Richmond County in "Revival" Mode

Sean Frantom will be sworn into office

By Anibal Ibarra - After a messy beginning of the current Augusta Richmond County Commission and Mayor Hardie Davis, just 3 months in office, the local government is in "revival" mode trying to revive (item 17) the Housing Citizens Advisory Board. Also, the Commission will try to rehire Jacqueline Humphrey, Director of Equal Employment Opportunity (item 44), who was fired abruptly weeks ago with other department heads. Would she accept the position after being fired without much explanation? UPDATE: Commissioner Marion Williams will try again next session to reinstate Ms. Humphrey. No action taken.

INVOCATION:

Rev. Roger A. Schwartz, Pastor, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

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

RECOGNITION(S)

Lucy C. Laney Women's Basketball Team

A.

Lucy C. Laney 2014-15 Women's Varsity Basketball Team

RE:  Congratulations!  For capturing the Class AA Georgia State High School Women's Basketball State Championship.  (Requested by Commissioner M. Williams)

CONSENT AGENDA

(Items 1-42)

PLANNING

1.

Z-15-09-SP – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the condition listed below a petition by Lionel Prather, on behalf of Walker Hill LLC, requesting a Special Exception in a R-1C (One-family Residential) Zone to establish a residential subdivision in accordance with Section 13 and Section 11-2 (a) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting property located on the east right-of-way line of Inman Drive, 330 feet, more or less, northwest of McCoys Creek Road and known as McCoys Creek Section 2, Phase 2 containing 31 lots and approximately 8.74 acres . Part of Tax Map 078-0-021-00-0. DISTRICT 3  

1.  The elevations and building footprints of the proposed dwellings must be consistent with plans submitted by the applicant.

2.

Z-15-12 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions listed below a petition by Solvay Advanced Polymers requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone HI (Heavy Industry) affecting property containing approximately 3.38 acres and is known as 3719, 3725, 3729, & 3731 Clanton Road. Tax Maps 456-0-076-00-0, 156-0-085-00-0, 156-0-086-03-0 & 156-0-086-04-0. DISTRICT 6  

1.  The proposed rezoning shall exclude the area of the existing cemetery which comprises all of the tract addressed at 3725 Clanton Road, and approximately 14 feet north and 7 feet south of the tract.

2.  The existing cemetery shall be properly maintained in good condition by the property owner(s).

3.  Except fences and walls, all structures shall be set back at least twenty (20) feet from the boundaries of the cemetery, and fifty (50) feet from south property line, adjacent to the railroad right-of-way and nearby residential uses. A natural buffer of mature trees shall also provide a buffer between residential uses to the south.

4.  Parking lot and security lighting must be directed away from the residential properties located to the south of the subject property.

PUBLIC SERVICES

3.

Motion to approve the Concession Agreement between Augusta Regional Airport and Alamo National as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their February 26, 2015 meeting. Bid 14-227.  (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

4.

Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A. N. 15-18: request by Sona Limon for a retail package Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Weyandt's Package Shop located at 2803 Washington Rd.  District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

5.

Motion to approve New Application: A. N. 15-19:  request by Thomas Kenney for a consumption on premise Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with 3 Guys Pizza Pies located at 720 E. Robinson Ave.  There will be Sunday Sales. District 3. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

6.

Motion to approve New Ownership Application:  A. N. 15-20:  request by Alejandro Portilla for a retail package Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Portilla Enterprises dba Belair Package located at 3971 Wrightsboro Rd.  District 3. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

7.

Motion to approve reverting back to the hours of operations that were in effect before September relative to restaurants meeting 50% food sales, at the request from Alter Ego'z Sports Bar and Grill regarding the Ordinance amending Augusta, Georgia Code Title 6, Chapter 2, Article 1, Alcoholic Beverages, Section 6-2-1 through 6-2-145. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

8.

Motion to approve renewing the Sec. 5311 Rural Transit grant application between the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Augusta, Georgia from July 2015 to June 2016. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

9.

Motion to approve Avis/Payless Rent A Car Concession Agreement as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their February 26, 2015 Meeting. Bid 14-227. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

10.

Motion to approve the Budget/Zipcar Concession Agreement as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their February 26, 2015 Meeting. Bid 14-227. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

11.

Motion to approve Change Modification #2 with Beams Contracting Inc. for the Augusta Regional Airport's Southeast Development Area Access Project as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their March 26, 2015 Meeting. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

12.

Motion to approve the Enterprise Concession Agreement as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their February 26, 2015 Meeting.  Bid 14-227. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

13.

Motion to approve the Hertz Concession Agreement as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their February 26, 2015 Meeting. Bid 14-227. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

14.

Motion to approve the selection of and contract with Dalzelling Design Landscaping, Inc. for miscellaneous landscaping projects at Augusta Regional Airport as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their February 26, 2015 meeting. Bid 14-241. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

15.

Motion to approve the Thrifty Rent A Car Concession Agreement as approved by the Augusta Commission at their February 26, 2015 Meeting. Bid 14-227. (Approved by Public Services Committee April 14, 2015)

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

16.

Motion to approve the resolution supporting the Augusta Housing Authority and Walton Communities, LLC’s application for low income housing tax credits to be named 15th Street Redevelopment – Phase 1. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee April 14, 2015)

17.

Motion to approve the Housing and Community Development Department's Citizens Advisory Committee By-Laws, as presented. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee April 15, 2015)

 {______________________________________}

Proposed By-Laws

The AHCDD Citizens Advisory Board was dismantled years ago, apparently under the former director, Chester Wheeler, who was forced to resign at the end of 2014. 

Creating or reviving a Citizens Advisory Board is not as difficult as keeping or making it functional. For instance, there are boards, such as the Transit Citizens Advisory Committee, not fully operational after years of creation due to dilatory tactics or because some commissioners refused to appoint their members. 

The Commission, also, has being playing with privatizing the service and keeping the Augusta Public Transit without a director for several years until today. The Fort Gordon six month pilot bus route is reaching its deadline in May and the Transit Citizens Advisory Committee still is waiting to have all its members appointed and the Augusta Public Transit with a new director in place by the time. 

{_____________________________________}

18.

Motion to approve the appointment of a sub-committee composed of Commissioners M. Williams, Guilfoyle, Davis, Hasan and Sias to discuss options for economic development in Augusta utilizing funding that may be currently available. (Approved by Administrative Services April 14, 2015)

19.

Motion to approve amending the 2014 Action Plan to re-program $280,000.00, and the revision to the Scope of Work in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee February 23, 2015)

PUBLIC SAFETY

20.

Motion to approve directing the Fire Chief to complete a dialogue for determining a location in Richmond County for a tractor that will be provided by the Georgia Forestry Service. (Approved by Public Safety Committee April 14, 2015)

21.

Motion to approve tasking the Administrator to coordinate with Ms. Mason from the Public Defender's Office to find a location and develop a proposal for the relocation of this office.  (Approved by Public Safety Committee April 14, 2015)

22.

Motion to approve the replacement of obsolete technology equipment (desktops, laptops, servers, scanners and printers, etc.) that have reached their end of life cycle and purchase any required computer software upgrades.  (Approved by Public Safety Committee April 14, 2015)

23.

Motion to approve selection of CJT, Inc. for Richmond County Probate Court Software Solution. (Approved by Public Safety Committee April 14, 2015)

FINANCE

24.

Motion to approve the purchase of one emergency response vehicle for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office-Bomb Squad Division using a grant from Georgia Emergency Management Agency. (Approved by Finance Committee April 14, 2015)

25.

Motion to approve the lease of two sewer vacuum trucks for the Augusta Utilities Department – Construction and Maintenance Division. (Approved by Finance Committee April 14, 2015)

26.

Motion to approve the refund of taxes in the amount of $2,934.66 to the Augusta Boxing Club. (Approved by Finance Committee April 14, 2015)  

ENGINEERING SERVICES

27.

Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of the property for temporary easement (Parcel 053-0-004-01-0) 3769 Belair Road. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 14, 2015)

28.

Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of the property for right of way (Parcel 059-3-408-00-0) 1569 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 14, 2015)

29.

Motion to approve awarding Bid Item #15-136 Electrical Motor Control Center for Hwy 56 Booster Station. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 14, 2015)

30.

Motion to approve and accept an Easement Exchange Deed from Eco-Energy Distribution - Augusta. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 14, 2015)

31.

Motion to approve an amendment to Georgia Power Company Governmental Encroachment Agreement 31484. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 14, 2015)

32.

Motion to approve Southern Natural Gas Pipeline Agreement. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 14, 2015)

33.

Motion to approve receiving as information Emergency Purchase Order for BMS Enterprises. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 14, 2015)

34.

Motion to approve notification of award of emergency sanitary sewer connections. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 14, 2015)

35.

Motion to approve funding for final Design Consultant Services Supplemental Agreement One to Cranston Engineering in the amount of $31,810.00 for Scotts Way Over Rae’s Creek – Bridge Replacement as requested by the AED. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 14, 2015)

36.

Motion to approve extension of utilities at Gordon Highway and Jimmy Dyess Parkway. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee April 14, 2015)    

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

37.

Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held on March 25, 2015 and the special called meetings held on March 30 and April 14, 2015.

APPOINTMENT(S)

38.

Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Nicholas W. Gladd to the Board of Zoning Appeals due to the resignation of Mr. Nick Dickinson representing District 3. (Requested by Commissioner Davis)

39.

Motion to approve the appointment of Bishop L. A. Green, Sr. to a term on the Housing & Community Development Advisory Board representing District 5.  (Requested by Commissioner Lockett)

40.

Motion to approve the reappointments of Mr. James W. Scott (District 10, Sen. D-23), Bernard Johnson (District 9, Sen. D-22), Robert H. O'Neal (Legislative) and Bryan Simkins (Legislative) to the Board of Assessors for four-year terms. (Requested by the Board of Assessors of Richmond County)

41.

Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Merian Robinson representing the Stoney Medical Society on the Richmond County Board of Health.

42.

Motion to approve the reappointments of the following to the Richmond County Board of Health for terms from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018:  Rosa Clemons, Seat #11; Deborah Presnell, Seat #5 and Shirley LeValle-Evans, Seat #9.

****END CONSENT AGENDA****

AUGUSTA COMMISSION

4/21/2015

AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA (WATCH THE SESSION)

(Items 43-48)

PLANNING

43.

Z-15-10-SP – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions listed below a petition by Botanica Designs LLC, on behalf of Byrom PLC, requesting a Special Exception in an R-1 (One-family Residential) Zone to establish a residential subdivision with a density not to exceed 3.0 units per acre per Section 8-2 (a) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting property containing  2.5 acres and is known as 425 Berckman Road, 2703 Margate Drive, 2705 Margate Drive, 2707 Margate Drive and 2709 Margate Drive. Tax Map 018-4-062-00-0, 018-4-060-00-0, 018-4-059-00-0, 018-4-058-00-0, 018-4-057-00-0 DISTRICT 7  

1.  Proposed development must conform to the site plan submitted with the application request. The Planning and Development Director has the authority to approve minor changes to the submitted plan.

2.  The subdivision must conform to the landscaping provisions of Section 8-4-11 (e) (5) of the Augusta Tree Ordinance along Berckmans Road as it pertains to major subdivisions, even though the subdivision contains seven lots. 3.  Approval shall be subject to a Development Plan review, and comply with provisions in Augusta-Richmond Stormwater Management Ordinance without variances.  

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

44.

Reinstate the EEO Director. (Requested by Commissioner M. Williams)

45.

Update on the Fleet Management Towing Bid. (Requested by Commissioner M. Williams)

ENGINEERING SERVICES

46.

Consider proposal from ZEL Engineering to provide professional services for various plant improvements at the Highland Avenue Water Treatment Plant and Glass Factory Low Pressure Sewer.

47.

Consider proposal from W.K. Dickson to provide professional services for the 15th Street/Wrightsboro Road Sewer Project.

LEGAL MEETING

A. Pending and Potential Litigation.

B. Real Estate.

C. Personnel.

48.

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

Sean Frantom, the night of the runoff, 4/14/2015, after winning the election.