City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, February 24, 2025 The Rome City Commission met at 6:05 p.m. this date in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall, 601 Broad Street. Mayor McDaniel presided with Mayor Pro Tem Bojo along with Commissioners Brock, Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson present. Reverend Terrell Shields opened the meeting with prayer and Commissioner Cochran led in the salute to the flag. Black History Month Mayor McDaniel announced that tonight’s City Commission meeting was beginning earlier than usual in order to recognize the honorees associated with Black History Month 2025. Commissioner Beeman announced that for Black History Month 2025, three citizens are being recognized. Commissioner Beeman stated that theme for this year’s celebration is the “Bridge Builders”. Rome Police Chief Denise Downer – McKinney, Rome City Commissioner Bill Collins, and Rome Board of Education member Faith Collins are being honored. City Manager Rich read a proclamation and Commissioner Brock presented flowers to Rome Police Chief Denise Downer – McKinney. Ms. Downer – McKinney was recognized for her service with the Rome Police Department which began in 1985. Bill and Faith Collins were honored next. Mrs. Collins was not present due to an illness. Commissioner Doss read a proclamation for Commissioner Collins and Mrs. Collins and that proclamation was presented to him and flowers for Faith Collins were presented to members of the Rome Board of Education and School Superintendent Eric Holland. Commissioner Collins has been on the City Commission since 1996, and Mrs. Collins has been a member of the Rome School Board since 2002. Mayor McDaniel also had a symbolic bridge gift for Commissioner Collins and Mrs. Collins. Commissioner Collins spoke about his experiences while serving on the Rome City Commission. The City Commission thanked Commissioner Beeman for her work organizing this year’s celebration. Minutes – February 10, 2025 The Minutes of the February 10, 2025, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Rev. Terrell Shields Rev. Terrell Shields, pastor of Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church and resident of 1 Luminosa Ter., addressed the City Commission. Rev. Shields stated that a promise was made committing the City Commission to hold a town hall meeting. He noted that this promise had been made during the 2023 City Commission election, and he now questioned when this town hall meeting would be held. Rev. Shields indicated this is the third request he has made for this meeting in order for Rome citizens to discuss concerns directly with the City Commissioners. 1 Alto Street Closing Commissioner Robinson moved to adopt an ordinance which would finalize the process of closing a portion of Alto Street, located between Harper Ave. and Klassing Street. This motion would also authorize the issuance of quit claim deeds to the four adjoining property owners. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z25-02-03 Rezone Garden Lakes Parkway Property Commissioner Quick introduced rezoning file Z25-02-03, the request to rezone property located on Garden Lakes Parkway, identified by Floyd County Tax Map number G13X-013, from Multifamily Residential to Suburban Residential. Commissioner Quick reported that both the Planning Commission and Planning Commission Staff have recommended approval of this request. Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. He stated that this site is approximately 4.5 acres, and the applicant has indicated that they intend to build single family homes on this property. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this request. Speaking in favor of the request was Mr. Jose Aryana, 38 Hunters Glen. Mr. Ayrana indicated he works for the owner of this property and encouraged the City Commission to approve the rezoning request. There was no one else to speak regarding this matter, and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request from Multifamily Residential to Suburban Residential and Commissioner Cochran seconded. Upon being questioned by the City Commission, Mr. Wood reported that this property is currently vacant and there are plans for eight or nine houses on this site. The motion to approve was unanimously in favor. SUP25-02-07 Special Use Permit Request for 704 E. 17th Street Commissioner Quick introduced file SUP25-02-07, the request for a special use permit to construct a duplex on suburban residentially zoned property located at 704 E. 17th Street and identified by Floyd County Tax Map number J14O-290. The Planning Commission Staff has recommended approval of the request subject to the unit facing one of the two streets (corner lot) and the Planning Commission voted 7-2 to approve the request. Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mr. Wood stated that the applicant for this request was not present at the Planning Commission, and he is not present at tonight's meeting. He has indicated to Mr. Wood he is absent due to a medical concern. Mr. Wood stated that the opposition at the Planning Commission was not directly aimed at the planned duplex, but rather the street and sewer concerns in this area. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this SUP request. Speaking in opposition to the request was Mr. James Worley, 701 E. 17th Street. Mr Worley stated that he has lived at this location for approximately fifty years and that sewer backups have become common. He also stated that the street was last paved in 1992 or 1993 and is in poor condition. While the City has performed some sewer 2 work in the area, he is of the opinion that more sewer improvements to correct the problems were planned but have not been completed. Mr. Grant Miller, 2637 Callier Springs Road, spoke in opposition to the request. He stated that some sewer improvements have been completed in this area, but more work is needed. He stated that these problems seem similar to some of the issues that were being experienced around Callier Springs Golf Course and those conditions have improved due to sewer efforts. Finally speaking in opposition to the request was Ms. Joan Ellington, 701 E. 17th Street. Ms. Ellington has lived at this location for fifty eight years and stated that she has experienced sewer backups in her basement and while the City of Rome sewer department has promised to make corrections, these have not been done. With there being no further comments Mayor McDaniel closed the public hearing. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the special use permit request as authorized by the Planning Commissioner, however there was no second to this motion and the motion died. Commissioner Doss moved to deny the request without prejudice and Commissioner Robinson seconded. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Doss amended his motion to deny the request with prejudice and Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion. A motion to deny with prejudice would require the applicant to wait a certain period of time before the application can be re-submitted. There was some discussion among the Commissioners concerning this planned duplex and the sewer condition in this area. It appears to be more than one sewer line serving this area of Rome and Mayor McDaniel asked City Manager Rich to investigate the concerns and work with our Water and Sewer Department to make improvements. With the discussion concluded, Commissioner Doss’s motion to deny the SUP request with prejudice was approved by a unanimous vote. Town Hall Meeting Request – Terrell Shields Commissioner Collins suggested that Rev. Shields attend a future City Commission Caucus session to discuss the town hall concerns he spoke of earlier in tonight’s meeting. Rev. Shields stated that there should be a true town hall meeting with all citizens invited to attend rather than just a delegation at the City Commission Caucus. Commissioner Ricky Hughes Mayor McDaniel recognized Summerville City Commissioner Ricky Hughes in attendance at tonight’s meeting. Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting Mayor McDaniel announced that the City Commission will be attending the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce annual meeting on Thursday, February 27th at 11:15 a.m. at the Forum. Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee meeting planned for Wednesday, February 26th at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room has been cancelled. 3 Brother’s Place – Opioid Settlement Money Commissioner Bojo announced that a called finance committee meeting was held at 4:30 today, and as a result of that meeting, he is moving for the City of Rome to authorize an additional $50,000 in opioid settlement money be allocated to Brother’s Place. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion. Previously, the City of Rome authorized $100,000 opioid settlement money to go towards Mr. TK Hamilton’s Brother’s Place Drug Rehabilitation Facility, 1709 Maple Avenue. It was also noted that the City of Rome continues to have a balance of opioid settlement funds and future settlement money is expected to be received by the City of Rome. Commissioner Bojo’s motion to allocate an additional $50,000 to Brother’s Place was approved by unanimous vote. Executive Session Mayor McDaniel announced that an Executive Session was held prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting on the motion of Commissioner Robinson, second of Commissioner Bojo. One real estate matter was discussed, and no action was taken. Commissioner Collins moved to exit Executive Session and Commissioner Quick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Finance Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Finance Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 26th has been cancelled. Tourism Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 26th at 11:45 a.m. at the Civic Center. International Committee – Kumamoto City Commissioner Doss announced that a delegation from Rome’s sister city, Kumamoto City, Japan, will be at City Hall at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25th. There will be a welcoming ceremony in the Sam King Room. Rome/Floyd Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd County Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, March 6th at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Joint Parks and Recreation Meeting Commissioner Collins announced there will be a joint City/County Parks and Recreation meeting held in the near future. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4