Commission - Special Meeting

Madam Clerk, it appears we have a quorum. The time is now 11 a.m. Call this meeting order. Attorney Man.

I guess, still good morning. I would ask for a motion at this time to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel, real estate, and litigation.

I heard a motion first by the Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Guilfoyle and second by the Commissioner from the 7th, Commissioner Tina Slendak. Madam Clerk, there are no colleagues in the queue for discussion. We're voting.

That motion carries with Mr. Jordan Johnson, Mr. Clark, Mr. Garrett, and Ms. Scott out. Thank you, Madam Clerk.

We're now suspended to executive session. Yes, sir. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. The time is now 1.03 p.m. Madam Clerk, I call this session back to order. Attorney Madden.

Yes, Mr. Mayor, I first ask for a motion to authorize the mayor to execute a closed meeting affidavit.

There's a motion by the mayor. Tim, is there a second? There's a second by the commissioner from the fourth. Madam Clerk, seeing no colleagues in the queue for discussion, we're prepared to vote.

That motion carries with Mr. Jordan Johnson, Mr. Don Clark, and Ms. Francine Scott out.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Attorney Matten, are there any motions as a result of our executive session?

Yes, Mr. Mayor, we have several motions today. Okay. First one is a motion to authorize the mayor to execute an assignment of lease for 985 Broad Street with the Jones Group Augusta LLC, the new owners of the property on behalf of the juvenile court system. Motion to approve.

Second. There's a motion to approve and a second. Motion was made by Commissioner from the seventh, second by the Mayor Pro Tem. It was made by Mr. Garrett and seconded by Mr. Guilfoyle. Seconded by Mr. Guilfoyle. Yes, sir. All right. Madam Clerk, see no calls in the queue, we're voting.

That motion carries seven to one. With Mr. Garrett voting no. Okay.

Noted for the record. Attorney Mann.

Next is a motion to authorize the mayor to execute a settlement agreement documents in the opioid litigation on behalf of Augusta Georgia against Public Supermarket and the amount of the settlement amount towards Augusta is $168,637.65.

Is there a motion to approve, please? There's a motion to approve by Commissioner from the 7th, Commissioner Garrett. I'm sorry, Commissioner from the 8th. 8th, 8th, 8th. Commissioner from the 8th. The mighty 8th. That's right, the mighty 8th. Yeah. And I heard a second from Commissioner from the 7th. All right, yes, sir. Commissioner Tina Slendek. Yes, sir. All right. Seeing no colleagues in the queue for discussion, Madam Clerk, we're voting.

That motion carries. With Mr. Johnson, Mr. Clark, and Ms. Scott out. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Attorney Madden.

Next is a motion to approve the settlement of the case of Chantel Thomas versus Sheriff Brantley. It's case number 2023, RCCV0001. That amount of settlement is $101,000. I do authorize the mayor to execute a resolution regarding the same. My understanding of this matter will be paid through fund balance.

Thank you, sir. Is there a motion, please? There's a motion by Commissioner Tini Slendak from the 7th, seconded by Commissioner Catherine Smith-Rice from the 3rd. No colleagues are in the queue for discussion. Madam Clerk, we're voting.

That motion carries. It's unanimous with those present. Thank you. Attorney Madden.

Next is a motion to approve the settlement of two claims of Neil Singleton, the first being Neil Singleton v. Sheriff Brantley. That is case 1,25-CV-282. The second is Neil Singleton v. Sheriff Roundtree. That is 1-24-CV-282. I'm sorry. That is 1-24CV-246. The total amount of settlement is $20,000. Thank you.

Madam Clerk, we have a motion by Commissioner Brandon Garrett from the 8th, seconded by Commissioner Tina Slendak from the 7th. No colleagues in the queue for discussion. We're voting.

Motion carries seven to one with Mr. Guilfoyle voting no. Absent, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Clark, and Ms. Scott. Thank you, Madam Clerk, Attorney Madden.

Next is a motion to approve the agreement to share costs with developer and installation of a traffic light at the entrance of Highland Springs subdivision at Pleasant Home Road and Foxhall Drive. The developer is to contribute $180,000 towards the installation of said light. Augusta will be responsible for the remaining portion. Those funds would come from the local maintenance improvement grant through GDOT.

There's a motion by Commissioner Tina Slendak and a second by the Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Guilfoyle. No colleagues in the queue for discussion. Madam Clerk, we're prepared to vote.

That motion carries with Mr. Johnson, Mr. Clark. Ms. Scott out. Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Attorney Madden.

Next is to accept the resignation of Staff Attorney Lanitha Pitts and to authorize one month severance upon execution of release. So moved.

Second.

There's a motion by Commissioner Brandon Garrett from the eighth, seconded by Commissioner Tina Slendak from the seventh. No colleagues in the queue for discussion. Madam Clerk, we're voting.

That motion carries with Mr. Johnson, Mr. Clark, and Ms. Scott out. Madam Clerk, Attorney Madden.

Next is to accept the resignation of Diane Johnston to approve the severance payment of six months upon execution of release as well. So moved. Second.

There's a motion by Commissioner Brandon Garrett, seconded by Commissioner Tina Slindak. No colleagues in the queue for discussion. Madam Clerk, we're prepared to vote.

That motion carries with Mr. Johnson, Clark, and Ms. Scott out. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Attorney Mattin.

Next is to accept the resignation of James Hill and approve severance of six months upon execution of release.

Thank you. There is a motion by Commissioner Tina Slendak From the seventh, seconded by Commissioner Brandon Garrett from the eighth. No colleagues are in the queue for discussion. We're prepared to vote, Madam Clerk.

That motion carries with Mr. Johnson, Mr. Clark, and Ms. Scott out. Attorney Metten.

Last motion is to authorize the hire of James McMillan as warden at RCCI at the salary of $115,000 plus an annual car allowance of $6,000 and to authorize the administrator's office to finalize all the terms of employment.

Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve by Commissioner from the third, Catherine Smith-Rice, seconded by the Mayor Pro Tem. Madam Clerk, no colleagues in the queue for discussion. We're prepared to vote.

That motion carries with Mr. Jordan Johnson, Don Clark, and Ms. Scott out. Thank you, Madam Clerk.

I turn to Matt, and does that conclude your motions for today?

Yes, sir.

Thank you so much. Ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate you being here. We're going to turn it over to the committees in just a second, but I want to acknowledge that due to a lack of quorum, the Engineering Services Committee will not be meeting today in all of those, and finance. So if you're here for... Well, I think we have a finance. Finance is good. So it's just engineering services. If you're here for any agenda item on engineering services, those items will be moved to next week's commission meeting and certainly appreciate you being here. And before I turn it over to public services, I want to acknowledge a couple of great, one, a great local member of our community who we lost. Since 1979, he's been at Lucy Laney High School as a girls basketball coach and athletic director, and he's done a lot of wonderful things. His name is Coach Otis Smart, who he lost tragically this week. And if you don't mind, join me in a moment of silence, not only for Coach Smart, but all of the wonderful, talented ladies that he coached, all the alumni at Lucy Laney High School, and all those who loved him dearly. A moment of silence, please. Thank you. I also want to acknowledge the tragic loss to our sister state, the state of South Carolina, Senator Lindsey Graham. Please pray not only for his family, but all those who knew and loved him and pray for this nation. And with that, Madam Clerk, I turn this session over to Public Services Chair, Katherine Smith Rice.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And Madam Clerk, do we have any additions or deletions?

No, ma'am.

Okay. Thank you all for being here today and welcome to Public Services Committee.

We do have one deletion. Okay.

Hold on just a moment. Item number 12. We'll let Deputy Administrator address an item.

Madam Chair, how are you doing? I'm good, thank you. Administrator's Office would like to delete item number 7.

Okay.

Mr. Howard, okay. Item number 15, Mr. Howard notified the office that he would not be in attendance today, so we'll delete that one.

Okay, and Madam Clerk, while we're at it, may we delete item number 12? That item is also on Finance Committee, so we can discuss on Finance Committee. So we will delete item number seven, 12, and 15.

Yes, ma'am. Okay, all right.

Madam Clerk, with that, if my colleagues do not object, I would like to consent items number one, two, three, and 16. Motion, support? Okay, got a motion. Do I have a second? Got a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, we're voting.

Okay. I believe. Okay. Okay. That motion carries. Okay.

I'm going to start from top to bottom. Okay. That way we can take care of these licenses.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Commissioners. I have two licenses today. The first one's alcohol number 26-27. This is a new location. Shamika Jacobs is the applicant for 127 Taste LLC. She's requesting consumption on premise liquor, beer, wine, and Sunday sales. This is located at 127 Laney Walker Boulevard Extension, Augusta, Georgia 30901, District 1, Super District 9. Augusta Planning and Development and the Sheriff's Office recommends approvals. Do we have any objectors?

Hi, I'm Shamika Jacobs, and my address is 2916 Courtney Road, Augusta, Georgia, 30906. Second.

That motion carries with Ms. Scott out.

Okay, next item. All right, the next item is alcohol number 26-35. This is an existing location, but new ownership. Melissa Winter is the applicant for lounging around LLC requesting consumption on premise liquor, beer, wine, and Sunday sales. This is located at 2706 Gordon Highway, Augusta, Georgia, 30909. I mean, sorry, District 4, Super District 9. Augusta Planning and Development and the Sheriff's Office recommends approval. Do we have any objectors?

My name is Melissa Winner, address is 699 Wellington Drive, Evans, Georgia, 30845.

Got a motion and we got a second. We're voting.

That motion carries. Okay.

All right, the next one is actually a massage license, but they did call us and let us know that they had to reschedule, so I'm just gonna push him over to the next committee cycle, if that's okay.

That's fine. Thank you. Thank you.

We're good? Yes, ma'am. Okay.

Next item, Madam Clerk, let's see. That takes us to item number eight.

Item number eight is Planning and Development Department is requesting approval for additional funding to the zoning ordinance update to include but not limited to two additional public engagement meetings, workshops for input from all commissioners, stakeholders, and the public and the production of an official zoning map and future land use map. This is extended the period of performance to November through December 26 with an addition not to exceed in the amount of 68,368 for the adoption of the new zoning ordinance.

Okay, Director Cameron.

Good afternoon, honorable mayor and commissioners. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I'm sorry, we're just trying to get the...

Thank you, Tom.

So.

Commissioners, over 40 days ago, you directed the Planning and Development Department to come up with land use regulations for a data center. And so we have accomplished that. And as you are aware, last week we did have a meeting, a public meeting, the Planning Commission, it was brought before the Planning Commission. We had the public to speak. Oh, I'm sorry, that's a different one. No, no, no, I'm sorry. That's a different one. Sorry, I've jumped to number nine instead of number eight. I'm sorry. So I'll just back up. In 2024, this commission decided to update your zoning ordinance. an ordinance that was written in 1963 that has been amended over a period of time. That undertaking is a lot. We discovered that it was just an update. And speaking with the consultants, we discovered that they were bringing over some things. They were modernizing it, but they were bringing over some things, carrying over some items from the current ordinance. So in that, we found out also that there were some meetings that had taken place that we discovered in a meeting with the administrator that all of the commissioners had not been a part of those meetings and then not really sure how many public meetings that had taken place. So I spoke with the consultant. Excuse me. Can you pause please? Sure.

All right, now, good, now.

You ready?

Okay, you ready? So what we did was we had a meeting with the, the administrators had a meeting with the consultants. Thank you. And so in that meeting, we found out that there had been several public hearings. However, it wasn't with the general population. We had some very good stakeholders. We had some, thank you. We did have constituents. Some of the commissioners had attended some of the meetings. However, with an undertaking like this, we need all of your input. We need your constituents input because this product will control the growth of the Augusta community. So we want to make sure that everyone is involved. So as the administrator was sitting and listening to the consultants, they gave her information that would provide a couple of more meetings that will involve the public, the community, and also the commissioners. And so I stand before you today to request an extension to amend the current code. The original amount that I saw back in 2024 would have taken care of a couple of more meetings, an official zoning map, a future land use map that would tell our developers exactly what they can do now and what they could do in the future. We have character areas. We show our investors what they can do, but it doesn't quite give them the full picture. And the reason for that is because I think I've mentioned it before, we have several different zonings on one parcel of land. And we wanted to make sure that we give a good product. So in consulting with the administrators and the consultants, I discovered that those particular items were not negotiated in the contract. And I understand that because we have some pretty talented people in our department. We have GIS specialists. However, with everything that's going on, we don't really have the resources, the human resources to carry out what needs to be done. So we do have the consultants doing an analysis of our parcels. And so with that being said, I want to bring before this body and ask for additional funds. We have identified where those funds will come from. I spoke with Ms. Stevens and also Mr. Jackson. So with that being said, I have before you now, this is a roadmap of what the consultants have provided. And so with these additional meetings, as you can see, we do have a roadmap for everyone. So we do intend to put a survey on the website. We are running a little bit behind. We wanted to do this in June. However, that's been a lot that's been going on, but we wanted to put a survey back on the website. There was one before, but we wanted to make sure that everyone was aware because we did have a meeting at Diamond's Lake and a lot of the public input stated that they were not aware of the zoning update. So we want to make sure that they are a part of it. And then also, as you can see, we want to have a couple more meetings and then we're looking to wrap this up around the end of October and then November, December, we were looking for adoption. And so with that being said, I will take any questions that you may have. I have provided information for you, an extensive overview of what's been happening, the trends of what the consultants have found. I'm not really sure how much information has been brought to this board, but I welcome any questions that you have up to this point because I've been asking a lot of questions and I think I can answer most of your questions.

Madam Chair.

Yes, thank you. I'm going to go to Mr. Jackson.

Good afternoon, Madam Chair. Again, on your cover sheet, you'll notice that a funding source was not identified. As a consultant with both Ms. Stevens and with Director Cameron, we identified the funding source as General Fund Capital.

Okay, thank you for that. Director Cameron, do you have anything you want to continue?

Yes, ma'am, I would like to ask you to please approve it.

So we can move forward. I would like to be able to approve it, but as a chair, I've got, do I have Commissioner Guilfoyle in the queue? Do you want to speak before we put a vote?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

Thank you. Deputy Administrator Jackson, thank you for answering that question. That was one of my questions. My second question is, in your August 2026 community workshop, your two-day session, I would reach out to the home builders of Augusta, Aiken, Augusta area. Yes, sir. And I would actually lean on the procurement list of their contractors, which... would actually, it would affect them as well. So between the residential home builders and your commercial builders, as well as the developers that would fall underneath Aiken Home Builders, please have them at the table because I don't think in this past, what was started a couple of months ago, they wasn't invited to the table, which they carry, their voice should be heard loud and clear because they are the one who actually it affects directly. And we definitely don't want to incur additional costs to these developers, these builders, which gets passed on to the end user. Thank you, sir, will do. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Do I have a motion? Okay. Oh, sorry about that. We've got Commissioner Lewis in the queue.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Director Cameron, I have a couple of questions. this is an additional $68,000. What was the initial amount that we paid this consultant firm to help with this ordinance?

Yes, sir. So the additional amount that I believe that was asked before was around $450,000, but it was negotiated down to like $327,000. And we do have some of that left now based on the current under the current contract.

So when you say we have some left, you're saying we have some monies left from that initial and we're looking to give an additional $68,000 for some additional performance measures that probably could have been implemented in the original. So why do we feel like we need to pay $68,000 to have, I'm looking at this right here, two additional public engagement meeting workshop. I know you mentioned that there was some stakeholders left out of the initial being some being the commissioners we didn't have some input and maybe perhaps some public input but you did mention that there was a public meeting held not too long ago at diamond lake so what are we getting with the 68 000 help me to understand what we're getting additionally you say we have some additional money left from the 300 000 but now we're asking for $68,000 additional, what would this cover?

The original contract was renegotiated. There was things that were taken out. These additional meetings, a zoning map, the future land use map, and then the revision that we are asking for, we are not asking them to carry over what we already have, we're asking them to rewrite something new. And so the scope that's under the original contract now is being carried out under the amount of money that was renegotiated.

So when you say rewrite something new, what did they give us? What did they give the city for what we paid for? And now you're saying they're going to rewrite something new. What's old?

So again, it was an update to just... to just modernize some things. And so when I came on board, I noticed that things were just being carried over and we were able to provide some unique information and things that are unique to Augusta, and not just to bring the same thing over again. So they were carrying out the scope, they're carrying out the scope, but we're not getting what we needed. And then when I began to ask questions about your input, we found out that those meetings had already taken place and there was no more meetings left. So the administrator wanted to make sure that all the commissioners and the mayor had input into this product. and also the citizens. And this is why we're asking for the additional money in order for this to take place. So the scope has changed.

So when we realized we didn't have what we needed, And we went back to the consultant and say, what would it take for you to give us this additional information? And that's when they responded that they can do it for said price. They didn't say that there was room enough for... us to be able to do this with what we've already paid?

So we are doing that now. That meeting that actually took place was something that we asked them to do because in their best interest. We have asked them to provide more information. They have been meeting with us on a weekly basis when the original contract required bi-weekly meetings. So we've been negotiating with them to provide services that is not under the original contract. So that's the reason why I'm coming back to the board so that we can continue this partnership because if it's done right, we will have a great product and then they will have a customer that we can speak well of on their behalf.

So I did hear my colleague from the temp made mention about the Builders Association being an integral part of what's going to be developed now. What about the subcommittees that were a part of the original plan? What was their input?

So there was a lot of comments that were provided to the consultants. And in that one of the packets on the trends, you will see the reflection of that information taken into consideration. And then meeting with them, they have incorporated that into the product that's on the website for the public to review. But also that particular group had been very involved in the original meetings that took place. And then also we've made sure that everyone is brought to the table. So we're waiting to put that information back out.

Okay, will this encompass What's the hot ticket item right now for not just the Augusta area, but for communities throughout the United States? Will this have some measures for how we're going to deal with our data centers and things of that nature?

Absolutely. It will? Yes, sir. Absolutely. As a matter of fact, we were... The information that was brought to the board, I jumped ahead of myself earlier, but the information that's being brought to the board actually is being taken from the update that we're doing, the zoning update. And what we did was just expanded on it. So the document that you have is about 26 pages. But it doesn't just encompass in zoning, it encompasses building, it encompasses emergency management, fire, utilities, water. So I kind of went overboard, but I wanted to make sure. And then legal also in consulting with legal, we wanted to make sure that the constituents saw a product that was comprehensive. So what we did was we provided that information upfront. So yes, sir, it's going to address, it's going to regulate those high density facilities.

We're looking at, we're talking about two months, how long?

So we're looking to adopt around November, December. It could be earlier, but we don't want to rush things.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Okay, thank you. Real quick, I just wanted to ask a quick question. What, again, was the feedback from the subcommittee?

Yes, ma'am. So there was things like they wanted to see new information. They wanted to see less residential. We have way too many residential districts, and they wanted to see less districts, more modernized types of standards, and that's what you'll see in this new updated zoning ordinance.

Okay. Yeah, I was just making sure that I just wanted to see if the subcommittee was able to, you know.

Yes, they're looking at also how we're doing, you know, the housing. They want to make sure that we're doing, we're looking at building, we're looking at design standards, development standards, and then just modernizing those and then making it easier for everyone to read. And so I think you'll be proud of that product, but we'll bring it to you because we also need your input. The next time you see it, the next time it's posted on the website, we wanna make sure that the constituents and our governing body have input into that product.

Okay, thank you. Do we have a motion? Got a motion, do I have a second? No, ma'am. We're not allowed to do this, Mayor.

Ma'am, we're not. You are not a designated delegate to speak on this matter and the public will not be speaking regarding this matter today. It may, but right now you are not signed up as a speaking delegate regarding this matter, unfortunately, today. Okay. All right. Well, thank you. You could reach out to the clerk of commission and she can certainly assign you a time to come and speak before this body.

Okay. No, ma'am.

All right. Thank you for being here. The clerk of commission, clerk Lena Bonner will certainly. Yes, sir. Thank you.

Okay. Sure. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm going to, we're going to vote on this item and then we're going to move on. Who second that?

I'll second it. You'll second it. Thank you. That motion carries with Ms. Scott out.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I wanted to ask you if we could please, I'd like to go ahead and let item number 10, item number 11, and item number 14 to allot them the five minutes and no more than five minutes to speak before we go to item number nine.

Okay, item number 10, 11, and 14. 10, 11, and 14. Okay. All right. Okay. Item number 10. Ms. Patricia Ajita.

I usually see her. I don't see her in the audience unless she's not here, okay?

Okay, she's not here.

We'll move forward.

Okay, number 11, Ms. Zakiya Mowbray. From Rezoning to Reality, Lessons Learned from the Adson Howard Data Center Process. Okay.

Ms. Mayberry, you have the floor.

It's a little interesting to be here before you today. My name is Zakiya Mabry, and I live in Richmond County, as I've said the last 10 times that I've been here this year. So from rezoning to reality, five government lessons learned from the Eisenhower data center process. I prepared notes to keep me on task, to keep me within the time limits, but I must say... It's a sad day in here today. It's really disheartening to see the shenanigans that are being played. Respectfully, you were sent emails days ago asking to speak before item number eight. It seems you're putting the proverbial horse after the cart. What is the point of some of our talking points that we prepare for if you've already done the vote? It seems intentional. Some may say it seems unethical, but we'll get into that. As members of the Public Services Committee, you play an important role in ensuring public policy reflects not only growth, but also good stewardship, which some of you might need to do some education around. But it also reflects growth, which we want for Augusta. I want for Augusta. But good stewardship also includes transparency and public interest. Today I will share five points briefly and I'll pause if anyone gets up like you did a month ago and wait. Lesson one, transparency should begin before major decisions are made, not after community grows concerned about it and learns about it. Lesson two, public service is strengthened when institutions clearly communicate not only what decisions are made, but the reason why they're being made. Lesson three, large-scale developments require meaningful coordination across local, state, and federal, that's my lane, agencies. Those processes should be transparent and understandable to the communities they affect, that they have a major impact on. Lesson four, public engagement is most meaningful when residents have the opportunity to participate before key decisions are effectively set in motion. That lesson is especially relevant for what we just heard about the 68,368 additional funding. We don't know how much is left because it wasn't stated and we couldn't find that information online. but yet more funding was requested for a comprehensive zoning rewrite, including funding for two more public workshops. Here's the thing. The community asked for public workshops. We asked for town halls where we can communicate and ask questions with you all who sit before us, SMEs within the city, to have clear understandings. We didn't ask for it to be led by consultants. We're asking for the city to hold it and to lead it, but no one's listening to us. But it appears, intentionally, you put, like I said, number eight before nine, even though that doesn't make much sense. Can you tell us how much money's left in the contract, a definitive amount? Workshops may serve a purpose, and they certainly do. I know that as a facilitator, have been for almost 20 years, both in the federal realm and private sector. But they also are not the same as a town hall, a public town hall. Any of you who have ever been in the military, worked for large corporations, you shouldn't understand that. The Home Builders Association, the developers you mentioned that should be at the table, well, they've been at the table, y'all, since 2005, 2004, on a committee with the city talking about ordinances. So don't play around, we're not dumb, we're educated, and we have the ability to research and analyze information. Can the citizens have a voice in the city in which we pay taxes for, the city in which we live in? Can community members have what we requested, which was a town hall, a setting where residents can raise their hands, as the young lady just did, ask questions and have them reasonably answered, not tell us that one question is interrogatory or interrogation. I want to respectfully offer this. No matter how many communities you may have worked at, ma'am, no matter how many places you've been, it is not a cookie cutter process. You need to listen to the community in which you serve to have effective impact. I respectfully ask that this committee, well, it's too late, already approved it, but listen to the community in which you serve, because there are repercussions, either short-term or long-term, there will be repercussions. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, thank you for your claps. I'm gonna go to Commissioner Wimberly from the 4th.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Yes, sir.

Ms. Mabry. just for a little help. Number one, we don't wanna cut you down or cut anybody off. I believe the ordinance that you're talking about is gonna come before this body next week. That is the data center ordinance. This ordinance that was being discussed now is our current set of ordinance that are outdated. The funds for that has no impact on what we come up with. for the ordinance of the data center. So stay engaged, but just make sure those two, so number eight does not connect to the data center for which you're talking about, okay? So stay tuned, thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Wimberly. Madam Clark, we'll move to the next item.

Item number 14, Dr. Gayla Kesey, relative to suggestive changes and amendments to strengthen the draft data center zoning ordinance.

My name is Gayla Kesey. I am the co-president of the League of Women Voters of the CSRA. I reside in Richmond County. i'm asking this committee to follow the direction of the planning commission it did not recommend that the data center ordinance move forward and it separately recommended extending the data center moratorium by sixty days and holding additional public meetings that would be held after hours when the public could actually attend and they did not these governmental meetings as public meetings because we cannot talk back and forth as we've just seen. That decision by that committee was not accidental. The commissioners raised significant questions about buffers, notification, noise, infrastructure, revenue, and how the ordinance would work in practice. Those questions remained unanswered. They were asked to evaluate a 26-page technical ordinance, which you also got, without a staff report explaining it, a section-by-section presentation of its provisions, or an explanation of the policy choices behind them. The Public Service Committee did not receive that information in its agenda packet either, and we also didn't see it today. Because of that, I emailed the committee chair and copied the other committee members in July 11th, if you didn't open that email, please do, to make sure that you had the league's independent plain language analysis of the ordinance and detailed recommendations before today's meeting. I will not try to repeat all those recommendations in five minutes, but I want to highlight several of the issues that show why this ordinance is not ready. One of the most important discussions at the Planning Commission concerned how quickly data center technology is changing. Cooling systems, electrical systems, building layouts, and computing demands continue to evolve, and industry professionals acknowledge that no two facilities are exactly alike. That means this ordinance cannot be written around one company's current design. It must regulate measurable impacts and remain effective as technology changes. It also needs to address the full life of the project, not just the completed building. Residents may experience years of land clearing, heavy construction traffic, oversized deliveries, dust, noise, temporary lighting, drainage changes, and utility construction before a facility even begins operating. Haines Station is already experiencing these issues. The effects also extend beyond the property line. New substations, transmission lines, utility corridors, road improvements, water and waste upgrades, and additional emergency service demands may affect surrounding neighborhoods. We recommend requiring an offsite infrastructure and public facilities impact assessment so commissioners and residents know what will be required, where it will go, and who will pay for it, and which communities will be affected. The draft also contains unresolved policy problems. It requires a 500-foot residential buffer, reducible to 300 feet, but only requires mailed notice within 300 feet. Yet documented data from residents, documented data, data center noise complaints have come from one mile to even two miles away, a concern that Commissioner O'Neill also raised during the Planning Commission meeting. That means residents who may experience the impacts could receive no direct notice and lose the opportunity to participate before approval. The draft also requires an abandoned facility to be restored, but does not require a decommissioning bond or other financial assurance. If the owner goes bankrupt, dissolves, or no longer exists, Augusta and its taxpayers could be left paying for the industrial cleanup.

The ordinance also does not- 20 seconds, Ms. Dr. Keese.

The public process is not complete. Residents have had opportunities to speak, but they have not had the opportunities to learn. A five-minute public comment period during a government meeting is not the same as public information. Meeting where staff explains the ordinance, answers questions, and allows residents to understand, that is part of what this process is about, and you're introducing, and you, yep. Thank you. Y'all do not want to hear from us at all.

I don't see anybody in the queue. Madam Clerk, we will continue. to the next item.

Item number 13. Yes, ma'am, I don't have anybody in the queue. Okay, item number 13, Dr. Melissa DelVelvis regarding the placement of a state historic marker at May Park. Apologies for the... Mispronunciation.

It's rare, but you got it. Hi, Melissa DeVelvis, 2500 Walton Way, 30902. I am on behalf of Augusta University and the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History requesting permission for a state historic marker to be placed at May Park. This is just an application process in order to apply for the marker. we have to have permissions for its potential location. Funding will not be necessary. That will be raised on our part. The logic for May Park is this would be, should it be approved, which we'll find out this fall, for the 33rd US Colored Troops, organized as the first South Carolina. This is the first group of formerly enslaved black individuals to serve for the US Army officially. And they actually came to Augusta in 1865 and stayed here for quite a while. They were actually the first black troops that many Augustans would have seen, and as they stayed here, they would have actually drilled at the parade grounds, which were May Park. You can see that on the 1872 Bird's Eye View map of Augusta. We also know that they were here for the Fourth of July at speeches at May Park, where they celebrated independence and emancipation, and they marched from May Park parade grounds all the way up to Augusta. the Arsenal, where they were also stationed. This is a remarkable group of black troops. We would be honored to have this marker here, and I think May Park being the former site of the parade grounds would be appropriate. Our suggested location, though, with this committee, if they have different locations at May Park, completely amenable, is potentially the corner near Walton Way in 3rd, or perhaps closer to Thankful Baptist on Watkins in 3rd. Either way, it would be cool to be on the Magnolia side, but again, this would not require funding. We just need to have the written permissions to apply, and then should we receive it, it would be nominated and unveiled in the spring of 2027. I guess I wait here for discussion.

She's wanting permission. Okay. To have the placement of the marker.

Okay, so that's something we can make a motion on here, and I can't make a motion as a chair.

Okay, got a motion.

Do I have a second? Got a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, we're going to vote.

Ms. Slendek. That motion carries with Ms. Scott out.

Thank you, fingers crossed we did it.

Okay, Madam Clerk, that takes us back to, we allowed our speakers, we had speakers speak, so now we're going to go back to item number nine.

Item number nine is commission discuss and consider amending the comprehensive zoning ordinance of Augusta, Georgia to establish land use regulation criteria pertaining to data centers, planning and development is requesting approval of the regulations.

Thank you again for allowing me to present. And I do hear the constituents. And I want to just address some things that we did put in the proposed ordinance. Again, you directed, the Planning and Development Department to come back with something to protect your constituents, and we did. We consulted with legal, and legal has gone through the documents. There was some modifications, and what you have is what has been presented. The Planning Commission, as Dr. Kesey mentioned, they did have a recommendation. The recommendation I wanna just go through some of the things. I wanted to just say that this document actually puts data centers in the heavy industrial district. That's the first thing I wanted to say. So what we did was we looked around in our neighboring communities, we looked around in other states throughout the metro Atlanta area as well as the CSRA to make sure that we are providing a good product. And as I stated to the planning commissioners, wanted to explain to them that this is a zoning ordinance, this is a live document, it's gonna always be amended. We don't want this to sit on the shelf because we're always getting better. We would need to always amend our codes in order for us to stay afloat. And so I wanna make sure that the community is aware of that. Many times your planning and development department will bring recommendations for amendments, but also the constituents will do that, and so will this governing body. So I do want the public to understand that we do hear you. You have our ear. One of the things that was that was brought out a lot was the comments. And I wanna say that the administrator, Administrative Allen, she put out a webpage. She wanted to make sure that we had community input on this. And so she wanted us to design a webpage so that we can have public input. And we have great comments. We have information that we are considering, but we did not want to change anything before we brought information back before this board. So with that being said, the recommendations from the Planning Commission was to not make a decision. The recommendation was for this board to consider a 60-day extension of the moratorium. We got a lot of good comments from the public that we are taking into consideration. And with that being said, the planning and development staff, we're at the pleasure of this board. So based on your decision, we would go in either direction, whether you would like to continue with the adoption or if you want to extend the moratorium, it is at your pleasure.

Okay, thank you for that. I've got a question, but I'm gonna go to my colleagues. Commissioner, Mayor Pro Tem Gilfoyle.

Thank you. Ms. Cameron, thank you for coming before us. Yes, sir. When this was originally adopted back in 2022, nobody knew what a data center was. They didn't know until most people wasn't aware of it till last year. But since it's come to light, it has gotten a lot of people's attention, including ours. It got attention to where a lot of us was at both data centers' meetings. The second one to me was the most informative. because it was a question and then you had the experts. We are no experts by any means. We are policy makers and we enforce the policy that we set forth. That's the reason why we have to rely on staff for the experience that y'all bring to the table. You had experience with your previous director role out of another part of Georgia where you actually put an ordinance together. And so with your experience with that, you brought forth to here which expedited the timeline. It didn't take six months, it didn't take a year to accomplish this. But it did cover a lot of the aspects as far as the zoning, the decibels that's being put out, the lighting factor, the buffers. And I see that the planning zone, which is a recommended board, wants to wait 60 days. What is the reason for the extended moratorium for 60 days for their, help me understand that please.

Yes, sir. So some of the comments that were being, that was provided was for public discussions, to have town hall meetings. They felt like the meeting, that last week's meeting was not a public hearing. It actually was, but they were asking for a town hall meeting. So just more time for public input.

Right. It would be nice to... reflect back on the questions and answers from the experts from the meet at the elementary school three weeks back, because that was very informative. They had video showing about the decibels, et cetera. You know, I just got, I was in light of somebody wanted the directors to inform me today, McDuffie County ordinance is eight pages long. Columbia County's three. How many pages is Augusta-Richmond County?

Ours is 26.

But they don't address the other issues beyond just the ordinance, is that correct?

So they have different departments. This one is comprehensive. It includes emergency management, fire, utilities, engineering, roads. So what you have before you is that. But if you were to take all that out and have zoning, you would have three pages.

Right. But you went into depth on this in case. Absolutely. Especially on emergencies. But we actually looked at it from, I don't ever want to see a Haines station happen again. It was before my time and before a lot of our times up here. Who would ever thought of that a data center be? But then again, the data center and the Haines station was being built at the same time or being evolved at the same time.

Got you.

but they still building houses in Haynes Station. They still selling houses in Hayes Stations, I believe. But with that being said, You cover every issue from noise, buffer, cooling system, electrical, even the things that I had put in there, that the data center's gonna be responsible for the infrastructure, that it shouldn't cost any taxpayer any kind of dollars whatsoever. We shouldn't give abatements, et cetera. But we also got a invite to see a data center coming up August 3rd.

Wonderful.

I believe it would be good for the commission to attend to at least we get to see firsthand. Instead of hearing about the stories of other cities, et cetera, that's like the water. I got an email yesterday about noon in Georgia about the wells running dry. These data centers this day and age has a closed loop system, 18,000 gallons of water and that's it. Everybody thinks that the power bill is going to go up. Georgia Power has addressed that issue at three different public meetings. One was with the Chamber of Commerce, which I had attended that as well. I did listen to the planning and zoning meeting last week. I think the best thing that we could do, if we did a moratorium on this, what people don't realize that a ordinance could be changed, modified at any given time, and it takes six votes. And that's like one of the speakers was talking about the technology's so advancing with these data centers that it's hard to keep up with. That's the reason why I would like to go see one in person. And it'll give us, I would like to... Madam Chair, I'd like to see if the body would be or your committee would be kind enough to table this agenda item until the August 18th commission meeting. That'll give us time to go look at this data center and it'll give us time to discuss and discuss with you what needs to be changed in this ordinance and that way we're not rushing something.

Are you extending the moratorium, sir?

I'm extending it until August 18th. Well, I'm just saying that last thing we need to do is do something in haste and then regret it because I don't like egg in my face whatsoever. So Madam Chair, I'm not on your committee, but if the committee be kind enough to do that till the August 18th, bring it back before the August 18th meeting, that'll give us time to look at the data center, walk around it, hear it, walk away from it, listen to it, et cetera. And that way we could bring back true experience back to the table.

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. We've got a few others in the queue, so I would like to listen to what they have to say, and then we can come back to your suggestion. Commissioner Slendak is in the queue.

Thank you, Commissioner Rice. I was going to... suggest extending the moratorium 30 days. So that would put it in line to what Commissioner Guilfoyle also was requesting.

Is that a motion, Commissioner Slendak? Okay, 30 days.

We want to, okay. I'm going to go to the, excuse me, Commissioner Slindak, I appreciate your 30 days. I'm gonna go to the attorney, Attorney Manton.

Just to be clear, that's the recommendation to the full commission next week would be to extend the moratorium. We cannot table the matter because the, the moratorium automatically expires next Tuesday. Without a vote next Tuesday, the moratorium would automatically expire. So the recommendation would be to extend the moratorium 30 days to August 18th at next Tuesday's meeting.

So from this body, well, from this committee, which it'll go to next week's meeting, Agenda, commission. Yes, ma'am, you're just recommending to the commission approval. Approval of 30 days.

30 days, yes, ma'am.

Okay, all right. I'm gonna go to Commissioner Wimbley. Commissioner Slindak, are you good? Okay, I got the 30 days. Commissioner Wimbley.

Thank you, Madam Chair. For the director. This document I'm looking at here, this is only asking about the extension of the moratorium.

Yes, sir.

It has nothing to do with the ordinance that's going to come before us at the next meeting.

So this is the data center ordinance that you're looking to approve next week. That was the 21st.

Oh, this is just a moratorium on building centers.

Right, on data centers.

Okay, data centers. Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am. Now I'm one, I have enough understanding of data centers. but I do not believe we're gonna get a good ordinance in six pages. So if we were gonna extend our time to make sure we get it right, my statement would be not less than 60 days, okay? Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Wembley. Commissioner Pulliam.

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. In addition to extending the moratorium, I echo the same sentiments as my colleague, Commissioner Wimberly, that we do need to look at the 60 days. But I also implore my colleagues to review the planning commission meeting. And the notes from the planning commission meeting, it is on YouTube. Oftentimes I'll tune in via watching it on YouTube, but that way you can actually hear what the commissioners, you know, what their quorums were. As far as why we need to put a hold on this, I know that some of it did have to do with the decibels being too high, as well as that was just some of the things that were brought to the attention during that meeting for us to look at that and just compare and contrast and see how other communities are dealing with it if there is no break between the time period. But in addition to that, they also talked about the town hall meetings and how they felt like that was extremely essential for our public to have a voice as to what's going on and to gain an understanding as to why we're making the decisions that we make. So just go back and review that planning commission meeting so that we can hear why they really were hitting so hard on, let's do the 60-day moratorium. I think it might have been 15 minutes or so, that discussion, if I'm not mistaken. Was that about right, Director Cameron? Yes, ma'am, you're correct. That portion, and it was at the end of the meeting, so it was about 15 minutes. But I am also, I'm not on this committee, but I'm also in favor of keeping with our 60-day. And I believe we're going to learn a lot when we go on this tour on August, not August, Yeah, it is. It's August the 3rd. So when we go on this tour, we'll learn a lot, and then we can possibly bring the information that we receive there to the town hall meeting as we listen to our citizens. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Pulliam. Commissioner Lewis from the 6th.

Thank you, Madam Chair. In accordance with... my colleague from the second, I'm in agreement with her in relation to the 60 days, although we will be making that trip, that would be about, give us about, Two weeks, two weeks, a little more than two weeks before we make that trip. And I think it's still enough time for us to make some decisions, some educated decisions when we do come back with the information that we will garner from visiting that data center, along with the moratorium being 60 days. So I think 60 days will be in line with that. But I would ask you, Director Cameron, with this information that you have on the screen here, is there any way that you can make this public? I need you to make this public, post this, so that there are folks out in the audience that are probably taking pictures, trying to keep up with the slides moving fast. So if you would, ma'am.

Yes, sir.

make this public so they can see what we have here, what your department have here. And if they have any questions, when the time come and presents itself, they'll be able to ask those pertinent questions, even for those that might be coming back next month with any additional questions that they may have. So please allow the public to see what we have on the screen here, okay? Thank you so much.

Thank you, Commissioner Lewis. Commissioner Guilfoyle.

Thank you. As far as being plumbing knowledge, Madam Clerk, is it on our webpage?

It is. It's on our webpage as well.

Okay. It's under our commission meeting committee agenda, and then it's underneath the docs?

Yes. It's also on the planning and development webpage as well.

Okay, so, all right, thank you. One other thing, just for the Deputy Administrator, can you have your information officer put it on Plubbock, please? Thank you, Mr. Lewis.

Okay, with that, quickly, I'm gonna ask a quick question before we go make a decision on this. Director, since you are the director, do you support the 60 days or are you for the 30 days? Just wanted to see where you stand.

Well, so Steph recommended adoption of this product. But after listening to your constituents and taking their heartfelt concerns, I wanted to make sure that that it's at your pleasure. So it's however you want us to go. I do have one thing I want to say to just be clear. Do you want me to come back with just zoning, the zoning portion of this, or do you want me to continue with emergency management, fire? Okay, comprehensive, okay.

Everything.

Okay, all right, thank you for that. Yes, ma'am.

Okay, Commissioner Wimbley.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I was just, for the director. You're the one who made the recommendation for the timeframe that we're on right now, so you can make a recommendation for the 60 days?

So... I made a recommendation for adoption because I was directed by this body to bring a product, and so I did. My recommendation was based on what you had tasked the Planning and Development Department to do. And so that's why I put it back as the pleasure of this governing body.

Okay. So Commissioner Slindak and Mayor Pro Tem Guilfoyle both had mentioned making a motion since the moratorium is actually up next week. Are you still, Commissioner Slindak, do you want to restate, do you want to state your motion?

We could forward it to full commission without recommendation.

Okay, all right. So can we put that into a motion and have this committee go ahead and vote today to forward it to next commission? Okay.

Are you going to vote or are you going to do it without objection?

I can do it without objection if my colleagues... Okay.

Okay, we move forward without objection.

Without objection, yes ma'am.

Okay.

Thank you, Director Cameron. And Madam Clerk, that concludes public services. Thank you.

Madam Clerk, I'd like to call administrative services to order whenever you're ready.

Thank you. We're ready.

You sure? Yes, sir. Are there any additions or deletions? I have one deletion.

Okay.

Number six was asked to be deleted from our procurement director.

From who?

Our procurement director. Procurement director.

Okay.

And we will wait a few minutes as people exit the chambers. But while we're waiting, Habitat for Humanity, I see you guys out there. Do you have anything that you want to add to these agenda items? Okay. All right. Ms. Bonner, are you ready?

Yes, sir.

All right. I'd like to consent items number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, if there are no objections.

So moved.

I find her hearing a motion and a second. We'll vote.

Mr. Lewis, please.

Thank you.

Yes, sir. It's unanimous.

All right. And with that, I'd like to call administrative services to a close.

Good meeting, Mr. Chair.

Ms. Bonner.

Yes, sir.

I'd like to call public safety to order when you are ready.

Yes, sir. Am I not the, I thought I was vice chair of that. Maybe I'm, oh, I'm not? Okay.

You can be today if you want to be, I mean.

No, I forgot I was a couple of years ago.

Ms. Bonner, are there any additions or deletions to public safety?

No, sir.

All right. If the committee does not object, I'd like to consent items one through six.

So moved. Second.

I'd like to discuss items one through six.

You're not on this committee.

He's asking for consideration. I hear a motion to approve.

I'll second that. Voting, Ms. Bonner.

Yes, sir.

Mayor Pro Tem's being funny over here. Sheriff, did you have anything that you wanted to add to any of these items? I mean, no questions. Thank you for being here, though.

If you can vote, Mr. Chair.

I'll quit talking and vote. You know I can't multitask.

Okay. It's unanimous.

And with that, I'd like to call public safety to a close. Thank you, committee members.

Ms. Bonner, I'd like to call finance to order.

Yes, ma'am.

Are there any additions or deletions? No, ma'am.

Okay.

Okay.

I would like to consent items one and two, unless there is discussion that needs to be had. Mayor Pro Tem, I'd like to consent items one and two for finance. All right. Yes, sir. I have a motion and a second. We're voting.

Mr. Wimberley, thank you. It's unanimous with Mr. Johnson, absent.

Okay.

Item number three, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Item number three, receive an update from the administrator's office regarding funding for right-of-way and vacant lot cleanup.

Okay, and I believe we have a presentation from...

I was going to say Ms. Maddy. I'm so sorry.

Ms. Stevens.

I apologize, Ms. Stevens. Good afternoon, Commissioners. I don't have a full presentation. I just have a verbal update for you. If you have further questions, of course, we can address. Regarding the vacant lot cleanup, during the 2026 budget process, you all as a body approved to rename our garbage collection fee the environmental services fee. and to allocate the surplus that we were projecting in that fee for vacant lot cleanup and demolition. And so the $630,000 that was allocated during the budget process is the budget for 2026 for vacant lot cleanup. So that has not changed during the year. I believe that $450,000 of that has been encumbered so far by the department because they do have vacant lot cleanup underway. Then we will continue with that through the year. So the budget for that is $630,000. We'll discuss the budget for 2027, of course, during the budget process. Regarding the right-of-way funding, What was added during the budget process for 2026 were two different items. One is direct funding for median maintenance in the right of way. You might remember that was the item that years ago had been done by recreation and that responsibility came to engineering, but engineering didn't receive a permanent funding source for it. So we built that into the budget this year. That is $450,000 that was added. Otherwise, the right-of-way funding remained at the 2025 level. And then the other component of vegetation that we spoke about is the funding for the new department, the new grounds management department. That is $350,000, and that money has not yet been spent down because we are in the early stages of establishing that department, as you all consider leadership for the department and so on. So just to recap, for vacant lot maintenance, it is $630,000. For right-of-way maintenance, it was the existing funding plus the $450,000 needed to maintain their current contracts. And then we still have the $350,000 for the new grounds management department that is set aside while y'all deliberate about the future of that department.

Okay, Ms. Stevens, what was the existing amount? I have the 450,000 for right-of-way plus the existing amount. What was the existing amount again?

The existing amount for right-of-way maintenance is about 3.2 million in engineering and engineering stormwater. Okay.

I'd like to call Dr. Malika, please. Once he's available.

Falconwood Lewis.

to Commissioner Lewis. Dr. Malik, can you come up please, sir?

Good afternoon.

Great afternoon, sir. So after hearing the numbers of 600, and make sure that I have this correct, 450,000 was used already and that was what was allocated in the environmental service fee, correct? Or that's what's left?

So there's 630,000 total budgeted for vacant lots. And of that, we have a purchase order for 450,000. And then with the remainder to be used later in the year. So they're working down from that contract right now.

Okay. So my question is, what is our total shortfall? Because my understanding is what we have is not enough. to maintain, catch up, or any of the sorts. So Dr. Malik, with the numbers that I was just given, what are we short? to be able to and this is just right away and vacant lots so this is nothing extra this is right this is literally the right away and vacant lots these are the sidewalks i've been submitting pictures of that the city is supposed to be maintaining that look like jungles uh... this is and i'm not exaggerating i'm being completely honest and transparent uh... this is the as you're going down Peach Orchard Road, as you're going through the Virginia Avenues, and in so many areas, of course, I travel District 2 a lot because I live in District 2. Where are we at with our shortfall versus what we have budgeted and what we need? And you sent me some numbers. So out of those numbers, if you could please walk us through that.

Yes. What 630 is allocated, what the request is to have three crews to take care of the vacant lots, and that comes to around 900,000, and plus, you know, Other 100,000, I put it there as a cushion in case we have to do some extra work. So roughly $1 million, so 630, yes, coming from environmental services. That was part of the budget discussion. Out of that, 300 is positive recovery, and then the rest coming from the environmental services. So the shortfall, if you're looking at that, that's going to come to...

$270,000.

$270,000 on that one. The right-of-way is somewhat complicated, but there's $700,000 that the contract services to maintain the landscape area that was transitioned from other departments of engineering by this governing body in 2023. So the initial budget... was not fully, did not have fully allocation. So that's what the other amounts coming to make up to that one. So it's really not gonna fill the shortfall, but it's to fill that gap that was in the contracts and all services for that. The number I run through quickly, kind of my best professional guess, should do, the quarterly roadway, which are highly visible, and some others, based on some of the numbers that we have. So my number, which previously, Commissioner, you asked for in the email, was 3.2 million. And then the ditches and all just to cut twice in a year was around 3.5. And again, all this is based on some contract services. If you are a member, during the vegetation workshop and discussion back in 24, my request was 14 inmates, crews, to bring this cost down, but so far that option did not materialize. Engineering has nine crews allocated, but normally we get on average three, sometimes four, sometimes two, since that's not enough. Then Waco and Lauderdale recover on that. And then illegal dumping, and waste collection, roughly 500,000. So 290 right now is allocated that, so the shortfall will be 210. So that's kind of rough, quick rundown, like 3.2 for right-of-way, 3.5 for ditches, 270 to make up for the vacant lot, and 210 to make up for illegal dumping and auto compliance.

Okay, so with those numbers, what I would like to see happen, what I would like to propose is finance, engineering, our administrator's office comes together because we're not at the end of the year. We are in July and these areas have to be taken care of. It's one thing when we're looking at code enforcement issues and it's, And I'm just using this as an example, Commissioner Rice, because I know your lawn is immaculate. So when we're looking at Commissioner Rice's lawn and it's her fault, that's code enforcement, right? But when we're looking at our right-of-ways, when we're looking at our sidewalks, when we're looking at the areas that it is the city's responsibility, am I correct? And I would like feedback from my colleagues. I know this is kind of like impromptu, but that is our responsibility, right? The right of ways. Okay, so if it's not, please correct me, because Commissioner Guilfoyle, you are in the queue and I'm coming to you next, sir. Mayor Pro Tem Guilfoyle, my apologies. I'm coming to you next. But when we're looking at our right-of-ways and we're looking at the sidewalks and we're looking at those areas, the ditches that are overgrown, so much so I've had discussions with other departments that have asked me, how did we get to this point? How did it get this bad? And a lot of that is because we may have other programs or may have put focus on other areas. I was not here at the time, so I can't speak for that. But this has to stop. So here I am coming into my fourth year, and I have four more years to go, thankfully. It's horrible and I'm trying to find a solution. And so there are volunteer, we've had whole presentations where individuals have come up, departments have come up and said that they were gonna have volunteerism, they were going to have the veterans. I know that that was in one presentation and things happen. But this has to get taken care of. One, a lot of my area are elderly individuals. So it sounds great to say, well, just go out and mow your neighbor's lawn, but when you and your neighbor can't get outside, then who's, and I'm not talking about their lawn, I'm talking about their right-of-way. That's what I'm talking about. So I would like to see finance, engineering come together. I would like to be present at the meeting because I do have some volunteer ideas and thoughts that I would like to bring to the table. I know at one point we did have adopt an area, is that correct?

Yeah, still we have that program. So engineering has that under the stormwater permits, so we kind of merge both.

Okay.

Yeah.

And so that definitely is a viable solution. We can definitely adopt some of these areas. We see it when we go to other major cities. So that is something that we can do. But I can't wait till January of 2027. I can't. And my constituents can't either. So we are going to do something about this. Mayor Pro Tem Guilfoyle, you have the floor, sir.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate you taking on this task after four years, and you got to realize one thing. Augusta has all eight districts in it. When somebody calls me, it's just it's not my district, it's Augusta, and that's something I wish that District 2 would understand, that Augusta, if we're going to look out for one, let's look out for all. But I grew up in a time where before stormwater was implemented, we cut the grass all the way to the road. To today, I don't have anybody cut my grass in front of my house for a reason. I don't want all that trash bahia in my yard. But when we look at the vacant lots that you were bringing up, sometimes we gotta hold the property owners accountable as well. We had dimpled houses, spent millions of dollars. Ever since it was implemented back in 2008, 2009, we spent millions of dollars per year. But if you look at what we got to show for it, there's no... no return whatsoever. And then we'd turn around and give the property, because if the homeowner doesn't pay for it, then we take the property and it ends up in the land bank, and the land bank basically gives it away. And we spent $7,000 to $8,000 to tear down a house, plus maintain the vacant lots. We're going to have to come up... I'll tell you, Madam Chair, if you want to come up with a good solution, come up with a solution if a house is tore down or give the property away and give a developer the incentive to say, hey, we're going to bait the taxes on this property, whatever you develop for five, ten years. Let's start an incentive program to where people would be interested in acquiring these old properties. But we have to take into account as well that there should be a standard on what kind of development could be done on these raw, empty properties. But what we've been doing Since 2008, it's the same old, same old, hoping something would change. You know, I keep hearing year after year, hey, if we tear down these houses, you know, it would turn this neighborhood around or turn this county around. To be truthful, it never has. And I think... we're gonna have to think outside the box and come up with some kind of incentive program, which I would appreciate. I mean, you've been taking the lead on a lot of issues and I do appreciate that. This is another lead that you are taking on and I applaud you for it. But let's see if we could try to come up with incentive to where we could get developers, no different than the young ladies that was here that just bought the three houses. see what they could do without us giving away the farm to get something accomplished. The tax statement always works good. I would consider it if I was in building houses. You in the real estate, and you talk to developers all the time, you could pick their ears if we're gonna have discussion about it, but for us to keep throwing money and hoping something would change, That's insanity to me. We're gonna have to think outside the box for it. But when it comes to the right-of-ways, Highway 25, Highway 56, Dean's Bridge Road, Windsor Spring Road, Broad Street, these are all GDOT. So it's kind of hard for us to tell GDOT to cut the right-of-ways. But when they do cut it, they have the crews out there picking up trash prior and then cutting it, which I appreciate that so much. When our guys do it, they do somewhat pick up trash and then cut it as well. But three days later, it looks the same. Barton Chapel Road, where I work at every day. They'll cut it and then within three days, it's trashy as anything. And so maybe what we need to do is push for stronger laws. If somebody gets loitering, littering, find the daylights out of them without putting any emotion, take your feelings away from it. If they trash in our city, let's make sure that we hold them responsible, whether it's in your district or in Augusta. Heck, yesterday I was outside and somebody threw out some dangled food trash right there in front of my house. I said, what kind of trashy arse people would do this? It's the way that people are brought up because there's no repercussions from doing this. That might be another incentive is to, let's come up with a law to where we can find the daylight side of people to where, I don't care where you live in Augusta, people gonna throw trash out in front of your house. Willis-Former Road where I travel, go home every day and go to work. People throw trash out there too. Deansbridge Road is havoc with the trash trucks, as well as everybody that doesn't cover their trailers up heading to the trash dump. So I appreciate your efforts on this, and hopefully we can find some money, but we gotta find a different way, different plan, different method, instead of just throwing money, keep throwing good money at a issue that doesn't happen, including the vacant lots. Put that TGR, that topical ground retardant, grass retardant to where grass won't grow. That way we only address it one time instead of having to address vacant lots three times a year. Let's do something, and the EPA, that's all I hear, the reason why we ain't done it, that's been discussed for four or five years, because we gotta make sure that we comply with the EPA and all. Well, if they sell it over the counter or through warning to site one, it should be safe. The GDOT actually uses it. The railroad uses it. There's ways of doing it and saving money for the long term. It's just you got to get the mindsets right. So thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you so much, Mayor Pro Tem Guilfoyle. I do have two of my other colleagues in the queue. Before I go to you, I would like to address a few things that Mayor Pro Tem brought up, some very valid, great points. I am so glad to hear that you are on board with incentives. We all know that our Augusta Land Bank Authority, it's state-owned. ordain and so that is why we have it because the state knew that we needed land bank authorities to be able to work certain real estate transactions that our local municipal bodies could not necessarily do without having to procure real estate professionals and And so our land bank does a lot for us, and their job is to get developers to come in areas to get our properties back on the tax roll. And so knowing that you are on board for giving incentives, and I believe you also mentioned some type of abatements, and our land bank authority is able to give certain tax abatements. So that's great to know. I know that you will be in support when I come back to the body with those ideas. Next, you mentioned that It's not just District 2. And I would like for this to be on public record that I absolutely know that right now we are not voted on in large. So that means the constituents that I serve put me here to speak up for them. And although I always vote at large for issues that pertain to District 3, those districts in District 10, District 6, District 4, District 1, District 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, all of those areas. I am always on board for anything that those areas need, but I do serve as a voice for District 2. And as I drive through District 2, we're not just talking about vacant lots. What we are talking about is our right-of-ways. And those right-of-ways are in areas off of Peach Orchard Road, Chester Drive, Suffolk, 8th Avenue, Steiner Avenue. These are right-of-ways. These are not just our constituents mowing to the end of their yard. These are areas where there are no houses. And so, if there are no houses there, those right-of-ways, yes, they could take it upon themselves to do that, but again, we're talking about individuals that oftentimes can't even mow their own grass because of their conditions. And how do I know that? Because I do go door-to-door, and that is how I got elected back into this position. So those are the areas that we're talking about. The TGR that you mentioned, Dr. Malik would be able to go on record and say, every time I get a major area mowed and taken care of, I ask for it to be sprayed. Dr. Malik, is that correct?

That's correct.

Okay. And I do that because I am trying to save our government money. So it is very imperative to me that we not only go back and clear up the right-of-ways, but we also get them sprayed. That way we'll keep those grounds at bay for three to four months. I would love if we could work that into the budget to make sure when we are doing right-of-ways across Augusta, Richmond County, that we can also spray because I believe doing that would help us with our budget shortfalls. I believe that addresses everything that you said, but again, I am for the entire county. I did some videos, and in those videos I went around my area, and a lot of those areas were right-of-ways. They were not just in front of people's houses. And so in those right of ways, that is what I am talking about. We are talking about vacant lots as well, but we are definitely talking about the right of ways that have grown wild and rampant. And as we're taking tours to data centers, we could also take tours around the city so that we can look at all of those right of ways. I still am proposing that I want both the Administrator's Office, Finance, our Engineering Department, I would like to be at the table, and Mayor Pro Tem Guilfoyle, if you would like to be at the table as well, that would be great so that we can come up with some innovative ideas to address all of these issues. I'd like to move to the next person in queue. Commissioner Rice, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I do want to say that I'm late coming to the table here. I'm listening to everything and I hear what my colleagues are saying. We do have this new department that we've hired. Is that not correct, Mr. Mayor? The department, the cleanup, the environmental grounds and- And maintenance.

Grounds maintenance department.

Yeah. Okay, all right, when that department does get going, this should be part of everything that they should be doing. Is that not correct? And what I'm saying is we've got a new department coming underway and they should be taking care of all of this from what, vacant lot, clean up right away. That's why we got a new department coming. Should they not? I'm just asking, I'm sitting here, I'm thinking of this new department we're paying for. They should be in charge of taking care of all the right-of-ways and the vacant lot cleanup. So we gotta see what, make sure that they do what they're supposed to do and stay on top of them. Thank you.

And thank you, Dr. Malik.

Every time, I do wanna say this. When I reach out to you, I appreciate your Department of Environmental Services getting to a lot of what, and it isn't always in District 3, it's in other districts too as well, but you do, you always make sure 99% of the time that you get somebody on. It might not be that day or next week, but you get somebody on it, and I do wanna give you a big thank you for that. Thank you. Sir.

Thank you, Commissioner Rice. Mayor Pro Tem Guilfoyle.

Yes, ma'am. Madam Chair, I know that you're the finance chairlady, and I know that we got budget session starting. Before we commit to any one item, we're gonna have to address the needs of the, we're gonna have every department come in before us as well, so we need to, I know you had said that you're gonna, dive deep into the budget this year. Hopefully you'll be able to find the money there as well, but we're gonna have a lot of wants and needs, so we gotta get ready for that as well. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Mayor Pro Tem Guilfoyle. And I respect that. I do. And that is why I would like for all of us to come to the table so that we can discuss what's going on right now at this present time. But yes, sir. Commissioner Wimberly, you have the floor, sir.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Senator, is it on now? Yes, sir. Hi. Yes, sir. I'll start over here. I've been affiliated with Augusta quite some time, actually more than 30 years. And I've been a part of the government also for more than 20 years of being totally involved. I have not seen funding at a level to take care of the issues that we're discussing now. I do not, a matter of fact, I had a conversation with the administrator last week in reference to what this maintenance team is gonna be doing. And to my colleague from three I hope you're not disappointed, but it's not gonna do the things you think it's gonna do as it was explained to me. So what we gotta do is figure out funding to get these things done. We stopped hiring for six months. Dr. Malignum have not been able to get the inmate crews that they need. Why? Because you can't hire the officers that is gonna actually be out there overseeing them. So now we're here talking about as if, We are just ready to give away property, and I'll take a couple of those vacant lots if you got any on mine. As a matter of fact, give me a dozen of them. But we have not put millions of dollars into demolishing dilapidated properties, and we came up with this blight ordinance that nobody enforced. So you done very little, This body done very little in what it said it was going to do in trying to clean this city up. And now we're just talking about mowing some grass in the sound like we want to pull with them too. It's not that. So, Madam Chair, move forward with your ideas. I think there should be some good ideas that we need to bring forward to try to clean this city up. And when this budget come around, It's not so much of you having money to spend, it's how you're gonna allocate that money to spend that it supports the entire city. And that's one of the biggest downfalls that we've had, that I've seen, and that I've experienced in this county. Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you, Commissioner Wimberly. I can't make the motion, but I would like if my colleagues are obliged to, I would like for someone to give the direction for the Administrator's Office, Finance, Engineering. I would like myself and Commissioner Guilfoyle, Commissioner Guilfoyle, Mayor Pro Tem Guilfoyle, I would like for you to be at the table, sir. If we could sit and we could look through things, if you don't want to, not a problem. We can just have another commissioner at the table as well once we're sitting down and we're reviewing everything. But I would like for someone to make that motion because we do need to address this. Even if we're addressing it for the future needs, there is a need there.

So move.

What is the motion?

to establish a working group. Thanks. A working group with Mr. Wimley, yourself, the mayor. No, I'm not.

My time is, I'm trying to focus on my job right now.

Engineering, finance, the administrator.

I'll second that.

Mr. Wimberley, you are? Ms. Pulliam? Yes. Mr. Guilfoyle declined your invitation.

Okay, that's fine. He told me he declined the invitation, so it can be Commissioner Wimberley.

Okay. But he seconded the motion.

Yeah. Okay. And we're voting.

That motion carries.

Thank you.

With Mr. Jordan Johnson out.

Thank you. That brings, that adjourns financing. Thank you so much.