City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, October 13, 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 Pro Tem Bojo presided with Commissioners Brock, Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson present. Mayor McDaniel was absent. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – September 22, 2025 The minutes of September 22,2025 meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commissioner Brock presented a joint city/county proclamation proclaiming October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in our community. This proclamation was presented to Ms. Crystal Raines and Ms. Angela Harris. These ladies represent the Hospitality House. Ms. Raines briefly addressed the Commission thanking them for this recognition and noting that the Hospitality House has been in our community for the past 47 years. White Cane Safety Day Commissioner Cochran presented a proclamation proclaiming October 15, 2025, as White Cane Safety Day in the City of Rome. This proclamation was presented to a small group of citizens representing the Northwest Georgia Center for Independent Living. Ms. Christina Holtzclaw, director of Northwest Georgia Center for Independent Living, 527 Broad Street Suite 101, briefly addressed the Commission and thanked them for this recognition. Georgia Retired Educators Day Commissioner Quick presented a joint city/county proclamation proclaiming November 3, 2025, as Georgia Retired Educators Day in our community. This proclamation was presented to a representative of the local Georgia Retired Educators. Chiaha Month Commissioner Robinson presented a proclamation proclaiming October 2025 as Chiaha Month in the City of Rome. This proclamation was presented to Ms. Monica Sheppard and Ms. Andi Beyer representing the local Chiaha Guild. Ms. Sheppard and Ms. Beyer briefly addressed the Commission, thanking them for this recognition and noting that this is the 60th anniversary of the Chiaha Guild. While there will no longer be a Chiaha Harvest Fair, these ladies noted that there will be a Chiaha Celebration in the Rome History Center on Saturday, October 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 1 Ken Wright – Data Centers Mr. Ken Wright addressed the City Commission and read the following statement regarding the data centers. Have you even asked any of these companies why they need data centers? If not, perhaps I can shed some light on the subject. First of all, every 13-year-old has 72 MILLION data points recorded on them! If you want to confirm some sources, I can provide you sources from NPR, Australia, Canada, California, The Washington Post, The BBC, and tons of others. If someone was looking through the window at your child or grandchild watching them on the computer; would that be okay with you? Well, this “allowable” internet spying is exponentially worse! Now your child’s location, usernames, passwords, programs they run, accounts they open, their interests and dislikes are available to the globe. This information is sold to advertisers and of course the hosts know this information. Think about the exorbitant amount of data storage required to record 72 million data points on every person in America: hence the need for data centers. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act doesn’t protect these kids because of the stipulation that the app or website has to have actual knowledge that a child is using their app or website. These companies simply claim they don’t know who their users are?! The NPR study found that 2/3’s of iphones send personal data to the advertising industry, without the knowledge of the user. For Android phones it was even higher – 79%. The study found that app developers, along with Apple and Google, are harvesting this personal data from children without the parents’ explicit permission – and making billions of dollars off it. In Australia they found children’s data collected from baby monitors enabled by “AI” and web-connected toys and sold to advertisers. Young people who display curiosity about alcohol, gambling, pornography, illegal drugs are served content designed to fuel those interests. The UK is currently suing Tik Tok on behalf of millions of children that have downloaded the app; with their data (including biometric data) being collected and used illegally. Canada’s concern is for both harvesting of information and “AI”. Children and teens participate in dialogue with AI Chatbots; some present in cuddly stuffed animals. But, as you surely know by now, AI is EXTREMELY undependable – wrong as often as it is right. I can go into detail of that if you like; but you have probably already witnessed this. This is scary when The New York Times reported hat a school in Texas is now called an AI school, having replaced teachers with “guides” and AI-led” lessons. People can’t remember their usernames and passwords for the past 5 years – but Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Meta/Facebook likely know that information about you for the past 20 years. If anybody believes when Georgia Power states that the increased power will be paid by the data centers and not be passed on to citizens – you are a fool. I remember 3 to 4 years ago when Georgia Power raised rates to finish the nuclear reactors a Vogtle – claiming it would satisfy our power needs for the next 40 years! Yet now we need more power generation. The bottom line is, citizens have come forward in droves to oppose these data centers at both City and County Commissions. You guys always claim you want citizens to become involved – so 2 put your money where your mouth is. Citizens opposed paid parking – it passed. Citizens oppose property tax increases – they increase. Citizens oppose data centers – yet the proceed. I can’t even understand why you would ever believe citizens would continue to get involved – when Commissioners oppose the voices of the citizens more times than not. If for no other reason, protect children and stop these data centers. With Floyd County appearing to be hosting at least three of these data centers (which will hold the personal information of companies and people from all walks of life (military, medical, government) – I suspect that Floyd County will be added to a list of domestic and foreign terrorist targets. Protect this community – NO data centers. East 4th Street Closing Commissioner Quick moved to adopt a resolution which would initiate the process to close a portion of East 4th Street. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion. It was noted that the area to be closed is a 64 foot right of way extending from East 1st Avenue to the termination of 4th Street at the railroad right of way near the Etowah River. As part of the process for closing this portion of East 4th Street, there are a number of conditions attached to the resolution and outlined in the attachment to the resolution. Commissioner Cochran stated that he is abstaining from any voting and discussion regarding this matter since he is working for a company that rents from Echota Reality (the adjoining property owner). Commissioner Quick’s motion to adopt the motion was approved by the following vote: Yes: Brock, Beeman, Doss, Quick, Collins, and Robinson Abstained: Cochran Rezoning and Special Use Permit – First Reading Secretary Smith noted that the following rezoning and special use permit request was being placed on first reading. Z/Sup25-10-3 – Request to rezone from High Density Traditional Residential to Suburban Residential, and to obtain a Special Use Permit for the installation of a manufactured home for the property at 3 Forsyth Street, Rome, Georgia 20161, Floyd County Tax Parcel JI3JI64. (Planning Commission denied, 4 – 2) (Enclosure) Secretary Smith noted that a public hearing for this request will be scheduled for the October 27 City Commission meeting. Business Improvement District – Public Hearing City Manager Rich addressed the topic of the Downtown Business Improvement District. Mr. Rich noted that the initial B.I.D. was authorized in 2005. After ten years in existence, it expired, and the second version of B.I.D. was authorized in 2015. With that ten-year agreement now expiring, the Downtown Development Authority has been working towards renewing B.I.D. for another ten years. Mr. Rich noted that the 2025 proposal would keep the B.I.D. at its current funding levels, which authorize 1.5 mills of additional tax for property within the B.I.D. 3 boundaries and a fifty percent business license surcharge, up to a maximum of $150 per year within the district. The boundaries are recommended to remain as they are with the addition of only three properties. These properties are located on 1st Ave. near 4th Street and are identified by map numbers: J14E-005, 006, and 012. Mayor Pro Tem Bojo called a public hearing to order concerning this proposal. Speaking in favor of extending the Business Improvement District for an additional ten years was Mr. D.J. Rickman, owner of Giggity’s, 227 Broad St. Mr. Rickman stated that the original B.I.D. resulted from 62% of the property owners (property values) approving B.I.D. in 2015, approximately 66% of property owners authorized extending the B.I.D., and for 2025 79% of the owners have voted in favor of extending the Business Improvement District for an additional ten years. There was no one else to speak regarding this matter and the public hearing was closed. Each commissioner commented on the positive impact the Business Improvement District has had downtown through grants such as facade improvements and programming such as First Friday and Fiddlin’ Fest. A vote on this proposed amendment will be scheduled for the October 27 City Commission meeting. Early Voting – 2025 Election Secretary Smith noted that early voting for the November 4 City of Rome general election will begin on Tuesday, October 14. There will be approximately three weeks of early voting, including one weekend prior to the November 4 election. At the November 4 election, the Ward 2 commissioners and the entire Rome City Board of Education will be elected. There is also a countywide question regarding an additional one cent of sales tax for the relief of property tax (FLOST) and a referendum regarding the pouring of distilled spirits in unincorporated Floyd County. North STARS Park Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that there will be a Ribbon Cutting for the North STARS Park on Friday, October 17 at 2:00 p.m. at 1702 N. Broad Street. Rome/Floyd Development Authority Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Rome/Floyd Development Authority will meet on Tuesday, October 21 at 9:00 a.m. at 800 Broad Street. Joint Services Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Join Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 21 at 10:30 a.m. at the Floyd County Administration Building. SPLOST Committee Update Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the SPLOST Committee update for the 2017 the 2023 SPLOST projects will be held on Tuesday, October 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Fire Education Room located at 409 East 12th Street. 4 Community Redevelopment Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Finance Committee Mayor Pro Tem Bojo announced that the Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 22 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Tourism Committee Commissioner Brock announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 22, at 11:45 a.m. at the Rome Area History Museum. Historic Preservation Committee Commissioner Cochran announced that the Historic Preservation Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 15 at 2:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Commissioner Cochran Comments – City Commission Commissioner Cochran made comments regarding the City Commission’s recent actions. He stated that trust in the Rome Government and especially the City Commission is at an all-time low. Commissioner Cochran feels that the Commission does not listen to the citizens or interact with the citizens of Rome very well. He referenced a specific comment where some citizens were informed that if they did not like the way the Commission is operating, the only recourse is to run for elected office themselves. Commissioner Cochran feels the City Commission needs to be aware and listen more carefully to the comments of the Rome citizens. He stated that the City Commission will have a hard time regaining the trust of the public and that the public is angry with the City Commission. Commissioner Cochran made special reference to the large group of citizens that were at the Summerville Park data center meeting held on October 2, and that questions were not answered. Some of those citizens felt that they were not treated respectfully. There was feedback to Commissioner Cochran’s comments by some of the commissioners. Commissioner Doss expressed his disagreement with Commissioner Cochran’s opinion and feels like the City Commission has and continues to do a very good job representing the citizens of Rome. Commissioner Beeman says she is disheartened to hear some citizens feel that the City Commission does not care since that is not reality. She also said there is a wide range of opinions among Rome citizens and encouraged more citizen involvement with the City Commission processes. Commissioner Collins spoke more at length and explained how he had organized the Town Hall meeting that was held on October 2 for citizens, especially Summerville Park residents, to speak regarding the consideration of a data center to be located at the former Northwest Regional Hospital site. He expressed some criticism that City Commissioners were not aware of the Development Authority’s plan to sell the property for a data center before the action was taken. 5 ULDC Board of Adjustments and Historic Preservation Commission Commissioner Doss moved to appoint Ms. Meredith Norris and Ms. Angie Crea O’Neal to serve as city appointees to the United Land Development Code Board of Adjustments and moved to reappoint Mr. Sam Moss to serve an additional term on the Historic Preservation Commission. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Japan Visit – International Committee Commissioner Doss spoke regarding the recent trip to the city of Kumamoto, Japan. Mr. Doss stated that this is the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship between the city of Rome and (Ueki Town) and Kumamoto. Mr. Doss spoke on the importance of maintaining this relationship. Recently Mayor McDaniel, Mayor Pro Tem Bojo, Commissioner Doss, and Meredith Ulmer, assistant City Manager traveled to Japan for a short visit with the Kumamoto Delegation. Representatives from Kumamoto plan to visit Rome in 2026. Turner McCall Bridge Railing Commissioner Quick announced that discussion continues to take place regarding railing design for the Turner McCall bridge. The Department of Transportation has announced their plans to widen the bridge on Turner McCall Blvd. spanning the Etowah River. Commissioner Quick encouraged all commissioners to attend committee meetings, especially when it involves matters they are passionate about. Commissioner Cochran stated that it has been made clear to him that he is not welcome at committee meetings. He also informed the Commission that he has submitted bridge railing designs to the City Manager. There was a brief, although somewhat contentious, discussion between some of the City Commission regarding these comments. Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Commissioner Collins announced that the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will meet on Thursday, October 23 at 11:00 a.m. at Paulding County Senior Center. Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Commissioner Collins announced that Rome/Floyd Parks and Recreation Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 21 at noon at the Gilbreath Recreation Center in Lindale. Alcohol Control Commission Commissioner Robinson announced that the Alcohol Control Commission will meet on Monday, October 20 at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the 2025 Fiddlin’ Fest Street Party on Saturday, October 18 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in downtown Rome. 6 Adjourned With no further business, Mayor Pro Tem Bojo adjourned the meeting at 7:27 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 7