City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, December 16, 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 Robinson present. Commissioner Collins was absent due to a death in the family and excused. Commissioner Robinson opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – December 9, 2024 The Minutes of the December 9, 2024, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Georgia Mutual Aid Resources Pact – Fire Department City Manager Rich explained that a joint City/County resolution is before the City Commission tonight regarding joining the Georgia Mutual Aid Resources Pact. This resolution authorizes the Rome/Floyd Fire Chief or his designee to act on behalf of the City and County on all matters related to the activities and functions of the Georgia Mutual Aid Resource Pact. Commissioner Doss moved to adopt the resolution as presented. Commissioner Cochran seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. The Floyd County Commission has already adopted this resolution. Water & Sewer Rates – 2025 and 2026 During Caucus prior to tonight’s City Commission meeting, the City Commission received considerable information from Mr. Bill Zieburtz of the Stantec Company. He presented options that are before the City of Rome regarding future revenues and expenditures, especially expenditures that will be needed for Capital projects. Also, a big part of the future concern for the City of Rome regarding Water and Sewer is the construction of the reverse osmosis water treatment plant. This plant will be primarily funded with proceeds from a recent water lawsuit regarding the “forever chemicals”. Mr. Zieburtz is recommending that the City of Rome implement a 5.5% Water and Sewer rate increase for 2025 and a 5.5% rate increase for 2026. Commissioner Bojo moved to adopt the rate resolution as presented and Commissioner Robinson seconded. This resolution authorizes a 5.5% increase in rates for 2025 and a 5.5% rate increase for rates in 2026. Commissioner Cochran spoke regarding this matter and stated that the City of Rome typically does not spend the majority of funds that have been allocated for the Capital Improvement Program each year. He also noted that the projected 2024 Water & Sewer revenues may exceed the projections. Also of note, is 1 the approximate $30 million in fund balance for Water & Sewer (in addition to the funds on hand designated for the new water treatment plant construction). Cochran concluded in comments by noting that there is essentially no Water & Sewer debt at this time and that now is not the time to increase rates. Commissioner Bojo’s motion to adopt the rate resolution as presented was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Brock, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Robinson NO: Cochran Solid Waste Fee Schedule - 2025 Commissioner Doss moved to adopt a resolution which would implement new Solid Waste fees for 2025. There is an approximate 3.3% increase in these fees. If adopted, the new rates would become effective January 1, 2025. Commissioner Doss moved to adopt the rate resolution as presented. Commissioner Quick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Street Closing Resolution – Alto Street Secretary Smith presented a resolution which would begin the process of closing a portion of Alto Street. Specifically, the section to be closed is located between Klassing Street and Harper Avenue. Smith outlined the street closing procedure noting that, if the resolution is adopted, it would be advertised for four weeks and a street closing ordinance and quit claim deeds will then be presented to the City Commission for consideration. Commissioner Quick moved to adopt the street closing resolution for Alto Street as presented. Commissioner Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Hotel/Motel Tax Ordinance Amendment – The Forum Secretary Smith presented a hotel/motel tax ordinance amendment. This ordinance recognizes that the convention center known as The Forum, located downtown, now belongs to the City of Rome. The City of Rome took ownership of The Forum as part of the most recent Local Option Sales Tax negotiation with Floyd County. Commissioner Doss moved to adopt the ordinance amendment which would amend City Code Section 8-227 to indicate that the convention center known as The Forum now belongs to the City of Rome. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 2025 Budgets - Adoption City Manager Rich stated that the proposed 2025 budgets were placed on First Reading at the December 9th City Commission meeting and a public hearing was held at that time. The budgets are now prepared for adoption. Commissioner Bojo moved to adopt the 2025 budgets as presented and recommended by the Finance Committee. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the motion was approved by the following vote: 2  YES: Bojo, Brock, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Robinson NO: Cochran Transit Fare Rates – Public Hearing The Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee has recommended that the City of Rome consider reestablishing transit fares. Currently, ridership on the Rome Transit System is provided at no charge. This practice began during the COVID epidemic and a change in federal funding for our transit system. Ms. Courtnay Griffin, Department Director for the Rome Transit System, presented in Caucus prior to tonight’s meeting regarding the proposal to implement transit fares effective March 31, 2025. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning the proposed transit fare implementation. Speaking in opposition to the proposal was Ms. Sarah Malone, 204 Woodbine Ave. Ms. Malone asked the City of Rome to consider delaying this implementation. Ms. Malone spoke of the importance of the Transit system for many individuals who use transit for essential personal services and transportation to their place of work. There was no one else to speak regarding this matter and the public hearing was closed. The City Commission is expected to consider the actual transit rate resolution at the January 13, 2025, City Commission meeting. Holiday Closings City Manager Rich announced that City offices will be closed on Tuesday, December 24th and Wednesday, December 25th in observance of the Christmas Holiday. Garbage routes and landfill hours will be amended due to this holiday. City of Rome offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in observance of the New Year's Holiday. Garbage routes will be on a normal schedule the week of January 1st but the Walker Mountain Landfill will be closed on January 1st. Good Neighbor Ministry Food Boxes Commissioner Doss announced that the Good Neighbor’s Ministry will once again offer food boxes for those in need in our community during the Christmas season. J.R. Davis – Rome/Floyd Land Bank Authority Commissioner Quick moved to reappoint Mr. J.R. Davis to serve an additional four year term as a City Representative on the Rome/Floyd Land Bank Authority. Mr. Davis’s new term will extend through December 31, 2028. Commissioner Doss seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Rome/Floyd Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, January 2nd at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. 3 Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 17th at 12:00 p.m. at the Shannon Center. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Friday, January 9th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Downtown Development Authority Annual Awards Program Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority’s Annual Awards program will be held on Thursday, December 19th at 8:30 a.m. at the Lewis Lofts. Rome for the Holidays Commissioner Robinson outlined the events that are planned by the Downtown Development Authority for the 2024 “Rome for the Holidays”. City of Rome Employees Mayor McDaniel and the City Commission thanked the City of Rome employees for all that they do daily for Rome citizens. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Pro Tem Bojo adjourned the meeting at 6:55p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4