City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, September 9, 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, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – August 26, 2024 The Minutes of the August 26, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Constitution Week Commissioner Doss presented a joint City/County proclamation proclaiming the week of September 17th thru September 23rd as Constitution Week in our community. 2024 marks the 237th anniversary of the framing of the Constitution of the United States by the Constitutional Convention. This proclamation was presented to representatives of the Xavier Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution. Ms. Cameron Abney, chair, briefly addressed the commission and spoke of the history of Constitution Week. Geocaching Week Commissioner Quick presented a City of Rome proclamation proclaiming the week of September 30th thru October 6th as Geocaching Week in the City of Rome. Geocaching week is an important time for the City of Rome as it brings many visitors to our community. Charles Love Mr. Charles Love, 304 Kingston Avenue, addressed the City Commission. Mr. Love’s comments were concerning the proposed new City of Rome reverse osmosis water treatment plant. Mr. Love encouraged the commission to construct this facility and emphasized the importance of a new treatment process for our water as well as allowing the ability to expand our water production in the future. He encouraged the City Commissioners to locate this new facility on the Riverside Parkway site, which is one of the sites being considered. Mr. Love also commented on the City of Rome’s vape ordinance. Currently, the City of Rome has a moratorium on new vape shops and facilities that sell vape type products. This moratorium will expire in November 2024. The City has also considered creating a Downtown Overlay District which would prohibit vape shops, however no action has been taken on that consideration. He also encouraged any restrictions that are implemented for vape products be applied citywide. Rezonings – First Reading Commissioner Quick announced that the following three rezonings are being placed on first reading: a) Z24-09-01 – Request to rezone from Light Industrial to Suburban Residential for the property at 56 Rogers Road, Rome, GA 30165; Floyd County Tax Parcel H12Z649 (Planning Commission recommends approval, 8-0). 1  b) Z24-09-02 – Request to rezone from Community Commercial to High Density Traditional Residential for the property at 305 Stonewall Street, Rome, GA 30161; Floyd County Tax Parcel J13I061 (Planning Commission recommends approval, 8-0). c) Z24-09-03 – Request to rezone from Office Institutional to Neighborhood Office Commercial for the property at 200 Redmond Road, Rome, GA 30165; Floyd County Tax Parcel I13W017 (Planning Commission recommends approval, 8-0). Public hearings for these three matters are scheduled for the September 23rd City Commission meeting GE Plant Access Easement Commissioner Collins presented an easement agreement between the City of Rome and General Electric regarding the GE Plant on Redmond Road. This easement would grant access to the plant across property that now belongs to the City of Rome. Commissioner Collins specified that this easement is subject to the final review by the City Attorney. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Executive Session Mayor McDaniel announced that an Executive Session was held prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo moved to enter into Executive Session, Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the motion was unanimously in favor. One real estate matter was discussed, and no action was taken. Commissioner Collins moved to exit the Executive Session, Commissioner Robinson seconded this motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 9/11 Commemorative Service Mayor McDaniel announced that the annual 9/11 Commemorative Service will take place on Wednesday, September 11th at 8:30 a.m. at the Rome/Floyd Firefighters Memorial Plaza, located behind City Hall at 601 Broad Street. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, September 17th at 9:00 a.m. at the Manis Business Building, 800 Broad Street. Transportation Police Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Transportation Policy Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 18th at 10:00 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Water Treatment Plant/Reverse Osmosis – Riverside Parkway Commissioner Bojo reminded the commission that there has been much discussion regarding the location of Rome’s new reverse osmosis water treatment plant. Both Insite Engineering and Archer Western have recommended that the City of Rome build the new reverse osmosis water treatment plant on City owned property located on Riverside Parkway. This site is located between the City of Rome’s Community Center and the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services building. Other sites have been considered, namely Vaughn Road and on property adjoining the current water treatment plant on Blossom Hill. Neither Vaughn Road nor Blossom Hill have proven to be viable locations. 2 Mayor Pro Tem Bojo moved to approve the construction of the City of Rome’s reverse osmosis water plant on Riverside Parkway at a price not to exceed $200 million. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor, including Mayor McDaniel. Each commissioner spoke regarding this important action. Commissioners Brock, Cochran, Beeman, Robinson, and Collins were not initially in favor of the Riverside Parkway property, feeling that this highly visible site could be used for more commercial or community oriented uses. However, after much debate and consideration and with information recently supplied to the commission, the commission unanimously supports the Riverside Parkway site. Fire Overview Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Fire Overview Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 10th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Public Safety Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 17th at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Health Board Commissioner Cochran announced that the Health Board will meet on Thursday, September 12th at 12:00 p.m. at the Floyd County Health Department. Evelyn Hamilton Commissioner Beeman announced the recent death of Ms. Evelyn Hamilton. Ms. Hamilton was one of the early students at Berry College following racial integration. Ms. Hamilton has been recognized with the Local Heart of the Community award, and she has also been recognized by the City Commission during a previous Black History Month celebration. Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Cochran announced that the Historic Preservation Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 18th at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Bike Patrol Officer – Trail System Commissioner Doss requested that the Public Safety Committee consider requesting that a bike patrol officer or officers be assigned to Rome’s trail system. No Drop Bike Ride Commissioner Brock announced that a group of local citizens meet at the Town Green each Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. for a bike ride on Rome’s trail system. This approximate seven mile loop ride is considered a “no drop ride” since riders of all skill levels are invited to attend. 3 Courtney Shepard – Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Quick moved to appoint Ms. Courtney Shepard to serve on the Alcohol Control Commission. Ms. Shepard will be replacing Mr. Harold Morgan who is rotating off the ACC due to the completion of two consecutive terms. Commissioner Cochran seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner Collins announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, September 19th at 11:00 a.m. at the Civic Center. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Committee Commissioner Collins announced that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 17th at 12:00 p.m. at the Recreation Center Main Office, 1 Shorter Avenue. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Robinson announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, September 16th at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 12th has been cancelled. First Friday Concert Commissioner Robinson announced that the last performance of the 2024 First Friday Concert series took place on Friday, September 6th. This was a great farewell to the 2024 season with near perfect weather and large crowd of attendees. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4