City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, May 13, 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, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson. Commissioner Beeman was absent and excused. Commissioner Brock opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – April 22, 2024 The Minutes of the April 22, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Law Enforcement Memorial Week Commissioner Brock presented a joint city county proclamation proclaiming May 12-18, 2024, as Law Enforcement Memorial Week in Rome and Floyd County. This proclamation was presented to Rome Police Major Mark Tison and Floyd County Sheriff’s Department Chaplain David Thornton. Chaplain Thornton spoke regarding this week and the Peace Officers Memorial Day event that will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Law Enforcement Center. National Salvation Army Week Commissioner Doss presented a joint city county proclamation proclaiming May 13 – 19, 2024, as National Salvation Army Week in Rome and Floyd County. This proclamation was presented to Salvation Army Majors Hank and Eunice Harwell. Kelley Parker and Meredith Ulmer joined Commissioner Doss in this presentation. The Harwells thanked the City Commission for this recognition. They reminded the community that the Salvation Army has been in Rome for over 100 years, and they were one of the earlier Salvation Army chapters in Georgia. Williams Syndrome Awareness Month Commission Quick presented a proclamation proclaiming May 2024 as Williams Syndrome Awareness Month in the City of Rome. This proclamation was presented to four citizens representing this cause. Certificate of Appointment – Jamie Baker Commissioner Quick presented a Certificate of Appointment to Ms. Jamie Baker. On April 22, 2024, Ms. Baker was appointed to serve on the Downtown Development Authority. Certificates of Appointment have been prepared for Mr. Robert Smyth – Land Bank Authority and Mr. Billy Cooper – Housing Authority. These two gentlemen were not present at tonight’s meeting. Certificate of Appreciation A Certificate of Appreciation has been prepared for Mr. Jim Keaten, recognizing his many years of service with the Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia. Mr. Keaten was not present at tonight’s meeting. 1 Ron Swinford – Riverside Parkway Liquor Store Mr. Ron Swinford, 11 Poplar Street, addressed the City Commission concerning the proposed liquor store and convenience store to be constructed on the corner of Riverside Parkway and Riverside Industrial Drive. The applicants for this new liquor store have received approval from the Alcohol Control Commission, however construction has not yet begun. Mr. Swinford presented an information sheet regarding why this liquor store is in an undesirable location. Specifically, Mr. Swinford cited the close proximity to the Chieftains Museum and the adjoining lot which contains the local Social Security office. Mr. Swinford stated that the Social Security Administration has indicated they may relocate out of the Rome community if this liquor store and convenience store are built on this adjoining lot. Mr. Swinford indicated that the elderly citizens that visit the social security office could be vulnerable to crime from the liquor store and convenience store. He outlined some of the events designed for children and adults that take place at Chieftains. Mr. Swinford encouraged the City Commission to use zoning to prevent inappropriate construction such as this and he encouraged smart growth. Walker Mountain Landfill Fees Commissioner Doss moved to adopt a resolution which would amend the Walker Mountain Landfill Disposal Fees. Specifically, rates for disposals in excess of 1000 pounds will be amended. For disposals between 1001 – 2000 pounds, the rate will increase from $35.00 to $40.00 and for disposals over 2001 pounds the rate will increase from $38.00 to $46.00 per ton. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. The Floyd County Commission is expected to adopt a similar rate and this new rate will become effective June 1, 2024. Special Use Permit Request and Rezonings - First Reading Commissioner Quick announced that the following special use permit request and rezonings are being placed on first reading: a) Z24-05-04 Request to rezone from community commercial to high density traditional residential for the property at 1315 Dean Avenue, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcel J14O145. (Planning Commission recommends approval 7-0). b) SUP24-05-06 – Request for special use permit for a funeral home to provide crematory services in an office institutional zoning district at 2516 New Calhoun Hwy., Rome, GA 30161 Floyd County Parcel K13X005. (Planning Commission recommends approval 7-0). c) Z24-05-07 – Request to rezone from multifamily residential to suburban residential for the property at Caller Springs Road, Rome, GA 30161 Floyd County Tax Parcel K15X2652 and portions of K15X259, K15X264 and K14Z001. (Planning Commission recommends approval 7-0). 2  d) Z24-05-09 – Request to rezone from community commercial to urban mixed use for the property at 314 East 1st Avenue, Rome, GA 30161 Floyd County Tax Parcel J14E012. (Planning Commission recommends approval 7-0). A public hearing on these matters is scheduled for the May 28, 2024, City Commission meeting. Coin Operated Amusement Machines Ordinance – First Reading Secretary Smith announced that a coin operated amusement machine ordinance is being placed on first reading. This ordinance will be scheduled for a second reading and vote at the May 28, 2024, City Commission meeting. This ordinance was reviewed by the City Attorney during the Caucus session tonight. Z24-04-04 Rezone North Broad Street Extension It was noted that this rezoning file was reviewed at the April 22, 2024, City Commission meeting, including a public hearing. At that meeting, this file was tabled. Commissioner Quick moved to remove file Z24-04-04 from the table. Commissioner Cochran seconded, and the motion was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Brock, Cochran, Doss, Quick and Collins ABSTAIN: Robinson Commissioner Robinson stated that he has a prior business relationship regarding this application. Rome/Floyd County Planning Director Brice Wood reported that the applicant for this rezoning request and planned development has submitted a new site plan. The new site plan indicates that the fourteen townhomes which he plans to construct will now be served by two access points rather than the originally planned fourteen access points. As a result, each townhome will no longer have a separate drive onto the connector street, but the fourteen unit development will be served collectively by the two access points. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request as submitted with the property rezoned from Suburban Residential to Multifamily Residential. This site is identified by Floyd County Tax Map Parcel J14W-080B. Commissioner Quick specified in his motion that the townhome development will be constructed with service by two access points as indicated on the current site plan. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo seconded the motion. Commissioner Cochran suggested that the two access points be designed with one for ingress and one for egress. Commissioner Quick made that suggestion as part of his motion and Mayor Pro Tem Bojo concurred. The motion to approve the rezoning as stated was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Brock, Cochran, Doss, Quick and Collins ABSTAIN: Robinson 3 Memorial Day Holiday City Manager Rich announced that City offices will be closed Monday, May 27th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Garbage, yard waste, and recycling schedules will be amended during the Memorial Day week as a result of the holiday closing. The Walker Mountain Landfill will be closed on Memorial Day. Rome/Floyd County Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd County Development Authority will meet Tuesday, May 21st at 9:00 a.m. at the Manus Business Center (800 Broad Street). City Commission Meeting Date Change Mayor McDaniel announced that due to the holiday closing the next Rome City Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 28th at 6:30 p.m. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 23rd has been canceled. Transportation Policy Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Transportation Policy Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 15th at 10:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Public Safety Committee and Peace Officers Memorial Service Commissioner Brock announced that the Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 21st at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. As noted previously, the 2024 Peace Officers Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 17th at 11:00 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Complex Memorial Plaza. Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Cochran announced that the Historic Preservation Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 15 has been canceled. Library Board Mayor McDaniel announced that the Library Board will meet on Thursday, May 16th at 4:00 p.m. at the Rome/Floyd County Library. Tourism Committee Mayor McDaniel announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 22nd at 12:00 p.m. at the AdventHealth Stadium. This meeting will be in conjunction with the Rome/Floyd Chamber’s outing at the Rome Emperor’s baseball game. Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee Commissioner Doss announced that discussion is ongoing regarding the reinstatement of transit fares. Currently, transit bus service can be utilized for no charge, however there is discussion concerning the possibility of reinstating a fare later this year. 4 Commissioner Doss announced that the Mount Berry Trail loop is nearing completion. General Administration Committee Commissioner Quick announced that the General Administration Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 28th at 10:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner Collins announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, May 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Rome Civic Center. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Commissioner Collins announced that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation will meet on Tuesday, May 21st at 12:00 p.m. at the Gilbreath Center. Commissioner Collins emphasized that the Parks and Recreation Authority is looking for umpires for ball games. The pay for this service is $35.00 per game. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Robinson announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Tuesday, May 14th at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Robinson announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 22nd at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:13 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 5