City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, April 14, 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 and Commissioners Brock, Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson present. Commissioner Quick opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – March 24, 2025 and April 11, 2025 The Minutes of the March 24, 2025, meeting and the Special Called meeting of April 11, 2025, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Child Abuse Prevention Month Commissioner Beeman presented a joint City/County proclamation proclaiming April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Rome and Floyd County. This proclamation was presented to four ladies representing child abuse prevention services in our community. Ms. Lauren Thacker, Executive Director of the Harbor House, addressed the commission, as did Ms. Jennifer Jolly, of the Rome/Floyd Commission for Children and Youth. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Commissioner Brock presented a joint City/County proclamation proclaiming the week of April 6 – 12, 2025 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Rome and Floyd County. This proclamation was presented to Leigh Patterson, Sandy Kunneman, Brittany Dobson, and Emily Vankleef. Ms. Kunneman and District Attorney Patterson addressed the City Commission. Ms. Patterson noted that the 2025 theme was “Kinship – Connecting and Healing”. Leadership Rome Guests Mayor McDaniel recognized five members of the current class of Leadership Rome in attendance at tonight’s meeting. Certificate of Appointment – Ronnie Wallace It was noted that a certificate of appointment has been prepared for Mr. Ronnie Wallace as a recent appointee to the Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia. Certificate of Appreciation – Lee Hight Commissioner Doss presented a certificate of appreciation recognizing the service of Ms. Lee Hight on the Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia. Ms. Hight’s service extended from 2006 through March 2025, and included time as the Authority Chair. Lee Hight Ms. Lee Hight, 144 Featherston Rd, Rome, GA, addressed the City Commission concerning the Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia. Ms. Hight reminded the commission that the Housing Authority operates under federal housing and urban development rules and regulations and is not a committee of 1 the City of Rome. Ms. Hight expressed her displeasure with recent City Commission discussions. “I have never seen a city deliberately tell any of our board members that they would be dismissed before their terms were up, but that is exactly what you tried to pull. The disrespect shown to our board was not right. Two board members with years of service, commitment, and knowledge are now gone. It is shameful. They had no choice but to resign.” Ms. Hight described action to force two Housing Authority board members to resign as a “behind the scenes coup” by some, but not all, of the City Commissioners. “The one thing that is an issue above all this is several members of this City Commission had no idea what the others were trying to pull. You don’t have to agree, but you should show respect to each other. What you have done to the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority may be legal to you but, to most of us there is nothing ethical about it.” Charles Hight Mr. Charles Hight, 144 Featherston Rd., Rome, GA, addressed the City Commission concerning the Housing Authority. Mr. Hight continued the topic initiated by his wife, Ms. Lee Hight, and stated that four or five City Commissioners were attempting to force two Housing Authority members to resign and that the remaining members of the City Commission were not aware of this behind the scenes effort. He described this action as immoral. Mr. Hight questioned Mayor McDaniel and asked if this recent action would pass the Rotary Club four-way test. He also asked City Attorney Andy Davis if this action would pass the Boy Scout test. He also questioned if Georgia’s Attorney General Chris Carr would approve of this action. He summarized these recent efforts as a sad day for Rome. Housing Authority Discussion Commissioner Collins began the discussion of this topic, stating that he was one of the Commissioners not involved in the plan to replace the Housing Authority members. Commissioner Collins expressed his objection to the efforts to force two Housing Authority members to resign before their terms were completed. He also stated that all of the City Commissioners did not know about these efforts, and that it is not the way that the City Commission conducts business. Commissioner Collins added that he understands how these individuals feel since he was recently excluded from the Parks and Recreation Feasibility Ad Hoc Committee, even though he serves as the City Commission representative on the Parks and Recreation Authority Board. Commissioner Collins made a motion to “abandon the idea of removing citizens appointed by the City Commission from boards, commissions, or authorities before their term has been completed”, and Commissioner Cochran seconded the motion. Commissioner Cochran referenced Georgia statute OCGA 8-3-108 regarding members of regional housing authorities (the Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia is a regional housing authority). Commissioner Cochran stated that there is a process outlined by the State statute including the requirement for disclosure of why a member is being removed and offering that member a hearing before removal. Commissioner Cochran stated that the City of Rome should be playing by the rules. Mayor McDaniel questioned if the City Commission had removed anyone from their position, and Commissioner Cochran stated that they had not, but a message has been forwarded to these members that they would be removed if they did not resign. Commissioner Doss stated that citizens appointed to the Housing Authority, like other committees, flow through the City of Rome Committee on Committees. The Committee on Committees has recommended the appointment of Housing Authority members to replace citizens whose terms have expired, however there has been no action taken by the 2 Committee on Committees to recommend removal of an appointee whose term has not expired. Commissioner Bojo asked if the two Housing Authority members in question had resigned “on their own”. Mayor McDaniel responded that they did. Commissioner Collins stated that the resignations came after the alleged threats were relayed to the members through Housing Authority Attorney Stewart Duggan. Commissioner Cochran made the following amendment to Commissioner Collins motion, “any plan for the City Commission to remove an appointee of any board, commission, or authority that the City Commission makes appointments, will first go to the Committee on Committees for a hearing, then the matter would be presented to the City Commission for a vote.” Commissioner Collins seconded this motion. Cochran stated this is an effort to keep any one commissioner from speaking for the entire commission. Commissioner Cochran referenced a personal experience when he was removed from the Health Board in 2020 without action by the full City Commission. After a brief interjection by City Attorney Andy Davis, Commissioner Collins withdrew his original motion with Commissioner Cochran’s motion taking precedence. As the discussion continued concerning this topic, Mayor McDaniel stated that the City Commission has been negligent in the past by not replacing Housing Authority members when their terms expired, even though they could have legally continued to serve with the City Commission’s support. Secretary Smith referenced the City Commission policy for appointments, noting that appointees are limited to two terms, however the City Commission, several years ago, took action to remove the Housing Authority from the two-term limit policy mandate. Commissioner Collins made reference to efforts made recently by some commissioners to reduce the number of commissioners from nine to seven without full discussion by the entire commission. As the debate continued, City Attorney Andy Davis suggested that the City Commission reaffirm their pledge to abide by the appointment policies in place. After yet more discussion, Mayor McDaniel moved to follow Andy Davis’s suggestion and for the City Commission to reaffirm the appointment policies and to follow the appointment policies that are currently in place. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion. Commissioner Brock questioned why the Commission would take action to abide by a previously adopted policy that was still in effect. The motion was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Doss, Quick, Robinson, and Mayor McDaniel NO: Brock, Cochran, and Collins ABSTAIN: Beeman Annexations – First Reading Secretary Smith announced that the following two annexation requests were being placed on first reading: a) A25-04-01 – Request to annex the property at 500 Elliott Drive, NW Rome, GA 30165 zoned Suburban Residential with no change in use or zoning; Floyd County Tax Parcel H12Y225. (Planning Commission Recommends Approval, 10 – 0). 3  b) A25-04-02 – Request to annex the property at 2705 Garden Lakes Blvd. Rome, GA 30165 zoned Suburban Residential with no change in use or zoning; Floyd County Tax Parcel H12Y746. (Planning Commission Recommends Approval, 10 – 0). A public hearing on these matters is scheduled for the April 28 th City Commission meeting. Animal Control Ordinance Amendment – Spay/Neuter/Chip Mandate Commissioner Brock moved to adopt an amendment to the City of Rome Animal Control Ordinance which would impose the spay/neuter/chip mandate in the City of Rome. Commissioner Brock stated that Floyd County had previously adopted a similar ordinance. Commissioner Quick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Good Friday Holiday City Manager Rich announced that City offices will be closed on Friday, April 18 th in observance of the Good Friday Holiday. Garbage routes will be amended due to this closure. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, April 15th at 9:00 a.m. at the Manis Business Center (800 Broad Street). Missy Kendrick – Economic Development Director Mayor McDaniel announced that the Executive Director of the Rome/Floyd Development Authority Missy Kendrick will be ending her employment with our community at the end of April 2025. Ms. Kendrick will be taking a similar position for Columbus, GA. Police and Fire Department Recognition Mayor McDaniel offered recognition to the Rome Police Department and the Rome/Floyd Fire Department. Mayor McDaniel referenced the annual reports that has been submitted by both organizations. Fire Chief Troy Brock and Assistant Chief Brad Roberson were present as was Rome Police Chief Denise Downer–McKinney. Finance Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 30 th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Tourism Commissioner Brock announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 23 rd at 11:45 a.m. at the Mount Berry Trailhead. Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Cochran announced that the Historic Preservation Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 16th at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. 4 Etowah River Cleanup Commissioner Beeman announced that on May 16 th the Georgia Power Etowah River Cleanup will take place. Library Operating Hours Commissioner Beeman announced that the Rome/Floyd Library has amended their hours and will be closed on Fridays. Brian Bojo – Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia and Commissioner Doss moved to appoint Mr. Brian Bojo to serve as a City Representative on the Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia. Commissioner Cochran seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: YES: Brock, Cochran, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson ABSTAIN: Bojo and Beeman David Williams – ULDC Board of Adjustments Commissioner Doss moved to appoint Mr. David Williams to serve as a City Representative on the Unified Land Development Code Board of Adjustments. Commissioner Quick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Feasibility Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Parks and Recreation Feasibility Ad Hoc Committee met on Friday April 11th. Mr. Scott McCreless, Executive Director of the YMCA, was in attendance and reviewed the extensive services provided by the YMCA. Solid Waste Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Solid Waste Commission will meet on Tuesday, April 22 nd at 8:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Groundwater Monitoring Contract – Walker Mountain and Berry Hill Landfills Commissioner Quick moved to approve a contract with Atlantic Coast Consulting for groundwater monitoring services at the Walker Mountain and Berry Hill Landfill sites. The total amount for this contract is $83,233 and funding will come from the Rome/Floyd Solid Waste Commission Fund. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. GMA District 1 Listening Session Commissioner Quick announced that the Georgia Munipal Association District 1 Listening Session will take place at the Forum on Wednesday, April 16th beginning at 11:00 a.m. Commissioner Quick currently serves as the GMA District 1 President. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner Collins announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, April 17th at 11:00 a.m. at the Civic Center. 5 Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Commissioner Collins announced that the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 15th at 12:00 p.m. at Lock and Dam Park. Housing Authority – Daycare Services Commissioner Collins referenced a recent meeting on Division Street by the Housing Authority and one of the topics was the daycare services that were provided by the Housing Authority. Funding for this service has been decreased, and he encouraged the City of Rome to explore options for assisting with the continued funding of the Housing Authority daycare services. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Robinson announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, April 21st at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 6