City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, June 9, 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, Doss, Quick, and Robinson present. Commissioners Cochran, Beeman, and Collins were absent. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – May 25, 2025 The Minutes of the May 27, 2025, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Georgia Municipal Court Clerk’s Week Commissioner Brock presented a proclamation proclaiming June 9 – 13 as Georgia Municipal Court Clerk’s Week in the City of Rome. This proclamation was presented to Ms. Ja’Shayla Brown, a Court Clerk for Rome Municipal Court. In addition to Ms. Brown, the Rome Municipal court Staff consists of Sonja Henderson - Court Administrator, Danika Mitchell - Assistant Court Administrator, Erin Patterson - Warrant Clerk, Tracy Cole - Court Clerk, and Tiffany Rosales - Court Clerk. Chris Jackson is the Chief Judge for Rome Municipal Court, and John Scott Husser is the Associate Judge. Officer John Giles works closely with the Municipal Court and serves as Chief Bailiff. Certificates of Appointment – Collin Doss and Corey Townsend It was noted that certificates of appointment have been prepared for Mr. Collin Doss and Mr. Corey Townsend. Neither Mr.’s Doss or Townsend were present; however, Mr. Doss has been appointed to the Parks and Recreation Authority and Mr. Townsend has been appointed to the Housing Authority of Northwest Georgia. Gas Store and Convenience Store Moratorium Commissioner Robinson moved to add a resolution authorizing a moratorium regarding convenience stores and gas stations to the agenda. Commissioner Bojo seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. City Attorney Andy Davis explained the resolution that has been prepared. If adopted, this resolution would implement a six-month moratorium preventing the development of new convenience stores, food marts, and gas stations as defined in this resolution. Mr. Davis reviewed the specifications of this resolution in detail, noting the definitions contained within and that the six-month moratorium would begin upon adoption and extend through January 9, 2026. During the moratorium period, the City of Rome will be studying possible revisions to the Unified Land Development Code regarding these types of businesses. 1 Commissioner Bojo moved to adopt the resolution establishing a six-month moratorium on gas stations, convenience stores, and food marts as defined within the resolution. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Annexation and Rezonings – Refer Back to the Planning Commission City Manager Rich noted that one annexation and four rezonings were scheduled for first reading at tonight’s meeting. However, there has been a clerical error regarding the advertisement of these matters, as it relates to the date of the public hearing. As a result of this error, Commissioner Quick moved to refer these five matters back to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Bojo seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. These items will, once again, be advertised and will appear before the Planning Commission before being scheduled before the City Commission. Health Board Mayor McDaniel announced that the Health Board will meet on Thursday, June 12th at 12:00 p.m. at the Floyd County Health Department. June 16th City Commission Meeting Mayor McDaniel announced that the next meeting of the Rome City Commission will be held on Monday, June 16th at 6:30 p.m. This change in the meeting date was approved by the City Commission in January 2025. This change is necessary due to a conflict with the 2025 Georgia Municipal Association annual conference. 2024 Budget Revisions Commission Bojo announced that minor budget revisions were necessary for the City of Rome’s 2024 budgets. If expenditures exceed budgeted allocations in any department, the State of Georgia requires budget revisions to be adopted. Commissioner Bojo moved to adopt the 2024 budget revisions as needed and reviewed by the City Finance Committee. Commissioner Quick seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Fire Overview Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Fire Overview Committee meeting scheduled for June 10th has been cancelled. Water and Sewer Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Thursday, June 12th at 9:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Monica Sheppard and Phil Wade Nominations Commissioner Doss stated that Ms. Monica Sheppard is being nominated to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission and Rev. Phil Wade is being nominated to serve as the City Representative on the Parks and Recreation Authority. The Committee on Committees has made these recommendations and a vote on these two citizens will be scheduled for the June 16th City Commission meeting. 2 Outdoor Summit City Manager Rich commented on the outdoor summit occurring this week at the Rome Forum River Center. The focus on this summit is outdoor recreation activities, but especially trails. Clocktower Renovations City Clerk Smith updated the Commission on the status of the clock tower renovation. This project was funded with the 2023 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum. Work has been underway for several months, making structural enhancements to the wooden clock structure. Work is also ongoing regarding the exterior of the structure, removing any rotted wood. Ultimately, the clock structure will be repainted, new clock works and hands are being installed, and new steps leading from the parking lot to the clock tower grounds will be built. This project is expected to be completed during the Summer of 2025. Public/Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee Commissioner Quick announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit and Trails Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, June 12th at 8:30 a.m. in the Milner Building. First Friday Concert Commissioner Robinson announced that the inaugural 2025 First Friday concert took place on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Town Green. The Guardians of the Jukebox played to a large crowd. However, the event was shortened due to a thunder shower. Georgia Power Executives and Technical College Board Mayor McDaniel announced that a group of Georgia Power Executives were in town last week hosted by the Northwest Georgia Representative for Georgia Power Melissa Free and the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Lisa Smith. Mayor McDaniel stated that the Georgia Technical College Board of Directors met in Rome recently. Both groups had very positive comments to make about the City of Rome. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 3