City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, March 24, 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 presided with Mayor Pro Tem Bojo along with Commissioners Brock, Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson present. Commissioner Doss opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – March 10, 2025 The Minutes of the March 10, 2025, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Street Name Change – Vail Parkway NW to Eagle Way NW Commissioner Quick moved to adopt a resolution which would change the name of Vail Parkway NW to Eagle Way NW. This street is located off of Technology Parkway. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Street Closing Resolution – Oakdene Subdivision After Mayor McDaniel announced his abstention, Mayor Pro Tem Bojo presided over this agenda item. Commissioner Collins moved to adopt a resolution which would initiate the process to close a part of River Avenue, a part of Coral Avenue, a part of Reservation Street, a part of Railroad Street, James Street, Spruce Street, and an alley running between Spruce Street and James Street. These right of ways are located in the Oakdene Subdivision. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Brock, Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick and Collins ABSTAIN: Robinson First Reading – Animal Control Ordinance: Spay/Neuter/Chip Mandate Secretary Smith announced that the Public Safety Committee is recommending the adoption of a spay/neuter/chip mandate ordinance. This ordinance is being placed on first reading. A second reading and vote is scheduled for the April 14th City Commission meeting. Z25-03-02 Rezone 1 Westlyn Drive Rome/Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood introduced and reviewed rezoning file Z25-03-02, the request to rezone 1 Westlyn Drive, identified by Floyd County Tax Map number H13X-316 from Community Commercial to Suburban Residential. The Planning Commission has unanimously recommended approval of this rezoning request. Mr. Wood reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. 1 Commissioner Quick moved to approve the request to rezone 1 Westlyn Drive from Community Commercial to Suburban Residential. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z25-03-05 Rezone Hull Avenue Property Rome/Floyd Planner Brice Wood introduced and reviewed rezoning file Z25-03-05, the request to rezone property located on Hull Avenue and at 1908 Hull Avenue and identified by Floyd County Tax Map numbers J15X-095 and 096, from High Density Traditional Residential to Light Industrial. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended denial of this request. Mr. Wood reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order concerning this request. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to deny the rezoning request for these two parcels without prejudice. Commissioner Cochran seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Fire Department City Manager Rich congratulated the Rome/Floyd Fire Department for their excellent work over the weekend battling a substantial brush fire in the Armuchee area. The department worked many hours to contain the fire with minimal loss of structures. Commissioner Beeman also expressed her appreciation for the Fire Department’s work regarding a smaller fire in the Hwy 411/Chulio Hills area over the weekend. State of the City and County Mayor McDaniel announced that a Chamber of Commerce event will be held at the Forum River Center on Wednesday, March 26th at 8:30 a.m. During this event, County Manager Jamie McCord will present the State of the County address, and City Manager Sammy Rich will present the State of the City address. The recent Chamber of Commerce community survey results will also be presented. Joint Services Committee Mayor McDaniel announced that the Joint Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 1st at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Executive Session Mayor McDaniel announced that an Executive Session was held prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting on the motion of Commissioner Bojo, second of Commissioner Robinson, and the vote was unanimously in favor. One real estate matter was discussed, and no action was taken. Commissioner Collins moved to exit Executive Session and Commissioner Bojo seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 2 Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee meeting planned for Wednesday, March 26th at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room has been cancelled. Finance Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 26th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Opioid Funding – AED Devices Commissioner Bojo moved to authorize the expenditure of $13,750.72 in opioid funding for the purchase of four Automated External Defibrillator devices to be used in public safety vehicles. Commission Quick seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Water and Sewer Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Thursday, April 3rd at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Tourism Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 26th at 11:45 a.m. at the ECO Center. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission will meet on Thursday, March 27th at 4:00 p.m. at the ECO Center. Ronnie Wallace – Housing Authority of NWGA Commissioner Doss moved to appoint Mr. Ronnie Wallace to serve a five-year term on the Housing Authority of NWGA. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Brock, Cochran, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson ABSTAIN: Beeman Brian Bojo – Housing Authority of NWGA Commissioner Doss announced that the Committee on Committees has recommended Mr. Brian Bojo be nominated to serve on the Housing Authority of NWGA. This nomination was made, and a vote on Mr. Bojo’s nomination will take place at the April 14th City Commission meeting. David Williams – ULDC Board of Adjustments Commissioner Doss announced that the Committee on Committees has recommended the appointment of Mr. David Williams as a City of Rome member to the Unified Land Development Code Board of Adjustments. A vote on Mr. Williams’s nomination will take place at the April 14th City Commission meeting. 3 Parks and Recreation – Feasibility Study Commissioner Doss reported that Mayor McDaniel has appointed a Parks and Recreation feasibility study ad hoc committee. This committee is comprised of Commissioner Doss, Commissioner Robinson, and Mayor Pro Temp Bojo. This committee will study the current structure of the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation service. Additionally, Commissioners Collins, Robinson, and Bojo plan to visit a parks and recreation facility in Alabama to determine if such a similar facility is feasible for our community. Mayor McDaniel announced that the City of Rome and the Floyd Conty Commission have a long history of cooperative agreements. There are currently approximately thirty joint agreements between the two governments. Mayor McDaniel stated that he looks forward to the examination and discussion regarding Parks and Recreation and is confident that the two governments will come to a decision on which operating method is in the best interests of the city and county residents. Recycling Center Deficits Commissioner Quick moved to approve the payment of the 2024 4th quarter deficits for the Rome/Floyd Recycling Center. The City of Rome, Floyd County, and the Solid Waste Commission will each pay $15,481.15 to cover this deficit. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee Commissioner Quick announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 9th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Rome/Floyd Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd County Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, April 3rd at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. City Commission Composition Commissioner Collins announced that a discussion took place tonight in Caucus regarding the composition of the Rome City Commission. Collins reported there has been some discussion regarding the possibility of reducing the number of Rome City Commissioners from the current number of nine to seven or five members in the future. Although this topic was reviewed at the 2025 City Commission Retreat, Commissioner Collins stated that, based on the discussion that took place at Caucus, there is no longer any consideration to reduce the number of Rome City Commissioners. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, April 10th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Park Deck Agreement Terminations Commissioner Robinson announced that the 4th and 6th Avenue parking decks belong to the Floyd County Government. The 6th Avenue deck was deeded to the Floyd County Government as a result of the 2022 Local Option Sales Tax agreement. Commissioner Robinson moved to terminate the parking deck management agreements that exist between the City of Rome, the Downtown Development 4 Authority, and the Floyd County Commission regarding the management of the 4th Avenue and 6th Avenue decks. Commissioner Quick seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. These agreements are subject to review by the Rome City Attorney. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 5