"Government on Steroids" in Augusta

AUGUSTA, GA (Anibal Ibarra) - Censured for ethics violation in 2013, reelected in 2014 for another 4 years term, Commissioner Grady Smith (Super District 10) was elected Mayor Pro Tem to serve until December 2016. He was nominated by the Super District 9 Commissioner Marion Williams, who is serving for third time. Commissioner from District 6, Ben Hasan, called the 2015 composition of commissioners as “government on steroids” with Mayor Hardie Davis. Davis called 3 times for closed door discussions during the first session of the Augusta Richmond County Commission.

First Commission Session of 2015

INVOCATION: Dr. Michael Mitchell, Pastor Restoration Ministries International Christian Fellowship.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

RECOGNITION(S)

2014 Employee of the Year

A.

Congratulations! Crystal Nason, Augusta Tax Assessor's Office - 2014 Employee of the Year.

Employee of Month

B.

January Employee Of Month.

ELECTION OF OFFICER(S)

C.

Election of Mayor Pro-Tempore for 2015-16.

D.

Appointment of 2015-16 Standing Committees.

E.

Discuss appointing the County Attorney. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)

CONSENT AGENDA

(Items 1-3-6)

PLANNING

1.

ZA-R-235 - A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance by amending Section 4 (Off-street Parking and Loading) by establishing and updating parking standards to allow flexible parking strategies that are economical and encourage access management, mobility and accessibility for all travel modes, such as shared parking lots and/or bicycle parking that create pedestrian friendly, environmentally sustainable and affordable developments. (Approved by the Commission December 16, 2014 - second reading)

2.

ZA-R-236 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance by amending Section 3-12 (Area and Setback Requirements). (Approved by Commission December 16, 2014 - second reading)

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

3.

Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of the Commission held  December 16, 2014 and Special Called meeting held December 16, 2014.  

The automatic door at the entrance of the renovated municipal building are functional, finally, but only to enter.

REGULAR AGENDA

1/6/2015

(Items 4-7)

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

4.

Receive from staff to date an all-inclusive/comprehensive/detailed report of all expenditures associated with the Hyde Park Relocation Project as requested on November 4, 2014.  (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams referred from the December 2nd Commission meeting; referred from the December 16, 2014 meeting)

5.

Discuss the action taken in the December 8th Commission meeting to rescind tasking the Internal Auditor to conduct an audit of all expenditures associated with the Hyde Park Relocation Project broken out in defined/appropriate categories and submit a comprehensive/detailed report of findings to the Augusta Commission. (Requested by Comissioner Marion Williams - deferred from the December 16, 2014 meeting)

APPOINTMENT(S)

6.

Consider the following recommendations for a four-year term from the Richmond County Hospital Authority:

For the position currently occupied by Rabbi David Sirull, who is eligible for reappointment:

1. Rabbi David Sirull

2. I. Gary Katcoff

3. Haskell D. Toporek

For the position currently occupied by Pete Caye, who is eligible for reappointment:

1. Charles G. (Pete) Caye

2. Hugh L. JHamilton, Jr.

3. Levi W. Hill, IV

LEGAL MEETING

A. Pending and Potential Litigation.

B. Real Estate.

C. Personnel.

7.

Motion to approve execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act.

Augusta Richmond County Commission 2015 First Session 

NOTE: Commissioner Hasan "steroid" reference might have nothing to do with Richmond County Sheriff Office case with some deputies alleged involvement with steroids use.