City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, June 10, 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 Beeman, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson. Commissioners Brock and Cochran were absent and excused. Commissioner Beeman opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – May 28, 2024 The Minutes of the May 28, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Georgia Municipal Court Clerk’s Week Commissioner Quick presented a proclamation recognizing June 10 – 14, 2024 as Georgia Municipal Court Clerk’s Week in Rome. This proclamation was presented to Municipal Court Clerk Sonja Henderson. Present along with Ms. Henderson were staff members Tracy Cole, Erin Guy, and JaShayla Brown. Staff member Danika Mitchell was not present at tonight’s meeting. Ms. Henderson briefly addressed the Commission thanking them for this recognition. John Bailey, Rome News Tribune Mayor McDaniel recognized the Rome News Tribune and particularly John Bailey for their news service and especially for the coverage of the City of Rome. BRIDGE Academy Graduates Ms. Kelley Parker, assistant to the City Manager, spoke regarding the 2024 class of the City of Rome BRIDGE Academy. Ms. Parker explained the origin and the purpose of the BRIDGE Academy, commenting on how and why the Academy was formed and the goals of each class. The 2024 class is the third edition of the BRIDGE Academy. Ms. Parker thanked City Manager Rich and the City Commission, along with the numerous City departments, for their support of this beneficial program. Assisting Ms. Parker with the BRIDGE Academy were Jackson Abercrombie, Sarah Huffman, and Molly Majestic. Mr. Abercrombie and Ms. Huffman were present at tonight's meeting. City Manager Rich congratulated each of the following graduates: o Terrilyne Allen – Rome/Floyd Records Retention Center* o Vicki Blair – Finance o Trina Dean – Walker Mountain Landfill* o Lisa Dudley – City Clerk’s Office* o Cliff Gibson – Fire o Trey Goble – Water Reclamation* o Julie Harris – Planning* o Matt Hutchins – Transit* 1  o Sarah Johnson – ECO Center* o Rhonda Krinke – Public Works* o Bryan Middleton – Water & Sewer o Jessica Phillips – Human Resources o Kristi Rogers – Police o Camryn Roper – Tourism *present at tonight’s meeting City of Rome Scholarship Recipients - 2024 Kelley Parker spoke regarding the City of Rome scholarship program. The Commissioners were reminded that this program is funded entirely through voluntary donations by City employees. For 2024, there are seven scholarship recipients, each receiving $700. These recipients are children or grandchildren of City employees. To date, 111 students have received funding from this scholarship program, totaling $73,650. City Manager Rich and Human Resource Director Kristy Shepard recognized each of the following 2024 recipients: o Audrey Abbott – Greg Abbott / Fire Department* o Emily Ann Martin – Jason Martin / Fire Department* o Ian Martin – James Martin / Building Inspection o Grant Nicholson – Mike Nicholson / Police Department Garage* o Brant Pace – Rock Pace / Police Department* o Gavan Whatley – Brenton Whatley / Fire Department* o Samantha Wiggins – Tim Wiggins / Water Billing* *present at tonight’s meeting Brad Barnes Mr. Brad Barnes, Argon Drive, addressed the City Commission concerning the proposed assembly permit ordinance amendment. Mr. Barnes spoke of the importance of the First Amendment and free speech in America. He also spoke specifically regarding the City of Rome assembly ordinance, thanking the City of Rome for addressing the current deficient assembly ordinance. He specifically noted that the current ordinance places the citizens and the police department in unenviable positions. While appreciative of the new ordinance, Mr. Barnes stated that there were still some issues in the ordinance that needed corrections. Mr. Barnes feels that the spontaneous event definition still needs work. He also addressed a matter concerning the restrictions against baring the American flag at events and language that could be contrary to Georgia’s Open Carry statute. 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: 2  a) Z24-06-04 – Request to rezone from community commercial to low density traditional residential for the properties at 111, 113, and 115 Lookout Circle, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcels J14E118, J14E119 and J14E120. (Planning Commission recommends approval 9-0). b) SUP24-06-08 – Request for special use permit for duplexes being zoned for high density traditional residential for the property at 205 ABC Reservation Street, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13I190. (Planning Commission recommends approval 9-0). c) Z24-06-11 – Request to rezone from office institutional to neighborhood office commercial for the properties at 508 E. 1st Street and 510 E. 1st Street, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcels J14C167 and J14C168. (Planning Commission recommends approval 9-0). d) Z24-06-13 – Request to rezone from neighborhood office commercial to community commercial for the property at 401 Glenn Milner Blvd., Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcel J14C288. (Planning Commission denied 9-0). e) Z24-06-14 – Request to rezone from high density traditional residential to multifamily residential for the property at Hardy Avenue, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcel I14Z079. (Planning Commission denied 8-1). f) Z24-06-15 – Request to rezone from high density traditional residential to multifamily residential to multifamily residential for the property at 808 S. Broad Street, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcel I14Z080. (Planning Commission denied 8-1). A public hearing on these matters is scheduled for the June 17, 2024, City Commission meeting. ULDC Amendment – First Reading Commissioner Quick announced that an amendment to the Unified Land Development Code regarding barber shops and beauty shops allowed within the Neighborhood Office Commercial zoning district is being placed on first reading. A public hearing for this proposed amendment is scheduled for the June 17, 2024, City Commission meeting. Street Closing Ordinance – Former Hill Street Commissioner Quick moved to adopt an ordinance which would close a portion of property located on the former Hill Street. Hill Street extends between E 14th Street and Archer Street. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Commissioner Quick also moved to approve the quit claim deed regarding this closure. This property will be deeded to the sole adjoining property owners, who are Elizabeth Neal Allen and John Kennard Neal. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Assembly Permit Ordinance Mayor Pro Tem Bojo moved to adopt the proposed assembly permits ordinance and Commissioner Collins seconded. Commissioner Collins questioned a comment made by Mr. Barnes earlier in tonight’s meeting regarding the allowance of US Flags and guns in our proposed permit ordinance. City Attorney 3 Davis stated that the language in our ordinance has been previously tested in court and found to be constitutional, however he will examine those points to determine if further amendments are needed. Commissioner Doss stated that the proposed ordinance is an improvement over what we currently have, however he feels that further examination could be needed, especially regarding the number of participants associated with the need for an assembly permit. With the discussion concluded, the motion to adopt the ordinance was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Beeman, Quick, Collins, and Robinson NO: Doss June City Commission Meeting Mayor McDaniel announced that due to a conflict with the Georgia Municipal Association annual convention schedule, the second meeting of the Rome City Commission for the month of June will take place on Monday, June 17th. 2023 Budget Revision Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Finance Committee met earlier today and reviewed proposed revisions for the 2023 City of Rome budgets. These revisions are necessary in order to be compliance with Georgia law. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo moved to approve the proposed 2023 budget amendments. Commissioner Collins seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. RedSpeed Expenditures – Police Equipment Mayor Pro Tem Bojo stated that the speed enforcement cameras, located in the school zones on Verterans Memorial Highway and Martin Luther King JR Blvd, generate revenue which can only be used for certain law enforcement purposes. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo moved to approve RedSpeed revenues to be used for police radar equipment, a tactical truck, and a side by side utility vehicle. The total amount of these expenditures is $183,709. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant Mayor Pro Tem Bojo stated that there was a lengthy discussion regarding the proposed construction of a reverse osmosis water treatment plant by the City of Rome during caucus tonight. The discussion, evaluation, and potential site selection will continue with a vote possible at the June 17th city commission meeting. Fire Overview Committee Mayor McDaniel announced that the Fire Overview Committee will meet on Tuesday, June 11th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Health Board Mayor McDaniel announced that the Health Board will meet on Thursday, June 13th at 12:00 p.m. at the Floyd County Health Department. 4 Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 12th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Southeast Elementary School Property – Landbank Authority Commissioner Robinson moved to authorize a transfer of the former Southeast Elementary School property to the Landbank Authority. Restoration Rome has been using this former school property for the past few years. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Commissioner Beeman – Rome Housing Authority Mayor McDaniel congratulated Commissioner Beeman for her assistance with Rome students living in the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority properties. Ms. Beeman’s assistance has helped with the graduation rate of these students. Rome City Schools Budget Presentation Commissioner Collins thanked Dr. Holland, Rome City School Superintendent, for the budget presentation made today at the called City of Rome Finance Committee meeting. Commission Collins is especially thankful for the increase in safety measures that have been taken at Rome High School and Rome Middle School. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday June 13th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:16 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 5