City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, September 23, 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, and Robinson. Commissioner Collins was absent and excused. Commissioner Brock opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – September 9, 2024 The Minutes of the September 9, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Marshall Plants – 5 Star Hero Commissioner Beeman presented a proclamation recognizing Mr. Marshall Plants as the inaugural winner of the 5 Star Hero contest sponsored by YellowWood. Mr. Plants was recognized for his actions over five decades ago that led to Mr. Plants saving his sister from a burning automobile. This incident was a result of a multicar wreck and fire on Hwy 27N near the Chattooga County line. Mr. Plants was burned during the accident but managed to extract his sister from the car. Mr. Plants served for 11 years as the City of Rome’s GIS Director before his retirement. Mr. Plants thanked the City Commission for this recognition and stated that Commissioner Collins was the one who nominated him for this award. Commissioner Collins was absent at tonight’s meeting due to Mrs. Collins illness. Harold Morgan – Certificate of Appreciation and Courtney Shepard – Certificate of Appointment Secretary Smith announced that there has been a personnel change on the City of Rome’s Alcohol Control Commission. Mr. Harold Morgan has rotated off the ACC after providing over 6 years of dedicated service to the ACC. Ms. Shepard was recently appointed to replace Mr. Morgan and she will begin her service with the ACC in October of 2024. Building Code Ordinance – One and Two Family Dwelling Update Commissioner Quick announced that an amendment to Rome’s Building Code Ordinance is being placed on first reading. This is an update on the one and two family dwelling code. A second reading for this ordinance amendment will be scheduled for the October 14th City Commission meeting. Z24-09-01 Rezone 56 Rogers Road Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood introduced and reviewed rezoning file Z24-09-01, the request to rezone property located at 56 Rogers Road and identified by Floyd County Tax map number H12Z-649, from Light Industrial to Suburban Residential. The Planning Commission has unanimously recommended approval of this request. Mr. Wood displayed maps and photographs of the subject and 1 surrounding properties and stated that this is a single family home, and the owners wish it to be restored to the proper zoning. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this request. Speaking in favor of the rezoning request was Ms. Brenda Mendez, owner of the property. The property owners wish to have this property rezoned residential. There was no one else to speak in favor or opposition of the request and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request of 56 Rogers Road from Light Industrial to Suburban Residential. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z24-09-02 Rezone 305 Stonewall Street Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood introduced and reviewed rezoning file Z24-09-02, the request to rezone property located at 305 Stonewall Street and identified by Floyd County Tax map number J13I-061, 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. He stated that this single family home has been updated and an addition has been constructed. 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 305 Stonewall Street from Community Commercial to High Density Traditional Residential. Commissioner Cochran seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z24-09-03 Rezone 200 Redmond Road Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood introduced and reviewed rezoning file Z24-09-03, the request to rezone property located at 200 Redmond Road and identified by Floyd County Tax map number I13W-017, from Office Institutional to Neighborhood Office Commercial. 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. Speaking in favor of the rezoning request was Ms. Laura Webber, representing property owner Larry Martin Real Estate. Ms. Webber stated that this property was repaired after a fire several years ago and has been used as a residence. The current tenant has found that Comcast/Xfinity will not provide internet at residential prices since this property is zoned Office Institutional. The primary reason for the rezoning request is to allow the tenant to receive internet service at a residential rate. There was no one else to speak in favor or opposition of the request and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request of 200 Redmond Road from Office Institutional to Neighborhood Office Commercial. Commissioner Cochran seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 2 Fire Maintenance Facility – 2660 Cedartown Hwy City Manager Rich explained that the Rome/Floyd Fire Department has, for many years, used a facility located on North Avenue as their equipment maintenance headquarters. The current structure was built in 1948 and is much too small for the current needs. After a thorough search, the City has located and negotiated a sales price for property at 2660 Cedartown Hwy. This structure has been used for a trucking service recently. After an inspection, it has been found to be in very good condition, offering multiple bays, with a total area of approximately 11,000 sqft. This site contains approximately 19 acres and adjoins existing City of Rome property to the West. Mr. Rich stated this property can be purchased for $1,750,000 and that payment can be made with SPLOST funds. Commissioner Robinson moved to approve the purchase of 2660 Cedartown Hwy for $1,750,000. Commissioner Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. The City of Rome will expect to close on this property in approximately 30 days. Executive Session Mayor McDaniel announced that an Executive Session was held prior to tonight’s meeting on the motion of Mayor Pro Tem Bojo, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, and a unanimous vote. Two real estate matters were discussed, no votes were taken. The meeting was adjourned on the motion of Commissioner Doss, seconded by Commissioner Brock, and a unanimous vote. Joint Services Committee Mayor McDaniel announced that the Joint Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 1st at 9:00 a.m. at the Floyd County Administration Building. Finance Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Finance Committee meeting originally scheduled for September 25th has been rescheduled to Tuesday, October 2nd at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission will meet on Thursday, September 26th at 4:00 p.m. at the Floyd County Administration Building. Water and Sewer Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Thursday, October 3rd at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Public Safety/Trails Report Commissioner Brock announced that he had joined Trail Director Julie Smith and the Rome Police Department recently on a tour of City trails, in the City Police Department’s side by side vehicle. Commissioner Brock reported that the public has expressed their appreciation for a police presence on our trails system. The City hopes to reestablish the bike police officers on our trail system in the near future. 3 Tourism Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 25th at 11:45 a.m. at the Rome Area History Center. Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 9th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Rome/Floyd Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, October 3rd at 2:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Andrew Saville – Board of Adjustments Commissioner Quick nominated Mr. Andrew Saville to serve as a City Appointee on the Unified Land Development Code Board of Adjustments. A vote on Mr. Saville’s nomination will take place at the October 14th City Commission meeting. If appointed, Mr. Saville will replace Mr. Jarrod Johnson. Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Robinson announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee meeting scheduled for September 25th has been cancelled. The next scheduled meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 1st at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, October 10th at 8:30 a.m. in the Milner Building. Fiddlin’ Fest Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority will hold its annual Fiddlin’ Fest bluegrass street festival in Downtown Rome on Saturday, October 12th from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4