City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, November 13, 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 Quick opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – October 23, 2023 The minutes of the October 23, 2023, meeting as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Sammy Williams Mr. Sammy Williams, 1603 Crane Street, addressed the City Commission concerning criminal activity in his area. Mr. Williams stated that there have been numerous cases of violence in his neighborhood, adding that it is common for there to be all night parties operating in which alcohol and drugs are being sold. Gangs control this area and residents are intimidated if they attempt to contact the police. Mr. Williams encouraged the City of Rome to make attempts to correct this criminal activity in the area and return this neighborhood to a more tranquil environment. Roger Wade Mr. Roger Wade, 2 Sherwood Road, addressed the Commission again regarding the proposed Rome Middle School. Mr. Wade clearly stated that he is not in opposition to a new Rome Middle School as authorized in the 2022 ELOST referendum. However, he is opposed to the proposed middle school, which would involve an elaborate school with auxiliary amenities that the community cannot afford. Mr. Wade stated that if the City Commission approves the proposed plan, over $57 million will be repaid, in interest alone, for funds borrowed to construct this school. Mr. Wade encouraged the City Commission to table this matter now and study the plans in more depth to reach a more reasonable solution for the new school. Wayne Robinson Mr. Wayne Robinson, 613 Turner McCall Blvd and City Commissioner – Elect, addressed the City Commission. Mr. Robinson spoke again regarding the proposed Rome Middle School. Mr. Robinson added that, while it seems that a majority of the City Commissioners have their minds made up to authorize the current middle school plan, he reminded everyone that the voters approved approximately $54 million in funding with the 2022 ELOST referendum. That funding, combined with the approximate $16 million in State funds, should be the budget for the new Rome Middle School. The voters were not aware that funds above and beyond the 2022 ELOST were going to be spent, requiring three additional successful ELOST referendums to repay the debt. Mr. Robinson added that the November 7th election was indicative of the public’s opposition to this school proposal. He encouraged the City Commission to table this proposal for the time being and to re- evaluate the needs that this school should be fulfilling. Mr. Robinson also stated for the record that while he was elected on November 7th and will take office in January 2024, he is opposed to the current middle school proposal. 1 Ken Wright Mr. Ken Wright addressed the City Commission again and read the following comments: “You sit here tonight on the verge of making a critical decision that could very well destroy the City of Rome. However, one decision will circumvent the public referendum process. A YES vote to spend money that has not been authorized nor approved by the voters. There exists a legal process by which to impose an additional 1% tax for education for a specified time, specified amount, and specified projects. A vote of approval tonight exceeds the time, amount, and projects approved by the ELOST referendum process and therefore should be tables. The specified proposal to raise these funds that are in excess of the approved ELOST. This bond option requires paying more monies in interest than the total cost of any school previously built in Floyd County. We know it is much cheaper to add onto the existing building than construct a new school. There are also considerations for which grades will be housed at this school. Why were classrooms retired/removed at North Heights Elementary school? With only a slightly large enrollment than West End, why does Rome Middle have to be so much bigger? Perhaps the cheaper option is to restrict grades at the current middle school building. Has the public been involved in this decision making process? That would appear to be one of the most primary concerns, since the taxpayers are funding these decisions. Public meetings accomplish nothing if accurate details are not provided at these meetings. We have the right to know where our money is going. I personally would like to know how much prior ELOST money has been sunk into the existing Rome Middle School building, that now will be demolished with the new school. We can’t afford to throw away millions of dollars of taxpayer money. Please understand that many families struggle to pay for food, rent, mortgages, utilities, gasoline, insurance, and other basic costs for their families. These same families cannot provide an open checkbook to the government that is perhaps mismanaging and wasting money. Your vote is based upon a request from an extremely small number of school board members. It does not even reflect the requests of Rome City School employees, much less taxpayers. It is important to understand that the monies approved for this middle school will likely mean there will be no monies allocated to the other seven (7) Rome City schools for the next 20 years. If future ELOST referendums don’t pass, the burden will fall to taxpayers. However, per the GA Dept of Revenue, the total property tax bill of this municipality cannot exceed 20 mils without voter approval. What does that mean? Well, with the intergovernmental agreements you passed, the City of Rome has firm obligation to this debt no matter what occurs. If the 2 mil maximum increase the City of Rome could levy won’t satisfy the bond debt; then money will have to be redirected to from law enforcement, fire, sewer, public works, paving and every other department within the City of Rome’s budget to pay this bond debt. This is NOT an environment that citizens, businesses, and industries will want to reside in, much less forcing this burden on the newly elected Commissioners. It seems only logical that the newly elected Commissioners have time to work with the school board and taxpayers to reach an equitable agreement for all. This new middle school will take at least two (2) years to build; so, spending 60-90 days to more accurately assess the needs of Rome City Schools, valid options, and monies needed to satisfy both the school system, local government, and taxpayers would be time well – spent on making the best decision. 2 Finally, the primary goal should be to raise academic achievement and educational attainment for these students. The last 2 new schools in Rome City Schools didn’t accomplish this. What leads us to believe that this even more expensive school will improve education for these students? As a taxpayer, I would rather spend money on teachers, bus drivers, lunchroom workers and support personnel than buying a new building that obviously won’t have enough money in the budget to maintain the building. People make a difference in education for our children, not buildings. Let’s reward and incentivize the people instead. Rezonings – First Reading Secretary Smith reported that the following rezonings were being placed on first reading: a) Z23-11-02 – request to rezone from Office Institutional to Community Commercial for the property located at 104, 106, 108, and 110 Redmond Road, Rome, GA 30165; Floyd County Tax Parcels I13021, I13W020, I13W019, and I13W018. (Planning Commission denied, 9-0) b) Z23-11-04 – request to rezone from Community Commercial to High Density Traditional Residential for the property located at 101 Burnett Street, Rome, GA 30161; Floyd County Tax ParcelJ13I182. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 9-0) There were no objections and public hearings on these matters are scheduled for the November 27th City Commission meeting. School Bonds – Rome Middle School City Attorney Andy Davis introduced this topic and stated that, after much discussion during 2023, there is a supplemental resolution before the Commission tonight to finalize the Rome Middle School bonds. Mr. Davis stated that the proposal is for 20 year bonds, which would generate in excess of $100 million in proceeds. That funding, in addition to the $16 - $17 million of State funds, would be used for the construction of a new Rome Middle School. These bonds will be repaid over a 20 year period. The projected interest payments total $57,506,520 and a total debt service repayment of $154,514,750. Mr. Davis stated that the adoption of this supplemental bond resolution would authorize 2023 revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $120 million. It would also authorize the execution of an intergovernmental contract and a bond purchase agreement in connection with the issuance of these bonds. During Caucus prior to tonight’s meeting, this matter was discussed in detail with an in depth presentation by Mr. Bill Camp, managing director of Raymond James. He reviewed an eleven page document outlining the pricing and financial impact of the proposed school bonds. City Attorney Andy Davis and John Panell, bond counselor, also participated in the discussion. It was clarified in Caucus that if the new Rome Middle School is approved for construction, all future ingress/egress including roads would be paid for with the bond proceeds. It was also clarified that all aspects of the school expenses including equipment and supplies would be furnished through the bond proceeds. Commissioner McDaniel moved to table this matter until February 2024 to allow for more study regarding the feasibility of the proposed school. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion, however it was denied by the following vote: 3  YES: Bojo, Doss, Quick, and McDaniel NO: Cochran, Beeman, Askew, Collins, and Mayor Stevenson Commissioner Collins moved to adopt the supplemental resolution, as outlined by City Attorney Andy Davis. Commissioner Beeman seconded, and the motion was approved by the following vote: YES: Cochran, Beeman, Askew, Collins, and Mayor Stevenson NO: Bojo, Doss, Quick, and McDaniel PFAS Nationwide Class Settlement Resolution City Attorney Andy Davis reminded the Commission that the City of Rome has settled our PFAS water lawsuit, and he recommended that the City, in an abundance of caution, adopt a resolution for Rome to opt out of the nationwide class settlements related to PFAS. Commissioner Doss moved to adopt the resolution authorizing the City of Rome to officially opt out of the nationwide class settlements related to PFAS. Commissioner Quick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Thanksgiving Holiday City Manager Sammy Rich announced that City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd for the Thanksgiving holiday. Administrative offices will also be closed on Friday, November 24th. Garbage routes will be amended due to the holiday closing. The Walker Mountain Landfill will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd, but will reopen on Friday, November 24th. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor Stevenson announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, November 21 at 10:00 a.m. at 800 Broad Street. Executive Session Mayor Stevenson announced that an Executive Session was held prior to tonight’s meeting on the motion of Commissioner Doss and seconded by Commissioner Quick and a unanimous vote. One property matter was discussed, no votes were taken. Commissioner Doss moved to exit the Executive Session, Commissioner Collins seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Library Board Mayor Pro Tem Cochran announced that the Library Board will meet on Thursday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m. at the Rome/Floyd County Library. Enterprise Corner Water Supply Commissioner Bojo stated that there was incorrect information in a recent Rome News Tribune article regarding the water supply plans for Enterprise Corner located off Hwy 411. Representatives from the Rome News stated this oversight has been corrected to indicate that the City of Rome will plan to extend water service to this area, rather than relying on the Floyd County wells for that service. Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Historic Preservation Committee meeting scheduled for November 15 has been cancelled. 4 Twilight on the Trails Event Commissioner Doss announced that it was a very successful and well attended Twilight on the Trails event held at old Fort Norton on Jackson Hill. This was the second annual TRED event at Fort Norton. Public Safety Committee Commissioner Askew announced that the Public Safety Committee meeting scheduled for November 21 has been cancelled. A reschedule date will be announced when it is determined. Tayesha Lytle and Sam Moss – Historic Preservation Commission Commissioner Doss moved to appoint Ms. Tayesha Lytle and Mr. Sam Moss to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission. Commissioner Askew seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Solid Waste Commission Commissioner Askew announced that the Solid Waste Commission will meet on Wednesday, November 22 at 8:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, November 20 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 will meet on Tuesday, November 21 at 12:00 p.m. at the Fielder Center. Mental Health Fall Harvest Commissioner McDaniel announced that there will be a Fall Harvest Feast for the Rome Circuit Mental Health Court on November 14th at 5:00 p.m. at 1410 Kingston Hwy. Commissioner McDaniel also commented on the growing homeless population in Rome and the direct link many of these individuals have to mental health issues. Collard Fest Commissioner Askew announced that the 1st South Rome Collard Fest will take place on Saturday, November 18th, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the South Rome Community Garden. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:.03 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 5