City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Tuesday, November 12, 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. Commissioner Doss opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – October 28, 2024 The Minutes of the October 28, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Federated Garden Club - 75th Anniversary Mayor Pro Tem Bojo presented a proclamation recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Federated Garden Clubs of Rome. This proclamation was presented to Anita Bridges, Jeanettia Rush, Brenda Harp, and the City of Rome’s Hannah Bagley. It was noted that the Seven Hills Garden Club will be celebrating their 100th anniversary. Steven McDowell – Alcohol Ordinance Amendment Mr. Steven McDowell, owner of Old Havana Cigar Bar 327 Broad Street, addressed the City Commission regarding one of the proposed components of the alcohol ordinance amendment concerning variances that is scheduled for second reading tonight. Mr. McDowell read the following statement: “Dear Rome City Commissioners, Thank you for taking the time to hear from me today. I am writing to share my thoughts on the proposed Liquor Pouring Variance Ordinance that will impact my business if adopted. I am opposed to the ordinance as written. While I understand your position in eliminating future liquor pouring variances, I feel the proposed ordinance devalues my business model and jeopardizes my future operations. As written, the proposed ordinance would impose the following penalties on my business in the future: · If I become incapacitated, my business model would have to change · I cannot sell the business model as it exists, therefore devaluing my assets · My children cannot inherit the business model as it exists today · I cannot relocate my business within the city limits if the need arises I encourage you to take another look at the language in Section III of the ordinance and allow for ownership changes or license holder changes by current variance holders to be reviewed by the Alcohol Control Commission and the Rome City Commission. In my 21 years in business, I have faced many challenges to my business type, and I have battled to maintain a successful and community contributing presence. I hope you allow my business to prosper today and in the future. Feel free to contact me with questions or discussion on the matter.” 1 Rezoning – First Reading Commissioner Quick announced that the following rezoning request is being placed on first reading: a) Z24-11-08 – Request to rezone from Community Commercial to High Density Traditional Residential for the property at Davis Street, Rome, GA 30165; Floyd County Tax Parcel J13O281 (Planning Commission recommends approval 8-0). A public hearing about this matter is scheduled for the November 25th City Commission meeting. Alcohol Ordinance Amendment – Elimination of Future Food/Drink Ratio Variances Secretary Smith reviewed the alcohol ordinance amendment concerning the elimination of future food/drink ratio variances that is scheduled for second reading tonight. Since 2018, the City of Rome has allowed establishments to apply for a variance to use products or services other than food to meet Rome’s 50:50 food/drink ratio. While five variances have been approved, three of those establishments are currently in operation. An Alcohol/Downtown Study Committee comprised of representatives of the Rome City Commission, the Alcohol Control Commission, and the Downtown Development Authority met recently and suggested this ordinance amendment (and the “food truck” ordinance) be adopted. The Alcohol Control Commission has reviewed this suggestion and recommended adoption by the City Commission. Specifically, the ACC recommendation is to eliminate the option for future variances but allow the three existing variances to continue. However, the ACC recommendation does not allow for the transfer of these existing variances to new owners or licensees. One of the variance holders, Steven McDowell of Old Havana Cigar Bar, has encouraged the city to consider allowing the transfer of these variances. The City Commission debated this point and there seemed to be support for the allowance of the transfer of the existing variances. Assistant City Attorney Sam Lucas stated that a motion to that effect would be a substantive change, and the ordinance should go back on First Reading. Commissioner Doss had previously suggested that criteria be added to the ordinance. Commissioner Collins, who has not participated in the discussion, disclosed that he would not participate in the discussion or vote since he is the landlord for one of the existing variances. Commissioner Robinson moved to send this back to the Alcohol Control Commission. Commissioner Bojo seconded, and the motion was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Brock, Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Robinson ABSTAIN: Collins Alcohol Ordinance Amendment – Eliminate Food Truck Sales from the Food/Dink Ratio Equation Secretary Smith reviewed this alcohol ordinance amendment, which has arrived at the City Commission via the same route as the variance ordinance. During tonight’s caucus, Ms. Caress Cason, owner of The Foundry 255 N. Fth Avenue, who is the only known establishment that is currently using on-site food truck sales to help meet the food/drink ratio, 2 stated that she plans to establish her own food truck which would be used at her establishment. There seemed to be support for allowing a food truck that is owned by the business and located on-site to use those sales, along with any in-house kitchen sales, towards their food/drink ratio. There was lengthy discussion by the City Commission concerning this topic, eventually the discussion turned towards the merits of a food/drink ratio. Commission Cochran expressed his opposition to the proposed ordinance, implying that there has not been a problem with food trucks to date. Commissioner Cochran also stated that he feels this ordinance would send the wrong message to our alcohol establishments. Ms. Cason was present at the meeting and was asked to address the Commission from the podium. Ms. Cason stated that she wants to serve food at her establishment and will continue to do so, however she would like for the City of Rome to reduce the current 50:50 ratio. After further debate by the Commission, Commissioner Robinson moved to approve the ordinance as submitted and Commissioner Doss seconded. After more debate, Commissioner Collins moved to send this ordinance back to the Alcohol Control Commission. Commissioner Cochran seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Atrium/Floyd 340B Drug Program - MOU The City Commission heard comments from Floyd/Atrium Staff Attorney Tommy Manning during caucus tonight regarding a request to adopt a memorandum of understanding between the City of Rome and Atrium/Floyd endorsing Floyd’s continued participation in the 340B Drug Program. Mr. Manning explained that by participating in the 340B program, Atrium/Floyd is allowed to acquire pharmaceuticals at a reduced cost, these savings are then used to help provide indigent healthcare services. Commissioner Robinson moved to adopt the MOU. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo seconded, and the motion was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Brock, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Robinson ABSTAIN: Cochran and Collins (business relation with Atrium/Floyd) The Floyd County Commission will be asked to adopt a similar MOU. Chamber of Commerce Parking Lease – City of Rome and Downtown Development Authority Assistant City Attorney Sam Lucas explained a sublease agreement that has been submitted between the City of Rome, the Downtown Development Authority, and the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce. This lease will allow for parking spaces to be used by the Chamber of Commerce. This parking lot is shared by the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rome’s Milner Building which houses the Downtown Development Authority. The Downtown Development Authority will have four spaces permanently assigned; the remaining spaces will be assigned to the Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Quick moved to adopt the lease agreement as submitted. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 3 Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, November 19th at 9:00 a.m. at the Manis Business Building, 800 Broad Street. Finance Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Finance Committee meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, November 25th at 3:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Public Safety Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 19th at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Cochran announced that the Historic Preservation Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 20th at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Library Board Commissioner Beeman announced that the Library Board will meet on Thursday, November 21st at 4:00 p.m. at the Rome/Floyd County Library. Landmarking Committee – 2024 Report Commissioner Doss announced that the City of Rome’s Landmarking Committee has met for the 2024 session and has taken action to landmark Lovejoy Baptist Church, located on Branham Avenue, and the Rebecca Blaylock Nursery/Graham Street School, located on Graham Street. These establishment locations will be marked by the standard City of Rome landmarking plaque. Commissioner Collins suggested that the Martin Luther King Jr monument, located near Five Points, be considered for landmarking. Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 13th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Rome. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Committee Commissioner Collins announced that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 19th at 12:00 p.m. at the Shannon Center. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Robinson announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, November 18th at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, November 14th at 8:30 a.m. in the DDA Office in the Milner Building. 4 Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:21p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 5