City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, September 8, 2025 The Rome City Commission met at 6:30 p.m. on 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 Collins opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – August 25, 2025 The minutes of August 25, 2025, City Commission meeting as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Constitution Week Commissioner Quick presented a joint city/county proclamation, proclaiming the week of September 17- 23 as Constitution Week in Rome and Floyd County. This proclamation was presented to Cameron Abney, representing the Xavier Chapter of The Daughters of The American Revolution, and Jenny Williams, Chair of the Constitution Week Committee. 2025 will mark the 238th anniversary of the framing of the U.S. Constitution. Ms. Williams briefly addressed the Commission inviting the commissioners to the Wednesday, September 17 event that will be held at 4:00pm on Constitution Corner (Broad at 6th Ave.). Ron Swinford Mr. Ron Swinford,11 Poplar Street, addressed the City Commission concerning Parks and Recreation. Specifically, Mr. Swinford spoke of the “Monster on Maple”. This reference was in regard to the project that is currently under construction at Banty Jones Park. This $5.4 million project is located in the city of Rome and will likely be one of the best parks in all of Georgia when completed. Mr. Swinford stated that the Parks and Recreation Department has indicated that they will not have the manpower or resources to take care of this new and much larger park after its completion. Mr. Swinford also spoke about another park under construction on North Broad Street. This $600,000 project is in a poor location according to Mr. Swinford. The park is located only 45 feet from North Broad Street and near the North Rome railroad. Mr. Swinford questioned why funding for this park was not spent at the existing Eagle Park, which is an approximate three-minute walk from this new North Broad park. Kelly Limes-Taylor Mrs. Kelly Limes-Taylor, 214 North Elm Street, addressed the City Commission concerning one of the proposed data centers for our community. The Rome Floyd Development Authority has recently announced that the former Battey Hospital site may be used for the construction of a very large data center. Mrs. Limes-Taylor expressed her opinion that there is a pattern of data center development in Georgia which exceeds other states in America. Mrs. Limes-Taylor feels that there is not enough information or citizen input before decisions are made for data center locations. The hyper scale (more than 100,000 square feet) data centers can be huge users of water resources. Mrs. Limes-Taylor is concerned that a data center of this magnitude in the city of Rome could use as much water as Rome currently uses collectively. Mrs. Limes-Taylor asked the city of Rome to consider a moratorium on data centers in our city. Chuck Sennett Memorial Amphitheatre – Alcohol Consumption Secretary Smith stated that the General Administration Committee has recommended the adoption of an ordinance which would add the recently completed Chuck Sennett III Memorial Amphitheatre to the list of publicly owned facilities which allow alcohol consumption. Smith clarified that the proposed ordinance has been requested by The Floyd County Commission (owners of the amphitheater) with the stipulation that alcohol consumption only be allowed when the amphitheater has been duly rented through the Greater Rome Convention of Visitors Bureau, the City of Rome is aware of this rental, and no glass containers are allowed. A second reading and vote on this proposed amendment is scheduled for the September 22 City Commission meeting. Rezoning – First Reading Secretary Smith reported that the following rezoning file is being placed on first reading: Z25-09-01 – Request to rezone from Community Commercial to High Densit Traditional Residential for the property at 108 Calhoun Avenue, Rome, Georgia 30161: Floyd County Tax Parcel J13P-004. (Planning Commission recommends approval, 9-0) (Enclosure) A public hearing for this request is scheduled for the September 22 City Commission meeting. 1 9/11 Commemorative Service Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome-Floyd Fire Department has invited the community to attend the 2025 9/11 Commemorative Service. This service will be held on Thursday, September 11 at 8:45 a.m. at the Rome-Floyd Firefighters Memorial Plaza located behind City Hall at 601 Broad Street. Health Board Mayor McDaniel announced that the Health Board will meet on Thursday, September 11 at noon at the Floyd County Health Department. Rome-Floyd Development Authority Mayor McDaniel announced that the Rome-Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, September 16 at 9:00 a.m. at 800 Broad Street. Fire Overview Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Fire Overview Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Since Commissioner Brock will be out of town attending training, Commissioner Bojo asked for a volunteer replacement commissioner. Transportation Policy Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Transportation Policy Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Cochran announced that the Historic Preservation Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 17 at 2:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Data Center Comments Commissioners Cochran and Collins made comments concerning the data center topic that was addressed earlier tonight by Ms. Kelly Limes-Taylor. Commissioner Cochran stated that more information is needed regarding power and water usage for any planned data center. Commissioner Cochran also commented on noise that is typically generated by data centers, describing this noise as more of a base hum type noise that is difficult to mask. Commissioner Collins asked if Town Hall type meetings would be held prior to the development of data centers. City Manager Rich stated that field trips to existing data centers would likely be planned prior to data centers developing in our community. Unity Point Commissioner Beeman announced that the Unity Point restoration project is near completion and a dedication for this SPLOST funded project will be held in the near future. Library Board Commissioner Beeman announced that the Library Board continues to meet and there has been discussion regarding a policy concerning which type of books would not be allowed at the library. General Administration Committee Commissioner Doss commented on the August 26, 2025 General Administration Committee meeting. Reports regarding Stonebridge Golf Course, The Rome Tennis Center, and Barron Stadium were all reviewed. Commissioner Doss had positive comments about each of the three facilities. Public Works/Traffic/Transit/Trails Committee Commissioner Quick announced that the Public Works/Traffic/Transit/Trails Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner Collins announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, September 18 at 11:00 a.m. at the Civic Center. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Robinson announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, September 15 at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the Downtown Development Authority will hold a Board Retreat on Thursday, September 11, from 8:30 a.m. until noon at the Milner Building. 2 Adjourned With there being no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 3