City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, October 28, 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 was present, along with Commissioners Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Collins. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo, Commissioner Brock and Commissioner Robinson were out of town attending Georgia Municipal Association training. Commissioner Beeman opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – October 14, 2024 The Minutes of the October 14, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Andrew Saville – Certificate of Appointment Commissioner Quick announced that a Certificate of Appointment has been prepared for Mr. Andrew Saville, who was recently appointed to serve as a City Appointee to the Unified Land Development Code Board of Adjustments. Ron Swinford Mr. Ron Swinford, 11 Poplar Street, was present to address the City Commission regarding a proposed liquor store on Riverside Parkway. Mr. Swinford expressed his opposition to the planned liquor store that is to be located at the corner of Riverside Parkway and Riverside Industrial Park. This location is across Riverside Parkway from Chieftain’s Museum. Mr. Swinford stated that the applicant for the liquor store appeared before the Alcohol Control Commission originally in April 2023. The ACC’s conditional approval was valid for six months. The applicant returned to the Alcohol Control Commission in October 2023, April of 2024, and finally in October 2024 to receive extensions on the approval. The applicant stated at the last ACC meeting that he is at the point where he can begin construction soon. Mr. Swinford spoke on the importance of Chieftain’s Museum from a historical and cultural standpoint, and he also referenced a letter from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation expressing their opposition to this proposed business. Mr. Swinford is aware that the Unified Land Development Code Table of Permitted Uses allows liquor stores to be established in a Community Commercial zone and that this proposed site is zoned Community Commercial. The developer will also have to meet the development standards established in the ULDC, as well as the distance requirements from protected institutions as outlined by the State of Georgia and the City of Rome Alcohol Ordinance. While an official alcohol survey has not yet been presented, it appears this site does meet the required distance buffers to protected institutions. The nearest protected institution is Ridgeferry Park. Sam Moss Mr. Sam Moss, 707 E.2nd Avenue, addressed the City Commission regarding the proposed Riverside Parkway liquor store. Mr. Moss identified himself as a board member of the Chieftain’s Museum as well as a member of the Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Moss also stated that he is not opposed to liquor stores, however a liquor store at this location does not fit the character of the Riverside Parkway 1 corridor and is not appropriate in such close proximity to Chieftain’s Museum. He summarized this business as being out of character for this location. The City Commission thanked Mr. Swinford and Mr. Moss for their comments regarding this proposed establishment. Alcohol Ordinance Amendment – First Reading Elimination of Variances Commissioner Quick announced that an alcohol ordinance amendment was being placed on first reading tonight. Specifically, this amendment, if adopted, will eliminate the option for future food/drink ratio variances (the allowance for products other than food to be used to meet Rome’s ratio). This ordinance as presented also allows the three existing variances to continue, however it does not permit that variance to be transferred to a new business owner or a new licensee at any of these three establishments. A second reading on this matter is scheduled for the November 12th City Commission meeting. Commissioner Collins asked for permission to comment on this proposal and was given that permission. Commissioner Collins stated that he is opposed to the component of the ordinance amendment which would prevent future transfers of existing variances. He does not feel that it is fair for a business with a variance to forfeit the right to sell that business to a subsequent owner or pass that business on to a family member. Commissioner Collins is aware that this matter will be discussed in more detail and voted on at the November 12th meeting. Alcohol ordinance Amendment – First Reading Elimination of Food Truck Sales Commissioner Quick announced that an alcohol ordinance amendment was being placed on first reading which would eliminate the use of on-site food truck sales to be counted towards an establishment’s food/drink ratio. Commissioner Quick further specified that, if adopted, this amendment would be implemented on January 1, 2025. It was also clarified that on-site food trucks would be allowed to continue; however, their sales would not be counted towards an establishment’s food/drink ratio. A second reading on this ordinance amendment is scheduled for the November 12th City Commission meeting. Z24-10-01 Rezone John Davenport Drive and Armstrong Street Properties Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood introduced file Z24-10-01, the request to rezone properties located John Davenport Drive and 100 Armstrong Street and identified by Floyd County Tax map numbers I13W-509 and I13Z-018, from Office Institutional and Heavy Industrial to Light Industrial. The Planning Commission has unanimously recommended approval of this request. Mr. Wood reviewed this file, displayed maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties and the zoning classification of adjoining 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, however Mr. Jeff Brooks was present and stated he was available if there were any questions concerning this rezoning request. There was no one else to speak regarding this matter and the public hearing was closed. 2 Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request to rezone this property from Office Institutional and Heavy Industrial to Light Industrial as requested. Commissioner Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Veteran’s Day Holiday City Manager Sammy Rich announced that city offices will be closed on Monday November 11th in observance of the Veteran’s Day holiday. Garbage, yard waste, and recycling routes will be amended that week as a result of the holiday closing. The Walker Mountain Landfill will be closed on Monday November 11th. Let’s Squash this Rally Commissioner Beeman stated that on Tuesday, October 29th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Willingham Gymnasium, 560 N. Division Street, a Let’s Squash this Rally will be held. This event is sponsored by the Housing Authority of NWGA and there are other organizations assisting with this event. There will be children’s entertainment, music, basketball games, and a gun buy back event. Persons turning in guns during this event will receive $25.00 per firearm. Rome City Commission Meeting – November 12th Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome City Commission meeting originally scheduled for Monday, November 11th, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, November 12th due to the Veteran’s Day holiday. Water and Sewer Committee Mayor McDaniel announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Thursday, November 7th at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Development Oversight Committee Mayor McDaniel announced that the Development Oversight Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 5th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Landmarking Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Landmarking Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 29th, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Trails Update and Pump Track Commissioner Doss announced that Transportation/Trails Director Julie Smith presented a program at Caucus prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting regarding an update on the status of Rome’s trail system. Ms. Smith also expressed the intention to build a bicycle pump track at Ridgeferry Park. GMA District 1 Meeting Commissioner Quick announced that the Georgia Municipal Association will hold its District 1 Fall Meeting on Tuesday, October 29th at 11:00 a.m. at the Adairsville Community Center. Rome/Floyd Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, November 7th at 2:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. 3 Veteran’s Day Parade Commissioner Quick announced that there will be a Veteran’s Day parade held on Monday, November 11th. The parade will proceed down Broad Street and will terminate at Myrtle Hill Cemetery, at which time the 11:00 a.m. Veteran’s Day program will be held. Zoning Allowances Commissioner Doss stated that the City Commission should discuss the Zoning Table of Permitted Uses especially concerning the uses that are allowed in the Community Commercial zoning district. This matter can be reviewed in detail at the next City Commission retreat. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Collins reported on issues related to Parks and Recreation concerning basketball leagues, improvements to the Alto Recreation Center, and the upcoming City/County meeting concerning the operation and funding of the Parks and Recreation Department. Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Robinson announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee will hold a called meeting on Wednesday, November 6th at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4