City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Tuesday, May 27, 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 Beeman, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson present. Commissioners Brock and Cochran were out of town and excused. Mayor McDaniel opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – May 12, 2025 The Minutes of the May 12, 2025, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Employee Scholarships City Manager Rich addressed the topic of employee scholarships for 2025. Mr. Rich gave a brief history of the City of Rome scholarship program that is designed to benefit participating employee children and grandchildren with a one-time scholarship award. This program is entirely funded through voluntary contributions made by city employees and associated fundraising events by the Scholarship Committee. Prior to tonight’s awards, there have been 111 scholarships awarded, totaling $73,650. Mr. Rich presented the 2025 scholarships in the amount of $500 each to the following students: 2025 – 26 Recipients Parent/Employee & Department School Anna Grace Beall Brad Beall – Fire Department Shorter University Brook Burgess Cara Burgess – Human Resources Shorter University *Gabe DeHart Chris DeHart – Police Department Shorter University *James Goble Trey Goble – Water Reclamation University of North Georgia *Basil Gosnold Laura Gosnold – Planning Department Kennesaw State University *Anna Ingalsbe Craig Ingalsbe – Finance Department Georgia College & State University *Lexington Jenkins Chris Jenkins – Public Works University of West Georgia *Sam Lindley Steve Hickman – Fire Department Young Harris College Riley Nelson Chad Hampton – Public Works Jacksonville State University Thomas Roberson Brad Roberson – Fire Department Jacksonville State University *Charlie Smith Julie Smith – Planning Department Jacksonville State University Will York Kyle York – Police Department Shorter University *Present to receive recognition Each scholarship award winner present was recognized, and they were allowed to introduce their family members present with them tonight and announce where they are going to school. 1 Street Closing Ordinance - Oakdene Mayor Pro Tem Bojo “took the gavel” for this topic. Mayor McDaniel and Commissioner Robinson announced they were abstaining from any discussion or vote concerning this matter. City Manager Rich reviewed a street closing ordinance which would finalize the process to close a series of unopened streets in the Oakdene subdivision. After a map was reviewed of the streets to be closed, Commissioner Quick moved to adopt the ordinance finalizing this process. Commissioner Doss seconded, and the motion was approved by the following vote: YES: Bojo, Beeman, Doss, Quick, and Collins ABSTAIN: Robinson and McDaniel A25-05-05 Annex 115 & 117 East Boundary Street Commissioner Quick introduced annexation file A25-05-05, the request to annex properties located at 115 & 117 East Boundary Street and identified by Floyd County tax map number J14O–314. These properties are zoned Suburban Residential and there is no requested change in zoning. Michelle Kite from the Rome/Floyd Planning Commission 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. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the annexation request for 115 &117 East Boundary Street with Suburban Residential zoning. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. SUP25-05-04 35 Heard Street Commissioner Quick introduced special use permit file SUP25-05-04, the request for a special use permit for the establishment of a duplex in a High Density Traditional Residential zone for property located at 35 Heard Street and identified by Floyd County tax map number J13O-262A. Michelle Kite from the Rome/Floyd Planning Commission reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Ms. Kite explained that the applicant wishes to renovate an existing residential structure and create three apartments. The plan is for two apartments on the main level and one apartment in the basement of this structure. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. There was some discussion regarding the parking that would be associated with this planned development. It was announced that the Planning Commission’s recommendation was to approve the SUP request with on-site parking (off street) to be created at the rear of this structure. After a brief discussion by the City Commission, Commissioner Quick moved to approve the request for the duplex (tri-plex) in the High Density Traditional Residential zone at 35 Heard Street with the 2 requirement that off-street parking be developed for this property, at the rear of the structure. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z25-05-01 Rezone 196 North Avenue Commissioner Quick presented rezoning file Z25-05-01, the request to rezone property located at 196 North Ave. and identified by Floyd County tax map number J13W-250A, from Light Industrial to Community Commercial. Michelle Kite with the Rome/Floyd Planning Commission reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Ms. Kite specified that this is a speculative rezoning with no specific future use outlined. The Planning Commission and staff have recommended approval of this rezoning with the condition that no gas station or convenience store be developed at this site. This property does contain the remnants of an old building consisting mainly of a front façade. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order. Speaking in favor of the rezoning request was the applicant, Nathan Roberts, 161 River Place Drive. Mr. Roberts stated that he is available for questions, however his primary intention is to recombine this parcel with adjoining parcels. He stated he mistakenly split this parcel off years ago. To clean up and to combine was his motivation. There was no one else to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request from Light Industrial to Community Commercial with the condition that no gas station or convenience store be developed at this site. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion. There was considerable discussion by the commission and staff concerning this property. Assistant City Manager Merdith Ulmer pointed out that there is an order from Municipal Court for this remanent façade to be demolished. This court order, along with possibly other court orders, has been applied to this property. The applicant was given one year to complete demolition by the court in August 2024. With the discussion continuing and concluding, the motion for rezoning was unanimously in favor. Z25-05-06 Rezone Nixon Avenue Commissioner Quick presented rezoning file Z25-05-06, the request to rezone property located on Nixon Ave. and identified by Floyd County tax map number I14Z-029, from Duplex Residential to High Density Traditional Residential. Michelle Kite with the Rome/Floyd Planning Commission reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Ms. Kite stated that the applicant wishes to join this parcel with adjoining parcel number I14W-265 as High Density Traditional Residential and place a storage building on this property. The Planning Commission and staff have recommended approval of this request. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing to order. There was no one to speak in favor or opposition and the public hearing was closed. 3 Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning request from Duplex Residential to High Density Traditional Residential for property located on Nixon Avenue and Commissioner Beeman seconded. There was some discussion following this motion regarding this property and the planned use for the storage building. The photographs displayed indicated there are currently some other smaller storage buildings that could conceivably be removed when the new storage building is built. Ultimately, Commissioner Quick’s motion for rezoning approval was approved by unanimous consent. Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 28th at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Finance Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 28th at 8:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Water and Sewer Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee meeting scheduled for June 5th has been rescheduled to Thursday, June 12th at 9:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Red Speed Funding – Ambassador Program and Police Car Commissioner Collins moved for the expenditure of $240,000 in Red Speed Camera funds to be appropriated for the development of the City of Rome Ambassador Program. This program will consist of four ambassadors, electric bicycles, and a support vehicle. These ambassadors, while not police officers, will work under the police department and help patrol the trail system and Downtown Rome. The ambassadors will work to promote a clean, safe, and welcoming downtown area and increase presence in the parks and trails. They will also assist visitors and residents, support downtown events, and help identify areas to the police department that need enforcement action. Commissioner Collins’s motion also authorized $55,000 in Red Speed funds for the replacement of one Rome police car and police car equipment. This new car will replace a car that was demolished in an accident. Commissioner Beeman seconded Commissioner Collins’s motion, and the vote was unanimously approved. Tourism Mayor McDaniel announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 28th at 11:45 a.m. in the Schroeder’s courtyard (weather permitting). Library Board and Keep Rome/Floyd County Beautiful Commissioner Beeman reported on activities of the Library Board and the Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful program. She also reported on the summer reading program book bash event sponsored by the Library Board and Main Elementary School and held at Park Homes. The 3rd annual Garden Party was recently held, promoting the planting of vegetable gardens. 4 Northwest Georgia Housing Authority Commissioner Beeman reported that several Northwest Georgia Housing Authority programs were being eliminated due to lack of funding. Corey Townsend and Collin Doss Appointments Commissioner Doss moved to appoint Mr. Corey Townsend to serve as a City of Rome representative on the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority and to appoint Mr. Collin Doss to serve as the City Representative on the Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Parks and Recreation Ad hoc Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the special ad hoc committee addressing parks and recreation issues continues to meet. Three meetings have been held so far, and the committee is reviewing recreation procedures and is considering all options. Rome/Floyd Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, June 5th at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Downtown Development Authority – First Friday Concert Commissioner Robinson announced that the First Friday summer concert series kicks off on Friday, June 6th at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Green with the band Guardians of the Jukebox performing. Brother’s Place Tour Mayor McDaniel announced that the City Commissioners toured Brother’s Place prior to tonight’s caucus. Brother’s Place is located at the corner of Maple Street and 18th Street and was partially funded through City of Rome opioid funding. TK and Claudia Hamilton have developed this as a temporary refuge for men recently exiting drug rehabilitation programs. Convenience Store and Gas Station Moratorium Proposal A discussion took place during the caucus session tonight regarding a possible moratorium on convenience stores and gas stations. The City of Rome continues to have a high proliferation of convenience stores and gas stations, with over 70 establishments having coin operated amusement licenses in the City of Rome. The City Commission continues to address possible methods of helping control these types of businesses, although the State law does not allow local governments much authority. There will be more discussion and potential action on this matter in the coming weeks/months. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 5