City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, May 12, 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, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson present. Commissioner Beeman was absent and excused. Commissioner Robinson opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – April 28, 2025 The Minutes of the April 28, 2025, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Salvation Army Week Commissioner Doss presented a joint city/county proclamation recognizing the week of May 12th – 18th as Salvation Army Week. Assistant City Manager Meredith Ulmer and Assistant to the City Manager Kelley Ledford assisted in the presentation of this proclamation to Hank and Eunice Harwell of the Rome Chapter of the Salvation Army. Mr. Harwell spoke about the mission of the Salvation Army and presented some statistics on services provided in our community. Law Enforcement Memorial Week Commissioner Brock presented a joint city/county proclamation recognizing Law Enforcement Memorial Week and especially Thursday, May 15th as Law Enforcement Memorial Day. This proclamation was presented to Mr. David Thornton, who was in attendance along with Rome Police Chief Denise Downer – McKinney and Rome Officer Stacey Kidd. Mr. Thornton spoke about the upcoming 2025 event. BRIDGE Academy Class of 2025 City Manager Rich introduced the members of the 2025 City of Rome BRIDGE Academy. This is the fourth year of the BRIDGE Academy, which is a development program for City of Rome supervisors. Ms. Kelley Ledford spoke regarding the history, goals, and the process of the BRIDGE Academy. The BRIDGE Academy was born out of the City of Rome Employe Engagement Committee. Mr. Jackson Abercrombie, one of the co-coordinators of the 2025 class, was also in attendance.  *Tabitha Blair – City Manager’s Office  Lee Carver – Public Works/Vehicle Maintenance  Mary Catherine Chewning – Fire  Dewayne Crabtree – Water & Sewer  Logan Drake – Community Redevelopment  Chris Giles – Fire  *April Helton – Human Resources  *Michelle Kite – Planning/Zoning  Kelly Madden – Police  *Lynn Maloney – Transit 1   *Angela Mathis – Procurement  Dell Owens – Water Reclamation  *Carol Scott – Finance  Alicia Wiese – City Clerk’s Office *present to receive recognition Street Closing Ordinance – Oakdene First Reading Commissioner Quick presented an ordinance which would finalize the process to close a series of unopened streets in the Oakdene subdivision. This ordinance will be scheduled for a second reading and vote at the May 27th City Commission meeting. Annexation, SUP, and Rezonings Commissioner Quick presented the following annexation, special use permit request, and rezonings for first reading: a) A25-05-05 – Request to annex the properties at 115 & 117 East Boundary Street, Rome, GA 30161 zoned for Suburban Residential with no change in use or zoning; Floyd County Tax Parcel J14O314. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7–0). b) SUP25-05-04 – Request for Special Use Permit for a duplex in a High Density Traditional Residential for the property at 35 Heard Street, Rome, Georgia 30161; Floyd County Tax Parcel J13O262A. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7–0). c) Z25-05-01 – Request to rezone from Light Industrial to Community Commercial for the property at 196 North Avenue, Rome, Georgia 30161; Floyd County Tax Parcel J13W250A. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7–0). d) Z25-05-06 – Request to rezone from Duplex Residential to High Density Traditional Residential for the property at Nixon Avenue, Rome, Georgia 30161; Floyd County Tax Parcel I14Z029. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 7–0). A public hearing will be scheduled for each of the four matters at the May 27th City Commission meeting. Hazardous Materials Ordinance Commissioner Quick presented the hazardous materials ordinance and moved for its adoption. It was explained that this ordinance would allow the Rome/Floyd Fire Department to recoup expenses associated with some hazardous material events. The motion for adoption is subject to review by the City Attorney. Commissioner Brock seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Memorial Day Holiday City Manager Rich announced that City offices will be closed on Monday, May 26th in observance of Memorial Day. Garbage, yard waste, and recycling schedules will be altered that week due to the holiday closing. 2 City Commission Meeting The second City Commission meeting for May 2025 will be held Tuesday, May 27th due to the May 26th Memorial Day holiday. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, May 20th at 9:00 a.m. at the Manis Business Center (800 Broad Street). Public Safety Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 20th at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Peace Officers Memorial Service Commissioner Brock announced that the 2025 Peace Officers Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Complex Memorial Plaza. Executive Session Mayor McDaniel announced that an Executive Session was held prior to the beginning of tonight’s meeting. One real estate matter was discussed during this session, and no votes were taken. The session was called to order upon a motion by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Commissioner Bojo, and a unanimous vote. Commissioner Quick made a motion to exit Executive Session, Commissioner Doss seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Transportation Policy Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Transportation Policy Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 21st at 10:00 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Library Board Mayor McDaniel announced that the Library Board will meet on Thursday, May 15th at 4:00 p.m. at the Rome/Floyd County Library. Recycling Center Deficit Commissioner Quick announced that, once again, the Rome/Floyd Recycling Center operated with a deficit. The deficit for the first quarter of 2025 amounts to $63,679.74. This amount is due from the City of Rome, the Floyd County Solid Waste Fund, and the Solid Waste Commission. Mr. Rich explained that an error in the computation of some previous quarterly deficits regarding the debt payment (principal and interest) is now being corrected and is one reason for the noticeable increase in this quarterly deficit. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the payment of $63,679.74 by the City of Rome and an equal amount from the Solid Waste Commission. Commissioner Doss seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. There was discussion by the Commissioners concerning the operation and the continuing deficits at the Recycling Center. Commissioner Robinson suggested that the City Commission take a serious look at this process and consider an exit strategy or a substantially more efficient way of operating this service. City Manager Rich stated that there would be an in-depth study by the Solid Waste Commission 3 concerning the Recycling Center. Following that presentation, a discussion will take place regarding the Recycling Center at a future City Commission Caucus. There seemed to be a consensus by the City Commission that a better, more efficient method must be found for the operation of a recycling program. Committee Nominations – Corey Townsend and Collin Doss Commissioner Doss announced that the Committee on Committees is recommending the nomination of Mr. Corey Townsend to serve on the Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia and Mr. Collin Doss to serve as the City Representative on the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority. A vote on these nominations will be scheduled for the May 27th City Commission meeting. Kumamoto City – City Commission Visit Commissioner Doss announced that City Commissioners are planning to travel to Kumamoto, Japan in October 2025. 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the city/sister relationship between Kumamoto City (formerly Ueki Town) and the City of Rome. Assistant City Manager Meredith Ulmer presented estimated travel costs during tonight’s Caucus session. Commissioner Doss stated he feels this is a good investment for the City of Rome. Public/Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee Commissioner Quick announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee meeting scheduled for May 14th has been cancelled. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner Collins announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, May 15th at 11:00 a.m. at the Civic Center. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Robinson announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, May 19th at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:12 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4