City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, June 13, 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 Commissioners Bojo, Beeman, Doss, Quick, Askew and Collins present. Mayor Pro Tem Cochran and Commissioner McDaniel were absent and excused. Commissioner Collins opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – May 23, 2022 The Minutes of the May 23, 2022, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Assistant Secretary, were approved by a unanimous consent. Lloyd Frasier Retirement Commissioner Bojo presented a proclamation recognizing the retirement of Lloyd Frasier. Mr. Fraiser has been with the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission for 49 years and has served as the Executive Director since 2013. Mr. Fraiser was present along with his family and some coworkers. The City Commission congratulated Mr. Fraiser on his retirement and thanked him for his decades of dedicated service to the 15 counties and 49 cities in their service area. Pride Month Commissioner Askew presented a proclamation recognizing June 2022 as Pride Month in the City of Rome. This proclamation was presented to Justin Dill. Mr. Dill commented on some of the pride events that are planned to be held in Rome later this month. Annexation and Rezonings – First Reading Secretary Smith announced that the following annexation and rezonings are being placed on First Reading: A) A22-06-01 – Request to annex the property located at 43 Twickenham Road; Floyd County Tax Parcel J15Z278A, zoned Suburban Residential (No Change). (Planning Commission recommends approval, 8-0). B) Z22-06-02 – Request to rezone from Community Commercial to Duple Residential for the property located Rogers Drive; Floyd County Tax Parcel H12Z609C. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 5-3). C) Z22-06-03 – Request to rezone from High Density Traditional Residential to Multi-Family Residential for the property located at 708 Lee Avenue; Floyd County Tax Parcel J14G021. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 8-0). A public hearing on these matters is scheduled for Tuesday, June 21. 1 June City Commission Meeting Secretary Smith announced that the next meeting of the Rome City Commission will be held on Tuesday, June 21st at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was moved from its regular schedule due to the Georgia Municipal Association Conference and the Juneteenth holiday. Juneteenth Holiday City Manager Rich announced that the City Administrative offices will be closed Monday, June 20th for the inaugural observance of Juneteenth as a City of Rome holiday. Garbage routes will also be amended Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday due to the closings. The Walker Mountain Landfill will be open on June 20th but only from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Commission Beeman spoke regarding the Juneteenth holiday. She outlined some of the events that will take place on June 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th. A proclamation is planned for the June 21st City Commission meeting. Fiber Service – Parker Fibernet Commissioner Collins moved for the City of Rome to approve a 10-year agreement with Parker Fibernet for fiber service at the 12th Street fire station. The total amount for this 10-year agreement is $50,000 which will be split equally between the City of Rome and Floyd County. Commission Askew seconded the motion and the vote was unanimously in favor. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor Stevenson announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday June 21st at 10:00 a.m. at the Manus Business Center. 2021 Budget Revisions Commissioner Collins announced that revisions to the 2021 budgets are needed in order to meet the State of Georgia’s budgetary compliance requirements. The funds effected are the General Fund and the following Special Revenue Funds: Community Development, Planning, Hotel/Motel, BID, Forum Parking, TAD, DDA, Parking and ARPA. Commissioner Collins moved to approve the modest changes as proposed by the Finance Committee. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion and the vote was unanimously in favor. Excellence in Financial Reporting – GFOA Award Commissioner Collins and City Manager Rich announced that the City of Rome has once again received the Excellence in Financial Reporting Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. The City of Rome has received this award virtually every year since the early 1980’s. The City Commission and Mr. Rich thanked Finance Director Toni Rhinehart and her staff for the excellent work in this area. Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Redevelopment Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 22nd at 2:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. 2 Low Income Household Water Assistance Program – Tallatoona Commissioner Bojo reminded the Commission that the City of Rome has previously entered a trial period for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program funded through Tallatoona. As of May 31st, 98 customers have benefited from this program and the City of Rome has received $10,754 in reimbursement for water services. Commissioner Bojo summarized that the program is meeting, or exceeding expectations and the City of Rome will likely favor an extension of this program after the six-month trial period has expired. Historic Preservation Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Historic Preservation Commission will meet on Wednesday, June 15 at 2:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Commissioner Beeman also reported that there are two terms on the HPC that have expired, and the City of Rome’s Committee on Committee will be addressing these vacancies in the near future. Keep America Beautiful Clean Up Day Commissioner Beeman announced that the Keep American Beautiful Clean Up Day is scheduled for Saturday June 18th. Downtown Development Authority – Concert and Christmas Decorations Commissioner Quick announced that the Downtown Development Authority held a very successful First Friday concert at the Town Green on Friday June 3rd. The Rome Christmas Parade Committee has donated $5,000 to the Downtown Development Authority for upgrades to our downtown Christmas decorations. Monica Burge – Library Board Commissioner Collins moved to appoint Ms. Monica Burge to serve as the City Representative on the Rome/Floyd Library Board. Commissioner Askew seconded the motion and the vote was unanimously in favor. Ms. Burge will serve a three-year term on this board. General Administration Committee Commissioner Collins announced that the General Administration Committee will meet on Tuesday, June 21st at 11:00 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Parks and Recreation Mayor Stevenson announced that the Parks and Recreation Authority will hold it’s next meeting on Tuesday June 21st at 11:15 a.m. at the Shorter Avenue Headquarters. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 3