City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, December 11, 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 Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Askew present. Commissioners Bojo, Collins, and McDaniel were absent. Reverend Derrick McDaniel opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – November 27, 2023 The minutes of the November 27, 2023 meeting as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Norris K. Allen, Sr. Commissioner Askew presented a City proclamation to Bishop Norris K. Allen, Sr. for his dedicated service to the community. Bishop Allen briefly addressed the commission regarding this recognition. Angela Rubino Angela Rubino addressed the City Commission and read the following comments: “Good evening, Commissioners. Thank you for this opportunity. I’m here tonight asking for a moment of your time regarding the recent events with the entertainment venue in Rome. I believe we can all agree that Rome needs such a place, but it needs someone that is educated in alcohol management. A few of us from the public have attended the ACC (Alcohol Control Commission) meetings, and, what I personally took away from it, besides the blatant disregard for accountability or responsibility, is the lack of techniques or simply just not caring (by some of the alcohol establishments). Now, I’m not coming here to imply that I know better, but simply giving my opinion as a once restaurant owner and knowing and having first-hand experience. We know in restaurants ServSafe is required. Inspectors visit and grade each location. If the location is bad enough, inspections lead to closure of a location. I can assume in Georgia, like New York, if the public gets sick from a location, it would be reported. Having a certification like ServSafe, basically stating your staff is well educated in the procedures of handling food, I would think one should exist for the consumption of a substance that can influence. What I am proposing and have spoken to a few commissioners and our City Clerk about is T.A.M., which stands for Techniques of Alcohol Management. It is an online program designed to train liquor service employees and owners in order to prevent violating liquor laws and maybe help prevent unnecessary death and heartache in our community. Basically, it’s a printout from the website. It has just about every state. I printed Georgia, obviously. It’s a run-down of what the course is and provides. This is a great tool, and I believe it will be a benefit to pouring locations to have educated staff, and to help prevent anything like what we heard from happening. Will it be 100% bulletproof? Unfortunately, not, but we can try. 1 This is at your discretion on how to implement or not to existing liquor operating locations. I know it isn’t fair to the ones who have been doing things the right way, but maybe implement a discount on the annual liquor renewal or discount on liquor liability insurance. I know it’s a lot easier said than done right now, but with the growth you are all proposing City and County, and with Kingston Downs having Kid Rock coming in May, (this) may be worth talking to legislators about looking into. Rezonings – First Reading Assistant Secretary Green reported the following rezonings were being placed on first reading: a) Z23-12-04 – Request to rezone from Community Commercial to Light Industrial for the property located at 2 Center Street, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel I13Z091. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 9-0). b) Z23-12-01 – Request to rezone from Suburban Residential to Agricultural Residential for the property located at 200 Tom Bing Road, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcel J16W122A. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 9-0). c) Z23-12-02 – Request to rezone from Community Commercial to Neighborhood Office Commercial for the property located at 115 Lombardy Way, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcel J15W234. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 9-0). Public hearings on these matters are scheduled for the December 18, 2023 City Commission Meeting. Proposed North Rome Redevelopment Plan City Manager Sammy Rich presented the proposed North Rome Redevelopment Plan. This proposal was crafted by the Redevelopment Committee. Rich notified the Commission that this area includes 1,741 parcels, and this redevelopment area will allow the City to create a Tax Allocation District (TAD). Rich continued, “The TAD will be a much smaller subset and be comprised of 22 parcels.” Rich commented that a hotel has expressed interest in this area. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order. With no one to speak regarding this matter, the public hearing was closed. 2024 Budgets – First Reading and Public Hearing City Manager Rich presented the proposed 2024 City of Rome Budgets. Rich commented, “We are presenting a balanced general fund budget that does incorporate the use of 2.2 million dollars of fund balance.” These budgets have been reviewed by the City of Rome Finance Committee and are ready for presentation. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order. With no one to speak regarding this matter, the public hearing was closed. Rich encouraged anyone who would like to review the City’s 2024 budget to do so via the City’s website or by contacting the City Manager’s office directly. Rome City Commission Meeting Mayor Stevenson announced the next Rome City Commission meeting will take place on Monday, December 18, 2023. That meeting is occurring one week earlier than normal due to the Christmas Holiday. 2 Tourism Committee Mayor Stevenson announced the Tourism Committee will meet Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 11:45 AM in the Rome Area History Museum. Health Board Commissioner Cochran announced the Health Board Committee will meet on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 12:00 PM at the Floyd County Health Department. Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee Commissioner Beeman announced the Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee will meet Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 10:00 AM in the Sam King Room. Trails and Rivers Committee Commissioner Doss announced the Kingfisher Trail Disc Golf Ribbon Cutting will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Kingfisher Trail – 1 East 4 th Street. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Quick announced the Downtown Development Authority will meet Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 8:30 AM in the Carnegie Training Room. Downtown Development Authority Awards Commissioner Quick announced the Downtown Development Authority will host its Annual Downtown Awards Celebration on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 8:30 AM at the Lewis Loft. Fire Overview Commissioner Askew announced the Fire Overview Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 10:30 AM in the Sam King Room. Solid Waste Consulting Services – Atlantic Coast Consulting, LLC Commissioner Askew presented the Atlantic Coast Consulting, LLC Task Orders for the Walker Mountain Landfill. City Manager Rich expounded on the task orders below. 1. Installation and associated reporting of seven environmental monitoring points at the Walker Mountain C&D Landfill. Task order shall not exceed $25,690.00. 2. Preparation of a Solid Waste Management Plan Update. Task order shall not exceed $10,000.00. 3. Cost of Disposal and Tipping Fee Study. Task order shall not exceed $18,750.00.00. 4. Preparation of Construction Documents for Phase Nine of the Walker Mountain Road Site 2. Task order shall not exceed $83,100.00. 5. Assistance for public participation in conducting a Waste Management needs Meeting and Sitting Decision Meeting. Task order shall not exceed $6,000.00. Rich commented, “This comes as a recommendation from the Solid Waste Commission.” After a brief review of the orders, Commissioner Askew moved to approve the ACC Task Orders as long as they do not exceed $150,000.00. Commissioner Doss seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously approved. 3 Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:04 PM. Mark Green Deputy City Clerk 4