City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, September 12, 2022 The Rome City Commission met at 6:30 PM 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, and McDaniel present. Commissioner Collins was absent due to an illness. Commissioner Doss opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – August 22, 2022 The Minutes of the August 22, 2022, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Constitution Week Commissioner Doss presented a proclamation recognizing the week of September 17, 2022 – September 23, 2022, as Constitution Week in the City of Rome and Floyd County. This proclamation was presented to several members from the Xavier Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Chapter Regent, Linda Easterwood, spoke on behalf of the DAR and thanked the Commission for the proclamation. Brooke Temple: Key to the City Commissioner McDaniel presented a proclamation recognizing Brooke Temple and provided Temple with a Key to the City. Per the Proclamation, Temple is receiving the Key to the City for his many contributions to the real estate and service provided to local homebuyers, home sellers, and the community for over five decades. In response Temple stated, “…I want to thank you all. I am lucky. I have some great people… I couldn’t have done it without them.” Thank a Police Officer Day Commissioner Beeman presented a Proclamation recognizing September 17, 2022, as Thank a Police Officer Day. This proclamation was presented to various members of the Rome Police Department. In addition to presenting the Proclamation, Commissioner Beeman presented Chief Downer- McKinney with the “Outstanding Chief of the Year Award,” which was issued by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP). Chief Downer-McKinney was originally presented with the award during the GACP conference in July 2022. After the Proclamation and Award, Chief Downer-McKinney commented, “I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our officers, commissioners and staff… the only thing that I can say is I am so proud of the men and women who work for the Rome Police Department…” Good Samaritan Awards Commissioner Askew presented “Good Samaritan Awards” to Treyvon Adams, Tyson Brown, Antwion Carey, Messiah Daniels, Alto Moore, and Cesar Parker. These individuals received this award for displaying exceptional courage and acts of kindness when they collectively assisted a lady after she was in a car accident. 1 After receiving the award, Treyvon Adams commented, “… I would like to thank the Mayor for recognizing us.” Annexation & Rezoning Requests – First Reading Secretary Green reported that the following Annexation and Rezoning requests were being placed on First Reading. a) A22-09-01 – Request to annex the property located at 6 Rooney Road; Floyd County Tax Parcel H13J257 (Planning Commission recommends approval, 6-0). b) Z22-08-03 – Request to rezone from Suburban Residential to Multi-family Residential for the property located on Martha Berry Highway; Floyd County Tax Parcel J11X134 (Planning Commission denied 4-2). Applicant has requested to withdraw without prejudice. c) Z22-08-04- Request to rezone from Suburban Residential to Community Commercial for the property located on Martha Berry Highway; Floyd County Tax Parcel J11X134 (Planning Commission Denied 4-2). Applicant has requested to withdraw without prejudice. Commissioner Quick made a motion to withdraw items B & C without prejudice. Commissioner Askew seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. d) Z22-09-01- Request to rezone from Community Commercial and High Density Traditional Residential to Urban Mixed Use for property located at Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and properties located on Gibbons Street; Floyd County Tax Parcles J13O059, J13O060, J13O061, J13O062, J13O063 (Planning Commission recommends approval, 5- 1) e) Z22-09-04- Request to rezone from Office Institutional to Neighborhood Office Commercial for the property located at 232 South Broad Street; Floyd County Tax Parcel J14E275 (Planning Commission recommends approval, 6-0). A public hearing for items A, D, & E, is scheduled for the September 26 th City Commission Meeting. Joint Services Committee Meeting Mayor Stevenson announced that the Joint Services Committee will host a called meeting on Wednesday, September 14th at 9:00 AM at the Floyd County Administration Building. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor Stevenson announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, September 20th at 10:00 AM at the Manis Business Center. 2 Executive Session Mayor Stevenson announced than an Executive Session was held prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting on the motion of Commissioner Doss, seconded by Commissioner Askew and a unanimous vote. A litigation matter and a real estate matter were discussed. No votes were taken. Commissioner Doss moved to adjourn the Executive Session. Commissioner Quick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Finance Committee Mayor Pro Tem Cochran announced that the Finance Committee meeting has rescheduled the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 21st. Instead, the Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 30th at 10:30 AM in the Sam King Room. Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee Mayor Pro Tem Cochran announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 14th at 10:00 AM in the Sam King Room. Transportation Policy Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Transportation Policy Committee will meet Wednesday, September 21st at 10:00 AM in the Carnegie Training Room. Low-Income Water Assistance Program Commissioner Bojo announced that the Low-Income Water Assistance Program will be renewed on January 1, 2023. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet Monday, September 19th at 5:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Historic Preservation Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 21st at 2:30 PM in the Sam King Room. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission will meet on Monday, September 26th at 4:00 PM at the Rome/Floyd E.C.O. Center. Library Board Commissioner Beeman notified the Commission of a recent event held on Tuesday, September 6th. The event was hosted by the Sara Hightower Regional Library, SweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt, and Worksource Georgia in honor of National Read a Book Day. Trails and Rivers Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Trails and Rivers Committee will meet on Wednesday at 12:00 PM in the Sam King Room. 3 First Friday Event Summary Commissioner Quick provided a summary of the recent First Friday events that took place at the Town Green. Quick commented, “Absolutely wonderful attendance (at the event).” Quick notified the committee that the average attendance at each event was 2,500. Additionally, Quick announced that a record number of vendors have signed up to participate in the upcoming Fiddlin’ Fest. Public Safety Committee Commissioner Askew announced that the Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 20th at 2:00 PM in the Sam King Room. Committee on Committee Nominations In the absence of Commissioner Collins, Commissioner Beeman announced that the Committee on Committees has recommended Harry Brock for appointment to the Downtown Development Authority to replace Bryan Shealy. In addition, Victor Hixon has been recommended for appointment to the Planning Commission to replace Logan Boss. Community Development Committee In the absence of Commissioner Collins, Mayor Stephenson announced that the Community Development Committee meeting, originally scheduled for Wednesday, September 14 th, has been cancelled. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet Thursday, September 15th at 11:00 AM at the Civic Center. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will meet on Tuesday, September 20th at 12:00 PM at the Shorter Avenue Headquarters. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:10 PM. Mark Green Deputy City Clerk 4