City Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening everybody

and welcome to our May 11th edition of the Rome City Commission meeting. We're glad that uh everyone is here and uh we I want there's some people before we get started I want to introduce to everyone and I want to start with our state senator Chuck Hosteller right here uh state representative Eddie Lumson and um I'm gonna skip and then I'm going to go Rhonda Wallace chairman of the uh Floyd County Commission is also here with us tonight and Katie Dempsey our state representative is here. I'm gonna come back to Katie here in just a minute. And we start each and every one of our meetings with an invocation and a pledge to the flag. And I ask everyone to please stand as tonight Commissioner McDaniel, if you will.

Thank you. If you will uh stand and bow with me. Father, we thank you for the great community that you have allowed us to live in. We thank you for people who are willing to serve and give of their time. We thank you for the many ideas that are brought forward in public service and for those who are who are willing to come that are not elected but are willing to question and uh give their opinions. We ask that you provide guidance and strength and wisdom to our leaders at the national level on both sides. Just put a hedge of protection around them. Father, protect them and their families. At the state level, Father, please give them wisdom and protect them as they serve on a daily basis. As we go through this meeting tonight, we ask that those that are providing answers to uh questions about uh issues that affect us in this community uh are received in a professional manner. Father, we ask that you continue to bless this community and that every decision that we make as we move forward will be made in your name. Amen. To the flag of the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Commissioner, for for Um, clerk, if you will call the role and then we're going to go off agenda for a little while. Sir, Mayor Bojo here. Commissioner Robinson here. Brock here. Cochran here. Bean here. Fisher here. Dixon here. Collins here. McDaniel here.

Thank you. Uh, Katie, I'm going to turn the program over to you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It's good to see each of you here today. I know this matters. We're going to have a a little opportunity for a discussion, a walk, I would say, through truth and reality and really understanding the challenges. I'm going to tell you why. When I came home from session in April, early April, I realized that the road was just sitting there. Kind of like a lot of y'all, there wasn't anything happening on it much. And I knew it was supposed to be ready in September. And I, you know, I was a little puzzled, but I started talking to people in the community as I was out grocery store, one of the best places for people to catch up with me, I think. So they would come up to me and ask about that road, particularly people that live in Westerro, live out that way, or were coming in here to work that way. It obviously has taken a little longer than expected. I didn't have the answers, but I knew I knew people that could give the answers. And I thought it would be really good for us to come together as a group and all hear them at the same time from the same voice instead of me hearing them and trying to repeat them to anyone. So that was my goal tonight. So I want to thank the commissioners first of all for allowing this to happen. I think it'll be a a very fruitful opportunity for all of us and there may be more questions and we can have more meetings if we need to. So, I am privileged tonight to have a really good friend behind me. Actually, we served in the legislature together. Micah Grley is our uh the CD, Congressional District 14 State Transportation Board member, and he's doing a bang-up job. Y'all need to look at the information he puts out. It's really important. We have had times when there were not relationships, there were not conversations with certain people on that board. Not, it was just their way of doing it. But Mike is doing a great

job and he was really bending over backwards to make sure that this meeting would go well and that we could get the information to you that you are interested in. And then we've got tonight and he's going to say a little more about it, but we do have Northwest Georgia District 6 engineer Grant Waldruff. A number of y'all's employees too who are so important and knowledgeable. And just like y'all, I'm ready to sit down and turn it over to Micah and learn the why. Thank you, Chairwoman Dempsey U and Mayor, members of the commission. Thank you so much. My name is Micah Grley. I'm in my first term as the state board member for the district 14 uh G dot board. One of the things I said when I left the legislature and the delegation approached me about doing this was that I wanted to take a grassroots approach. So, what we've done with our engineers as we started, we hit the ground about three years ago going into communities across the 14th district to have town hall meetings. I believe it's important to get our engineers who you work with maybe on a daily basis, maybe on a weekly basis into the community to have meetings like this so that we can answer questions. uh we can stand for, you know, what the community is having to experience uh some of the hardships when it does come to to construction and new projects. Um I live in Pauling County, so I'm just a a county or two below you. So I travel this district uh pretty often u making sure that uh I'm looking at what hap what is happening from a progress perspective. I've worked very closely with our district engineer, Grant Waldrup. Uh, and I've been very happy and very pleased uh to see the men and women of GOT who have been willing to accept my offer to get into these communities and have town halls like this. I'll tell you during the legislative session uh had an opportunity to have several meetings uh with Chairwoman Dempsey just to get the

feedback and she asked me several questions about projects that are happening in Rome, timelines that are happening. Uh she then brought in Chairman Lumston and Senator Huffstetler uh who then joined the conversation and really wanted answers for their constituents. Please get out and inform. You know, there's a lot of projects happening in Rome. And I'm happy to tell you, uh Rome is a focal point. Floyd County is a focal point for us the next 5, 10, 15 years for G DOT. I'd be happy to tell you as well, we did a we've done a series of meetings out here. Some of you have attended um the last one we did, we had Commissioner McMurray, uh who got out to Rome for the first time in a couple years, and I think it's important for our commissioner to see and to ride these roads. At that meeting, we determined that our June GOT meeting was going to be held here in Floyd County. That meeting will start on Tuesday the 16th, the evening of, and then our committee hearings will be here in Floyd County the 17th, and then our board meeting will be on the 18th here in Floyd County. So, when I say that Floyd County is important to us due to the number of projects that we're working on, that's not just lip service. We're putting boots on the ground. We're getting out here and having the entire G do staff from a statewide perspective here in Floyd County and in Rome. Uh at this time I want to also uh make sure that everyone here knows uh how to get in touch with us. We have a Facebook page for district 14 uh that you can join and follow where we post projects. I also want to introduce our staff that's here tonight. Uh so I'm going to have Grant introduce himself first as our district engineer. He's the our head engineer for the 14th Congressional District. and then we'll have the staff that uh that he's brought with him introduce themselves as well so that everybody knows who's here uh and and who's going to be talking tonight.

Good evening. I'm Grant Wal. I'm the district engineer for district 6 in GOT. So that's 17 counties in northwest Georgia. Of course, it covers Floyd County as well. Um it goes all the way up to Tennessee over to Alabama. Um happy to be here and and really like to be able to answer some questions with you. um just go through the status of our Second Avenue project as well as anything else you'd like to know that's going on with G dot. So, thank you for having me. Good evening everyone. My name is Jordan Clement. I'm the district construction manager for G DOT. It's good to meet y'all. Thanks everybody.

Good evening. My name is Joel Dylan. I'm the District 6 area 4 manager. I'm responsible for four counties and 16 cities in this area. Thank y'all for having us this evening. I'm Aaron Cornet. I'm the assistant district construction manager for district 6. Brandon Pilt, District 6 right away. I purchased right away for all the projects throughout the entire district 6. I'll just So, thank you again. I want to thank Is there one more? Oh, a few more. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Yeah. Good. Good evening. Uh my name is Lee Webb. I'm with the state construction office. Happy to be here. Good evening. My name is Sassan Rodriguez. I'm assistant manager. Good evening. My name is Solomon Robbison. I'm with the one of the project managers with OPD. Good evening everybody. Sam Woods. I work for J do in the roadway design office in our headquarters. Thank you for letting us be here. Uh good evening. I'm Bradelle. I also work in the roadway design office in Atlanta. Joe and then I'll take care of Joe. All right. Perfect.

Well, as you can see, uh you can't do meetings like this and adequately hear from the public unless your staff is with you. And that's one of the things uh over the last 20, 30 years. I think that uh that it's not that we've lacked doing it. We just needed we needed an organized program to be able to get out and do it. And over the last three years, this team has been willing to go after hours uh to all different communities across the 14th Congressional District. And I believe that's vitally important. We want to hear from you all. I live in Paul County, so we we have our frustrations as well, and every other county and city in the 14th district does, and I think we need to adequately address them. We need to be able to communicate with the constituents and the leadership of the local communities and counties. And I think having that at the forefront will allow us to forge a path forward to be able to say, "Okay, here's here's how we're going to move forward and here's the timeline in which we're going to do it. And here are some of the obstacles that we're facing that we didn't know prior to a project letting or maybe even prior to a a project being funded. So, at this time, I'm going to uh introduce Joel Schuman. He's our comm GOT communications director. He's going to walk through a PowerPoint uh to kind of give you an understanding of what we're dealing with here in Rome, Floyd County. Uh and again, as I leave the podium, I'd like to to thank Chairwoman Dempsey, Chairman Lumston, and Senator Chairman Huffstetler for really pulling this together back during the legislative session and asking for us to do something during that time. It took a little bit of planning and logistics. Uh, and then commission, mayor, thank you all for being willing to accommodate us. And I'll go ahead and ask Joel to come up here to this the podium and we'll get started. Thank you all so much.

Just make sure I get hooked up. There we go. All right. So, uh, like I said, my name is Joe Schulman, uh, with GD district 6. I do communications, which really just means public and media relations. Uh, I go out and speak to groups. We have our Facebook page, our Twitter account. Uh, we go talk to school groups. And a lot of my job is answering questions from uh the public and groups like first responders, uh, stakeholders about projects that we have going on. So, thank you guys for letting us come today and and do this. Um, thank you to uh, board member Graalley, Representative Dempsey uh, for coordinating and getting this meeting set up and as well to Representative Lums Lumston and Senator Huffstetler for being here. Um, I'm just going to kind of walk through uh, the project that we have here on Second Avenue. U, if there's questions, uh, my favorite part of my job is there's a question that I don't know the answer to. I've got like 10 or 12 people here who can take it for me. So, uh, we should have everything answered for you guys tonight. I hope. Uh, as I said, this is, uh, district 6. Just showing you guys, uh, the area that we cover here. And just show you how large district 6

is. We have a lot of miles and a lot of routes and a lot of population. So, here's a a look at um the project. uh a a couple of things. The main two priorities for this project uh is safety, which is our number one goal at G DOT, and efficiency and moving traffic. Uh so, what we're doing uh on these at these intersections is improving uh the movement of traffic. We're adding some through lanes and turn lanes. Uh we're adjusting the way these uh intersections align. All of that is for uh safety because these intersections you see here had a high number of crashes. And so when we see that, we look to make a solution for that as well as move traffic. Yes, sir.

I want to let everybody know if you want to take a photo of these images, feel free to

if you want to take photos of me too, go ahead. I'm good with it. You know, just just let me know and I'll smile. Uh so you know Rome uh I've lived in Carterville since 2002 which I can't believe how long that is now. Uh but I've go to Rome all the time. Uh I've seen Rome grow. You guys have all seen Rome grow. So these projects will help uh with that economic development as well just by having that congestion uh loosen up and having us move traffic a little bit better. So, as we talked about, the goal of this is safety and improving that congestion. Uh, this is the part of uh the road that we're removing. Um, just want to show you guys this just so you have an idea of what we're looking at. Once that's done, we're going to realign that intersection. And if you see on the image on the left, that northern part of the road that comes in comes in at that angle. And if you look at the picture on the right, you see that we've kind of straightened that out. Uh that improves those sight lines. And you also see that we are changing the number of lanes, adding through lanes and turn lanes. All of that is going to improve safety and the efficiency of that intersection. And and of course this intersection here, uh what we're looking at again, adding those lanes, improving it so that traffic is able to move through there much easier and it's a lot safer for everybody. So one of the things that we talked about with this project uh is that the uh the the levy is there near it. Uh that is a challenge for us. Um, as well as the fact that this project is in downtown Rome, uh, there's not a lot of, uh, room on either side to kind of move

things around. So, it's it's tight in there. Plus, we have that levey. So, we've been working with the Army Corps of Engineers. That requires coordination and and planning to make sure that we're doing things that maintain the safety and minimize disruptions in this area. So this project was let in April of 23 awarded to a contractor in May and about two months later uh we started work on it. So this is the total contract amount. We're about 30% complete with this project. Uh and we're actually at about 83% of the time of that contract. So obviously we were hoping this project was supposed to be done in October. Um so we're about a we're significantly behind. So we're going to talk a little bit about why that is. Um I'm I'm just showing you these. We had a lot of issues with the drainage. As we go in there, we start digging up. There was a lot of drainage pipes and then and and lines that we didn't know about. When we find those, we can't just cut into them. We have to check them. We have to take them all the way to the end and make sure they're not being used. That takes time. It slows us down. Yelta, forgive me. I've got a cold. I went on my daughter's school field trip and came back with the cold that every other kid had on it. We were on a enclosed bus and not good. Um, so all of this takes time. So, where we're at right now is we've started looking at with all of these delays with these drainage pipes and things like that, we're starting to to talk with our designers. We're looking at how to resolve this and we're redesigning uh the project along those areas uh to take all of that into account.

So, we're about a year behind on this project. Um, one of the other things going on with this project is, of course, the uh, courthouse fire here uh, just a few weeks ago. As you guys work to stabilize that courthouse, we've been asked to uh, stop work on any work at that project and any of them in Floyd County that could cause some disruption, shake the ground. We don't want to do any of that until that courthouse is completely stabilized. Right now, we're looking at um that stop work going through next week and then we would start some of our operations back up. So, uh long story short, uh we're looking at this project being completed in September of next year. Uh I misspelled Grant's name on this and his email address, but I can give it out. Uh, in all seriousness, any questions, any questions that anybody has, concerns, uh, after this meeting, this is my email address and my cell phone number. Give me a call, email me. Uh, like I said, if there's stuff that I don't know, I don't mind pushing it off on somebody. We find the right answer and I'll get back to you pretty quick.

Yes. Yes. Yes, ma'am. I'm I'm assuming that Won't they give us their name? Um, we I understand that there's a Turner McCall project um slated. Please tell me it's not going to be before September of 27. No, ma'am. That that is that is uh you're talking about the turn call bridge replacement project. Uh yes, we are not starting that project until this one is complete.

Okay. And then my next question, and this is not snarky by any means, but when we do work as an individual, we have to call before we dig. Um, I'm just wondering how come none of this underground stuff was found before you started the project. I'm just I'm just curious, not meaning to be start Why wasn't any of this seen? Absolutely. I'm gonna let uh use that mobile. Yeah, we've got another mic if we

I'll say there's more than one answer to that question. Um, so some of the changes um that we're having to make are from the increased drainage area going into the storm water drain system. So what we did not expect when we had designed the project originally was the businesses around Second Avenue had directed their storm water runoff from their buildings, from their parking lots into the roadway storm water system. that was not anticipated. That added about 20 acres of drainage. So, we're having to upsize some pipes for that. But you were asking more about the things that we discovered as we were digging. Um, this is an old part of Rome and so there have been utility relocations over the decades and longer than that. So, we did coordinate with all of the uh utilities in the area and we have that documented in our plans, but that shows the current location. What we were finding as we were digging into it is we were finding old abandoned lines, but we have no way to know that line's abandoned without investigation. Because if you dig into it and it wasn't abandoned, you cut off service, whether it's gas or or water or, you know, some kind of utility. So, when we find those abandoned lines that are not documented, nobody's keeping track of them, it slows the project down. We have to stop work until we make sure that that is an abandoned line. more. Sometimes we're finding lines that were not expected there and were still in use and we're having to get those added to be relocated. that temporary stabilization is what you were seeing.

Yeah. And they have substantially pulled off right now during the courthouse fire because there's so little they can do. But prior to that, Sure. I'm gonna Eston or Joel, do you all want to take that? Okay. The main reason that nobody's been working is because of the issues with the drainage. Any water lines that's discovered as we're going, all this has to be redesigned so that we have the proper flow and until it is the contract cannot work in them areas. So, they're waiting

for the redesign to be finalized and it's it's being designed right now. Uh they're working out the final issues and hopefully about from what I'm hearing maybe a month month and a half question when we identify that line and we say okay we have followed that all the way are we removing those lines or are we It really depends. If it's uh if it's a drainage, then we're either filling it or removing it. Depending if it's under the roadway or not. Under the roadway, it gets filled. Side of the roadway, it gets removed. Uh the water lines and stuff once they're deter determined, they're removed.

Can I ask a question? Um, can you give a a definition of of project letting is that just like the start of the project? Sure. That's when we um award that contract that we put it out there for bids and then that contract is awarded. So the um the actual design date was that before the 23rd the year the 23rd.

So we do design our projects beforehand uh and and then everything is set up and ready right away is purchased. everything is uh ready to go for this project once it is uh goes for that contract we put out for bids. Once we get the bids and we announce somebody who uh gets that contract, it's usually about two months, which is what you saw on there. As we talk to the contractor, we make sure everything's covered. Uh and then they get the notice to proceed to get started. So, this project, it probably came into fruition before 2020. long time.

I just, you know,

um, thank you guys for coming and thank you, Miss Katie, for bringing them. Um, Rome is in a, we're in a bond right now. Um, we have, um, Second Avenue down, Fifth Avenue down. Um, we're having to construct um, tournament call bridge. Um, South Rome Bridge is coming up and when you think about our emergency response time, um, any way you guys can speed this thing up, man, we'll be appreciative. I know I can speak for every commissioner on this board, we probably get a call or a comment of something at least once or twice a day. um and anything you guys can do to help alleviate the problem because our traffic population is not going down. Um and fact it's increasing a little bit. Um so anything you guys can do to speed up this process. If we got to wait the 27 we we will but we really don't want to. Let me um I want to address one one thing you talked about is the first responders. Um and and of course that's a concern with every project. Um first responders, we are in contact with them. Uh and I'm actually on a task force that meets with first responders throughout uh the state and I go talk to them and you know, we're always telling them, hey, these are the projects coming up. These are areas you might have some issues. Uh and and they give our feed they give us feedback. Uh so we are in constant contact with first responders and if they ever have a question or an issue again uh either give myself a call or email or anybody on our team and we'll make sure that it's handled.

I got a curious question. You mentioned it might be a month to month and a half for the redesign is finished. Will something have to be bid out after you get the redesign that would take a while to get back? probably have to do a change. Answer is no. No, it's not going to be rebid. There is a process we have to to enter into negotiations with our contractor, but it's not a rebid. As you know, we get asked zillions of questions and we don't have the answers. But what happens if they add any new work? Yeah. This uh

revision that we get of the plans, right? Any new work that's added that's not included in the contract, contractor have to look it over and then they'll give us a price. We negotiate over. Okay. So, negotiate a fair price and then we'll So, work could technically start back in a month and a half. Are we kind of sitting on sidelines till then? Yes. It should start they they should be able to start doing some operations as soon as the uh we get a release from the house. Nothing else. just put a bulldozer over there and run back and forth during the day. At least it'll look like something.

But but um one thought was could the temporary barriers be moved over during this delay to allow traffic to kind of get a breather of of resuming some sense of normaly? That's probably a no, but I'm just asking questions. as I've been asked. No, because the the roadway on the other side of the barrier has already been compromised and started to be tore out. Okay. So, they're they was in the process of removing stuff and doing the drainage and when we run up on the issues, then they they had to stop working. So, that area over there is not So, it could be it could be rougher than the side we're driving on.

Very possible. I'm trying to be light on this. I wasn't trying to be smart. Yes, ma'am.

Microphone. How much over budget is this costing? That's my first question.

Going to be a large number. We just Um the second question is what just my curious what has been done to uh so that to not to compromise the levy just the structure of the levy

she is being placed and it's just like the wall it's already in existence third street. So that's the purpose of it. Unfortunately, we run into reloc.

So, I mean, what does that I mean, how are you?

I think about three weeks what My third question is and then I'll I'll be done. Um now I'm going to give this like a girl kind of answer or question. When you're coming um I guess going east on shorter where Walgreens is to your left and you know how the road ve how it used to veer off there. Well now um the traffic backs up there in the morning because there's only two lanes and so I still don't even looking at the picture. I still don't really understand what's happening there because now it looks like, you know, people have to come up to the light and take a hard right instead of veering and merging. So, how is that? I don't understand the redesign of that.

Oh, turn two lanes that turn right. I know it's a pain now. But once it's all said, but you'll still come up to a stop and then turn, I guess. and and all of these plans. Um, again, if you have any questions or you want these images, uh, shoot me an email and I can send these over to you. Yes, sir.

So, I promised Joel that I wouldn't ask him any more questions for at least a month. So, if one of y'all could answer this one, it's not Joel. Um, so I understand there are several several ducks we got to get in a row before it really proceeds. But oftentimes with highway projects, there's kind of temporary paving that's done to allow a lane for a period of weeks or months, you know, like let's say if there's a a major something that's going to happen, right? Like if the Olympics was happening next month in Rome, we would get something paved over there. Is there any way we could get temporary pavement done knowing that we'll have to do more in the future so that we've got two lanes flowing each direction?

I'm I'm definitely tossing that one. We can look at it. We're hoping that we're turning traffic going through. Yes, sir. Microphone coming.

Why wasn't the city notified a year ago that this project was already being delayed and so that the commissioners would know and we could get regular updates because it's not a they all seem to be surprised at the end of last year that now we're a year or more behind. 60 days that throw that You know, we've been working through this and trying to coordinate the project the entire time. We we've ran into multiple issues. It hasn't been one thing where we knew, you know, a year ago that this project is, you know, we're delayed. This is compiled over time. We've we've ran into uh sewer mans that were in a location, you know, maybe they weren't shown correctly on the plans. We've ran into water manes that were, you know, we've had storm drains that were tied in, you know, that we didn't know were there. So as this has just compiled it has become an issue and we really weren't aware you know of I guess the complexity and the volume of the time until recently when you know we started the redesign the designers were looking at it and then we realized that we were basically doing a major redesign and adding drainage throughout the entire project. So by that we're now we're having to go back and coordinate, you know, with utility companies and and try to design around them trying not to

move utilities again. So it it actually is just kind of compiled over time. I mean, you know, like we had ran into uh there was a large sewer man that actually when we got to the side that's closed now, we realized it was going to be in the roaded. So city moved it for us and as we got over to the pile wall then that was in conflict. So we had to redesign the sheet pile wall in the levy and make sure that design was adequate adequate make sure that you know everything was approved by the core of engineers to further complex that as we got in there we found a a water man so now we're redesigning against that and that's just on top of you know we found storm drains that we were not aware of throughout the entire project I would say the the large volume of it is upwards the main intersection, you know, return mall and Martha Berry, you know, down towards Dodto. Um, you know, we've even found one that runs the entire length of the project that, you know, it was just put in some point. We don't have records, I guess, that that go back that far. And each time we find those, you know, we have to make, you know, it has to go back to design. Some of them have to go back to, some of them have to go back to property. I mean, the the utility. So, we really didn't realize how complex this was going to be until recently. And that's when we started coordinating and realizing that, you know, we needed to to have this meeting to let everybody know it had escalated to such a long period of time.

I've had a comment on my text that hold the microphone closer. They're not picking it up real clearly. So when when the actual project gets re, you know, gets going again, is there a way to have it be such as when uh shorter was paved a year or so ago and crews work through the night? Can this be a you know when there's less traffic when and get it get her done 25 you know workers crew of workers at night crew of workers during the day is that a possibility I don't know if that's something that we would be able to do just being honest um you know we would have to coordinate that with the contractor and see And you know it I really can't say we've never changed a project. You know once it's scoped uh you know that's the design that's the way it's bid. It's really hard to go back and change that. I mean I think it's a great idea. I I don't know if if financially we could do that and contractually we could do that at this point unfortunately but it's definitely something we could look at.

Okay. Thank you. Last one. I get a lot of questions, too. Um, okay. So, you I think the thing the what the guy had asked more than anything, communication is key. Um, if y'all can let our city commissioners know, um, hey, we're going to be delayed another 45 days. We're going to be delayed another year. That way, they can tell us. You can turn your comments off on Facebook, make the announcement, then turn off those comments. And but you, that's the big deal. if they're not knowing and we're all upset, it it doesn't do anybody any good if we're not communicating. So, I'm just saying if it's going to extend longer than 300, what was the day? 38

328 328. If it's going to be longer than that, let us know. We're we're all in this room anticipating 45 days for us for us to see, okay, something's going on. So, at that point, if you're like, oh man, we're going to be delayed 90 more days. Can you let them know and then y'all make a post or tell me I'll and turn off your comments. So, I definitely think there's a way we could do that. Um, you know, we can talk um after this meeting and just have periodic updates that you guys can send me um and we can post those uh gladly just to kind of know what's going on each time. For sure, we can do that.

Yes, sir. If I could say um and I've mentioned this at a couple of our meetings um I've gotten a lot of phone calls because there are several days when no one is working and it was before the courthouse burned. I know the courthouse is an issue but many many days no one was working and I would have people call me and I want to commend you because you kept both lanes open. there there was never a day you couldn't get through there. But there were many many days when no one was on site working. And I've got friends that work at the hospital there. Um I've got friends that work downtown and I sell real estate. My name's all over Rome and it's easy to get in touch with me and they take advantage of that. So I get a lot of phone calls but uh I don't know what to tell them. Um, weather's good and there's nobody there. And that was before the courthouse. Now, I understand the situation with the courthouse. We all understand that. And we got our chairman of our county commission here and they're going to do the right thing for the courthouse and we want that building back. I want that building back. Um but I think the contractor and I know that group does work everywhere. Um they've got explaining to do because uh that is a major project. The city has nothing to do with the project other than the work that we had to do to move the sewer and and some of the underground stuff. But I can't tell anybody. I can't explain the delay when there's nobody out there working. If it was

three or four days, I say, "Well, they just they're on another project." But when it's day after day, many, many days. Nobody can explain that. It doesn't look good for the city. It doesn't look good for DOT. And that is a that causes heartburn for all of us. It makes people angry at us.

Uh I know Grant wants to answer, but I um anybody on the on the council and again send me an email. Uh shoot give me a call. Uh if you any questions like that um uh Aaron and I are in regular contact because I get questions all the time from people all over about different projects, when it's starting, when it's ending, you know, and and he and I connect and I say, "Hey, what's going on with this?" And he gets back to me pretty quick. So, any questions like that, we'll answer as quick as possible. Quick question I'd like to ask.

I know most of y'all was involved when they had the fire up under the bridge in Atlanta. I guess all you was involved, weren't you? I guess you probably know where I'm going with this. I'm just trying to ask a question because this is major for us. uh it has put us in a strain. What would constitute a move like that since we're already a year behind to get caught up to is is it the resources? Is it is it the factors that you run into or is it the money?

Yeah. So, it's a good question. Um and what you're talking about is incentive payment for an early completion, right? Um so you know you have that option but in this we have that option.

You have that option on contracts. Usually you do it include it in the contract before you bid it. But in this case let's say we provide an incentive to the contractor who's not able to do the work yet because he doesn't have the final design because we've had to move things around because of the conflicts. No matter how much more you motivate him, he can't do the work right now. He doesn't have the instructions to go out and do them yet. So, it I I'm not going to say the contractor is not responsible for some of the delay, but I will take up for them that most of the problem they've had, most of the time you've seen them not working is because they've hit a problem they can't resolve and they're waiting on the state to provide them guidance on how to address it. Um, you mentioned the hospital. One of the delays that you saw when nobody was working was the private fire line that was not identified prior to construction that served the hospital. Once we found that, we could not continue working. We had to shut the project down while we got that relocated or you would not have had a redundant uh fire service for the hospital. That's not a public utility. So, that doesn't show up on our plans typically. So, that's something we were not expecting. On most projects, you're able to not work in one area where you have the conflict and go somewhere else. This is such a confined project between the levy and the hospital and just the small area they're working in. When they hit a problem, it really limits what they're able to go out and focus on on that same project. So, it has been a challenge to keep working on it. And I I feel good about this change that's coming that's going to release them to really make some headway because it is not in the financial interest of our contractor to delay the project. Um there are uh liquidated damages set up in this contract when they go past that time that we're going to have to give them for this delay. If they go beyond the time that extended, they go into that daily cost of liquidated damages. And

that's the way this one was set up to to speed the contractor along. I I guess what prompt me to ask you that type question is you you just told us it's only you're 30% complete and you have had all these delays and unexpected stuff. Do you anticipate that that's going to continue?

So we could be three years out versus Well, we going to call on Katie and and Chuck and I mean can't y'all push the governor to Can I ask the question maybe a different way because knowing what happened with 140 out there? We had a retaining wall and had years and years of delays and we did not have a good contractor on that place in my opinion. So how confident are you in this timeline? That would be the question I would ask.

What we don't know is what we don't know. And so it's possible you could have additional conflicts as we get into it. We've hit enough at this point and we've disturbed the ground enough that I feel a lot better that once we have this solution that's going to move forward and move forward at a fast pace, but there's just no guarantees. Um what we can say is we're going to work through them and we're going to get solutions. Thank you.

Okay, there appears to be 10 or 12 here from the DOT. Why is there no one here from the contractor to answer these questions? Where is the contractor?

Thus, we have stumbled through all these questions tonight. We have no real answers. Then if this goes like 140, and I have family that encountered that for what almost 15 years. If this goes like 140, our town is going to be a hell of a mess. These are the people who own the project with this design and they go back to weeks ain't Is this common for most of your road projects?

Can I just mention something related to that? We just had a community walk and talk this weekend on the history of the city of DInnesota and the fourth ward and we studied a lot of sandborn maps, a lot of u old photographs. That place looked a whole lot different when the levy wasn't there. The storm water drains were a whole lot different when the levy wasn't there. The way all of that was laid out was completely different before the 30s. All of that changed when the levy came in. Uh they were able to do a lot of development that they couldn't do before. So those a lot of the utilities, a lot of those drains, a lot of the wastewater, all of that was changed substantially when the levies were done. I wouldn't have known this or thought about this, but but we had this walk and talk this weekend and reviewed all this information. I just thought, you know, just a heads up, if you've got a a place like that that's been completely reconfigured at some point, you might want to look back beyond that and say this place was laid out different before whatever this is was there. And uh so I think it's you know not I can understand why you're running in to some of these things before we've

really well like I said it was a nobody well like I said different

city of DInnesota that you know there's a world of difference and we talk now about getting back and forth across these rivers and these bridges you have to remember used to be fairies So, it was like a different world on one side of the river than the other other side of the river. So, um I appreciate your efforts. You know, hopefully we can find these things, get the job done, get it knocked out. Communication is the key. That's the That's the most frustrating thing for us, for us to be able to say we don't know. Um so as these things come up if you can communicate these things the city has had to make some u corrections to some things and we did it quickly. I was very impressed with how our departments were able to get the things done and to be able to work with the core and get the things done in a short uh I would have never thought they'd got them done as quickly as they did. So uh we just need better communication. One thing that that I deal with most every day and and it's kind of been said down through here is we get phone calls, text messages, email nearly every day. Um, and they're all legitimate questions and but we don't know the answer and it kind of makes us look bad when they ask the question. We go, I don't know. And you know, we a little more transparency that we can get the answers, we can get them out. You know, we can forward them and and you know, she says she'll forward them and other people will forward some of this stuff. Um, you know, we got a public information officer. I'm willing to bet he's sitting right down there. I'm willing to bet he don't get the information that needs to be put out. So, it it's hard for us

talk with people about this project and you guys are really getting a break because everybody thinks it's us. Okay. But I'm quick to tell them it's not us. Just so you um but but they think, you know, if it's happening in the city, it's got to be you. You know, if it's happening in the county, it's got to be them. You know, our chairman back there. So, anything that could help us if you could deliver that in some fashion to us where we so we can tell people.

Is the redesign the entire length? I heard one comment that it was affecting the entire project. Is that is it not possible that like West Third, that intersection right here where the bank is, that could be completed quickly to relieve that intersection congestion? you know, any ray of hope that people can get either there or tournament call, you know, one of the two.

Yeah. To add on to that, I think the reason that most people are confused is if they're they equate it to what they understand. And most people understand small renovations or adaptions to their house. And if you're redoing a kitchen and a bathroom, uh, low to woe to you if you do both of them at the same time, right? And so let's say the plumber doesn't show up one day. Well, no work gets done in the restroom, but maybe the tall person shows up and so they can work in the kitchen. And I I hear what y'all are saying, and I appreciate y'all coming out very much. And so it but it seems like the project is is large to us. Why can sequencing or phasing be done in an area that is unaffected by a redesign to at least appear or get some work done in a goal of completing the project. So it doesn't appear to everyone that nothing is getting pushed forward. from west third in front of the football field A3 through A6 which is structures they are able to be done and have been done but all the other structures throughout the project are affected by the redesign and the ones that is not affected by the redesign have already been done

can we all of them down the hospital side have already been installed like I the ones that let's pave let's pave that side then make it make it smooth and the reason may force us to remove some of the stuff we've done in can we get a sequential thing you're going to do this and this is next and this is next and this is next direct I think you was going to say something a minute ago gentleman sitting right down there. Doug Walker.

Doug Walker. I just wanted to say that um some of the information you bought today was literally given to us today by the design team.

So, it's not we're holding information from y'all. Uh we're just getting stuff as we get it. We're going to be handing it over. So, we've decided to do um monthly meetings to on top of what we're already doing so that we be able to provide you all with that information so whoever needs it be aware of what's happening. Um but think of it as a trying to think of it one way you have a house and your drainage goes to this one pipe out and you're draining it all in that direction. You're coming from different rooms but if I take care of room A we have ABC all of them are being affected. So we can't just say go ahead and do A and forget about because now you have B backing up and causing issues there. So when the designer looks at it, they have to look at the entire thing, the entire area that's being affected downstream. So that's why it's taking them a long time, which we did sections, but when one section hit, we're now having a problem in another area. So they're now looking at it as an entire thing instead of flooding the whole house.

We're like, let's make sure we do it properly. have to come back tomorrow because somebody said, "Oh, my area got flooded." So, we're taking it as a whole and trying to break it up as much as we can for the contractor to actually get up. So, you're you're basically going to release the design phase in packets or you're going to wait until the entire design is complete and documented out before you release it.

So, we have we broke it up. It is broken up and What we're doing is taking it in sections. However, depending on what section you go, so we have A, B, C, and D areas. A like you mentioned, A was completed and other areas that are not affected by your BC and D areas. So, um, as they go through each section, if one section said, okay, this area is fine, then we could just go ahead and do the rest. But they have to take everything into consideration before they can turn the contract and go out. And the utility, we need to for them as they say if we go ahead and start doing work on redesigning and the utilities like no you're not back to square one. So the waiting game in ensuring that we have all the information before we actually go and say contract to go ahead and do it. But like we've indicated a lot has happened over the last little while uh with information coming in and the designers um they're on they're running now. So, we're hoping that things will turn around. Like you said, in the next four, we're anticipating in the next four weeks we have something uh for the contractor to work with.

Okay. Curious question. Who asked you to stop any kind of work because of courthouse? Who was that requested by? Structural. Okay. So, I'm just curious. I didn't I didn't know who requested that. But does it not There's a river between there. Is that the county structural engineer the request from Floyd County was sent to GEMA to ask for a stop of all ground disturbance activity within one mile of the courthouse and we're almost the entire project is

actually I think all the project is it was at one time it was going to be a half mile and we might have gotten a little bit of the project we could still work on when the formal request came in it was one mile seemed like with the river it would absorb any kind of shock. But yes,

so may I ask another question this just for my own knowledge if nothing else. Um say that uh the force main relocation was discovered you know in terms of linear footage that's what you know disturbing 30t of an area that where you can no longer work. Why does that shut down the entire project? I'm going to let somebody else answer that part of it, but I just want to acknowledge the city did an amazing job getting the approval for the force main relocation. I I cannot I mean that was just the end of last year when that was identified and the speed which you were able to get agreement from the core of engineers and get the work completed. That was impressive. Sure. I thought it was going to take much longer than that. Thank you for acknowledging that. That means a lot.

So the the sewer did not that wasn't on issue. We had the other design issues as well. So that's what shut down the rest of the project, not just the sewer. Okay. And sewer was just that one location. Yes. And and does the the water main relocation, would that fall in the same category? It didn't necessarily shut down the project. The water man is directly beside the sewer main that was lowered on the plans. It shows it at 7 ft apart. So we can drive sheet p between. In reality, it is just barely three foot apart which we can't drive sheet pile in between. Uh so but that has its own redesign. Sure.

So the drainage structure design is completed. They could start work on that. Okay. But and granted I mean that's dependent on the contractor they've done pulled off and gone somewhere else. How quick can they mobilize and get back? Okay. So I have a question. I have a question please. Wait. Okay. Ron Swinford down there. He had his He's had his hand up so long he's probably fallen off.

I think I know the answer to this, but I'm going to ask it anyhow. We had a month and a month to a month and a half where we didn't have work before the courthouse. We know why that was. Now we've had a month since the courthouse. It's going to be another month and a half it looks like after that. Have y'all taken the time and gone looked for more problems? That seems like a logical step to make when you have a threemon period where you can't do anything. Why don't you go look to see because this project has had one after another after another of unexpected problems. Have y'all done that over the last over this open time? Because this would be the perfect time to do it. That way once you can get up and running again, you can go and not have to be, okay, well, we're two weeks in and now we found a gas line from 1954 that we don't know where it goes. And then we found an old piling from the when they turned Baron Stadium around a little bit and now we have to stop again. Is that something that y'all have been doing over the last open months that you've had? I I have a question. If

when you have when you have your final design done, does the Army Corps of Engineers have to approve your storm water drainage? Does that add a whole another layer of approval? focus on the entire look at the whole of Rome. They kind of just focused on the levy,

but they did have to give approval. question with the redesign of it. Yes. So we speak with the core um on a monthly basis. So there's a meeting we have a leazison with the court and they get monthly updates. Um any additional work that we're doing we um if it happens before that meeting I'm in contact with that the individual on there Joel as well have an onsite person so we're um they're aware of what's happening and yes we would need approval from them for any form of redesign but they are aware. How long would that

after the redesign is done and you give it to the court? How long does that take to get their approval? I do not off the top of my head in terms of I because they are aware what's happening. I would not think it's a it's a long period of time for that to also answer his question. When the redesign is done and you get approval and we're ready to go, could there be a sequential list? Could we get could they get a list of okay on Monday we're going to start this and when that's done we're going to do this and when that's done we're going to do this is that something that you will provide to

I would assume y'all have a progressive chart in the DOT office here would you a check sheet right we we could give an update I don't know if it would be a daily you know We don't need a day. We don't need it. We can keep you updated for sure. Okay. Yes, sir. We could just be notified before a commission meeting, you know, each time we can get the information, we can spread it. So, that'd be great. I was going to say if you'll just reach out to me, somebody um Doug, uh you and I can get together. If you'll send me something, I'll get with these guys and we'll we'll put it out there and that way by the time you guys have your meeting, you'll have some sort of an update. I think that's a good idea. Got a question.

Okay. Has any has any thought been given into adjusting the um timing of the red lights around that intersection? Possibly even uh traffic sensors for to distinguish between high volume and low volume traffic times during this set back.

Yes sir. Uh has any thought been given into possibly just looking maybe maybe they couldn't improve but the timing of the red lights around that intersection especially between high volume and low volume traffic times where you perhaps don't have a uh red light for 40 seconds at 1000 p.m. on a Tuesday when you need it at 4:30. Yes, sir. We can look into that. point once the new signals are installed, our traffic operations will come out and look at that and they adjust the timing based on the traffic conditions. Right. But now like not retroactive to months ago with the setbacks or even sensors, you know, I don't know how

in the current or signage leading up to if you're if you're um eastbound maybe I don't know help if one you know some that way people can maybe move left if they're going straight obviously you can't cut that down and of course I got other suggestions but I yeah absolutely we can have them look into that. Okay. Thank you. All right. We've got time for one more question. Commissioner uh Collins, I make this kind of two-part. Our chief engineer was Carol. Question for you. Yes, sir. Has there ever been a project in Rome of this magnitude that caused this much trouble?

I think the fair is never in a ground that we don't know about. It's a very complex Just for other parties too, madam representative, what about you guys? As y'all travel around the state, is this complicated? Are we making a big fuss out of something that's coming or what? Everybody's working. It sounds like a great ability to better to the citizens and love those updates, too.

I I want to just uh respond to that real quick. You asked about it. This is making something big out of nothing. Um I I'll tell you the truth. Uh we go all over the You saw we cover 17 counties. Uh if you live near a project, it's a big deal to you. That's the truth, right? And so we understand that. No, no project is small just because it only costs a little bit of money or it's gonna be short. If it's if it's in your area and it's going to cause you headaches, it's a big project to you. So, we're that's what we're here for. Ask your questions. Come to us with your concerns and we'll do whatever we can for them. But, every project is important to us and because it's important to you guys.

Okay. City manager has a comment he'd like to make. I I know we're we're very short on time um to get because we still have to get on with the regular business. And so I would just thank our our DOT board member uh Mr. Gravely, thank you for um your participation here tonight. And I would just say on behalf of our delegation. Uh this is a very important project, but I'd be remiss not to say we have got an exceptional relationship with DOT, specifically Grant, you and everybody in District 6. So thank y'all for what you do. Uh we have a unique relationship. a lot of folks don't realize from other districts around how we partner with G G DOT and that's really made um our lives a lot easier than a lot of our residents know. So we definitely don't we don't take that for granted. I think the big thing or the takeaway for me tonight is simply when you're working on an old project, you're going to stumble across some things and um that's unfortunate because I know the frustration because for just if I'm a an average person, it's a road. What's the big deal? you go pave a road. But y'all, the reality is it's the underneath. It's the dang drainage system that we don't see that you pass them every day, but these catch basins are pretty magical when it rains. And so that's the magic of where the delay is. And I get that. And and y'all done an exceptional job explaining that. So, thank you for that. And um I'm sure we've got a a closing comment from our board member.

I got one quick question. Did y'all post the help wanted signs over there? No, I know who did though. I know he did. Okay. Anybody call him a call? He calls me almost daily. We was a similar issue and I'll give them different places. Okay. Well, I'm about to give every one of y'all an invitation. We meet on the second and fourth Monday of every month.

Anytime that you have an update and you want to, the door is open for you to come take 5, 10, 15 minutes, whatever you need so that we can keep everybody informed of what we're doing. Okay. You got something? I got one more thing, but go ahead.

I just want to say thank you. Um, we have heard all of your comments tonight. I hope this is going to be uh referenceable after this meeting so we can go back and watch as well so we can write down a few things. We took some notes. Um but these are legitimate questions. These are extremely legitimate frustrations and I can tell you this team, they want it done just as much as y'all do. Um and and you're right. I want to answer the Commissioner Collins's question. H is this common place? Is this, you know, of of the projects throughout the district, is this one kind of average with everything else or is this one unique? In the three and a half years that I've been on the board, this one's unique. Uh, because of the the age of the city, uh, and being in in communication with the engineers, it has been one thing after another that they weren't able to to be able to identify. But then again, great questions and legitimate questions of is there any way to be able to know that prior to just like the the question was over here on older cities. Maybe we do have a brainstorming session and a policy change to say, "Hey, wait a minute. This city goes back this far. There's likely going to be the same uh issues we faced in Rome." and Rome it may end up being the litmus going forward um of how do we approach this from this perspective of what we can find once a design is completed and then we have to go back and have several redesigns. So I want to say thank you to all of you. Um, we number one, I think my the the takeaways are going to be this. Number one, communication. Absolute communication to make sure because having sat in a seat of elected position in my own district, in my home county, it is frustrating when when constituents are calling you and you don't have the answers and quite frankly, you don't know where to get the answers. That's very frustrating because then it becomes an issue with, well,

they're not doing their job. Same with the legislative delegation because I know you're getting questions as well. So Joe and tell me your name one more time. Sorry.

We're going to create maybe a coffee hour or a weekly lunch or something that happens to where that information can be a free flow and all of you can have that information. Uh I also heard expedite. If there are areas where we can work with the contractor to expedite, we are going to ask those questions because I think it was uh Commissioner Hixon that asked that. That's legitimate. Where can we expedite? And there have been projects in the past that are expedited. Once that letting happens and it goes into the contractor's phase, it kind of gets out they they kind of oversee but that contractor's time. But we are definitely going to ask those questions and then making sure that the message boards on social media platforms those answers can be relayed so that you guys will know and then those message board the public can understand as well. So I just want to reiterate thank you so much for your time. Thank you all for being here as well and then I'll stay after a little bit if there's anything else. Thank you.

Okay. So if anybody's got any questions um they'll be outside the door. Senator Husteller, Representative Lumston Dempsey. Thank you so very much for being here today. We meet the second fourth Monday of every month. You guys are always welcome to come. Tell us what tell us what you know. All right, we're going to take about a 10-minute recess, then we'll come back and finish our meeting. Journed it.

Thank you. Oh yeah, we've already turned around all the utilities.

Well, that's that's good to hear about. So, I appreciate y'all being proactive here. Good luck. Gota.

Yes.

Yeah. Friday.

Oh, I'm sure. Good luck.

Thank you for what you do. Okay. I appreciate you.

I know.

I know. know later works. We walk Wayne's my cousin. Good boy.

That's what scared Yes.

Good job. Thank you. Thank you so much. Well, that's what I'm afraid of is the contractor that they got is done either ran out of money or he's scared he's going to run out of money. This is just more than he thought. And we could be stuck for a long time. You can enter the chest. I get a hit when there's What do you think, Joe? Well, I think that was good. I think it was good. Everybody talk the whole team here.

Just everybody's getting $50 million. Where the hell going to get it from? I say where to go get it.

All you got to do is see the old one.

They hand us We don't I know I'm exactly Hey, how you doing, man? Good. Okay, let's do it.

Chris was in the town. She's one of the ones used to come to games. Another one tonight. There we go. I got him. Make something happen after they move that up. Yeah,

my purse.

I'll do the short version. That means push up that mountain.

That's why we need

Good evening everybody and welcome back. We uh actually started our meeting at 5:00 with the G the DOT presentation and uh we're going to now continue. We have already uh had our invocation and Mr. Clerk has called the role. So we will pick up with the approval of the minutes from our April 27th meeting. And um if uh if everyone is in has any issues with the um minutes, would you please speak now? They are considered approved. We've got three proclamations for this week. The first one is for Salvation Army week and uh let's see, Commissioner Robinson is going to read the proclamation and present it. stylish.

All right. The city of Rome in Floyd County uh Georgia proclamation for whereas uh since the founding in Great Britain in 1865, the Salvation Army has provided humanitarian relief, spiritual guidance to people throughout the world. And whereas its members continue their compassionate tradition of helping whenever there is hunger, disease, destitution, and spiritual need. And whereas their victories result in shelter for the homeless, food for the hungry, and self-sufficiency for the disabled. And whereas perhaps the best known services they provide involve meeting the needs of the homeless, and also offer assistance to countless other individuals seeking help. And whereas their those addiction those addicted to drugs or alcohol find a vast network of rehabilitation programs, children born into poverty discover camps and educational opportunities. And whereas the city of Rome and Floyd County commend the Salvation Army officers, soldiers, and those who support its missions for their continued dedication to helping meet the physical and spiritual needs of people across the nation. And there now therefore be it resolved that the Rome City Commission and the Floyd County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim May the 11th through May 17, 2006 as National Salvation Army Week and call upon the citizens of Rome and Floyd County to honor the Salvation Army Army during the week of its faithful ministry in the United States for over 150 years. Signed by Mayor Jim Bojo, the Rome City Commission. Thank you. Thank you, Wayne. Thank you, Salvation Army.

It's really been a privilege to uh to be able to be here tonight to represent the Salvation Army in uh here in Rome. And I want to thank the city commission here especially for recognizing uh National Salvation Army week and even more importantly uh for your steadfast support and partnership over the years here. Uh the Salvation Army started serving in uh our area back in March of 1887 and ever since then we've witnessed incredible impacts that come from working together. Uh neighbors caring for neighbors and organizations and city leaders that join forces to address pressing needs. U National Salvation Army Week is just is more than an organizational milestone. It's really a celebration of compassion and collaboration that define our community. Uh time and time again, your commitment to local initiatives, so whether that's through advocacy or funding or just even being present has made a huge difference. With your encouragement, we've been able to provide shelter for families, uh meals for those struggling with food insecurity, spiritual care, and emergency relief when crisis strikes. and your support lets us be a hand of hope and and a source of dignity for our neighbors who are facing tough times. We deeply appreciate the trust that you've placed in us and the willingness you show to walk alongside our mission. Um and because of our shared dedication, we believe that Rome is a city where every individual can find support and the chance to thrive. Now, as we celebrate this special week, um I want to express our sincere gratitude for your ongoing support. We look forward to deepening this partnership, strengthening our bonds, and continuing to serve the people of Rome with commitment and heart. Now, before I uh take my leave here, uh I want to share some bittersweet news. As

many of you may already know, at the end of June, Major Ununice Harwell and I will be transferring to lead the dothan Alabama Corps. Now, it's been an honor uh to have served here for the past three years. We are excited for lieutenants Corey and Christina Tilly who will take up the mantle uh here in Rome. I am confident they will love and serve this city with the same passion and dedication and I know that you will welcome and support them as warmly as you have us. So once again, thank you for your partnership, your recognition, and your belief in community service. Together, we are ensuring that hope and help remain within reach of every resident of Rome. So let's keep moving forward, side by side, making a difference whenever and wherever it's needed most. Thank you again. This is also National Historic Preservation Month and um Commissioner McDaniel. What a distinguished looking couple here. Whereas our community's historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes, and cultural resources reflect the rich heritage, traditions, and stories that have shaped our identity over generations. And whereas preserving these irreplaceable assets strengthens community pride, fosters a sense of place, and connects current and future generations to our shared past. And

whereas historic preservation supports economic vitality by encouraging her heritage tourism, revitalizing neighborhoods and promoting sustainable development through the reuse of existing structures. And whereas dedicated preserv preservationists, historians, community organizations, and volunteers work tirelessly to safeguard our historic resources and promote awareness of their value. And whereas National Historic Preservation Month provides an opportunity to celebrate these efforts, recognize the importance of preservation, and encourage all citizens to participate in protecting our community's heritage. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that I, Mayor Jim Bojo, along with the Rome City Commission, do hereby declare May 26 as National Historic Preservation Month in the city of Rome, and call upon all residents to join us in honoring our architectural heritage, supporting effort to preserve and protect historic buildings and promoting awareness of their significance in our community. Given my day, my hand and seal this 11th day of May and the year of our Lord 2026. Rome City Commission, Jim Bojo, Mayor.

No. Um, thank you. Um, I have a great board. Um, we have great staff with planning and zoning, forest preservation. Um, I do want to mention that we working with the Chieft Museum for a candlelight tour on May 15th from 7:30 to 9:00. So, please join us and again we're um hosting a writing contest with City of Rome County. So, make sure that um your students rate 5 through 12 get those um submissions in.

I would just like to thank the city of Rome and the city commission. Uh there not a lot of communities probably that have a an appointed historical preservation commission of the city and the support that we get from the city uh from the from the city commission uh and and for all the folks who work for the city of Rome uh is is much appreciated. I think all of us constantly hear from visitors from out of town, friends and family. Part of the appeal and attraction of Rome, Georgia is the fact that the city is so well preserved and repurposed in many cases. So, thank you again, Mr. Mayor. Commissioners,

I'm simply a messenger. Congratulations. Law Enforcement Memorial Week and Commissioner Beam. I am honored to be able to present this proclamation because public safety is the reason the real reason communities are thriving and we need you. So, thank you. Whereas the from the beginning of the nation, law enforcement officers have played a vital role in safeguarding the rights and freedom which are guaranteed by the constitution and protecting the lives and property of our citizens. And whereas these dedicated men and women serve as guardians of life and prosperity, defenders of of the innocent and tireless protectors in the ongoing effort to uphold justice and preserve public safety. And whereas it is important that the citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, and challenges faced by law enforcement agencies and support their efforts through cooperation, maintaining law and order. And whereas we pay tribute to all fallen officers, especially and specifically honoring those who recently lost their lives while serving their communities, as we gather as law enforcement officers, survivors, and citizens to remember and honor the sacrifices made by officers in the line of duty. And whereas it is both fitting and proper to express our deepest gratitude for the dedication veiler and services of law enforcement officers whose courageous actions ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all people. Now therefore, be it resolved, the Rome City Commission and the Floyd

County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim Friday, May the 15th, 2026 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in conjunction with National Law Enforcement Memorial Week and call upon all citizens to honor those peace officers who through their courageous deeds have lost their lives or have become disabled in the line of duty and to be recognized the enduring commission of those who continue to serve on behalf of all of us. Thank you. We live our law enforcement memorial that we have. This lady right here, one of my superstars. She didn't know I was going to say this, but Denise Der McKini is one of the founding ladies of helping this law enforcement memorial take place. And I want you to know as your friend and brother in Christ that I'm thankful for your vision years ago to do this. And also it's a somber moment uh on the 22nd because Jeff Smith with the Berry College uh Police Department is our 21st person uh that will be in shring enshrined. He died of CO in the line of duty and I think it's our first Barry College police officer and hope our last of any of them. But we uh so it'll be a somber moment and we thankful I want to tell you again I am so thankful for your vision and I I get the honor to serve on the board. She she elected me I get to be president of the fellowship of Christian peace officers. But this lady right here is the heart, mind and soul. And I am so thankful to call you a sister and in Christ and a fellow 38

years as law enforcement chaplain. And I can go to you anytime and and you know what? You pray for me and hug me and encourage me. And I'm thankful for that. And I want you to know that. Thank you. We've got special recognition tonight and I'm going to turn this over to Miss Kelly Leadford. The Bridge Academy. That is a special kind of place. Kelly,

it is a special place. Good evening everybody. Thank you for um allowing me to present tonight. But tonight we have the opportunity to recognize some graduates of our Bridge Academy program. And I'm very proud of this and very proud to be a part of this. If you don't know what bridge is, bridge stands for building a responsive, inclusive, and diverse group of employees. This program was created several years ago um through the efforts of our employee engagement committee. And when we first launched this program in 2021, we had a very simple vision. It was to bring our employees together and help them learn more about the organization as a whole and encourage communication among them, create stronger connections among the people that serve our community every day. But over the last several years, it's become a whole lot more than that. Bridge has been has started Bridge has given employees the opportunity to step outside of their day-to-day roles and see the bigger picture of what we do as an organization. It's helped employees build relationship with co-workers they may have never met otherwise. And those relationships have created better communication, better collaboration, and better teamwork. So this year's class is very important and very meaningful because this meaningful because this is our fifth graduating class. Since we began, we have graduated after this group goes through, which they're finished. Tonight's the last night they have to do anything. We have graduated 70 employees which is surprising to me. I just that number got really big really fast. So I'm very proud of that. And every class has given a lot of new energy, new ideas and new enthusiasm. I would also like to recognize um coordinators. Would you please stand? Nobody boo yet. This is Molly Majestic and Sarah Huffman. Um Sarah and I went

through this um class in 2021 as the first pilot program um as we were were on the employee engagement committee together and then Molly was in it I think the next year and so now we all three coordinate this um every every year and we have a great time and um when asked which is their favorite coordinator during a quiz they do get punished if they don't say me. So there's that. Um, we have, one of the best things about our program is watching people from different departments come together as strangers and finish as a team. And you can genuinely see throughout the program the confidence and the connections growing every time we meet. So,