City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, February 10, 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, Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson were present. Commissioner Brock opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – January 27, 2025 The Minutes of the January 27, 2025, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Georgia Arbor Day Commissioner Doss presented a joint City/County proclamation proclaiming Friday, February 14th as Georgia Arbor Day. This proclamation was presented to Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Director Hannah Bagley. Ms. Bagley addressed the commission and outlined the schedule for Arbor Day 2025, reporting that the ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. in Covington Park. Ms. Bagley encouraged those attending to park at the Floyd County Health Department and to make the short walk to Covington Park. Ten large growth trees have been planted in Covington Park for Arbor Day 2025. National FFA Week Commissioner Quick presented a proclamation proclaiming the week of February 15 – 22, 2025 as the National Future Farmers of America Week in the City of Rome. This proclamation was presented to a large group of primarily Rome Middle and High School students, along with school advisor Ashley Hamby. Rome Police Officer of the Year Commissioner Brock presented a proclamation recognizing Pfc. Dalton Gibbs as the Rome Police Department’s Officer of the Year for 2024. Commissioner Brock noted in the proclamation that on February 23, 2024, Officer Gibbs found himself in a life threatening situation while responding to a call of an armed robbery in progress. Ultimately, Officer Gibbs took swift action to neutralize the threat, saving the life of his fellow officer. Rome Police Chief Denise Downer-McKinney and Assistant Police Chief Rodney Bailey were present at tonight’s meeting and participated in the Officer of the Year ceremony. Pfc. Gibbs’s family was also present. Officer Gibbs stated that it has been his intention since a small child to become a police officer. The City Commission and everyone in attendance congratulated Officer Gibbs. Steve Smith and Terry Clift – Alcohol Ordinances There were two guests present to address the City Commission concerning the two proposed alcohol ordinance amendments on tonight’s agenda. 1 Mr. Steve Smith, general manager of Harvest Moon/Darkside, once again, voiced his support for the two proposed ordinance amendments. He thanked Commissioner Robinson and the ACC for their diligent work in review of these important topics and ultimately drafting an ordinance that he feels is beneficial to the City of Rome. Mr. Smith also spoke briefly on comments from the National and Georgia Restaurant Association and the importance of full service restaurants. Mr. Terry Clift, 38 The Trail, encouraged the City Commission to eliminate Rome’s food to drink ratio. Mr. Clift stated that it is his opinion that it makes it harder for pouring establishments to survive with the food/drink ratio in place. Specifically, Mr. Clift is considering reopening a pouring establishment at the former site of Newby’s on the 400 block of Broad Street. Mr. Clift added that with his high quality distilled spirits, he will be required to sell a very high level of food to offset their price. Following the meeting, Mr. Clift was informed of Rome’s standard drink price ordinance which could possibly help an establishment, such as his, meet Rome’s food/drink ratio. Tax Allocation District V – Corrected Resolution City Attorney Andy Davis stated that he has drafted a resolution to correct base year tax valuation with North Rome Tax Allocation District V. Specifically, the numbers included in the adopting documents referenced 2023 values rather than 2024. The resolution before the commission tonight, would establish the 2024 base value at $2,027,096.80 (40% assessed valuation). The original ordinance establishing TAD V was adopted on January 8, 2024. Commissioner Robinson moved to adopt the resolution as presented. Commissioner Doss seconded, and the motion was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Robinson NO: Brock, Cochran, and Collins Alto Street Closing – First Reading An ordinance to close a portion of Alto Street was placed on first reading at tonight’s meeting. This matter will be scheduled for a second reading and vote on February 24th. Rezoning and Special Use Permit Request The following rezoning and special use permit request were placed on first reading at tonight’s meeting: a) Z25-02-03 – Request to rezone from Multifamily Residential to Suburban Residential for the property at Garden Lakes Parkway, Rome, GA 30165: Floyd County Tax parcel G13X013. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 9-0). b) SUP25-02-07 – Request for a Special Use Permit for a duplex in a Suburban Residential for the property at 704 E 17th Street, Rome, GA 3016; Floyd County Tax Parcel J14O290. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7-2). A public hearing on these matters will be scheduled for the February 24th City Commission meeting. 2 Alcohol Ordinance Amendment – Eliminate Option for Future Food/Drink Ratio Variances Commissioner Robinson stated that after much discussion, the Alcohol Control Commission is recommending the adoption of an ordinance amendment which would eliminate the option for future food/drink ratio variances. It was explained that the City of Rome currently has three establishments that pour distilled spirits and use products other than meals to meet Rome’s 50:50 ratio. The ordinance, as drafted, would allow these establishments to continue operation. It would also them to transfer to a new owner, or to move to a new physical location. Commissioner Robinson moved to adopt the alcohol ordinance amendment concerning variances as presented and Commissioner Doss seconded. Commissioner Cochran made comments regarding Rome’s food/drink ratio, stating that there are bars on Broad Street now as some establishments only serve alcoholic beverages, and not food, after a certain time of night. He also stated that no one is required to eat meals while drinking, and he does not feel that Rome’s alcohol ordinances control alcohol. Commissioner Robinson’s motion to adopt the ordinance was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Brock, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Robinson NO: Cochran ABSTAIN: Collins (owns a property that houses one of Rome’s three variances) Alcohol Ordinance Amendment – Regulations for Food Truck Sales (Food/Drink Ratio) Commissioner Robinson presented an alcohol ordinance amendment that has been recommended for adoption by the Alcohol Control Commission. Secretary Smith explained that this ordinance would continue to allow on-site food truck sales to count towards an establishment’s food/drink ratio. However, the ordinance does require that the food truck sales supplement, and not totally replace, an in- house brick and mortar kitchen. Also, for the food truck sales to be counted towards the food/drink ratio, these sales would need to flow through the pouring establishment’s point of sale system. Commissioner Robinson moved to adopt the ordinance as recommended by the Alcohol Control Commission, Commissioner Doss seconded. Commissioner Collins inquired with the City Attorney regarding his ability to discuss this matter and Commissioner Collins decided that he had a substantial interest and would not participate in the discussion. Commissioner Cochran had questions regarding potential uses of a food truck, especially concerning a food truck’s ability to hold an alcohol pouring license. Secreatary Smith explained that alcohol licenses involve the approval of the individual as the licensee and the establishment’s ability to meet distance requirements and buffers to protected institutions, parking lot requirements (outside of the CBC and UMU zones), and building and fire codes. Commissioner Robinson’s motion to adopt the ordinance as presented was approved by the following vote: 3  YES: Brock, Doss, Quick, Robinson, and Mayor McDaniel NO: Bojo, Cochran, Beeman ABSTAIN: Collins Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, February 18th at 9:00 a.m. at the Manis Business Center. ESP Athens Tour Mayor McDaniel announced that some Rome City Commissioners will be travelling to Athens on Wednesday, February 12th to tour Extra Special Persons (ESP) Athens. Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee will have a called meeting on Tuesday, February 11th at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the 2025 Arbor Day Celebration will be held on Friday, February 14th at 1:00 p.m. at Covington Park. Library Board Commissioner Beeman announced that the Library Board will meet on Thursday, February 20th at 4:00 p.m. at the Rome/Floyd County Library. Kumamoto City Commissioner Doss reminded the commission that the City of Rome has a sister city relationship with Kumamoto City, Japan. Our community is expected to send a delegation to Kumamoto City in September 2025. He encouraged the City Commissioners to consider attending. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner Collins announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, February 20th at 11:00 a.m. at the Rome Civic Center. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Commissioner Collins announced that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 18th at 12:00 p.m. at the Thornton Recreation Center. Homeless and Heavy Rains Commissioner Collins announced that our weather forecast calls for heavy rains later this week and he questioned City Manager Rich if there were any plans to offer special services to the homeless during this period of heavy rain. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Robinson announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, February 17th at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. 4 Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, February 13th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:16 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 5