City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, January 22, 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 McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Bojo along with Commissioners Brock Beeman, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson were present. Commissioner Cochran was absent and excused. Commissioner Beeman opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – January 8, 2024 The Minutes of the January 8, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Brandon Pledger Mr. Brandon Pledger, Armuchee, GA and owner of Alibi Prohibition Lounge, 214 Broad Street, was present to address the city commission concerning the 2024 Sunday Alcohol Sales Day. Mr. Pledger is aware that state law allows local governments to designate one Sunday per calendar year in which pouring establishments, not otherwise authorized to pour on Sunday due to the State of Georgia’s food/drink ratio requirement, are allowed to be open and pour their licensed alcohol product. Mr. Pledger is aware that both Super Bowl Sunday and St. Patrick’s Day (Sunday, March 17, 2024) are competing for the Sunday Sales Day 2024. Mr. Pledger encouraged the City of Rome to designate St. Patrick’s Day as the Sunday Pouring Day in 2024. He contributed some statistics regarding alcohol sales on St. Patrick’s Day and the notable increase in activity on that holiday. He also stated that Super Bowl Sunday, while generating increased food sales, particularly take-out food sales, is not a high volume day for pouring establishments. The City Commission thanked Mr. Pledger for his comments. Employee Service Pins City Manager Rich and Administrative Assistant Kelley Parker presented employee service pins to city employees who have attained 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service. The recipients were as follows: Dept First Name Last Name YOS *Bldg Inspection James Martin 20 *Fire Frankie Folsom 20 *Fire Philip Little 20 *Fire Erik Ramey 20 *Fire Jamie Stone 20 *Police Don Davis 20 *Solid Waste Tim Garrett 20 *Solid Waste Wade Little 20 1  *Fire Linda Patty 25 *Fire Eric Kines 25 *Fire Brad Roberson 25 Police Kyle York 25 *Solid Waste Tim Williamson 25 *Solid Waste Ernest Trammell 25 Street Leroy Minter 25 Tourism Lisa Smith 25 Water/Sewer Lee Pryor III 25 Water/Sewer Jeff Wenzel (Deceased) 25 Engineering Kevin Rush 30 *Fire Tony Boyd 30 *Fire Scott Linley 30 *Fire Benjie Smith 30 *Solid Waste Donnie Parker 30 Community Development Bekki Fox 35 OTS Lisa McClain 35 Water Reclamation Rod Machtolff 35 *present to accept pin Mr. Rich explained Water Department employee Jeff Wenzel was scheduled to receive a 25 year pin, however Mr. Wenzel died unexpectedly recently. Mr. Rich called for a moment of silence for Mr. Wenzel. Education Accomplishments City Manager Rich acknowledged the following employees for their education accomplishments: *Engineering Felipe Arevalo Hurtado Masters of Civil Engineering *Fire Brad Roberson Masters Emergency Services Management Fire Ryant Williams Associates Degree Fire Caleb Jackson Associates Degree Fire Shana Williamson Associates Degree *HR/Risk Sarah Huffman Masters of Public Administration Police Taryn Carswell Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Police Joel Stroupe Masters of Science in Criminal Justice *Police Aaron Thacker Associates of Science in Criminal Justice *PW Garage Lee Carver Associates in Business Administration Transit Lisa Winston Bachelor of Science in Business *Water Brian Whiteman Associates in Business Management *present 2 Comprehensive Plan Resolution Commissioner Doss moved to approve a resolution which would adopt the Rome/Floyd/Cave Spring 2040 Joint Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Brock, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson ABSTAIN: Beeman Commissioner Beeman stated she is abstaining because she is an employee of the Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia. Sunday Sales Resolution Secretary Smith explained that OCGA 3-3-7(r) allows municipalities to designate one Sunday per calendar year which pouring establishments, that are not otherwise allowed to pour on Sunday, would be permitted for business operation. The State of Georgia requires pouring establishments that are in operation on Sunday, meet a state mandated food/drink ratio. Smith further noted there are six pouring establishments in the City of Rome that are not open on Sunday due to their inability to meet this food/drink ratio (since they do not operate a restaurant). Furthermore, Smith stated that these six establishments have been contacted and three of the establishments would prefer they be allowed to pour on February 11th, (Super Bowl); the other three establishments prefer that the City select Sunday, March 17th, (St. Patrick’s Day) as the one allowed Sunday in 2024. Commissioner Quick moved to adopt a resolution designating Sunday, March 17, 2024, as the Sunday in calendar year 2024 in which alcoholic beverages may be sold for consumption on the premises in pouring establishments that are not otherwise permitted for Sunday operation to due to the 50% food/drink ratio required by OCGA 3-3-7(j). Commissioner Bojo seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z24-01-05 Rezone 204 W 10th Street Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood introduced and reviewed rezoning file Z24-01-05 the request to rezone property located at 204 W 10th Street, identified by Floyd County Tax Map number I13Z-213, from Community Commercial to High Density Traditional Residential. Both the Planning Commission and staff have recommended approval of this request. Mr. Wood stated that there is a residential structure at this site and the owner would like to acquire a building permit for an addition and that the property needs residential zoning for that purpose. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition to this request and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request at 204 W 10th Street from Community Commercial to High Density Traditional Residential as requested. Commissioner Collins seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z24-01-06 Rezone 1148 N Broad Street and Davis Street Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood introduced and reviewed rezoning file Z24-01-06 the request to rezone property located at 1148 N Broad Street and Davis Street, identified by Floyd County 3 Tax Map numbers J13O-035 and J13O-036, from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use. Mr. Wood explained that the owners of this property would like to expand a previously approved development concept for this site and urban mixed use zoning will allow them the higher density residential development that they desire. The Planning Commission staff have recommended approval of the rezoning request with the following three conditions: 1. That the proposed development has no more than a 20 foot setback from N Broad Street. 2. That the proposed development includes street trees behind the sidewalk every 25 linear foot. 3. That the proposed development include no frontage fences over 4 feet in heigh to prevent line of sight issues. The Planning Commission made a motion to deny this request, however that motion was defeated by a 2-7 vote. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this request. Speaking in favor of the rezoning was Mr. Walt Busby, 333 W 9th Street. Mr. Busby explained that he and his partner would like to construct a residential development on this site, however they will need urban mixed use zoning to place the 36 units on this property. Busby further stated this project will not be feasible with less density. There was no one else to speak regarding this matter and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning of 1148 N Broad Street and Davis Street from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use as requested with the three recommendations suggested by the Planning staff. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z24-01-08 Rezone 1908 Maple Road Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood introduced and reviewed rezoning file Z24-01-08 the request to rezone property located at 1908 Maple Road, identified by Floyd County Tax Map number J15X-147, from Community Commercial to Neighborhood Office Commercial. Mr. Wood stated there is a residential structure at this site and the potential buyer of the property cannot secure a mortgage with Community Commercial zoning. Both the Planning Commission and staff have recommended approval of this request. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this request. Speaking in favor of the rezoning was Mr. Kirk Spears, 212 Maplewood Drive. Mr. Spears stated this is a single family home and for the purchaser to acquire a mortgage, zoning is needed which allows residential uses. Neighborhood Office Commercial does allow that use, along with some types of commercial uses. There was no one else to speak regarding this matter and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning of 1908 Maple Road from Community Commercial to Neighborhood Office Commercial as requested. Commissioner Beeman seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Re-adopt Unified Land Development Code and Zoning Maps Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood stated that, once again, it is time for the annual practice of re-adopting the Unified Land Development Code and Zoning Maps. While the amendments to the 4 ULDC and Zoning Maps become effective during the year as adopted, the City Commission traditionally re-adopts these documents each year. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this process. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to re-adopt the Unified Land Development Code and Zoning Maps, Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. City Manager Vehicle – Decal Exemption Each year the City of Rome is required to take action to exempt the City Manager’s vehicle from the State of Georgia decal requirement each year, and a resolution has been prepared for 2024. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this matter. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition to this subject, and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Collins moved to adopt the resolution to exempt the City Manager’s vehicle from the State of Georgia decal requirement for 2024, Commissioner Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Joint Services Committee Mayor McDaniel announced that the Joint Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 6th at 9:30 a.m. at the Floyd County Administration Office. GMA 2024 Cities United Conference Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome City Commission will be attending the Georgia Municipal Association’s 2024 Cities United Conference in Atlanta from January 26th – 29th. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission will meet on Thursday, January 25th at 4:00 p.m. at the Floyd County Administration Office. Transportation Update Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Georgia Department of Transportation has informed our community that the 2nd Avenue widening project has an estimation completion date of September 2026. Dean Street, also known as State Highway 101, has generally been deemed the worst state route in the City of Rome. The city and county commissions, along with GDOT, are looking at alternatives to repave this thoroughfare sooner than previously planned. Water and Sewer Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Thursday, February 1st at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Development Oversight Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Development Oversight Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 6th at 10:00 a.m. at the Floyd County Administration Office. 5 Solid Waste Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Solid Waste Commission will meet on Tuesday, January 23rd at 8:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Tourism Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 24th at 11:45 a.m. at the Rome Area History Center. Trail Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Trail Committee has now been combined with the Public Works/Traffic/Transit Committee for 2024. Rome/Floyd County Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd County Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, February 1st at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, February 8th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 6