City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, January 27, 2025 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 along with Commissioners Brock Beeman, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson were present. Commissioner Cochran was absent due to illness and excused. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – January 13, 2025 The Minutes of the January 13, 2025, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Employee Service Recognition City Manager Rich presented employee service recognition to city employees who have attained 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 years of service. The recipients were as follows: Dept First Name Last Name YOS *Eco Center Benjamin Winkleman 20 Fire Matt Vines 20 *Fire John Wiggins 20 Landfill Tony Davis 20 Police Misael Castrejon 20 Police Ryan Hutchins 20 *Police Chris Ridling 20 *Solid Waste Jeff Williams 20 *Transit Robert McClure 20 Water/Sewer James Hull 20 Water/Sewer Curtis Vann 20 *Fire Eric Brown 25 *Police Chris DeHart 25 *Police Kevin Drew 25 *Police Sterling Haney 25 *Police Stacey Kidd 25 Solid Waste Harlan Cromer 25 Water/Sewer Mickey Bell 25 Water/Sewer Chris Collins 25 Water/Sewer Jeff Metcalf 25 *Commission Jamie Doss 30 1  *Fire Brad Beall 30 *Police Rodney Bailey 30 *Police Trixie Morgan 30 Police Rock Pace 30 *Police Danny Story 30 Street Rex Hobgood 30 Water/Sewer Brad Casey 30 Water/Sewer Jeff Pope 30 Water/Sewer Wayne Stanley 30 *Engineering Aaron Carroll 35 *Fire Roger Haggard 35 *Fire Todd Lanier 35 Police Kim Stone 35 *Police Roy Willingham 35 *PW Garage Mark Mount 35 Water/Sewer Teresa Harrell 35 Street David Ray 40 Water/Sewer Lamar Nelson 45 *present to receive recognition Mayor McDaniel made a special presentation to Commissioner Jamie Doss who received recognition for 30 years on the Rome City Commission. 2025 is Commissioner Doss’s 32nd year of service. Education Accomplishments City Manager Rich acknowledged the following employees for their education accomplishments: *Purchasing Becky Smyth Bachelors *Fire Bleu Allen Bachelors *Fire Brandon Lance Associates Degree *Fire Shun Kidd Associates Degree *Police Shaun Davis Bachelors *present The City Commission thanked all City employees for making the City of Rome the great place that it is. Alcohol Ordinance Amendments – Eliminate Option for Future Food/Drink Ratio Variances and Regulations for Food Truck Sales Secretary Smith reported that the Alcohol Control Commission has recommended the adoption of two alcohol ordinance amendments. The first amendment addresses food/drink ratio variances. The proposal is to eliminate the option for future variances but allow the three existing variances to continue. 2 The ordinance amendment regarding food truck sales specifies that on-site food truck sales can continue to be counted towards an establishment’s food/drink ratio, however the food truck sales must flow through the establishment’s point of sale system and the establishment must have their own “brick and mortar” kitchen that is actively serving meals. The food trucks can supplement the on-site kitchen but cannot completely replace it. These two ordinance amendments will be scheduled for a second reading at the February 10th City Commission meeting. City Manager Vehicle – Decal Exemption Each year the City of Rome is required to take action to exempt the City Manager’s vehicle from the State of Georgia decal requirement each year, and a resolution has been prepared for 2025. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this matter. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition to this subject, and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Collins moved to adopt the resolution to exempt the City Manager’s vehicle from the State of Georgia decal requirement for 2025. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Re-adopt Unified Land Development Code and Zoning Maps Mayor McDaniel stated that once again it is time for the annual practice of re-adopting the Unified Land Development Code and Zoning Maps. While the amendments to the ULCD and Zoning Maps become effective during the year as adopted, the City Commission traditionally re-adopts these documents each year. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this proposal. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to re-adopt the Unified Land Development Code and Zoning Maps. Commissioner Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. City Commission Planning Retreat Mayor McDaniel announced that the 2025 Commission Planning Session will be held on Thursday and Friday, January 30th & 31st beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. This session will be held in the Coosa Room at the Forum River Center. Joint Services Committee Mayor McDaniel announced that the Joint Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 4th at 9:30 a.m. at the Floyd County Administration Building caucus room. Water and Sewer Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Thursday, February 6th at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. 3 Development Oversight Committee Commissioner Beeman announced that the Development Oversight Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 4th at 10:30 a.m. at the Floyd County Administration Building caucus room. GMA Cities United Conference Commissioner Doss stated that most City Commissioners had recently attended the Georgia Municipal Association Cities United Conference in Atlanta. Commissioner Doss stated that this was a good conference for the City Commission and some staff members, with beneficial education sessions and networking opportunities. Rome/Floyd County Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd County Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, February 6th at 2:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Leadership Rome Guests Mayor McDaniel recognized 9 members of the current class of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce Leadership Rome class. These participants were welcomed at tonight's meeting. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 6:58 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4