City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, December 12, 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, Doss, and McDaniel present. Commissioner Collins was absent and excused. Mayor Pro Tem Cochran opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – November 28, 2022 The Minutes of the November 28, 2022, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Facilities Rental Rates – 2023 Commissioner Cochran moved to approve a resolution which would establish the 2023 Rental Rate adjustments for the Civic Center, City Auditorium, Rome Senior Center, and Rome Area History Center, along with the establishment of a rental rate for Fort Norton. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Rezonings & Special Use Permits – First Reading Secretary Smith announced that the following four rezonings and one special use permit requests were being placed on first reading: a) Z22-12-01 Request to rezone from Community Commercial/Office Institutional to Community Commercial for the property located at 43 Chateau Court. Floyd Count Tax Parcel J15W-406. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7-0). b) Z22-12-02 Request to rezone from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1004 East 1st Street. Floyd County Tax Parcel J13O-055. (Planning Commission recommends approval with conditions, 7-0). c) Z22-12-03 Request to rezone from Neighborhood Office Commercial to Duplex Residential for the property located at 111 Redmond Road. Floyd County Tax Parcel I13W-071. (Planning Commission recommends approval with conditions, 7-0). d) Z22-12-04 Request to rezone from Community Commercial to Suburban Residential for the property located at 1407 East 2nd Avenue. Floyd County Tax Parcel J14O-169. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7-0). e) SUP22-12-05 Request for a special use permit to operate a cryptocurrency mining operation for the property zoned Heavy Industrial located at Wetside Industrial Blvd. Floyd County Tax Parcel H13W034A. (Planning Commission recommends approval with conditions, 7-0). A public hearing for these items, is scheduled for the December 19, 2022, City Commission meeting. 1 Street Closing Ordinance – West 3rd Street Area Commissioner Cochran moved to adopt a resolution which would finalize the process to close streets in the West 3rd Street area. A portion of North 4th Avenue, a portion West 2nd Street, and Bale’s Alley are being closed, and this motion authorizes the execution of quick claim deeds to the adjoining owners. Commissioner Bojo seconded the motion for adoption, and the vote was unanimously in favor. The adjoining property owners are CRE Impact Rome Arts District LLC., Roy M. Echols, Joseph L. Baldwin, Earl Wiggins, Jr., and the City of Rome. 2023 Budgets – First Reading and Public Hearing Commissioner Cochran presented the proposed 2023 City of Rome Budgets. These budgets have been reviewed by the City of Rome Finance Committee and are ready for presentation. Rome Finance Director Toni Rhinehart addressed the Commission and reviewed the proposed 2023 budgets nothing several highlights and important facts regarding the budgets. It was specified that there is no planned 2023 ad valorem tax rate increase, based on the proposed budgets. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. These budgets will be presented for adoption on December 19, 2022. Municipal Court Probation – Supervision Services Secretary Smith reported that the existing contract for Municipal Court Probation Services with Supervision Services, Inc. will expire this month. Smith proposes that a new agreement be approved, which would extend our relationship with Supervision Services for an additional five years. It was noted that the proposed contract would allow either party to exit the agreement within a reasonable time frame. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the contract extension as presented. Commissioner Askew seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Holiday Notices City Manager Rich announced that the City of Rome offices will be closed on Friday, December 23rd and Monday, December 26th in observance of the Christmas Holiday. Garbage and trash schedules will be amended during this holiday period. Rome City Commission Meeting Mayor Stevenson noted that the next Rome City Commission meeting will take place one week from tonight on Monday, December 19th. That meeting is occurring one week earlier than normal due to the Christmas Holiday. Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee Mayor Pro Tem Cochran announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 14th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Redevelopment Agency 2 Commissioner Bojo announced that the Rome Redevelopment Agency will meet on Friday, December 16th at 8:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. TRAILS Coordinator Commissioner Doss reported that the City of Rome has planned additional funding allocation in the 2023 Budgets for a TRAILS Coordinator position. (To be combined with the vacant Transportation Planner Position). Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Quick announced that the Annual Downtown Awards Celebration will be held on Friday, December 16th at 8:30 a.m. at the Lewis Loft, 417 Broad Street. Community Development Committee Mayor Stevenson announced that the Community Development Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 14th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. General Administration Mayor Stevenson announced that the General Administration Committee meeting scheduled to meet on Tuesday, December 13th has been cancelled. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 3