City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, February 13, 2023 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. Commissioner Quick opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – January 17th and January 23, 2023 The Minutes of the January 17th Special Called Meeting and the January 23, 2023, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Arbor Day Commissioner Doss presented a joint City/County proclamation recognizing Friday, February 17th as Arbor Day in Rome and Floyd County. This proclamation was presented to Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Director Hannah Bagley. Ms. Bagley invited everyone to attend the 2023 Arbor Day Celebration that will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 17th at the GE Trailhead. Ms. Bagley also thanked the groups that are involved with making Arbor Day a success each year. Hannah Bagley ECO Center Director Ben Winkelman was present to present a letter to the Commission. This letter was from the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation congratulating Ms. Bagley on her accomplishments at the local chapter. Mr. Winkelman noted that Mickey Dobbs, Mary Hardin-Thronton and Emma Wells proceeded Ms. Bagley as Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful (and Clean Community Commission) Directors. Ms. Bagley is being congratulated for her record number of accomplishments in volunteer hours and productivity. Georgia Day Commissioner Askew presented a joint City/County proclamation recognizing February 12th as Georgia Day in our community. This proclamation was presented to Linda Easterwood and three additional ladies representing the Xavier Chapter of the local Daughters of the American Revolution. Ms. Easterwood briefly addressed the Commission, thanking them for this recognition. She noted that the Xavier chapter has been in existence for 132 years. National Future Farmers of America Week Commissioner Bojo presented a proclamation proclaiming February 18th – 25th as the National Future Farmers of America Week in Rome. This proclamation was presented to 10 FFA students representing Rome High and Pepperell High. The high school advisors for both schools were in attendance. Opioid Settlement Resolution City Attorney Andy Davis stated that a resolution had been prepared regarding the opioid lawsuit settlement. Mr. Davis requested that this document be held until the February 27th City Commission Meeting. There were no objections to this request. 1 Martha Berry Corridor and North Rome Redevelopment Plans City Manager Rich stated that the Rome Redevelopment Agency has recommended that the City Commission consider adopting redevelopment plans for the Martha Berry Corridor and a portion of the North Broad Street area. Mr. Rich displayed maps of both areas showing specifically which parcels of property are recommended for inclusion in these redevelopment areas. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order concerning the Martha Berry Corridor. Speaking regarding this matter was Norma, 104 Westmore Road. Norma suggested that future should help provide high quality of life and balance in the area. She emphasized that the houses should be owner occupied dwellings whenever possible. There was no one else to speak regarding this matter and the public hearing was closed. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order concerning the North Broad redevelopment plan. There was no one to speak regarding the issue other than Norma who stated that her comments applied to both of the proposed redevelopment areas. Mayor Stevenson closed the public hearing. Rome/Floyd County Development Authority Mayor Stevenson announced that the Rome/Floyd County Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, February 21st at 10:00 a.m. in the Manus Business Center. Library Board Mayor Pro Tem Cochran announced that the Library Board will meet on Thursday, February 16th at 4:00 p.m. at the Rome-Floyd County Library. Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee meeting will be rescheduled to a date yet to be determined. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commissioner Beeman thanked the City’s Public Works Director Chris Jenkins, the Public Works department, and the Rome Police Department for their assistance with Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful projects. Free Transit Service Commissioner Beeman announced that the Rome Transit Department will continue to offer free bus rides through the end of 2023. Downtown Development Authority – Light Up Rome Campaign Commissioner Quick announced that the 2022 Christmas Parade was one of the largest ever and that the Christmas Parade Committee has donated $10,000 back to the Downtown Development Authority. This donation will be used for the DDA Light Up Rome Campaign. Committee on Committees Commissioner Collins announced that the Committee on Committees met prior to tonight’s meeting and that nominations will be forthcoming at the February 27th City Commission Meeting. 2 Employee Health Clinic Commissioner Doss announced that, after approval by the General Administration committee, Atrium/Floyd will begin providing the City/County employees health clinic as of March 1st. There are two local industries that will be participating with the City and County for this venture. Black History Month Commissioner Collins announced that there will be a Black History Month program at the February 27th City Commission Meeting. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, February 20th at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, February 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Civic Center. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation will hold it’s annual Joint Recreational meeting on Tuesday, February 21st at 12:00 p.m. in the Community Room located at the Floyd County Administration Building, 12 East 4th Avenue, Suite 206. Tourism Committee Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Tourism Commission will meet on Wednesday, February 22nd at 11:45 a.m. at the Rome Area History Center. SPLOST Committee Commissioner McDaniel announced that they City of Rome, Floyd County Commission and the City of Cave Spring will be appointing citizen members to serve on the 2023 SPLOST Committee. The City and County expect a SPLOST referendum to coincide with the November 2023 City of Rome election. Executive Session Mayor Stevenson announced that an executive session was held prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting, on a motion of Commissioner Doss and a second of Commissioner Quick. Two litigation updates and one real estate matter were discussed, no votes were taken. Commissioner Quick moved to adjourn the executive session, Commissioner Askew seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 3