City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, October 14, 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 Collins. Commissioner Robinson was absent. Commissioner Cochran opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – September 23, 2024 The Minutes of the September 23, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. 2023 Audit Review Mr. Christopher McKeller with Mauldin & Jenkins presented the summary of the City of Rome’s 2023 Audit. Mr. McKeller emphasized that an unmodified audit report has been submitted and there are only clean opinions. He stated that Rome’s General Fund balanced effective December 31, 2023, had increased approximately $5 million. He also noted that the other large increase to the Water and Sewer Fund was due to the PFAS water settlement case. There were several adjustments made during the audit procedure, and all adjustments were of a minor nature and have been discussed with city management. He specified two management points for communication to the City Commission. The first dealing with the specific hire dates for two city employees that were not accurately reported in the actuary report. He noted that the Forum parking deck fund opened at the end of the year with a deficit balance. Both items have been noted and are of a relatively minor nature. Mr. McKeller concluded his comments by stating the City of Rome has a clean financial report and he thanked the Finance Department for making the audit process very efficient for Mauldin & Jenkins. The Mayor and commissioners thanked Finance Director Toni Rhinehart and her staff for the excellent job they do in operating the City’s Finance Department. City Manager Rich noted that the full and complete audit document is available on the City of Rome’s website and encouraged anyone to contact him with specific questions. Rezoning – First Reading Commissioner Quick announced that the following rezoning is being placed on first reading: a) Z24-10-01 – Request to rezone from Office Institutional and Heavy Industrial to Light Industrial for the properties at John Davenport Drive and 100 Armstrong Street, Rome, GA 30165; Floyd County Tax Parcels I13W509 and I13Z018 (Planning Commission recommends approval, 8-0). A public hearing about this matter is scheduled for the October 28th City Commission meeting. 1 Building Code Ordinance Amendment – One and Two Family Dwellings Update Commissioner Quick moved to adopt an amendment to Rome’s Building Code. This amendment addresses manufactured housing as specified in the International Residential Code. This provision shall be used in controlling construction of one and two family dwelling units as defined within the corporate limits of the city. Commissioner Collins seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Zoning Allowances by Right Commissioner Collins suggested that the City of Rome consider amending the Unified Land Development Code as it relates to certain businesses that are allowed within our Table of Permitted Uses “by right”. He specifically referenced a convenience store that is currently under construction in close proximity to a school and a church. Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood was questioned regarding this matter and stated that the ULDC Table of Permitted Uses specifies uses that are allowed within Rome’s various zoning districts. Mr. Wood clarified that, in addition to the existence of correct zoning classification, a project must also meet the development code requirements before it can be realized. City Manager Rich noted that the Unified Land Development Code is currently being revised (in draft form) by City staff and that, prior to adoption by the City Commission, the Table of Permitted Uses should be addressed. Commissioner Collins suggested that some uses, even though currently allowed by right in the development code, should possibly require specific approval by the City Commission before they can be developed. There was also discussion regarding coin operated amusement machines and the City of Rome’s 2024 ordinance which requires the licensing of these establishments and the compliance with a 50/50 COAM, to other operations, ratio. 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 Quick seconded, and the motion was unanimously in favor. One property matter was discussed, and no action was taken. Commissioner Doss moved to exit the Executive Session, Commissioner Collins seconded this motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Property Transfer – 3 East Main Street The Rome Land Bank Authority has requested that the City of Rome transfer the property located at 3 East Main Street from the City of Rome to the Land Bank Authority. The City of Rome has owned 3 East Main Street since 2004, and the property was acquired through a Floyd County Property Tax Sale. Adjoining property owners have expressed interest in this lot and the Land Bank Authority has a procedure for transferring this property back into productive use. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo moved to approve the transfer of 3 East Main Street from the City of Rome to the Land Bank Authority. Commissioner Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Commissioner Brock explained some of the procedures that are used by the Land Bank Authority in returning property to private ownership. 2 Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, October 15th at 9:00 a.m. at the Manis Business Building, 800 Broad Street. RedSpeed Funding – Police Department Computers Mayor Pro Tem Bojo moved to approve a request to transfer $112,312.90 from the RedSpeed account to the Rome General Fund. These funds will be used to replace computers in 35 of Rome’s Police cars. In order to be compliant with Windows 11, new computers are needed. RedSpeed funds are generated from the speed limit enforced cameras located in the school zones on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (Main Elementary School) and Georgia 1 Loop (Rome Middle and High Schools). Commissioner Quick seconded the motion to transfer these funds, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Solid Waste Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Solid Waste Commission will meet on Tuesday, October 22nd at 8:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Tourism Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 23rd at 11:45 a.m. at the NWGHA EnVision Center, 1 Brookwood Avenue. NCAA Division 3 Tennis Championships Commissioner Beeman announced that the NCAA Division 3 National Tennis Championships will take place at the Rome Tennis Center in May 22 – 30, 2028. Commissioner Doss noted that Berry College is a Division 3 school. Landmarking Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Landmarking Committee will be meeting in 2024 to discuss possible landmarking sites. One application has been received by the City for consideration and Commissioner Doss encouraged anyone interested in a site for consideration to submit an application to the City Clerk. Trails Commissioner Doss noted the excellent weather our community is currently experiencing and the activity on our Rome Trail System. Commissioner Brock invited anyone interested to attend the “no drop” bike ride which takes place each Tuesday night beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Green. Commissioner Beeman suggested that consideration be given to placing first aid kits at various points along our trail system. 3 Andrew Saville – ULDC Board of Adjustments Commissioner Quick moved to appoint Mr. Andrew Saville to serve as a City Representative on the Unified Land Development Code Board of Adjustments. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. General Administration Committee and Pension Committee Commissioner Quick announced that the General Administration Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 22nd at 11:00 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room, followed immediately by the annual Pension Committee. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner Collins announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, October 17th at 11:00 a.m. at the Rome Civic Center. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Committee Commissioner Collins announced that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 15th at 12:00 p.m. at the Alto Park facility. Alcohol Control Commission Mayor McDaniel announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, October 21st at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4