City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, December 9, 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 presided with Mayor Pro Tem Bojo and Commissioners Brock, Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Robinson present. Commission Collins was absent and excused. Mayor McDaniel opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. James Rayburn Mayor McDaniel announced that Mr. James Rayburn, who had worked for the City of Rome Water and Sewer Department for many years, was killed recently on an on the job accident. Mayor McDaniel and the Commission asked everyone to keep Mr. Rayburn’s family in their thoughts and prayers. Mr. Rayburn’s funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church. Minutes – November 25, 2024 The Minutes of the November 25, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Seven Hills Garden Club – 100th Anniversary Commissioner Quick presented a joint City/County proclamation recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Seven Hills Garden Club. The Seven Hills Garden Club is the oldest garden club in Rome and the third oldest garden club in Georgia. There were six ladies representing the garden club present at tonight’s meeting to receive the proclamation. Angela Rubino – North Rome TAD Ms. Angela Rubino addressed the City Commission regarding the North Rome TAD and the proposed tax incremental financing request that will be addressed by the City Commission later tonight. “Good evening, Commissioners. Thank you for your time, I come to you tonight to address you all respectfully but also frustrated, exasperated and with a heavy heart to ask you all when is it enough? How much and to what end does this board expect the people of Rome/Floyd County to endure? Why this board and subcommittees are all for incentives and tax breaks for big corporations and yet the people of Rome are suffering, some on the verge of losing their homes to foreclosures due to rising taxes, manipulation of inflation caused by the rapid growth that is plaquing Floyd County and every other county nationwide? TAD adds financial strains on public service, disproportionate benefits, risking over development, public backlash and long term financial commitment. I love Rome GA and its people, but it breaks my heart to see it adopting bad business policies simulating the ones put forth by Andrew Cuomo 56th Governor of NY and turning Rome into the very place I left. Rome, once known for its manufacturing jobs, now rather its tennis courts, gas stations, vape shops, car 1 washes, ding ding machines and all justified in the name of capitalism rather than just choosing quality over quantity. Can it possibly be that we no longer have visionaries to bring something different and unique to Rome and its people instead of blindly and cluelessly following big cities and their 15-minute city agenda? Commissioners, The issue is not the hotel but rather the tax break, the issue isn’t the growth but rather the kind of growth that you are willing to sacrifice the people of Rome and Floyd for big out of state or out of country corporations. I ask where is the people’s break? The purpose of businesses is to lessen the tax burden on the people. The last 3 years of attending these meetings it is apparent that the rules for thee and not for me is applied more often than not. We do more for corporations that are very transitional than our neighbors who try starting or having locally owned businesses. The people elect members of this board to do the will of the people not of big corporations. This board has a chance to start a new and have good courage, but when these types of measures repeatedly come forth a reason to resist then occurs. It is due time to vote with heart and conscience for the better of Rome and its people, not big corporations. Maybe it is time to go back so that we can go forward because here in Rome the people must come first!” Facility Rental Fees Secretary Smith reviewed a resolution which would establish the 2025 rental rates for the Civic Center, Auditorium, Rome Community Center, Rome Area History Museum, and the Historic Water Works facility (Fort Norton). Secretary Smith noted there was a modest increase in most of the rental fees with the most substantial increase proposed for the weekend rental rate for the Civic Center. This fee will increase from $950 to $1200. Commissioner Robinson moved to approve the fee resolution as presented. Commissioner Quick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. First Responder PTSD Insurance Program Participation City Manager Rich explained that cities and counties throughout Georgia are required to provide First Responder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Insurance coverage. A resolution is before the City Commission tonight to authorize participation in this program through the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management (GIRMA). Commissioner Doss moved to adopt the resolution authorizing this coverage. Commissioner Bojo seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Firefighter Cancer Coverage City Manager Rich announced that the City of Rome has been asked by GIRMA to adopt a specific resolution regarding our participation in the Firefighter Cancer Coverage program. Rome has offered this cancer coverage since 2018. Mr. Rich described this action as a house keeping matter. Commissioner Bojo moved to adopt a resolution regarding the firefighter cancer coverage. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 2 Hotel/Motel Tax Ordinance Amendment Secretary Smith explained that a hotel/motel tax ordinance amendment is scheduled for first reading tonight. This amendment will alter Rome’s ordinance to indicate that the Forum Convention Center is now owned by the City rather than Floyd County. The City of Rome assumed ownership and responsibility for this facility as part of the most recent Local Option Sales Tax negotiation with Floyd County. This ordinance will be scheduled for second reading at the December 16th City Commission meeting. Downtown Parking Enforcement Ordinance Amendment – Private Contractors An ordinance amendment was presented for second reading tonight regarding management and enforcement of parking regulations in Downtown Rome. The ordinance amendment before the commission tonight will amend four City of Rome code sections to include language regarding some enforcement and management aspects by a third party provider, if the City Commission elects to contract this service at some point in the future. Commissioner Quick moved to adopt the ordinance amendment as presented and Commissioner Robinson seconded. There was some discussion by the Commissioners and clarifications were made that parking violations are civil matters. However, an individual could potentially be summoned to appear in Municipal Court if tickets have gone unpaid. There have been rare cases in the past where an offender with multiple tickets was given summons to appear in court. If a person does not appear in court, they could be arrested for failure to appear at that point. It was clarified that the Rome Police Department would continue to be involved in any court appearances required by offenders, even if downtown parking and management is administered by a private contractor. It was also clarified that future downtown street closings would be handled in the same manner that they currently are, and approval by any parking contractor would not be required. The last point clarified was that the City of Rome has never used a private contractor for this type of service in the past. With the discussion concluded, Commissioner Quick’s motion to approve the ordinance amendment as presented was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Robinson NO: Brock and Cochran 2025 Budgets – Public Hearing City Comanager Rich and Finance Director Toni Rhinehart presented the proposed 2025 budgets. As required by state law, local governments hold public hearings regarding proposed budgets when those items are placed on first reading. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning the proposed 2025 budgets. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition to the proposed budgets and the public hearing was closed. The 2025 budgets are now placed on first reading and a second reading and vote will be scheduled for the December 16th City Commission meeting. 3 Rapid Re-housing Proposal City Manager Rich explained a memorandum of understanding and a master lease agreement that has been prepared for consideration. This agreement would be between the Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia and the City of Rome. The purpose of this agreement would be for the implementation of a rapid re-housing pilot program utilizing twelve housing units to be leased to the City. These units are presently known as “Hannah’s Place”. This program would extend for a period of 24 months. Commissioner Bojo moved to adopt the memorandum of understanding and master lease agreement as presented, subject to review by the City Attorney. Commissioner Quick seconded, and the vote was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Brock, Doss, Quick, and Robinson NO: Cochran ABSTAIN: Beeman (employed by the Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia) Rome City Commission Meeting – December 16th Mayor McDaniel announced that due to the Christmas holiday, the next Rome City Commission will be held on Monday, December 16th at 6:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. City Manager Evaluation – Executive Session Mayor McDaniel announced that an Executive Session was held prior to the beginning of Caucus tonight on the motion of Commissioner Doss, seconded of Commissioner Bojo, and a unanimous vote. The purpose of this Executive Session was to perform the annual evaluation for City Manager Sammy Rich. The Executive Session began at 4:05 p.m. and concluded at 5:10 p.m. Mayor McDaniel stated that Mr. Rich received a satisfactory review and will receive a salary increase of 3.75% effective for 2025. Purchasing Policy Commissioner Bojo announced that consideration is being given for the approval of the 2025 Purchasing Policy update. There is no action scheduled for tonight, however a vote will likely take place at the December 16, 2025, meeting. Water and Sewer Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 10th at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Alma Dowdy – 100th Birthday Commissioner Bojo announced that the City of Rome has prepared a proclamation recognizing the 100th birthday of Ms. Alma Dowdy. A birthday party for Ms. Dowdy will take place on December 14th at 3:00 p.m. at the Village at Maplewood. All City Commissioners are invited to attend. Fire Overview Commissioner Brock announced that the Fire Overview Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 10th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. 4 Health Board Commissioner Cochran announced that the Health Board will meet on Thursday, December 12th at 12:00 p.m. at the Floyd County Health Department. Tourism Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 11th at 11:45 a.m. at the Civic Center. Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Rome. JR Davis – Rome/Floyd Landbank Authority Commissioner Quick announced that Mr. JR Davis had been nominated for reappointment as a City Representative on the Rome/Floyd Landbank Authority. A vote on Mr. Davis’s reappointment will be held at the December 16th City Commission meeting. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Robinson announced that the Alcohol Control Commission meeting scheduled for December 16th has been cancelled. The next planned ACC meeting will be on January 21, 2025. North Rome TAD – Tax Incremental Financing Request Commissioner Robinson announced that the City Of Rome has received a request for tax incremental financing in the North Rome TAD V District. A developer plans to build a Home2Suites hotel at 1024 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. This developer is requesting financing in the amount of $2 million. Commissioner Robinson stated that there are two resolutions that have been prepared regarding this request. One resolution assumes that the Floyd County Commission will participate in the tax financing. The other resolution assumes that the County will not participate in the tax financing and all of the financing will come from the City of Rome. In addition to the resolution, there is also a development agreement, a binding memorandum of understanding, and a TAD note related to this project. Commissioner Robinson reviewed one possible financing schedule. This schedule assumes the County will not participate and, in that scenario, the developer will receive $166,666 per year from the City of Rome for a 12 year period with a total net amount of $2 million. Commissioner Robinson moved to approve the tax incremental financing request under the scenario with the County participating or under the scenario with the County not participating and the adoption of all the related documents. Commissioner Bojo seconded the motion. There was some discussion regarding this matter by the Commission concerning the price paid for this property and the current tax assessment, as well as a previous appeal of the tax value by the hotel developer. There was also a comparison made to the value of the property next door to this site which was purchased and now houses the Varsity restaurant. The motion to approve the tax incremental financing request was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Doss, Quick, Robinson, and Mayor McDaniel NO: Brock, Cochran, and Beeman 5 Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority meeting scheduled for December 12th has been cancelled. Downtown Development Authority Annual Awards Program Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority Annual Awards program will be held on Thursday, December 19th at 8:30 a.m. at the Lewis Lofts. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 6