City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, November 25, 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 Pro Tem Bojo presided and Commissioners Brock, Cochran, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson were present. Mayor McDaniel and Commission Beeman were absent and excused. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced the recent death of Floyd County Commissioner Larry Maxey. Commissioner Quick opened the meeting with a moment of silence and prayer, and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – November 12, 2024 The Minutes of the November 12, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Firefighter Life Saving Award and Citizen Award On the morning of November 8, 2024, there was a serious accident on the Georgia 1 Loop near Wilbanks Road. This accident involved a fatality and serious injury to the driver of the second vehicle. Mr. Tim Reynolds of Lindale, was rescued by Rome Fire Sergeant Brian Minshew, Mr. Jeremiah Veillon and Benjamin Woodall. Mr. Veillon and Mr. Woodall are both employed by the Floyd County School System. Rome Fire Chief Troy Brock was present, along with Battalion Chiefs Clete Bonney and Jamie Stone, to present the Firefighter Life Saving Award to Sgt. Minshew. Rome Assistant Police Rodney Bailey was present, along with Majors Mark Tison and Rusty Blair and Captain Rock Pace, to present the Citizen Award to Mr. Woodall. Mr. Veillon was out of town on a previously planned trip. The City Commissioners congratulated these gentlemen for their action in rescuing Mr. Reynolds from his burning vehicle. Wrecker and Towing Fees Secretary Smith presented an amendment to the City of Rome’s Wrecker and Towing Fee resolution. It was explained that wrecker and towing companies who participate in the Rome Police Department’s on- call system are required to not exceed the service fees set by the City of Rome. Mr. Smith explained that the City of Rome’s fee schedule has one service fee that is not in line with the Floyd County fee schedule. As a result, the recommendation is to raise the basic tow fee from $100 to $125. It is also recommended that there is a minimum 1 day storage fee for vehicles taken to a storage yard ($18). Commissioner Collins moved to adopt the fee schedule as presented. Commissioner Brock seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Sunday Pouring – Special Day for 2025 Secretary Smith explained that the State of Georgia allows local governments to designate one Sunday per calendar year in which pouring establishments, that are not otherwise qualified to pour on Sunday, are allowed to pour on that one day. In order to regularly pour on Sunday, establishments must meet the 1 state mandated food/drink ratio. The Alcohol Control Commission has recommended that Sunday, February 9, 2025, be the designated day for 2025. This is the anticipated date for Super Bowl Sunday and there are no other holidays in 2025 that fall on a Sunday. Commissioner Robinson moved to adopt the resolution establishing Sunday, February 9, 2025, as the special pouring Sunday for 2025. Commissioner Cochran seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Downtown Parking Management/Enforcement Ordinance Amendment Secretary Smith explained that the Downtown Development Authority has discussed the possibility of contracting with a private firm for the management and enforcement of downtown parking. If the City Commission chooses to authorize a private firm to enforce downtown parking, the City will need to amend City Code §12-242 and 12-244 to add “a contractor specifically designated by the City Commission” to those authorized to enforce downtown parking or issue special parking permits. This item is being placed on first reading and a second reading and vote is scheduled for the December 9, 2024, City Commission meeting. Z24-11-08 Davis Street Ms. Michelle Kite of the Rome/Floyd Planning Department introduced and reviewed rezoning file Z24- 11-08, the request to rezone property located on Davis Street in North Rome and identified by Floyd County Tax parcel J14O-281 from Community Commercial to High Density Traditional Residential. The Planning Commission has unanimously recommended approval of this request. Ms. Kite reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo called a public hearing to order concerning this request. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition to this request and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick made the motion to approve the rezoning request on Davis Street from Community Commercial to High Density Traditional Residential. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Thanksgiving Holidays City Manager Rich reported that City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Garbage routes will be amended due to this holiday. Joint Services Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Joint Services Committee meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, December 3rd will be rescheduled to a later date. 2025 Budgets Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the 2025 budgets will be placed on First Reading and a public hearing held at the December 9th City Commission Meeting. 2 Finance Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Finance Committee has scheduled a called meeting on Thursday, December 5th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Water and Sewer Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Thursday, December 5th at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Recycling Center Deficits City Manager Rich stated that the Recycling Center deficits for the third quarter of 2024 are in hand and the deficit payment will be $19,193.05 for each of the three participating entities – the City of Rome, Floyd County, and the Solid Waste Commission. Commissioner Collins moved to approve the payment of the third quarter deficits as outlined by Mr. Rich. Commissioner Cochran seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Rome/Floyd Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 5th at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers has been cancelled. There are no files for action for the month of December. Community Redevelopment Agency Commissioner Robinson announced that the Community Redevelopment Agency will meet on Monday, December 2nd at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Rome. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Pro Tem Bojo adjourned the meeting at 6:55p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 3