City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, October 24, 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, Quick, Askew, and Collins present. Commissioners Doss and McDaniel were absent. Commissioner Collins opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – October 10, 2022 The Minutes of the October 10, 2022, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Month Commissioner Beeman presented a proclamation proclaiming November 2022 as Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Month in Rome. This proclamation was presented to seven representatives of those clubs. Arts and Humanities Month Mayor Pro Tem Cochran presented a proclamation proclaiming November 2022 as National Arts and Humanities Month in the City of Rome. This proclamation was presented to seven individuals present representing local arts and humanities groups in our community. Rome Floyd Retired Educators Day Commissioner Quick presented a proclamation proclaiming Sunday, November 6, 2022, as National Retired Educators Day in Rome and Floyd County. This proclamation was presented to Ms. Diane Lanham who spoke on behalf of the local retired educator’s organization. Among her comments, Ms. Lanham spoke on the attributes that make our community a great place to retire. West 3rd Street Area Closings Mayor Pro Tem Cochran moved to adopt a resolution which would initiate the process to close streets in the West 3rd area. These streets are portions of North 4th Avenue, West 2nd Street and all of Bale’s Alley. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion and the vote was unanimously in favor. After this resolution has been properly advertised, the official street closing ordinance will be presented to the City Commissioners at a later date. Mayor Pro Tem Cochran spoke briefly of the West 3rd Street master plan and the importance of closing these streets. Transit 5307 Resolution Mayor Pro Tem Cochran moved to adopt a resolution regarding Section 5307 Transit Grants. This resolution would designate that City Manager Sammy Rich is authorized to execute and file applications on behalf of the City of Rome regarding section 5307 Transit Grants. These apply to both operating and capital funding. Commissioner Bojo seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 1 Z22-10-04 Rezone 406 Division Street and John Davenport Drive Commissioner Quick presented rezoning file Z22-10-04 the request to rezone properties located at 406 Division Street and John Davenport Drive from Duplex Residential to Community Commercial. Rome/Floyd County Planner Art Newell reviewed this file and displayed maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mr. Newell explained that there are three parcels involved with this request and they are identified as tax numbers I13K-006, I13K-007, and I13K-008. The applicant would like to rezone these vacant parcels from Duplex Residential to Community Commercial for some type of commercial development. Mr. Newell stated that the applicant has indicated he is considering a laundromat at this location; however, those plans are not confirmed. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order concerning this request. Speaking in favor of the rezoning action was Mr. Johnny Rimes, 10 Central Ave., Rome, GA 30165. Mr. Rimes explained that he is a West Rome and University of Georgia graduate. He has retired after a long career and would like to develop a business at this location as his next endeavor. Mr. Rimes spoke at length regarding his connection to Rome and that he would like to develop a business at this location that would be beneficial to the area, however he did not commit to developing any specific type of business. There was no one else to speak regarding the rezoning request and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request, as recommended unanimously by the Planning Commission, and Mayor Pro Tem Cochran seconded. It was noted that the Planning Staff had recommended denial of the rezoning request. There was considerable discussion between the City Commissioners and staff concerning this request. Commissioner Collins questioned Mr. Newell regarding the staff’s recommendation of denial. Mr. Newell stated that the original recommendation of denial was due to the numerous uses that are allowed in Community Commercial zoning which may not be appropriate at this location. Commissioner Collins asked if a Special Use Permit could be issued in Duplex Residential zoning to allow Mr. Rimes intended use and it was noted that that was not a possibility. Commissioner Collins also indicated that while he understands Mr. Rimes has plans at this time for commercial venture that would be beneficial for this area, he understands that sometimes plans change and he does not want to see an establishment built at this site that would not be good for the area, a use such as a liquor store or convenance store with coin operated amusement machines. There was continued debate between City Commissioners and Mr. Newell, including some questions directed towards Mr. Rimes regarding his proposed development. During the course of the discussion, it was clarified that regardless of the actual commercial venture that is developed at this site, additional City Commissioner action would not be needed as long as that use is allowed in the Community Commercial zoning pursuant to the ULDC table of permitted uses. The collective area of these three parcels is approximately three quarters of an acre. Among the points noted by the City Commissioners, were that most of the new residential developments in this area have washer and dryer hookups and a laundromat may not be in demand. There is a church and a school in this area that could make it impossible for alcohol sales to occur. While there is a 300’ buffer between churches and alcohol establishments, that distance is measured from the front door of the alcohol establishment to the nearest property line of the church via the nearest legally travelled route and not a straight-line distance. 2 Eventually, Commissioner Quick was questioned if he would like to withdraw his motion for approval, Commissioner Quick denied that request and a vote was called for his original motion to approve the rezoning request. That motion failed by the following vote: YES: Quick and Askew NO: Cochran, Bojo, Beeman, and Collins City Attorney Andy Davis was asked if restrictions could be attached to this rezoning. Mr. Davis stated that they could, however those restrictions could be challenged. Mr. Rimes interjected that the property across the street does not have restrictions. Mayor Pro Tem Cochran moved to approve the rezoning request from Duplex Residential to Community Commercial with restrictions that alcohol sales or coin operated amusement machines (as defined by the Georgia Lottery Commission) could not be allowed at this site. It was clarified that traditional lottery ticket sales could be allowed. Commissioner Collins seconded this motion, and it was approved by the following vote: YES: Cochran, Bojo, Beeman, Askew, and Collins NO: Quick Veteran’s Day Holiday City Manager Rich announced that City offices will be closed in observance of the Veteran's Day holiday on Friday, November 11th. Garbage and trash schedules will be amended that week. Joint Servies Committee Mayor Stevenson announced that there will be a called Joint Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, November 1st at 8:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor Stevenson announced the Rome/Floyd Development Authority meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, October 25th at 10:00 a.m. at the Manis Business Center. Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee Mayor Pro Tem Cochran announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 9th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the regularly scheduled Redevelopment Committee meeting planned for Wednesday, October 26th has been canceled. Water and Sewer Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the regularly scheduled Water and Sewer Committee meeting planned for Thursday, November 3rd has been cancelled. 3 Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the National Keep America Beautiful Organization has recently recognized their national affiliate, Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission, for their accomplishments. Tourism Committee Mayor Stevenson announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 26th at 11:45 a.m. at the Rome Area History Center. Development Oversight Committee Commissioner Quick announced that the Development Oversight Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 1st at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Quick announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, November 10th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Rome/Floyd County Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd County Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, November 3rd at 2:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Fire Overview Committee Commissioner Askew announced that the Fire Overview Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 8th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Community Development Committee Commissioner Collins announced that the Community Development Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 9th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. General Administration and Pension Committee Commissioner Collins announced that the regularly scheduled General Administration Committee meeting planned for Tuesday, October 25th has been cancelled. The Pension Committee meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, November 17th at 11:00 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Executive Session Mayor Stevenson announced that an Executive Session was held at 6:05 p.m. on the motion of Commissioner Quick, seconded by Commissioner Bojo and a unanimous vote. Real Estate matters were discussed, and no action was taken. Commissioner Bojo moved to adjourn Executive Session at 6:15 p.m.; that motion was seconded by Commissioner Quick, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4