Commission - Regular Meeting

We had more than 30 minutes to do this. We could have

Yeah. So it goes to jail.

Madam clerk,

what happened? Madam clerk, sir, I don't see that. I'm going to ask all the colleagues on the commission to please make your way to the the dis 246. We looks like we have a quorum. The time is now 2:09 p.m. on this Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 commission meeting. I call to order, Madam Clerk. So it be done.

So it be done. At this time we will ask the Reverend Mark Trim, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer, who will who will deliver our invocation today. And we would like to ask Reverend Booker if he would please lead us in our pledge of allegiance. Would you please stand? Mr. Mayor, commissioners, fellow community members, I would invite you to join me in a moment of prayer and reflection this afternoon. Let us pray. Amazing God, the one who is our loving creator and the sustainer of all, we gather in this chamber of the people in community to address the challenges set before us. Some that we did not ask for, some that we sought out. But regardless of how these opportunities have arisen, our leaders have assembled to give themselves over to the possibilities of growth by gaining understanding and offering wisdom. And so we pray for these proceedings. Almighty, may your wisdom be evident to each of us as we seek clarity in the directions that should be taken so as to ensured continued blessings for all of Augusta and to our neighbors. We ask that peace will come within our borders

as a result of the right choices made for our city today. As we face immense challenges regard regarding public health, financial hardships and various divisions among us. May we find the courage and the strength to place the love of our neighbors ahead of our own ambitions. May this time be a time that we set aside aside partisanship both here and across our nation for the well-being of the peoples that are gathered within our communities seeking hope and help in their lives. We ask that you guide our mayors and commissioners this day as they look ahead to the future. And may they meet opportunities set before them with hearts of grace, mercy, compassion, along with a desire to govern justly and with pure intentions. As the business and plans for our city and community come before this body, may each be blessed with clarity, that which will result in goodness and prosperity for all. We pray that beyond today and throughout the rest of this year, the divine plans of your spirit will be shown to each in this room, guided by peace, empowered by grace for a good and expected end. God of hope and light, we ask these things with faith and hope. For you are our strength and guide. And it is in your name we pray today. Amen.

Amen. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Am

thank you so much for invoking that prayer of reflection for us. We know the scripture does asked us to walk humbly as we honor our God in our daily walk. So thank you very much. By these presence, be it known that Reverend Mark Trim, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Redeemer, is our chaplain of the day. May your faithdriven leadership and steadfast guidance continue to uplift and inspire the citizens of Augusta. Thank you. Given under my hand this third day of March, 2026, Garnett L. Johnson, mayor. Thank you. PASTOR TRIM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND THANK you for that prayer.

It's much needed. Madame Clerk, I think we're ready to move on. But before we move on, I want to acknowledge uh many of our Richmond County School System board members are sitting here on the front row as well as some administrators. Thank you guys so much for being here. Appreciate your presence here today. Madam clerk, let's move forward with the presentation portion of today's agenda. Okay. Call your attention to item A, Military Veterans Presentation recognition for Greater Augusta Veterans Day at the state capital. Commissioner Clark, would you have words before we Yes, ma'am. I do.

Good afternoon, everyone. uh proudly uh excited about presenting um what happened on last Thursday. Um before I do that, if you all would please allow me the privilege of bringing up the attendees, men and women that served in various eras from the Vietnam era to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Cold War, Operation Endurance Freedom, uh Korean War and otherwise. If you all please help me salute and honor these men and women as they come to the front for their service to country. WORK hard work work hard work every day work hard work and earn hard work another day Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a sad day. This is an exciting day because we're celebrating these men and women for their service to country. Let's salute them for that.

Mr. Mayor and colleagues, community members, I want you all to understand um we had a very special day of recognition at the state capital. Um, we advocated for a day of recognition because we knew there was a day missing where our men and women that proudly dawn the uniform in any era of service were able to be recognized at the state capital for simply putting their lives on the line to serve a grateful nation. February 26 of 2026 was this year's day of recognition. We took 43 men and women from various eras of service that proudly stood at the state capital. And we also were privileged to have our spouses, a couple of our spouses that went as well and a gold star family member. All of which are essential in any service member's service to their country for the support they provide. We had purple hearts, we had bronze star winners, we had a Medal of Honor winner as well. But more importantly, what we had was the solidarity and the connection of simply serving our nation in any service of the armed forces. And these men and women stood as a tribute to the many proud men and women that we have throughout the CSR that have proudly served a grateful nation. In the midst of what our country is enduring right now, look upon these faces. look upon those that are currently wearing the uniform and let's proudly acknowledge and welcome every last one of them for their unwavering service to their country. Again, let's give it up again for these men and women who stood at the capital with us this year representing the veterans of the CSA.

Thank you men and women again for your service. We'll see you again next year. And as you all know, this is something we do every year and will continue to do every year um as we continue to acknowledge the service of our men and women of the armed forces. And I know we have others that are in the crowd that didn't make this trip, but if you all will allow us to recognize you, if you're in attendance at served in any branch of the armed forces, please stand and let us recognize you as well. Ladies and gentlemen, again, a part of the the trip that we take to the capitol. Um, for the past few years, um, we've been also advocating for the installation of a veteran cemetery here in the area. And I'm proud to state that through that advocacy, through that neverending, ceasing effort um to continue to ensure that our state and our federal leaders understand the need for locating a veteran cemetery here in the Augusta region, but more importantly throughout the uh to benefit the veterans throughout the CSR. I'm proudly able to announce that we have finally after six going on seven years of myself and former mayor Bob Young pushing this need for veteran cemetery. Finally, we will break ground at the end of this year. We have finally received the funding from the federal government um through the partnership Through the partnership of our state leaders, our federal leaders, and of course, our regional leadership as well,

collectively beating that drum, we finally have the dollars to be able to install Georgia's third veteran cemetery. Um, that will benefit the men and women throughout this region, not halted by borders of of state, you know, lines or otherwise. Everyone that would like to be buried and that is qualified to be buried in the cemetery will be able to be honorably buried in uh the state veteran cemetery. That will be Augustus. Um so this will be the third and it will be the largest in the entire state of Georgia. And I just can't say how very proud I am to finally bring this to fruition for the men and women that have proudly served their country. and we will have our own Arlington located right here in this region. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Commissioner Clark, your effort every year and get our veterans out to Atlanta. And thank you to everyone that has served, continue to serve this great country. Uh, Commissioner Lewis, I did see you in the queue, sir. Did you need to be in? As you know, freedom is not free. If it were not for those who have, you know, paid the sacrifice to serve, we wouldn't enjoy the liberties that we share. And I'm just going to use a point of privilege, madam clerk, that this is qualifying week for elections in Georgia. So if you so desire to want to be the mayor or commissioner for the second, fourth, 6th, 8th, and 10th. Uh I think there are some judges seats that are also on the ballot as well as some US Senate seats in Congress, even governor, lieutenant governor. I highly encourage you to go qualify this week. Now is your chance to have your voice heard and to be a part of this great democracy that we share and we enjoy

not only in Georgia but in the United States of America. Madam clerk, I think that takes us to our delegation portion of this meeting. Yes, sir. Call your attention to delegation A, no B, I'm sorry. RCSS trustee Samantha Valentine recognition of the National Parent Leadership Month. Do you want this read now? The Valentine. Yes. Good afternoon. Could I have um our school board delegates representatives come forward along with parents in the community that have been invited as well.

Hey y'all, come on up. I know some some of you out in the audience. Come on up. Trusty Valentine, thank you so much for leading this effort. Again, good afternoon, commissioners, community members, and most importantly, parents. Today, we recognize National Parent Leadership Month. And while proclamations and titles matter, I want to be clear about something from the start. Parent leadership did not begin with a resolution and it does not require a title. Parent leadership happens every single day. It happens when you get up tired and still show up. when life feels heavy and you lead anyway. When you go to work, whether you're in a leadership role there or not, and then come home and continue leading your family, your children, and often community. As a school board member, I hold a title, but before that and always, I am a parent. And I know firsthand that parents hold the keys to nearly every solution we are searching for in education, in policy, and in community well-being. Parents see what systems miss. Parents feel the impact before reports are written. Parents are often doing the work long before any invites them to the table. This month is about naming what has always been true. Parents are leaders. You lead with lived experience, with love, with resilience, and with an unmatched commitment to the next generation. If no one has told you

this in a while, let me say it clearly today. You matter. Your voice matters. Your leadership matters. And not just when it's convenient, but especially when decisions are being made. I want parents to know that you are not guest in these spaces. You belong at the table. Your insight strengthens our schools, our cities, and our future. Thank you for leading when it's hard. Thank you for leading when no one is watching. Thank you for leading even when you are exhausted. Parent leadership isn't something we're trying to create. It's something we are finally choosing to recognize. At this time, I want you to look at the parent leaders that are here. If you are a parent, please stand. Everyone that's a parent.

Everybody.

On behalf of this community and from me personally, I see you and I honor you. Happy National Parent Leadership Month. and our commissioner Don Clark will read the proclamation that was given from our governor. Each of our parents that are up here represent various organizations in our community and continue to lead. I'll turn it over to Commissioner Clark. All right, we're going to have our clerk of commission, uh, Miss Lena Bonner, read the proclamation

by the governor of the state of Georgia, a proclamation, parent leadership month. Whereas the state of Georgia recognizes the parents are the primary architects of their children's success and that authentic parent leadership is the cornerstone of the governor's two gen academy and the two generation approach to family prosperity. And whereas parent leadership is successfully achieved when lived expert partners with the Richmond County School System, Georgia can and the center for strong public schools to advocate for educational excellence and student achievement. And whereas the state values the vital contribution of leaders serving with strengthening families Georgia the department of early care and learning and the department of juvenile justice the office of re-entry to embed protective factors into our community systems. And whereas through advocacy with the GERS and as an EVC case lived expert and statewide advisory public health leader, parents leaders bridge the gap between state agencies, public health and the families they serve. And whereas meaningful engagement between parent leaders and stakeholders is a critical driver for improving literacy rates, student attendance, and graduation outcomes across the Peach State. And whereas parent leadership month is an opportunity to honor those who lead with their life experience to create a safer, stronger, and a more prosperous Georgia for every child. Now therefore, I, Brian

P. Kemp, governor of the state of Georgia, do hereby proclaim February 2026 as parent leadership month in Georgia. In in witness thereof, I have unto set my hand and caused the seal of the executive department to be affixed this 12th day of January in the year of our Lord, 2026. Congrat Oh yeah. No, it's not upside down because you're not at state in real life. You better be glad it ain't solid white with a red dot. Japan. Thank you.

All right. Thank you, Trustee Valentine and the members of the Richmond County School System Board of Trustees for all your work. As you exit, Madame Clerk, I'm going to take another point of personal privilege while they exit to recognize the 75th anniversary of the Augusta Corral Society uh for threequarters of a century. This organization has not only brought great singing and music to Augusta, but uplifting audiences and strengthened Augusta's art community. Their dedication to artistic excellence, community collaboration, and preserving corral traditions has made a lasting impact on our city's cultural landscape. On behalf of the citizens of Augusta and the mayor's office in this great Richmond County uh commission, uh we salute you to all the performers, volunteers, supporters, past and present, for your commitment and contribution. Congratulations on 75 remarkable years of great music. Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for the adult societal.

All right, ladies and gentlemen, another round of applause for the Austa Corral Society. The Diamond Jubilee, 75 years of Corral Excellence. They're having a concert on Saturday, March 14th at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. So, thank you guys so much for being here. With that, madame clerk, I yield to the remaining uh parts of the delegation. Call your attention to delegation C, Miss Patricia Hicks, regarding the ranch smell in South Augusta, as well as the pollution in the area of her home. This Patricia Hicks, welcome.

Thank you so much for being here. For the record, if you could state your name and address, please. Patricia Hicks. My address is 21109 Boyen Road, Augusta, Georgia, 30906. Thank you, madam. You have 5 minutes. Okay, good. Uh, this is my first time in the meeting and um I feel a little uncomfortable, but don't feel uncomfortable.

I'm going to do what I came to do. So, let's do this. Um, I'm just coming as a concerned citizen. As I said, I live at 21109 Boyin Road and um, uh, initially I was having some respiratory issues that have come about all of a sudden and nobody really understands what's going on. So, I started doing some digging to try to find out if maybe there was something going on in my area that might contribute to the illnesses that I have been experiencing. Um, I started off by just asking a question. What is that stench in South Augusta? And when I asked that question, I had a lot of people that looked at me and said, "I don't know what you're talking about. What stench are you talking about?" But if you live in South Augusta and you were raised here and you've lived here all your life, you know what stench I'm talking about in South Augusta. Um, I look back, I had a Facebook post post from March the 17th, 2017, and that was my exact post on that day. What is this stench in South Augusta? Sometimes as soon as you get off of Bobby Jones Expressway on Peach Orchard Road, you can immediately smell it. And I got to thinking that this is not just a smell. If there is something in the air, it's got to be something more to it than just a smell. And much to my surprise, I put in AI, Google, whatever you want to call it. What is this stench in South Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia? And to my surprise, a whole book came up

that it's known as the stench zone, that I live in a high risk area for pollution, that there are so many industries in South Augusta that are producing pollution and pollutants that we are ranked number 25 in the nation for poor air quality. And that's by the American Lung Association. We ranked 25 cities in the nation, not in the state of Georgia, in the nation as cities with poor air quality. And so, of course, this was very alarming to me. Uh, like I said, I've lived in South Augusta my entire life, and what I have heard over the years is, "Oh, that's just continental can." they called it back in the 80s or that's just international paper they called it later or that's just clear water packing is what they're calling it now. And then I also learned that the subsequent name changes have something to do with the pollution that's taking place in the area as well because every time you change the name of your company, you start a new slate with the EPD and the EPA and they don't keep track of necessarily the whole contamination process. So, I didn't come to fuss, argue, fight, but I did come to make a complaint that I live in that area. And not only do I live in that area, I have a grandson that's 19 months old that lives with me.

And I am very concerned about what we're breathing in. I'm very concerned about illnesses that are caused by this pollution. I have done some minimal, very minimal research about some of the pollutants that are in the area. I've been on limited time and to be honest with you, I just left a doctor's appointment and they told me I might have COPD. I've never smoked a day in my life and I don't have a lifestyle that should lead to a diagnosis like that. And so I'm very concerned. Let me just tell you this cuz my time is limited. Clearwater paper is 5.4 miles from my home. Salvet Polymers is 7.8 miles from my home. Nutrient Augusta Nitrogen is 11.3 miles from my home. Arubis Richmond LLC is 12 miles from my home. FPL Food is 10 miles from my home. Cardinal Health, that's Kindle, 7.8 8 miles from my home. They got another Kindle Company, 3280 Perkins Road, 5.9 miles from my home. Textron, 6 miles from my home. Augusta, uh, Messerly, WWTP, if you don't know what that is, that's the water waste treatment plant, 6.9 miles from my home. Modern Welding, 13 miles from my home. US Battery 3.3 miles from my home. Plant Vogle 29 miles from my home. Peach Orchard Road, PCE. And a lot of people may not know what that is, but it's 350 acres of contaminated groundwater that's less than a mile from my home. Rocky Creek is within a mile of my home, which

has been documented that it's been contaminated with chemical pollutants from the different industries that have been in the area. Some of the pollutants that I was able to find, and like I tell you, this is limited time. I hadn't had even had time to uh really hit the tip of the iceberg, but particulate matter, if you don't know what that is, it's called PM2.5. Look it up in your spare time. Uh chlorobenzene produced that salvaldahhide is a carcinogenic produced that international paper tolene causes neurological effects that's also comes from yeah it's my time up.

Yes ma'am. Peace out to Brooklyn. I appreciate it. But I want to um just say like I said I'm not making a complaint. I mean I'm not making an argument but this is what I want to know. Is everyone aware of this? I want to heighten the awareness of it because is anyone aware of this? I've been living in Augusta all my life and it's never been an issue for me like this. Well, and I want to know if

we we we are aware, you know, I I categorize Augusta in four Ms. the Masters of course that great golf tournament, medicine through the medical college of Georgia, the military, Fort Gordon, the fourth them and all of those manufacturers that you mentioned. Augusta would not be Augusta if it were not for them in creating jobs and opportunities. Federal Paper Board, Continental Can International Paper, Clear Water, they are one of our largest employers that create jobs. Unfortunately, if you go to Savannah, you have that stench of paper making. If you go a look further south to Brunswick, you have that stench of paper making. I guess that's the byproduct of us having everything from paper to boxes to everything you can imagine. Um, their employment space is very important to our economy.

I understand. There should be a peaceful coexistence. I too say that Augusta has has this stench. You go along Gordon Highway and um it's it's just the Augusta stance. Can we do better? I believe so. I believe we can. Making making sure that we're aware of it. That's my critically important. What are some strategies that we can do now? The situation is here. I mean, for me, money's not the answer. I don't care how much money they bring into the community if they're killing off the people that live here. So, that that's not an issue for me. But I want to know now what are

I would I would argue not say killing off because I grew up in an area where in East Augusta that's where all of the manufacturers were located. Okay. And and we applauded the jobs that created they created. There's a lot of people that retired very well from some of those jobs. So there has to be a peaceful coexistence somewhere. I do understand that. But we don't want another hide park in Augusta, right?

Where you're building on things that are contaminated and you know they're contaminated. Matter of fact, some of the people who relocated from Hyde Park relocated into South Augusta and they they jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. And so what I'm trying to say is can we come up with some kind of strategies in coordination with the EPA, EPD, whoever we need to get in contact with so that my grandson that's 19 months old won't have to deal with the issues of chronic health issues, ADHD, mental health issues that a lot of these chemicals produce. So, this is my point. Let's get some strategies together. I will work with anyone at any time. I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel. I'm not trying to make up a nonprofit. What I'm trying to do is make my community safer for me and my legacy. So, what can we do as a community? And I hope somebody's going to get back with me. I called the mayor's office a couple of times. But I haven't heard back. No shade, but that's the truth. I want to know what can we do other than sit here and allow these companies to keep coming in. Money is one thing. I'm not a money grubber. Money is one thing, but people's health, liberty, safety,

all of those things, those things to me take precedent over how much money we can bring into the city. And this is my last thing, not to mention South Augusta is on the bottom of the list any time any funds are being distributed. So you making the money and we're suffering the consequences. We're not even getting the money

because none of it comes back into South Augusta. It goes to the other M's, the Masters, and the other side of town. We don't even get the benefit. And they're selling houses for three and $400,000 down there in Diamond Lakes. Have you told the people our air quality is pathetic? If you want to move here and relocate here and bring your children here, especially if they have asthma, you better try to look at this stuff and figure out what's going on. But I I I I digress. I'm going take my seat, but I want somebody to contact me. I've left my information with the mayor's office. I've talked with the honorable Tony Lewis, who is working with me because he is my commissioner. But I want somebody to get in contact with me and let's get some strategies together about what we're going to do, how we're going to do it, and when we're going to do it. And hopefully, it's going to be now.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you for being here. I love you. All right, madame clerk, let's move on to the next item. Okay, our next delegation item C, Miss Patricia Hicks. That was her. Okay. D, Mr. William Fenoi, regarding Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday closing of the landfill. See if she see if she don't.

Welcome, Mr. Fenoy. Thank you for being here, sir. If you will, for the record, please state your name and address, please. My name is William Fenoi. I reside at 1420 Commonwealth Way, Hepsible, Georgia 30815. Thank you, sir. You have five minutes.

Okay. I'd like to thank this commissioner for allowing me the opportunity to come and speak about MLK day. On the third Monday every year, local government, state government, national governments, and governments all around the world celebrate Martin Luther King Day. Banks closed, post office is closed, schools are closed, and most of the businesses in that represent the city government are closed. But my concern is the landfield. The landfield is open. Because the landfield is open, the haulers work. They pick up the trash and they go out to the landfill. Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee in support of the garbage workers. And to me, we do a a grave injustice to his legacy when all of the non-essential departments in Richmond County is closed and we open the landfield which allows the uh garbage collectors to pick up garbage on MLK day. What I'm asking you all to consider is to treat MLK day the same way you do the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas. You know that it's going to be if it's on a Monday, it's then we pick up on the Tuesday and do MLK

day the same way. Uh and my my last request is to is commission senator Don Clark and London Wimbley. You all being veterans and I want to say thanks to the veterans for your service. But if you all would consider the veterans cemetery to consider a veterans memorial parkway. This is the only city that I've been in where you have a major military population and we don't recognize our veterans by having a uh major uh street named after our veterans. So hopefully when I come back next year and I see the veterans that have come from Atlanta, you will be able to add to your accomplishments the naming of a uh city after our veterans. And I thank you.

Thank you, sir. Uh chair recognizes commissioner from the fifth, Commissioner Don Clark.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um first of all, um and I I apologize for this oversight. It definitely was not meant at all. Um those that don't know, former Commissioner Bill Fenoy, who's standing before us today, um was the catalyst for starting um the effort uh for bringing a veteran cemetery. He pulled uh former mayor Bob Young and I together, asked us to combine our efforts um to advocate and bring um the cemetery uh to the forefront. So sir, just as much as we recognize them, we absolutely recognize you for your foresight, for your willingness to build consensus and bring folks together towards making this a part of the reality and you absolutely will be a part of the uh groundbreaking um that we'll do for the cemetery. So I I salute you greatly for that. So if you all can help me just thank um former commissioner Bill Fenoy All right. So, I didn't mean to make you blush like that cuz I know you don't like being put on the spot, but I felt it was absolutely important to do that. Um, but absolutely, thank you for bringing up that point about the veteran parkway. There is something that's currently being worked on specifically about renaming um one of our major thorough affairs um in honor of our veteran community. So more to come on that piece, sir. But thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Clark, former commissioner Bill. Thank you so much for being here, sir. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Yes, sir. Our next delegation E, Mr. Michael Hollis, regarding pickle ball courts in West Augusta. Mr. Hollis, welcome, sir. Welcome. Hello, everyone. This is my first time here. Oh, you feel at home? Oh, yeah. Um, what I I moved here from Las Vegas. I was a teacher for 30 years. Special needs. Okay. I was a basketball coach, football coach, athletic. I did the whole My wife passed away in 2015. I moved here in 2017. Yes, sir. Um, if you will, before we get started, for the record, I need your name and address.

Michael Hollis. Okay. 2215 Pleasant Drive. All right, that's all we needed. You have five minutes.

Okay. Um, well, like I said, I moved here and um in 2017 and I was introduced to the game of pickle ball and I end up loving loving it. So, um I travel a lot because I'm trying to live out my wife's dream. She wanted to go to every major baseball field in the United States. So, I travel a lot. I go to different baseball fields all year long. So, that's what I do. But when I'm at home, I want to play I want to be able to walk out my house, walk to a park and play pickle ball. Um I live right outside the Montlair community and they have a private pickle ball court. I was um a member there for like five or six years of of the pickle ball court, but then a lot of stuff started setting in over there. People start being divided and a lot of other stuff. So, what I'm here today is to um recruit your help to help me get a public pickle ball court built in West Augusta or makeover courts over at Warren W um community center. Um I want to be able to walk out of my house when my grandkids come and visit me. Um I'm almost 70 years old and I want to teach them pickle ball. That's what I want to do. And I want I I want you guys to help me build a pickle ball court or do one over at Warren R.

I wonder if you guys are Miss Slend had told me to come here. I talked to her about her and I've been talking back and forth about it and she said that that wasn't an an impossible task. Yes, sir. It is not an impossible task. I'm gonna have our parts and recck director to come up because I'm quite sure that there's certainly other opportunities besides um over at Mont Clan to participate in in pickle ball. She's right behind you. You know what? Okay. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Madam D, can I get you to walk across here so we can have both of you up at the same time? Okay. Um but continue, sir. But um my thing is Montlair is a private club.

Understand? $300 a year. Yes, sir. But with my tax dollars, with my tax dollars, because I'm a I'm a homeowner, I want to direct my tax dollars to where my kids don't have to pay $400 or $500 a year to play pickle ball and play the taxes. I understand. So, um, I wanted to know, yeah, Director Williams, where do we have pickle ball courts located within Augusta Richmond County within our parks facilities? There aren't any. They're not no um out outdoor courts. Only thing we have is the we have indoor courts at um uh Brigham. All right.

But we actually added lines when we had redid the gym um lart last year. Is there any uh any effort to get any indoor any outdoor pickle ball courts within our parks network

that would be? Yeah. Um I mean you know our outdoor tennis courts are not in good shape. Um and then particularly at that site we have three tennis courts that um our outdoor tennis courts and um they're not they're not in good shape. I mean this is enough for people just want to go and play tennis out there but there are no pickup um courts. You're talking about cracks um throughout the um the courts the entire courses or in between the courts itself. So there would need to be some resurfacing. There would need to be just a full assessment on the courts in order to see what needs to be done. And I wouldn't recommend just even the shape that it's in right now to just go out there and just try to put pickle ball course. We'll be wasting money

trying to do that. And it just wouldn't be um a good um decision to make a design on something that already needs work. Well, with all of the investments we we are making in some of our parks with the new parks, is there any funding available for pickle ball? I did look in the um at least specifically for Warren Road because there were um funds in the past and I say in the past because the projects already done um in splot six and seven that was allotted for Warren Road, but those particular projects that was designated at those times, those funders were already used.

Okay. So, what is the estimated cost if we were to resurface the courts at Warren Road or any tennis courts? What's the general cost to resurface and to adapt them to pickle ball? Well, I I can I can bring something back. Okay. Um because it's the number of courts um that we would be talking. We're talking about doing all three. If we're just talking about only specifically doing one, the cost may vary. But, I mean, if there's a um if you're inquiring about a concept um an amount that I can come back to, I can I can prevent that. All right, great. Just sit tight just a second. We got two colleagues in the queue. First, uh, chair recognizes Commissioner Tenius Lindac from the SEC from the Senate.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, Mr. Hollis is nice to see your face. I've spoken to you a few times on the phone about this. Um, and I also have um had some emails with um, Director Williams about this. Um and uh Director Williams, in the middle of February, you said you were going to um do an assessment of the courts at War Road um to just um determine if it needs more than just restriping because I that's really kind of what Mr. Hollis was initially asking. Could it just be restriped, you know, um so that um at least um one of all of the courts or may maybe more could be made into pickle ball. And um you said again you'd have to assess those courts. Um I really I hate to hear that they're in such bad shape now that restriping isn't even an issue. I'm not sure how those three courts got in such bad condition and it's very disturbing to hear that. Um and you also said you would also need to see if the funding was available which I understand. So I mean that was the middle of February. Um, as as far as Big Oak part, were there pickle ball courts going into that when it was that pickle ball court part of Big Oak plans? The new the new Big Oak.

It's not no pickle ball courts there. Okay. I was under the impression there were pickle ball courts at Big Oak also. Okay. Um, Director Williams, let let's let's please um get and see what you can bring back to us. Um, because it's I know I've um spoken with Mr. Hollis on the phone uh since the end of January or maybe before. So, um I mean certainly pickle ball courts would be great. that's what people are wanting to have, but I mean just the fact that those courts over there have been allowed to deteriorate and there doesn't seem to be a clear plan for it. So um could you bring something back to us um um by committee? Would that be enough time or do you need another two weeks for next commission but bring us some information back on Warren Road so we can try to work out something? Okay.

Okay. Thank you, ma'am. Thanks. Thanks for coming, Mr. Hollis. All right. Thank you for your time. Two weeks. She said she has something in writing. Two weeks. Uh, director. Yes. All right. She said two weeks. So, just, you know, I'm not here to bash anybody. I'm here to work with her and whatever she needs because I walk over there every day. I try to take the numbers how many people out there playing um tennis and it's it look like they haven't played tennis since Tracy Austin was this champion, you know. So um I walked every day. Every day I'm around there. So um I'll see you in a couple weeks.

Hold tight. Just a couple of weeks. We got a few other colleagues in the queue here. Uh Commissioner from the third, Commissioner Katherine Smith Rice. Thank Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you, Mr. Hollis, for being here today. Um, I've been I've been out and about traveling too and I've noticed that there are a lot of pickle courts nowadays than ever that I've seen more pickle courts in places throughout than I ever have. And where I'm going with this is, if I'm not mistaken, uh, Director Williams, isn't um, Newman Tennis Center, when they get there, when it's finally done, Newman's supposed to have some pickle pickle quarter, too. Correct.

Yes. Okay. Um, and also over at um, Warren Road, I I know exactly those tennis courts that are sitting in the back there, they aren't being used. I'm not over there. I' I've walked the little track in the past and that's been two three years ago, but I didn't see people playing tennis there. I was curious as to why can't we turn that um tennis into pickle ball instead. More people I'm not saying that people aren't still playing tennis because they are, but pickle ball is hot. It's the top. And

so maybe looking at at doing something like that. But I do know that um not that if you're willing to travel to over to um Newman, but they're supposed to get some uh pickle courts. I understand, you know, but I just this is my thing and I'm not trying to get on anybody bad side. Um just like at Montlair how everybody else able to walk a block or two and go to a park and play pickle ball with my tax dollars going into that. I want to have that convenience also. I understand. I hear you. That's my whole thing. Don't blame you. Okay. Well, I'm going to jump out of the queue, but thank you, Mr. Hollis.

All right. I I've been uh I've been told that the big old park will have pickle ball courts. So, can you confirm that? Somebody just sent me a a draft of a drawing that it shows that when it was designed, it has pickle ball. So, yes. And I was going to let everybody know that because it was a um update when we actually had a um community meeting. It was an inquiry about adding the the basketball court back and also some pickle ball courts. All right. So, pickle ball will be at Big Oak Park. You know where that's located? Right off of Wheeler Road. Not far from you. Off of Wheeler. By doctor's hospital or No, further in town near uh West over CE near the cemetery. Oh, near um I haven't seen that over there. Yeah. All right. I I'll look it up and I'll go.

Uh Commissioner from the second, Commissioner Stacy Pulley. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Um this is definitely a great conversation as we are looking at the um facilities that need to be updated and pickle ball is a rapidly growing sport. We see that across our nation. Um my question is or something that I'd like to be considered rather is that there are adaptive courts because tennis is still something that is played here in Augusta. So, Director Williams, have we considered that in our um designs that are going on?

Yes. Okay. So, is that something that is going to be done or it's just a consideration at this point? It's some of our projects that we have um already had existing tennis courts or maybe just need upgrades. Um but um pickle ball courts will be added into those um as part of the projects. Okay. And is that at all because there's three I'm thinking of um Diamond Lakes where and Fleming and then we have Newman. Did I miss something? No, you didn't. I didn't. Okay. So, at all three of those we're considering that. Yes. Okay. Awesome. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Commissioner Pulling. Chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim Wayne Gilford. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Miss Williams, as far as uh Warren Road, um is it slated to be uh revitalized? Um as far as the building and the out post as far as the uh tennis courts at all, is it with ISM? Are they working on that? Well, you know, that's all part of the the park um divestment, but that wasn't one of particular sites because that has a building and it doesn't get a lot of use. That building doesn't get a lot of use. It does. Right. Yes. So all that whole park area in that site that wasn't one of the ones that was on the the lower list.

No, I'm talking about to be renovated um to be upgraded uh because the inside the building when we was in there for the budget meeting, that's where I met um Mr. Hollis at and he brought that up. So overall when we talk about the um upgrades to facilities or parts yes um there will be a priority list once that's you know finalized and approved if everything go through with splice um again Warren Road like I said in splot six and seven those projects that were identified for that particular location those those were already expended out um so

all right because um I know that Newman Tennis center right down Ritsburg Road will have pickle ball courts. Uh the Hetsbeck uh Mcbine uh community center will have pickle ball. Ble would have pickle ball. Um Big Oak actually the drawing showing um three pickle ball courts when it gets totally re renovated. Uh but would you be kind enough to set up an appointment with um Commissioner Slindac and myself with um the ISM AB Lancing to where we could discuss this Warren Road within the next two weeks. That way we could get this ball rolling if people are utilizing if it's a um heavy use facility. We need to pay more attention to it than the underutilized. And that's the reason why we need to cut out the underutilized properties so we can focus on the bigger ones, the bigger buildings where it so if you can set that up and Mr. Hollis hopefully within the next couple weeks we will have an answer for you at least a goal within reach within this year next year where we would have some sir

I appreciate that. No thank you thank you for coming to bring it to our attention. Thank you Miss Williams. Mr. Holl sit tight and have another commissioner in the queue. here recognizes commissioner from the fourth, commissioner Lonnie Wimberly.

Now, I remember going back uh in the 80s and I still have my raet ball racket. It was the going thing at that time. It was hot like has some raet ball courts, but we turned them into weight rooms, didn't we? Yeah, we did that. I'm bringing this up because I understand you want to play pickle ball, but everything my colleagues has been talking about is in West Augusta. So, I don't want you to feel like you're being left out or you're going to be picked on, but I want to hear something about what we're going to do in South August as well. You just heard a a young lady get up and talk about the air quality in South Augustine. Just want something done about that. Now, let's talk about some pickle ball courts over there as well because people pay taxes over there as also. Am I correct? Yes, they do. So, when can we uh and and I know it's a funding thing. So, don't don't get his hopes up now that you got money to do it where we just barely passed a budget. And in order to pass that budget, you had to cut stuff. Okay. So, how are we going to be able to do that? So, make sure when you bring back the information, bring back the funding. So was too. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Wimmbley. Can I say one more thing? Yeah, go ahead.

Um, I understand what he said is correct. When you do stuff, sometimes you have to cut things. Now, let's I was always under the pressure cuz I'm a special ed teacher that we take care of our most vulnerable first because the elite, they have that. They can travel. they have gas money to travel here and there and go here and there, right? So, I was always under that impression. I have always been um involved in the community whether I was living in Chicago, Las Vegas, California, and now here. So, I you know, by me being a special ed teacher, I take care of the most vulnerable first. That's just me.

All right. Um, Director Williams out at Henry Brigham, you mentioned that there are indoor pickle ball courts indoor and that's inside on the court. Yes. How can is there any way is there any capacity to do that at some of the other gyms? Is that what's the possibility of doing it at other other places? Striping you smile, but I'm I'm just asking is that is that hard to do with all the other programming that's was happening or just because other gyms? not hard to do, but it's also about getting the funding to be able to do it. All right. So, striping the floor cost, is it an expensive cost to stripe for a pickle ball? It wasn't too bad. Wasn't too bad. I remember.

Is there any way we can even consider that if if it's a temporary solution? All right. Thank you. I'll go back and get that information for you. Okay. All right. Commissioner Wley, you still in the queue? I was just informed that Trinity on the Hill also have free coaches. Oh, you know about those? I know about Newman. Hey, I'm a pickle ball player. When I travel, I take my pickle ball paddle with me and I find out where the pickle ball is at. You know, I just at in my community, we don't have a public pickle ball court. That's the only thing I'm saying. I love y'all for being here. This is nothing against nobody. This is something we need to work on together.

Mr. Hollis, thank you so much. Appreciate you being here. All right. Madame clerk, we get more pickle ball. Let's move on to the next item. All right. Item number F, Mr. Emmery Favish. I'm sorry. My apologies if I missed your name. Regarding relocating the Confederate Memorial to the Augusta History Museum on Fifth Street, Mr. Fish.

Um, Mr. Emory. Colin wants Mr. Emory, if you're outside calling you two times, Mr. Emory, Madame Clerk is a no-show. Let's move on. Okay, that takes us to delegation G, Minister Dante Bartley, regarding inadequate bus services and the need for two additional bus routes per route. Mr. Barley, you here? Yes, sir. He's on his way. Welcome, sir. If you will, for the record, please state your name and address.

My name is Minister Dante Barley. I live at 2230 Aapokco Drive, apartment H, Augusta, Georgia 30904. Minister, you have five minutes, sir. This afternoon, I come to you with the request of putting two buses back on the road. Number one, we have senior citizens that it takes two and a half hours to get where they got to go,

which is to me is unacceptable. Because when you look at putting these buses on the road, we look at, okay, a lot of people say funding, funding, funding. We need to really look at our senior citizens getting from point A to point B. We always talk about what Augusta don't have. Let's look at what Augusta do have because at the same time we look at all of the other neighborhoods have what they need. But when it come down to Augusta, Georgia, we don't have cars. We don't have limos to get people where they got to go. Now, I understand that the master's coming up in March.

It's April. We need to look at having two buses on the road because to me it's unfair for the seniors to have to stand out the door at least an hour and a half or 2 hours and a half waiting on just one bus

and then half of us don't get home until late at night. That's unacceptable. We need to hold everybody accountable when it come down to what we need to do. Now, we talk about a budget. Okay? How do we get Augusta Transit to run two buses? I'm going to tell you how we get them to run two buses because of the fact that we have people that has to get to work. We have people that's been terminated off of their jobs because why? They cannot get to work. They cannot get to work or either they got to go to work late because it's only one bus per route, which to me it don't make any sense. You wonder where Augusta money come from? Augusta money comes from taxpayers. Taxpayers that ride the bus. Taxpayers that go to work every day. Taxpayers that got to got to take their children to school. Most of the people that have to go to school from the bus route, they can't even get to school on time because why? There's only one bus. Now, we say that we are commissioners. We say that we are people that can be held accountable. Now, where is our accountability when we need it? Because my problem is this. We have people like Miss Jine Wilson that sometime have people to get from point A to point B. Some people that be on walkers, wheelchairs, all of that, they have to send out there for an hour or an hour

and a half or two hours waiting on one bus. That's unacceptable. And we call ourselves commissioners and the mayor. That is unacceptable for Augusta Richmond County.

Come on, pastor. You got some more. Because my thing is this. We look at the vote. Okay. Most of the seats is up this year for reelection. If we cannot do our job now, how are we going to be expected to be reelected if we cannot do our job now? One minute. And as I mentioned, qualifying is this week. Uh-huh. And therefore, I'm not going to run this time. I'm gonna wait till next time to run because because I believe that we need to stop telling a lie.

If we cannot do nothing,

if we can't do something, we need to say that we cannot do it or we need to try to find the resources and get back to the people. All of this saying that we can do this, we can do that. No, it's unacceptable. Because at the same time we sitting there, the commissioners and everybody, we holding y'all accountable for what y'all say and what y'all do. It's time out for the bull crap, the drama, and the gangs. It's time out because we need to have better services in Augusta, Richmond County.

Thank you, Minister. Don't go anywhere. We got colleagues in the queue. We have at least one. Thank you for giving us this sermon today. You giving it to us. Chair recognizes Commissioner from the second, Commissioner Stacy Pulley.

Thank you so much, Mayor Johnson. Um, I'm gonna ask, can Miss Dowy come up, please, just for one moment? Director D. And this is just to confirm something because we've been in a lot of conversations about transit and it is extremely important and um director Dowy her and her team are so dedicated to try to trying to find a way to expand our routes. We do current. We had a study or something to that effect that was going on with routes or there was something. What did you bring to us not too long ago

during the budget time? Yes, ma'am. Yeah. I talked to you about the cuts that we had to make. That we had to make. Yes. And this is um what led to the reverend talking about that second bus being on. But this was something that we had to do. Yes, ma'am. I knew it would affect the people, but I tried to make the best decision that I could in doing those cuts

and so it was take the second bus off because we didn't want to take away complete routes from people and I do apologize that they are having to wait extra time for that bus to come. We're doing everything that we can to try to accommodate and picking people up. uh sometimes sending other vehicles out to pick people up if they've been stranded. The supervisors go out to pick people up to get them where they need to go. In the meantime, the conversations that we've been having and we're still having trying to come up with a good plan is for the microtransit to try to assist. and I met yesterday with the team to talk about the microtransit and Miss Allen and her team have uh helped us put together a grant application to get some funding to help with the microtransit and I have put in an application into the system that will come before you all on the 10th of this month for some funding for the microtransit because it all boils down to funding. It's not a matter of we can just put it out there. You say do it and we do it. It has to be funded.

Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you, Director D. I appreciate it. And thank you, Administrator Allen, also for getting with our directors. Um, budget cuts are something that we are always dealing with, but I do know that we said that there was going to possibly be a review midyear as we look at our budget and and as we move forward. Is that correct, Administrator Allen? Yes, ma'am. Okay. Awesome. Great. Thank you. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. And there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There might be another question. I got someone else in the queue. I'm finished. You done?

All right. Uh chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Miss Dy, as far as these um schedule uh bus stops that we do have, I know that um seven years ago, we actually the commission at the time said that that bus has to remain there for a certain amount of time before it could get to its next bus stop. Every morning when I go work, I go down Barton Chapel twice a day, but on my way in the morning, I'll always see that bus stop and people's having to go around it. Can we um shorten the windows as far as the time schedule and that way that bus would actually hit more stops in a day than sitting there waiting on 15 minutes at each bus stop?

That's something we could work on. I mean, wouldn't that Okay, we must have the This is the general manager for MV Transit, our new contractor. her name, please. It is Tamara Darnell. Tamara Darnell. Mara Darnell. Mara. Mara. She said Mara. Yes. Tomorrow. Like tomorrow is Wednesday. So, it's really tomorrow. Yeah. Oh, okay. It's actually the Russian pronunciation. Okay. All right. Miss Garnell.

But, um, buses when they stop at a bus stop, they stop long enough to let a person on or off the bus. when they get on the bus, they have to stop till and wait for the person to sit down before they can start moving. And actually, the times that we have on our bus stops are really really tight where there's not much the bus the drivers don't have much time really to linger and wait even at the end of the line. So, if a if a bus is stopped there, it's stopped there for a reason. They're maybe restraining a wheelchair. Maybe waiting for an elderly person to walk to the back of the bus with a walker to sit down before they can start moving.

I believe um where I was going to let's say a Thursday night at this one bus stop right here at the corner of Barton Chapel and Glenn Hills Drive. That bus is scheduled to be there at 9:00 in the morning. Okay. Okay. If that bus gets there at 8:50, he's required to wait there till 9:00. Is that correct? That's correct.

Okay. So, if the bus drivers doing this daily, getting there early and sitting there 10 minutes dead, why can't we shorten the windows of the bus stop saying, "Hey, we're going to change the bus stop till 8:55." That way, that 5 minutes and you got 15 stops, 35 minutes. We can look at the times to see if there's places where we can shorten the times,

please. And one thing that we have to do is this been a problem, habitual problem for the last 15 years that I'm aware of is that the schedule at the bus stops. One of the another priority is at the bus stops. We got to make sure that the shelters one are clean. Two is provide a shelter. We had um the previous um director actually was able to acquire a lot of the shelters out of Florida. It was a gift out of that um municipality there. um and then they get destroyed. It just blows my mind. That's like people throwing trash out on the side road. That blows my mind. But um if we could shorten that schedule and actually put up a new um time slot where the residents, the people the user um who uses the bus knows that, hey, let me get there a little few minutes early. I could be on my way, get to work on time. Well, typically when there's a change in the schedule, we put an announcement out on the buses long long ahead of time and we post it in the transfer center. So, it's not something like when here today it's 8:50, tomorrow it's 9:00. So,

okay. As far as the micro buses, um they will go into effect once we find funding or get grant money. Is that correct? And we're al we're my my company's doing a study to find the best place to do the microtransit and the best most efficient way to do the microtransit. So basically we're doing a study while Sharon is getting the funding. Okay. We took the u leadership of our administrator last year where we had issues picking up handicap. Is that program still going good with the um handicap bus? Yeah, the paratransit buses. Yes. Awesome. I definitely appreciate Miss Garnell. Thank you. And try to help us find ways of being efficient picking these people up. That's that's what we do.

Thank you. And thank you Mr. Barley for coming before us. But I do have one one more question. Well, hold okay. There's no one else in the queue. What's your question, sir?

Um, everybody tell this story about the buses. The buses. The buses ain't running. The buses ain't running. Okay, we have brand new buses that sitting at the garage every day, all day. why we can't get funding to run those buses. Now, the city of Augusta paid for those buses and those buses is still sitting at the terminal not running at all.

Miss Garnell or Miss Daltry, can you respond to that because I have not been at the office? Well, it we really can't run every bus every day because if there's a breakdown, we need to have a bus that's able to or if there's an accident, we need to have a bus that's able we can able to put on the road to get the keep to keep the route in service. And there are days where we have we start out with little spares because there's things that maintenance needs to finish up and then by the end of the day we will have spare buses. But um it's really it it's not it sounds like a good idea to have every bus on the road, but but operationally you always need to have an ace in the hole in case something happens. So that's basically what spares are. They're the your ace in the hole.

That's understandable. Thank you. All right. Before you leave, it was just brought to my attention the condition of the bus shelters and that as you know in Augusta, we probably could do better. Is there any intent to perhaps provide some better shelters for those during inclement weather or or cold? Uh yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. We are currently working on getting some shelters ordered. I have spoken with some different companies and I'll be coming before you in the next few weeks to get some shelters ordered. All right. Thank you so much, Minister Barley. You got your time in today. Thank you, sir. Appreciate you for being here. We'll see you back shortly. All right. Yes, sir.

Madame clerk. Yes, sir. Our next delegation, H, Miss Maria Marshall, regarding health environmental impacts of the QTS data center on nearby residential communities. Miss Marshall, how you doing today? I'm doing good. Good. Can you, for the record, please state your name and address, please? U my name is Maria Marshall and I live at 2113 Will Haven Drive. Miss Marshall, you have the floor and you have five minutes.

Okay. Um I wanted to talk about the word yes because in this commission it seems like it has lost a little bit of its value. Um, last time when I came to this meeting, you know, you said like, you know, yes was voted and um that, you know, when it was voted that nobody really knew what a data center was. Um, and any other job that is incompetence, but in leadership that is just straight up negligence. Um, you know, if you don't understand something, it needs to be researched beforehand. Um, so I wanted to talk about our wetlands in regarding that. When you pave over wetlands, you aren't just moving dirt. It filters out the air and it filters out the water in the surrounding areas. And all these residential areas that are nearby, they are at risk of flooding. And when you it also creates like local pollutants to get in to the air. And then when we have our babies in that area, they are at high risk of SIDS and they are at higher risk of like lung diseases. And you know, these aren't your backup generators that are in your backyard. These are actual, you know, industrial engines that emit nitrogen oxide. And, you know, this isn't just a zoning issue. Um, then we have, you know, our veterans. And then for our veterans, you know, we we had them come in first thing and we called them heroes, but we haven't really shown for that. Um, this is a constant hum and this will impact them psychologically. um 30% of our combat vets suffer from PTSD and the fact that we are outside of Fort Eisenhower makes that you know a major priority especially when it comes

to you know making sure that their decibb are right. Um you know ignorance is not a defense on this and you know that's not what you say when you don't know. If you don't know, you need to ask questions. And then second of all, I just wanted to say it's not a crime for anyone to come up here and be poor because those bus routes are for the poor. It's for the disabled. And it's nothing funny when someone comes up here and has a lot of passion about what they're talking about and that's it. I don't have anything other other to ask. Well, just sit tight because there may be some questions for you. Uh

I don't have any other questions. No, we may have questions for you. We may have questions for you. Okay. Ask them. Thank you, ma'am, for being here. Okay. Thank you. Have a good day. You know, you were disrespectful the way that you talked to that man. That was incorrect. That was not nice. That is great.

Madame clerk, let's move forward. Madam clerk, let's move forward. Next item. Our next delegation. I, Miss Zakia Marberry, public process and governance considerations.

Miss Zakia, can I make sure I pronounce your last name correctly, please, for the record? Yes. Is my um last name is Mabberry. Mabberry. Yes, sir. Miss Mabry, thank you so much. Miss Mabberry, for the record, please state your name and address and you will have five minutes. My name is Zakia Mabberry and as I have mentioned in email, I'll reinsert that right now. Um, according to um rules and procedures 1.10.08A, my address is on file with the clerk.

Thank you, ma'am. You have five minutes. My comments are about governance, specifically how complex long-term decisions are structured, not whether development or economic growth matter. I'm going to look at my notes to stay within the time because they certainly do. They matter. Long-term infrastructure projects are not short-term agendas. They require more than just a simple approval. They require se sequence governance. Sequence matters. The scope of a project expands in acreage, infrastructure demand, utility capacity, environmental footprint or operational intic. It's reasonable for a reasonable person to assume that additional review or approvals or checkpoints may be warranted. This is not obstruction. This is structural governance. We talk about modernizing the government in Augusta. We've had all these town halls about the charter to modernize. Well, this is simple governance. During the recent charter review town hall, one of them in which I was in attendance, a resident said, "It doesn't matter. They already have their votes. Our voices won't matter." That really struck with me. The reason why because whether or not it reflects intent, it represents the perception that many residents feel. And in governments, impact matters as much as the intent does. Even well-intended procedures and decisions can inent in unintentionally weaken public confidence, their trust. Modern governance recognizes that trust must be actively maintained throughout the whole process. Consistency

accessibility for people to have an active voice for them to participate in the process this process. This includes reviewing how procedural rules are experienced by the public. For example, I respectfully recommend the current address disclosure procedure in consideration to go into consideration on how it's being implemented to allow address verifications for recordkeeping purposes. That's simply understandable. That's governance. but without requiring a public disclosure. In other areas of government practice, modern government practice, personal residential information is routinely protected. Public officials such as yourselves, you don't have to address your your your addresses. Addresses are not broadly published due to privacy and safety concerns. When open records responses are fully for fulfilled for the city employees, personal phone numbers and residential addresses are redacted when people ask for record requests. But you not giving the same consideration for the public. It seems that something might be wrong with that process. Those pro processes reflect institutional recognition that safety and transparency must be balanced. The same balance should extend to private citizens who wish to participate in their civic right to be able to talk in these procedures. Again, to have their voices heard. If the commission already possesses a speaker's address through the required submission form, requiring public verbal repetition may not be necessary. It's redundant to achieve transparency. Let's look at that process again. Like I mentioned, see procedures 1.5.08A. This is not about avoiding

accountability. It's about ensuring participation standards reflect modern safety in an environment where doxing is prevalent, harassment is prevalent, and assaults are documented risk resident safety and why should they have to consider whether am I going to be safe or can I use my v my voice to speak? Imagine not having a home. Does that limit participation for those who are unhoused? Do they not have a voice in the democratic process? Does valing personal safety narrow civ civic access? Record keeping standards may be preserved and we can ensure participation is not limited. More broadly, when residents raise governor concerns, the response should be structured engagement, not a compression of the process.

You have about 30 seconds. I have written documents that I submitted and I'm asking that what I've spoken um verbally be not for information only but be um indicated in the record. Thank you for the time. Miss Mabberry, thank you so much. And you know this is a very important topic and I know you've been here in a few occasions and asked for the same and we have our clerk of the commission and we have our attorney here. So I think madam clerk it's probably appropriate that we clear this for the record. Um, since I've been knowing people coming before a delegation, it has been practice to give your name and address. Now, Madame Clerk has mentioned to me that she doesn't know if that's required or not. So, can we for the record clear this up? Is it a requirement for name and address?

That has been the practice, but uh, as stated, uh, it is in our procedures that if it's on the record, then it does need to be uh, enforced. It does not need to be enforced. Mr. Mayor, if there's an agenda item today that's regarding to excuse me, reviewing rules and procedures. Um, in fact, administrator All and I were talking about this before the meeting and that's one of the things on my list to look at for that review of if it passes today.

Okay, you got it. So, ma'am, it has been the practice as far as the clerk can recall, but now maybe there's an opportunity where if it is on the record, you would have to, I think, state your name because do you have would have to state the name and address or just name? Well, when they fill out the request to appear form, they have to give us the address. So, technically, we do have a record of it, but to announce it here in the chamber, I'll let the parliamentarian address that. Okay.

The biggest issue, Mr. Mr. Mayor, is that when someone comes and speaks as a delegation or someone who is on an agenda item, it's it's one issue. It's a little bit different when the person has maybe previously given address, but they're just speaking as a a member of the citizen, you know, the audience. And so, we're trying to think about how to address that. Um, and so we hope that within the next two weeks, we'll have a good solution for y'all to be able to look at. Okay, Mr. Mayor, is that satisfactory? Two weeks to give us an opportunity to to address you. Yes. Thank you for allowing me to speak. And additionally, I would like for it to be on the record. and what I um handed out is supplemental to what I said verbally. Thank you so much for your time.

All right, attorney Plunkett, you have a copy of this. Miss Bramy, thank you again for coming today. Okay, thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I think that takes us to the next delegation item. J, Mr. Brian Green, accountability and accessibility of our county commissioners, in particular districts one and nine. Thank you so much, Mr. Green. Thank you for being here, sir. Since we don't have a new uh policy or procedure, I'm going to ask you to give your name and address, sir, for the record. I was just concern uh concerned about that, Mr. Mayor. So, hey, Brian Green, 2429 Mount Auburn. You have five minutes, sir.

Thanks. as I go dive into what my subject matter of course accountability and accessibility which we've heard several times today and if I before I forget Mr. Mayor, this I'm basing this pretense on the my subject matter on the pretense. Everything we do within government is subject to accountability. Is that correct? Is that a good assessment? Yes, sir.

Okay. Uh just imagine if you would in this chamber uh you were going to a special restaurant with your spouse or you know for the ladies in here, you going to get your hair and nails done, whatever. You know, you get there, you got your appointment time. When you got there, they tell you, "Oh, little problem. We're a little short, so can't get you in right now." And you ask, "Well, how long is it going to take?" And they tell you, "Just 80 minutes." Wonder how that's going to resonate. Probably wouldn't resonate well, right? I know it wouldn't with me. 80, right? A little bit over an hour. Um, we talked about accountability, accessibility, and we respect disabled people. The gentleman mentioned, and I'm not going to jump on that train, but I'm just mentioning when you say accessessibility. I sure don't want somebody I loved out there for 80 minutes and they didn't have to get the buses running. One thing I do uh before I close out and me and come to my commissioners and about the body about this one thing in the military which I definitely miss and I was subject to this rule. People didn't want to hear your excuses. They really don't. You all are businessmen, retirees, business women. Y'all know business. And I promise you outside of this chamber, somebody better come up with some answers. If you something is not right, they better come up with some not well maybe this that and we need to get to that. You're accountable to us. We're accountable to you. The citizens are and we have our problems too because we don't have expectations as citizens. We just, you know, get the fans and we're our best life, but we we are accountable for rules and everything else is set for us. Everybody's accountable for something. And I thought this was a

dynamic one. This is this can cover a whole list of things. I just want to put that bug in your ear. I have five things here I'll highlight real quick. Five simplest things for our government to improve in this county out cuz you all get hit with a lot. Just today you've gotten hit eight, nine, 10 things. I I acknowledge that. Five simplest things in my mind to fix in Richmond County. communication, grass cutting, charter review, juvenile crime, and the jail. Like uh famous fighter said, easy work, simple if we want to. If we don't, we keep doing what we're doing. Which leads me to my next point on today because some of those things I mentioned, they just require supervision, consistency, and followup. Supervision, consistency, and followup. I'd just like to highlight the grass cutting, Mr. Mayor, because I heard you say maybe last month you said mentioned something about MLK and you just said, if I may add a word or two, the grass really isn't being cut. Remember that discussion about the grass? Well, something along those lines. You just said, "Hey, I just don't see the grass is being cut." Or something along those lines, right? And that's got to be the easiest thing to do in this county. Cut the grass. There is a program available if this commission is interested because evidently what we're doing is not working. This is based on 1% of this supposed I think $300,000 set aside for vegetation or something maybe. I don't know. Uh 1% of that, right? Is that $3,000? Okay. So that it will cost for this program just just like Carl Vincent. They're not you know

one minute.

Okay. Just like Carl Vincent, they they don't do stuff for free. And um I just thought I'd throw this out there. When you get in the grass cut, there's so many things to consider on that. If you're just going to cut grass, I don't care about zones and all these quick answers. If you're just simply going to keep cutting grass, you're always going to be stuck in the mud. You're working against yourself. We're getting ready to change seasons now. There's seasonal things. There's grass killing. There's treatment. There's different type of grass, etc., etc. There is an organized plan, Mr. may if you and maybe two commissioners district 10 and district 9 and if administrator interested in the presentation uh that could be put together we just can't keep doing going simple answers and all and my last thing my two commissioners we have some concerns based on some projects that are going full steam ahead and I like to know so I can go back and tell others when can we get with you all as far as to mention some uh concerns we have with these some of these projects that are going on in district one and District 9.

I would ask that you schedule those with them individually if that's okay. If that's all right. Well, Mr. Mayor, I mean, they just happen to be here today. I just thought I'd ask. Okay. Um, I I would ask I I would ask that you schedule it with them individually outside of this process. You know, Mr. Mayor, can they speak? I mean, they're here. Are they able to speak? Well, I mean, those are my two commissioners, right? I I'll yield to the commissioner from the first. He just got into the queue. So, Commissioner Johnson, I I'll let you answer. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Green, which uh projects are you referring to? In particular, We Street and the potent the potential uh the We Street School. Okay. Have you attended the community meetings uh concerning those two projects? Absolutely.

Okay. Uh I help and planning and zoning went before them as well. Okay. All right. Um yeah, I don't have a problem getting with the neighborhood again on those issues. Just uh let me know what date and time. just send me an email and we'll go from there. All right. Commissioner from the ninth. Madam, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, we have meeting Alton at Sand Hill. We have the community meetings. We was just up there discussing projects. And, um, I think we need to, if we're going to have a meeting, have a meeting with the commi uh, the community, not just one individual. And I don't know um who this other person or these other people that want to meet. I'm always accessessible. I'm always in uh as young folks say I'm always in the street. So I'm not I'm accessible all the time.

Thank you. Commissioner from the ninth. Uh sit tight. Mayor Pro Tim is in the queue. Sir, you have the floor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Green. How you doing?

Good, sir. Five items. communication, grass, cutting, charter, juvenile court, and jail communication. I believe everybody's lines usually um available any time or emails should be um available at any given time. You and I have spoken many times, even at the hours, and we have a fruitful conversation, no doubt. And I do enjoy them conversations. grass cutting, 41 employees, $800,000 set aside in this budget for this coming year. We're not going to move forward until we got a game plan in place, a business plan in place before we could implement it. That way we make sure that we are accountable. Make sure that when we if we do move, it moves simultaneously, seamlessly. Charter is done hopefully and it goes before the people. Hopefully they if they if they like what's been going on here 30 years, don't vote for it. But I think it's time for Augusta Richmond County to have a change with the charter juvenile court. Was that correct? Juveniles or juvenile court?

Well, juvenile crime issues basically. Juvenile crimes issue that usually starts at the home, sir. Yes.

And the schools ain't the teach uh the schools is not the parents. We got to spend more time with our youths. jail that's being addressed now with this u May election is our splash where we have a pod set in. We got a great sheriff, great staff, great department and hopefully that it um that would get passed and we could um move forward with the jail. If it don't move forward, we in trouble. Everything's going to be bottleneck again in a court system. But we when people bring us issues, Mr. Green, it's no different. If I brought brought you a issue, it takes time, not weeks, months, years, or anything like that. That's like anything that was presented before us today. We It's It'll be easy in private world. I could just turn to my right-hand man, handle this. But in the uh government world, you got to go to administrator, you got to go to department directors, which goes to the employees. It's not as simple as um ABC. And that's where they come up with that version, the red tape. But we do hear you loud and clear, Mr. Green. And you do have everybody behind this DAS that's trying to do their best and trying to devote to but like I said I told my colleagues this before if any time to be on the commission at the worst time is this time over these past couple years from getting hit with the storm to being hit with a $21 million budget just actually coming out of $1 million shortfall and with this charter and will hopefully change with this um charter. So, Mr. Green, as always, thank you for coming before us. We are looking at that bus issue um to make sure that we could try to

speed it up to where the people are taking care of and what I don't think of I missed one of your issues whatsoever, but thank you for coming before us. Mr. Mayor, mayor. Yes. Yes, sir. Continue. Yes.

Yep. First of all, when I come here, there are 10 members here. Two of them represent me. I don't speak for my community um in Sand Hills. Nobody in Sand Hills speaks for me, and I don't speak for anybody in Sand Hills, Boot Hills, or any other hills. And I'm not going to be held necessarily to I don't care about whoever else wants to meet. They're not down here right now taking time out from their work and their time. This takes 4 hours of my time. I'm not complaining. That's just a fact. coming here 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Really not trying to hear that. With all due respect, we I would like, you know, the two young ladies, Mr. Mayor, that was with me, the number one thing they said was like after they cuz they disagreed with me. I said, "Bill, Bill, you can I don't care if you put an Empire State Building over there on Weed Street. Build it like you let your hearts desire." But it's it's the world we live in. We can agree to disagree in a very civil way. So, I'm coming up as a constituent. Don't hold the other people in my district. I don't know what they're doing. I'm here talking to my two district and I'm being very I think polite with it or whatever. I I I need I want to have and some other people want to have this dialogue. I don't I don't have to do a commute commission meeting or whatever you you know these too many meetings for me anyway. I just want to some people like and I'm one of them but I definitely like to get together on that. The other thing Mr. there. Please give some thought to that. What I said, it's a plan or whatever the case. It's not complimentary just like Carl Vincent isn't complimentary. But I tell you what, it can set the standard for grass and what's the other thing? Vegetation. Grass and vegetation.

Yes, sir. You can save a whole lot of money with it and it will set up a standard to be followed and you may not have to uh consolidate that office. I know it's been talked about, you know, in this chamber. And Mr. hair. You ever heard one guy, there's a famous uh line in from a historical standpoint. You better hope it's short. It's a short line. It is. Okay. And the guy said, "Don't bother me. I'm busy." Who was this guy? He was one guy up on the Titanic on duty and they were trying to tell him that they are headed towards those icebergs, but he his reply with them was, "I'm busy." And we know what happened to Titanic. It's all fine and well. Let's get our city moving.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. uh Green for being here. Thank you so much, sir. Madame Clerk, I think that concludes a almost almost 2hour delegation and recognition portion. It's time to get down to business now. I think that takes us to uh the consent portion of our agenda. I see you chuckling over there. Let's move on with the people's business. Uh Madame Clerk, are there any addendums to today's agenda? Uh yes, sir. We're going to put it on the screen. Okay. We're asking for the delete not be deleted. Items. You got to turn your mic on. Turn turn your mic on, madam. Item number.

You need to turn your mic on, madam clerk. All right. Thank you. Uh item two, Commissioner Johnson is asking that that item be companion with item number seven. Item two, companion number seven. Yes. Right. Item number two. Item number, let's see, wait a minute. Number 23. 23. Oh, so item number 23 be companion with item number seven. All right. Seven and 23 companion. All right.

Okay. So, our addendum agenda consists of number one, presentation from the Urban League of the Greater Atlanta. All right, colleagues, are there any objections to adding these two items to today's agenda? Yeah, Mr. Mayor, none. Yes, sir. I'm sorry. Commissioner from the fifth. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Hey, I was actually going to pull number seven uh for discussion. So, I know the uh commissioner from the first um has an agenda item to discuss it, but I'm uh discuss the topic. I'm pulling the actual motion. Okay.

Um to discuss Yeah. separately. Well, okay. And then also um I like to make number items agenda items number 24 um and 27. Make those companion items. 24 and 26. I'm sorry. I'm I apologize. I apologize. 25 and 27. 24 is uh Commissioner Wimberly's. So, I want to make those two companion items. I was trying to get uh no objection to adding these two addendum items. Are there any any objection? Those in

Yeah, she's read them in. Okay. Is there any objection to um hearing a presentation from the Urban League of Greater Atlanta and um Commissioner Johnson's request to have items 7 and 23 companion? Any objection to that? Uh just the objection for item seven. I want to uh pull that one for discussion. Okay. So separate from uh item 23. So you want to keep them separate? Yes, sir.

All right. Madame clerk, the commissioner has objected to item two being um combined with item seven that he wants to pull it. But there's no objection to moving forward item from the addendum. Item one be added to today's agenda. All right. Okay. All right. Let's get through this, guys. All right. Who's up first? Any Are we doing that without objection? Right. We're doing that without objection. Didn't hear any objection. All right. Colleagues, we got items number one through 21 uh on

a consent agenda. consent agenda with uh Commissioner Clark has already requested that item seven be pulled. If there is no other dialogue or or discussion, I'd love to entertain a motion. No, sir. Can we announce the alcohol petition if there any objectors? All right. Come. Yes, ma'am. Okay. We call your attention to item number one. A motion to approve an existing location ownership for on premise consumption liquor being wine license to be used in Sunday sales to be used in connection with 2417 Milligville Road. Are there any objectors?

2417 Milligville Road. Any objectors? Madam Clerk, seeing or hearing none, let's keep moving. Okay, that's it. Mr. Mayor, our consent agenda consists of items 1 through 21. It's 1 through 21. With no objectors to our alcohol petition. No objectors. Uh, Commissioner Wayne Gil like to consent. Agenda item number 22. Number 22. Number 22. Would like to be consented. All right. I hear from I think I heard a commissioner say he has questions. Who's that? Commissioner from the first has questions. So, it cannot be added to the consent agenda. Sir.

All right. Commissioner from the fourth. Uh Mr. Mayor on on item uh 24 uh I would like to uh move that to the end after the discussion by u coastal and so that's 25 26 and 27. I'd like for 24 to go after that. All right. I could uh I could probably entertain that that uh that request. Thank you. All right. So 25 27 25 and 27 26 is is is different now. So you want to go after 25 and 27 that's your request commission from the four

20 you want 24 out to 25 and 27. If you going to make 25 and 27 you want those to present first. Yep. Then I go after them. You got it. All right. All right. Can I get a motion, please? Um motion to approve. Motion to approve. The only item, madame clerk, that I show as being um that's being pulled is item seven. Seven. Yes, sir. Okay. All right, colleagues, we're ready to vote. Well, we need the motion. Mr. I heard Mr. Clark and Miss Rice. Is that All right. So, Commissioner Rice made the motion. Commissioner Wimbley seconded the motion. Nobody.

Well, Mr. Clark made the motion and then she seconded. That's how it went. But Okay. So, I'm sorry. All right, I won't pay no attention. Mr. Clark made the motion. All right. So, Commissioner Rice, will you second the motion just for the record? I'll second that. All right. As Mr. Clark made the motion, Commissioner Rice second. We're voting.

Mr. Wimbley is just occupational hazard. When you hear two, you just one and two of them. Okay,

that motion carries with Mr. Garrett absent today. Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. We're going to go in order. We're going to number seven, please. Item number seven. Item number seven is a motion to approve one with understanding that the director and the department that's requesting the vehicles clarify and validate with administrator the need to change out second vehicle. The purchase of one Dodge Durango Pursuit and one Chevrolet Tahoe at a total cost of 115,309 for the Richmond County Marshall's Office.

Thank you so much, Madame Clerk. Um, Commissioner Wimble, I see you in the queue, but will you yield to the commissioner from the fifth? He's born who request this item being pulled. Is that okay with you? Uh, okay. M. All right. And you can stand. I'll come back to you just as soon as the commissioner from the fifth. Commissioner from the fifth, you had the floor, sir. All right. Thanks, Mr. Mayor. Hey, after um more deliberation and understanding of the policies as they stand today, I want to make a substitute motion of what was made during the uh committee meeting. Uh substitute motion is to approve as stated. All right. The commissioner from the fifth is making a substitute motion to approve as stated on the original as requested.

As requested as requested as requested. So as requested during the committee um go ahead and approve that as requested. Madame clerk, for the record, do does anybody have a copy of the request as stated? Correct. It's the same language. It's the same language for the two vehicles. Okay. All right. Commissioner Fifth from the fifth has made a motion uh to make the request as stated through committee. Is there a second to that motion? Mr. Mayor, I'm confused though. Okay. All right. All right. All right. I'll clarify uh Mr. Mayor if I can. Yes, sir.

So, the original request that came before the uh administrative uh committee was for two vehicles. again um after looking uh more into the policies as stated um the request was for the two vehicles. I'm making a substitute motion because our motion that we made uh during the uh committee was for only approving one of the two vehicles. So what I'm stating is make a substitute motion. I'll wait because I know we got a lot of discussion. I don't want anybody else to be confused. Thank you, Madam Clerk. So, I'm just trying to add some clarity. Um, the original request from the marshall's office was for the two vehicles. Um, my substitute motion is separate well is to change the original motion that came from the administrative committee. um make that motion basically to approve the two um that was included in the original request versus approving one of the two. Is that clarifying? Is that still confusing you?

Kind of like mud, but Mr. Clark, may I just read the motion from last time? Sure. Go ahead. So, it previously read, "Motion to approve the purchase of one Dodge Durango Pursuit and one Chevrolet Tahoe at a total cost of $115,39 for the Richmond County Marshall's Office." Right. So, I see why it's Yeah. Well, and I think this one that's up here was different from what was at the committee. Correct. What's up there is what was approved by the committee to move forward. This wasn't this wasn't what was on the committee. And that's I think that's where the confusion has come in. What you're seeing on the front on on the screen is what was recommended by the committee. Correct.

All right. So I I apologize for that and I'll make sure that I I clarify that in the substitute motion. So the substitute motion is to go back to the previous request that came to the committee which was for the two vehicles. All right. Um, so what I'm asking for is a substitute to what is shown on the screen. Um, so that we can um approve the the uh original two that came before us. You just make the this just the recommend there's a substitute motion for that. I think and I may have misadvised you.

The reason it was written as motion just because this has been pulled. If you just simply want to make a motion and if you read the last sentence, motion to purchase one Dodge Durango Pursuit and one Chevrolet Tahoe at a total cost of $115,39 for the Richmond County Marshall office. Okay. I think that's the motion that you're making. Yes, sir. That's what I'm making. So, I don't need to make a substitute motion then. I just need to make a motion. Thank you for that clarity. Uh, so I'm just making a motion for the purchase of the two vehicles for the marshall's office. That's a purchase of one Dodge Durango Pursuit and one Chevrolet Tahoe for a total cost of $115,39 for the Rich County Marshall's Office. There is a motion. Is there a second? Second.

All right. Sorry about the confusion on that. I heard a second first through uh Commissioner Katherine Smith Rice. Uh chair recognizes Commissioner London Weber in the fourth. I'm out. You're out. All right, Madam Clerk. I don't see any of Well, you back in. Oh, you're out. Madam clerk, we have a motion by Commissioner Clark. Proper second. Let's vote.

That motion carries 9 to1 with Miss Lindic voting no. Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. Let's move on to the next item. Item 22, please. Item 22 is discuss Marshall's office vehicles request. Item that's not 22. It's the blue link. 23. 22. 22. I'm sorry. Approve contract with Blue Links Solutions for professional services to support the housing and community development department at 8,750 per month. contingent upon legal review and subject to any minor revisions deemed necessary by council.

Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. Administrator Allen, this your item? I'm sorry. Salam, while we're waiting, can you just give us a brief description what this is for, please?

Yes, sir. This um is to bring a consultant in to help augment the operations of our housing and community development department specifically in our financial area. Um as you all know in and as the community knows there's been some concerns of how we have operated um financially when it comes to our housing community development. And so we want to bring somebody in here to help us get a kind of a reset to ensure that we have the proper policies um and things in place that will help move that department forward. So we're asking for your approval. Thank you so much, madame administrator. Commissioner from the first, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh two questions. Um, I find I I am a little concerned that we're being asked to uh approve a contract that hasn't been reviewed by legal yet. So, my first question is, has legal reviewed this contract? Mr. Johnson, there's been two different versions of it. We reviewed both. Um, the administrator and I have gone back and forth, not like in a bad sense, but on some language, mostly typographical issues. Those have been um submitted to the administrator. It's fairly late last night, but we have finalized that yesterday. What we think is a reasonable contract.

Okay. Number two, um was this requested by this body to have a a a consultant come in and do these services? How does this differ from the work that we've already paid for in terms of recommendations on how to move forward with policies and operations and staff over there? How does this different differ from what we've already paid for? I think I'm I'm confused on what we've already paid for.

We paid for firms to come in and do assessments of the of the department. They've given us recommendations on what types of controls should be put in place. financially and operationally. We we we went through that last year. Um and so would this Blue Link Solutions be doing the same thing?

No, sir. No, sir. This this organiz this group would actually help us to develop those respective processes. You're exactly right. There have been recommendations made in the past, but there's not been anyone on board that would actually help to develop those respective process and make sure those processes are in line with industry standard. Um, we had discussions with our HUD representatives. Um, this was one of the companies that was brought to our attention that is very has a very good record of making sure offices are operational. Um, and so we just want to start start fresh and make sure that we have everything in place. How many months is this contract for?

Right now we're looking at roughly about 3 months. Um, but it does give us the opportunity to, you know, continue on if necessary. Okay. And just just for two more questions, what funding source, what budget is this coming out of? Right now, we'll be looking at the housing community development. And how does that how would this impact their operations and their ability to provide services to the community? I would say that I'd hope that it would improve it because we have not I mean financially would this impact their financial ability to to

No, sir. No, sir. It should not have any impact on their their financial ability. And as far as the current interim director that's there now, as far as the recommendations that have already been given to us, do we not have the the ability to do this um inhouse without costing us, you know, 8750 a month? No, sir. We don't have the ability. No, sir. Okay. Um is this considered an emergency? Yes, sir.

Okay. Uh I guess I my I just we hiring a lot of consultants in this government lately. We've hired a lot of consultants and it seems like the contracts favor the consultants being in our in our house long term and you know I'll say the same thing here that I've said about the other consultants that we hire. It's it is a open faucet and I I am I wish I weren't a commissioner sometimes because I would be trying to get some of these open faucet contracts that we keep handing out. We say we don't have the money for it but we keep finding the money to hire consultants. So, I will hope that with this contract that at the end of the 3-month period that we we keep it moving like we don't renew another 3 months or another 6 months or so forth and so on. Um because I have a hard time believing that we have the funds to to keep these types of operations going. I understand the urgency here, but the um the financial aspect of it uh is really is really concerning to me in this contract, the finance department's contract, and some other ones that I know are coming up. You know, let's slow down a little bit on all these these consultants that we keep hiring to come in and do work that that we have the ability and how to do. We're talking about bringing in a consultant for the parks recreation department. All of this money could be put to better use. Um,

no. So, anyhow, that's my two cents on that and I just needed to get that clarity. Thank you,

Commissioner Johnson. I I do agree with you on making sure you get what you pay for. Um, and that's why in these agreements, as the um um legal representative stated, I have added the deliverables that they have to deliver certain products by timelines so that we can get out of their respective contracts. I don't disagree with you. I don't like bringing to have to bring consultants in to get jobs done. You're exactly right. Um but unfortunately we have not done a good job in that department and in order for us to get it on track, we need to bring somebody in that has a proven record of getting things started. But after that, I can assure you that we'll have to hold the department accountable for making sure that we move in the right direction for our citizens.

I appreciate that. I just, you know, some of the recommendations that they brought back to us. I just a lot of that stuff is, you know, is commission action is six votes. You know, it's it's something that we can enact up here on a Tuesday. So, I just I'm always going to have issue with bringing in outside firms to help us do what we have the ability to do in-house, especially when we're cutting services in transit. We're cutting services in housing. We're cutting services everywhere because we don't have the money. But for some reason, these consultants can charge us thousands and thousands of dollars per month and we pull it out of contingency or we pull it from this place. We find a way to fund it. But like Mr. Holler said, you know, the least of these, the least vulnerable, the most vulnerable, we say, "Oh, we don't have the money for it." So, I get the need for the operational aspect of it, but I I I am quite sure some of this stuff can be brought in house. Um, but again, if you've added deliverables, I'll trust your your judgment and your guidance on that and we'll revisit in uh in three months. Thank you, Administrator Ally.

If I may, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Just also this is termed on 30 days. So, at any time during the contract, we can terminate and it really has a sunset of the end of the year. So, if it even if it's extended, so it's a 30-day. It's a it's a 90-day contract. Terminal 30 days. If you decide to extend it, which we only have to give them notice, otherwise it terminates, then it's a end of the year. So, it's not a longterm. I've been here for five years. I know I know exactly what that means. And I also know how this body operates sometimes. And I also know that just because we have an ability to get out and not go for it doesn't usually mean we take that ability. Understood. All right. Yes, sir.

Thank you, Jim. Chair recognizes commissioner from the 10th and mayor pro Tim Wayne Gilful.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh this is for my colleague from the first, Mr. Johnson. Well, you was out on leave with the loss of your father. My condolences on that that we actually had brought up blue links, Miss Solutions, uh two different times um that the administrator had brought before us with all the everything that's been going on within HCD. I'd rather spend a couple thousand dollars instead of keep losing millions of dollars what we had to pay and that's where the no different than the auditor with the um Rex department that took seven eight months to do they had brought back they didn't find fallacy but what they did is find the fallacy in the policy and procedures that we did have this company here has a strong background they have a proven track record and it was unanimous support um both times in um in consensus. It wasn't no vote in legal fortunately. Um but anyway, I just wanted to bring you up to speed on that that there was a lot of discussion on this and they have a proven track record. My motion is to approve this contract.

Thank you. Uh Mayor Pro Tim, is there a second for that motion? Second. There's a second from the commissioner from the seventh commissioner Tina Slind. Commissioner Johnson, the floor is yours.

Thank you. I'm I'm aware. I I understand the the narrative that you just shared with me. I going back to the whole parks and recreation situation. They brought back recommendations on policies and and and and safeguards that should be put in place. But it was also discussed, well, maybe we can bring in a consultant to help Miss Williams do it. Miss Williams said it so eloquently. She said, I am not incompetent. I can do this myself. And I think that that is the mentality that we need to begin to take as a government is that yeah, although this is a reputable company and although they know what they're doing, we have people in our government who also knows what they're doing. We have people in our government especially uh serving as an interim interim right now in that department educated person who can do the work. I just want to make sure that we are not spending unnecessary money just to be spending unnecessary money. Some of the things that happened at HCD were internal controls that this governing body could have had policies in place to to to avoid. It wasn't just department happenings. Right? So the point that I'm making, Mayor Pro Tim, is not whether or not this is a reputable company. It is the fiduciary responsibility that we have as a government to not just open up the door and turn the faucet on and walk away. Especially if we want to be good stewards of taxpayers dollars. And that's the only point that that that I am attempting to make because uh you know I would hate for us to get back to this point and have to say hey we said that months ago just like we had to do on a number of items. So that's just important clarity from my perspective. Thank you.

Thank you commissioner Mayor Pro Tim. Thank you Mr. Johnson. All right madam clerk we have a motion by mayor pro10 Wayne Gil in the second. We're voting to approve this item as stated on the screen. Not as confusing as my agenda. Okay, you guys have agenda item. 23.

That motion, excuse me. That motion carries 8 to one with Mr. Johnson voting no. Miss Rice and Mr. Garrett out. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, item 23, Commissioner from the first. Is it okay to delete that item now that we have an approved motion from item item seven, or is there something additional you need to add? I wanted to just ask a question and I'll probably just put it in email form because I'm confused as to how we've gone back and forth over the item,

how there was an an approval, and then some concern, then a disapproval, and then an approval, and then now another approval. I I want to know how we got to the point of of such confusion on something that seems to have been um typical and and procedural and I know a lot of other departments go through it. So, I wanted to just bring that up. I'll probably put it in in the form of an email so that we can get an understanding of how we got to where we are. And then I also uh am still um expecting from the director of the central services department u a list of the u cars and the purchases and the concerns that he said he had that other departments fell into. I would like to have that um that on the record again that that request has been made and and I'm awaiting that that information. But other than that, Mr. Mayor, that is that's all that I have.

Thank you, Commissioner. Chair recognizes Commissioner from the fifth, Commissioner Don Clark.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you for the commissioner from the first. Um, I'll clarify cuz I was the reason why this motion changed the way it did. I had concerns initially um absent a full understanding of the policies as they state today. And it was actually in alignment with what you just stated previously about the previous motion um about fiduciary responsibility. So that's why um the motion ended up the way it did. Again, after uh further understanding of the policies currently as they stand, that's why I made the motion uh to uh support the request as it was. So, uh no no harm, no qualm in me being able to stand on that understanding um now that I have a better understanding, but also um support will support these directors when they come up here to stand on the decisions that they make as well. And I'll be looking for Director Green to continue uh making improvements in his department to ensure that we are uh as you stated previously fiduciary responsible entities um throughout the uh entire government. So um I made that point of uh change and I stand by that for sure and that's why I made the uh change to the motion.

Thank you commissioner from the fifth. Madam clerk, let's move on. Uh there's been a request to companion items number 25 and 27 and then return to item 24. So for the record, can you read items 25 and 27 into the record, please? Yes, sir. Item 25, Mr. Chris Fiser, Mr. Travis Hitchcock, Coastal Waste and Recycling with an update on the progress in the recycling program sign up. Item number 27 is a presentation from Coastal Waste and Recycling regarding their services provided to the citizens of Augusta Richmond County. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We have some representatives here from Coastal.

I thought they were different, say the same thing. Sir, if you will please state your name and and we know who you represent. Just for the record. John Cassag Grande, senior vice president for Coastal Waste and Recycling.

Miss Cassag Grande. Sir, you have the floor. I thank you. Uh good afternoon, mayor, commissioners, madame administrator, staff. My name is John Cass Grande and I'm with Coastal Waste and Recycling. We want to thank you all to for this affording us this opportunity to formally introduce ourselves to you. Uh we would like to briefly tell you about who we are as a company. We've been picking being here uh the contract is seven months old, but I don't think we've ever had that opportunity to uh stand in front of you and uh tell you all about us and what we do. uh we have uh put together our presentation here for you to keep and uh to look at at your leisure or as we go. But uh again just to talk about our company and bring you up to speed on the contract and how it's progressing, I'd like to introduce my team. These are the people who actually do all the work. I just uh come up here and uh and look good. Um so uh let me introduce you to Mr. Tom Ellis. He's our area president. uh he over uh the state of Georgia and state of South Carolina. Jake Lancaster, he's the district manager for Augusta. Uh where's Jake? Hey Jake. Uh you'll be hearing a little bit from Jake. Uh Jake is the one who gets it all done every morning. Boots on the ground. Uh Chris Fischer, you all know Chris Fisher, municipal director of municipal marketing for the state of Georgia, South Carolina. Angel Mitchell, she's really uh the uh the puppet master. She keeps us all under control. She's the contract administrator and she's in charge of customer service. Along that is uh our operation manager, Tanya Edwards. Uh Tanya Edwards uh gets a gets the trucks out every day along with our route supervisors John Eber and Bill Moore. So a little bit about Coastal. Coastal truly invests in its people. Uh we have found that the more we invest in our workforce uh through training uh equipment safety initiatives and career development uh the stronger their

performance is in delivering a reliable and high quality service to our customers. They do the work. We I'm I'm here to support uh we we give them the training and they're the ones who get it done. I'd also like to point out the background uh on this slide shown is authentic. Uh we honor the men and women of our armed forces by wrapping select trucks in official colors representing each brand of the US military. These trucks operate on our routes every day uh serving as a visible tribute uh to the communities we service. Um we are currently finalizing a dedicated unit for the Augusta Hauling district. Uh we're going to wrap that and brand it in the colors of the United States Army. Uh we again uh our hearts and and and prayers go out to the uh men and women of our armed forces especially in today's day and age. This is a footprint of who we are. Uh our operating footprint. We conduct business in the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina. We employ over 1,800 team members. Uh deploy more than 1,000 vehicles every day and provide over a million residential collection services a week. A million. We also provide commercial solid waste and recycling services, construction and demolition hauling. Uh we do that here in in Augustine throughout our our footprint. And we also do construction, demolition, recycling, aggregate recycling and metal recycling. Coster was founded in 2017 by our CEO Brenda Pantano, a third generation solid waste professional who grew up in the industry. In 2018, Coastal be began winning contracts and acquiring companies, marking the start of our rapid growth and expansion. In 2021, we came to Augusta. We came to Augusta. We entered into this into a contract with the city of Augusta by

acquiring the company of Orion. Uh we also acquired another company in the area called Meridian which put us in the surrounding uh service areas of uh Harlem, Rens, Dearing and Louisville. In 2023 was important for us as to help with our growth. Uh we took on a partner McCroy asset management uh and they are one of the leading asset management companies in the world with $476 billion in assets. uh which makes us very very financially sound and gives us the ability to grow, continue to uh supply uh our customers with the equipment and uh our employees with the benefits and and and uh that they they deserve uh by doing the work. This is just our our leadership team. not going to go through it, but what you see here uh from our CEO and and uh our vice president hauling operations, myself and the others here, uh you have over 200 years of experience. And I I wanted to just bring that to you because people say, "Oh my god, they're only in business 2017. The company was put together and uh by people who have owned their own companies, work for public public companies. So they get uh we have brought that mix to Coastal and uh we're able to uh continue to grow and and with and use that experience. Again, uh a little something about our local team that are here tonight. You can read that as at your leisure, but uh again, a lot of experience in in uh in getting things done. This is one of our recycling facilities. in the background. We have uh 18 of these throughout the uh tri-state area recycling of material. But uh this is just a little bit about uh who we are. As I mentioned, our leaders, our culture driven, cultivating the right culture helps us attract the best talent. We found that having the right people shapes the behavior necessary to deliver our customers the highest level of service performance. You got to get the right person for the right job. And we

that's as that's as important as actually picking up the garbage. So, I'll get a little bit about, you know, the city of August and the contract. This timeline is uh pretty uh important for us and and uh wanted to share that all with you. Uh on February 20th, the RFP was released and and advertised. On May 3rd, we were contacted by uh your contract compliance administrator to begin negotiations. So, ne negotiations began on May 3rd. We and negotiations as you can see through the timeline continue through through May and up until we June uh 23rd where we have a final redline version returned to Dr. Malik for signature. Uh Dr. Malik approved that that contract and on July 23rd we received the executed copy back from the city. So to give you an idea, I mean, from the time we were contacted on on May 3rd to uh get uh to begin negotiations for the contract for Augusta to the start of the contract was was August 1st. We had 90 days to execute a contract, negotiate a contract. During that time, we you know, we felt comfortable. Uh you all made us feel comfortable. Your staff made us feel comfortable in the fact that we were negotiating in in good faith. Okay. Uh and so we began hiring people, buying trucks and getting everything ready to start that contract. But we we were able to do it, get the people hired and the brand and the trucks up here to be in compliance with the contract which we were uh three years or newer all in time to get it to get it done. Uh so I wanted to just uh you know reiterate the fact that uh appreciate your faith in us. Uh we invested over $13 million uh in the city of of Augusta. Uh faith is an amazing thing and uh we had faith in y'all and we ask for that y'all have faith in us to do the job and I think uh it's going to be a very uh a very great partnership. It's not even we're not a

vendor. We like to consider ourselves a partner and you'll hear more about that. Uh at this time I would just like to uh turn it over to Jake but we have a uh what happened here? Chris, they had a video that they were trying to play. It looks like it timed out. Okay.

Yeah. Let me just There's a video embedded in that slide. That's good.

Right. Well, there was a video uh just a simple video of our truck going down on Augusta Street picking up the 311. cans to give you an idea of uh uh what what we're doing out there and and the the the equipment that's uh that we've we've supplied. Um and uh but also to to get into the separation. We'll talk about recycling in a little bit, but I'm going to turn it over to Jake to tell you what he's been doing uh to get things done. Welcome Jake. If you will just give us your last name and you represent Mr. Lancaster. All right. Welcome, sir. Mr. Lancaster. That's right. Jake Lancaster. Good afternoon. Have a good day. Thank you for being here.

Thank you. Well, since the video we couldn't get that to play, I'll just go into a little bit of uh some timeline for ordering of our carts uh at the start of the contract. So, July 7th, we ordered 10,530 carts branded 311, City of Augusta. Uh, a couple other points I'd like to point out is September 19th through the 30th of uh 2025. I recall that the city did place an order for auto for some additional,00 carts. Our vice president of operations used his uh reputation and relationship with auto to get those carts delivered at an earlier stage in the contract. Um this only helped us, as you will see in the next few slides, take our backlog of carts and deliveries and uh help us get those out on the road. The other date I'd like to point out is as of January 7th, 2026, the city staff and my team behind me here had weekly meetings uh then it turned into every other week meetings to come up with better ways to get our carts out there and get things resolved. Um and as of January 7, 2026, we are fully caught up in on all cart jobs backlogged from September 20 or 18th. Here you will see our key performance drivers uh for the carts. As you can see in August our backlog was around 1,800 carts and then through September, October and November we've decreased those as we got the cart shipments in. Here's a key performance metrics based on our miss pickups, repeat collections, uh miss, area misses, vehicle leaks, spills, care and diligence. uh you will see the start of the contract in August uh we were assessed or observed 938 and then we go down from there all the way to November. So November we're still in the process of doing the audit and

review uh so that number will seem a little high. We meet with city staff um on a monthly basis to review those. This is just a key performance uh just the trends observed versus assessed to us. And then the big topic that everybody likes to talk about is recycling. As you will see, we've we've processed about 28 tons of recycling from when we started in January to February 28th. Currently, we have 1,09 customers signed up for this service. That service is a subscription based service uh that Coastal provides per the city contract. um that is assessed to $14.69 to the resident um when they sign up. What's that?

$14.69 per customer for a 96 or 95gallon cart. Here you will see with our cart removals the blue top lids. Uh as of November 30th, we removed 20,634 of those carts. I'm happy to report as of Friday, we are in estimated range of about 35,000 carts removed off the street for the old recycling carts. Uh there are still some out there. We do understand that and we are actively picking those up as we see them. Uh cart delivery. Um we did have an initial order of 57 carts placed on July 7th. Uh in a good faith that we were going to receive this contract and we did order those. They are delivered. Uh we started delivering those December 1st, 2025. Um and we're still actively delivering those today. We had another video for recycling, but it timed out. But at this time, I would like to turn over to Mr. Chris Fischer.

Mr. Fisher. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners. Good afternoon, sir.

Coastal Waste cares deeply about this community. We're not only here as a vendor. We're here to support the well-being and the city and committed to supporting the customers and the broader community. That commitment shows up in the action. We're proud to contribute $5,000 to the Children's Hospital of Augusta. We supported team Rubicon when they while they were in town doing the rebuilding of after the hurricane. and we will continue stepping up wherever the city needs us. We stand ready with integrity, safety, and a commitment to customer service for the city of Augusta. I'd like to thank the mayor, Commissioner Clark, and all the commissioners, Administrator Allen, Deputy Administrator Clark. Maybe I did that wrong. Sorry, Jackson. Thank you sincerely for all your support.

I can get the video. Oh, we got two videos to show you. I was a little bit of pressure. There we go. Is it 10-minute video?

Two minutes. Okay. All right. quick.

But the key here was obviously I'm sure you all seen what goes on every day in your city. The truck uh picking up the garbage is very important. But what we heard loud and clear uh from y'all and the residents is, you know, how do we get a recycle back? Well, this is picking up garbage. Very uh different obviously different truck. Uh but the next video I want to show you is the is our recycling. And can I get to that from here? Testing my typing skills here. Of course,

I I guess I wish you all a happy Augusta Eve, right? I mean, is that M's Eve? Is that coming up? It's kind of like 311 and engineering. There's a conduit to work as far as all right is recycling.

Perfect. So, our plan all along was to obviously do recycling, but how do we get the residents to really believe it's recycling again? And there's been some obviously ups and downs with the recycling program here, but what you're going to watch is number one, it's a different truck. Okay? It's a different truck that picks it up. The employee goes out there and you can watch it get packed in there and he can see the contamination that goes in there. If there's any garbage in there, he can he opens the lid, he takes it out and puts it back in the 311 t. But this is the recycling that goes on uh throughout uh the city every day. And again, it just different truck, different color bins, different different uh way it's done. We entered into an agreement as part of as as part of the RFP process that we are responsible for processing it and it goes to the to the the North Augusta recycling facility. This is a video of your the material that's coming from the city itself. As you can see it's may look you not like much but that's pristine. That's pristine recycling. there's less than a 5% contamination which in a single stream uh environment a in a single stream capability uh you can read about it it's some in some places it's 25 to 30%. But this is exactly this is your material being processed. We took the time to you know send the uh send the video crew out there to watch your material coming across. But as you can see, it's very clean and our goal obviously is hope to get as much recycling here uh in the city of Augusta uh as as as possible. But um this we were pretty proud of the fact that we got this kicked off and got it done. But uh the recycling is is going going on every day. And uh as you

can say, recycling is back in Augusta. Real recycling going on every day. And uh that's it. That's all we have as our presentation. We any questions y'all have for us about any part of our contract, any part of our presentation, I've got the team here to answer. Yes, sir. Mr. Kasa Grande. Thank you so much. Chair recognizes Commissioner from the fifth, Commissioner Don Clark.

Hey, John and team. I want to thank you all um for the presentation. and thank you for the metrics, but thank you for presenting, you know, what you all do each and every day for the uh community. Um the hard work uh shows again. Um I want to also shout out our uh team as well that works with you all on a consistent basis uh led by Dr. Malik and of course um director Oscar Flight. Um thanks for continuing to work at this. um it's it's a marathon, not a not a uh sprint, and we're going to continue trying to find the improvements that we can. So, thanks for working with them, and thanks for uh continue to provide uh such an essential service to the community. Um as far as Coastal is concerned, um just want to appreciate and welcome you all in. I know you all have been doing the work for a while. John, I appreciate you all taking time to fly in um to do this. I think it's important that we present your metrics. You all are proud of the metrics. You're proud of your job. You're proud of what you do each and every time in any industry you're in. But we're just happy you all are here in Augusta Richmond County. Oh,

we we appreciate that. And first of all, I'd like to shout out to your staff as well, Oscar and his team have uh met with us and worked through the uh trials and tribulations of the beginning of this contract and we got it where it needs to be. Uh there's more work to be done. Uh but I want to thank you for that and uh we truly value uh our relationship. We truly value being being here in Augusta. Uh thank you so much. Thank you, sir. Chair recognizes Commissioner Lonnie Wimbley from the fourth.

And and uh this is of course item 24 that I'm discussing. Can Can we get through this and then we'll address 24. Is that okay? Then then I yield. You yield. Okay. Uh Mayor Pro 10 Wayne Gilfall.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you sir for coming here even though I got a different name for you. Um anyway um we've been in I don't know if the people do know it the administrator and staff as well as the engineer and Oscar Fle been in numerous meetings um trying to get to where we are. I appreciate that um your kind words that are that y'all working well with our department director um both department directors and um to where we are today. I'm glad to see that y'all giving back. Usually we try to promote local businesses and but y'all have stepped up from now we would I would consider you as a local business. Y'all are already here. you stationed here and giving back is everything for us whether it's for our kids or schools or even to the community. Thank you.

You're very welcome. My pleasure. All right. As far as your recycle, um I I love the way the uh video went. It would be nice if you could actually u we need to change the narrative in this town as far as the recyclable. Um, if you could put down on the YouTube or share it with the commission, I would be happy to throw it out to um on my Facebook to let the people know. I noticed that you had what 900 and something people signed up even though you have um 2,000 cans, I believe it was.

Yeah, we have 5,000 we have over we've broken a thousand though. So, we're close to almost we get we get three to five people signed up every day. So, the more costs we get out there, I think it's like it dominoes into it. So, uh Yes, sir. But getting it out there, that's a great idea. That's a great idea. And what you was um bragging about the residents as far as it's a pristine uh recyclable it but it shows you the people who actually willing to pay uh the difference in the money of the 1469 a month because if they carry enough, they going to carry enough to make sure that it is supposed to be recyclable in them cans. And I would like to thank you and your staff and especially the guys that's actually picking up all this stuff. Thank you.

Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you, Mayor Proam. Uh chair recognizes Commissioner from the fifth, Commissioner Donclaw. Hey, last thing, Mr. Mayor. Um uh John and team, um I want to shout out uh Jake and um Chris Fischer specifically. I appreciate the responsiveness. Each and every time I've called you um about an issue that we've had with the residents, you all have been Johnny on the spot. Um so, can't say enough about that. Again, this is something that we're continuing to work each and every day to improve upon. Um, but it takes partnership. It takes communication. Um, but I just appreciate the diligence and the u professionalism that you gentlemen have shown.

Thank you for that. And if we could shout out to your staff, uh, Administrative Allen and, uh, Mr. Jackson have, uh, every time we need help, they're there for us as well. So, I just want you guys to know that, uh, without them, I don't think we would have got this far this quick. So, uh, I want to thank you and and them for their for their support as well during this time. Thank you so much, sir. All right, Madame Clerk, as Yeah, we're going to address that with item number 24. Um, Madame Clerk, as requested by the commissioner from the fourth, we're going to go back to item number 24. If you can read it in for the record, please, ma'am.

Yes, ma'am. We're receiving this as information without objection. Is there any objection? Madame clerk, I haven't noted any objection. So, we receive this as information. That's item 25 and 27. Moving back to item 24. Yes, sir. Item 24, dis detailed discussion by Dr. Malik and Coastal regarding what charges and fees residents should expect to pay for services in accordance to the waste hauling bid. Thank you so much, Madam Cler. Dr. Malik, I think you should make your way forward. Commissioner Lonnie Wimbley, the floor is yours, sir. Turn your mic. Good afternoon, gentlemen. Turn your mic on, please, sir. Good afternoon, Commissioner. I thought I was on. All right.

Good afternoon, gentlemen. I'm not going to uh take any of your thumb away all those praises you got. I hope you deserve them. Uh, at least I don't see why you shouldn't. Uh, but I do have some questions. And here here go the question. Did you have you ever heard of the Richmond County Neighborhood Association Alliance? I just had to plug that in, Mr. Mayor. But but anyway, that's not part of the agenda. Don't worry about it. Uh in the bid document, what was the what is the price set this uh residents are uh expected to pay and what uh what additional cost that may not have been in that bid document that they pay? for example, recycle. Now, there's a monthly, a weekly pickup and a monthly. Am I correct?

Um, there were options in the RFP for different services. There was a weekly service, a bi-weekly service. Hey, go to bi-weekly and a monthly service. All right. Okay. And and then the uh we have uh everyone who has signed up has selected the weekly service at the $14.69. 69 cents. Gotcha. Good. Good choice. Uh now, what is that? Um in order to get that can, is there a cost in the bid document for that can?

So, um good afternoon. Uh as mentioned, you know, there's three options. um weekly, every other week and monthly 1469 for the weekly, 1369 for every other week in the 1269 all that um and part this contract service need to be delivered um under the um condition of this contract. So that's that's the only charge u um citizen has to pay if they wants the um recycling service depending on which option they want. So that C is not covered in the bid document.

So the C should be part of this 1469. Okay, I got you. Uh just for clarity, Dr. Malik, is that 1469 a week or per month? That's per month. That's per month. Oh, sorry. Per week. No, no, no, no, wait. No, it's 14.69 charged per month for service once a week. Once a week. Okay, gotcha. Per month for once a week. $16.69 69 cents charged per month for service once a week. Thank you for the clar. All right. Continue, commissioner from the board. All right. And uh so we got that square. So the the can supposed to be a part of that $14. So I'm trying I'm trying to uh I want to see if there's a startup fee for the service.

Yeah. So per contract um all the services including wheel cars, everything is part of the fee structure. Okay. Yeah, that's why you know um if the service would have offered under by this Augusta still the same service and I was a direct contract with a coastal citizen. So that would have reduced 1469 to I believe it's 1269 because it's reducing their management cost.

Okay. And and I got that part. So, so the citizen will be expected to pay for that weekly service $1469. That's correct. That's correct. Yeah. And coach, is there a sign up charge to sign up for your service?

No, there's no charge. Um, people either go online or they call into the customer service. They sign up and it's build quarterly. Okay. Uh, $14.69. No additional fees. Gotcha. Thank you. Uh what's uh what what are what are your method of payments since that probably fall in your wheelhouse. What's what's the method of payments? Um we take a credit card over the phone. Okay.

Okay. And uh so Commissioner, so to to Chris, we do all the billing um as part of this RFP as part of the contract process. the delivery of the cart, the billing of the cart, the collection of the cart falls under uh Coastal's responsibility. Uh we build it, we build it directly. Um and uh I I believe do we have a can we bring an invoice? Oh, no. Uh we had we can uh get you an invoice commission show you exactly what the what what it looks like, but it's it's it's built quarterly in advance. Okay. So, is there a a fee if I use my card? Is there a fee if you use it? Absolutely.

What is that fee? Is that part of the uh document? No, no, no, no. I I understand the 1469. I understand that. So, that's that's not what I'm asking. When I use my car, come on. I could ask the question. I'm intelligent enough. The 1469 I understand that is the weekly charge period. So now I get that what $47 a quarter when I go to pay and I'm going to pay with my card. What's the additional charges? There is no additional charge.

All right. Gotcha. All right. Uh so let's go back and um educate some of your customer service. I signed up for the service myself uh in October when you first started and the young lady nice young lady now don't go jumping on her now she gave me all the information and I asked her did I had to pay then she said no you're just going to be signed up okay and then when it when we start the service then you you'll get bill for to pay correct

got it and I waited and I never got the bill I had I can out there and I I I called and was talking about and and and and one of I I had some some issues learning your time for your pickup. So, I'm I'm good there. I'm good there. But the point is that when I was calling to see about or a issue that I had with me not knowing the time, that's when I was asked about my can and I said, "Yeah." And I was asked my can out there down and I said I said no it's not. So I moved my can out for the next service and the can got picked up. So I was wondering okay you picked my can up but you didn't leave me one. So that lead me to ask the question, was I why didn't I get a can? Because I thought I was signed up for the service and I was told I wasn't in the system. Got that? So I was offered the opportunity right then to sign up for the service. And when I was offered to sign up for the service and I said, "Okay, I sign up for the service." I was told I had to do a $50 fee in order to get that can that cart delivered to me. Then I said, "Okay, all right." So I kept talking with him and then I was asked him about to pay and the question was, "How you going to pay?" I said, "Well, I'll pay with my car." He said, "There's a service charge of 2% if I use my card." Now, that was me. Now, I like recycle. I love recycling. I don't like it. I love it. Matter of fact, that washes out my milk carton. I washes out my my coffee creamer. I clean up any material that I'm gonna put in recycle. So, my question was, what did that $50 fee come in at?

I have no idea. Um, I can sit here and honestly tell you there shouldn't be a $50 fee because it's not in the contract. Those customer service representatives and not making excuses, handle calls from different municipalities and uh they make mistakes. But, uh, Commissioner, if you were charged or anyone was charged, and we'll go back and, uh, and take a look at that. But absolutely, without a doubt, there is no fee. As Dr. Malik said that during the negotiations, the $1469 includes a delivery fee. Okay. Well, long as I know that that's the case now. Tomorrow, I want to start my recycle. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Wimberly. Chair recognized Commissioner Don Clark.

Thank you. Um, Commissioner from the fourth. And I think, you know, that was a good example of, you know, just how the communication and communicating issues and and making sure that we address them appropriately um gets taken care of. And just like Commissioner um Wimberly brought up his personal experience, um if we have citizens that go through the same thing, um let's just make sure that you all continue to be just as responsive. Um but we also will be as responsive in trying to communicate those as we come across them from the constituents. Um again um I I appreciate his his example. Um but I also appreciate you all's responsiveness and just continue to provide the best service that we can. um the fact that he is that serious about recycling, you all will probably want to make sure you sign him up again as soon as this finishes so that he can continue his efforts because it's serious to him just like it is many other constituents um that have signed up for the service and and I can't knock anybody that is that serious about trying to be environmentally responsible um as he is. So, thank you guys. um please make sure that we follow up with him and if we have any other constituents as we're talking about this that you all have issues, bring them up. Definitely bring them up to your commissioners. Call 311 so that we can log it in and then we can um reach out to the uh coastal um team members as well.

Absolutely. And uh commissioners to all to all all commission if anyone does come in they they will get their $50 credited back and there's and there'll be there's no credit card fee. So again, it happens. I mean, like I said, you you heard me in the presentation, we service over a million homes a week. Uh stuff happens. So we will get it done and corrected. And uh one thing I would suggest, maybe we can come back in in maybe three months or four months and see how things are going and y'all can tell us uh if there's anything we need to be done, but and uh but uh we'd like to be here again. So I appreciate the time and uh thank you very much. Thank you so much, Mr. C. Yes, sir. Right here. you stand in front of your house, gentlemen.

Mr. Lancaster, commissioner, you will be taken care of. All right, ladies and gentlemen, thank you'all so much for being here. Appreciate everything you do. Thank you very much. Appreciate everyone. All right, you got it. All right, Madam Clerk, Dr. Malik, is there anything you need to add before we close out? No, sir. Um, things are working very well and we're working as a team. So, yeah. Great. Just stay right there because I think this next item is you, uh, Madame Clerk. That takes us to the last item for the day. I think that's item uh 26, please.

Item 26, receive as information broad street improvement project business corridor outside lanes and adjacent area construction sequence update with respect to completing roadway primary in improvements within this quarter by the end of 2026. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Dr. Malik. Yes,

sir. Uh good afternoon. Um first, I appreciate uh this body approving $2 million is um uh it's very good. We already on the path to accelerate uh work in the medium. But this is what I wanted you all to give you update for information is um soon after master um work will be um moving to the outer side and how it will be delivered. Uh that's really I want to give you updates so when you get called you have better understanding of all that. I do have two key uh construction uh team members with the contractor uh Dustin Daniel and Richard Bank. um they will uh go over um each phase how they're going to do it and they'll be able to answer the question of course you know I'm also here to answer the question um but they put it uh together um very productive aggressive schedule u and we're moving forward but really uh um my goal today was to update you all where we are where we going and how we're going to uh accomplish to uh complete uh the improvement in the downtown corridor area up to fifth street. So with with that I'm going to turn over to the construction uh team uh either Dustin uh Dustin Daniel is a senior construction person and Richard um bank is a project manager here every hour he actually has an office in engineering uh building.

All right. All right sir if you will just for the record what's your name? Dustin Daniel. Dustin Daniel. Mr. Daniel, you have the floor, sir. Who you represent? Uh, we're the Arsel. We're the contractors doing the work on Broad Street. All right. And I guess if Richard speaks, he'll tell you all his name. Okay. Um, so first things first, after the masters, um, we're going to start the first phase of the construction on the outside of the downtown corridor on Broad Street. Can we get prior to the masters? because that's what all the business owners kind of want to know how it's going to affect them to get there. So, currently right now, prior to Masters, we're currently in the median section working on Broad Street and we're hoping

pretty much the way it looks right now will be done with everything in the median up to Fifth Street and allow parking in those areas before the Masters. So, for the record, you won't be on any of the sidewalks that impacts anybody's ability to have customers and tents on their sidewalks or any of that. No, not before the Masters. Thank you so much. All right. So after the masters, the schedule shows us starting phase one of the sidewalk demolition and reconstruction, which is I guess is the draw is the drawing on here, Dr. Lee.

Yeah. Um we can go through this with layout and then we we have the drawing, but uh we'll go through one typical section to actually display how this going to work. Uh but what display right now is um the start date where we going to be and how phase one and phase two. Phase one is basically the outer driveway lane and some part of the sidewalk to finish the curbing uh that will not prohibit any access to the um businesses or you know the sidewalk and all that. So yes. Yeah.

All right. We'll just start at the top right here. Beginning April 14th, we're going to begin the outside phase of Broad Street improvement project. Two crews will mobilize on the east and west side of the corridor at 13th Street. Then we'll begin the outside scope of work. And then to minimize the overall impact of the businesses and demolition, they'll be performed in two phases, which will allow pedestrians to walk on the sidewalk at all times, whether the new sidewalk in phase two or the existing sidewalk in phase one. So phase one will involve removing the existing asphalt in the parking sections up to the midpoint of the existing sidewalk. This will allow installation of the new curb and initiation of the flat work that needs to begin. During this phase, the pedestrian traffic will still be able to utilize their existing sidewalks in front of the actual businesses and buildings through the downtown corridor. Uh phase two. Um once phase one is complete, the pedestrians will access the phase one section of the job that we complete. And phase two will consist of in the center of the sidewalk, there's a brick paper band. We're using that as a point to separate phase one, phase two. So phase one, they'll walk on the I'm sorry. So when we hit phase two, they'll walk on the phase one section from the brick pa in the middle of the sidewalk over towards closer to the road to access businesses. so they got somewhere to walk at all times. Um, dividing the corridor in two phases allows construction to progress more efficiently while providing safe access for business owners and customers. Um, and then also while construction is active at 13th Street, we're going to mobilize a third crew at Fifth Street and follow the same phasing approach. Um once demolition and curb installation are complete in phase one, sections of the block and crews will move to the next block and begin phase one there, maintaining project momentum and supporting schedule compliance to stay on on speed. Um and currently this month, we're going to go ahead and get

with Dr. Malik and the PR team and go ahead and release some some stuff to the business owners to allow them to know what dates we're going to be in their area, how long we'll be in their area before we open it back up and how the phasing is going throughout the process. So, um, help me understand the phase one, phase two when you actually get to the point to where people have to access because I think this curb work is going to include all the way up until their ent door of entry. Correct. Yes. So, what are you going to do, I guess, when you get to that point where you have to tear out the the part that's near their door and how will they access it and all of that stuff?

So, some of the work's just going to consist of the business hours. You know, if there's a business that's closed on Monday, we're going to utilize that date for that section to allow them access. Um, also, we can, you know, we plan on buying some temporary plates or something for them to walk over if there is, you know, new concrete in place. Um, but we're going to try our best to utilize business hours to prevent impacting anything. Correct. Also, we've got a plan potentially to for a high early concrete mix was cure within 6 to 8 hours so someone can walk on it quickly. Okay.

Um, aside from that, the drawing that we're seeing on the the uh TV currently shows the phasing. The uh red section is the phase one section that we're going to do and then the blue section is the phase two section of the construction that we plan on doing. Okay, Richard. Anything? And for the record, can you give us your name, please?

Uh, yes, sir. Uh, Richard Banks, Ersnel. So, just a little bit more in depth on what you're seeing on this screen. As uh Dustin said, the red that's through here is going to be the phase one section. That's from a flat work perspective. Um, I know it's kind of hard to tell right here, but this line that you I'm tracing with my U Corser, that's where the 5ft bike lane's going to be. And then there's also going to be little gaps in between kind of these pa areas. Some of it is going to actually be a planting area while the rest of it is going to be actual flat work sidewalk to allow people to kind of still walk freely and have that access that we were talking about earlier. Once we get all of this in in this section right here, we will move up to the next block. Say we start at 13th, 12th Street will be the the um next portion that we'll do phase one as far as demo while our other sub is uh completing and finishing that phase one. And once they finish, that's when we'll flip everything over. And as Dustin was saying that we'll uh go ahead this month and start speaking to the businesses individually each one and then see what hours uh would kind of least impact them as far as us doing this construction. I know every business is going to be kind of a individual cases and we're already look going around and looking at what businesses have double double door access uh in the front because that will allow us to essentially split the joint on that business to allow part of the entrance to be closed and then we do the work on the other one and vice versa and that'll help out tremendously. But I think just speaking with the businesses indivi, you know, individually and getting those uh hours and times that will at least impact them will tremendously help us and keep project momentum moving forward.

Okay. All right. We got also another thing. Um so when we're doing this phase work, if if anyone was wondering about the actual pedestrians that going to be walking through there on the phase one side, we're going to we're going to put a barrier up separating the the building side where phase two is going to be between phase one and two. So, anyone that walks out of a business or a building out there, they won't have access into the construction site where we're currently working to give them a corridor to walk down safely. Okay. All right. Dr. Malik, before we open it up to the colleagues, is there anything else you need to add?

Yes, sir. So, we're going to get all this information out through our PR form to um to the businesses and everybody's on on their circulation list. So, everybody will have this information by tomorrow. Yeah. Can you can my request can you get a a easier plan to kind of understand cuz I mean this is we can what are y'all looking for exactly so we can kind of know what's pass it on to Dave yeah something we could pass on to the business owners something that makes a little simply the phase one phase two kind of give them an idea about you know

I mean potentially what we could do is is just take these these blocks or corridors where we're working and blow it up a little bit bigger so they can see it a little cleaner and just print it off you know location specific for whatever business wants to see their area. You got it. All right. All right. Uh, Mayor Proin Wayne Gilford, you have the floor, sir. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, Dr. Malik, what happened with that company that you had hired in to do your marketing uh to reach out? They at every one of your meetings, the um young lady out of Florida, I believe it is,

is she still with you? they they're with us and they are actually um carrying the heavy load of u information sharing and answering all the question and everything that's kind of um one point of contact as for our internal um and especially you know information to the commissioner and mayor we doing through the administrative office to Miss Richardson with the same information and uh there is a ongoing daily coordination or whatever all out. So they actually waiting on this information to get out, but I wanted to present to you all first before we get it out.

Dr. Mallet, thank you. Um, er Snail, Mr. Daniel, Mr. Vance, thank you so much. Um, with your company, y'all have been all around the CS from Barton Chapel Road to Winston Spring Road right there in front of my house um to H McBain Road to Story Mill Road. And we appreciate that. We appreciate y'all getting in there, kicking tail, and moving on. I did, my wife works down there on Broad Street, not literally, but she works in a business there. Um, State Farm, and the communication has been excellent.

She actually said the contractor's been coming in, let them know to tearing out the center median, and when they were done, they actually came back in. Hey, y'all could actually park here. So, I do appreciate the communication. Um, your schedule is showing that beginning on April 14th, but between now and April 14th, what's going to be done? Referring to the outside or justdeed total total construction on Broad Street because we got a lot of restaurants that's um trying to prepare for the tournament naturally. And currently until that time, we're we're going to stay focused on the median section to try to get done with the median section for the Masters.

All right. Go ahead. Uh so let's say um when y'all took out the meeting right there at 10th Street um they had a park and I believe in front of their businesses which um compacted a lot of vehicles because they used to utilize in the center median. Uh my concern is um I'm going to look at Luigi's. Okay.

Um if you take out that center median, there's not ample parking. I know that commissioner Don Clark is talking with the Augusta Museum is trying to find alternate parking as well. Will y'all even hit that far down? How how far are you expecting to hit um before the tournament? Cuz you most likely you going to stop at the end of March. Yeah, before the Masters, we should be right at Fifth Street completing the median section um beforehand. That's what that's what the schedule's showing and where we're at right now. So, right now we started uh the Sixth Street median this past week. Yes, sir.

And the current schedule that we're going off of for these medians um is about three weeks. So, that's a week of grading, a week of demo or a week of demo, a week of grading, and then a week of pourback and then parking should be open then. So, we're we're you know, highly it's that parking is going to be open back up before. Okay. center medium parking was

and that and that'll be from 13th Street all the way down to Fifth Street excluding uh Seventh Street um right there the recessed parking base. We're going to leave those as is for now because that demo takes a lot longer to demo that out and bring it up than it does just what we're currently doing. So when we come back from Masters, that's when that portion of that work will start taking place. All right. I definitely appreciate y'all putting in the forethought and the consideration for the business owners downtown. You know, it's once once a year from now, people going to go, I don't remember how long it took, but it was nice, you know. So, I would like to say thank y'all and thank y'all for the

just to let everyone know, we do have additional some additional parking lots that we've we've kind of set up off of Ninth Street and Reynolds, right? There's a gravel lot right there on the corner. We're going to utilize that for public parking to allow some more spaces for anyone in that downtown corridor is looking for some parking areas that want to access the uh parking deck. Okay, thank you all so much. Thank you for responding to my questions.

All right, gentlemen. I think I think that's it. Certainly appreciate um all of your help, especially, you know, making sure that we protect our downtown business owners prior to Masters and after Masters. And I think it's going to be important uh that we get the communications out as to the phase one and phase two approach. So um and the PR firm is going to be critical to that. So all right. All right. Thank you all so much. Appreciate your patience and unfortunately you're at the end. So So thank you so much. Thank you Madam Clerk. I think that concludes the regular portion of our agenda. Uh turn the meeting over to uh interim general counsel John Matten.

Yes. Yes. At this time, we'd ask for a motion to go into legal session for the purpose of personnel. Is there a motion? Come on now. It's a motion by Commissioner Tina Send that seconded by Commissioner Katherine Smith Rice. Madame Clerk, we're voting. What? What?

Let's see. Mr. Gilo, we Miss Lindach. Be nine. It's got to be uh Mr. Wembley. Miss. Okay. What? Let's see. One, six, and eight. Yeah, they go. That motion carries with Mr. Johnson, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Garrett. Out. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We're now uh suspended to executive session.

We waiting on the clerk. Where's the clerk at? Hi. Waiting on the clerk. So I

we don't have it all yet. Tina. Mr.

Mayor, we request a motion to authorize you to execute the closed meeting affidavit. Second. There's a motion by the mayor pro Tim, seconded by Commissioner Don Clark. Madam clerk, we're voting. think you kill, but I pay attention. I'm bad. That motion carries with Mr. Johnson, Miss Pulium, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Garrett out. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Attorney, are there any motions as a result of our executive session?

There's one, Mr. Mayor. We would request a motion to hire Andela that goes by Lisa Cameron as the planning and development director at a salary of $125,000. So move, excuse me, one more. Just one more. A move an allowance of not to exceed $10,000 such other benefits provided as other directors with a start date within the next 30 days. Thank you, Attorney Park. I think I heard a motion by the mayor prom seconded by Commissioner Don Clark for Miss Adel Asia. Cameron. Send me that name. Lisa Cameron. Madame Clerk. Send me that name. Adal Asia Cameron referred to as Lisa.

Uh the commissioner from the 10th has asked for point of privilege. Whoa. We voted. When we give somebody a $10,000 moving allowance as far as directors, deputy directors, whatever. What happens if they don't move here but they got paid? They do have to provide receipts. I'm sorry. They they don't get the entire $10,000. They get up to$10,000 and they have to provide receipts. We reimburse them based on their receipts submitted. Thank you. You're welcome. All right, madam clerk, we have a motion in a second. Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tim Gilfor, seconded by Commissioner Clark. We're voting. Okay,

hold up. We got to publish the vote. We got to publish this vote. We got to publish this vote, guys. That motion carries with Mr. Johnson, Miss Pulium, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Garrett out. Thank you so much. Turner plucket. There any additional motions? There are none, sir. Hear none. Madame clerk, this session is hereby adjourned. Thank you so much. Have a great rest of your evening. you.