City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, October 23, 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 Doss opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – October 9, 2023 The minutes of the October 9, 2023, meeting as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Support of Israel and Condemnation of Hamas Terrorism Commissioner Doss presented a proclamation in support of the country of Israel and the condemnation of the Hamas terrorism. Commissioner Doss stated that as part of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, Israeli Lieutenant Corporal J.R. Davidov, who was in Rome in 2022 as part of the Georgia/Israel Law Enforcement Exchange, was killed. Also killed was Yahav Winner, a young Israeli filmmaker who was slated to visit Rome in November for the Rome International Film Festival. This proclamation was presented to a representative from the Rodeph Sholom Congregation. Audit Report Mr. Christopher McKeller, partner with Mauldin & Jenkins Accounting Firm, presented the 2022 City of Rome Audit. Mr. McKeller reviewed the highlights of the audit, emphasizing that this audit was a clean opinion and highlighted the management letter summarizing the audit. He praised Rome’s Finance Department for their preparation for the annual audit. He also stated that there are no significant issues and highlighted some of the GASB pronouncements. Following Mr. McKeller’s presentation, were some questions by the City Commission. Commissioner Cochran had questions of clarification regarding Rome’s financial internal controls and the City Commission oversight versus management authority regarding the City of Rome’s budgets. Commissioners McDaniel and Collins thanked the Finance Department and the City Manager for their financial oversight. Ken Wright – Rome Middle School Mr. Ken Wright was present and read the following statement: “I stand here tonight once again opposing the bond resolution proposal for a new Rome Middle School. While the price has dropped from approximately $150 million to $100 million; it brings into question how initial estimated could be off by approximately $50 million?! It would appear that perhaps at least three (3) quotes should have been sourced – rather than only one. 1 Yet the price is still high for a school that is not needed. The assumption is that this school will be funded by ELOST (education SPLOST) funds. Yet there lies the problem, because the desire is to fund the school from FUTURE ELOST referendums. Apparently, there is a misunderstanding of the SPLOST process. The SPLOST process is designed for citizens to vote and voluntarily impose a 1% tax upon themselves for projects they deem valid and desirable and for a limited time (typically 3 to 5 years). Basically, voters approve the tax, then the tax is enforced. However, in this current proposal your goal is to enforce this tax, with total disregard to whether citizens and taxpayers are willing to accept this. And if the future ELOSTS don’t pass, your desire is to impose an unlimited tax increase for up to 50 years. Without the bonds, the Rome City School Board would be provided $55 million from the current approved ELOST and subsequently $17 million from the State for a total of $72 million. The option for bonds would provide monies immediately, but for the proposed $103 million in bonds, $48 million would have to be paid in interest. The State would still provide the $17 million – but the net proceeds from the bond option still yields $72 million. Basically, you will get no more money from the bond option than you would have without the bond option. Why is this school so expensive? Well, if you build a new school, you have to adhere to more DOE guidelines than if you renovate or enlarge an existing school. One of these new regulations concerns steel shutter to close over the windows to prevent storm damage or injury. Yet one person closing these shutters can create a completely captive audience of students and teachers – unable to escape from a gunman, bullets, fumes, fire, smoke, and bombs. It will place the lives of students and teachers at risk. So how do you avoid this ludicrous regulation? You don’t build a new school. The priorities of athletic facilities for the new middle school are also troubling, when academic performance has declined at alarming rates. Coincidentally, your two newest and most expensive schools (Main Elementary and Anna K Davie) have the lowest academic performances – confirming a new school will not solve your most urgent problem. I have to question motive. What is the motive for building a new middle school? White actions speak louder than words, motive speaks louder than actions. The motive should be to improve educational attainment for students, provide career direction, train students in a technical skill or trade and to basically create an independent, self-sustaining individual. Athletic facilities don’t accomplish this goal. Nor does a new school. If this money was directed towards teachers, para-pros, lunchroom workers, bus drivers and the ones that truly make the difference in education, we might find these costs more acceptable. Yet no money goes toward any of these people. The intent to spend more money than any school in the history of this County to have nicer athletic facilities, at the risk of endangering student lives, while doing nothing to improve academic performance is unacceptable. 2 Whether you believe a new school is needed or not, are you prepared to vote in the direct violation of the SPLOST process and ignore citizens that don’t support this? What citizens in here are opposed to these school bonds and the intergovernmental agreements that allow unlimited tax increases for up to 50 years?” When questioned by Mr. Wright regarding those that are opposed to the proposed Rome Middle School bond plan, several in attendance stood or raised their hand. Ron Swinford – 2024 Election Mr. Ron Swinford, 11 Poplar Street, was present to comment on the 2024 election and especially the voting locations. The Floyd County Board of Election and Registration, which conducts both City and County elections, has reconfigured the precinct structure for 2023. Specifically, Mr. Swinford stated that documentation has not been mailed out to City and County voters whose precincts will change for the 2023 election. Additionally, there will be some unincorporated Floyd County voters who will be voting at traditional City precinct locations, and there will be some City voters who will be voting at unincorporated County precincts. Mr. Swinford stated he is concerned that there will be errors with the voting process on election day and confusion by some citizens who will not be aware of their current 2023 precinct. For example, Mr. Swinford noted that Celanese residents (mostly unincorporated) will now vote at the Civic Center – a traditional City precinct. Mr. Swinford has also addressed these concerns with the Floyd County Commission and the additional issue regarding the State election computer system, which is linked to all of Georgia’s counites. SUP23-10-01 27 Roseway Circle Commissioner Quick presented special use permit file SUP23-10-01, the request for a special use permit for an adult day care on property located at 27 Roseway Circle and zoned High Density Traditional Residential. This property is identified by Floyd County Tax Map Parcel J13J-285. Both the Planning Commission and Planning Commission Department staff have recommended denial of this request. Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mr. Wood reviewed the staff comments from the Planning Commission file for this request. He highlighted that one of the chief objections to this adult day care home was that the structure is approximately 1100 sqft and up to fourteen individuals were planned for this sight. There were also ingress/egress issues that created concerns. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order concerning this request. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to deny the special use permit request for an adult day care at 27 Roseway Circle. Commissioner Bojo seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z23-10-04 Rezone 703 South Broad Street Commissioner Quick presented rezoning file Z23-10-04, the request to rezone property located at 703 South Broad Street from High Density Traditional Residential to Multifamily Residential. This property is identified by Floyd County Tax Map Parcel I14Z-251. Both the Planning Commission and Planning Department staff have recommended approval. 3 Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mr. Wood stated that Planning Department staff recommend approval on the condition that the structures built at this location be oriented to face the road. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order concerning this request. Speaking in favor of the request was Scott McClain of MSN Ventures, 116 Linton St., Woodstock, GA. Mr. McClain stated that he is available to answer any questions regarding their planned developments. There was no one else to speak in favor or opposition to the request, and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request at 703 South Broad Street from High Density Traditional Residential to Multifamily Residential as requested, with the condition that any structures be constructed with the orientation of them facing the road. Commissioner McDaniel seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z23-10-05 Rezone 101 John Davenport Drive Commissioner Quick presented rezoning file Z23-10-05, the request to rezone property located at 101 John Davenport Drive from Light Industrial to Community Commercial. This property is identified by Floyd County Tax Map Parcel I13Z-006. Both the Planning Commission and Planning Department staff have recommended approval of this request. Commissioner Quick clarified that the request is for the southern portion of this lot. Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mr. Wood stated the applicant is out of town and is not present for tonight’s hearing, however there is currently a fueling station and other businesses at this location, all of which would be allowed under Community Commercial zoning. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order concerning this request. There was no one to speak in favor of the request. Speaking was Mr. Vincent Mendes, 201 East 3rd Avenue. Mr. Mendes stated it is his understanding that a massage therapy business is or will be located at this site. Mr. Mendes encouraged the City to ensure that massage therapists are licensed by the State of Georgia and not operating any type of massage operation that is not properly verified. With there being no further comments, Mayor Stevenson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request of 101 John Davenport Drive from Light Industrial to Community Commercial as requested, with a stipulation that no coin operated amusement machine (COAM) devices be allowed at this location. Commissioner Cochran seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Election Secretary Smith reminded those in attendance that the 2023 City of Rome election for Ward 1 & Ward 3 Commissioners, along with the County wide SPLOST Referendum will be held on Tuesday, November 7th. The three week early voting period is underway. Early voting will take place all three weeks at the Election Office located on East 12th Street. Additionally, early voting will take place at the Rome Civic Center from October 23rd through October 27th, and at the Anthony Recreation Center on October 30th through November 3rd. Saturday October 21st, Saturday October 28th, and Sunday October 29th are also early voting weekend days, which will take place at the Election Office. 4 Veteran’s Day Holiday City Manager Sammy Rich announced that City offices will be closed on Friday, November 10th in observance of the Veteran’s Day holiday. Garbage, yard waste, and recycling routes will be amended during that time. The Walker Mountain Landfill will be closed on Friday, November 10th. Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 1st at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Water and Sewer Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Thursday, November 2nd at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 8th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Development Oversight Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Development Oversight Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 7th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Downtown Development Authority– Candidate Forum Commissioner Quick announced that the Downtown Development Authority Candidate Forum will be held on Friday, October 27th at 8:30 a.m. in the Commission Chambers. The Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, November 9th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Rome/Floyd County Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, November 2nd at 2:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Historic Preservation Commission – Tayesha Lytle and Sam Moss Commissioner Collins announced that Ms. Tayesha Lytle and Mr. Sam Moss are being nominated for the Historic Preservation Commission. A vote on these nominations is scheduled for the November 13th City Commission Meeting. General Administration Committee Commissioner Collins announced that the General Administration Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 24 in the Carnegie Training Room has been cancelled. Pension Committee Commissioner Collins announced that the Pension Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 24th at 11:00 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. 5 Tourism Committee Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 25th at 11:45 a.m. at the Rome Area History Center. Homelessness Commissioner McDaniel commented on the rising homeless problem in our community. Much of this problem is attributed to mental health issues and that problem has increased noticeably since the closing of the Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital several years ago. Commissioner McDaniel reminded everyone that our community must continue to work to resolve this problem and develop better solutions. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 6