City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, August 26, 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 Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson. Commissioner Brock was absent and excused while attending Downtown Development Authority Training. Mayor McDaniel opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – August 12, 2024 The Minutes of the August 12, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Nick Jebeles Mr. Nick Jebeles, 6101 River Road, Columbus, GA, addressed the City Commission concerning the proposed Downtown Overlay District which includes a prohibition against vape shops. Mr. Jebeles stated that vape products are a safer alternative to traditional tobacco, and that legitimate vape shops are not part of the problem, but part of the tobacco solution. He stressed that legitimate vape shops are very different than some of the convenience stores in operation. He encouraged the City Commission to table the proposed prohibition of vape shops in the downtown area until further input can be received by the City Commission. Ken Callaway Mr. Ken Callaway, 364 Wilson Road, Cedartown, GA and owner of Summit Mist Vapors, 522 Broad Street, addressed the City Commission. Mr. Callaway read the following statement: “Hello members of the council, my name is Ken Callaway. I am a native of Rome, a local Realtor, member of the Greater Rome Board of Realtors GRBOR and owner of Summit Mist Vapors located at 522 Broad Street, Rome, Georgia. I was the very first in Rome and Floyd County to open an electronic tobacco harm reduction business, AKA “vape shop”. I opened back in mid August of 2013, so I just recently celebrated 11 years as a successful, involved and productive downtown business. Summit Mist has been a steward for thousands of local Romans over the years and we have never once had a single infraction of any kind whatsoever. Summit Mist is locally owned and not a chain nor a franchise. My business model has been and will continue to remain quite simple, which is to provide top tier tobacco cessation education and only the highest quality products available. This process is engineered to guide individuals with a proven to be terrible habit, on to proven to be less harmful one. Over time lessening nicotine intake, and eventually not being dependent on either tobacco or vapor products. We have been very successful with this mission. Over the years, we have had some really good and similar shops open that have had to unfortunately close for one reason or another. I have long been aware of these pop-up businesses and convenient stores clearly operating under the guise of so called “vape shops”. These businesses in no way reflect the model of my business or any of the mechanics involved in our ethics of operation or our high standards. Summit Mist has never nor ever would participate in the sale of illegal drugs, illegal gambling or any other form of nefarious, illegal activity. Our customer base consists of 1 local Doctors, Lawyers, Educators, Emergency Personnel, Activists, Grandparents, Military, likely some of your friends or neighbors and everything in between. We have always been involved in multiple downtown and local charities, fundraisers, and special events and we have also always taken much pride and have been very proactive in preserving both the integrity and the character of beautiful downtown Rome, Georgia. It has taken years and myriad of exhausting research and work along with a sizable amount of money to cultivate Summit Mist into what it is today, which is a highly regarded and highly respected entity. These things said and speaking frankly, I am absolutely shocked to be here today, defending my business, how much its existence means and represents to thousands of our locals, and to be facing a potential and unmerited forced closing and/or relocation. Location is paramount to a business, especially when over 11 years established in a single location. This proposed implementation would be devastating and would absolutely be the ultimate demise of Summit Mist, removing tens of thousands of city tax dollars per years, multiple jobs and my personal livelihood damaged. More so than anything regarding this proposal, I am absolutely mind blown, that in no way, be it by mail, email, a phone call or a personal visit practically across the street, was any single attempt to inform me that this particular meeting and its potential implications were even being discussed or going to happen at all. I found out just this past Friday, 3 days ago from a friend who had a random, non-related inquiry to the clerk’s office where a clerk employee casually mentioned this meeting was to occur today. So, my ability to properly prepare has been very limited. There are multiple businesses on Broad, one very nice one in which sells cigarettes, cigars, beer and liquor, also another nice location in which you can go buy liquor and a firearm, can’t we all find it a little ironic that none of them are facing such wrath? Regarding vaping devices ending up in the hands of the youth, I can assure you Summit Mist is very much and proactively against that, and we have always gone to extreme measures to be sure it doesn’t happen on our hands. I can assure the large majority if not all of these cases are occurring from convenience store purchases. If nothing else, I beg the council to at least consider my particular business individually, to receive a location exemption or a grandfathering in consideration so that at least Romans have at least one trustworthy and honest shop to depend on. Thank you all so very much for truly hearing me and I look forward to serving downtown positively for many more years to come.” (During the Caucus session, prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting, City Attorney Andy Davis reviewed a draft Downtown Overlay District Ordinance. This ordinance, as currently drafted, would create a downtown overlay district and would require the elimination of tobacco, hookah, and vape shops along with coin operated amusement machines located within the district after a one year amortization period. This ordinance would require review by the Planning Commission before consideration by the City Commission.) Donna Parker Ms. Donna Parker, 1665 Old Rockmart Road, Silver Creek, GA, addressed the City Commission concerning the proposed Downtown Overlay District, which would prohibit vape shops. Ms. Parker told a personal success story for herself and her husband who have used vape products to stop smoking cigarettes. Ms. Parker was especially appreciative of Mr. Callaway, owner of Summit Mist Vapors, and his advice and help with their attempts to quit smoking. Medical Drive – Street Closing Ordinance Commissioner Quick moved to adopt an ordinance which would finalize the process to close a portion of Medical Drive and deed the closed property to the adjoining owner. The adjoining owner is the Rome City Schools and this closed street will be part of the new Rome Middle School campus. The motion 2 also included the authority to execute the quit claim deed. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. SUP24-08-01 – 101 Piedmont Avenue Commissioner Quick presented special use permit request file SUP24-08-01, the request for a special use permit to allow a duplex in a Low Density Traditional Residential zoning district located at 101 Piedmont Avenue. This property is identified by Floyd County Tax map number I13L-093. The Planning Commission has unanimously recommended approval of this request. Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this request. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition of the request and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the special use permit request to allow for a duplex at 101 Piedmont Avenue. Commissioner Collins seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z24-08-04 Rezone 202 E. 11th Street Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood introduced and reviewed rezoning file Z24-08-04, the request to rezone property located at 202 E. 11th Street and identified by Floyd County Tax map number J14J-251, from Community Commercial to High Density Traditional Residential. The Planning Commission has unanimously recommended approval of the request. Mr. Wood displayed maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this request. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition of the request and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request of 202 E. 11th Street from Community Commercial to High Density Traditional Residential. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z24-08-05 Rezone 13 Orlystus Drive Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood introduced and reviewed rezoning file Z24-08-05, the request to rezone property located at 13 Orlystus Drive and identified by Floyd County Tax map number I14W-404, from Multifamily Residential to Low Density Traditional Residential. The Planning Commission has unanimously recommended approval of the rezoning. Mr. Wood displayed maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. He indicated that this is a single family home, and the correct Low Density Traditional Residential zoning is needed for a mortgage to be acquired. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning the request. Speaking in favor of the rezoning request was Ms. Chelsey Dotson, 106 Pine Park Drive, Rome, GA, 30161. Ms. Dotson asked the City Commission to please approve this rezoning request to Low Density Traditional Residential. She hopes to close on the purchase of this property shortly and the correct zoning is needed for her mortgage approval. There was no one else to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. 3 Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request of 13 Orlystus Drive from Multifamily Residential to Low Density Traditional Residential. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. GMA Defined Benefits Plan Readoption Secretary Smith stated that the City of Rome’s defined benefits pension plan is part of the GMA program and periodically recertification of that plan, through the Internal Revenue Service, is needed. All member cities of the GMA pension plan have been asked to readopt the defined benefits plan agreement and the general addendum. Commissioner Collins moved for the approval of the adoption agreement and general addendum as requested by the Georgia Municipal Association. Commissioner Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Labor Day Holiday City Manager Rich announced that City offices will be closed Monday, September 2nd in observance of the Labor Day Holiday. Garbage, yard waste, and recycling schedules will be amended due to the holiday. Rusty Blair – Rome Police Major City Manager Rich said that he is proud to announce that Mr. Rusty Blair as has been promoted to Police Major. Major Blair has been with the City of Rome for 28 years. The City Commission thanked Major Blair for his service and congratulated him for this accomplishment. Water Document Mayor Pro Tem Bojo made a motion to authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute any and all documents necessary to opt out of any settlements, including, but not limited to, Tyco and BASF, in the Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation, in the United States District Court for, District of South Carolina, Charleston Division, Civil Action No. MDL 2:18-mn-2873-RMG, and to fulfill all requirements necessary to do so. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Finance Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Finance Committee will meet Wednesday, August 28th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Water and Sewer Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Thursday, September 5th at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Library – Internet Hotspot Commissioner Beeman announced that the library has mobile hotspots that are available for checkout (no charge). This process is similar to checking out a book at the library. The library currently has 30 hotspots on hand, and they have applied for a grant that would increase the inventory of these popular items. 4 Tourism Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, August 28th at 11:45 a.m. at the Rome Area History Center. Mount Berry Trail Loop Commissioner Doss reminded everyone that the Mount Berry Trail Loop has now been completed with its link to Ridge Ferry Park. He encouraged everyone to experience this important new trail. Alcohol Control Commission – Courtney Shepard Commissioner Quick announced that Ms. Courtney Shepard is being nominated for service on the Alcohol Control Commission. A vote on this nomination is planned for the September 9th City Commission meeting. General Administration Committee Commissioner Quick announced that the General Administration Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 27th has been cancelled. Rome/Floyd Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, September 5th at 2:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner Collins reported on the most recent meeting of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission meeting, including information regarding funding, work force assistance, and senior citizen services. Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Robinson announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee meeting scheduled for August 28th has been cancelled. The next scheduled meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 25th at 2:00 p.m. First Friday Concert Commissioner Robinson announced that the final First Friday Concert of the 2024 season will take place on Friday, September 6th at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Green. The musical guest will be Kevin Allen and the Purple Madness Prince Tribute Band. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 5