Commission - Regular Meeting

All right.

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I did. He say it's gone. All right, ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate your patience. We apologize for our tardiness. I hope that everyone had a merry Christmas and that 2026 is off to a great start. We appreciate your presence, you being here today to the 2026 first Augusta Richmond County Commission meeting. Madame Clerk, with that being said, I call this meeting to order.

Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. I call your attention to our invocation which will be shared with us today by pastor Luke Naid, assistant pastor of the local outreach and mercy first Presbyterian Church. After which we would like to ask our youth football team football team if they would please stand and and lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Okay. At the point. Okay. stand for our invocation. Let's pray.

Gracious God, thank you so much that you created Augusta many, many years ago before any of us were here. And this place that we call home is not our own, but it belongs to you. God, thank you that you have given us this space to live in and this place to rule over and this space to lead and to cause to flourish. God, thank you for our city government, for our mayor, and for our commissioners, for those who serve on staff here in our great city. God, I pray would you bless them in this new year. May 2026 be the greatest year that Augusta has ever seen. God, I pray that you would cause us to be to govern and to lead with justice and with righteousness and with godliness. God, I pray for these commissioners that they would lead with great wisdom that comes from you. God, I pray they would lead with compassion over the people, not ruling over them um harshly. God, I pray that you would help us as a city to unite. God, I pray that we would care for every single citizen of this great city. God, I pray that we would look out for those who are less fortunate, for the poor, for the homeless, for the young, for the old and elderly, for those who are sick and those who are wounded, those who find themselves disenfranchised. God, might we serve as a great city for all people here in Augusta? God, I pray for just this meeting today. God, would you call us to be unified? Would you help us to work together for the greater for the greater good of our city and for its citizens? God, I pray that your presence will be made known in this place. Um, and may you use this place to be an encouraging place for all peoples. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Amen.

Come on, stop. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Can we get you to come forward, please? First of all, I want to say thank you for that encouraging, heartfelt word from God. Thank you for putting us in remembrance that God has ordained government and he has um mandated that we pray for those who are in authority and that have governance over us. And thank you so much for starting us out with that in mind this first of the year. Thank you so very much. By these presence be it known that Luke Nday assistant pastor the local outreach and mercy first Presbyterian Church Augusta is chaplain of the day. May his spiritual guidance and civic leadership serves as an example for all citizens of Augusta given under my hand the sixth day of January 2026. Garnett L. Johnson mayor. Thank you. Pastor Nad, thank you so much for being here to serve. Most importantly, thank you for your commitment to this

community and everything that you do. It is greatly appreciated. Please know that. Thank you so much for your prayer. Madame Clerk, I'm going to take a point of personal privilege, please. We had uh two great Augustins, two great teammates um during the holidays that we lost. And with all of the craziness of the budget season and us trying to wrap up the year, we did not have the opportunity um to rightfully rightfully recognize them. And Natasha is going to get their pictures up. one many of you were very familiar with uh that was in this chambers, one that was not. The first is former pro probate judge Harry James. Harry James admirably and honorably served this community for many years. He passed away during the holidays and his service was down in Savannah. As I understand, Judge James was from the Savannah area and um we thank him for his service through praying for his family. The second, Mr. Brian Keaptainner. Many of you knew Mr. Keaptainner through our planning petitions. I would always recall Brian being at this podium right here advocating for small businesses and advocating for people that chased a dream of opening a number of businesses. Um, we had a memorial service for him in the uh, Linda Beasley room as I understand this past Sunday and uh, we thank him for his service and we're praying for his family and his loved ones. And if you will join me for a moment of silence to recognize these two great august, one former probate judge Harry James, second for Mr. Brian Keaptainner. Please join me in a moment of silence.

Thank you so much. Ladies and gentlemen, we're proud to have some young men join us today, but as I understand, we're waiting on another celebrity that's going to come and introduce him. So, Madame Clerk, we're going to move around just a little bit. So, you guys sit there, be patient, and we're going to move to our delegation portion of our meeting. And as soon as our celebrity announcer gets here, we will uh we will get you guys back back on schedule. Okay. Madame clerk, let's go to the the delegation portion of our meeting. Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, item B, Miss Estep has requested that she be rescheduled for a later date. Okay.

Item C, Mr. Mario Burch discussed funding reinstated for Mach Academy at Fleming Park in Augusta. Yes, sir. You come on up to the podium. Yes, sir. Good afternoon, sir, and welcome. Hi. If you will, for the record, please state your name and address. Yes. Mario Burch and it's 324 Sims Avenue, Augusta. Thank you so much, sir. You have five minutes.

Okay. So, first time I've ever done this. Second time I've ever been to a meeting, so please excuse what I don't know and the things that I don't know to do.

Okay. Actually, I had a few questions because uh again, the funding for Mach Academy has been cut. Um, it was it's located at Fleming Park in Augusta. And I was just kind of curious because I've been there. My kids have been there for about 3 years. And I know that you guys have tough decisions to make. I don't assume to know that. You know, I understand all that you go through and your considerations. Um, but I do know as a parent and as a citizen, there are certain things that are really important um to any community. And Mach Academy has proven to have a tremendous value and worth. So, a few of the things that I wanted to ask was what is considered when determining if funding should be cut? Like how much how much goes into determining that and analyzing that as opposed to the other things that you continue to fund? Um what does a program have to do to demonstrate its value in the community?

Mr. Burch, I'm going to ask my colleagues because generally this time is the opportunity for you to come address us. So, if any colleagues are interested in answering these questions, I'm going to ask that you take notes. Um, I'm going ask somebody to take notes because uh we'd like to be able to get you these answers. Okay. For the information that you requested, but proceed on. Thank you. Thank you. So, should I proceed with just asking the questions? Yes, sir. Please proceed on. Yes, sir.

Thank you. Uh, so the second one would be what does a program have to do in order to demonstrate its value to the community? Again, there are many different things that you have to choose to cut, choose to fund. what are you looking for? Right? Because I think if sometimes if we're aware of this information, we can make sure we put these things on the website, we can make sure that the information is readily available uh based on the things that you assess, you know, before determining what will and what will not be funded. The last thing would be why are programs and facilities in better neighborhoods um oftentimes better funded than those that are in greater need? And I have to look at Newman. I'm I'm from Augusta, born and raised. I know Augusta in and out through and through. I remember when nobody was really living in uh Columbia County. Now everybody's out there. I I know the history about Augusta really well. Um but I I look at those other facilities, how nice they are, right? How nice the restrooms are. I think about, you know, how the funding when funds were given last year, how our funds were significantly lower than those given to other areas. And I just wonder what goes into that because it gives those of us the in the community. It paints an image to us as far as what's important to you guys and who matters. And sometimes I think maybe we may come to conclusions or decisions that could be unfair to you guys. So I think it's important for us to understand what you know what are you considering and why those things happen, right? Why would a facility that has holes in the bathroom walls, why would their funding be cut? Why would they get less? Um, I think the things I wanted you guys to consider would be this, which again you may or may not be aware of, but Mach Academy teaches kids primarily and prepares them primarily for like tennis and to do tennis on a collegiate level. Many of these kids go to college after they leave and after

they graduate high school. Many of them are getting scholarships like full rides. So this is not just something to do wasting time shooting ball to keep them out of, you know, keep them from doing other bad things. No, these kids are really being prepared to be productive and wellperforming citizens, right? But again, I'm not I didn't know if you guys knew that. Uh just a few more points. So it equips kids with skills needed to play tennis at a collegiate level. Um, it prepares kids to excel in school and society through various methods such as bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community. Never forget the day I pulled up and I saw two police officers out there. I went crazy, right? But I just took a moment and looked at my looked what was going on and they were actually just talking to the kids and I sat down and listened uh and found out they were actually there just communicating with the kids helping them understand what law enforcement does uh how to deal with law enforcement in a respectful and safe way. Like that's awesome. Those are things that need to be done because the reality is on our side of town things are a little bit different. You have to deal with the police differently. that needs to be done and those are things that oftentimes get overlooked. That's just one of the things that mock academy does. A few other I'm sorry let me know I don't want to go a few other things is just they have a program with IBM where kids can actually complete IBM courses and certifications so that when they do go to college if they do decide to seek a degree a degree or a career um in that particular area they've already gotten certifications in line and in place. They have an onboard and on-site career center, right, where a learning center, excuse me, where they have computers there and the kids are able to do homeschooling and other things of that nature there. It just provides a lot of different benefits to the community. And I'm just curious as to if you were aware of that, how could you decide to cut

that? Just wanted to to ask those questions because again, it matters. And as a parent who hasn't been there for any longer than three years, that's just been my experience. I can only imagine what those other parents are experiencing and how that feels. So, just wanted to ask those questions and make sure you aware of that information because I really think Mach Academy is a fantastic place. They beat everybody else within the CR CS when it comes to tennis. this poor place with holes in the walls. They're outperforming all of the other kids in the local area that they play. Why would we stop that or make it more difficult for that to continue? That's all.

Mr. Bur, thank you so much. There is a colleague in the queue that we're going to recognize. Just sit tight. Chair recognizes Commissioner from the second, Commissioner Stacy Pulley.

Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Thank you so much, Mr. Burch, for coming before us. Um, I I too I agree with you. Mach Academy is an amazing program and um I know that firsthand because my son goes to the summer program. So I see the attention that's given. I've also been privileged to be able to speak to the students for the past um three years. So since I've been in office and I love what they're doing with the children. I I love a lot of the points that you brought up and although I'm not going to be able to answer each one of them individually. Uh I would in I would ask that you tune in to our committee meeting on next week and you can definitely invite as many people as you can possibly get to come out. We will be discussing what I um propose to the commission as far as an application process for our NOS's moving forward. And um I ask that you call your whatever district you're in, reach out to your commissioner um and encourage others to reach out to their commissioners to let them know that these programs are very much needed because I also see the importance of being able to provide programming for our youth to keep them off of the streets because I feel as though the more programming we have for our youth, the more constructive things we have for them to do, the more um access to college programs we have, then we won't have to possibly give a large amount of funding to public safety because that will eliminate some of the issues and the problems as far as the youth that is getting in trouble. So, thank you so much for coming before us and again,

please tune in to next week's meeting and encourage other people to reach out to their elected officials and continue to stay involved. Thank you, Commissioner Pullium. Chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim Wayne Gil.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Burch, thank you for coming before us. Um, during the budget session, it was it was it was long and trying for each and every one of us. um things. If you look at the December 2nd um budget session, we trying to figure out the least impact which was 30% to all the NOS's, 10% on the other entities. Um we had two different motions on the floor to hit one with a one meal that included um we always wanted to make sure that we take care of our first responders and take care of the house. The house is the Augusta Richmond County government and the second motion was actually to do a 0 85 the uh least impact to the citizens and that failed as well. So when we left the December 2nd meeting it was our understanding that the only thing we could do at that moment is figure out how to cut from within. No other community or municipality actually funds NOS's at the rate Augusta Richmond County does. There was no oversight on when we give funded on make sure that certain conditions criteras and um make sure that we get a report at the end of the year from e a CPA financial report. So there was a lot of issues that happened from December 2nd. So there was nobody wanting to do a a tax increase. So December 16, if you watch the budget session, you'll realize that nobody wanted to do a millage increase to fully fund the NOS's for a reason. You have to take care of your house before you take care everything else. I look at some of my former colleagues. Uh Commissioner Shawn Franom used to be run the Ronald

McDonald House. He never became he never came before the Augusta Richmond County government asking for money or monetary value. He knew he had to work for it as long as as well as his wife what his wife does. And so there was there was no hidden agenda as far as the writing on the wall. We were looking at the NOS's that's been going on for months. It's no different than um what has happened on the 16. We had no other choice. We went through the line items in the budget. We cut everything we can. We include cutting every budget by up to 5%. Set the largest budget which is the sheriff's department which we cut to 4%. Because they actually the largest denominator and impacts them the worst. So a lot of the NOS's what they're going to have to do is improvise, overcome, adapt what has happened as far as the only other way to do it. Fortunately, our budgets a moving living document. It's just a guideline what we set forth on December 16th. It could be changed, but it could be changed if we find a revenue stream.

Am I able to ask a question? Oh, absolutely, sir. Thank you. I just wanted to know there were things that did get funded outside of that, right? So, is there like a list that I could look at to find out what was actually? You could actually look at it should be online or a budget what was approved. Okay. Line item by line item. Got you. Because I know often times people will say, "Hey, get your funding right." But that funding is important and it's being given to some of somebody's getting it. So, we just want to be considered as well. That's right. I believe um Augusta Richmond County supplies you a facility, maintains it. Is that correct? I believe so. Okay. And um that's pretty good gift. Is that right?

Well, yeah. It's better than nothing at all. Absolutely. That's right. And I think as far as the Newman Tennis Center, I think it's run by our recck department. Is that correct? I'm not sure. It's run by our in-house rec department. So, I appreciate you coming for us, Mr. Birch. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, Mayor Pro Tim Gilful, chair recognizes commissioner from the second, Commissioner Stacy Pulling. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. I just wanted um I wanted to get a point of clarity. Um, may I ask the administrator a question, please? Yes, ma'am. You may.

Thank you so much. And this is only because this was just brought up. Administrator Allen, as we were looking at other counties that fund nonprofits, how many of the counties out of 159 counties do not fund their nonprofits? Uh, Commissioner Pullium, I couldn't answer that because I didn't speak to each one of the respective counties. Okay. How many counties were spoken to?

I reached out by a list sererve that we have for county management. I I can't recall how many responded because you know any lister if you don't have a number of them don't respond. Um it depends on the topic. I did have some directly that I spoke to at a conference just you know by chance asking them and you know they informed me what they did when it came to non-government um organizations. Yes ma'am. But do you not have you don't have an exact number? No ma'am.

Okay. So I I believe it's careful as we're sitting on the dis um accurate data points because if there's 159 counties in the state of Georgia and we're saying that the majority of them do not fund our NOS's and our nonprofits, we don't know that to be true until we've actually done that research. So, as we're giving out information to the public, because so many people depend on us to know our job and know what we're saying, we want to be careful to make sure we're giving the correct information as much as possible. So, we don't know how many counties fund their NOS's, but we are going to continue to try to do that research so that we can look at other counties that are providing or investing in their communities to possibly look at their blueprints. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Thank you, Administrator Allen.

Thank you, Commissioner from the second. Chair recognizes Commissioner from the fifth, Commissioner Don Clark. Mr. Burch, happy new year to you, sir. Happy New Year to you as well. Yes, sir. Thank you for standing here um giving us your story, your personal testament and benefit that your family has received from this program. Um took a lot of courage to come up here. Um you don't own the program, do you? No. Are you on the board? No, not at all. You have an invested interest. You just your children receiving the benefit. Yeah, that's my vested interest.

Well, and good for you on that one. Um find a program. I think all every last one of us up here are parents. Um, I got grands right now, so I'm on a I'm sorry, not Jordan, not Commissioner Johnson. He's He's the only one that hasn't reached that threshold, but the rest of us have.

Yeah, he's he's working on it. Um, but my point to this is um it's tough finding a program that's impactful um that your children stay connected to, interested in, and otherwise. Um, last year was my first year on the DIS, so it was a huge learning curve, but I'm going to tell you, I don't care how many years you've been on, $21 million is $21 million no matter how you spent it. And we were up against that. And we were also up against the challenge of determining where there were specific cost savings internally to the government um and making those pointed decisions. Um, you're a homeowner yourself, right? Right.

Um, we were up against that. We were up against determining if we were going to raise your taxes to pay for some of these services. One specifically, the NOS's the NOS's aren't and and let's let's clarify with NOS's because most folks keep hearing us say NOS's and they're like, "What the heck is NGO?" NGO stands for non-governmental organization. And in that particular grouping of what we had in the budget, that included many nonprofits and many organizations that do some great and wonderful things in the community. Not necessarily that they're tied directly to Augusta Richmond County, but over the years, different leaders have stated that, hey, that's a great mission. Let's feed into that. Let's sew some uh dollars towards assisting and supporting.

Right?

Some of these agreements went back to the '9s. The problem that we were up against is we were really up against uh laying off 100 plus employees, cutting a significant amount of city services and including a uh increase to your taxes and all of us that are property owners. That wasn't an easy challenge. and we had to determine what were the areas that made sense to provide the cost savings to get us out of that significant deficit. So the areas that we start we didn't start there but we ended up going back over and over and over back and forth the NOS's was one of those areas that we had to clean up. We didn't have an accountability for it. Some of these organizations were receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars with no measurement, no accountability, no understanding of how those dollars were being utilized, if they were impactful, if they were assisting, if the organizations in some cases were even up and operational.

Got it.

And it wasn't a responsible way for us to be fiscally responsible for everyone's tax dollars. And that's what we really had to make the decision on. So, it wasn't a, hey, we're targeting this program or we're shutting this program down. Mach Academy is a nonprofit just like many of those organizations and they'll continue to thrive and and flourish and deal with the challenges that many have to deal with with um creating revenue sources. Um but because it's not a direct program to Augusta Richmond County, it was definitely on um the forecast of us having to remove it or remove uh and fire our employees and get rid of services. So it was a tough challenge and I know it still doesn't make it any better for you and your family, but again, Mach Academy is a nonprofit that will continue thriving. We did not shut down Mach Academy. And unfortunately, that's the narrative that's out there that we've shut down these organizations. We didn't shut them down. It's no different from you and I choosing to donate to an organization and if funds get tight and I can't do it that year, guess what? I can't do it. And in this case, we had to make the decisions of what we could and what we could not do from a sustainability uh standpoint and from us being responsible with yours and other tax dollars.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Clark. Chair recognizes Commissioner from the first, Commissioner Jordan Johnson.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Burge. Thank you for being here today. Uh, I want to echo what Commissioner Pulium shared is that you should continue to come to commission meetings and continue to come to committee meetings because this is where the the decisions are made. You know, there's a saying that, you know, the legislative branch of your government is where the sausage gets made. You don't want to see how your sausage is made. You just like how it tastes when you eat it, right? In this case, you should be here so that you can see how things get done on the commission. Um, I did not vote to to cut your funding, and I would never vote to cut your funding. Every year that I've been here, I've supported Mach Academy, and that's that's never going to change. Um, I hope that, you know, as Commissioner Pium stated, that when this process is put in place that we'll have a conversation about how to fund nonprofits adequately. Um, all nonprofits were not cut. Uh, just a good number of them, but all nonprofits were not cut. There are nonprofits that still have multi-year agreements that we perhaps should not be in. Um, but they weren't even looked at, right? So I think that when we had these conversations about NOS's and nonprofits, you're right, there should be metrics in place. We should know what we want. We should set priorities and then go back and fund those. And I know that, you know, the city of Augusta makes significant investments in some of these organizations. Well, you know, without those dollars, some folks may not be able to partake in those. So, keep advocating, keep showing up, keep sharing, uh, you know, what can be done because again, you know, we're going to be here tomorrow. We're going to be here next week. There are still options. And I do believe that we could we can save some of these nonprofits. We can we can invest in some of these other NOS's without raising taxes. I do believe that um especially when we have a 30 plus million dollar, you know, contingency fund, you can you can support projects to help students especially in atrisisk neighborhoods. certainly we can find the money to do other things like we always do. Uh I don't think that our kids should be the should be the the the butt of the conversation. So again, thank you so much for being here and uh let's

let's keep paying attention. Thank you. So everyone's aware that there's a contingency fund and that other places were funded, but again the funding was chosen to be taken away from our academy. That's that those are the things that you know I'm just ask just trying to understand because as a as a community that's how it looks to us when we're aware of that information too. So again, thank you all for

just sit tight. Madame administrator, what is our contingency fund balance? Currently, our Yeah. Currently, our contingency for our general fund is 1.2 million, keeping in mind that we just started off this year.

Okay. Thank you so much, Miss Mr. Burch. Thank you so much for being here. Um, one, we appreciate the work you do and that it does benefit our kids, keeping them engaged, keeping them out of trouble. Um, I would ask that while we have you here on the record because the community, I believe strongly and this commission will continue to support Mach Academy. Do you have fundraisers? Do you have ways that we could give? Help us understand what we could do more importantly, what the general public can do that can support Mach Academy.

Thank you for asking that, Mr. Mayor. up. Listen, I'm I'm a parent right now. I think they're scrambling. We're scrambling to try to figure out what we can do in order to keep the program alive. So, unfortunately, I don't have an answer to that right now. But, as we as things continue to evolve and develop, I'd be more than happy to come back and let you guys know. Yes, sir. You come back and share that with us and we'll make sure that we share with the general public to make sure that you continue to fulfill your mission of teaching our youth how to play tennis. Okay. Yeah. Absolutely. Thank you all. Thank you so much. All right, madame clerk, I think we're going to go back to the recognition portion. We got a new announcer, correct? We have a new announcer. We do. All right, ladies and gentlemen.

All right, y'all pay attention to the screens. We're going to show a video of these wonderful young women. I'm sorry, young men. And I don't see any. Just all guys. All guys. No cheerleaders. We got some mom coaches. Yeah.

And some ladies. Come on, give a round of applause. Uh uh I always want to be first to recognize the women. So thank you moms who have sacrificed for your sons to be in this program. bottom of the screen. one local youth team in Augusta.

People can say that they won a football national championship, right? But but one local youth team in Augusta can Fox 54's Brandon Smith has their triumphant story. It's not every day that one of your local teams is able to bring home a state title, let alone a national one. But that's exactly what was done this past football season by your hometown Trinity Elite Titans. That's right. This past football season, these Titans were able to go down to Plant City, Florida, and bring home the 12 and under title.

The Trinity Elite Titans are 12 and under football team based right here in Augusta that play in the United Youth Football League. On December 13th, the Titans won their first ever national title in Plant City, Florida in a game that went to overtime.

For me, the highlight was just seeing all the boys come together and win the national championship. A lot of them have went through a lot of personal things in their life that the community don't know. Like people have lost parents, people have brothers that are sick, and yet they still show up every day. So to see them accomplish something that they work so hard for, it really meant a lot. All of them are our sons. 0 to 999. Double 0ero to99. They're all our sons. We look out for each other. We're a family and this means everything. This is something they have been working for for a few years. We added some new players and they're just like brothers on and off the field. It means a lot.

The Titans had finished second and third in previous years, but this year they were finally able to get over the hump. Offensive tackle and defensive end Thomas Blackman says everything just clicked during the big game. It was probably us trying to get our chemistry cuz we had br a lot of new people but then we had got the chemistry right and so we did good. My mom was super proud and my dad was watching me from the sky. Head coach Gerald Brown says that this moment goes beyond football. It's

like everybody a parent out here you know so you talk to kids after school after practice and stuff. So it's really something big. It be more than just the football you know. It's about getting to know the kids and different stuff like that. So definitely going to be remembered. Every child that come through here will definitely remember in a good way. So

this was this roster's last ride together as many of them are set to move on to middle school next year. They were able to finish their final season together with a perfect 3 and 0 record at the national tournament. For Fox 54, I'm Brandon Smith working for you. All right, Madam Clerk, I think it's time to do some celebrating and some. Is that about right?

Yes, sir. We're going to ask the honorable senior reporter from channel WJBF, Mr. George Escala. He's coming forward to do our roll call. Yeah, he had Yeah. Give me give him. Thank you very much, Miss Bonner. Sorry I blew off rehearsal yesterday.

And before he before um Mr. Escala gets started, let me read the wording on their presentations. certificate of recognition for your exceptional sportsmanship displayed during the 2025 United Youth Football League Division 2 season and clenching the organization's championship on December 13th, 2025 in overtime with a perfect 300 national tournament record in Plant City, Florida. The city of Augusta recognizes your commitment to athletic excellence and tenacity. We congratulate you for participating and clenching your notable victory by bringing home the hardware for the first time to Augusta. Given under my hand this 6th day of January, 2026, Garnett L. Johnson, Mayor Put on your shoulder. We are ready. The uh I tell you what, we are in football season, the exciting part of football season. And uh if you go back this season, South Carolina, no. University of Georgia. Oh, no. But these elite TITANS GOT THEMSELVES A NANNY.

That did it. Quarterback Andre Dixon Jr. Come on.

Wide receiver Leighton Bracley Mullen. The other wide out, SKYLER SKINNER at cornerback, Deshawn Mack. That's a football name. He's quick darting Austin Amos, running back. Also a QB Marcus Williams, linebacker Jaden Kent.

Linebacker Yha Oats. He he hits, they go, "Yeah, I'll tell you that right now."

Takes him a while to get up, too. Linebacker Daniel Brown Jr. At defensive end, Brandon White, wide receiver, Nasier Gin. Three, two, one. Dante Reeves at running back. Running back Dion Agburn,

defensive end Xavon Starret, linebacker Alexavier Haberssham. Sorry, you could not start the game without the center Chase Young Merryweather.

John Hardy Jr. linebacker got the big guys now. Offensive tackle Rashad Daly Jr. might be dally. Offensive guard Rodrio Mance Jr.

protecting the blind side. Offensive tackle Thomas Blackman Jr. Offensive guard Zaki Cunningham.

The offensive line was the key to this winning program. Offensive guard Isaiah Hamlet. Aiden Curry Center, defensive tackle Curry Lewis

and defensive tackle Greg Smith Jr., The Elite Titans National Champions. Of course, these young men could not have reached this success without the guys on the headsets yelling at the referees. No, I'm just kidding. Coach Tony Brown.

Oh, you catch this. Yeah, he did. Oh, where's coach? that a D and assistant coach who is helping out Marcus D. Marcus, come on.

Is he here? They had a great staff. I'm sure uh the Falcons might be picking a couple of these guys during the off season here. and assistant coach Bakari Thurman.

Mor and assistant coach Jean Cuttingham. One more time for the Trinity Elite Titans. No, one more. Two more pro. Well, I'm sorry. Oh, team mom. Where's Tiffany? Where's Tiffany Skinner?

Don't forget Tiffany over here for your your wonderful plaque. and team mom Madina Blackman. Oat. What moms? What a squad. Is that it, Miss Bunny? Yes, sir.

Oh, one more time. Trinity Elite Titans National Champion TEAMS COACHES AND MOMS. AND PLEASE STAY standing once the photo is taken.

Mr. Mayor, I'm M. Mayor, I'm reading the proclamation, so leave him right there. I'm reading the proclamation, so leave him standing.

The office of the mayor, the Augusta Commission proclamation given to the 12U hit squad representing the Trinity Elite Titans Youth Sports Organization. Whereas the 12U hit squad representing the Trinton Trinity Elite Titans youth sports organization is a championship team built largely from student athletes right here in Augusta, Georgia. They embody far more than the athletic talent. They represent perseverance, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to a shared purpose. Guided by a steady leadership of head coach Mr. Tony Brown, these young men have competed on the national stage for the past three years. Each season marked by growth, grit, and determination. And whereas this victory was no accident, it was the result of intentional preparation and a clear vision from day one. This team set its sights on a national title. They trained with purpose, held one another accountable, pushed through challenges, and showed up consistently on the field in practice and as brothers. And whereas what makes this achievement even more meaningful is that it marks the first national championship in the history of the Trinity Elite Titans, founded in 2018. After 7 years of building, mentoring, and investing in young people, this moment stands as a milestone for the team, the organization, and the community it serves. These young men have demonstrated what becomes possible when structure, mentorship, family support, and opportunity align. They are

living proof that youth from Augusta can compete and win on the national stage. and the city of Augusta recognizes your commitment to athletic excellence and tenacity. We congratulate you for participating and clenching your notable victory and declare January 6, 2026 the 12th Hit Squad Trinity Elite and Titans Youth Sports Organization Day in Augusta, Georgia. GIVEN THIS GIVEN the sixth day of January, 20126, Garnett L. Johnson, Mayor All right, ladies and gentlemen, one more round of applause for the hit squad. Wait a minute before before you guys go. I saw some hardware on your fingers. Now, coach, are those national championship rings?

Several different ones. Oh my goodness. Show them your rings. That is such an accomplishment. Thank you guys so much for all that you do. Congratulations. And I know all of y'all going to be going to Butler High School at some point. Bring some of that. So, but coach, thank you so much. I appreciate you guys being here. And don't forget to get your picture out front right out in front of the Lee and beard commission chambers. Madam clerk, I think we need to move on. Go back to our delegation. Ready to move on? Uh, Mr. Okay, can we let them exit? Wait a second. The commissioner from the fourth would love a per a personal press. Just a moment. Just a moment before you all leave.

Now, what the what I like to add to this team is that one, all of the coaches and the mothers are volunteer and Mr. Brown is an employee of the county. So, he takes his time after work to go and mentor these boys. Congratulations. Congratulations, y'all. Mr. Mayor, members of the commission, our delegation B is in the chamber, Miss Deborah Estep, regarding concerns about unmarked cars showing up and trespassing on neighbors property without warrant.

All right, Miss Eastep. Hello. Welcome, madam. If you will, for the record, please state your name and address. Deborah Eastep, 1523 John's Road.

Thank you, ma'am. You have five minutes. Good evening. I'm here to speak about public safety, accountability, and the consequences of decisions that are being made and not made in this city. I want to begin with something that happened in my neighborhood. An unmarked Ford truck parked on my street. A man wearing full police style tactical gear, visibly armed with the word police on his back walked up to my neighbor's home. My neighbor is an elderly blind African-American man. Uh, there was no clearly marked jurisdiction. I did not see a badge number. I did not see a warrant. When no one answered the door, the man went into the backyard and then left. At that point, regardless of who that person was, this was a public safety risk. If that individual was law enforcement, protocol matters. If that individual was not law enforcement, the danger is obvious. I documented the vehicle. I called the non-emergency line. An officer came out and filed a report. and I later requested records to understand what had happened and was redirected rather than given transparency. I want to pause here because this matters. Ambiguity plus weapons creates fear. Fear erodess trust and trust is the foundation of public safety. Now this body has acknowledged on the record that Augusta is currently the number one human trafficking corridor in the state. This is not a minor detail. That is a crisis and it raises a serious question. How can this commission name that risk while simultaneously creating the very conditions that make trafficking easier? Youth disenfranchisement, cuts to education, cuts to health programs, cuts to arts and green spaces, cuts to community infrastructure. These were not accidents. These were approved decisions. You asked, "How can trust be rebuilt?"

And then you shred it in the same meeting. You cannot claim concern about youth violence while dismantling the environments that prevent it. You cannot claim concern about human trafficking while deepening fear, instability, and displacement. You cannot claim to represent African-American communities while repeatedly pushing their voices to the back of the line. Let me be very clear about who is being most affected. African-American men and women in lowincome neighborhoods are bearing the full weight of these decisions. These are the communities experiencing overpolicing, underinvestment, and civic suppression while being told they must somehow solve problems created by the policies imposing them. I have sat with these residents who waited hours to speak. I have watched their voices deprioritized. I was allowed to speak quickly the first time I came here. That contrast matters. If my voice is pushed aside tonight or in the future, I want it understood plainly. That will show that this is not about race or identity truly. It is about silencing voices that are inconvenient. And right now, the most inconvenient voices are those naming the truth about harm. I do not believe people sitting in government are evil. But I do believe the systems you are operating within and upholding produce predictable harm. Throughout history, conflicts driven by power and control are rarely presented that way to the public. Instead, they are framed around fear of a particular group, a nationality, a race, a religion, a political identity, or an invented enemy. These visible markers make it easier to redirect anger away from corruption and toward one another. Today, uniforms, weapons, and labels serve the same function. They tell people who to fear, even when accountability is absent. This is why allowing unmarked, masked,

and unaccountable enforcement activity, especially in a city already vulnerable to trafficking, is reckless. It does not reduce harm. It multiplies it. And here's the part that must be said plainly. People are dying. Not suddenly, but slowly. Freezing on the streets, choosing between medication and food, losing children to violence.

One minute. But being pushed in desperation is what traffickers exploit. Being radicalized into political and religious extremism because despair is left untreated. These are not accidents. These are outcomes and representation fails. Death will follow quietly, bureaucratically, and without dignity. Politics being accepted as lying backroom deals and partnerships with monopolies that hoard money is not realism. It is corruption and it does not represent us. If you are going to represent us, your actions must reflect that. If not, people will organize without you because survival requires it. Nothing we re rebuild trust except action. Letting constituents speak, making meetings accessible, stopping retaliation for inconvenient truth, and fixing the problems you have the power to fix. I have three questions. Has the city opted out of all discretionary cooperation with federal immigration enforcement where is legally allowed to do so?

Madam, again, we're here to hear your dialogue. I can't ask questions. No, ma'am.

Really? Okay. Then I'm going to ask them anyways and then maybe I can get answers some other time. How much funding, direct or indirect, is currently allocated to cooperating within immigration enforcement? And how does that compare to the funding that was cut from healthcare, education, nonprofits, arts, and green spaces? And then I wanted to know honestly the given Augusta is identified as the number one human trafficking corridor. What are your plans to actually combat this moving forward, especially considering the environment created currently? Miss CEP, certainly thank you so much for being here. Before you leave, uh, you brought up an interesting point. We do have Mr. Robbie Salis with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. It is a serious concern when you have unmarked cars, ununiformed officers that identify themselves as officers. Mr. Sal, would you like to come up and speak on that? Good afternoon, folks. Um, in reference to her question about someone coming uh in a police uniform, if it's our folks, they're going to be wearing sheriff. Um, throughout the state of Georgia, you have other entities um people that are absconding from bail. We have bondsmen that go out and try to arrest people. If we're doing something, they're not going to be alone. If they're dressed like that, they're not going to be alone. Okay.

Yeah. Any other concerns you have with law enforcement as far as the human trafficking? be glad to sit down with you and cover anything you want to know. Yeah, that'd be amazing. Yeah, my worry mainly is just honestly if we do have a pattern of not necessarily identifying correctly or masking up, it does make it hard to know necessarily if things are legal or not. Now, I will say the neighbor said that his his generator was stolen. So, it's very possible that we're dealing with someone impersonating a police officer, but that is the dynamic that is a worry. Most likely. Thank you, Miss Eep. Did you report this to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, the theft of the generator? Yes. All right. Well, no, not it's his generator, so he would have to report it. But did he report it? I don't know. He wasn't home and he's moved from the area because he didn't feel safe.

So, he was a renter at the time. And I had mentioned some tenants rights, but frankly, the main point is public safety. Okay. Appreciate it. Uh be there. There's a commissioner that Sydney K in the queue, so hold this tight. Chair recognized commissioner from the fourth, commissioner Lana Wimberly. Since uh the shaft was uh uh deposit was called up, I got a question. Do we have any instances of imp uh individual impersonating officers in Richmond County? Very long time, sir. Oh, they just haven't been caught. Oh, we've caught them.

I do have So, I saw it. My husband saw it, including the gear and the police on the back. full armor honestly. And I have a picture of the unmarked black Ford truck and license. I've redacted the license for protection, but like y'all have it. Well, and like I said, you can buy that stuff online. You can, you know, do whatever. That is the problem. But if you have a tag number, we'll be glad to sit down with you and go through that. We have nothing to hide or where we're, you know, stuff like that. So, yeah. Again, I'm more about environment lift. So like it blame and all that not as much. But you know if this continues to happen the environment makes it a lot more likely to be a danger. So just knowing that is probably enough. I'm not going to file a report. Yeah. Because I just hope it doesn't happen.

We're not the only law enforcement that was comes into the county. Understood. All right. Thank you so much. Thank you, Miss Ste. Have a great day. Thank you. All right, Madam Clerk. Our next delegation D, Mr. Lawrence Brandon relative to the 2026 budget adoption that impacted discretionary NOS. I think Mr. Brandon has asked that that delegation be deleted. Next item E, Miss Linda Williams regarding public sewer infrastructure expansion policies and procedures.

Miss Williams, good day. Thank you so much for being here. If you will, for the record, please state your name and address, please. Uh, Linda Williams, your address, uh, 660 Bennick Mill Road, Augusta, Georgia. Thank you, ma'am. You have five minutes.

Thank you. Good afternoon. My name is Linda Williams, uh, District 8 property owner on Bennett Mill Road. Um, I'm currently working through a resoning process and through due diligence learned that the lack of sewer significantly limits development along this cora. I'm here to understand how sewer infrastructure planning works at a policy level and how areas like Benic Mill Road can be evaluated for future consideration. That's right. Is Ben Millro currently in any long range sewer or infrastructure planning? If it's if it's not currently planned, what is the correct process for requesting that Cora be evaluated? Will the county ever consider sewer extensions based on kurada wide benefits? not just a single parcel. At what point does utilities typical typically conduct a highle feasibility review for something like this? Are there any cost sharing or reimbursement mechanisms that county has used when sewer unlocks development in underserved areas?

Thank you, Miss Williams. Thank you for that statement. There's a quandry of colleagues that are in the queue, so just sit tight. Chair recognizes first commissioner from the district in which you live from district 8, Commissioner Brandon Garrett. I'm

not sure I've ever been part of a quandry, but ma'am, thank you for coming. And frankly, sewer access in our district is pretty much non-existent. Um there's actually a proposal that you'll be hearing later on today about a spas project that we're hoping to add that would expand sewer service all the way to the county line in South Richmond County which would then provide access for Bennick Mill Road and other areas of South Richmond to have sewer access. Um I live off Brown Road. I don't have sewer. Um much of our district does not upwards of 90% of it does not have access to sewer. Um, I'm sorry to hear that you're going through this process of trying to have your property resumed. What kind of project are you trying to do on your

Well, I'm just doing uh a residential for now. Residential like a neighborhood or family home?

Oh, just one. Um, I mean, we can still have septic tanks. That's what I have. And I know that it escalates the cost greatly of having to have a septic tank, but um Director Bine is here. I'm not sure what the time frame would be if that splice package is approved. Um if you want to come up and fill us in, it may help you with your project. But thank you for bringing this up because this this is something that we've been trying to make happen for quite a long time and um unfortunately it's we're still trying to find funding for it and that's that's really the big cause. Um like this project is upwards of 30 million correct.

So it's a it's a big ask just to get the main trunk line in and that doesn't even entail the individual accesses to roads and everything else. So it's a it's going to be a big lift. Dragun.

So the uh the proposed splast package for the development in that area is about 30 million and about three years of development time um to finish design, environmental procurement for the wetland permits, the easements, all those things that would go along with procuring a project of this size. Um the Bennett Mill Road uh project is off um a little bit downstream would require an additional lift station in order to serve that corridor. Um that's what we're seeing out there right now is um development around the edges as everybody's excited about what could be coming. And so as such we've got Mcbine Creek um Little Spirit Creek and the area right by the river um which have a little bit different needs um but are part of a longer term comprehensive look as it is the only basin that's not sewered um you know in in a large format doesn't provide a trunk man in the area.

All right. Thank you. Thank you commissioner Garrett. Chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim Wang Gilful.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, Miss Williams, I also live in district 8, live in the city limits ahead. One thing that I have found out, every everybody on Ben Mill Road horseshoe, u, the ground perks. Well, um, it like director Westbine said, it's going to be 3 to 5 years down the road before you will even see the main trunk line for the sewage. But if you going to build your house, all you got to do is call the Department of Health, apply for a septic tank, and they will come out there and test a ground soil and it's a use, it's approved method. Um, I haven't seen anybody get turned down yet, unless you live in a wetland area with um so good luck on your venture, but you don't need county sewage to build a house. Okay. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim Gilfall. Mr. Williams, thank you so much for being here today. Thank you.

Have a great rest of your day. All right, Madam Clerk. Okay, our last delegation item F, Mr. Brian Green, relative to the consequences of consolidation. Mr. Green, happy new year and welcome, sir. For the record, please state your name and address. Brian Green, 2429 Mount Auburn. All right, Mr. Green, you have five minutes, sir. She forgot the subtitle. Uh, it's only 84 minutes. I thought that we put that on there, but

you see on the subtitle there's what, Miss Madam uh clerk, I thought we added that. It would have been on there. It's only 84 minutes. It should been their agenda books. We copied your request to appear. Oh, okay. Thank you so much. We'll just I want to make sure y'all were aware of 84 minutes, Mr. Mayor. Okay, I'll re

here to talk about a little bit. Um I was inspired. I read something just yesterday from uh Mr. Horton. I think it's Doug Horton. He was an academic from 19th century. and he said, "We don't always get what we want, but we always get what we deserve." So, my theme today, we're talking about consolidation, this consolidated government. It's it's a real question is uh are we getting what we deserve? And it's a it's a really good um rhetorical question moving forward in 2026. Few things I want to mention today. One of them concerns, let me stop, back up. First of all, I think you all did a how should I say this. I think you did a good job. I think you did what was necessary when on this last budget. I think that's something that should have been done in 1996. Had it been done in 1996 on their first budget hearing after we consolidated, we probably wouldn't be here today. That part as far as that goes. I know that's not typical the way you probably budget uh balance the budget, but that had to be done because guess what? That lines right up with the real principle of consolidation, which means a more lean government, a more efficient government. So you I think that this commission actually did something that uh no other commission has done. I mean you you all got that done. So the commission 10 years from now, 20 years cannot say, "Oh, they never did. It's it's been done and it was painful." Um and I was listening to some of the

comments today. Those are some of the unintended consequences. this thing about Nat Geos. And of course, sitting back there, I was like, man, before you go up there, you got to come up with some money for these Nat Geos. So, I'm gonna include that in here. Oh, sorry. I'm thinking Nat Gio Discovery Channel. I watched too much of it. NG in NOS's. NOS's. My bad. My bad. Right. So, uh, but by doing that, I think you're doing the community a service, and it is painful, but again, I just think, uh, it was about 29 years late on that. So, moving forward, maybe you set a precedence now, we can get this government to where cuz I didn't vote for consolidation. If I went back on it, I still wouldn't vote for consolidation. Uh, based on what the experts say, not me. That's what the experts said about consolidation. But nevertheless, I just want to say that to you all. One concern I've had uh concerning our consolidation is what we've done with public transit that public transit is uh very special to me. I've had to use public transit. I had good experiences on public transit, got to where I need to go. But um they just been gutted. I hope there is a way, Mr. mayor and this is this commission that you're able to direct or redirect some funds to our public transit. Hence, this is where the 84 minute remark and I'm not trying to be a smart alle talking about the 84 minutes which is what hour and 24 minute because where that comes from y'all were having a discussion about one of the routes and they said well we're not cutting the route we just cutting one but it's only 84 minute more wait and so I just want to ask commissioner if you don't think that's major at the end of one of your long meetings we just after you adjourn We then go another 84

minutes and we answer questions from the, you know, the audience and we just just hang around for another 84 minutes, right? And and I'm I'm not trying to be sarcastic, but I'm just trying to make a point. One minute.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Look at the weather out there. This is real. And another thing I want to say, why are we continuing to farm out to public transit? Are they bringing I mean you're having to pay a company to run public transit. Where's the beef? Where's the general where are the funds that they've gen generated? Have they come up with some great routes, great new routes? So what are the benefits to that? They seem to have somehow went underneath the knife. The way that thing was slanging around, I thought they would have caught it too. So when you're voting on this, that's something to consider. But moving forward, I just like to say we need and another thing. Are we going to really put $10 million, Mr. Mayor, as far as our consolidated government, on a facility, one facility, community facility, when you we can divide money up and put it towards some NOS's in the future?

You read it right on the head. Five five minutes. Mr. Green, you know, you're always welcome here. We thank you, sir, for all those comments. Just hold on a second. We have a commissioner from the ninth that would like to add uh some context to your delegation. Chair recognizes Commissioner Francine Scott from the night.

Mayor, thank you, Mayor Johnson. I would just like to make an estate statement about transportation, the bus transportation. And I think I got about eight calls on Saturday on Friday with um people not able especially the um uh wheelchair accessibility only two from my understanding two um wheelchair can get on the bus at at one time and I think on par transit or on the buses

on the bus on the bus. Okay. And um I think it was Friday it was raining and the bus had stopped coming you know every whatever hour uh minutes they come they have went to the new so I hear your pain and I will be coming to our colleagues asking if it's something else that we can do about the transportation of our citizens standing out there in the rain or if uh one wheelchair is at picked up at this area and then the next one at the next. And if there's someone at the third um stop, then that person to have to wait to the for another 90 minutes or whatever the wait time is for another. So, uh thank you for bringing that forward. And um um I'm I'm not sure what I'll be asking, but I I definitely see that there's going to be some issues that we're going to have for people. That's ride public transportation. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Thank you, Mr. Green, for coming today.

Thank you, Commissioner Scott. And Mr. Green, you're you're you're correct in that we need to be able to provide adequate transportation to those that need it. Uh, often time I do monitor our buses and I find them empty most of the time. So, I believe strongly that there needs to be some route optimization as well as routes that now are accessible to those that need it. One of our busiest corridors is at Windsor Spring and Tobacco Road. I don't think there's a bus that goes anywhere near that. So, we need to find ways to find people to get them to where they need to be instead of having all these big buses riding around town that are mostly empty and the routes not optimized.

Can I make a quick s when y'all think of y'all going to redo this contract with this another company, they need to come with that. that need to come with some bread and butter about how you going to redo these routes. How you going to generate funds in city or quite frankly bring it back cuz those people lost their benefits kind of when they had to go to work for a private company. They used to work for the city. And one other thing Mr. Mayor and this commission Uber is not cheap. I took one years ago but that was years ago. Uber is very expensive. There is a pickup base of client base you would say in South Augusta. If you all would just kind of open your minds up to it, it may surprise you on the ridership that's waiting to happen in South Augusta. And nobody from Transit asked me to come up and do this. They had no idea I was coming up. I just want to do that disclaimer.

Thank you, Mr. Green. I think it's part of the new contract, a microtransit study is a part of that. So hopefully they will bring some solutions how we could one decrease the weight times, two increase wrership. So, I think that's part of the new contract and uh that is something that we'll be discussing in the near future. Thank you, Mr. Green. Okay. All right, Madam Clerk, I think that takes us to uh uh the consent portion of our agenda. But before we go there, the commissioner from the fifth has asked for point of personal privilege. Chair recognizes Commissioner Donclaw.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Hey, everyone again. Happy New Year to everyone. and hopefully your holidays was enjoyable um and you had a time of reset for sure. So, wanted to uh issue a challenge to all of our department directors. Um February is uh one of the themes for February will be high school Job Shadowing Day. Um so, February 2nd, 2026. Um, the Richmond County School System will be accepting, they are currently accepting applications um for those that will open up their departments, open up their businesses or otherwise um to allow our youth the opportunity to shadow. Um I think all of us that have been in here Yeah. I think all of us uh in here are not in school anymore, but we were in that um un that kind of unknown of determining what's next steps. I think the best way of doing this has always been to open up our youth to as many opportunities and experiences to help shape and form their decisions of what they want to do in life. So directors, um I have the uh application link here. um please accept the challenge. Let's get as many of our youth um to be able to come in and participate in this program. But I think it would be absolutely um important for us to uh continue to build and establish the pipeline um of our folks that live right here in the community, our youth, and cultivate their cultivate their minds into uh job opportunities and industry options that many of them probably never even thought about or considered. Um I'm I'm looking at our uh interim finance director. I know you're probably looking for some u recruits to uh take your place and others, but again um I think this is a great opportunity for us to uh partner

with the uh school system, but more importantly to impact uh some of the youth in our community. So, I've issued the challenge to our directors, but I also issue the same challenge to many of our uh industry uh leaders out there, um businesses, law enforcement as well um so that we can uh participate in this program. They're looking for uh half day 3 to four hours or full day 6 to 7 hours. Um they're even open to allowing tours, task observations, mentoring, and then of course providing uh Q&A opportunities for them. The deadline um for the uh submission is uh coming up pretty quick. So uh everybody go ahead and jump in this. I'll pass this to the administrator and team if we can please disseminate this out to uh our directorates and um so that they can uh be a part of that. for sure. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Commissioner Clark. Madame Clerk, I think we're prepared for the consent portion of this agenda. Um, you want to accept the addendum agenda in the event you may want to add those to consent? Yes, ma'am. Put it up on the screen. Can we get on screen? We will, Mr. uh, Comm. She's putting it up. All right, colleagues, is there any objection to adding these seven addendum items to today's agenda? Madam clerk, do we need to read them in for the record, please? On the addendum agenda. Yes, please.

Yes, sir. We can do that. Item number one is a motion to reject the unsolicited proposals for the revitalization of the Vernon Forest Park. Item number two is to approve and authorize the fourth renewal of the solid waste and recycling frontload services agreement with Coastal Waste and Recycling of Georgia. Item number three is to approve and authorize one-year extension of the Augusta downtown receptacle and non-compliance and illegal dumping waste disposal contract with Coleman Sanitation. also approved $450,000 to fund these services. Item number four is to approve and award construction contract to the M. Mitchell Group in the amount not to exceed 48,731 for concrete flatwork repairs related to Hurricane Helen storm damage project. Award is contingent upon receipt of signed contracts, proper bonds and contract associated documents. Item number five is to approve and award construction contract to upon maintenance of Augusta LLC in an amount not to exceed $480,960 for hurricane el damage storm water ponds repair project. Item number six is to approve supplemental funds for construction contract supplement to reefs construction in the amount of 56,53387 for additional water utilities construction 458,27.50 50 cent for Damascus Road reservicing for Riceboro Road improvements. Jackson Road to Highland Avenue project funding

is critical for continuity of in progress construction completion by Masters 2026. Item number seven is to approve oneyear renewal of the Inquesta for Augusta utilities department. Thank you so much madam clerk. Colleagues, is there any objection to adding these seven items to today's agenda? Second, though we can do it without objection. Can we do it without objection? Okay, madame clerk, hearing or seeing no objection, these seven items are add to today's agenda. Yes, sir. All right, let's move forward.

Our consent agenda consists of items one through five. Items one through five. for the benefit of any objectors to our planning petitions. We will read those petitions and once they're read, if there any objection, would you please signify your objection? Once the petition is read, call your attention to item number one. It's a request requesting a reszoning from a zone A agriculture and a B2 general business to a zone A agriculture affecting property located at 5940 Deansbridge Road. Are there any objectors?

Any objections to this matter? Madam Clerk, hearing seeing none, let's continue with the next item. Item number two is a request for concurrence for reszoning from a zone R1 one family residential and a R3B multiple family residential to a zone R1 one family residential for an existing church affecting property located at 2500 2524 and 2516 McDow Street and 1405 Arsenal Avenue 1320 Mona Santa Avenue. Are there any objectors? Any objections to this matter? None noted.

Seeing none, madam clerk, let's continue. Okay. Item number three is a requesting a special exception for an existing church for property located at 2500, 252, 254, 2516 McDower Street and 1405 Arsenal Avenue. Uh this will be zone R1, one family residential and R3B, multiple family residential. Are there any objectors? Any objectives to this matter? Madam clerk, hearing or seeing none.

Okay, Mr. Mayor, members of the commission, our agenda consent agenda consists of items 1 through five with no objectors to our planning petition. Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. Chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim Wayne Gilmore. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And Mr. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to add this to the consent agenda if you would not mind. Yes, sir.

Under the agenda item, Madame Clerk, like the consent agenda item number one, agenda item number two, agenda item number four, agenda item number five, and what we had found out with agenda item number five, anything to do with the hurricane, we get 75% reimbursement. County puts up 25. Agenda item number six, madame clerk. And agenda item number seven. Okay. Thank you, madame clerk. Do you have those? That's everything within that's one, two, four, five, six, and seven. Yes, sir. All right. Any objection to any of those?

I don't see any. All right, madame clerk. Uh, next we have Commissioner Brandon Garrett from the ETH. Thank you. I'd like to add um item number eight from the agenda to consent and also uh it's my understanding madam administrator that item number three that 450 is already budgeted. Correct. On the agenda. On the agenda. On the addendum. On the agenda. Which item? I'm sorry. On the agenda. Three. I don't have the add agenda. Huh? Thank you. So there's questions on that. Yeah. Okay. So, just item number eight. Number three. Yes, sir. All right. Thank you. All right. Madame clerk budget. Yeah.

The commissioner from the eth has asked that we add item number eight from the regular agenda to uh to the consent agenda. Is there any objection to that from any of this governing body? Hearing seeing none is added to the consent agenda. All right. Madam clerk, there's no further colleagues in the queue. Um motion to approve agenda as stated. Second.

There's a motion from the commissioner from the ETH, second from the commissioner from the 3rd, Commissioner Katherine Smith Rice. Let's give her an opportunity to get it on the screen. And we're prepared to vote. Ready to vote. Mr. W. Okay, Johnson's out. Okay, that motion carries with Mr. Jordan Johnson out.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Let's go to item number six, please. Item number six is to receive updates from Redwood, Inc. regarding safety and property improvements at the Bonire and Richmond Summit apartment complexes.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon, sir.

Uh Jack Long here on behalf of uh Redwood. Um as you recall, we were uh before this commission in uh August at the beginning of August, and you asked us to come back and give uh just an update as as far as construction goes um on both the improvements being done at the Bonaire Apartments as well as the uh Richmond Summit. uh Mr. Mayor uh Commissioner Rice, these uh a list of what these improvements were previously emailed um at the end of November, but I'd like to go through them with you today just so uh for public interest it can be uh broadcast what we're doing uh and what what has been done. Um, as you know, my client acquired these properties uh a few years ago and they were uh distressed for lack of a better word. Um, and had many many many uh years of deferred maintenance. Uh, since then uh they have undertaken the following improvements. 100% of the units have been upgraded. What that means is uh the units have essentially been gutted. Uh the new flooring, carpet or laminate has been put in each unit. Uh brand new kitchen cabinets have been put in each unit. Uh brand new quartz countertops have been put in each unit. New light fixtures. Uh and brand new stainless appliances in 100% of the units. Um at both the summit and the uh bonire uh there have been unit and site accessibility improvements and upgrades uh things to bring uh both of these historic properties up to code um and make them more accessible uh for the

residents. uh on the Bonaire uh exterior uh stucco repairs uh were made and then facade upgrades were made on both buildings that included um well as of today uh new and improved uh window units. You all may have seen uh the cranes downtown at the summit over the last few months in the fall uh and at the bonire and that those projects have been completed in addition at both units uh both buildings rather uh upgrades. Mr. Long, can you clarify? I recall at the bonire they were putting a new system in that did not require window units. So are you putting newer window units at windows? Not windows. Windows windows.

Did I say units? I apologize. New windows. New windows. New windows. But there are new window units at the Richmond Summit because they didn't have a centralized system. Did you put a centralized system in?

Correct. So, and getting to that uh both the uh at both properties um new centralized systems for heat and cooling were installed and have been completed. That includes at both properties new AC cooling towers, water pumps, heat pumps, and a new boiler system. Yes, Mr. Mayor. um upgrades to the fire suppression system on both properties. Uh very importantly, a new security camera system and access controls uh at both properties. What that means is that um a key fob is required generally for residents getting in. There are uh both onsite and remote security at both properties. Um and so uh and per per a recommendation of I believe Mr. mayor as well as uh some members of the uh sheriff's department. Um Redwood in fact changed the security provider um at uh the Bonire in late summer and has been uh since then very happy with its its current provider uh for on-site security. Uh in addition there upgraded community amenities including a library, a fitness center and a business center. Um at the bonire and at the uh summit, we've also pursuant to uh security meetings conducted just before uh the August 5th meeting of this commission and immediately following um with that involved some of the commissioners as well as uh representatives of the sheriff's department. Uh Redwood has installed a automatic license plate reader cameras or flock system uh which the sheriff's department is able to link

to uh and that helps um identify bad actors before they do something wrong. um if a a car is stolen or if there is a a person who has an automobile that has a warrant out for their arrest or something that enables uh the sheriff's department to know where they are sooner before they have an opportunity to uh commit a crime. Uh new exterior doors with alarms have been installed. Uh, additionally at the Bonire where there's a larger footprint, uh, if you will, uh, additional fencing and vehicle gates with access controls have been installed. Um, in the rear, uh, exterior lighting, uh, has been added at both properties. Uh, both properties have, uh, like I mentioned, had a window replacement as well as a new roofing system installed. uh parking lot improvements at the at the Bonire, modernization of all the passenger elevators at uh both properties. At the Richmond Summit, there are two elevators at the Bona Air. There are three elevators. Uh there is a fourth elevator shaft that uh I believe was originally designed for a service elevator, but has not been operational as any kind of elevator in probably more than 40 years. Uh the bonire is planning on adding a fourth passenger elevator uh to the bonire and is working with uh ther crop elevator company uh to install that. Um but the uh I think at the last time the Mr. Mayor and two of our commissioners were there, we had uh one elevator at the bonire that had been totally retrofitted uh and the other two were in progress. those two uh now have all new motors and systems and things

like that. Um upgraded common area finishes uh including refinishing of historic Terrasco flooring uh repainting ceilings, adding new light fixtures and furniture and restoration of the lobby, terrace room and other community areas at the um at the bonire. Um while punchless work is ongoing uh they Redwood has actively uh prepared a ribbon cutting event uh and would invite all of you to participate. Um I will put up on the screen a copy of the invitation. Uh it is for uh oh

it's Natasha.

Sorry. Um I'll leave these for her as well. uh 10 10 o'clock at the uh Bonire on Wednesday, February 4th and then uh two o'clock uh at the Richmond Summit uh that same afternoon. Uh invitations went out, I believe, today by email it, but if you didn't get it, um you're certainly invited to attend the uh the grand reopening. Um uh you know so essentially uh that is the update as to the physical plant improvements. Um since we were here last we believe like things have gone well. We've had um an inspection on site from representatives of uh the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation which has a um easement so to speak over certain parts of the bonire. Uh I did a site visit and walk through with them. I want to say it was October or thereabouts this fall. Um and they had no noted concerns um of any significance. We're happy to with some of the repairs that have been made um for the for the areas that they had an easement over. Uh we've had as I mentioned just before our last appearance for the commission and immediately following we've had security walkthroughs at both the bonire and the summit with um representatives of both the uh private security companies that have beena engaged uh to provide security uh as well as members of the uh Richmond County Sheriff's Department. Uh those went well. I believe a few of uh you attended those meetings. Um and those um security plans that were created have been followed through with

um as a result we've seen a a notable improvement in security uh at both properties. Um and then finally uh we have started a uh town hall type meeting periodically. I believe uh Commissioner uh Slindac and Commissioner Rice attended our last one of those uh just to receive sort of input from residents and other members of the community or or suggestions. We plan to continue to have those. Um so overall, I think things are going well and I'm happy to answer any questions you have.

Thank you, Attorney Long. Just for the record, can you state what type of investment this has been um on behalf of your owners for these two properties? I I I'm I wasn't prepared to give you an exact dollar figure, but I mean I can tell you it's in the millions of dollars. Um you know, if you I know you're uh Mr. Mayor, you've had the benefit of going through this, but I mean uh and these properties, but you go in, the carpet's new, the paint is new. It's a it's a very significant capital investment um at at both of these properties. Uh are all of those projects finished or when is completion? Yeah, everything I' I've mentioned is is is totally complete. Yes, your Yes, sir.

Is there any other work ongoing that we need to be aware of? Because I still see work being done at Richmond Summit. I mean,

well, with a with a hundred-y old building, there's always going to be work ongoing, right? Um, so that's that's one of the joys of owning a historic property. But, um, I've, as I mentioned, the conversion of the former, um, the empty shaft that used to house a service elevator at the boner into an additional elevator, that has not been completed yet. They're sort of at the mercy of the u elevator manufacturer for that. You know, as elevators are customdesigned and engineered units and you're sort of just on their schedule whenever one of the two predominant elevator companies can get to you. Um but that was sort of an additional thing, not you know, not um not repairs to an existing structure. Um, but everything I've gone through on this list is completed.

Thank you so much, Commissioner Rice. I see you in the queue, but at some point I'm going to ask Major Robbie Silas with the sheriff's office to come up. And I think there's a neighborhood representative that also like to speak, but right now I yield to the commissioner, Katherine Smith Rice, the third. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you, um, Attorney Long for being here. U I would like to see I don't have it right in front of me but the um future the plan the phases one and two that we asked to make sure were completed by the end of the year. Do you have a to put up on the screen so that we can Mr. Rice? We emailed you that I believe on um I'm looking forward November the 28th. Um but I I will put up on the screen a copy of the email um

okay to you which details um those okay improvements. All right. Can we leave that please? And I'm going to ask uh um Mr. S uh Major S Major Yes. major to come up here and and and talk to the talk to us about some of these um improvements just to make sure that just to confirm that this has been

on behalf of the sheriff's office. We are very excited and to say that uh you know they have done pretty much everything that we have asked of them. Um there are a couple things on the punch list that are being addressed. If the residents and the community is not happy about this place, there's something wrong. Um, this place is now in the in the hands of the residents to to take help take care of this place. I mean, it is beautified inside and out both places. Um, we have a couple little security things that we're working on. Um, we have now a real life crime center at uh, our 400 building. Um, we have the cameras linked to our building down there to where we have people monitoring what's going on up there. We did a walk through today and saw some big improvements with the fencing, the gates, um, the security on site. Um so there there's a lot of things that they've done to make improvements there and we we are happy to say we're we're you know

okay so the call volume everything had the call volume compared to six months seven months ago all that has dropped not only for us but other entities within county government from the 311 center probably even to the commissioners that you've got not gotten the phone calls that you normally have and like I say that those places are are really turning out to be nice.

Okay. So, just making sure that we've gotten phase one improvements done and two and we're staying on top of this to make sure that that everything is completed. Uh I have noticed um with my constituents for the most part. I have not received as many emails and calls as I had several months ago. But as a commissioner um and to help my con continue to help my constituents out. I'm going still stay I'm going to stay on top of this to make sure that we're doing um all them taking care of everything. Did we have a phase three uh does anybody know from Redwood? Do we have a phase three in the future make or no? Or is this it?

This is it. Okay. All right. Well, I would like to call somebody up. Do we have anybody here from Redwood? I'm I'm here on their behalf. You're on Okay. All right. So, nobody from the We have We We have We have their building manager here, but I'm I'm speaking on their behalf. Okay. All right. I'm going to yield and allow uh somebody from uh district three to come up and speak. Yes, ma'am. Um Commissioner, uh is there a representative from the neighborhood would like to come up and speak? Yes, ma'am. And would you come to this this podium right here? And for the record, will you please state your name and address, please?

Yes. My name is Kathy Dolan and I reside at 808 Mill Village Road on the corner of Mill Road and The Bonire is in my backyard. Thank you, ma'am. And you have the floor.

Thank you. Um, since probably over the past year, my husband and I have befriended many, many residents in the Bonire and um, we have become very close to them. And not to argue with what um attorney Long said, but there are still units as of today that do not have heat and air. We know those people. And as I stated at the last commission meeting to Attorney Long, he said they all had heat and air. I introduced him to three women who did not have heat and air and had not had it for six years. and he said they needed to follow protocol and they had followed protocol to two levels with no nothing back in return. One woman that he spoke with, she does have central heat in air now. She has several friends in the boner that still do not have heat.

Thank you, Attorney Long. Judge or Mr. Mayor, first of all, I'm I'm un sorry I'm used to being in court. I was in divorce court all morning. Uh but uh I I'll say this. I'm I'm unaware of of those concerns. I I I seriously question how often Mrs. Dolan has been inside the Bonn Air or inside of any unit. Um, but I would stress to any tenant if there is any building concern to address it with building management as they've done

as any well again we don't have any of I'm unaware of any of the residents that are here making complaints. We're hearing from a a neighbor who is sort of making hearsay statements of uh what she's heard. I I don't think that really should carry very much weight. I would also note that one of the uh friends Miss Dolan was advocating for at the last meeting following the meeting attempted to emolate himself and set the building on fire. Sir, we're not here we're not here to discuss any of that. We're here No, sir. I but I I I just I I think it puts some some of the context of of the Dolan in in perspective. All right. M Miss Dolan, please continue.

I'm gonna try to continue. Okay. Second, these people have befriended us. They are not making this up. They are scared still of retaliation if they call people of being kicked out. These are people and they want to stay there. We want them to stay there. We have they're our friends. We think that they deserve a safe and nice place. They have done a lot of work in the bonire, but they are not finished. And she also told me, "Mr. Mayor, I'm going to have to object. I I think that, you know, to allow a resident to just state hearsay on the record, um is a bit reckless. Um

while I would agree with you, I think you said that there's a a maintenance manager that's here. Is there is there a representative for maintenance? We we have the property manager here. Property manager. Are they here? Where are they? We have the property manager right here. Come on up, man. Come up and speak. Come to me. But I mean I I'm I'm not um

the and and the reason I say these are some serious concerns because when we were there over the summer, we did experience a lot of units that did not have air conditioning. And here we are now and even though the day is going to be warm, it's it's cold outside and if people are paying their rent, they they should have proper heating and air conditioning. And and madam manager, I'm going to ask you, do you have any complaints of any units that right now does not have air conditioning? Currently, we do not have any that are have no heat and air. So, everybody has operable heating and air. Everybody should have operable heating.

Mr. Mayor, I think and I think some of the concerns that were were made prior were when these new systems were going online and we had to cut out, you know, service to a section of the building. Uh and as we explained then those affected residents were given the opportunity to either move to a hotel during the work when the windows were coming out when they didn't have air conditioning um uh you know when when the windows were being replaced and the chillering towers being replaced. Um, again, I I can't sit here and say there's never a maintenance concern with any one of hundreds of individual units, but I can say that when those concerns are brought to management, they're resolved properly.

All right. Thank you. I'm going yield for just a second to the commissioner from the third, Commissioner Rice. Thank you, Mayor. I'm listening back and forth, so I'm taking it all in here. I wanted to see if there was a way. Um, Miss Dolan, is the you said there were three that you know of that do not have. Is there a way we can get their name and somehow another so that we can make sure? We'll give those to you. Yes, I will get those names. That way we can make sure. What else are they heat? No heat. They were talking about no heat and that there had been recently a rat problem in the building and several of the units were leaking water attracting the rats. Okay. that. Yeah, we can't have that.

So, that was brought up to my that was brought to my attention. I asked if there was anything that I could say because I have another concern about the bonire and I asked the the residents if there were have any concerns when I went down there that I could speak on their behalf. Okay. So, if concerns Okay. Thank you. So, if I could get the three that do not have heat uh so that we can make sure that they do get heat and that they are looked at and this is addressed. Okay. Awesome. And I will find the areas of the bonnet where the rats were seen and the water is leaking. Yes, that that would help out. Anything um as and I'm going to ask this. Have you you have seen some improvements though on the outside and

we've seen some improvements on the outside which brings me to my second question. We live in Somerville historic Augusta and we go by the guidelines of historic preservation. We go before I go before HPC if I want to paint something a different color or put a new roof on my house. We h we spent over $1,000 to get a drawing to put a roof on an area that is 4t x 4t. Gladly we know what the situation what what we have to do living in historic Augusta. And I um texted the mayor and the commissioner in regards to that the bond air has not become come before HPC. And I talked to the head of HPC and they said they have not asked about paving. They haven't asked about the new fence that they put up or closing up the historic ballroom windows. None went to HPC for any kind of approval. So what kind of precedent are you setting? let the bonner do whatever they want to do. They're in the same jurisdiction that I'm in. So, you're setting a precedent that I can just do whatever I want to do, which is not good for our city. It is not good for the historic part of Augusta.

And why do they have special privilege to do what they want to do and they have not and HPC only gets information when they apply for a permit, which they also did not do or the permits were bypassed. Commissioner, if you may, Mr. Long, you mentioned that some historic group came by to approve your work. Who were you referring to?

So, Mr. Mayor, um the bonire is actually several different parcels of um of real estate on the tax digest and um as is common with many historic properties, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation uh has a preservation easement on certain components of it. Uh that includes things like a knee wall that goes around the perimeter of the property as Walton Way curves around uh circular driveway and u you know part parts of the parts of different parcels that the bonire sits on and uh they do a periodic review. Um I think the my understanding is that the review had been delayed because of the hurricane. Uh but they actually scheduled a review this fall. Uh I met with a representative uh of the of that entity. Uh she came out, walked the property together, um noted some improvements to the uh brick work and uh paving and signed off on it. So uh I'm not sure what Miss uh Dolan's complaints regarding uh lack of permitting are. I'm unfamiliar with those. But I would also highly question the last time Mrs. Dolan has been sir on site.

Sir, she she lives next. Let's let's let's not go there, Mr. Long. All right.

I agree. Thank you, Mayor. Mayor, I go back to the Georgia Trust is a different entity from the Historic Preservation Society of in Augusta. in if you buy historic property, you know, when you buy it, if you make changes to the outside of your property in any way, you go before the Historic Preservation Commission, and you get permission to do so. We've done it with the brick wall. We've done it with iron fencing. We've done it with roofing. Everything that we've done, why does the Bonaire not have to do that? We all in Somerville have to do that except the Bonire. While I would agree with you, the work is done now basically, right?

The work is complete, Mr. Mayor. And I would I would note that it was done in concert with uh the city and the license and inspection department uh who oversaw and sort of supervised all these improvements and given it their apparent blessing. So, yeah. All right. Commissioner Rice,

I've got a question, too. Uh, can we have I'd like to have code enforcement as well come up um and speak on behalf about compliance. Also, phase two should have um been something that should have gone under historic preserv or historic preservation should have been discussing this with the department to have it put on the agenda. Obviously, it didn't happen. So, We are where we are. I agree. I've lived in Somerville and been in Augusta for a long, long time. And I know from a few homes that I've had that anything I wanted to do, we had to remember cutting down two magnolia trees and we didn't go through historic preservation and got in big trouble. Uh but other things we did uh we had to go through historic preservation. So Miss Dolan's right. Um I want to find out though with compliance changes. I want to find out what kind of calls have been going on and then we'll have to discuss this other security. You know why historic preservation wasn't contacted? Why didn't the department you know departments usually if I'm not mistaken have to work with the historic preservation for it to go on their agenda. Is that not correct? Anybody on this? No ma'am. Yes ma'am. Oh no no you what I was told,

but also um that that's what I would have thought and I'm asking some of my colleagues about historic preservation. Do y'all know uh how come on up please, Mr. Vassel? Interim director Vasser, thank you for being here, sir. Good afternoon, everyone. To my understanding, it was approved by it was approved at the staff level. Sometimes you we have administrative levels that you can approve things on. So the windows was approved at staff level. So that's was the only reason why I didn't go HBC. It was it was matter of fact it was about two three years ago it was approved by staff. Okay. And

did you say the pavement fence? I will have to get some more information on the pavement and fence. I'm not sure on that one. Okay. Okay. Well, we've been talk I mean we've been talking about this and it has been something that I have been on a mission about, but we talked about I know that the fencing was a discussion several months ago and it's up and it's it's it's better than having nothing at all. That's correct. But I want to hear from you about anything that you've noticed on your end. You've been through the bonire. wanted to hear.

Well, I can tell you um in the last uh since September the 1st, 2025, we only have had three complaints. Um and that was three violations and that when you call it viol three complaints of callins about issues at the bond air two was for the elevators, but they always had a working elevator. This was during the times that they was replacing the old air the new the old air elevators. Mhm. Then we had in December we got one call on the heat. Um and when that was replaced, I think it was December the 10th. 3 4 days later they replaced it and we went out and the case was closed. So we haven't had many issues with Bond Air. Um Richmond Summit, we don't we haven't had really no complaints with that. I think we replaced refrigerator.

We had a refrigerator replacement and that's been the only issue they ever had. Okay. Well, I I do know that I've the I have received and I'll say this, I have received um calls about the fencing that there were people that are happy with the fencing that it's finally secure. U and I see where Miss Dolan's coming from is about following the rules of HPC. Uh really I don't know what to say about that except for that HPC should have been coordinating with the department and uh it's the work's been done.

Yeah, I I would agree with that. Um I think HBC is involved at a certain level, but I'm not 100%. I don't want to speak on the wrong thing on that. Uh but I do know it was approved at staff level like I say about two three years ago. I guess when the project was first getting started, I wasn't here at that time, but that's what I've been told. Was there any historical context taken in place to make sure that it matched I guess the requirements from HPC or the original decor of the building? You I would imagine you did your staff take that into consideration? Yes, that's always in consideration when dealing with the historic area. Okay.

Regarding the windows, those had already been the original windows for the building had already been largely removed prior to my client's acquisition of this property. Um, and I would just note that the replacement windows that went in that were approved by the department are of a much higher quality than uh the prior replacement windows that had been there. Miss Dolan, there's something you need to add. The only thing I was going to tell you, Commissioner Rice, is I was informed by the head of HPC that the only way that they know about an incident or an approval is they would get something from the permit office when they request a permit to put a fence up or to pave. They got none. So, they had nothing on their agenda.

And was that the um was that the president of the HPC that Mr. Dave Barbie. Okay. That they received no permit requests for anything at the um Bonire. Okay. All right. Making note of that. All right. There are other people in the queue. I'm I'm going to let the mayor uh address others that are in the queue and then I will come back to this. Great. Thank you. Uh chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim Wayne Gilful.

Thank you, Miss Dolan. It's a lot easier listening hearing your voice than instead of Mr. Frank was here cuz I promise you it wouldn't be as soft. But um we actually have a gentleman here that serves on the HBC board and Mr. Long HPC does have a big footprint in the historic which you aware of that. Yes sir.

Yes sir. And um you know that we have seen in the past couple years where people has been strong armed by the HPC requiring them or to remove things that once it was up it didn't follow underneath the HBC guidelines then they had to remove it. Um and it it actually had caused a lot of issues, a lot of problems. But my main thing is is that when you had came before us before that it was the safety That's right.

of the residents, the safety of the neighborhood, the surrounding neighborhood, the residents that was a big issue for me. Um I see that you had put up a fence supply. Now, when it comes to the quality of life for the residents, I'm hearing that three of the residents doesn't have heat and air. The only thing I could ask you, Mr. Long, if you could verify,

check, you got your um manager there behind you to verify because there has to be a protocol, process, procedure that if something's not working, you know, you file a complaint and things are done in accordance. So, if you could do that, naturally, you won't be able to respond to that at this moment because you're going to have residents watching what we doing right now. Go, well, damn, they never responded to me. And so, it'll be a good time in a week, email, the mayor, the administrator, the attorney to let them know, hey, yeah, three did slip by, four slip by. You got a lot of residents in there. We just want to be I'm not throwing accusations. Uh just I rather be safe than sorry to make sure that everybody is in compliance and that does have heating in there.

So So Commissioner Gilmore, my building manager is telling me there's no as of this today no open action items, right?

I will verify that. Uh but I would also note that uh and one one thing Commissioner Rice and I believe Commissioner uh Slindac heard at one of our town hall, part of this is is a bit of a a culture issue. uh you know, teaching residents that when your refrigerator breaks, uh rather than calling your commissioner or calling the police or calling your neighbor, you go downstairs and talk to the building manager and explain, "Hey, my refrigerator's broken. I need to put in a maintenance ticket." Um, and so, you know, sometimes we hear of sort of anecdotal issues that seem like they're really escalated, but in in reality, it's never even been reported to the building manager. long. We have certainly look into that. We have the same problem within the residents of Augusta Richmond County. They bypassed 311. They called the commissioner and it's the same protocol, same procedure. But what you got to understand is to realize is that some people don't know who to call.

Sure. And so it might be good to inform the residents. You know, I imagine there's postcards, notes, or or you could put up on the billboard, hey, if you have any issues, please call and put your manager's name and number down. Um, simple, but it would cause a lot of it'll prevent a lot of problems in the future, but the security of the um area, surrounding area, cuz I do have a lot of good friends that lives around there that in the past it wasn't pleasant to be around. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Long. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. Chair recognizes our legal counsel, Mr. Jim Plunkett.

Mr. Mayor, there was some questions about HPC and whether protocols were followed. Rather than speculating what was done or not done properly, if you would give uh the law department and allow us to get with the um planning department, we could probably come back in certainly by the next commission meeting and explain to y'all what happened or did not happen. I think it would be much better than this back and forth of what happened. So, if you'll give us that latitude, we'd like to do that. Put it on the January 20th. Is that feasible? It'll be our it'll be our attempt to get it to you by the 20th. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Rice. Chair recognizes Commissioner from the 9th, Commissioner Francine Scott.

Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Uh, good to see you, Attorney Long. Thank you, Miss Dolan, for being here and voicing your concerns about the constituents in your neighborhood. Um, uh, on behalf of Commissioner Johnson, he had to leave on a family emergency and I'm asking, uh, all of, uh, the commissioners and the constituents out there to please be in prayer for, uh, Mr. Johnson and his family. He did want me to say that uh we was getting so many calls from Richmond Summit. We're not getting as many or we probably maybe 20 to 30 a week. We're down to maybe even five or four maybe five at least and just stuff uh that they can take care of themselves by going down to the um management. They are real excited about having security. They are kind of complaining about the scalpels still, you know, around and want to make sure that uh but security and really the complaints that you all they brought to us. We're not seeing as many um because we are asking them to go back to management and if they can't get it resolved with management then they are calling us back and say and we'll tell them 24 to 48 hours if you hadn't gotten it resolved. So uh we appreciate what Redwood is doing and trying to have a safe and clean environment for those constituents as well. So, thank you all for what you're doing. Thank you, Miss Dolan. Continue to come to us uh with um with your concern and I would like to I I had I have not made it to one of the uh tenants meeting, but please continue to reach out to me with the dates

because I do get the emails of when you're having the um um the tenants meeting. So, uh, we got some more work to do

and it's continuing, especially with so many people in one, uh, location. So, I applaud Redwood for stepping up because at one point we was getting promises, but with the insistent of, uh, Commissioner Rice staying on it, uh, we are seeing some improvements. So, thank you very much, and again, please continue to pray for the Johnson family. Thank you, uh, Commissioner Scott, and sorry to hear about Commissioner Johnson. We are praying for him and his family. Commissioner Katherine Smith Riceman the third.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll wrap this up, but I do want to continue to have um, Major Silas, if we could do keep the quarterly meeting, tenant meetings up. That way we're staying on top of this and making sure that nothing's going to slack, you know, get slack and Redwood falls back down in six months. Let's continue to um monitor and have meetings and keep us updated with um the uh SEC uh safety. That's top priority and that's what we've been here to discuss is the safety. And um I I do I want to say we've got to continue to have these um meetings at least you know to make sure that we don't get slack or or red not saying I know Richmond County y'all do an excellent job and I appreciate sheriff's department but just I want to make sure that we continue to have uh this um meeting with Redwood involved and uh you two attorney so that u we get as many calls as what we had been getting six, seven months ago. Uh but I do want to come back to um the HPC part from January 20th. But uh you know overall it looks cleaner. It does. And like commissioner um from the 9th um super district said uh Francine Scott she that she and uh commissioner Johnson are not receiving near the calls. I'm not receiving as many calls and I'd like to keep it that way. So that's why I say let's keep these meetings quarterly going on so that we can make sure we keep this progress going.

Yes. We'll also be attending the resident meetings as well. Okay. All right. All right. Is that it? Do you have anything, Director Vasser? I would say we haven't received as many calls as well. Um, they have went down as tremendously as well. Okay. All right. Let's just make sure and I want to make sure that these air the three uh that don't have heat, they get their heat. Yeah, we we'll check into that as well. Okay. And um the rat problem. Yes, we definitely we haven't had, like I said, we haven't had any calls on rodent issues, but we can check into it. We'll definitely come by and talk to the um we know her, so we'll come by and talk with her. Okay. And if you'll keep me updated, I appreciate it. No problem.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Thank you so much, Commissioner. Attorney Long, thank you so much for being here. Thank you, Mrs. Dolan. Thank you for being here. Kathy, thank you for being here. We're um so we're going to get an update on January 20th regarding historic preservation commission interim director Vasser. Are you going to update us on those potential three units as well as the rodent problem? Correct. Yes, sir. I definitely look at those. All right. Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. Thank you. I think we're prepared to move on. Let's move on to uh to the next item, please. Mr. Mayor, you receive this information. Is this

um Yes, that would be good. Is there any objection to just receiving this as information colleagues? Hearing and seeing none, madame clerk, it is received as information. Let's move on to item number seven. Item number seven is also mirroring item number one on our administrative services committee agenda. And the reason being is that the commission action directed that this matter come before the commission. Commissioner Rice is asking that it go to the January 13th meeting which was not a part of the motion that was approved on the 7th. So technically we can just delete seven now. We can delete seven but we had no authority to do that.

All right. Is there any objection to deleting item number seven? Without objection. There's no objections. Item number seven is deleted. Okay. It's going to be nice when it comes. All right. Uh let's go to item number nine. Item number nine is to consider proposal from Miss Landre Robinson regarding segments of Oats Creek Maintenance 1650 Olive Road. All right. Who's uh is Miss Robinson here? Who's representing Dr. Malik?

Miss Robinson, is that you? Yes, it is. Can you give us your name and address for the record, please? Robinson, 454 Furlow Drive, Augusta, Georgia. Can you give us an introductory to this item if you don't mind, please? Yes. So, this proposal is to maintain the storm the storm water drain located at 1650 Olive Road where is one of our urban farms where we supply fresh produce, education, workforce development, and uh healthy prepared meals to the communities. All right. Thank you so much, Dr. Malik. Is there anything additional you need to provide sir?

Um yes sir. So um from department point of view you know this um it's really not a drainage u like storm water is is a part of the old creek where the old creeks um kind of open up from pipes segment to the open channel on that um it has a straight state mandated requirements of buffer because it's a water state so it's under the jurisdiction of um Georgia APD and core of engineers years on that. So engineering um periodically maintain this uh this creek you know off and on on isolated basis. Um one of the things previously I noticed and brought it to everybody attention is this mandated buffer requirements that there should not be any um active land activity within that 25 ft buffer which extend beyond the fence. There's a fence around the creek boundary but 25 foot extend a little bit more into um this parcel on that. Uh so we have um we mean the department representative myself uh uh commissioner Tony Lewis was there we met on site uh the department proposal as you know um middle ground while that we will uh do one time a year um maintenance of this during the high growth period uh which is somewhere in the third quarter July to August and all that. Thank you, Dr. Malik. Colleagues, is there a motion to approve this?

Approving what? You're approving the accept accept her proposal. This proposal is different than what department saying. She's uh her proposal is the city should pay $10,000 to her and she will maintain it. Oh, okay. That's what that's what Yeah. The liability alone. Sorry, Mr. Mayor. Liability alone, we have never done this and it'll open up Pandora's box that I don't think we need to open at all.

What is your recommendation, Dr. Malik, for the record? So department is offering you know one time maintenance of this this segment during the high growth period which you know in our opinion is somewhere in third quarter like July, August, September that time and also um the property owner need to stay out of the state mandated buffer. Can we pay somebody to do that? All right chair recognizes commissioner from the six commissioner Tom Lewis. I don't know if we can link to it because it's in Georgia waters. Thank you, Mayor Johnson.

Yeah. Uh Dr. Malik and Mr. Gay and myself, we we did visit the location and I don't think we heard the proposal from Miss Robinson. So, if we could just hear what Miss Robinson's proposal is, uh contrary to what Dr. Malik is proposing, then we can get a better understanding of what it is that she's attempting to do on uh said property and we could make a better informed decision as to which direction we would like to go in. So, if we would give Miss Robinson an opportunity to to address the body and uh and let us know what your intentions are with this and how it's impacting uh where you are right now.

Yes, thank you. So, from our previous meetings of me coming before you, I did offer some alternatives which was to maintain that area more than once a year. And when we had the in-person site visit, we also confir confirmed that one cut a year is just not going to do it. Uh that that uh vegetation just grows steadily. Of course, because it is connected to a body of water. However, um just cutting it once a year is just not going to suffice. What I did recommend, I don't have my paperwork in front of me. It was uh a few cuts throughout the high months of um increased vegetation which would be the sum the late spring and summer months and I think I did one month in the winter. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Uh so the proposal itself is to mow the 1650 quarter storm water drain on both sides of the drain. Uh and it had uh it's 128 ft. It had the perimeter included which is 1,00 uh feet of coverage of that area. Um but the other alternatives was to to to mold that area. Um what Dr. Malik offered was to now decrease their support to once a year which is over the past three years they was offering me twice a year. And so his resolution was to decrease it to once a year now, which is going to further the negative impact and the damaging impact not only on our

operations, which is killing our crops where we grow fresh produce, fruits and vegetables for the community to resolve not only hunger issues within the CSR, but having a food desert and swamp within the CS. And so that alternative that he's uh implying is just not going to work to decrease the support. Uh we we have also uh talked about how the engineering department just don't have the manpower. They just don't have the people to do it, which is why I brought forth my proposal for us to maintain it. Um we have the licensing, we have the the workforce to do it. Uh we also talked about even spraying which we also are licensed to spray as well but that was also denied previously from the engineering department. So right now it seems as if we're back to three years ago where we're still facing this issue with no resolve.

Commission. Yeah. Mayor Johnson, can I ask attorney attorney planket,

are there any uh legal uh issues or ramifications uh in allowing this group to maintain that particular area? So Louis, I think from a couple practical things is we would want to enter into some type ofou for the maintenance similar to a rightaway issue and things of that regard. Obviously with M Dr. Malik's comment about this being um protected space and we'd have to make sure that it's not being done within that area. What I think the proposal when I was saw it before there was a proposal by the um the farm was to do the work but for compensation

and if if they were to be compensated I think it would either and I'd have to defer to procurement probably but it would either be an unsolicited proposal or alternatively some type of RFP to go out. Um, I was involved with one call about this and we talked about possibly if they were, you know, partnering with other food banks or something like that, we might could do some, you know, something maybe creative. But for her just to go cut the the creek bed, I think you would need to have some type of um hold harmless and some type ofou. But I think to compensate her uh for that service opens up a lot of a lot of different things that you're going to have to think of not only for that piece of property but anyone who else has rightaway that may be overgrown. So, I think that's a diff. So, there's two issues, compensation and then uh safety issues or or liabilities issues, but we could draft anou for her to do it um if that's what they wanted to do.

Okay. So, Dr. Malik, Mayor Johnson, can I address Dr. Malik? Yes, sir. Proceed.

Dr. Normally, it it is our understanding that this particular area was being uh serviced at least twice a year. And I just heard based on your recommendation to do a one time at the height of the cutting season, which is around the summertime, June, July in that area. and we realize the impact that that would have on that particular area to for us to just cut it one time. Is there a is there an appetite from engineering to at least uh do uh quarterly cuts in that area. Um, and that would decrease or minimize the amount of growth and vegetation because we do realize that that because there is water there and vegetation is going to grow. Is there an appetite for us to be able to at least do it quarterly and that would lighten the load for Miss uh Robinson?

Yes, sir. Yeah. uh commissioner uh response to your question really this is a creek I want to keep going to keep bringing up is a creek it's not a drainage ditch and all that is different has different requirements and Augusta does not maintain the creeks and there are a lot of other this has

little bit um unique features built into there's some work done by core of engineers to line some part of it that's the reason I guess has more than wall and this creek Um if some uh as far as frequency probably before COVID when there is enough work for they may be done more than once but to my knowledge you know that's you know only even it's not being done once a year um in the past court of engineer has a jurisdiction that came out and inspected this particular creek and we did um more that time before the visit to make sure you know it's safe for them to walk around and all other things. So quarterly giving uh the needs and demand countywide is really not feasible. Uh from department point of view also um it's going to open up because there there's several requests engineering gets uh from u several other neighbors where they they complain about the creeks and the grass and all other things. So we have to deal with that if we do this. The secondly, I did not I think my understanding is commissioner previously the impact because there were there was some activity within the buffer area which was very close to the fence um fences that where the red line is. Yeah.

Uh and that may have affected what um um she's referring to. But right now what I saw is that they are away from that 10 ft area. So there is a buffer in between the fence and their activity on that. Um so the vegetation the grass is not going. I think that what she's her complaint is that wild wind and they kind of run on the fence itself and that's going to hang to the other side. Uh and that's what you know this again the spray um there's a license requirement now in place and has to be um certain type and all uh like again you know is a creek uh we can maintain it but really we cannot excessively cut either this one um there there are few creeks right now even not meeting the water quality standard because of you know um some of these macrobes uh they are not have a sufficient food there to grow uh so there are few priaks and that's put additional burden on the city really under MS4 permit to do additional work so so there there are a lot of moving parts to this what we can do and what we cannot so it was just offering one time which is we're going to put on the schedule one time yeah if if we have more resources near future all of the things you know the frequency will go up about the commitment but I'm middle ground say we can do one time in a year during the high growth period

thank you mayor Johnson thank you commissioner Lewis chair recognizes uh commissioner from the eth commissioner Brandon Garrett

thank you mayor uh this question is for the attorney please attorney is um I'm not I'm sure you're not up to speed on the Georgia waterways and what's allowed and what's not allowed. I'm sure you weren't ready for that question today. But in regards to what Dr. Malik is saying in and you know the buffer zone as well as everything else that we're talking about here, um would it put the city like at a liability risk with the EPA and EPD if we were to pay um to have somebody cut this? Well, I I think the thing is is that if you were to contract with someone to cut, they're going to have to comp do that work compliant with state and federal law. So, we can't just say um go mow down, you know, green stuff that may be uh you know, plant materials and things of that nature um in violation of anything. So the person would have to be compliant in that regard. So that creates just one more level of of risk. But if it's the will of the body to have someone do this, you know, and I said I could draftou obviously that would be part of the obligation is that they comply with that and we would obviously consult with engineering to make sure that we are u you know as you said up to speed on all you know water white kind of issues.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you Commissioner Garrett. Commissioner Stacy pulling from the second. Ma'am, you have the floor. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Um, may I address a question to Attorney Plunkett? Yes, ma'am. You may. Thank you. Um, attorney pocket, can you explain how this proposal differs from the Garden City Beautifification Fundou

you referred to? I think that's the fund that deals with um the um it's the fund that um is used If if I may, I think that's the one that is the rightaways where we cut and we contribute funds. I think there was some funds contributed by the county to do that. And we contracted an individual and there's aou and um in that regard and that's sort of what I was thinking is I think I either thought I said it would be something similar to like a rightaway agreement. And so that's what I was referring to is we would have to have something similar in place.

Okay. But we do in fact um I I heard it stated, I'm not sure um which one of my colleagues stated it that we would be setting a certain precedence, but a certain precedence has already been set because we do have something similar to what she's asking for. And in a way, it depends on how you look at it. But there is in fact a beautifification fund that's already here and they are doing rightway maintenance. And what I hear um what I hear Miss Robinson asking is that she can or even if it's not her, if it's someone else, if we contract someone else to be able to maintain this area so that she can not only keep it beautified, but also be able to provide food to those in need.

I think I think the two issues are somewhat distinguishable. one is a rightaway which is arguably the obligation of the the you know Augusta to maintain their rightways but if they want to partner with someone to take care of that uh this is the maintenance of a creek which obviously has certain issues there and to to some extent it is um benefiting a single property owner in that regard and so I think that's something that we would have to think about as Well, when we do with rightaways, we're dealing with, you know, the thorough affairs of Augusta benefiting all here. The question is, does this improve water flow or something like that that we would need to be thinking about? So, that's my concern about that. Um, as I mentioned, I think the the fact that she contributes this produce to um people in need or or or possibly in need. I think there's some ways that we could, you know,

could possibly structure something, but as to simply having the vegetation cut along someone's property, I think that's distinguishable from um rightaways. Okay. Um may I direct a question to Dr. Malik? Yes, ma'am. Continue. Dr. Malik Oats Creek. Um, is this the same Oats Creek that runs through the Turpin Hill area? Cut it again. Yeah, that's commissioner. It's is the same. And if I may um add to the previous question

um the rightway beautifification program just to bring u refresh everybody that is the part of the city program uh entryway beautifification. it was approved by the body and it's approved in the splass was funding. So that's not the maintenance of the drainage ditches or the crease and all the two different program.

So that uh and that's and it was led by the um I guess the convention bureau and few others. So that's a separate independent really completely different program than this. I just wanted to kind of refresh that and that's basically is focused on entryways and beautifification of entryways to make a presentable for people getting in and out. Uh so this this ask is completely different. This basically is maintaining the creeks. Um and that's basically going to be a new program if this body wanted to take that route.

Okay. Um if I could finish with my line of questioning. Um if as far as Oats Creek is concerned, Oats Creek is the one creek that we are responsible to a degree um to to maintain to a certain degree rather. Is that correct Dr. Malik? Yeah, that's correct. Because of the federal funds um was involved in improvement of this creek. Okay. is where this portion of the creek lies. Is there a cut off point or are we to maintain all of Oats Creek? Yeah, is the entire length of the creek is included. But that does not um dictate us um at what level the grass height should be, you know.

Okay. Is the functionality of the creek itself. Okay. Yeah. But we do have an obligation to maintain it because it's not like other creeks in Augusta. It's set aside and it's different in the fact that we are to maintain it. We just have to dictate how often we want to maintain it as a body. Is that correct? That's correct.

Okay. Um and so going back to your comments regarding how this is different from the beautifification fund, I understand that that's for rightaways. My um what what my line of questioning was more so pertaining to was the fact that there is anou that the city has for some type of maintenance. So we would not be necessarily reinventing the wheel. It's within the same vein just one is for beautifification of rightaways versus this being Oats Creek where we have to determine how often we want to maintain a creek. So, it's not completely different. We're not comparing apples to steak. We're comparing apples to oranges. Um, and that's to put it elementary. Is that somewhat correct, um, Attorney Plunkett, or am I completely off?

I think that your analogy that they're both fruit would be okay. Okay. I mean, I I think there's obviously some nuances. Um, the creek mentality, you know, the the idea that it's a waterway and things of that nature. Um, that's why I said I think if if the will of the body was to do some agreement, I think we could draft anou that would get us to where everybody wants it to go. Okay. All right. But this is not something completely new and different and opening up. It could open up people coming before us asking us questions, but they're going to do that regardless because that's what we're here for. So, thank you very much. Um, Johnson.

Okay. Chair recognizes mayor pro Tim Wayne Gilful. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Miss Robertson, um you had said that Dr. Malite, the engineering department, storm water department or whatever department actually had was in the previous had cut it twice a year. Is that correct? That's incorrect. They were they were telling me that they will cut it twice a year, but it wasn't being done. And that's what brought me before the commission because it wasn't being done at all. Okay. So, if we did um do they cut it once a year? No, it wasn't being cut at all. We were maintaining it and we were submitting claims to the city to the engineering department, claims department and they was compensating us for maintaining it and then it came to a stop.

Right. Well, from my position, we should not choose to pay residents to maintain a county ditch. It creates liability exposure, raises equity, ethics concern, complicates procurement um rules and ultimately more costs more to manage than it saves. Ditch maintenance is a core public work function. It should remain with the train crews under uniform standards. But Dr. Malik, this young lady has already been before us twice. I love what um my colleague from the six was talking about is coming up with a program. Can we maintain it twice a year with no issues and this whole issue goes away? It satisfied Miss Robinson. It keeps that area clean as far as the ditch. Is that a problem?

I mean given the resource we we have to pull the resource from other really I imagine you could find that a little bit do that. That's f we done we spent more we spent more time on this $10,000 issue than we spent 1.3 million previously um that we approved. Yes, sir. Um so can we go ahead and just move forward on cutting this twice a year, please? Please. Or do I need to make a motion for that? No. I mean either way. All right. Make a motion. I'm going to hurt you also. All right. make a motion that we require to um maintain this ditch twice a year. Second,

I believe I think it'd be in the form of a substitute motion. All right. The attorney is saying it needs to be in the form of a substitute motion. Yes. I believe Miss Scott was previously made a motion. Oh, so seconded by Commissioner Clark. No, but I'm saying that Miss Scott had an original motion to approve her to approve her proposal. Yes. I think the substitute motion would take care of that. And I do want to say thank you Commissioner Lewis for bringing that second. It was seconded from Commissioner Don Clark. No, for Commissioner for the substitute. There was there was no motion. She never got

So Miss Scott, Commissioner Scott, have you withdrawn your motion? Commissioner from the knife has withdrawn. Okay. So, comm mayor prom. All right, hold up. Mayor Prom has put in a substitute motion to mow this property, cut this property twice a year, and it was seconded by Commissioner Don Clark. So, we're going to address the substitute motion first. Madam Clerk,

Mayor Johnson, if I may ask, so um since twice a year still don't suffice, will I have to just come back before the commission? I I would say that in that, you know, there's no grass growing that now. So, I'm hoping that proactively we'll go ahead and cut it now. So, it shouldn't have to be cut again until May, June, or July. And then after summer, you I'm thinking if it's it should I'm thinking this two cycle cut should work. Second and third quarter. Second and third quarter. Second and third quarter. Yeah. You you think I mean if it's never if it's never been cut, you would imagine that cutting it twice a year should suffice.

All right, Madame Clerk. Second and third. Second and third quarter. I don't know about the third quarter cut because you don't see I mean the third maybe a fourth quarter. Second and fourth or cut when needed. All right. Uh Commissioner Ping from the second.

Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Um Dr. Dr. Malik, there was something that recently, I believe, has been approved um that you all have been using in certain areas. It is some type of spray that is safe and it was um safe to use around waterways. Is that not something that we could potentially work into this? Is it approved by core of engineers or is it just around some of the water areas that Yeah, there so there are EPA approved okay chemicals. Yes. And that's part of our our contract. So Okay.

But this one probably be done in house but we do have one person who is certified too. So Okay. So we could in fact use that that and it would help it stay at bay the growth stay at bay in between those cuts. It will help some of the growth that's kind of climbing on the that fence. Okay. Yeah. All right. Okay. So I would Yeah. But I guess that doesn't have to necessarily be part of the motion, but I know that that is available. Okay. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Thank you, Dr. Malik.

Thank you, Commissioner. Madam clerk, we have a substitute motion, but a proper second. We're prepared to vote on Mayor Prom's substitute motion twice a year. that motion carries 9 to1 with Mr. Lewis voting no.

Thank you madam clerk. Let's move back to the addendum item before we address spos. We have one item on the add agendum is item number three. Item number three. Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry, Miss Robinson. Thank you for being here. Thank you. You're excused. We We will monitor this twice a year cut. Okay, sounds good. Thank you. All right. And if if you don't see it getting done, you come back before us. I will. Thank you. All right. Thank you so much. Item number three is to approve and authorize one-year extension of the Augusta downtown receptacle and non-compliance and illegal dumping waste disposal services contract with Coleman Sanitation. also approved $450,000 to fund these services.

All right, guys. Uh, Commissioner Garrett, I see you in the queue. Thank you. Um, I know when this item was on the well, when we were discussing adding this to the agenda today, I asked the administrator about the funding source for this, um, I just wanted to confirm before we put a motion on the floor that this 450,000 is already included in the current budget. Correct? Yes, sir. I'm just asking because it al it says also approve the funding. So it just kind of reads a little funny. Dr. Bite, can you come and confirm?

Yes, sir. It's included operational budget. All right. Motion to approve. Second. All right. There's a motion to approve by Commissioner Brandon Garrett, seconded by Commissioner Francine Scott. Madam Clerk, we're voting. Ladies, thank y'all for being here. Y'all leaving before the good gets started now. Don't go far. I see you sneaking out. Good to see y'all.

Mr. Lewis is out. Okay, that motion carries with Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lewis out. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We're going to suspend for this five minutes for a I'm going to call it again an environmental break because as I understand uh we'll give the administrator time to get set up and um because this splice conversation may last a little bit five minute break. So, we'll come back at 5:05. 505

Oh, here. All right, I'm going to go ahead and call this back to order. I think we got a quorum and I see the others that are in the chamber. So, for the sake of time, I'll call this meeting from recess back to order. Hey, Administrator Allen, the floor is yours, ma'am. Oh, I'm sorry, Madam Clerk. Number nine. Yes, sir. Item number 10. I'm sorry. 10.

Motion to approve the final SPLS 9 project list and to authorize the mayor and the clerk to execute an intergovernmental sales tax agreement between Augusta and the cities of Ble and Heepsa in substantially the same form as attached subject to the inclusion of approved projects and such reasonable changes as may be approved by the interim general counsel. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Administrator Allen, the floor is yours. All right, Jeffrey, if you can do this way,

Mr. Mayor, members of the governing body, we are here again today to talk about splass 9 and hopefully we can finalize this list so that we can proceed to move forward with our splass 9 for the May ballot. I remind you again of the timeline for the May 19th ballot. Um, today was the date that is scheduled for the final SPLASS 9 list to be approved. Then on the 13th, we will have the intergovernmental agreements approved by a special called meeting. On the 27th, we're scheduled to have the SPLAS resolution approved. February the 9th, we were looking at the board of elections which will issue a call of election which has been verified with U. Mr. Doss. And on May 19th, of course, hopefully it will be on the ballot for consideration by constituents. So again, I I I say that today is the day. I am going to now go to the list and where we previously left off. Let me get that real quick. on the 15th of December. This was our last list that we had. And I will open up the floor. Now, before I do that, you'll notice the items that are in blue, highlighted in blue. Those were the respective items that modifications have been made to. Um, recreation and parks is one of those items um that was sent to you. It was a reduction of $15 million. Um, there was not a lot of discussion at our December meeting about that reduction. So, I know some of you may have some concerns about the the proposed items. So, there's room for additional discussion on that because that required the actual riverwalk and boat house reconstruction

to be decreased to around $10 million. And you will also see the items the other items in blue under the quality of life that were affected by that reduction. Um we also looking at the facilities you will see that the $2 million was restored for the juvenile court facility. You would also see highlighted um $30 million was added to engineering for a total of $40 million. Um the Augusta Regional Airport and Daniel Field Airport was added back. Uh utilities received additional 14 million from the previous amount. So that gave them a total of 20 million. And of course we have to maintain the respective percentages for Ble and Hessa. The Augusta Canal Authority $1 million was added back as well. So, we got down to a total of 325,735,900.

Thank you so much, madam administrator. Before I yield the floor, I'm going to ask this body that we restore the funding for Riverwalk and the boat house. It is one of our biggest economic drivers. As tourists come to Augusta, many of them are driven or directed to our Riverwalk. As you know, that that great riverwalk that's now named in honor of Edward M. McIntyre. It certainly does not, in my opinion, uh, fit the billing to who it's named after. He was the creator and the visionary for that riverwalk, and it certainly needs some improvements. No major improvements have been done uh, in many years. So, I'm going to ask that that funding be reinstated for both the Riverwalk and for the boat house. There are economic drivers for our community. Thank you. Um,

what what's that? Um, what was the original ask for the Riverwalk, Madame Administrator? I think it was $14 million for the boat house. It was $14 million for the boat house and $8 million for Riverwalk for a total of $22 million. For a total of $22 million. Didn't we um hire ISM to take care of the river watch two, three years ago with um splash dollars? I'm not aware of that. That was before I got five years ago. Before I was it was 5 million. Five years ago. 5 million.

It's it's it's beyond time. If if you were to just leave here after this mission, after this meeting, you will see that it's in desperate need of some repair and some love. And now we've named it after one of our former mayors. His name is on it. He was a visionary. Of course, former mayor Charles fulfilled that vision. And it's certainly time for some love to be shown to one of our largest and most important tourist attractions. As you know, many people use our canal trails. They end up on the riverwalk and the infrastructure desperately needs some improvement. So

So madame administrator, so it's only 10 million of the 22 million, so it needs to 12 million needs to be added back. Yes, sir. All right. All right. So, I'm going ask the colleagues for consideration to add the funding back to Riverwalk in the vote house. We need it. It's our downtown. It's important to the way our city looks. All right, let's go through. If we do that, what's going to be the total, Mr. Mayor? I mean, 25 and 12. 337. 337. 337 with adding that back. Yes, sir. Okay, because I think we got some other

discussions. Let's go through the discussions. Chair recognizes Mayor Proam Wayne Gil.

Well, I see that. Mr. Mayor, if if you'd like, I I'll get if you want to yield to commissioner from the second. No, I got it.

Madame administrator, I'm sorry. Sorry, I was out of town at the last splash meeting and um I noticed that cuts were made to the um engineering and to the utilities. Um I've always believed in the first responders and then infrastructure and then whatever fail below that. Um and right now just looking at the percentage the quality of life is higher than the infrastructure and that's two departments right there. um with the rec center transit's only 2 mill but basically 60 62 million of this whole package is going to the rec center which I have a that's a hard pill for me to swallow when we only put in 40 mil to the engineer and u 20 million to the utilities. So I would like to increase the engineering up 35 million. That'll bring them to a total of 75 million because if anybody behind this dis realizes that when it comes to roads being paved um sink holes etc. who we going to call? We're going to be calling the engineering department to pull us out. Utilities there's South Richmond County is um the one that's going to suffer if we don't put the funding in there for the sewage line system. the South Augusta sewage um plan extension, sewage extension. Um you just heard one of the residents speak about that earlier. Um the city of Hza is in a quandry right now. Um they are very frugal with their money. They built a community center at the tune of about $200 a square foot where it takes Augusta Richmond County 563 which I can't figure that out. Um but I would like to see Hza

um go to a total of 13 million which is 3.6 more than what's on the list. And naturally um BLE is going to follow the same percentage because we can't do one without the other. There is in the um recreational department um the enhancing part usability and sustainability through landscape and irrigation and amenities. It's hard for us to maintain what we do have now. A perfect example is they a lot of my colleagues that's behind this dis goes down the spring road and they seen where the plant in the middle of the median um has been going on for a year year and a half now and some of the trees are dead and the shrubbery that was planted last year had died and then they planted new plants as of now around it shrubbery. So, I would like to take that $5 million off the table there. And so, my package was at the tune of um 367 million before we added um the mayor's thing on. So, so we should be right at 6 years um total

right now with this package. What's the total? He's adding them in now. Yes, ma'am. So you had um 35,000 I mean 35 million I wish it was thousand that'll bring the that'll bring the engineering up to 75 million. Me and Dr. Malik would really have a battle if I gave him 35,000. Um yes 35 million um for engineering and a reduction of 5 million for recreation.

Yes ma'am. under the enhancement enhancement of the um landscape and irrigation amenities. And then we're going to add the 7 million in for utilities to where they have a total of $27 million. So they could be with the plants. I think they um plan on tobacco road needing upgrades as well. Um water is life. We all know that. And then our sister communities, municipalities within Augusta, Richmond County, um, HBA right at 13 million and whatever blight percentage falls in would be the same. And, um, whatever the mayor had asked in.

So, you want the mayors as well? Okay. Yes, ma'am. The sewer is included in there, right? Yes, the sewage is included. So, we're increasing utilities as well. Absolutely. 27 million, Mr. Wimberly. 27 million. So, you're adding 7 million to utilities. Yes, ma'am. It's making them go. I have I'm having a I show a total of about 374 and that's without the um the percentages added you know the respective percentages for help button BL higher than that.

So yeah it's going to be higher once I add those in right percentages adding them all up. Okay I'm just writing them out. Thank you. Thank y'all for your consideration. 378 378 378 is the number right now. I mean and that's with Hust and Ble Tim. That's what they're saying. What What does that move Ble up to? Um interim director I know Hutz 13 million for the record.

So it's 4.4 million for BLE if we move Hutzville up to 13 million. All right, let's keep on moving through the queue. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. Chair recognizes uh Commissioner Stacy Puling from the second. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Um, thank you, Administrator Allen, to you and your team for taking the time to continue to go at this

because I know it's been multiple times. So, thank you so much for that. Um, my first question is, how much do we have a running total of how much is left from our previous SPLS projects? So, SPLS dollars that we've collected? That is that's a good question commissioner pullium because that's some of the questions that we continuously hear from the constituents is what do we have left? We are running those respective numbers for all of the respective SPLOs and confirming that those numbers are accurate based on the fact of some of them have some allocated projects and or encumbered projects. So we're working through that right now finance and our office is working through those.

Okay. So you can have those. When would you have that information to us? We

So we're we're right now we're looking at which splats I think it was the one we just did for recreation. We captured recaptured theirs and we're confirming those numbers. We have not gotten to the engineering department as of yet and we'll have to of course get with Dr. Malik because their numbers are a little different as you all know. Um and then we'll be getting with the central services and the rest of them which they have not had a lot of funds allocated to them in previous blocks. So as Mr. Sher stated it it moves but we're we're coming to confirming those respective numbers. Okay. So we could possibly have them by next full commission meeting. That's two weeks.

We could but we'll still have to vote on this list today in ma'am. We could work to have that to you in two weeks. Yes ma'am.

Okay. But that lets us know where we are with those things because then my question after that was out of what is left or what's there? Um are the designated projects shovel ready? So are they still waiting on more funding or are they ready? So I'd like to add that question to what you all are comprising um to see where we're at. Um, one of my reasons for asking that question is we consistently um, talk about on the dis not sticking to things and changing with different elected officials. I know years ago um, the Augusta waterpark was voted on by the constituents. So, as we put SPLS projects out there to be voted by our constituents, when they say they want something, they want it. And it shouldn't change according to who sits up here because if you vote on it, that was your vote. And that's what we should allocate those funds to. And so I want to know, I know we took it off because there's not an appetite of our current elected officials in totality to support it, but we really need to rethink that because what if some of these projects don't get supported by the next elected officials and people continuously vote on things and we never see anything to the end. Um, that's something for us to really consider and and think about because it's always going to be another great project out there, but if they voted on it, they want it. Um, my next question is in regards to the new park and community center as well as the facility revitalization initiative. Is is there a way where well, first of all, let me ask this question. What is the total amount that was needed to

revitalize our current um parks that we will be keeping on the digest as well as the community centers? What was that total amount? It's right now facility revitalization initiative is 12 pretty much 12.7 million. Okay. So, it was 12.7, but was that the is that the total that it was going to actually take or that's what we've reduced it down to to try to get our numbers down? If I could. Miss Williams, if you want to address that, but it has been reduced. I will state that.

Okay. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. What do What was the actual number that we needed? Either Miss Williams or I know um Mr. Ladson, either one. Hi. Um you're talking about the the parts and facility um revitalization. Is that what you're saying? Okay. So initially we had um said the 25 million would cover to do that. Um but it has been reduced.

Okay. So we were needing 25 million to do that to revitalize what we currently have. Um 10,000 and 12,000 puts us at 22. Is there a way that we could not separate out those two projects and just put it all together and then what is left because I know wording is important. May I address attorney Plunkett? Mayor Johnson. Yes, ma'am. Continue.

In the past, Attorney Plunkett, you've said you stated that we had to word things a certain way so it's not deceptive to the voter. So, is there a way that with the facility revitalization initiative and new parking community center, how would we combine those so that 22,682,000 could be used for either or. And my reason for asking that is we need to fix what we already have,

right? If you're in a house and the house is falling apart, you need to fix it. So we need to fix what we currently have before we start moving on to new things.

So the the issue is this is that you can have just you know say quality of life $64 million in the past. There's been some concern that voters would not trust the commission or future commissions to use it as they may have done. anytime that you put out information as to what you're going to do that somewhat locks you in because you have induced the um the voters by those publications. What the commission has done in the last several splass is they list out items and so when it shows up as a list of items that gets attached to the IG that's part of that's part of the the overall um marketing materials I guess you would call it. educational materials. So that's why we put in these things. So if you were to say renovation and or that gets a little bit of a bait and switch.

Okay. So what would we need to say?

If you said and you know I would like to think about it a little bit, but I think if you said combine those two for renovations and new um new facility, I think that's okay. Now, you're obligating yourself to do some renovations and you're obligating yourself to do a new facility, but it doesn't say the size or the scope of either one. So, that gives you some um latitude to expand or just contract within that same $12 million, whatever the number is. But um it also gives the voters confidence that they will get renovations and they will get a newer a new park facility.

So how would we word it in that we need to do our renovations and then after renovations if there is money left over we could then at that point start on a new community center because there are renovations that need to be done. I would encourage you not to put it in that language.

Right. And I'm not I'm asking what I'm saying. I think you could put it in the total amount for rehabilitation. Well, not rehabilitation, but renovations and a new in a new facility. Um, I'll get some better language for you. You know, that's why in the language it says that we have the ability to kind of tweak it, but I would put it as a category of both items together. use the word and not an and or not if this exceeds or whatever. I would think that you would want to say that you're going to do both.

And I and I understand that we all know that it's the it's probably going to muddy the water, right? Because it's left up to the interpretation of those of us that are going to be left here or those of us coming in as newly elected officials. So, it's like, no, it wasn't set aside for this project. So, who will get to decide at that point? We will then go in and start deciding as a body which facilities get renovated. Is that how that will work?

You could list out the ones that get renovated and then you're locked into that. If you say re renovation of existing facilities, that's up for parks and this commission to figure out which ones that you want to do with the understanding that you're still having to construct a new facility.

Okay. And thank you, Attorney Plunkett. Administrator Allen in the past, which I know this is not it's not like you've been in this role for 20 30 years, but um looking at what has been done in previous SPLAS packages when the words are I don't want to use the word ambiguous, but when the words that are used are not definite in exactly what you're going to do, how is that going to be handled? So what I would propose is that once funding is allocated for the respective item that the department brings back a proposal to you saying these are some of the things outside of the voting and outside of the actual ballot information all of those items listed individually. So, for instance, the revitalization, if you're going to allocate $12 million for revitalization, they bring you a list of the things that need to be done for you to approve the priorities that you guys have for those items to be addressed.

And so, what I'm wanting to lead into is that we need more than 12 million because originally we needed 25 million. And so, I know those two numbers combined again is 22 million, which gets us closer to the number that we need for revitalization. So, how do we make that happen? Looking at the current list that you have here under quality of life to get what we actually have renovated. you would actually have to add an additional roughly $10 million to your ask unless the governing body chooses to uh modify some of the other respective acts that are on this list.

Okay. Um Okay. So, that's food for thought. If I could address um Miss Williams, I'm I'm sorry, Director Williams, my apologies. Um, Director Williams, for the new park and community center, that 10 million, have we ran the numbers as far as um what the what the cost to run that facility is going to be? Uh, no, ma'am, we haven't done that.

Okay. So, as we're talking about budget and splass, I believe that information is extremely pertinent because we need to know then what we're going to be adding on to our budget after the new facility is built and are we going to in our budget be able to maintain that new facility and all facilities that are kept. So, I am going to request that we move all the funding to revitalizing the um current centers that we have so that we can bring them up to um I'm not going to say code, but bring them up to the point that they need to be and they're not falling apart and having the consistent maintenance issues and things like that that that they're having. So, that's one of my ask. Um, and then lastly, out of Thank you, Director Williams. Those are all my questions for you. Lastly, there was an ask for us from us for 25 million for the project in South Augusta and we we took that out. Is out of what utilities is requesting, is any of that to help fund that project? And that was to the industrial park or to

I think about it. It was a certain portion of it would be utilized and I think commissioner Wimbley had requested some information on it and we found out that there was still funding available for that project. Okay. So that project is going to be funded that all 25 million not all 25 million but they have included some of that money in their ask. Okay. How much are we short on that? 27 27 oh 27 depend on how we split it allocation it's depending on how it's actually allocated and split in the request for the infrastructure okay how how much are we short now originally the the request was 25 million for that alone yes ma'am

but for this um utilities is requesting an additional y'all give an additional 7 million so it's an it's a total of 27 million that is going to be utilized for that and for some other infrastructure needs that utilities has. So, it has not been designated, I guess, is is probably what you're looking for, Commissioner Pium, as far as the 27 million that you guys currently have a come to a consensus on, but it won't be 25 million totally going to the industrial park. Okay. if director buying could clarify exactly how much is going to the industrial park because I'm assuming their ask was was I'm not going to assume was their ask still 25 million.

The ask for that project is about 25 million. Um splitting it just based on the conversations we've had um it would be about half funded um with the ask we've put up here today. So basically starting to get the main trunk line installed um not installing the rest of the force man that goes to the site and obviously that's fluid based on just some highle concept designs at this point. So we're looking for about 12.5 million that that would be correct.

Okay. And for that 12.5 million um where can I know my um my colleague Mayor Pro Tim Gil asked that we um add an additional amount. I know the mayor had a request for us to add in 22 million for the boat house and riverwalk. I would like to add that 12.5 million to fully fund that project. And my reason for wanting to do that as we talk about um economic drivers and what's going to come into our area, that project alone, which I took some notes, um that project alone is slated to or projected to potentially bring about could bring about 2,800 new homes to the area. And Mayor Johnson, I know that you have spoken up on how we're trying to even increase our housing stock. So that would help in doing that. But in addition to that, it's going to bring, as it was presented to us and forecasted to us, it's going to bring industries that are going to pay well over minimum wage. And with that, that's going to be job creation. So we're talking about thousands of job creations. So I don't see how um that would not be considered as a major economic driver because we are bringing both homes to the area, jobs to the area and we know that those homes and those jobs that we bring to the area is going to also drive industries to want to come to our area. be it restaurants, be it retail, because when they're doing market research and they see that the average median income is now higher in those, it's out there, that is in fact an economic driver that will continue to give back to us. So, the the tax dollars that it will provide to the city is it's it's a no-brainer to

me. So, I'd ask that we also add in 12.5 million to completely fund that project as an economic driver project that the EDA has requested. And so, those are my ask. Do should I go over those again? Yes, ma'am. Just make sure that the administrator and the interim finance director have them down. I know it's 12.5 million to fully fund the uh corporate park and 12 million 10 million you were asking to go back to recreation. Yes, ma'am. For the the building.

Yes, ma'am. So, either we take that um that 10 million from the new park and community center and add it to the revitalization that we already have. um that's going to that'll get us close to that 25 million and we can bring the um parks and facilities that we already have up to what they um what they need to be. And I also support Mayor Pro Tim. Thank you so much for that on in his engineering ask because I did have a question about that. I didn't understand priority project continuation. I didn't know which projects were considered priority. So, I did want a breakdown of that, but if we go along with the 75 million and add that 35 million, that gets us close to what Dr. Malik requested for about 80 million. So, I'm in support of that as well.

Ma'am, so right now, if they um approve without taking the $10 million out for the recreation center um the new facility, it would be roughly about 400 something million. Yes, ma'am. Um Okay. If I need anything else, I'll get back in the queue. All right. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Thank you, Commissioner Pullium. Commissioner from the fourth, Commissioner Lonnie Wimbley, you have the floor, sir. Okay. Uh Mr. Mayor, I'd like to uh ask the uh utility director a question. Yeah. You uh I'm going get to the Director Bines, can you come forward? Okay.

And while you're coming forward, you know, while while we talk about expansion to um the corporate park, is this for the general public? Is this for the existing corporate park or is it for a new potential corporate park? Just be prepared to ask answer that for us. Go ahead and answer the mayor's question. It's it's an expansion towards the new corporate park um but lays the trunk main about a third of the main needed in the um basin. So part of that about a third of it is gravity and opens up a lot of the area for development. Okay. So thank you. Commissioner Wimberly, you had the floor, sir.

Uh, director, um, the initial estimate cost to do that main from that corporate park all the way up to the uh, Spirit Creek Basin was $25 million. Now, how do we come up with we're going to do $12 million and what am I going to wind up with? Half the project, right? About half of the gravity man.

That is not what we want. We want the full project because that is what the the administrator told the folks at the public uh briefing on the splass that $25 million was going to be applied for infrastructure upgrade. And that's what I'm expecting us to have because that's what the people's expecting to get.

Certainly. Give me just one second if you don't mind. It's not the it's not just the corporate park. The corporate park the corporate part just get a connection b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b based on the conversation and the the additional 12 a half. We had originally asked for 25 and 12 which would have been 37. Um you know if we put 27 and 12 gets us to 39. So in 37 to 39, you know, those numbers are all in the same ballpark for what we've discussed with completing that project.

So I the the answer is um that would be the funding to complete the full project if we added the extra 12 back and get us to 37 to 39 million for the utilities portion. So So am I to understand what you just said completes the project?

Yes, sir. Okay, now back to the old splots. Uh, I'm I'm a little bit shocked that the question was asked, how much do we have in the previous spot splots that are left over? And I'm listening to the attorney talks about wording. Now, once a project is complete, isn't it labor completed? And any funds left over is subject to be used for other light projects. Is that's not true? Are you No, I'm talking to administrator right now.

Oh yes, sir. That is true. That is true. Like projects, right? Yes, sir. If the project had what the mayor's asking to get done on the riverw walk and for the boat house if funds are already in the old splots that have not been utilized can those fund not be reallocated to do what he's asking for whatever is remaining. Oh you asking me question. Yes sir. Um whatever is remaining could be reallocated.

Okay. So why are we not considering that to get a map what he asked for? You would, but keep in mind, Mr. Wimberly, that you would need to have the project that you're going to go use those excess funds need to be in some capacity on that project list that you had already done. I I don't think that is uh completely true. Well,

uh, when you complete your project and there's funds left over, those funds, as I understand, splash, if you're going to utilize them, got to be utilized for a like project. Other words, if for construction and you want to do another construction, even though it was not on the splice, you could use it for construction. It it it has to be within the same category. That's that's what you're referring to. That's what I'm saying. And then if that category is completed then you can use it for other categories and then after that it goes to reduction of property taxes and things like that. But when we're looking at using projects defining projects.

So if you say road projects that's great. You have other roads that you can do.

Exactly. But if you have quality of life issues and they're very specific and you had not identified, we get into some very questionable use of those dollars. Usually if us as as to what Miss Pulling was saying, if we kind of that generic language and we would have to go back and look at the project list for that particular splice to find the ability to transfer it to a new project, but usually do not go into something that was not discussed at that juncture. Roads are roads, but brand new projects that were not part of your splass list are typically not funded through an older splast.

Put that question to finance. Uh, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Interim finance director commissioner from the fourth has asked you to opine in I'm sorry. Sorry. Sorry. the once a project is completed, yes, it can go into what we call a recapture account and those funds are used to offset any cost overruns for currently listed projects. Okay?

And as the attorney said, once if that final category gets completed, then they can be used for other categories within that splass. So you just we are very hesitant about just taking money from a splast and putting it to a brand new project that was not contemplated not. So that mean you will have funds that sit in in split. They just just sit there and you can No sir. Once all the projects are completed, as we did earlier last year, we will close out that fund and then as the attorney said, that either goes to debt reduction or to property tax reduction.

So you'll reallocate the splass funds if if all the projects in that splast project list, say we closed out splast 2, all the projects were completed. there was some money left over per state statute those go to either reduce debt general obligation debt or reduce taxes and that's what we did. So all the projects need to be closed out within that fund within that splash project that phase and then those funds go can be reduced. But we usually look at the categories if there's something within that category that can be used and if there's if that category is completed then we'll talk with the legal department see if we can shift it to another category. The first couple phases were all heavily engineering. So that's kind of where those gets goes to roads, streets and bridges. Um for recreation, um the plus has not been money has not been allocated very much to those currently best my recollection. The biggest amount of money left for recreation in Spla State is for the water park and the commission last year um designated the CVB to move forward with getting uh proposals to find a partner with that. So there really isn't a whole lot of money left over that can go to the Riverwalk at this time.

I hope I answered your question. You didn't. It did or it did not. If you could because my understanding you can reallocate funds um to take care of light. Yeah. Yes, you can. You can reallocate even though there was it that project was not on your list, but you could reallocate it because you brought it up

if if if the original project list was generic enough. Um some of the earlier splas for pro for recreation were very specific and that's why in the later spl we do have some existing facilities categories in there. You can go with me.

Okay. Thank thank you. Thank you Tim. You did a great job. Um Mr. Ma'am, um I just want to get a clarification uh for parks and recreation because I heard uh my colleague from uh uh district 10 talk about the enhanced park uh ility and sustainability through landscape. Yeah. Yeah, the five. But he used he used um Windsor Spring Road as an example with dying dying trees. He's talking about the not speaking park doesn't take care of that. That's engineered. That was an example I was given.

Turn your mic on your mic, please. Um Mr. Wembley, I was using that example because we don't take too good care of our own landscaping in our um within our government. That was that implying that it wasn't used that money wasn't did not come from splash. I did not imply that.

No, but if you take the enhancement for the landscaping from parks, that mean you got dead vegetation in the park on river wall because you're not going to be able to maintain it. You want to take that five? Am I understanding you want to take that $5 million away? Can I reply to Mr. Wimberly? Yes, sir. Proceed. Yeah, because I'm talking to you. Yes, sir. I got to go through the chair, sir. Um,

my my whole reasoning is to make sure we looked out for engineering, utilities, and put the um needs in there. But there has to be the cut will only hold so much um what we could put in the splash package for it to be approved. If we go over 400 million, we're going to go over six years. And I was trying to stay way within below that. I was actually at 367 million with them ads, sir. And but since my conversation, it is done jumped up. But I believe that um we need to be uh conscious of how much we do add on to this list because if it goes over 400 million, I don't think it's going to go anywhere.

And and I I agree with you.

Thank you, Mr. W. But but my my my point again is and and and I had a question put to me about the condition of Diamond Lake and it was talking about the weakness of lighting or was don't have lighting for the walking trail doesn't have sidewalks. Um, they gave me a litany of things that was wrong at Diamond Lake and they all are true. And if you they can't sustain the landscape because we took this $5 million away. Uh, that just going to add more complaints about and I'm and I'm not just saying Dom Lake is the only one,

right? But that's the one that was brought to my attention, right? It was probably brought to your attention from um Okay. Yeah. Maybe. So, so that that's why I'm concerned that are we going to take something away from the parks?

If you look at parks, they were at 19.2% of this total budget. 19 u actually probably 19.2 after everything is said and done. We actually had more going into the Rex and parks and wrecks than we did have going into our infrastructure. So, you know, like I said on my opening statement was, you know, the way I look at the splash, we ought to look at first responders infrastructure, then whatever falls below. And that's the way my stance is. It would continue to be that way. It just I know that we keep adding we're going to be in the same position we was three weeks ago to where the administrator has to do the slicing and we're going to be adding stuff back on. But my main thing if you notice that it's just basically infrastructure that I focused on in um city of Hzba naturally is the sewage system that they have is not um

a um they need to re redo it completely and they build in the city hall. So that was the reason why mine now what was added after me I cannot respond to that Mr. Wimbley and if there's I mean if we don't hit 400 million if um where where we at Mr. Trader 92 you could put that 5 million back in for the landscaping then we'll be at 397. Okay.

And I mean that's I mean we at we the the gas tank ain't going to take much more fuel after this conversation. Thank you, Mr. Wimberly. Thank you for your concern.

So, my my question to uh to the administrator then and and I I guess it's just going to be a rhetorical question. Uh because I don't think nobody going to give me the answer on how many projects, how how much funding do we have allocated here in the splash? Even the 97 497 how many of those projects that can be completed with the fundings that's available? None. Right. You're talking about with the current the request that you're asking for now. Yeah. I mean, we're asking for $10 million for a recreation center. What is that going to look like?

I'm not sure. You ain't going to build no recreation center for no $10 million. That just that that's just a a fact. Not not one of quality in class. Just not going to happen. That's one example. So the only thing you going to be able to do is have 10 million $10 million here for this and then the next one you going to have to add some more so you can come up with the money to build that that facility. That's just the way it's going to go. That's just one example. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Commissioner Wimberly. Commissioner Don Clark from the fifth. You had the floor, sir.

All right. Appreciate it, Mr. Mayor. Um, I'm echoing I'm going to go ahead and start by echoing the sentiments of uh Commissioner Gilfoil. Um, I think when the administrator had done her initial cut, it was at 276. 276. then we have creeped up to 325 and now we're knocking at the door of 400 million all over again. Um, and I think we need to really kind of get to an understanding because what's happening is on top of us having these discussions um about prioritization of infrastructure, about prioritization of engineering, public safety and quality of life. the community is confused as hell um about what we're talking about. Um so I want to dispel a couple things before I say a couple more comments. U madam administrator, the 5 million that was set aside last package. Is that still in play and and what is being done with it at this point in time?

5 million. 5 mill. Yes, sir. That money was allocated for seed money for water park. Was it for seed money or was it to build a water park? It was seed money. Seed money stated seed money. So it was seed money. Now clarify what seed money means. Something to uh draw somebody else's attention to wanting to partner with the city of Augusta, right, in developing a water park for Augusta. Right. So $5 million is put out there as incentive for a company to come here and build out a water park to benefit the residents of Augusta Richmond County. Correct. Yes, sir. All right. So, is that in motion?

Yes, sir. The governing body approved for destination Augusta to partner with us and put the RFI out on the street. Um, I spoke with uh Mr. Brown, Benish Brown, and he informed me that he was getting responses back and looking at those. Right. What was proposed earlier in this package specifically about the water park? I believe there was an additional ask of another five million to go towards the 5 million that we were already that we already had set aside. Is that am I remembering that correctly? I think so, but it wasn't a consensus, but it was right.

That was one of the ads that was out there. So, but to clarify the 5 million that was allocated last splash package is in motion is going through the process and the plan that we put in place for uh destination Augusta to start cultivating um companies to to utilize and benefit from that. Yes, sir. Thank you. So, I'm going to scratch that one off the list because this is this is things that folks in the community are coming up and are are sending messages about stating that we've p pulled that off. From your recollection recollection, have we ever added a uh cultural center for South Augusta?

I am not aware of a cultural center. I don't remember seeing that one. No, sir. Okay. What is that? I don't know either. I just I just again I was approached about it that we had voted to disapprove a cultural center for South Augusta and I just wanted to verify and validate on the record that that's never been proposed nor did we ever vote against it. Correct. Yes, sir. I've never seen anything.

Thank you. Um when it comes to the uh community centers and the parks, I know we've heard from parks and wreck. I know ISM gave us the initial proposal. I know they had some follow-up proposals that were supposed to come before us, but of course because of the budgeting and everything, they didn't come before us with it. Um I know we do need to bring it back up to determine um from the utilization study that they presented what's going to be the right sizing plan for the parks and wreck. Can we make sure that that gets um on the agenda and we get with parks and wreck and ISM to uh come before the body with that? Yes, sir.

Because I think what um Commissioner Pulian was bringing up, I think she brought up some good points as far as the fact that we do need to determine what we have, how we're going to maintain it, but but we also need to clarify what is what is the right sizing plan for that. We have a lot of parks that are highly underutilized based on the data that they presented. So, we just need to determine going forward how we're going to do that building in. Now when it comes to the dollars that we're stating that we're allocating for now it's it's improvement or is it how are we categorizing it these days? Renovation.

Renovation. So that's the way it has to be categorized as renovations. All right. So the renovations for the parks is based on what is it? the existing inventory of parks or is it kind of a pie in the sky certain amount? Somebody clarify that for me, please. Mr. Mayor, can I bring up ISM and parks and wreck? Yes, sir. You may. Thank you, Commissioner. Could you repeat that question again, sir?

Yeah. So, we we we designated a certain amount of dollars to go towards renovation of the parks. How much are we designating for that? Um for the renovation of the parks, we actually had like four categories. Uh that was in I would say like a general generalizing. And what we did, we looked at we did a um I want to say about probably three years ago. Yeah. Um we did a a um an assessment of all the facilities, right? And based on that assessment, uh we came up with a maintenance cost on on the various

um parks and facilities. Yeah. But that number uh pretty much uh came from that. And Mr. Latson, that you brought up the next point I was going to ask. So right now, and madam administrator or Miss Williams, you all may have to answer this. Right now, are we accounting for maintenance of the facilities in our budgeting for parks and wreck? So we do. Is it that we have our threshold is too low for that and we need to increase it or or I mean hey listen we're here talking so let's talk it probably I would tell you it's way low

it's way low if if if I'm not mistaken when we first looked at the your um um and this is from your regular budgeting not anything like that but right I mean I think it was like maybe a million a little over a million and you got like 50ome facilities so at that point that's why we did the initial um estimates and evaluation of of the parks and the facilities. Yeah. And I brought that question up because number one, Augusta is going to cont cons consistently have to add a great abundance of dollars to splash packages if we don't increase the amount of dollars going towards regular maintenance of our facilities and parks. That's correct. I mean

I mean it's just and and we can keep doing this over and over and over again, but it's going to be the same conversation every single time. Yeah. Any project that you do or your bill, you should have some some sort of u way of funding the u the maintenance of it, right? I mean, that should be a plan, right? I mean, it it just it kind of blew my mind when I found out that we didn't really have an abundant maintenance plan that's with our facilities. Uh it it's just operations 101.

Yes, sir. You got to have the right amount. So, I think we need to really look from a budgetary standpoint, we need to look at making sure that's more realistic for them. Now, what does that look like? We got to work that through. But continuing to dump cuz what was the last splice package? How much did we add towards um renovations last splice package? I don't think it was I don't think it was a line particular line item for renovation. Uh we did it in this one right here because we were going we are going through the process uh working through the process of determining what parks were being utilized and under. Right.

So at that point um you don't know which one to be you when the decision was being made and when we were working on you don't know which park would be considered utilized underutilized. So the four items, general items that we had on it, we put purposely put it in there like that. But we are working towards a right sizing of our parks and our facilities. Correct. Yes. Okay. And the intention of that is to determine, hey, listen, based on utilization, based on funding or whatever, we may have to shut down some of our parks and facilities that we currently have because they're just really not being utilized or they're so far gone that we need to start a new. Is that correct? That's correct.

Is that a fair assessment? Yes.

Okay. So, I do want to clarify this. Um the residents of district three and district five that are in the Gordon Highway Jimmy Das Bair corridor um are without anything. Now I get it. We're going through the right sizing. I get it. We're trying to determine what looks appropriate for us. We're building a brand new fire station out there for those residents because of the growth that's going on out there and the benefit it'll bring for them. Is that still in motion, Chief? I see a lot of weeds over there, so I don't see too much dirt being pushed. But um but my point is um seriously, my point is that area of our city deserves some consistent growth and benefit which is tied to the quality of life piece. So that is why the 10 million was added. Now where did the 10 million come from? the number

uh the that number was actually reduced from I want to say 20 was it 22 million I don't think it was ever that high was it uh I wish I had brought that initial presentation that we had but I want to say it was probably up there maybe 16 to 17 million that it would take to to actually do a new park and community center however that was reduced um to to the 10 million to the 10 million to fit your budget

because the idea was to um similar to Brighgum. Are we talking about those um dollar amounts? Brighgum, we knew um additional work and things had to be done for Brighgum. So, you're talking about that 1617.

Got it. Yeah. So, what what I what I definitely don't want us to do is pull um any dollar allocation from a community center for that area. I got it. We're saying that we're right sizing, but with the fact that we are right sizing, with the fact that we are trying to determine levels of efficiency and and leanness to our inventory, even more reason why we should not allow 6 years for a proposed package that we're talking about right now to go by before we even begin thinking again about um doing something out there. I think that is a total disservice and it's going to add towards tanking this project because we're prioritizing a lot of things that are um tied to growth, a lot of things that are tied to quality of life, a lot of things that are tied to even, you know, leveraging some of our, you know, beautiful uh natural landscapes. Um, but also with that, we have to ensure that we're doing it holistically. When it comes to the the sewage expansions, the uh engineering projects, I think the biggest problem we're having with all of this is messaging. We're doing a horrible job of setting expectation with the residents. We're putting the big pie in the sky in front of them, but then we're not really clearly articulating to everybody, hey, this amount of dollars is going towards this project. Phase such and such is in motion.

Exactly. You know, I mean, seriously, it it's it it's we're making it too difficult and it's hard for everybody to to latch on to the support of it because they don't understand what is the process. Exactly. Maybe I'm off the record. You have to have some You have to be out there maybe a couple of times a week at different u communities speaking on it, doing a presentation. Hey, this is when this project start. It's phase. This is phase one. This is phase two. Phase three. This is

right. But but speak to the Yeah. But speak to the fact that all this that we're doing, it's not just to make Commissioner Wimberly feel good or or Commissioner Clark feel good. is to build sustainability and growth for the area. All right? And number one, if we're not building that growth and sustainability, I pulled numbers over the weekend, we're lagging behind other communities when it comes to even growth. We've been flat for the past who knows how many years and other counties around us are consistently growing. The only way we can build growth and sustainability is we have to improve our aged infrastructure, but we have to make sure that our citizens understand how the heck these dollars are being utilized. So, the dollars that we're allocating for the uh community center, absolutely, we need to keep it on there because it's still tied to the fact that we're going to downsize and rightsize our inventory of parks. We don't need to remove that off the list. We also don't need to um Director Bines, I got a question for you. That project that you said um that we're looking to get all of the dollar allocation for, what's the time period on that if you all receive all the funding? 36 months. But how long would it take us to uh pull in all the dollars? Four years. Four years. So, I want everybody to do the math. So, we can we can put all the dollars on there, but it would take us four years before we could Is that right, uh, Tim?

We're currently projecting we're going to collect about $60 million a year, right? So, once the list is done, then we go back and allocate the funding per project, right? So it could be dependent on the priorities, utilities could be pushed back to a couple to the later parts. So if it takes them four years to design and we don't get money for the first until year three, it could be six years from now.

Now, how many of these projects would qualify for bonding? Um most of the this one could the jail pods the issue comes with bonding is now all of a sudden you have the interest cost. Right. Right. Right. We've set aside a certain amount of interest that's built into this. If you increase the amount we're bonding then the amount available for the project has to go down.

Yeah. And believe me I don't I don't want us to do that. We already have enough debt as it is and that's adding to our whole balloon of what we're dealing with. I just wanted to ask just for clarity of what that would even look like. Um right now we're at 392 397. That's it. What was the five? 3975. The landscaping went came back in.

We got 39. It's 397. Yeah, they added the five for So, the landscaping piece of it. We have landscaping currently in your budget right now. Uh, Director Williams, is it enough to cover landscaping? No. So, the same question. The 5 million that we would be looking for for her to pull out of Splass would take how long? You said 60 million a year, right? That'd be a one month.

One month. All right. And then so in that one month, we do all the landscaping and then what? Because it still has to be maintained. There. Yes, there are operational costs related to most of these projects, right? So it still has to be maintained. It's not a oneanddone situation. It's going to have to be a consistent effort, right? Yes, sir. So, are we really getting a true ROI by adding it in now or versus trying to ensure that we add in more budgeting for her operational costs?

Turn on. I mean, that is that is the cost of having nice facilities. You have to maintain. No, but we're we're not talking about the 5 million for the facilities. We're talking about the 5 million for just landscaping and then we're talking about another 12 point whatever million for renovations of the facilities, right? Yes, sir.

Yeah. I my my problem with the numbers is this, y'all. um their their budgets need to be adjusted appropriately to to be able to sustain their operations. Doing this in in in Splass is just not I don't see where it works like that. And maybe I'm missing something, but I think it makes more sense to pull it out of Splass and increase their budget to uh for sustainability purposes. What do you mean we can't do that?

You can't do operations out of SPL. I'm not saying I'm saying pull it out like we had it and add for their end the year bud their operations budgets ensure that they have more going towards maintenance and landscaping the future.

All right. I guess I'm talking crazy. I guess it doesn't make sense. But it doesn't make sense for us to leave uh this money in here for landscaping and they're going to have this issue consistently year after year. So um my ask is make sure that we keep the money in for the uh community center for uh district 3 and district 5 in the Jimmy Das Gordon Highway corridor. um if we're going to make some cuts towards anything, establish where we need to make the cuts um to and we need to look for revenue sources that we can add um more to parks and rit's budget for maintenance and for landscaping.

Thank you, Commissioner Clark. Commissioner Katherine Smith Rice from the third. You have the floor, man. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, Commissioner uh Don Clark just said everything I wanted to say is that we got I want to make sure he does too that we have funding for a new community center out there. It might I know 10 million might not cut it in a few years, but it's a start. And who knows, we might be able to sell some parks uh unutilized and put money in and help towards that community center. But thank you, Mr. Mayor. Morning. Thank you, Commissioner Rice. Chair recognizes Commissioner from the ETH, Commissioner Garrett. Yep.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh, you mind if I talk to Tim? Tim, um, what number are we currently sitting at with everybody's request that 397? All right. You you seem pretty confident with that. Um, Yeah, as long as my numbers are right. Yes. 397 about six years. Yes. All right. I'm going to make a motion that we approve the current SPLOS package of $397 million. Second.

All right. Madame Clerk, we've been doing a lot of talking. Fin, we have a motion by commissioner for me to approve the splice at $37 and $97 million and a second by Commissioner Tony Lewis. Commissioner Francine Scott, you're in the queue. Would you like to add anything additional before we vote for this? Before we vote, yes, I would like to Could you give me another give me a list of what we what you added in and what you you took out?

Yes, ma'am. We added $12 million for the boat house, 35 million for engineering, um 2.1 million to Hapsa, 626,000 to BLE, 7 million for utilities, another 12.5 million for the corporate park, and the $5 million back to for landscaping. That includ Commissioner Lewis, you have the floor. I'm sorry. You're out. Commissioner Stacy Pulium from the second. You had a floor.

Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Did that include the the new language for parks and wreck or where we at with that? For those facilities, the what I asked for? Yeah, he needed time to come up with it, but I also asked that that be added in there. Was that added in there? Were you Did you want another $10 million in addition to the No, I want Well, my suggestion was to move that 10 million and make it all together and then Attorney Plunkett was going to come up with verbiage that would suffice.

Okay, we Yeah, we can work on that language. So, you're not increasing anything. You're just reshifting that shifting category. Exactly. Is that correct, Attorney Punk? I'm sorry, Mayor Johnson. I can address attorney Plunkett. Yes, Mayor. Continue. Attorney for our purposes today that it would be for park. This is for the landscaping and um the new community center. Correct. Or was it the renovations? The renovations. Renovations and new community center. I think that's all we would need to have to say. Okay. And then we decide how that money is allocated. Yes, ma'am. Okay.

I'm scared, but okay. I I said that out loud. It was in my head. Okay. Thank you. Oh, well, I think he has a question. We're good. The question was regarding the numbers and the ballot question and things of that nature. Okay. All right. Thank you. Too much inside baseball. Sorry.

All right. Thank you so much, Commissioner Pium. Commissioner from the fourth, Commissioner Lonnie Wimbley. The floor is yours. Still too much. Uh, Mr. Mayor, I could I could ask Tim White administrator. Did we add back the the 5 million for the uh usability? We add that back. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Uh, Madam Clerk, we have a motion to approve 390. Is it 397 or 397.5? Madam administrator, what's that number? 397. 397 million. That was second by Commissioner Tony Lewis. Commissioner Don Clark, you're in the queue, sir. Before we vote,

is that with the Is that with the 10 million for the community center? It's going to be it's not new money. We're just shifting the category from the specific community center to renovations and community center. So that that total amount would be about 22 million. Yeah, but we don't know how much we have. All right, Madam Clerk, it's time to vote. Let's go.

We're colleagues, we're voting. Yeah, they need to clarify that it's there.

And this is for 397.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. We're voting, colleagues. We're voting colleagues. It's All right, madam clerk, who we waiting on? I see the commissioner.

Well, 69 and 10. Commissioner Lewis, you're the last one to vote, sir. I told you. Commissioner Lewis, we're waiting on you, sir. Commissioner Lewis is voting. Madame clerk, everyone is voted.

Four six. Let me see who voting yes. Miss Pullium, Mr. Wimbley, Mr. Garrett, and Mayor Johnson. Voting no, Miss Rice, Mr. Clark, Mr. Tony Lewis, Miss Slind, Miss Scott, and Mr. Gilful. All right, colleagues, uh, madame administrator, I'm going to ask you to give us this timeline again because we, you know, we got, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir.

Mr. Mayor, I think if we take a few minute recess, I I believe this package, the reason why you see a lot of nos up there is because I think we all feel in the same thing that the people's not going to be approving a such a high package. I think when we get around 370, 375, it'll be more acceptable and but it'll be a lot of the needs that's going to be in the package. Um any other way, I think what we're doing is wasting time, wasting staff time. Um again, um but I believe if we could take a short way of recess, let us communicate amongst each other because we ain't had that opportunity. And um there's definitely going to it's 20 $24 million worth of cuts we got to take in this thing and that'll get us down there.

Madam clerk, we're going to recess for uh for 10 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you.

All right, ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate your patience. The time is now 6:56 p.m. that includes Madam Cler. I call the session back to order from recess. It was utilities and engineering, right? Commissioner Brandon Garrett, you have the floor, sir. Thank you, Mayor. Are we back from recess? We are back from recess.

All right. Um, I'd like to make a motion. Um, currently the last motion that failed was at 397 million. Um, through some discussion, I'd like to cut 5 million from engineering, 5 million from utilities, and then 3.5% across each category or each line item other than that those, which should bring us down to about 375. Yeah. Uh, point of clarity, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. if we can clarify um the different categories and areas so that everyone has an understanding of what is comprised of that. All right, let's give interim director Tim Shreer opportunity. Each each line item

each line item the buckets that we have them in engineering, utilities, quality of life. Right. Right now the big categories are public safety which is fire, fleet, sheriff, quality of life which is recreation, transit, facilities and general government that's IT, central services, uh program administration and bond interest. Infrastructure is engineering, the airports, utilities, other governments, Hepsibl authorities would be the um canal authority and then the board of regions. We can't cut the border regions. We can't cut the butter regions. So

yeah, that's already a commitment. Canal authority still. The border regions is worth $5 million. Yeah. Can we can I ask the attorney could we have a motion that says up to 4% with a max of 3.375 million and then we adjust that way.

So just confirm the math again for me what you're saying. We trying to get to a P trying to get to 375 million

and I'm estimating that if we take off 5 million from engineering, 5 million from utilities and the 5 million from the board of regents if we have authority to take reduce each other line item thank you by up to 4% that should get us to the 375. I I think it would be probably better to say that it's 375 and all funds except for this will be cut by an equal percentage to end up with a total 375. I think that math someone could go back and figure out what he said. Yeah.

And then in the motion as it has says that we'll adjust and that's what that language was in there for. So that's how I would handle it. Okay. I agree with I I agree with what the attorney said. All right. So, so I I'll amend my motion to state what the attorney said.

Attorney Blanket, can you clarify that, please? Just just just for clarity. The project list is $375 million based on the prior schedule with $5 million being removed from utilities, $5 million from uh engineering and not making any adjustment to the $5 million to the board of regents with all other funds being adjusted by a percentage to equal a total of 375. Right. There's a motion by Commissioner Brian Garrett. Is there a second? Second. There's a second by the mayor pro Tim. Commissioner Wimberly, I see you. I'm sorry. Commissioner Don Clark, you in the queue first.

Yeah, just for points of clarity. Um, so for parks and wreck, the uh funds are still in there for the new um facility. Correct. Things reduced. They would still be in there, but they would be adjusted with by some percentage downward. Okay. So, the uh dollar amounts to uh get us started for the sewer expansion is in there as well at an adjusted rate. Mr. Clark, everything is as it was before in the original motion. It's just been cut. I'm asking for a reason, Attorney Plunket. Yes, sir. Okay. I just want to make sure that we get the points of clarity on that. Um and those are the the two that I needed clarity on. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Clark. Commissioner Lonnie Wimbley from the fourth and and uh I think Mr. Mayor I believe utility uh indicated that that's enough to complete the project. Right. Okay. We're good. You good? Good.

Madam clerk, we have a motion by the commissioner from the ETH and a second by the mayor pro 10. We're prepared to vote for nine. That's right. Motion carries. It's unanimous with those present.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I think that concludes our business for today. Thank you guys for your patience. This meeting's here by adjourned.