Commission - Regular Meeting

All right. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Madame Clerk, the time is now 2:09 p.m. Yes, sir. For this Augusta, Richmond County Commission meeting on Cinco de Mayo. [laughter] It looks as though we have a quorum. I call this meeting order.

Yes, sir. At this time, we will have our invocation shared with us today by Pastor Mark Granados, associate pastor of the Augusta First 7th Day Adventist Church, after which would you please stand for the pledge of allegiance. Remain standing. Good afternoon.

I want to share a quick word of the day. The word of God says in Micah 6:8, "He has told you, oh man, what is good? And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Let us pray. Dear heavenly father, oh gracious father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for this meeting. We thank you for all the leaders who are here listening, discussing matters that pertain to you, Lord. Lord, help us trust you in all of our ways and acknowledge you, Lord. For we know that you can make our path straight. We invite you here. Give us wisdom. Give us insight and help us remember the poor, the needy, and the matters that we are discussing. Lord, we ask for you in Jesus' name. Amen.

I pledge algiance 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. [snorts]

Pastor, would you please stand? Thank you for putting us in remembrance of what God has told us through Micah to love mercy and to walk humbly before him. Thank you for that reminder. By these presents be it known that Pastor Mark Granados, associate pastor of the Augusta First 7th Day Adventist Church is our chaplain of the day. May your spiritual guidance and unwavering leadership continue to bring strength and blessings to the citizens of Augusta. Given under my hand this day, 5th day of May, 2026, Garnett L. Johnson, mayor. And again, thank you so very much.

Thank you so much, [applause]

pastor. Thank you so much for being here, sir. Thank you for that prayer. appreciate all the work you do in the community. Madame clerk, before we continue, I'm going to take a point of personal privilege to recognize what I consider one of our community giants and we have her family in her chambers today. This Miss Britney Renee Lynch, as many of you know her through all of her great work throughout this community. We just saw her back in March at that very podium advocating for things that she loves. most importantly her love for this community and helping those that need it the most. So, Madame Clerk, if you don't mind, we have a proclamation on her behalf in which we named a day in her honor. [snorts] And I have her family that's here with me today um that we're going to present to them. I have uh a couple of her daughters and her nephew and a and a niece and I have Miss Tamisa Lynch, Miss Debbie Lynch, Jada Hood. So, madame clerk, let's read a proclamation and I'm going to present it to them um up front.

Okay, I'll wait till you get that.

You want them to join you, Natasha? Here, hand back to the mayor. Okay, let me do this. [clears throat]

Get those. Okay. the a the city of Augusta proclamation in recognition of Miss Bridget Renee Lynch. Whereas Miss Bridget Renee Lynch was born in Augusta, Georgia on September 10th, 1973 to [snorts] the late Reverend Isaiah J. Cersei and Carrie Lynch. And whereas Miss Bridget Renee Lynch was a pillar of the Augusta Richmond County community and founder of the Fatty Marshall Foundation, providing support, education, and hope to thousands of young women and children living with HIV AIDS in the CSR. And whereas Miss Bridget Renee Lynch also demonstrated her commitment to civic engagement as a proud participant of the Richmond County Citizens Police Academy, strengthening her connection to the community she loved so deeply. And whereas Miss Bridget Renee Lynch brought joy and unity to countless families through her annual Christmas gala, wine festivals, and her free Easter events, which she supported personally because she believed in giving back. And whereas Miss Bridget Renee Lynch shared her gift of music by singing at community events, uplifting hearts, and bringing people together through her voice. And whereas Miss Bridget Renee Lynch's kindness, selfishness, and generosity will be dearly missed. [snorts] Her support for those who needed her and

her endless love will be remain in our hearts of minds of her family, friends, and those fortunate enough to meet her. And whereas Miss Bridget Renee Lynch's legacy of service, compassion, and unwavering dedication will continue to live on in the countless lives she touched and the community she so faithfully served. I will always cherish what she meant to me and others around the city of Augusta. And now, therefore, it be resolved that I, Garnett L. Johnson, mayor of the city of Augusta, [snorts] do hereby pro proclaim April 24th, 2026 as Miss Bridget Renee Lynch Day. [applause]

[applause] [applause]

Right. Okay. ladies. [music] working up time to get [music]

there. Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Jada Lynch. [applause]

I just want to say thank you on behalf of my family, on behalf of my siblings, on behalf of the Fatty Marsha Foundation, and on behalf of Bridget Bnee Presents. Um, my mom was a light. She was someone who served the community for over 15 years. Um, her passion was helping children living in the CSR, specifically with HIV and AIDS. Um, I watched her serve over 100 children each Christmas. That's 100 families. 100 children who would who would have went without um 100 children that was living in the hospital um you know with HIV/ AIDS. Um regardless of what she had to do, it didn't matter what she had to do. She did what she had to do. whether it was sponsorships or whether it was money from her own pocket from her going to work, she did just that to be able to put a smile on those children fl children's faces. Um she did Easter egg events for children and families all across of Augusta with thousands of Easter basket, Easter egg hunt, you name it. Um her annual gala was to shine a light on those children, make sure though their name was known. not only the sponsor's name was known, but their name was known and letting them know that they matter and they aren't what what they what they have, but they are people still. So, I just want to say thank you to the city of Augusta, to the council, to Mayor um Garnet. Um we just want to say thank you and we appreciate it. This is just the first step towards, you know, us honoring her legacy. So, thank you so much.

[applause] Thank you ladies and gentlemen. All right, Madam Clerk, uh, as I understand the commissioner from the fifth would like a point of personal privilege to address another matter. Commissioner, the chair yields to Commissioner Don Clark.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. [sighs] Uh, you know, we talk about so many things that happen in our community. Um, it's it's very important that we're intentional about the great things that happen. One of our jewels um of higher learning here in Augusta, Richmond County has a very important and exciting announcement that they want to make. If you all will indulge me the opportunity to introduce the president of Payne College, President McCor, Dr. MCCORM, [applause]

thank you, Commissioner, to Mayor Johnson, and to the distinguished commission. Thank you for the opportunity. I'd like to ask the senior leadership team of Payne College if they would stand. The first lady of Payne College is here and we have one of the members of the board of trustees here, Miss Mr. Butch Gallup. [applause] As you know, uh, Payne College has gone through transition toward transformation and we've accepted the challenges that have come before us and decided that because this is such a treasured institution, it deserves the best of our efforts and our support. uh this was the last year was our period of evaluation and preparation for accreditation and you all probably know that that is the end all and beall of institutions of higher education to be able to operate you have to have accreditation and so we're happy uh after the visit of the transnational association of Christian colleges and schools they have looked under the hood and kicked the tires and looked at everything that is paying college and they have announced on last month last Monday that we have been reaffirmed for accreditation as an institution of higher education. [applause] [applause] This this means that paying college has demonstrated institutional integrity, academic credibility and operational and financial viability and it is authorized to continue functioning as a fully recognized federally eligible institution of higher education. I want to thank this commission. I want to thank the Augusta community and especially the alumni. I wish Tony Lewis was here, but Jordan Johnson is here.

And thank you for their their undying love and support of Payne College. We could not do it without their support. And I want to thank you, commissioner, and thank you, mayor, for giving us this opportunity for recognition. God bless you, [applause]

President. There's something special happening on 15th Street. You know that it's all attributed to you and your energy and your spirit. You and your team continue the great work. We look forward to continue to support you. Thank you so much. Have a great summer. Is it summer yet? Almost. Almost. This weekend. Graduation's this weekend, folks. So, if you know anyone who's graduating from paying college or want to be part of that celebration, please please go down and see them. Thank you so much. President McCor and first lady, she was here earlier. She may have She's there. She's there. Okay. You should have been up [laughter] front. All right. All right, Madam Clerk, I think that takes us to the delegation portion of our meeting.

Yes, sir, it does. Call your attention to delegation item A, Miss Deborah Eastep. Concerns about the floss halfsentense tax sales tax. That's the float floating local option sales tax. Provide this document here. It has all the uh backup evidence. All right. Um, can we turn that on? Yeah. Wait a second. Let us get the clerk. We're We're working on it. [laughter] Okay. Yeah, we're working on Give us just a second. I want to make sure you get all your time. Okay. You're upside down. Upside down. Yes. Okay. [laughter]

All right. Thank you. All right, madam. Give me just a second so I get a timer stated here. Okay. Give you a chance to get everything together. And um we're ready when you are ma'am. Please for the record please state your name and address. Deborah East 1523 John's Road. Thank you ma'am. You have five minutes.

Commissioners you've asked the citizens of Augusta to vote yes on floss. You're calling it relief. Relief for whom is the question. Flosts is paid through sales tax. Half of Augusta's households rent. Renters pay every cent of floss and receive none of the relief. Because floss applies only to homestead exemption. Renters have no homestead. Renters get nothing back. Among homeowners, the relief is not equal. A homestead worth 10 times another receives roughly 10 times the property tax cut. The Augusta rule already lets wealthy homestead owners rent their homes during M's week federally tax-free every year. Floss stacks property tax relief. On top of that, renters pay. Small homestead owners get a small break. The wealthiest homestead owners get the largest break and keep the Augusta rule, too. That is the floss question on its own. Before you ask citizens to authorize new tax authority, you owe answers to questions already on this record. Look at the street your tax dollars are building right now. The park and the median, the bike lanes, the landscaping. Years in, years still to go. Now look at the buildings that line both sides of the same street. Abandoned, water damaged, wire in ways residents describe as dangerous. Many are held by LLC's whose ultimate ownership is not on the public record. The investment your money is paying for is raising their value while you read this. They pay nothing into the corridor that keeps making them richer. They're not anonymous to each other. They are anonymous to you and me separately. The Augusta Land Bank Authority operates under intergovernal agreements with this body. The commission appoints its boards and funds it. The land bank does not hold partials in the downtown corridor. It holds about 500 parcels concentrated in Laney Walker, Bethlehem, and Turpin

Hill. Historically black, historically disinvested neighborhoods. The Augusta Press has documented a land bank disposition that did not go through public bid. a former state senator buying partials well below appraised value. After that reporting, this body approved a million dollars of f federal pandemic funds for the land bank without it requiring a public list of what would be purchased. Two different sets of property in two different parts of the city. One problem in common, public action moves real value to property private property holders and the public cannot see who benefits and on what terms. I'm asking the commission to use the authority it already has appointment funding and intergovernal agreement itself to require the land bank authority to publish its complete disposition log under Georgia's open record act. Every parcel, every buyer, every price, every approving vote for the last 10 years and any early records the authority retains. If those transfers are all well local owners at fair value, that publication settles the question. If they did not, citizens have a right to know before you ask to grant new tax authority through floss. One more thing on this body's record before the vote. There are buildings on that downtown corridor with conditions residents describe as a fire risk. In American cities, the South Bronx and Filillmore, the same conditions preceded fires that conveniently cleared the way for new development. The owners of record collected insurance. Developers were the next purchasers. If any of those buildings burns, the fire investigation, the insurance review, and the next deed transfer must be examined publicly. I want this on the record now in advance. Until this commission delivers a public land bank disposition log, a code enforcement audit of every LLC held building downtown beneficial ownership disclosure for the incoming producing property in this county, and a full accounting of SPL seven and eight.

One minute before splash nine. This community votes no on floss and no on every new sales tax. I'm recommending Eric Gaines for mayor. He showed up to the charter committee. His campaign finance completely out of lineals. You're out of line. This is running on a small budget without the money this office has attracted. Every single time you will say what I'm doing tonight is political. So I'm going to ask now that you be removed

until an election to make a commission do it job is not cross the line and you must be removed. Madame clerk, let it be noted that I think she ought to be put on some sort of because she comes here every time as part of the delegation and she breaks the rules. Madam the just leave. I would like to ma'am ma'am ma'am ma'am. Let's go, ma'am. Madam clerk, let's move to the next item, please.

Okay. Our next delegation, item B, Mr. Lawrence Brandon, relative to 1.10, public participation in commission meetings under section 1-213, rules of procedure, appendix A of the Augusta Richmond County Code. Thank you so much, Madam Clerk.

Mr. Brandon, welcome to the chamber, sir. If you will, for the record, please state your name and address. Lawrence Brandon, 445 Fen Street, Augusta, Georgia, 30901. Thank you, sir. You have the floor and you have five minutes. My apologies. Y'all, you know, my duties have increased lately with her, so bring her in the chamber. [clears throat] Okay.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor, and may it please this commission. Now, when it comes to public participation in the in the commission chamber, the rules are not optional. In fact, they are quite clear. Matter of fact, let me put this up there. That uh sorry y'all. Yeah. All right. [clears throat] Now, under section 1 to13, append a rules of procedure in the Augusta code, speakers must remain on the topic they sign up to address. That's subsection 11011. Subsection 11011A. A speaker who goes out of order may be barred from continuing as we just saw. You know, subsection 11011B. Once barred, that speaker cannot return to the microphone unless a majority of the commission votes to allow it. I feel bad for my fellow advocate except section 11011C. If a bar speaker continues improper conduct, the chair may take further action including removal from the chamber. So don't when outside of here people don't need to chop it up and put it on Facebook that oh you just did her wrong you didn't do it wrong. You got to stay in you got to stay within the rules. So section 11011D and for repeated improper conduct the commission may bar person from speaking for up to 60 days and I really don't hope that happened but I think that's about where we at now. Uh now while I understand that we are in a critical election year, speakers should not be allowed to abandon their stated agenda topic to deliver political talking points crafted elsewhere. As someone who has spoken here many times and grown to respect the decorum expected in this chamber, I am concerned that allowing this pattern to continue will weaken the communication link between the public

and its government. This year's elections have made it difficult for some individuals to contain emotional statements. But inside this chamber, the rules of public participation must be honored. Those who won't campaign, those who want to campaign for the candidates can do so outside. I held signs last Sunday, you know, and and although I can stand here and play a I can play a political game right now, uh that would be appropriate because I can do it and stay on topic, that's not why I'm here. This is not the place for campaign speeches where they aimed at district uh two, uh district 4, district 6, district 10, or even you, Mr. Mayor. Oh, yeah. I mean, nobody need attacking tagging the commissioners. You know, we're playing these political games, right? Let's keep it fair. Now, it is time for the commission to enforce its own rules to prevent political ambushes on officials up for reelection. To be fair, Mr. Mayor, the ambushes seem to target you most. And I would say that you handle yourself well. As you once told me, when they go low, you stay high. Now, equally important is protecting m protecting the speakers from themselves. As we just seen, sometimes you got to protect them from theel because some do not realize that once this election ends, they will still have to return to this chamber and live with everything they said and did while trying to influence the outcome. As you stated at the Richmond County Neighborhood Alliance meeting in March, we can be disagreeable but not disrespectful. When this election is over, some relationships may be permanently damaged. Uh political differences should never cultivate enemies. And I hate it that this it has come to this. I really do. Y'all know some of y'all know I really hate it come to this, but it has. I got one paragraph left and I'm done. My first time addressing this body on second chance opportunity. For example, I want to bring this to my first chance addressing this body on second chance opportunities was in in January 2024. I fought hard

and and at one point was nearly called out of order. But once I realized that working with the with the government instead of against it was the path forward, I succeeded. After at least eight presentations and more than two years of effort, on March 18th, 2026, this body unanimously approved using my proposal as the baseline for developing a better second chance policy. Why that achievement did not make the news, I don't know. I'm not going to question it. But I thank you uh Mr. Mayor for suggesting it be taken up, Mr. Mayor Pro Tim for making a motion, District 5 for seconding it, and also District 1 and the group he is working with to build upon the baseline. Now, in closing, when it comes to public participation, it is very imperative that we enforce the rules. Thank you. That's it. Thank you, Mr. Brandon, always for your advocacy, for being here. Most importantly, we keep bringing Miriam, our youngest constituent.

Thank you so much, Madame Clerk. While you walk back, [laughter] I think that takes us to delegation item C. Item C, Dr. Gayla Kei, data centers.

Good afternoon. I'm Gayla Casey. I am co-president of the League of Women Voters of the CSR. I am here to follow up on what was said in the room on February 11th regarding the QTS data centers near Hannes Station and Captain's Corner. On that date, residents were told there would be one, additional information provided. Two, a policy developed around data centers. Three, another public meeting. So, I'm asking for clear updates. Where is that policy? What information has been released since then? When is the next public meeting and when will it be scheduled so working residents can attend and with enough public notice that they know it is happening. Residents have consistently said that they didn't know about this project until late in the process. And part of that concern is how notice is handled. Signs may have been placed, but they were not placed where people actually live. Das Parkway is not where effective neighborhoods were. People are in nearby communities did not see these notices. So, I'm asking, what documentation exists showing how nearby residents were notified? Where is the documentation available to the public? And how does placing signage away from residential areas meet the intent of public notice? Third, changes in scope and communication when the scope of the project expanded. How was that communicated to the public? What additional notice was provided to affected neighbor neighborhoods and where can that information be reviewed by the public? There's also concern that homes were being sold during this time

period after this project had been approved and expanded without clear disclosure to new residents about what was being planned nearby. So what responsibility exists to ensure accurate complete information is available to the public especially when decisions of this scale are already in motion. And finally, this is bigger than one project. Data centers bring longterm impacts, infrastructure, energy demand, and development pro patterns, especially in South Augusta. So, what framework is in place or being developed to evaluate future data center proposals and how will the public be informed before these decisions are made? This comes down to three things. Transparency, clear, accessible information. Accountability, following through on what was said publicly, public input before decisions are made. Residents are paying attention and they're asking questions and they deserve clear, documented answers. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Casey, for being here. Dr. Kei, my apologies. Thank you for being here. Madam [clears throat] clerk, see no colleagues in the queue. Let's move on with delegation item D. Item D, Miss Zakia Marry, follow up on previously stated commitments made during commission meeting, including items for clarification and request current status on outstanding items. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Miss May, welcome back. For the record, please your name. Um, Zakiya Zakiyia Mabberry is my name. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, ma'am. You have five minutes.

Okay. I want to say also happy May. May is mental health awareness month and being advocates for mental health is so critical in the times that we're living in today. I also want to begin by saying this. Even though we disagree, we should never eliminate basic um human being civil to one another. So whether you're district three or district 10, if you see me in the hallways or in the community, you can still speak. I'm approachable and friendly. Um John Lewis, the late Congressman John Lewis, I was reminded yesterday on a call, he worked with a lot of people that he didn't agree with or necessarily maybe care for them on a personal level, but we could still work together in the community, and I'm approachable. So you can speak when you see me, mayor. So I'm here today to follow up on previous stated commit um commitments that were made during public meetings. Number one, the second um was kind of addressed um then um by Dr. Kei about the data center the public meeting on 11th February which the community pushed to have organized at the elementary school. It was stated then that in May that we would have a follow-up part two meeting and I haven't seen it anywhere. So, I'm here to inquire about it. And we also asked for 15 to 30 day notice so that the um community members in the affected area can have time to plan accordingly to be there. So, that's number one. Number two, during the March planning and zoning meeting, it was stated that there was going to be an ordinance or something, sir, that you stated that was going to um be completed within the two weeks. The time has elapsed, so I want to know where we are with that. Um, can you pli provide a detailed update in status? Number three, the public comment and policy disclosure, PII. I've brought this up several times. The last time I spoke about it, I said I would follow I

was asked by the mayor to follow up and provide examples from other cities within Georgia that have modern governance. And I did within 24 hours. Actually, on March 31st, Attorney Plunkett responded to my email inquiry inquiry and he stated that the law department is reviewing the commission's rules of procedure. Proposed updates will be submitted at the future the following commission um committee meeting. It hasn't. And the issue with um PI disclosure, a person doesn't have to publicly state their address to be heard. As long as the clerk, which already validated what I stated, as long as she has it, it doesn't need to be stated on the microphone. And yes, the comment was made that people can do their due diligence and still research where we live, but we're not talking about that. We're talking about what you have underneath your span of control. So, can you provide an update where the updated policy is going to um the public is going to be able to see it? And um what are the proposed changes and when will they be presented? And um number four, um I have a question. Have any commissioners or staff met with the hang station HOA president um or the um the developer Bill Beasley regarding the proposed Eisenhower data center? In closing, I'm requesting clear updates with specific timelines. And additionally, I would ask respectfully that why is it that we as the public have to keep following up with you about things that you promised on a specific timeline? That does not seem like it's good modernized governance. Thank you for your time and I'll stay here for the answers.

Thank you, Miss Mabry. Um, chair recognizes first. Chair recognizes Commissioner from the third, Commissioner Katherine Smith Rice.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, and good to see you, Mrs. Mayberry, I've seen you before and I've waved said hi to you. But anyway, I'm I'm not going to go back and forth. I do know that the I have been in contact with um [snorts] the group that is that was there at that meeting that night. Uh and we are going to do a meeting, but it's going to be after the election and they will be setting it up. So, just letting you know that, but you will have notice. Okay. But uh I will be letting the uh group that and the attorney is here today that represents the uh data group. If he wants to say anything, he's welcome to. But uh we will certainly uh be coordinating a meeting. So you haven't been it has not been forgotten. We're getting through this election cycle. Okay.

Thank you so much. Thank you, Commissioner Rice. I'm going to ask attorney Plunkett because you were asked for a couple deliverables regarding um Miss Mabber's um address. Can you

Yes, sir. At at the request of the commission, we did a review. Uh it was done by two attorneys and myself and the law department. One was to make inquiry of the um commissioners and see if there's anything that they saw problematic or they'd like to see. Um I did receive some information from Miss Mabry. Um, we have uh sent this to the commissioner who made the request initially. She has looked at it. It is in the queue for approvals um to go into the commission cycle hopefully on the 12th, but if it doesn't get to the 12th, it' be on the 26th. Um it is an item that has both a redline version and a plain copy of the redline version so that you can um look at the the changes there. We've made some a couple of substantive changes. One is removing the issue of the mayor um voting to break ties. There are some rules on decorum that we have suggested and um we made some some information or I shouldn't say some somewhere between slight and um substantial changes suggested on um personal information. So we have um we do listen to the people who speak. We also listen to our commissioners and see what they want to do. But that is in the process and as soon as it gets to the queue, it will be here to be discussed.

Thank you, Attorney Plonet. Miss Mayberry, is there any anything additional you like to add?

Yes, I I would like clarity. Commissioner Mcnite, you stated that um you haven't forgot about us and the group. I don't know what group specifically that you're talking about that you are still working with because I was the leader of organizing that and I haven't heard from you. But um it didn't state when as you're right when in May. So can you give us a date so that the military and other professionals in our neighborhood can plan accordingly and put it because today is the 5th. So they can plan accordingly and put it on their calendar the date. So you said after the um elections that's great. I understand there's a lot going on. Um but can we have a date so that everyone can plan accordingly? Yes. Let me do you mind if I get with them and then we can get an email out to you?

Is that fair? Yes, ma'am. Thank Okay. And I And if you'll just leave your personal email right up here, that'd be great. And I'll email you personally. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Mary. Thank you so much for being here today. Thank you, sir. We appreciate your participation. Madam Clerk, I think that takes us to the uh consent agenda portion. As I understand, we have some addendums for the record. Can you read those in for the record, please?

Okay. Addendum agenda May 5th, 2026 Augusta Commission regular meeting. Item number one is a motion to ratify the Augusta Legislative Delegation appointments of Mr. Kevin Mack to the General Aviation Commission at Daniel Phil requested by Representative Brian Prince. Mr. Clarence Tomkins Augusta Port Authority recommended by Representative Colton Howard. Item number two, discuss discussion regarding the revised plans for the proposed state veteran cemetery in Augusta. Updated plans, project status, next steps associated with the state proposed state veteran cemetery in Augusta. Item number three is discussion of Augusta Richmond County financial support for state veteran cemetery. Augusta Richmond County's approval and allocation of monetary support toward the construction and development of the proposed veteran cemetery. I believe Commissioner Clark, you asked that items four and five be referred to the relative committee for

uh the next commission on the 21st. 21st. Okay. That's items four and five. Yes, sir. All right. Item four and five. All right. That will be on Thursday, May 21st. All right. Chair recognizes Commissioner from the 5th, Commissioner Dian Clark. Uh, Mr. Mayor. Uh, well, I guess we're going through Are we going through the agenda now? No, we're going through uh addendum. Okay. um with the uh removals of uh four and five, moving those to uh the uh next commission. Uh next commission won't be on the 19th. It's going to be on the 21st. Correct, madam clerk? Yes, sir.

All right. So, um I'd like to make a motion to approve as stated. No, we we we didn't we didn't have an opportunity to to uh actually for consent on these items. Well, that's what I was asking. officially added them yet in discussion. There's been a request to add these addendum items to today's agenda. Is any objection? Chair recognized commissioner from the 10th Mayor Pro Tim Wang Gil. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, if we're going to be consenting a consent agenda item number eight. No, we we're just doing the addendum right now. Doing the addendum.

You have the addendum, sir. colleagues.

All right. Chair recognizes Commissioner Katherine Smith Rise from the third. Yes. I'd like to pull an um item number one off for the day. Can we move that further discussion? Item number one from the regular consent. Yes, ma'am. Yes. Okay. All right. Okay. We'll pull it to a date certain or just maybe move it to the the Yeah, it's on the addendum. [clears throat] Yeah, the addendum number one. Move. Let's Let's move to the next committee cycle. Yeah, that's that's fine. [laughter] Okay. On the regular or the addendum agenda? On the addendum agenda. Item number one. Item number one, excuse me,

to the committee. To the committee. It's been objected today. We're going to move it through committee cycle. She had an objection. Yes, ma'am. Oh, okay. Move it. All right, colleagues. Item number one has been um asked to be removed through an objection. Is there any objection for removing items two and three from today's agenda? That may be uh Mr. Mayor on the addendum. Yes. Is there any objection to that? I have a question. Yes, sir. Uh on item item one, uh the representative was here. Is that a reason why we're moving it? No, sir. There was an objection to adding it to today's agenda.

No, I know. I know. So, there's an objection to adding it to today's agenda. Okay. Yes. Commissioner from the third has objected. I thought it was to move it to the next to the next committee cycle. And so the answer that the my question still wasn't answered. What was your question, sir? Representative Howard was here. Is we moving because he left or why we moving it? Because there was an objection. This is an addendum agenda request. Just because it was an objection. Yes, sir.

Right. Is there a any objection to removing for removing item two or three? If not, if there are no objections, we're going to proceed with adding items two and three to today's agenda. Madam clerk, I hear no objection. So, items two and three are added to today's agenda. Okay. All right. All right. I think that takes us to the consent portion of today's agenda, Madame Clerk.

Okay. Our consent agenda consists of items 1 through six with that's items 1 through six. Commissioner is pulling item one sir for not the regular agenda. That was the addendum. He was talking about the addendum agenda. Okay.

For the benefit of any objectors to our alcohol petitions. Item number one is the applicant requesting a retail package liquor, beer, and wine license for a location at 3101 Washington Road. Are there any objectors? Any objectors to 3101 Washington Road? Don't see any, Madam Clerk. Okay. You [clears throat] not you don't see me? I'm I'm going to get to you, sir. Okay. I'm coming to you. That's an objector, isn't it? Okay. You're you objection to the 3101? I am. Okay, madame clerk, there is an objection from the commissioner from the fourth for item number one for 3101 Washington Road.

Okay. Okay. Any other alcohol petitions or public service? Okay. Our consent agenda consists of items 1 through six with one objector to item number one. Thank you, Madame Clerk. All right. I don't see any colleagues. Well, chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim, Commissioner from the 10th, Commissioner Wayne Gilh Hall. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm going to try it again. Let's consent agenda item number eight. Madam clerk, there's been a request to consent item number eight. Number eight. Okay.

Okay. All right, colleagues. Yeah, he's Madam Clerk, let's put it on the screen for everybody to prove. There's been a I think Yes, Miss Rice. No, Mr. Wimberly pulled item one on the consent agenda. It all right. We're waiting. We're waiting. Okay. Wait a second.

Right now, madam clerk, the only item I see right now, number one from commissioner from the fourth, [snorts] and we still have items two and three on the addendum agenda.

All right. All right. All right. Colleagues, can I receive a motion, please? Motion to motion. Second. There's a motion by Mayor Pro Tim Wayne Gilfold and I heard a second by Commissioner from the third, Commissioner Katherine Smith Rice. Colleagues, we're voting.

Oh, I'm sorry. I was told earlier that the voting system may not be working. So, we may have to do a roll call vote. Yes, it's it's it's working. I don't know if I mentioned Commissioner Bar um Brandon Garrett is joining us by Zoom today. So, Commissioner Garrett? Yes. Okay. You voting on the consent agenda? Yes. Okay.

All of them didn't the numbers didn't show up, Madam Cler. You may need to clear that and start over again on that. Okay. All right. Let's clear that and start over. Okay. All right, we're ready when you are, Miss McFarland. We don't see anything on our end. Okay. All right.

Commissioner Garrett, Commissioner Garrett, can you hear me? Yes, sir. Barely, but we can. Can you verify your location as being out of the jurisdiction today? The county jurisdiction? Yes, I am out of the county. Thank you. [snorts] All right. So, if we're waiting on Mr. Lewis, Madam Clerk, it may be just as easy just to go ahead and do a roll call vote right quick. Mr. Clark. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Garrett. Yes. Mr. Gilo.

Yes, ma'am. Mayor Johnson. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Jordan Johnson. Mr. Lewis. Yes, ma'am. Miss Rice. Yes, ma'am. Miss Pium. Yes, ma'am. Miss Scott. Miss Lind. Mr. Wimmbley. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Mayor, that's unanimous. Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. Let's move on to item number one, please. That was pulled at the request of commissioner from the fort. Okay. We'll ask license and inspection. Miss Priscilla, come on.

Good afternoon, mayor and commissioners. Um, this was a motion to approve a new location for 3101 Washington Road, Augusta, Georgia. This is a new retail package liquor, beer, and wine license. Um, Mr. Uh, Commissioner Wimberly, what kind of concerns or questions did you have? Commissioner from the four and could the applicant come up?

Okay. You want me to start before the applicant get up there? Okay. I want to be able to defend myself. Some of the con questions that and concern that constituents in my district has been talking to me about is that the number of gas station we getting. They say it's far too many. We getting we getting so many that we can look stand in the driveway of one and look down at the driveway of another one or maybe even look down the street and see three or four more. And the next thing we getting prevalence installed in in Richmond County is liquor stores. is that's the only thing that these business people could come up with to support especially in South Augusta is gas station and liquor store. That is my concern. I'm not here to to try to stop this cuz I don't think I had a the vote to stop it but that is a concern that my constituents in district 4 is talking about Augusta. We are it going to look like drunks or we going to have a tank full of gas everywhere we go.

So which one is it? understand this one's actually in district 7 for Smith Lindax district. Um the district one had a lot of uh restaurants um and since January till now. So we have had quite a bit of restaurants coming in to the South Augusta area. District 4 um that's a little different. Right now, we haven't had many other restaurants coming in that area, but um it just as far as my alcohol being able to the there have been liquor stores and restaurants and mostly in those areas. Um the ordinance doesn't state um the closeness. We are working with the new director as far as revamping the ordinance and and getting with the commissioners on changing the distance locations and especially the adjacent locations because it can be um a distance between one location and another parcel but and it could meet the distance but if it's adjacent I would like to get with commissioners to maybe alter that as well because once again it might be the distance between a rest a gas station that's within the distance but if it's one parcel over the commissioners can decide that and change that in the ordinance.

That's include liqu stores. Yes, sir. You can be stricter than the state, but you can't be lenient than the state. So, yes, we are going to revamp the ordinance and get with the commissioners and kind of get your input because we do think since I've been in this position in over a year, I do think there's a lot of little things like that that should be tweaked. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Chair recognizes commissioner from the seventh, Commissioner Tina Slendex.

Thank you, mayor. Um, yes, this is my district. Um, I've had absolutely no constituent contact me about not wanting this. Um, I do know um [clears throat] that as far as this type of um business, there's one down near the Croc Center and not another one uh [snorts] on that side of the road, probably till Evans or one out on Bobby Jones. So, I mean, I don't feel like they are right on top of each other. So, um I don't know why. I mean, I appreciate Mr. Wimberly his opinion, but um I have had none of my constituents that were against this uh whatsoever. I know that there was recently one that closed um near the Kroger, so I'm sure their customers will be glad to see this one open. So, I mean, I would like to have a motion to approve this. So,

commissioner from 7th, are you making that motion? Yes, I am. All right. There's a motion to approve. Is there a second? There's a motion to approve. Is there a second? I'll second it. I hear a second from Mayor Pro Tim Wayne Gil. Sir, chair will yield to you. I see you in the queue. Chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim Wayne Gil.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. What Mr. Wimbley, Commissioner Wimbley is saying, there's some validity into what he is saying about the um impact of liquor stores being concentrated in certain areas. If we're going to be looking at putting a um barn but only so many feet, no different. You can't have a liquor store beer being sold next to a church. It's got to be what 300 ft the weight of crow flies etc. But we also need to take in account if we're going to be looking out for that. Let's look at what's happening with these Dollar Generals and um they are actually concentrating on going after certain people low-inccome and we're going to have to figure out a way to curtail that some as well and liquor stores does the same thing. So

yes, and with our director actually doing the ordinance change that would be a good thing to bring up to her as well regarding your Dollar Generals. Yes. Good. Miss Cameron probably be on top of it then. Thank y'all. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tam. Madame Clerk, we have a motion for approval of this item with a proper second it. We're prepared to vote. Okay, voting. Okay, I see the system. It's working. [laughter] Okay, we're back online. Mr. Jeff's the man. Back online. [laughter]

Mr. Garrett, how are you voting? Yes. Thank you. That motion carries 10 to one with Mr. Wimbley voting no. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Let's move on to um item seven, please. Item number seven is discuss [snorts] possible proposed termination of the Metropolitan Waste Contract. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Commissioner from the six, as I understand this is your item. You have the floor, sir.

Thank you, Mayor Johnson. It's been brought to my attention that um there's some ongoing discussions and some new developments pertaining to this particular item on the agenda. And if you would uh Mayor Johnson, if we would allow Attorney uh Ben Allen to come and to provide some additional information in regards to this agenda item that I have here on the agenda for today, Mr. Ben Allen, attorney Ben Allen, thank you so much for being here, sir. Yes, sir. You have the floor.

Thank you. Uh, Mr. Bear, um, uh, commissioners, we here, uh, my client, Metropolitan Waste, has a contract with Coastal Waste. Coastal Waste provide waste management services for Augusta. Um, there's been some confusion between my client and Coastal. We're in negotiations on a contract and we had um expressed some concerns to Coastal and also we just wanted to put the city on notice that um uh there seem to be some hiccups between Metropolitan Waste and Coastal. But we're negotiating and we don't really need the commission at this time to take any formal action except maybe uh if the commission wants to um will uh defer to you whether or not you need to take a look at uh the waste management services that be provided uh to this community.

Thank you. Attorney Allen Commissioner from the six. Is there anything additional you need to add or attorney Plunkett? Is there anything we need to add? Do we need Coastal? Is is is this this problem? Mr. Mayor, I understand that Coastal I've heard from Coastal and from Mr. Allen and they're in negotiations. So, it my opinion would be that it would be best not for the commission to weigh in at this point. Okay. Obviously, if something goes ary, then we may be asked to be involved, but right now, I think it's you've heard from Mr. Allen kind of their position and I think if we just let this run its course for right now would be the best way to move forward. Thank you attorney Pinet Commissioner from the six you have I'm sorry you have the floor.

Thank you Mayor Johnson. Thank you attorney Allen. Um, general counsel, um, I think I think this is a matter of us making sure that, uh, we get together on this sooner than later because we don't want any deadlines to come about um, that would put this particular business in harm's way. So, the sooner the better. uh if we can perhaps let's move this next week um at 11:00 next week. Let's look at all the documentations that we have pertaining to the contract. We know that um this particular contract uh guaranteed about 25% for um for our locals and we want to make sure that we stay on top of this. We don't want it to um get pushed up under any further than it already is. Even having to have these discussions today about this particular entity. Uh we thought that once this contract was done with Kula, everything was good until this contract expired. But having to have these discussions now leads me to believe that there may be some some ambiguities. uh and we definitely don't want that to happen with uh one of our locals uh when it comes down to them having uh part of this 25% contract that we was given to our local businesses. Again, thank you, Mr. Allen, for for being here. Um and we will engage these uh discussions further uh in the right time with this body and our general counsel. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Lewis. Again, attorney Ben Allen, thank you so much for being here, sir. Yes, madame clerk. That takes us back to the addendum portion of our agenda. We have item number two and item number three. Item number two, dis discussion regarding revised plans for the proposed state veteran cemetery in Augusta. Updated plans, project status, and next steps associated with the proposed state veteran cemetery in Augusta. Are you taking them as companion or together?

We can. Okay. Item number three is a discussion regarding Augusta Richmond County financial support for the state veteran cemetery. The Augusta Richmond County's approval and allocation of monetary support toward the construction and development of the proposed veteran cemetery. Thanks so much, Madam Clerk. Chair yields to commissioner from the fifth, Mr. Duncaugh.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I'm super happy to talk about this discussion. Um, this discussion has been in the making since 2001 when former mayor Bob Young initially set out to uh try to bring a veteran cemetery uh to the area by way of locating it on Fort Gordon. Um it was of course stopped in um in its midst due to uh the 9/11 uh conflict that went on and that shut down access to the bases worldwide. [snorts]

So it laid dormant until 2019 um when one of the commissioners at that time, former commissioner um Bill Fenoi asked for former mayor Bob Young and myself to come together and reinvigorate this effort to try to get a veteran cemetery uh to the area. This has been a very long time coming. Long time. It's been a lot of iterations, been a lot of discussion, been a lot of caring, been a lot of hands involved in trying to get us to the point we are today. Where we are today, the federal dollars that have been requested f by the state have been approved by the federal government. Um, a site has been located and I brought some gentlemen here to really kind of put some definition and color and update to this situation to ensure that this body understands what has been approved um, six, seven years ago by the previous commissions of Augusta's uh, monetary support um, for towards this cemetery. Uh so I I uh committed to my colleagues that I would bring some update to this. Um but more importantly the commitment has been made clearly to this region that this is a needed effort to fulfill. The nearest two cemeteries that we have that are state veteran cemeteries or federal veteran cemeteries is Columbia, South Carolina and Milligville, Georgia. With as large of a veteran population and military population that we have, it's a disservice that folks have to travel that far uh to bury their loved ones.

This project is a remedy to that. And this project also will provide a muchneeded final rest in place. And more importantly, it will provide our local Arlington right here in the Augusta Richmond County area. It'll be the largest in the state. And thank God that we are finally at a point where we can put some real true movement and dollars towards this effort. It's been a long time coming. Um I brought two of our technical adviserss. Um, one specifically from Georgia Department of Veteran Services, Mr. Rob Malden, who has been I mean, not Rob Malden. [laughter] I'm looking at Rob, but Russell Fagan. Russell um is has been a constant staple in Georgia Department of Veteran Services for I don't even know how many years, Russ, but um 45 years. 25. Oh, okay. I was about to say Russ, we got to get you home, man. But yeah, 25 years he's been um a constant rock and a constant source of knowledge. U Mr. Rob Malden represents 2KM Architect. Um they have um planned and designed all of the existing veteran cemeteries in the state of Georgia. And fortunately for us, they're right here in Augusta Richmond County as well. So I'm going to turn it over, Mr. Mayor, to these gentlemen. They're going to give uh the uh commission an update of where we started um from a plan standpoint and we've had to make some changes and they're going to add some color and definition to that. So gentlemen, if you could come up to the uh queue, your slide is already loaded. Um again, Mr. Rob Malden and Mr. Russell Fagen.

Rob and Russell and Rob, thank you so much for being here. Just for the record, can you state your name and who you represent? Yes, Robert Malden. My address is 529 Green Street, right across the street from y'all at 2KM Architects as design professional. Thank you, sir. Russell Fagan, Georgia Department of Veteran Service. My office is 2249 Vincent Highway, Milligville, Georgia. You sir, you guys have the floor.

Well, thank you, Mayor, Commissioners, Don, and others in the community that have supported this project for decades now. Um, as Don outlined, we've gone through lots of steps and setbacks and tried to re regenerate that energy. And this December, the VA issued an opportunity for a grant to develop the and establish the Augusta Cemetery. And it's a state operated veteran cemetery that the establishment is funded uh the majority is funded by the VA and then the state does supplement some of that plus operating it going forward. So that's kind of the premise. I'll try to see if this will work. Yes. Um the slide you see is the master plan from five years ago. It's at the same general site being out at Gracewood. U this is just south of the main campus of Gracewood. So anybody that's visited that site can understand where this is. The original orientation was an entrance off of Tobacco Road and entering past the existing buildings onto the southern part of the campus. The initial phase was designed for immediately inside that area. Uh the city of Augusta had committed to developing the road and demolishing the existing structures which were scattered right all there was over a dozen structures that had been dilapidated and abandoned. uh for those that understand the current status of the site with that

we had developed all of this to be told by the VA your your priority is basically zero for getting funding with that um there was a lot of lobbying and efforts to by the community by veterans by our state legislators uh both in the state of Georgia as well as at the national level to get the funding that would allow us to have this grant. So again, it's a grant funding opportunity. That means we have to meet a very strict deadline to have this developed, designed, and bid by basically July. So we've compressed a year's worth of development into roughly seven months. This depicts the previous site in pink at the top and it has the new site that's been identified by Department of Behavioral Health as available for the cemetery that's in that lighter gold or yellow shading. This is the phase one master plan. The main entrance will be off of Bird Road. As I said before, the entrance was to tobacco road past the existing facilities. This is actually coming off of Bird Road and immediately past the railroad tracks. So, we're the south side of the railroad tracks, but it's an opportunity to redevelop this site. Um the phase one includes the main entrance, the administration building, burial sections, ceremonial section, uh the column barriia, at least the initial establishment of that, a

committal shelter and the maintenance building. One of the challenges is that one of the parcels uh has to be acquired and coordinated and the city's been working with everybody to try to facilitate that effort. We appreciate everybody's efforts in that regard. Uh we have to basically do that now. So that's not something that can wait. uh that provides a clean entrance and the ability to coordinate and develop that into the proper development. And you saw that image in the beginning. So this shows the orientation. We're about a/4 mile off of uh Peach Orchard Road on Bird Road to access the site. On Peach Orchard, we're coordinating with private entities and the city to try to acquire an easement for a sign that would be a monumental sign on Peach Church Road so that you know where to turn and not just a little plaque cemetery here. So that's something that we're working with everyone on now. So this shows you the current images and you have to have a lot of imagination because you're basically looking across a railroad track into some trees and this will become the entrance that you saw earlier in the image. So that is our typical image. This will be uh very close to the image that will be developed uh at that intersection of Bird Road.

So some of the commitments that the city had made obviously Bird Road is just a regular rural residential road. So we've identified and advised that over the next couple years that that be a targeted effort to improve that road, make improvements so that aesthetically it will handle traffic, but it won't handle the aesthetic side of what you want to project for the cemetery. And this incredible opportunity, one of the other things that this brings is jobs. the initial uh and Russell can correct me if I'm wrong. I believe we're targeting at least eight employees full-time to establish initially with the following couple years adding another two and depending on the workload and sadly that's a fact is the workload of burying veterans and taking care of the cemetery will follow based on that. So, one of the this is an aerial shot looking where the road will go that will turn into our entrance. Again, this we're coordinating with the power company. Uh Don's been working with everybody on utilities to try to coordinate getting the utilities rerouted, looking at putting them underground, getting them routed around so that when you come to this [clears throat] site, you're not seeing a bunch of derelict stuff and power poles, things like that. [snorts] So there's a lot of opportunity there. All right. One of the other things the city had committed to which the VA does

not provide any funding for is demolition of existing structures. The department's been working with the governor's office and the behavioral health department to identify that those buildings can be demolished. It requires governor's signature and approval. Um but there's basically six buildings there. There's a picnic shelter, a little toilet building that's over next to the pond. There's uh two former housing units that have collapsed the roof and one of them's totally collapsed and the other one's not far behind, plus two maintenance buildings, a quantit. So, those are all identified abandoned currently and identified to be demolished. So, this is an aerial shot of the Quanet Hut on the right, and it used to be some sort of farming uh support building, and the maintenance building on the left. It's actually the one that's in the best shape. That's the elevations of them. They've been isolated for protection. These are images of the existing living quarters. They used to have uh uh folks with mental disabilities housed there and over the decades that type of care had been removed. I think they're trying to bring that back in different areas in different ways, but currently those have been abandoned for a long time. As you can see, the roofs collapsed on that one. trees growing up through the entrances. It's terrible. So, with that, I'll go back here to the opportunities.

Um, Mr. Fagan is here representing the Georgia Department of Veteran Service. Um, as their contracts and u you [snorts] got several new titles, but any rate, I'll let him speak to other aspects of the project.

All right, sir, you have the floor. Thank you. Uh just adding to what Rob said, a couple of uh explanations. The VA does not pay for land. The state has to have or we have to have the land uh provide that. Uh and fortunately, behavioral health did have property that they were going to provide to us. The issue that came into play on that was when we came through the original entrance, it wasn't it was all state property and it was a transfer between the two. when we had to move because of behavioral health is got is planned to use that original area for something else. It then required us to come off a bird road uh that to be able to access that uh easily required purchasing of a piece of property which Don and people are working on getting that done to be able to to [clears throat] do that so that we have a nice entrance into the the facility. Um the timeline on some of these is has been mentioned is very critical, very tight. Uh normally we would have started this planning this time uh for next year but when the VA came in again I have to emphasize and thank all of the people that were involved in it of getting the funding we were as we discussed in the past it was a no that's not enough veterans unserved based upon the VA criteria. They draw a big circle and if those circles touch the county, they figured the county is supported by a cemetery. Uh you know that's real well and good except that's not really practical as Don has pointed out. So uh finally with the efforts that were done the funding did become available at and November December time frame and uh so that put us in a time crunch of being able to do what we're doing. Again thank you all so much for those efforts. It's as a department, we recognize the importance and the need for a cemetery in the area. It was a matter of how the funding was going to take place on that.

So, your efforts are outstanding on being able to accomplish that. Um, but it does put us in a timeline because we not only have to have funding, we have when when we come to go in with the contract, the funding has to be there to support the contract and because of the timeline for property approval, that has to be done basically this week uh by the 8th of May to be able to say that we do in fact to get it before the property board who approves a state property commission who in turn approves transfer of property from private entity to to the state. So that's working on y'all are working on that. We certainly do appreciate the efforts on doing that. It does make that a a tight timeline on doing that. So upon completion of the cemetery is when the cemetery is finished then at that point operation of the cemetery is up. it will be the state and the department will pay for operation of the cemetery to include the employees as as Rob mentioned just a minute ago the number of employees there and we'll pay for the operation so it's these early stages in which there's additional fundings as do Rob said the VA does not pay for demolition of buildings things of that nature they cover a lot of things within the cemetery but they don't cover demolition they don't cover land uh road networks outside any of that ends up being responsibility of the state and state entities to be able to do that or y'all have stepped forward in making helping do that to pay for those parts at the state. Part of the issue that came came about with this is that when they brought it to our attention in December, November that it was going to be available grant potential, we were already into the budget cycle. Y'all all know that we have to put our submission for budgets in in September for the governor and staff to be able to and so we did not anticipate this requirement. So there wasn't the action in there. We

did get in the and the legislators and the governor did put funding an amount of funding in that process, but it did it's it does impact on the amount that was asked that we were able to get put into this year's budget impacts on that. So again, the efforts that y'all have indicated and support y'all have done allow us to be able to do something uh this year. And unfortunately, like any state, any federal grant, it's available this year. It doesn't roll over into a future year if we're not able to use it this year. So that's where we are on the process. Again, much needed cemetery. The support that y'all are providing is outstanding. We can't thank you enough for the efforts that have been done to be able to do that. Uh the veterans in this area will definitely benefit from it. and we we're so grateful that y'all have stepped up and are providing that assistance on us being able to to meet these requirements.

Keep this. Yeah. Thank you, sir. Uh, Commissioner Clark, before I open up to the floor, you want to add anything additional? Yeah, I want to add a couple things. I know um you all are hearing all the enthusiasm and excitement from Rob and Russ cuz they've been doing this day in and day out. This is a great deal um for us. This is a big deal for us, for our community that has such a large presence of military. And Russ, clarify for me again. Um, we've talked about this over the years. Are you all kind of estimating this to be probably the busiest um or one of the busiest in the state?

We do. We estimate that for the three state of the other two cemeteries, it absolutely will be the the I anticipate it being the busiest for its location, the number of veterans that are close at hand. We do get some of the veterans do come all the way to to to uh the families bring them all the way to Milligville. Some of them actually go down to to Glennville. So families are willing to trans you know port that far, travel that far for a veteran cemetery, but with it being here locally, we anticipate that to be significantly higher. There's roughly 65,000 veterans. Again, my number I comment a minute ago, the VA says they're all served by somebody else. Well, if you're if you're five 10 miles away from a cemetery, you're much more likely to lose that than you are if you travel having to travel 90 miles or more. So, we do anticipate that being significantly used at that time.

And I want to clarify this and then I'll pause because I know uh we got colleagues that have questions. Um even though the location of this and and and I want to make sure that folks understand how this had to happen. We had the challenge of finding state property. The property that we have identified is owned by two state directorates. Correct. Right.

Georgia Forestry and Department of Behavioral Health. Um, currently on that site, not where the cemetery is. And I'm saying this for a specific reason so that I can clarify to everyone. Um, many of us know Gracewood Hospital is located on the front portion of that property. The cemetery in no way will impact that. The cemetery in no way will interfere with that. The cemetery in no way will cause or add to any closures or otherwise. They are two separate entities separated by the rail line operating essential purposes for our community. So, I wanted to make sure and clarify that piece um because those are points of contention um that we've heard previously that one was going to close the other or the impacted. Um I also want to clarify this. We're talking about breaking ground by the end of the year as long as we stay on track. Correct.

So, by the end of the year, we'll break ground and a year later looking to open and start receiving interments. Roughly probably take about 18 months. About 18 months. So about a year and a half your construction would be complete in a year following that.

All right. So with that piece being said, I want to go ahead and put this public announcement out. Um please don't start reaching out saying, "Hey, I want to make a reservation." Your reservation is there when you're ready. Um but you don't have to reach out ahead of time. And I say that because every time we talk about the cemetery, people are calling saying, "Hey, uh put my name in on my reservation." This is an entitled benefit for those that have served honorably and their family members that are qualified um to be buried here. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Commissioner from the Fifth. Chair recognizes Commissioner from the second, Commissioner Stacy Pulling. Man, you had the floor.

Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Um to everyone that has worked so hard on this, including you, Commissioner Clark, but um all of those that have come before you that have worked hard on this, it is very much appreciated. And I'm sure our community is just well I know they are because they talk about it all the time. So thank you so much for your efforts and those efforts of everyone else. Um is the a few questions. Does the VA handle all of the procurements for the building of the cemetery and so I don't know who can answer that question.

It it will be done through a a a public solicitation of contract. Anybody that desires can submit a and that will be actually just to give you a timeline that will be done this June July in July it'll be a public there'll be announcement on the state procurement site that allows any contractor that desires to be doing the contracting and then they then purchase the prop you know everything that's done through their contracts through their sources. Okay. But that's nothing that the city or our local municipality is involved in. Is that correct? That is correct. Okay. All right. That's what I wanted to know.

One caveat to that. Um, what we're proposing presently is to package the demolition of those buildings as a separate ad alternate so that the price could be identified to the city.

And at that point, you would have the choice to go ahead and agree that that's a good approach to let the contractor who's doing the other development and demolish those buildings and get that taken care of. If you chose something else, you have to go through a bunch of exchanges of property and easements between the state and the city to be able to contract. So that's our recommendation for the state to approach it that way. And then that gives the city a hard number. It's been publicly bid. It's been bid through the state and represents the best opportunity for being able to make that decision. And again, that would be in the September time frame.

Okay. And that's dealing with not only the buildings, but the easement portion we were talking about as well. Is that correct? The easement is separate. Mhm. Okay. Easement right now, as I understand it, is not being uh acquired for the cemetery. It's for a sign to be constructed there. Okay. Um this question, Mayor Johnson, may I ask um Commissioner Clark a question since this was his item? Yes, ma'am. You may. Okay. Commissioner Clark. Yes, ma'am.

So, what exactly is the ask today from this body? Well, I think the biggest thing um I had made the commitment um based on our last week's conversation that I would bring an updated refresh uh presentation to the body. This has been approved through uh probably about three or four different iterations um of approvals by different uh commissions, some that aren't here even today. And I wanted to make sure that this body uh since now it seems like this project is finally able to start moving forward that everyone is refreshed on some of the change of scope, some of the change in aspects of this project cuz it's it's it's been some changes that were different from what was presented pres previously.

So I committed to making sure that all of us had the updated information. Okay. Um one more question. Um, and either you can answer this, Commissioner Clark, or the gentlemen that are presenting to us. [snorts] Is this body being asked to absorb any of the costs that the state has not been able to um to allocate to us for this project

and and that's why I put these two motions to or these two items together. Um, one was there was there has been uh six years ago um I think it was six six years ago uh the commission at that time and the mayor at that time approved to provide monetary support through the roads and through demolition. So that's why we're talking about um that aspect of it. Again, we're talking about some changes in scope and we're going to have to obtain some clarity on how those will be addressed and introduced into this as well. Okay. So, we'll do that prior to making this decision. Correct. Okay. So, we're doing that.

But as far as but as far but as far as the monetary support that's been committed from the city, that's been committed six years ago and has been reaffirmed um through commitment um probably at least three times. um that former mayor Jung and I came forward. The mayor also uh sent a letter of support to the state as well um reaffirming what had been previously committed to by the bodies. Okay. But the additional amount that additional amount will be clear to this body before we decide

everything will be clear through here. Now, I'm going tell you really because it's been such a significant change in scope that first phase that they had previously showed. I mean, it was it was definitely going to far exceed what was previously estimated 7 years ago. That those estimates 7 years ago, I'm sure probably would have been double or tripled um based upon what costs are now. Um but we're now in a more minimized scope with the amount of buildings that are in play for demolition and even the road um component of it and the other piece with the uh property as well. So it's it's still um much less than what it was, but there is some change in scope and that's why I wanted to make sure that we were open and transparent about presenting those changes.

Okay. Mayor Johnson, may I address Administrator Allen? Yes, ma'am. You may. Okay. Administrator Allen with the additional amount because we don't know what that is. Where would that money come from? Um that that point is is very valid. Commissioner Pulling, we don't know the amount. So I couldn't say where it would actually come from. Okay. Because we don't know the amount at this time. Okay. All right. Um, so my question then is, and I honestly don't know who can answer this question, but my question is, how can we move forward on this portion until we know the amount and we know the additional amount and we know that where we where we're going to get that amount from?

I don't. Commissioner Clark, you want to clarify or I can. Okay. Go ahead, Mr. Mayor. Okay. I I you know I know previous commissions and previous mayors had had committed um to seeing this come to fruition. I think at one point the city had committed upwards to $2 million for construction or road demolition. So you know I think it would be incumbent upon this body to to kind of follow the wishes of a previous commission or mayor. But this this is these are conversations that have been going on for for years now. So I think it's finally to the point to where it's time to at some point come up with the money and it will be incumbent upon us to kind of follow the wishes of the previous governing bodies.

Okay. And I and I understand that and I support the efforts. So 100% I really do. I just want us to um be clear on where the money is coming from and the additional amount of money because as as the administrator just stated, she doesn't know where it would come from. So just making sure we have those monies that money in our coffers that way we're able in our coffers rather that way we're able to deliver on the deadline the timelines when they're given to us. I just want a clear picture.

Yeah. And let me clarify this too. So what's being asked for right now? Um there's different aspects of this that we have committed towards but all isn't um all fund funding to support those efforts isn't do all at once if that so there'll be a a staggered phase approach. There's aspects of it where we are going to have to move forward and that's what the gents are talking about with um the the the property leading up to the the entrance and all that kind of stuff. Um the fact that this has gone the way it has uh 2.3 million at the time was the estimated cost that was provided to the commission that made the initial vote and that was for the estimated cost for demolition and estimated cost for roadways. I I think we're looking to be well under that with what we're doing now. But again, I don't want to put them on the spot because we're still getting estimates. So before they north and south and say, "Yeah, it's going to be and before I even say that, we're getting the estimates of what uh the costs are now." All right. But we're we're staying in line with what has been previously committed. Um but I needed to make sure that you all had a refreshed understanding of what's now in scope. scope has u minimized about 50 to 60 acres from what the original was and we're dealing with where it is now and there are some challenges with it as well.

So to that uh point the initial area is 50 acres that's being transferred in round numbers between the departments and the entrance. The future expansion is actually over another hundred acres that's right now controlled by the forestry commission and they have issued a letter that in the future if you need it, you've said you wanted it. So in the future the departments would agree to transfer property that's needed for expansion. So that's off to the bottom of your sheet of the image. So if you look at that the wooded area is right now a pine forest. Um in the future and it's probably 50 years away in the future that would be the targeted area to expand the cemetery. So

okay ju just for record and pardon me commissioner from the second what is the acreage of the uh the facilities in Colombia Milletzville and and Glennville? Glennville. Glennville. Yes, Milligville is 142 acres. Glennville is 40 acres and I'm not sure what the AC is for. All right. So, this will be pretty significant. Be pretty significant. My my apologies, Commissioner, from the second you have the floor, ma'am. That's okay, sir. Um, we can I'm going to relinquish or I'm I'm fine for right now. I'm good. Thank you so much. Good. I'm finished with my question. Commissioner uh Clark, you move to Commissioner from the fourth.

No, go ahead and go to Commissioner Wimbley. We're good. All right. Commissioner Wembley from the fourth. You have a floor, sir. Well, I think part of it already been uh Thank you, Mr. Mayor. U part has already been cleared up and that is uh it look like mud. not only part of the money that we've committed by previous bodies. I was under the impression that that funds had already been set aside or we just set a number aside. Which is it? Funds or a number? Yeah, a number. A number.

Just a number. And that number is not more than how many years? Yeah, that number is is about seven years stale. Seven years old. Yeah. Okay. Which means that number may not fit in today's market. It may not. But also the scope has changed of what was all included in making that number what it was. So it's been minimized more.

Okay. So this would be money coming. Now before anybody jump up in the uh and start shouting about veterans, I am one. I gave 30 years of my life to the military. And every three years I swear I made an oath that I would die for this country. So I'm now talking for veterans and I'm also talking with uh for my constituents. Okay. I remember when this first started and I I I I think I could remember a number of,200 acres was needed. It it was kicked around. Okay. How big the cemetery had to be. Now whether that was official or or not, I don't know. But I know it was talked about how big a cemetery need to be. I thought that's pretty dog on big. Yeah. That's almost big as South Augusta. So, I didn't take much stock in that. So, now demolition, you need money for demolition. Am I correct?

That's correct. That's right. Is that supposed to be coming out of that? The VA will not spend any money on demolition. So, of that money we we talked about that that number we casted a few years back, that's that demolition supposed to come out of that, right? The the original the original area had many more buildings in it. There were like 12 buildings that had to be demolished in the original concept. So, that was that's what that's what's being said, you know, that as far as where the scope has changed. Now, we're talking four buildings is what we're talking about have to be demolished as opposed to 12. Okay. And then

there's two small structures, the picnic shelter and the uh toilet building that have to be demolished no matter what. The four buildings in the back could remain. It's just they're a hazard right now. So the sooner why would you you shouldn't we get them gone the less it'll cost and the better it is for everybody and they'd be potentially visible when as we develop these we don't want that right that that's that's where we're talking about some of the cost will come down out of that original concept in that in that respect

now gaining interest to the cemetery um and and we gave uh I think like $12 million to to help with gate six. So gaining interest to this cemetery should not be a problem for us to support. Okay. I'm not concerned about that. But I am concerned about that phantom number that we got sitting out there. And we don't have no idea in this body where it's going to come from. We have no idea. So this this 10 people that well you going to start out with eight and you going to wind up with two more to possibly 10 to manage this cemetery. So they are there just the overwatch contractors.

No, they they will be doing they'll handle everything in the cemetery. They'll do the burials. They'll do the opening, closing graves, setting headstones. The state does not contract those. Those those are those individuals will be responsible for all the operations within the cemetery and that may expand as you do. Again, that's based on our current burial rate in the other cemeteries. As we determined, as we discussed, if we find out that we're doing twice as many burials in the this cemetery, which we probably anticipate, then that number may go will go up more than that. It'll increase higher than that. As the number of burials increase initially takes that many to open the cemetery and then we look at each year, we look to see what are we doing and then we'd be expanding that at a state level for additional employees.

So, Mr. Fagan, just for history, is the cemetery director for Milligville. So, he was at the cemetery in Milligville from its inception. He was the first employee for that facility and became the director and since became contracts and health administration overall for [laughter] all [clears throat] the facilities. But so he's very familiar with how what it takes, what the day-to-day operations are, the respect that's given to the veterans by the staff, and making sure that everybody is following the rules. As we talked earlier today, um, following the rules of how that memorial cemetery is to be operated and conducted and with that honor and it becomes a landmark facility, a historical landmark by its sheer existence and establishment and it has to be conducted and it's inspected by the VA uh on a regular basis and and everything has to be precise. Everything has to be done according to the books, so to speak, and to project that consistent honorable burial and honorable memorial location for our veterans.

Well, you just you just actually answered my my next line of question was the U standard operating procedure for the so VA would take care of that. Okay. So what what's the state state but we we have to meet kind of what you're aiming we have to meet the VA standards because that's what he just said our same audit is done they that their national cemeteries have our state cemeteries has that same inspection. Okay. So we're getting to my final question here. You going you you're trying to have the cemetery open by the end of the year?

No sir. No sir. we will start construction, start breaking ground the end of this year and then as as Rob said, I said a year, I was optimistic. Rob is indicating probably 18 months from that. So you're you're looking at in the spring of the following year, right? Okay. All right. So that includes the ground prep for barrier. Yes, sir. Okay. All right.

Yeah. it. Nobody can be buried there uh without it being accepted by the VA and certified by the department and by ourselves that it meets the criteria. It meets the standards. And once that happens, then the first burial can take place. And my last uh point would be for uh the mayor and uh the clerk. I want to see where those uh dollars has been approved because uh I'm concerned about, as I stated, I'm a veteran. There's four more civilians living in Augusta than veterans. So now you're taking money because it's it will be collected as taxes to pay for this. So, did the citizen also buy in to that phantom money that we're talking about?

Okay. Don't answer now, Mr. Mayor. We'll talk about it. All right. Thank you. Thank you, uh, Commissioner Wimberly. Gentlemen, thank y'all so much for being here. I don't have any colleagues in the queue. Um, Rob and Russell, thank you so much. Appreciate you traveling to Augusta. to recognize Commissioner Don Clark.

Yeah, gentlemen, thank you again um for everything that you've provided up to this point and we got more work to do. So again, uh thank you for everything you've brought. Thank you to our state legislators, our federal um legislators as well, and of course our local um delegation who stepped up to invest in um the veterans of our community. um to have a final rest in place that is honorable and and greatly appreciated through the benefits that they've earned. So, thank you both for representing that and uh more to come. Thank you. Thank you guys. Thank you so much for your time. Appreciate you. All right, Madam Clerk. Yes, sir.

Before I consult you, Attorney Plunkett, does that conclude that we have any reason to to conduct a legal session today? If the body is willing, we have a fairly short agenda, but if we could have a a legal session to discuss um penny threaten litigation, real estate and personnel matters. All right, madame clerk. I think that concludes our business on the regular and then the and the addendum agenda if you could. So, can we just receive it as information have a record without objection? Yes, ma'am. If can we receive this item companion item two and three on today's addendum agendum received as information without objection? Is there any objection? So move. Okay. We just any objection.

Madam clerk, hearing and seeing no objection is received as information. Thank you. Attorney Plunkett. We would request a motion to go into executive session discuss pending threat litigation personnel and litigation um real estate matter. Sir, there's a motion by Commissioner Don Clark. Is there a second? There's a second by Commissioner Lonnie Wimberly. Madame Clerk, 10. No colleagues in the queue. We're prepared to vote. Mr. Garrett. Yes.

Thank you. out. Okay, that motion carries with Mr. Lewis out. Mr. Garrett voting yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We now suspend it to executive session.

No, you didn't. All right, let's close this out. Soon as we get the attorney, we'll be ready to close it out.

One, two, three. We got plenty up here. Where did he go outside for? He got emergency. He got emergency call. Where's Where's Matt? Jim John Madden. He was uh here he comes. All right.

We need to get attorney. Matt, are you good for two seconds? to make it clean. I will I'll just make a motion. We won't draft can't have it drafted today, but we'll get it. That's good. All right, Madam Clerk, I call this session back to order. Attorney Plunkett, we'd request a motion to have the mayor execute a closed meeting affidavit. So move second.

All right. It's a motion by commissioner from the fifth, Don Clark. Seconded by commissioner from the third, Katherine Smith Rice. Madam clerk, saying no colleagues in the queue, we're voting.

Didn't do it. M pro. It did. It didn't. Oh, shoot. Yes, ma'am. Yes. Okay, [laughter] I got you. All right, go ahead. Gary, he's out. He's not He's not here. That motion carries with Mr. Garrett out. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Attorney Plunkin, are there any motions as a result of our executive session? There is one. And I apologize for it probably being wordy and not the most coherent this, but we'd request a motion to authorize the law department to negotiate an acquisition of parcels on Bird Road to in support of the [snorts]

um veteran cemetery with such acquisition being contingent upon the state properties commission approving um the veteran cemetery in June. So many second. Thank you, Madam Clerk. That was a motion by Commissioner Katherine Smith Rice and I heard a second to my right from Commissioner Lonnie Wimbley. Commissioner Lonnie Wimble in the force is second. No colleagues in the queue for discussion. Madam clerk, we're voting. Did you say happy Mother's Day? Mother, single mile today. Mr. Johnson, you ain't got 5 hour energy,

Mr. Johnson. You hear me? [laughter] Not in that vehicle. It's unanimous with Mr. Garrett out. Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. Does that conclude our business for the day? It does. It does. All right. There is no other business. This session is hereby adjourned. Thank you.