Monday, May 18, 2015

Could the Stormwater Fee be Repealed?

AUGUSTA, GA (Anibal Ibarra) - A few private and public entities are exempted of paying the stormwater fee. The proposed ordinance (Item 21) will be voted on by the Richmond County Commission on June 2. The fee was approved as part of the 2015 budget last year but the Commission decided to pospone it for the next session. Four Commissioners were absent and Commissioner William Lockett suggested that "something" was going on with the motion to cancel the approval of the stormwater ordinance. Ten public hearings were part of the process.

INVOCATION:
Rev. Dr. Mike Cash, Pastor, Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Five (5) minute time limit per delegation

DELEGATIONS
A.
Mr. Lamar Hawkins  
RE:  Blockage of both entrances at the Richmond Summit Apartments. (Handicapped people trapped)


B.
Mr. Moses Todd
RE:  Stormwater Fee (Possibility of repealing the ordinance if passed)

CONSENT AGENDA

(Items 1-17)

PLANNING
1.
Z-15-11 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions listed below a petition by Gregory Jones, on behalf of the Florence S. Waterman Trust, requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-MH (Manufactured Home Residential) to Zone B-2 (General Business)affecting property containing approximately .72 acres and is known as part of 2036 Gordon Highway. Part of Tax Map 069-0-008-00-0. DISTRICT 5   1.  Provide landscaping of individual planter boxes placed in the front of the primary structure. 2.  Parking lot and security lighting must be directed away from the residential properties located to the south of the subject property. 3.  Maintain the existing fence that separates the property from the nearby residential uses.

2.
Z-15-13-SP – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions listed below a petition by  Harper Franklin Group LLC, on behalf of Michael Abbott, requesting a Special Exception in a R-1C (One-family Residential) Zone to allow single family attached townhomes developed per Section 11-2(a) at a density not to exceed seven (7) units per acre in accordance with Section 13 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting property containing approximately 7.8 acres and is known as 4113 D Elders Drive. Part of Tax Map 066-4-008-00-0 DISTRICT 3   1.  The final plan of the proposed development must be consistent to the concept plan and building elevations received on 4/06/15. 2.  The building materials must be consistent with the materials list provided by the petitioner. 3.  A six foot solid fence must be constructed and maintained along the property line adjacent to Elderberry Subdivision.

3.
Z-15-16  – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions listed below a petition by John Crowell, on behalf of Crowell & Co. Inc., requesting a change of zoning from Zone A (Agriculture) to Zone R-1C (One-family Residential) on property beginning at a point where Covington Court extended intersects Harper Franklin Avenue. This property contains approximately 86.72 acres and is known as 4095 Harper Franklin Avenue and is proposed to be developed as Section 4 of Granite Hill Subdivision. Tax Map 053-0-079-01-0 DISTRICT 3   1. A secondary means of ingress/egress in the form of a stub or temporary street shall be provided on the east side of the proposed development.

4.
ZA-R-237 - A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance by adding a new Section 28-F (Personal Care Home); amending Section 4-2 (Off-Street Parking and Loading) regarding parking requirements outside the Central Business District and; amending Section 26-1(h) – Special Exceptions – Family Personal Care Homes.

5.
ZA-R-238  -  A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend Section 2 – Definitions by adding Crematoriums; Section 22-2(22) General Business – Permitted Uses and Section 26-1(s) - Special Exception – to include Crematoriums and required criteria.

PUBLIC SERVICES
6.
Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A. N. 15-22:  A request by Kim Sharpton for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer, & Wine License to be used in connection with FLO located at 879 Broad Street.  There will be Dance.  District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 12, 2015)

7.
Motion to approve New Ownership Application: A. N. 15-23:  A request by Brian Brittingham for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with The Central Smokehouse and Cantina located at 1855 Central Avenue.  There will be Sunday Sales.  District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 12, 2015)

8.
Motion to approve tasking the Administrator with bringing back to the full Commission a recommendation regarding the demolition status on the Synagogue and Court of Ordinary Building on the Municipal Building Campus with options for funding sources and developing an agreement with Mr. Steinburg and his group for the implementation of plans for a museum. (Approved by Public Services Committee May 12, 2015)

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
9.
Motion to approve tasking the Administrator and Interim Human Resources Director to review existing grievance policies, investigate the procedures in other municipalities and to bring back information at the next committee meeting concerning the establishment of a grievance process for SES employees for non-EEO related matters. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee May 12, 2015)


PUBLIC SAFETY
10.
Motion to approve expansion of Information Technology’s Hewlett Packard Storage Area Network (SAN). (Approved by Public Safety Committee May 12, 2015)

FINANCE
11.
Motion to approve Supplement Agreement #1 to the FY 2015 Metropolitan Transportation Planning Services contract between Augusta, Georgia and the Georgia Department of Transportation with a local match of 20% which will be 10% in-kind services and 10% cash in the amount of $22,609.58.  (Approved by Finance Committee May 12, 2015)        

12.
Motion to approve revisions to Vehicle Oversight Program. (Approved by Finance Committee May 12, 2015)

ENGINEERING SERVICES
13.
Motion to approve the Avrett Plumbing Company, Inc. in the amount of $250,000.00 for the option year renewal of existing contract for Cleaning of Sanitary Sewer Systems to be performed under Account Number 506043410-5223220. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 12, 2015)

14.
Motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Environmental Services Department (ESD) to apply for financial reimbursement from Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division (EPD). (Approved by Engineering Services Committee May 12, 2015)

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
15.
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission on May 5, 2015 and the Special Called meeting on May 12, 2015.

APPOINTMENT(S)
16.
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. John Kelly to the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority to replace Mr. Harry Moore.  (Requested by Commissioner Smith)

17.
Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Sheena Dorsey to the Animal Control Board representing District 7.  (Requested by Commissioner Frantom)

AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA 5/19/2015

(Items 18-23)

PUBLIC SERVICES
18.
Ordinance to Amend Augusta Code Title Seven Chapter Four Article Four Section 7-4-28 relating to the Requirement of Conformance with Certificate of Appropriateness; to repeal all Code Sections and Ordinances and parts of Code Sections and Ordinances in conflict herewith; to provide an effective date and for other purposes. (No recommendation from Public Services Committee May 12, 2015)

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
19.
Discuss the authorization for compensation to the commissioner who serves as a member on the Planning Commission Board. (Requested by Commissioner M. Williams) (Tabled until this meeting by Administrative Services Committee May 12, 2015)

20.
Discuss the hiring/rehiring of an EEO Director.  (Requested by Commissioner M. Williams)

ENGINEERING SERVICES
21.
Approve proposed Amendment to Stormwater Ordinance.

>>>>>>>>>>———<<<<<<<<<<<<

Excerpt from the Proposed Ordinance

§ 5-1-17 EXEMPTIONS AND CREDITS APPLICABLE TO STORM WATER SERVICE CHARGES.


Except as provided in this Section, no public or private property shall be exempt from storm water utility service charges or receive a credit or offset against such service charges. No exception, credit, offset, or other reduction in storm water service charges shall be granted based on the age, tax, income or economic status, race, or religion of the customer, or other condition unrelated to the Department of Engineering’s cost of providing storm water services and facilities. Credits shall be defined and made available on the basis of the ability of a site to reduce its impact on the storm water system. Credits shall be available only to “other developed lands” as defined herein.



(a) Land not containing more than four hundred (400) square feet of impervious area shall be exempt from storm water service charges.



(b) Railroad tracks shall be exempt from storm water service charges. However, railroad stations, maintenance buildings, or other developed land used for railroad purposes shall not be exempt from storm water service charges.



(c) Public and private roadways, including the portion of private driveways greater than two hundred (200) linear feet, shall be exempt from storm water service charges.



(d) Ft Gordon, Georgia including contiguous properties owned or operated as part of Fort operations shall be exempt from the storm water service charge. No storm water services shall be provided by Augusta, Georgia to the properties so exempt. If services are provided to the properties so exempt the DIRECTOR is authorized to calculate the proportion of the storm water service charge commensurate with the level and type of services provided by Augusta, Georgia to be charged all, or a portion of, Fort Gordon.



Such charges shall be calculated by the DIRECTOR and changed from time to time as overall rates or services are modified.



(e) Hephzibah and Blythe, Georgia shall be charged a storm water service charge commensurate with the level and type of services provided by Augusta, Georgia. Such charges shall be calculated by the DIRECTOR and changed from time to time as overall rates or services are modified.



(f) The storm water service charge credit shall be determined based on the technical requirements and standards contained in the Augusta, Georgia Storm Water Credit Manual. The storm water service charge credit may be up to sixty five (65) percent of the service charge applicable to a property, and shall be proportional to the extent that on-site systems, facilities, services, and activities provided, operated, and maintained by the property owner, tenant, and/or occupant reduce or mitigate the storm water utility's cost of providing services and facilities. The director of the Department of Engineering shall make a final determination of credit eligibility.



(g) Credits for on-site storm water systems shall be generally proportional and related to the affect that such systems have on the: pollution runoff, channel eroding force, and peak rate of runoff from the site. . The Augusta Georgia Storm Water Credit Manual shall be prepared by the Department of Engineering specifying the design and performance standards, or sources of such standards, of on-site systems, facilities, activities, or services which qualify for application of a service charge credit, and how such credits shall be calculated and applied for.



(h) In the first year of the storm water utility, property owners, tenants, and/or occupants seeking service charge credits must apply for storm water service charge credits through completion and submittal to the DIRECTOR of a storm water service charge credit application prior to one calendar year from the effective date of storm water charges. Approved applications shall receive a storm water credit retroactive to the effective date of storm water charges.



(i) After one calendar year from the effective date of storm water charges credits will be granted upon receipt of a timely, completed application, the DIRECTOR shall review the application and make a determination as to whether the applicable criteria for a credit has been met. All decisions regarding the approval or disapproval of a storm water credit shall be made within forty-five (45) days of the date the completed application was accepted by Augusta, GA.



(j) Any credit allowed against the service charge is conditioned on continuing compliance with Augusta, GA's design and performance standards in effect at the time of the facility’s construction and any required reporting as required in the Augusta Georgia Storm Water Credit Manual. Augusta, GA may revoke any credit at any time for non-compliance with this section.



(k) Continuing compliance with Augusta, GA's design and performance standards may be verified by Augusta, GA Engineering personnel inspection of the systems or facilities upon which the credit is based. Those systems or facilities determined to no longer comply with Augusta, GA’s design and performance standards shall be noted to the property owner, tenant, and/or occupant in writing and sixty (60) days given to remedy the problem. If the deficiencies found in the systems or facilities are not corrected, the property owner, tenant, and/or occupant shall be subject to revocation of all, or a portion of, storm water service charge credits based on Augusta, GA inspectors' estimate of capacity reduction for a period of not less than one (1) year. 



The DIRECTOR reserves the right to correct deficiencies using Augusta, GA resources and charge the property owner, tenant, and/or occupant the cost of deficiency correction.


>>>>>>>>>>>———<<<<<<<<<<<<

OTHER BUSINESS
22.
Discuss the big screen monitors outside the Commission Chambers.  (Requested by Commissioner M. Williams)

LEGAL MEETING
A. Pending and Potential Litigation.

B. Real Estate.

C. Personnel.

23.
Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act.


No comments:

Post a Comment