Captain Brad Roberson has been selected to fill the role of Deputy Fire Chief. Mr. Rich outlined some of the highlights of Mr. Roberson’s 24-year career with the Rome Fire Department. Also present at tonight’s meeting were Fire Chief Troy Brock, Battalion Chief Jamie Stone, and Mr. Roberson’s fiancé Kerri Allred. No City Commission action was needed tonight; however, the Commission congratulated Mr. Roberson on his promotion. Good Friday Holiday City Manager Rich announced that City Offices would be closed on Friday, April 15th in observance of the Good Friday Holiday. Friday’s garbage and solid waste routes will be picked up on Thursday, April 14th. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor Stevenson announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, April 19th at 10 a.m. in the Manis Business Center. Joint Services Committee Mayor Stevenson announced that the City/County Joint Services Committee met last week to discuss several important topics. Among the topics discussed was the upcoming renegotiation for the Local Option Sales Tax Allocations. Finance Committee Mayor Pro Tem Cochran that the Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 20th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Public Works, Traffic, and Transit Mayor Pro Tem Cochran announced that the Public Works, Traffic, and Transit Committee scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 13th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room has been cancelled. Low Income Household Water Assistance Program – Tallatoona Commissioner Bojo moved to implement a six-month pilot program for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program funded by Tallatoona. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. This 6-month pilot program will begin as soon as possible. 2 Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, April 18th at 5 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Historic Preservation Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 20th at 2:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commissioner Beeman announced that Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Director Hannah Bagley presented a program during tonight’s Caucus Session outlining programs that have taken place recently and outlined upcoming events. Summer Reading Program Commissioner Beeman announced that the Housing Authority is partnering with the Rome/Floyd County Library to implement the Summer Reading Program. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Quick announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, April 14th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Landfill Compactor Commissioner Askew announced that a compactor has been placed at the Walker Mountain Landfill. This $850,000 piece of equipment will help extend the life of the Landfill and make certain disposals more efficient. Committee Appointments Commissioner Collins moved to make the following appointments: A) Alcohol Control Commission – Reappoint Steve VanMeter B) Downtown Development Authority – Reappoint Megan Watters/Appoint Kelli Duncan (replacing Connie Sams) C) Housing Authority of NW Georgia – Reappoint Mary Helen Heaner and Michael Taylor D) Land Bank Authority – Appoint David Clonts (replacing Roger Smith)/Appoint J. R. Davis (New Member) E) ULDC Board of Adjustments – Reappoint Jarrod Johnson and Cameron Abney Commissioner Askew seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: YES: Cochran, Bojo, Doss, Quick, Askew, Collins, and McDaniel ABSTAIN: Beeman Commissioner Beeman abstained from the vote since she is affiliated with the Housing Authority of NW Georgia. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, April 21st at 11 a.m. at the Civic Center. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd County Parks and Recreation Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 19th at noon at the Shorter Avenue Headquarters. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 3