Stormwater Fee or SPLOST 7?

Stormwater Fee Prevails

AUGUSTA, GA (Anibal Ibarra) - UPDATE: The stormwater fee ordinance was approved by 6 votes, with some modifications, after several time failing to pass. On the other hand, the Commission is running out of time to send to the Board of Elections the SPLOST 7 request to be on the ballots November 3, which deadline is middle September.

INVOCATION:

Rev. Dr. Julia D. Crim, Minister of Missions and Discipleship, Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church

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

RECOGNITION(S)

Award to Richmond County Correctional Institution

A.

Richmond County Correctional Institute

RE:  Award for their selection as the County Facility of the Year for 2014 by the Georgia Department of Corrections.

(Requested by Commissioner Lockett)

Five (5) minute time limit per delegation

DELEGATIONS

B.

Mr. Timothy M. Thomas

RE:  Rezoning of property at 1795 Martin Luther King Blvd.

C.

Ms. Jarita Holman

RE:  Safety for Augusta's children.

D.

Mr. Al M. Gray

RE:  A contract with Augustans before the SPLOST vote.

CONSENT AGENDA

(Items 1-12)

PLANNING

1.

Z-15-26 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions stated below a petition by Ahmad N. Gill, on behalf of the Islamic Society of Augusta, requesting a Special Exception to utilize an existing residential structure for church related activities for a church located at 3416 Middleton Drive per Section 26-1 (a) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting property containing .62 acres and known as 120 Davant Road. Tax Map 010-0-018-00-0 DISTRICT 7   

1.  Limit uses to incidental religious services and small-scaled similar institutional uses. 2.  Submit written assurance that the parking lot on the mosque property will be open to clients using the property. 3.  Improve the existing parking onsite to include proper ingress and egress, the building and parking area must comply with ADA standards.

2.

Z-15-27 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions stated below a petition by James B. Trotter, on behalf of Whitestar Holdings, LLC, requesting a change of zoning from Zone LI (Light Industry) to Zone HI (Heavy Industry) for the purpose of establishing a recycling facility and no other uses permitted in the HI Zone affecting property containing 3.90 acres and known as 1217 New Savannah Road. Tax Map 059-0-002-00-0 DISTRICT 1   

1.  The HI uses shall be limited to recycling related uses and uses allowed in the LI zone. This would include storage, sorting, collecting, baling and processing of rags, paper, metal, or to other items not usable in its current state. 2.  Enclose the entire property with a solid board fence or solid wall that is at least six (6) feet tall per Section 24-2(a) (16) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. 3.  Parking lot and security lighting must be directed away from nearby residential properties. 4.  Clean up of the site must be completed and approved by Code Enforcement before a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.

3.

Z-15-28 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions stated below a petition by James B. Trotter, on behalf of Whitestar Holdings, LLC, requesting a Special Exception to establish a metal and plastic recycling facility in an HI (Heavy Industry) Zone per Section 24-2 (a) (16) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for Augusta, Georgia affecting propertycontaining 3.90 acres and known as 1217 New Savannah Road. Tax Map 059-0-002-00-0 DISTRICT 1   

1. The HI uses shall be limited to recycling related uses and uses allowed in the LI zone. This would include storage, sorting, collecting, baling and processing of rags, paper, metal, or to other items not usable in its current state. 2. Enclose the entire property with a solid board fence or solid wall that is at least six (6) feet tall per Section 24-2(a) (16) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. 3. Parking lot and security lighting must be directed away from nearby residential properties. 4.  Clean up of the site must be completed and approved by Code Enforcement before a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.

4.

Z-15-29 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve with the conditions stated below a petition by Robert I. Nestor, on behalf of Brothersville Development Corp., requesting a change of zoning from Zone R-1A (One-family Residential) to Zone B-2 (General Business) affecting property containing .92 acres and known as 2113 Lumpkin Road. Tax Map 110-1-014-00-0 DISTRICT 2   

1.    Installation of six foot solid fence and a row of Leland Cyprus or similar plant species along the property line of the adjacent residential use. 2.  Parking lot and security lighting must be directed away from the residential properties located to the south of the subject property. 3.  Reconfigure the driveway to provide for proper ingress and egress.

5.

ZA-R-238 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition to amend Section 22-2(22) General Business – Permitted Uses – Crematoriums and Section 26-1 (s) - Special Exception – Crematoriums by amending permitted hours of operation. 

FINANCE

6.

Motion to approve receiving as information financial reports for the period ended June 30, 2015. (Approved by Finance Committee July 14, 2015)

7.

Motion to appove the transfer of  Surplus City Owned property, located at 4924 Old Waynesboro Road, to sell to potential buyer. (Approved by Finance Committee July 14, 2015)

ENGINEERING SERVICES

8.

Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of way, permanent easement, temporary easement for construction, and temporary driveway easement (Parcel 041-0-018-04-0) 3449 Wrightsboro Road. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 14, 2015) 

9.

Motion to authorize Augusta Engineering Department (AED) to enter into an agreement with Central of Georgia Railroad Company (Railway) for roadway and drainage improvements within the Railway right of way as part of the Marvin Griffin Road Improvements project. Also, authorize payments to the Railway as requested by the Railway and approve the required funds to i) Secure Railroad Protective Liability Insurance, General Liability Insurance, and Railroad Protective Liability Insurance issued by the Railway and/or approved Insurance Company, and ii) Reimburse the Railway for Engineering work  as requested by AED.  (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 14, 2015) 

10.

Motion to approve tasking the Environmental Services Director with drafting an appropriate ordinance as recommended concerning the public notice period regarding the cutting of vacant lots and bring it back to the next committee meeting for review.  (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 14, 2015)

11.

Motion to approve and authorize supplemental reimbursement to Georgia Transmission Corp (GTC) in amount of $136,552.00 for the cost to relocate their transmission facilities to resolve roadway construction conflicts reference the Construction Project to Improve Windsor Spring Road Phase IV, (Willis Foreman Road to Tobacco Road). Also, approve modifying the Utility Relocation Agreement between GTC and the City of Augusta from $950,035.57 to $1,086,587.50 as requested by Augusta Engineering Department.  (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 14, 2015) 

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

12.

Motion to approve the minutes of the regular commission meeting held on July 7, 2015 and the special called commission meeting held on July 14, 2015.

****END CONSENT AGENDA**** WATCH THE SESSION

(Items 13-24)

PUBLIC SERVICES

13.

New Ownership Application:  A. N. 15-30:  A request by Thomas J. Sparks for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Snug Steak and Grill located at 240 Davis Road.  There will be Sunday Sales.  District 7. Super District 10.

14.

New Application:  A. N. 15-31:  A request by Anthony King for an on premise Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Bistro 855 located at 855 Laney Walker Blvd.  District 1. Super District 9.

15.

Consider a request from the CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon regarding the establishment of a Richmond County Tag Office on Fort Gordon. (Referred from July 7 Commission meeting)
UPDATE: City Administrator and Tax Commissioner were tasked to bring a formal proposal in 60 days.

16.

Approve Change Order #1 to the McCarthy Improvement Company - Rehabilitate Air Carrier & General Aviation Apron Project as approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission at their May 28, 2015 Meeting.

17.

Approve a request by the Planning & Development Department to purchase a record storage system for the third floor Municipal building office location.

18.

Receive as information an update from the Recreation Department staff and the consultants regarding the Augusta Recreation and Parks Comprehensive Master Plan that is currently in progress.  (Requested by Commissioner Davis)

PUBLIC SAFETY

19.

Motion to approve new contract with current audio/visual service provider, TSAV, for the Augusta Judicial Center.

FINANCE

20.

Report from the Tax Assessors Office about the economic impact the Pictometry system has had on the tax digest in Richmond County.  (Requested by Commissioner Fennoy)

ENGINEERING SERVICES

21.

Motion to approve an Aerial Easement between Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia regarding the construction of a connector bridge structure over Laney Walker Blvd. (Requested by Commissioner Sias)

22.

Approve proposed Amendment to Stormwater Ordinance.  (Requested by Commissioner Sias)
UPDATE: The ordinance passed. The fee will be implemented beginning January 1, 2016. 
Commission voted for it before voted for it, again. Date of implementation was changed at the second vote.

OTHER BUSINESS

23.

Discussion about who should be present in legal meetings. (Requested by Commissioner Frantom)

LEGAL MEETING

A. Pending and Potential Litigation.

B. Real Estate.

C. Personnel.

24.

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