City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, July 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. Mayor Stevenson opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – June 21, 2022 The Minutes of the June 21, 2022, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Rome Colored/Main High School Reunion Commissioner Beeman presented a proclamation recognizing the Rome Colored/Main High School Reunion planned for August 11-13, 2022. This high school reunion will take place at the Rome Civic Center and the proclamation was presented to Carolyn Stallworth. City Commission Salary – Charter Amendment Secretary Smith announced that a Charter Amendment was being placed on First Reading. This amendment would increase the salary of the Rome City Commissioners from $8,400 per year to $12,000 per year. The mayor would continue to receive a 10% premium. It was also noted that the Rome Board of Education members salary is half of the City Commission salary. This item will be continued on First Reading at the July 25th meeting and scheduled for Second Reading and vote at the August 8th City Commission meeting. This item will be advertised in the Rome News Tribune pursuant to state law. Rezonings and Special Use Permit Request – First Reading Secretary Smith announced that the following four rezonings and special use permit request were being placed on First Reading A) Z22-07-01 – Request to rezone from Suburban Residential to Duplex Residential for the property located at 28 Lyons Drive; Floyd County Tax Parcel H13X255. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 6-0) B) Z22-07-03 – Request to rezone from Office Institutional to Community Commercial for the property at 1352 Redmond Circle; Floyd County Tax parcel I12036A. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 6-0) C) Z22-07-04 – Request to rezone from Suburban Residential to High Density Traditional Residential for the properties at 2524 and 2781 N. Broad Street; Floyd County Tax Parcels K13X066, K13X066A and K12Y028. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 6-0) 1  D) Z22-07-05 – Request to rezone from Office Institutional to Neighborhood Office commercial for the property at 107 W. 8th Avenue; Floyd County Tax Parce J13Y052. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 6-0) E) SUP22-07-02 – Request for a special use permit for a change in use from a hotel to multi-family dwelling units for property zoned Community Commercial located at 23 Chateau Drive; Floyd County Tax Parcels J15W469B and portions of parcels J15W470, J15W471, and J15W472. (Planning Commission gives no recommendation, 3-3) A public hearing on these items is scheduled for the July 25th City Commission meeting. 2022 Ad Valorem Tax Mill Rate Mayor Pro Tem Cochran reported that the Finance Committee has recommended that the City of Rome adopt a 2022 Tax Millage Rate in the total amount of 27.276. This is a decrease from the 2021 Tax Rate of 27.427. The proposal is to lower the City of Rome net M & O rate from 8.151 to 8.0. The proposal is to keep the capital project rate at 1.826 and the school M & O rate at 17.450. This proposed rate will result in an overall decrease in our millage rate of .151. Since this rate is higher than the “roll back rate”, a tax increase is required, and the City of Rome is required to hold a series of three public hearings. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order concerning the 2022 Tax Increase. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. Secretary Smith announced that public hearing number two will be held at a special called City Commission meeting on July 14th at 10:00 a.m. in the City Commission Chambers. The third and final public hearing and the public for the adoption of the millage rate is scheduled for the July 25th City Commission meeting. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor Stevenson announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet Tuesday July 19th at 10:00 a.m. at the Manus Business Center. Brookwood Avenue Property Commission Bojo moved to declare a parcel of City owned property located on Brookwood Ave as surplus. This property is identified by tax map number I13X-357B. Commission Bojo also moved to deed this parcel of property to the Housing Authority of NWGA subject to FEMA conditions and restrictions. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion and was approved by the following vote: YES: Cochran, Bojo, Doss, Quick, Askew, Collins and McDaniel ABSTAINED: Beeman The Housing Authority plans to use this property for recreational purposes. Water Assistance Program Commissioner Bojo announced that the City of Rome is continuing with their Water Assistance Program funded through Tallatoona. The City of Rome has received approximately $48,000 to 2 date from this assistance program. The City of Rome Water Department reports that the program is being implemented by city staff and there are no issues of concern regarding the program’s operation. Transportation Policy Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that they Transportation Policy Committee will meet on July 20th at 10:00 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, July 18th at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Historic Preservation Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 20th at 2:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Keep Rome/Floyd County Beautiful Commission will meet on Monday, July 25th at 4:00 p.m. at the ECO Center. Sammy Rich – GCCMA Commissioner Doss announced that City Manager Sammy Rich has been chosen to serve as an officer in the Georga City County Management Association. Mr. Rich will begin as Treasurer and Secretary and will ascend to the Presidency of this organization. Commission Doss congratulated Mr. Rich on this accomplishment noting this positive reflection on Mr. Rich and the City of Rome. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Quick announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, July 14th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Public Safety Commissioner Askew announced that the Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 19th at 2:00 p.m. in the Same King Room. Community Development Committee Commissioner Collins announced that the Community Development Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 13th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. First Friday Concerts Commissioner Collins reported on a very successful July First Friday Concert held at the Town Green. The event was very well attended, and it was a safe, fun event for all involved. Commissioner Collins thanked the Downtown Development Authority and the Rome Police Department for their work. Rome/Floyd County Parks and Recreation Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Parks and Recreation Authority Board will meet on Tuesday, July 19th at 12:00 p.m. at the Shorter Avenue Headquarters. 3 Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 6:53 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4