City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, April 8, 2024 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 were present, along with Commissioners Brock, Cochran, Beeman, Quick, Collins, and Robinson. Commissioner Doss was absent. Mayor McDaniel opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – March 25, 2024 The Minutes of the March 25, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Sexual Assault Awareness Month Commissioner Brock presented a joint city county proclamation proclaiming April 2024 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in our community. This proclamation was presented to Ms. Kimberly King of the Sexual Assault Center. Ms. King addressed the commission thanking them for this recognition and outlining some of the major duties of the Sexual Assault Center. Alcohol Ordinance Amendments – Standard Drink Price and Excise Tax – First Reading Secretary Smith explained that two amendments to Rome’s alcohol ordinance were being placed on first reading. The first amendment concerns the establishment of a standard drink price (and standard drink price resolution) for the purpose of the food/drink ratio calculation. The second alcohol ordinance amendment is to amend language regarding beer, wine, and liquor excise tax and bring our language in compliance with the current State of Georgia language. A second reading for these two ordinance amendments is scheduled for the April 22nd City Commission meeting. Street Closing Ordinance – East 14th Street – First Reading An ordinance to close a portion of an alley off East 14th Street is being placed on first reading. The resolution initiating this street closing process was adopted earlier this year by the City Commission. A second reading on this matter is scheduled for the April 22nd City Commission meeting. Special Use Permit and Rezonings – First Reading Secretary Smith reported that the following special use permit request and three rezonings were being placed on first reading: a) SUP24-04-02 – Request for a special use permit for an adult day care for the property located at 213 E. 16th Street, Rome, GA 30161, zoned High Density Traditional Residential; Floyd County Tax Parcel J14N-210. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 8-0). b) Z24-04-04 – Request to rezone from Suburban Residential to Multifamily Residential for the property located at North Broad Street Extension, Rome, GA 30161; Floyd County Tax Parcel J13W-080B. (Planning Commission denied, 5-3). 1  c) Z24-04-05 – Request to rezone from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at West 8th Avenue, Rome, GA 30161; Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y-049. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 8-0). d) Z24-04-06 – Request to rezone from High Density Traditional Residential to Office Institutional for the property located at 409 Hardy Avenue, Rome, GA 30161; Floyd County Tax Parcel I14-W367. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 8-0). Public hearings for these matters are scheduled for the April 22nd City Commission meeting. Assembly Permit Ordinance Amendment Assistant City Attorney Frank Beacham explained that an ordinance amendment regarding Rome’s assembly permit requirements is scheduled for second reading and a vote at tonight’s meeting. This document was created after discussion by the Public Safety Committee. Mr. Beacham highlighted the two major changes in the proposed ordinance amendment. The first being that groups of 25 persons or less, who do not meet one of the five criteria established in this ordinance amendment, would not be required to secure a City of Rome Assembly Permit. The second major amendment concerns spontaneous events. Mr. Beacham explained that if there is a desire to assemble regarding an event and the timing of that event is of a spontaneous nature, with there not being time to secure a permit through the normal protocol, groups can assemble on the grounds of City Hall. These groups would still be required to get a permit, but that permit could be issued after the event occurs. Commissioner Bojo moved to adopt the assembly ordinance amendment as presented and Commissioner Brock seconded. There was lengthy discussion by the City Commission concerning some potential issues that could arise under this ordinance. Commissioner Collins questioned the need for assembly permits for gatherings in Rome’s neighborhood parks. Commissioner Collins used an example of a group gathering for a pickup basketball game in a neighborhood park, questioning the need for an assembly permit if that number exceeded 25. Commissioner Beeman had a similar example of a group of more than 25 people walking one of Rome’s trails. Mr. Beacham pointed out that under Rome’s current ordinance, a group of more than 1 could potentially need an assembly permit. There was continued discussion regarding the number of persons established to trigger the need for a permit. Commissioner Collins suggested that the ordinance amendment could have a greater impact on the Latino and African American segments of our city. As the discussion continued regarding situations that could unintentionally call for an assembly permit, Commissioner Bojo withdrew his motion for adoption and moved to send the assembly ordinance amendment back to the Public Safety Committee for further review. Commissioner Collins seconded that motion. Mayor McDaniel pointed out that it is difficult to draft a document that is applicable in every situation. He emphasized that the intent of this ordinance is not to impact casual gatherings associated with usage of our parks. Groups having more organized events at parks and recreation sites typically must rent the park and a discussion regarding the need for an assembly permit occurs at that time. 2 Commissioner Brock stated that the current ordinance has been in place for the past twenty years and reminded the commission that the proposed ordinance expands the number from 1 to 25 regarding the need for an assembly permit. Commissioner Cochran stated that this ordinance must be “content neutral” and that Rome’s sidewalks and parks must be treated the same. There were also questions regarding how to determine a spontaneous event versus a nonspontaneous event. After continued discussion, Commissioner Bojo’s motion to refer this matter back to the Public Safety Committee for further study was unanimously approved. West 3rd Street NOVA River District Groundbreaking Mayor McDaniel announced that the NOVA River District Groundbreaking will take place on Thursday, April 11th at 11:30 a.m. on West 3rd Street. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet Tuesday, April 16th at 9:00 a.m. at the Manis Business Center (800 Broad Street). Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Cochran announced that the Historic Preservation Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 17th has been canceled. GMA Spring Training Commissioner Bojo announced that the Georgia Municipal Association’s spring training classes will be held in Brasstown Valley. Public Works/Traffic/Transit/Trails Committee Mayor McDaniel announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit/Trails Committee scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 10th has been cancelled. St. Mary’s Church – Landmarking Commissioner Robinson announced that a landmarking ceremony was held on Thursday, April 4th at 12:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. St. Mary’s Church, along with Thankful Baptist Church, were recognized as landmarking sites in 2023 by Rome’s Landmarking Committee. Commissioner Robinson thanked Historic Preservation Planner Julie Harris for her work with this ceremony. Committee on Committee Nominations Commissioner Quick made the following nominations: · Landbank Authority – Appoint Robert Smyth · Alcohol Control Commission – Reappoint Billy Cooper · Downtown Development Authority – Reappoint Tayesha Lytle and Elaine Abercrombie; appoint Jamie Baker · Housing Authority of NW Georgia – Appoint Billy Cooper and Tabitha Helms A vote on these nominations will be planned for the April 22nd City Commission meeting. 3 Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner Collins announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, April 18th at 11:00 a.m. at the Civic Center. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Commissioner Collins announced that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation will meet on Tuesday, April 16th at 12:00 p.m. at the Lock & Dam Park. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Robinson announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, April 15th at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, April 11th at 8:30 a.m. at the Milner Building. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4