City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, July 10, 2023 The Rome City Commission met at 6:30 p.m. on 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 Askew opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – June 20, 2023 The Minutes of the June 20, 2023, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Grant Miller Mr. Grant Miller, Callier Springs Road, addressed the City Commission concerning the proposal for new county wide election precincts. During the Caucus portion of tonight’s meeting, the City Commissioners received a presentation from the Floyd County Board of Elections and Registration regarding the proposal to realign the voting precincts. This county wide realignment will also affect some of the City precincts. The presentation was well received by the City Commissioners. The plan is to implement the new precinct boundaries for the 2023 City and County wide SPLOST election. Mr. Miller spoke in favor of the precinct plan. He extended his congratulations to the Floyd County Board of Elections and Registration for their diligent work in this effort. Mr. Miller has served as one of the precinct polling managers in recent elections. Certificates of Appointment Commissioner Collins reported that the City of Rome has prepared Certificates of Appointment for Ms. Cameron Abney regarding her appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission, Mr. Ford Knight who was appointed to the Planning Commission, and Mr. Kevin Dillmon who was appointed to the Downtown Development Authority. These proclamations will be distributed to these individuals. Rezoning and Special Use Permit Requests – First Reading Secretary Smith reported that the following rezoning and special use permit requests were being placed on first reading: a) Z/SUP23-07-01 – Request to rezone the property located at Addington Ct. and 1B Addington Ct.; Floyd County Tax Parcels H12Z – 668 and H12Z – 667 from Light Industrial to Suburban Residential and request for a special use permit for a manufactured home. (Planning Commission recommends approval of zoning request, 8-0, but gives no recommendation on the SUP, 4-4) b) SUP23-07-02 – Request for a special use permit for duplexes for the properties zoned High Density Traditional Residential located at 9 Ross St.; Floyd County Tax Parcels J13O – 120 and J13O – 121. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 9-0) 1  c) Z23-07-03 – Request to rezone from Community Commercial to High Density Traditional Residential for the property at 1120 E. 2nd Ave.; Floyd County Tax Parcel J14J – 346. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 8-0) d) Z23-07-05 – Request to rezone from High Density Traditional Residential and Suburban Residential to Multifamily Residential for the property at 2524 N. Broad St. and N. Broad St.; Floyd County Tax Parcels K13X – 066 and K13X – 065. (Planning Commission gives no recommendation, 5-5) A public hearing for these four items is scheduled for the July 24th City Commission meeting. Tiny Homes The Commission questioned the possibility of a ULDC amendment allowing the placement of “tiny homes” in Rome. Sammy Rich responded that this topic will likely be addressed in the new Unified Land Development Code that is being constructed. In 2021, a ULDC amendment was adopted that reduced the minimum lot size for home construction, however that ordinance did not reduce the minimum street frontage. That change could allow for easier redevelopment of some existing vacant lots, which is also known as in-fill development. Tax Increase Public Hearing Mayor Stevenson announced that a public hearing was being held tonight regarding the adoption of the 2023 Tax Mill Rate. Since the City of Rome plans for a tax increase for this year, a series of three public hearings will be held. The first public hearing will be held tonight, the second public hearing will be held during a special called City Commission meeting on Thursday, July 20th at 10:00 a.m., the third and final public hearing will be held during the July 24th City Commission meeting. The public hearing following the actual adoption of the Mill Rate will also take place at the July 24th meeting. Sammy Rich explained that even though the City of Rome will have a tax increase this year since more tax dollars will be billed than were billed in 2022, the actual City and City School millage rate will decrease for this year. There has been growth in our local tax digest primarily through inflationary increases. The proposed rates are as follows: · City M/O – 7.80 · City Capital – 1.80 · City Schools – 16.850 Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order concerning the proposed the 2023 Tax Mill Rate. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. Mr. Rich explained that regarding a home valued at $150,000, if that home was not subject to an assessment increase, the taxes would decrease by $36 during 2023. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor Stevenson announced that the Rome/Floyd County Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, July 18th at 10:00 a.m. at 800 Broad Street. 2 Community Conversation on Gun Violence Mayor Stevenson announced that there will be a Community Conversation on Gun Violence Tuesday, July 18th at 6:00 p.m. in the Rome City Auditorium. There will likely be future conversations regarding this important topic in the coming weeks and months. Assembly Ordinance Commissioner Cochran commented on the City of Rome’s Assembly Ordinance. There is ongoing conversation concerning this ordinance and a possible amendment. There were four individuals arrested in late June for protesting on a City sidewalk without an assembly permit. Commissioner Cochran and others feel that our ordinance is overly restrictive and should be amended in order to better support citizens First Amendment rights. Maple Street Property – Housing Authority of NWGA Commissioner Bojo moved to transfer property owned by the City of Rome to the Housing Authorityof Northwest Georgia. This property is identified by tax map number J14K – 247 and is approximately .44 acres in size. This property is located to the south of the Floyd Training Center. There are plans to build an early learning center at this site. Commissioner Askew seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: YES: Cochran, Bojo, Doss, Quick, Askew, Collins, and McDaniel ABSTAIN: Beeman Transportation Policy Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Transportation Policy Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 19th at 10:00 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Historic Preservation Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 19th at 2:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Keep Rome/Floyd County Beautiful Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Keep Rome/Floyd County Beautiful Commission will meet on Monday, July 24th at 4:00 p.m. at the Floyd County Administration Building. Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 12th 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, July 13th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Public Safety Committee Commissioner Askew announced that the Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 18th at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. 3 Evie McNiece – Landmarking Committee Nomination Commissioner Collins announced that the Committee on Committees is recommending that Ms. Evie McNiece be appointed to serve a one year term on the Landmarking Committee. A vote on this nomination will take place at the July 24th City Commission meeting. Finance Committee Commissioner Collins that the Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, July 20th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, July 17th at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 18th at 12:00 p.m. at the Shorter Avenue Headquarters. Historic Survey – Landmark Preservation Commissioner Beeman that Landmark Preservation has been awarded a contract for the North Rome Historic Survey. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4