City Commission - Regular Meeting

commission [snorts] and uh we always begin with an invocation and a pledge to the flag and I'm going to do that today and u then we'll get rolling. Our most gracious father we come Lord thanking you and praising you for giving us a day. Father you kept us safe all weekend when when a lot of people suffered and I ask you to bless those people. God be with them. Give them the uh strength. Give them the courage. give them the energy that they need to get back together and and do what's right. God, as we go into this time of meeting, Lord, I pray that all business done here will bring glory and honor to you and that uh Father, that uh at the end of the day, you will have a smile on your face for it's in Jesus name I pray. 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. Um, I'm I'm sorry. Before we go any further, I I left one thing off that I want to go back and talk about. Uh this last week, the city of Rome lost one of our uh most outstanding residents leader and um just just an all-around good guy. John Pillsbury. Um John was the type of guy you've heard of people that uh are involved in everything and they are not a master of anything. Well, John was involved in everything

and he was a master of everything. He uh served on countless committees here in the city and for the city. And um I don't know that I ever saw the man without a smile on his face and a word of encouragement for anybody that was around. And um John, I I I pray that you rest in peace and um we're going to miss you. We begin now. Uh, Mr. Clerk, if you call the role. Yes, sir. Mayor Bojo here. Commissioner Robinson here. Brock here. Bean here. Fisher here. Hixon here. Collins here. McDaniel

here.

We need to add on there that Commissioner Cochran u called me earlier today. He is sick. I think everybody got a copy of the minutes that were recorded from our January 12th meeting. Uh does anyone have any concerns, additions, subtractions, deletions for those minutes? Then we will if not [clears throat] we will consider them approved as they were written. We have no proclamations, no registered guests, no resolutions, nothing on first reading, on second reading the downtown sidewalk ordinance. And I'm going to turn that over to uh Pro Tim Robinson.

Yeah. The uh DDA uh has been given this task to kind of clean up the sidewalk ordinance that we have. And so they have um proposed uh some changes and some clarification. And we tabled that meeting or we had tabled the vote on it back u last meeting and I'd like to make a motion that we bring that off the table. If I could like to make a motion to bring that off the table. Okay. So we've got a motion to second. Sorry. I'll second.

Okay. Got a motion and a second. Any discussion? Mr. Clerk called the vote. Commissioner Robinson. Yes, Brock. Yes, Bean. Yes, Fiser. Yes, Hixon. Yes, Collins. Yes, McDaniel. Yes.

And while we're on that, I'd also like to make a motion that we u bring this back on our March agenda for further clarification. We're going to uh have a meeting the DDA [clears throat] for clarification of this. Anybody can can come hear it for the people that have an invested interest in it. uh will be Thursday, February the 26th in the Milner building at 8:30 and uh they can ask questions, they can get uh all the answers they need. Um Kelly, would you like to uh explain a little bit about that?

Yes, thank you, sir. Um just briefly, um the DDA has been working for a few years now, actually looking back at a sidewalk ordinance that has been into effect for numerous years. Um, we have had so many new establishments on Broad Street. Um, we've got people that have been coming and going for years and a lot of these folks just don't know that we even actually have a sidewalk ordinance. So, we dusted this off a few years ago. We wanted to make some changes. Um, because of the fact that you guys passed the open container ordinance several years ago, we didn't have as much of a need for sidewalk cafe permits um on the sidewalk. So, we dusted this off and realized, you know, folks are using our sidewalks on Broad Street for a lot more than just cafes. Um, people have got their signage out there. They've got sail racks. They've got potted plants. They've got A-frames. They've got all kinds of things going on on the sidewalk. And some of these things are becoming safety concerns. So, when we started looking at at all the things going on on Broad Street, we realized that most people just don't realize that we do have this ordinance in place. And so what we want to do as the DDA um and this was put together through our subcommittee, the design committee and was passed through the DDA board which is made up of folks who have a stakeholder interest in downtown is to dust this off and communicate and educate everyone downtown um that either owns property or has a store or restaurant to let them know what is allowed on Broad Street. So um we've made a few changes to the ordinance. The meat of the ordinance is the same. There's a few little changes. The majority of those changes are to clear up misconceptions or to make it a little easier to enforce so that everybody is understood and on the same page. And um one of the other biggest changes is is now if you don't quite conform to something on the ordinance, you can actually come and get a variance. For example, if we only allow two planters in front of your store and you think that your store has a bigger facade than

some and you really want four planters, all you have to do is come to one of our meetings and present your case and it gets discussed and as long as it's safe and as long as um the peers that are on your um design committee feel like, hey, it's okay to have four even though we only allow two. Then then you're good to go. There's no charge for the permits. There's no charge for the variance request. It's just a way to give everybody an opportunity to understand what's allowed. And if you're just a little bit out of out of um the ordinance, you can kind of ask questions and understand and get straight. Um so we are inviting everyone downtown. If you're a business owner, if you are a resident, um if you are a restaurant owner, we would love for you to come to our meeting like um Commissioner Robinson said on February 26th at 8:30. We'll have special guest public works director Chris Jenkins will be there to help answer any questions about public rightway and we will have someone from our um historic planning commission there also who can ask answer questions because that is also a historic district. So thank you very much for allowing us to postpone this until March 2nd and again that's February 26 at 6:30 and it's over in the Milner building which is the blue building behind Chamber of Commerce. Thank you.

Thank you. Did the motion that I presented to move it to March need a and it'll need a second. We'll have to vote. Second. [clears throat] All right, we got a motion and second. Any discussion? Mr. Clark. Commissioner Robinson? Yes. Brock, yes. Bean, yes. Fisher, yes. Hixon, yes. [clears throat] Collins, yes. McDaniel, yes. We have nothing on continued first reading public hearing. Bryce.

Yes. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. We have three items for you this evening. The first is a resing request for the property at uh 225 Huffacre Road. This is Z26-0105. The request is to resone from suburban residential to multif family residential. Uh the property is just shy of one half acre. You see it on your screen. We're on Huffacre Road. Uh this stretch of road is uh pretty consistently multif family housing. The opposite side of the road is almost entirely duplexes. And if you look on this side of the road, you see a mix of duplexes and town houses. The applicants there's a map copy of the zoning map for the area. We will get down here to a site plan which is consistent with uh a lot of the other development on the same side of the road. That's what it currently looks like. Looking further out the road and back towards the bowling alley and Shorter Avenue. The duplex directly across the street and another view of the home. This does come on the staff recommendation of approval with the condition that none of the uh units turn their back to Huffacre Road which is consistent with the existing development of the area. The planning commission approved with that condition by unanimous vote. Thank you.

All right. This is public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak in favor? Anyone opposed? All right. I closed this part of that public hearing for that. And uh do I have any comments from the vote from the panel? Mr. Clerk, call the roll. Wait, wait. I'll make a motion we approve. I said thank you. Now you may call. Commissioner Robinson, yes. Brock, yes. Bean, yes. Fisher, yes. Hixon, yes. Bins, yes. McDaniel,

yes. Yes, sir. And the next thing we have for you, it is an ordinance amendment to the Unified Land Development Code. Uh it does relate to gas convenience gas stations and uh convenience stores. Uh first of all, it removes the option for automobile service station. Uh these don't really exist anymore outside of uh New [cough and clears throat] Jersey. This is where someone came out and filled your gas and checked your oil and all that. Uh I we've not in my nine years here had anyone asked to do this and I don't anticipate it coming back. So we are asking to strike that from the ULDC. Uh next you have changing gas stations from allowed by right to allowed by right with limitations. Uh we just define what a gas station is and it there are several requirements here that they be along arterial roads and have access to them. Uh there's an exception there where if you're in a a multi-tenant retail shopping center of 100,000 feet or greater, there's a 600 foot distance requirements from schools, daycarees, or daycare centers, churches or places of worship, drug and alcohol treatment centers, public parks, or the public rightway associated with Eco Greenway Trail. Uh there is an exception to that if you're within once again a planned multi-unit uh shopping center. Um and we have terms or definitions for all those. Um, [clears throat] there's a,000 foot distance requirement between stores that is measured from property line to property line. 300 foot distance requirement to single family homes or property zone for single family homes. This is measured from the closest point of the building to the property line and uh bans them from the historic districts given that they were all developed prior to the uh mass production of the automobile except for College Heights which is almost exclusively residential. bans them from within 500 feet of the public rideway associated with the rivers. That is an environmental thing. It's a EPA best practice. It bans them

from the 100-year flood plane. Once again, that's environmental. And lastly, this was pitched by the county. It does not allow them within 500 linear feet of a government operated well. Uh that is where the county gets their water. You do see some design requirements here. Uh those are I anticipate will only apply in the city. Uh next you have uh convenience stores that don't sell gas. That is allowed by right with limitations in the CC and HC district. You have a definition of what that is and uh pretty much these same conditions apply um as well as the same uh exterior design requirements. This does come with a staff recommendation of approval and unanimous approval from the planning commission. Thank you, sir.

All right. Excuse me. Do we have anyone here that to speak in favor? Do we have anyone here that who speak in opposition? Okay, you go first. You got 10 minutes collectively. I'm sorry. What was that last? You have 10 minutes.

So, I don't know about you guys, but considering the weather, I would like someone to pump my gas. Honestly, uh, [laughter] but good evening. Those who know know that I'm a frequent critic of the government, and those who really know me know that I will be always the first to credit to give credit when and where it is due. As a conservative, I view our land and resources as a precious commodity and must be managed with extreme care. I love capitalism. Many American dreams, including my families, were possible by it. As it stands today, the United States operates under mixed marketing capitalism where private ownership exists, but the government, meaning the people, regulate industries and provide safety nets. So, it is due time that Rome starts implementing quality over quantity. I know I get repetitive over that. Currently, Rome and Floyd County have a profusion of gas stations compared to the national average. Every time I attend a city and county meeting, Rome is always applauded at how it appears to outside communities and how much other cities and communities want to be like Rome. I want people to wish that they could live here doesn't mean I want them to. But our gas stations and convenience stores what other communities really desire. I hear how Rome is unique. I don't believe it's true anymore. Maybe at one point. There is nothing unique about gas stations, data centers, chain restaurants. What I see is status quo cookie cutters or suburban sprawl. The bit of uniqueness that we have left is the statue sitting outside the small mom and pop shops driving trying to survive on broad. Then what? I'm not trying to be ugly or mean, but the truth hurts. But to preserve Rome, Floyd, its

uniqueness, and its people, then truth needs truth is needed, and we need to find a balance. Bryce Wood has been, I believe, appointed to this position he currently serves. I believe from what I've heard and seen in the past that he has the best interest of Floyd County at heart. So, I applaud and thank him and everyone else responsible for putting this ordinance together, prioritizing our community and the people's well-being. In closing, for full transparency, there is currently a petition circulating in the community in support of this ordinance. Thank you. Oh, yes, sir.

Angela Floyd County. Angela Rabino Floyd County. Is there anyone else to speak in favor? All right. You want to speak? Who wants to speak in opposition? Would you please state your name and address, please? [clears throat]

Good evening. My name is Fischer Law. Live here in Floyd County. Um I represent a number of sea store and gas station owners and developers here in the city of Rome and in Floyd County and um I think u Mr. Wood has given you guys a letter that I wrote either to the planning commission or to to him um earlier in my representation and it was focused on um some changes that we thought needed to be made to this ordinance to um really help my clients kind of realize their investmentbacked expectations. Um, and what I mean by that is I I represent a number of people who have spent, you know, 200,000, 300,000, $400,000 before the moratorum went into effect to develop new gas stations. I'm not talking sea stores. I'm talking new gas stations where it cost $2 million to get the pumps in the ground. Um, they're making substantial investments in Floyd County. They have made substantial investments in Floyd County. Um, and in nearly every case, This new ordinance is going to impose a significant restriction if not um completely eliminate their ability to uh utilize the sites that they've purchased, the plans that they've gone through multiple revisions with and they've gotten done by their engineers. Um, and we think that, um, you know, I sent this letter to Bryce and and then I had a very great opportunity to work with Bryce and with Frank and and with Chris Jackson for the county on making some changes to the ordinance and as written, we think it's a good ordinance. We have um, no objections to its passage and we greatly appreciate them working with us on it. Um what we do think would be the more proper course however is to allow a transitional period of some kind. Um for my clients it could be as short of as a

week, two weeks, three weeks, something like that where you lift the moratorum, allow people to submit applications for building permits under the prior regs for a short period of time and then this ordinance goes into effect. And what that would allow my clients to do and and would allow those others in the public if they're there that had spent a lot of money to develop a new site based on the old regulations and opportunity to see that investment through. Um if we think about how we got here, the moratorum was passed um with almost no notice to the public. It was added to the public agenda um 33 minutes before the meeting that day. Um, as you can imagine, when somebody closes on a piece of property that's already zoned CC or is already zoned light industrial, um, and they get their engineer working on it, um, it is a crushing defeat to have essentially that project taken away from you with the stroke of a pen, um, with very little notice and to have almost no recourse. Um, now I do believe that my clients will be able to seek variances. Um, but a variance is little solace to people that have spent, you know, in at least one case close to half a million dollars already to develop a site. Um, for them to go ask the board of adjustments for a variance on this ordinance is is a [clears throat] little daunting. Um, this is, you know, developing these stores, building these stores out, and leasing them are how my clients feed their families. how they put shoes on their kids' feet. And um we believe that there needs to be a transitional period here um for everyone to you know squeak out what they can squeak out from the money that they

spent and then go with the new very good ordinance that your staff has drafted here. So we would ask that you you do not vote on this ordinance or do not approve it this evening. Instead look at lifting the moratorum for a short period of time. Thank you. Mayor, I got one question for him if you don't mind. Okay. Okay. Would would your clients be willing to build these without the co- machines in in place?

I am not prepared to give you a representation on that either way this evening. Um I think it bears looking at kind of what the revenue model is. Um as many as you know or you may not know, there's no money in gasoline. You basically gas is your loss leader to get people in the door. um you make your money off snacks, you make your money off Coca-Cas and and and other things, beers and that sort of thing. Um and the CO-AM is a draw for that. Um and these guys evaluate these businesses and do feasibility studies now um almost uniformly include the COA in their kind of analysis. So I think that that's something that you know if we were given opportunity I could address with each of my clients. Um I think it also bears noting that gas stations and sea stores are not the only um retail outlets where CO-AM can go. CO-AM can go anywhere you got tab sales tax revenue. It's not the only, but it's the majority. And you know, that's one of the main reasons that we had put that moratorum in is to kind of wo stop and and look at this because it was the model of the co-ams really are the driving force of these [snorts] these businesses. And so,

sure, I think with the sea stores, I'm on board with you 100%. I mean, when somebody can just go down to Sam's Club and and get some inventory and throw it into an office suite and get the machines in there, um, that's a problem. Um, the industry guidance says that about 40% of the existing convenience stores when the gift card new gift card regulation goes into effect are going to drop off the map. So, you're going to see a 40% drop in, you know, the ding-ding stores. I'm talking about real gas stations, real money in the ground, and people are trying to invest real money in this community. And I don't think that sends a great message to to other business owners or investors to say you can rely on these zoning ordinances and purchase property and develop a project all you want, but we may just put a put a hold on it and change it on you overnight without giving you an opportunity to kind of see that process out. Um, that thank you for your consideration. question. Mr. Mayor,

let me close up. Commissioner, let me How many properties are we talking about? Um, in between the city and county, I'm talking about five. One may be in the city. One in the city. One is in the city. So, the vote tonight would only affect one. Well, it would affect one. Bryce, I see you shaking your head. [laughter]

Well, I need to ask is there anyone else that wants to speak in opposition? All right, I'm gonna close this. Right. Can I proceed? Yeah, now you can proceed. So, Bryce, let me ask Bryce a question. I see you shaking your head. Is that correct? This gentleman is referring to his clients. We don't know how many other stores that would be. I I just want to clarify that point. You would know how many more that is or would you not? Know how many would come out of the woodworks. I have no way of predicting that.

I I heard conversation saying that this here or action came about suddenly. Is that so? Are you referring to the moratorum or the ordinance amendment? Because I've been working on that for months. The moratorum did come about somewhat quickly. That what got the action of what they trying to do stopped moratorum? Yes, it let them or it left them unable to apply for permits. How sudden did it come about? I don't know the answer to that.

I could just I think it'd be appropriate to make a statement. We're listening to our constituents and the complaints that we have had about the number of convenience stores and gas stations. We have been lambasted as city commissioners about the proliferation of gas stations and convenience stores. And the question about COAM machines is a legitimate question because we have tried to deal with the Georgia Lottery Commission very unsuccessfully. U they treat us like minions when we try to have a conversation with them. And so we are left to dealing with this with the only local resource that we have and it's local ordinances. So, we're put in a situation that we probably would not want to be in, but we we don't have another choice. So, we're doing the only thing that we can do. If we were listened to by our state legislative delegation or by people from the governor's office or people at the Georgia Lottery Commission, we wouldn't be in the situation we're in. We're doing all that we can do with what we have to do with. So these ordinances will continue is my opinion speaking as one of nine commissioners.

If I could finish please I would say to you Bryce you telling me that the orders came by in your opinion even suddenly right something that's been discussed by this commission for quite some time but it did quickly appear on an agenda but I that my office did not let me ask this in another way. the constituents that it affected, did they know anything before this ordinance came about suddenly that it was coming down the pipeline? I don't know the answer to that.

What in the mind of our commissioners would make us think that our own legislators is not in a position to do anything? Does it also give us the right to put the constituents that have brought their funds here to invest in our community to do them uh disfavor? I'm trying to weigh out how how do one wrong make a right? How does what?

How do a wrong make a right? by us not being I guess fair if if I done got my permit to build my home or Wayne done got his permit to build his apartments and then they come back hey I I'm sorry but I thought that waiver was in place but we voted just at the planning commission that's not going to be able to help you to clarify those who had permits they were allowed to move forward they're still under construction construction. He is asking for a window for more people to apply for permits. Now you explain it. Okay. Yeah, that's not the way it was presented.

Yes, there are a handful that are still under construction. Give you the example of the one on uh the Merchie connector behind Quick or behind Racetrack. I'm familiar with um let's see what are other ones are still under construction. Um, no. I'm not in favor of any more getting in line. Yes, sir. But if if you're saying the ones that are in line can finish out what they got going. Yes, sir. I don't have a problem with that. They're absolutely free to continue if they had permits. What's our current are Go ahead. What's our current density with the gas stations and convenience stores? You uh send me make my screen.

Yes. So at planning commission I showed these statistics. Uh this shows and this was true as of October. Uh this is how many you have in the city. How many were proposed that I was aware of being proposed in the city. So you have the stat here of 93 total stores. Those that includes the ones that were allowed to continue moving forward. Uh it does not include the three stores that are in Cave Spring. And you see how much that relates to as far as our population density. And I forgive me I can make that larger for you. So one service station for every 900 people. Uh since the moratorum has gone into effect

since the mortorium has gone into effect we've had at least four more proposed to build stores. Uh the conversation has been had that I'll build it out of granite or marble if you'll let me move forward. Um, so these numbers are no longer accurate as far as the number of proposed stores. Any more comments from here anybody down this way? That just goes back to my statement. How many of these would be being built if co-ams weren't allowed? So I made the comment at planning commission that, you know, I I didn't want to focus on co-am. I would feel the same way if we had a hundred McDonald's being proposed at some point. I know start to look like a practical joke.

Um I made the comment that once you put those tanks in the ground, it is very difficult to redevelop that site. Anyone else? So I need a motion. All right. And I'll need a motion um for us to vote on convenience store gas station development standard. So move. Second. I got a motion to second. Any further discussion of this way? Mr. Clerk, call the roll. Commissioner Robinson, yes. Rock, yes. Bean, yes. Fisher, [snorts] [clears throat] yes. Hixon, yes. Collins,

yes. McDaniel, yes. And the next item we have for you, it is the readoption of the ULC and the accompanying zoning maps. This is something we do every year in January. And we would certainly appreciate y'all's approval. Anyone want a public hearing on this? Does anyone want to speak in favor? Anyone opposed? All right, I'll close the public hearing. Anyone up here? Mr. Clerk, call the RO. I'll make a motion we approve them. I'm sorry. Second. Okay.

Got a motion. Second. Got a second. Mr. Clerk. I'll get this. Is there any discussion? Of course. Not. Mr. Clerk. Commissioner Robinson? Yes. Rock? Yes. Bean? Yes. Fisher? Yes. Hixon? Yes. Collins. Yes. McDaniel. Yes. The clerk reads it. All right. The the next thing. Thank you, Bryce. That's I think that's [clears throat] all of yours. Um the next thing, item D here, exempt the city manager's vehicle and the Georgia decal requirement. Um Mr. Clerk, is that you?

I can go over this. It's on the screen. It's something that you all have done every year. for uh every year since the state put this in the law. But basically, it's a resolution that can be adopted after our public hearing that we'll hold. And if it's adopted, it would exempt the city manager's vehicle from the state requirement that all government vehicles with some law enforcement exceptions carry a uh a government logo. So that here public hearing. Is anyone speak in favor? Is anyone opposed?

Okay, I'll close the public hearing and um sorry.

No, no, go to the podium, ma'am. When you get there, state your name and address. I'm so sorry. My name is Tammy Lob. My address is 5 Parkway Drive Southeast Rome, Georgia. Okay. Now, what's your question? My question is I really don't understand what you're asking. Are you saying that they will no longer have the decals on their trucks and their vehicles that say that they are a city vehicle?

It's only applicable to to one city owned vehicle and that is the vehicle that's assigned to the city manager. Uh Oh, yes. All the other city vehicles, nothing whatsoever will change regarding how they're marked. So the question, well, why would his vehicle be any different?

Well, I'll let the commission answer that, but I can tell you historically, ever since the law, the Georgia law came into effect requiring this, each year, the city commission has taken action as they are planning tonight to exempt the city manager's vehicle from the decal. So, the city manager's vehicle has never had a decal on it and will continue to not have one if this resolution is adopted tonight. Oh, well, I don't think that's right. I didn't even know the city manager had a truck that was paid for by the taxpayers to be honest with you. So, I would have to say no. I don't agree.

Okay, ma'am. That is part of the package that the city manager re received when he was hired to this position that he would have a vehicle. The city would provide him with a vehicle. Right. But the taxpayers don't get a say in that, do they? Right now you are. Well, I must be the only one who's speaking about it apparently. Um because I have to apologize that I have not been involved in the day in these activities up until now because I was so busy working in working out of town. Sometimes life gets in the way.

Yes, sir. It certainly does. And if that's part of the package, then I think um more of the taxpayers should be aware of of that. Maybe. Okay. County manager has one as well. County manager has one as well. Yes, sir. I should have spoke up at that meeting because I did not understand then either. I thought all city and county employees who drove a vehicle were required to have an emblem on the side of their vehicle. I really did. No, I'm sorry. I didn't hear what you said, sir.

They are. That's the reason this this resolution Yes, but I'm talking about all of them. Even the city and the county manager, they drive, apparently they drive a vehicle that the taxpayers pay for. Correct. That's correct. I think they should all have that emblem on there if the taxpayers are paying for their vehicle. We'll see here in just a minute how I'm sure it's not going to be up to me. Thank you though for letting me speak. Thank you for your input. All right, I closed the that portion of this public hearing again. Um, I'll need a motion and a second. Sir, move. Second. Any discussion?

I did want to ask, you know, cuz I questioned that also myself, but I do understand, you know, and I thought about maybe it may be like for safety precautions, you know. I don't know. Um, I know in today's time and how volatile political climate is is, you know, I don't I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Um, but but I I I do understand. Anything else?

I want to say that our city manager always has to be accessible at all times and even when he's traveling out of town, you don't want to be identified as someone to be targeted. So that was part of his package and that should be a part of his package. Thank you, Commissioner Bman. Mr. Cler, call the RO. Commissioner Robinson, yes. Rock, no. Bamman, yes. Fisher, yes. Hixon, yes. Collins, yes. Daniel, yes. Mr. Clerk, you have anything else? [snorts] No report, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Manager.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just briefly just want to comment on the weather weather. We've um good gracious we've all spent an inordinate amount of time watching forecast for the last several days and really just want to give a public thanks to the hardworking city of Rome employees from see our deputy police chief in the audience to the firefighters the public works guys the solid waste guys but it's it's been brutally cold out and that has not stopped city services from going on. So, I just want to thank our hardworking employees who get up day after day and keep doing what they do. And um if it were not for the city services, none of us would be here. And I just want to say thank you. So, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Attorney,

um the joint services committee will meet uh Tuesday, February 3rd, 9:00 at the Floyd County Administrative Building. And um the city commission here is planning a retreat. It will be held on Wednesday, February 4th. It will begin at 8 o'clock a.m. and it will be held at the river uh Forum River Center just down street here. All right. Community uh redevelopment from the uh what we heard earlier in caucus from u well there's two of them. First thing is what Becky Fox presented with to asking us to pro excuse me approve anou for Gerard Park and um that uh is in order. Now I need a motion from somebody for to do that.

So move and a second. Second.

I got a motion in a second. Any discussion? I want to start it off by saying that by no means do I believe in giving back funds, grant funding for any project. I feel like that there's a will. There's always should be a way. And then I also want to state that is it an opportunity to bring families together? Possibility. However, my still concern is how are they going to get there? And then Sammy, my challenge to you is that let's make it safe. If this passes, let's make sure that anybody crossing those roads have a crosswalk, have a flashing light, and slow those cars down and find a way that everybody has an opportunity to take advantage of a park that we created in Wester.

I like it.

And I also believe in the development of our communities and our parks. um has been a partnership with the housing authority. I just, you know, I look at North Thor and North Thor has the most housing authority units in the city. Um with Reservoir Street, Green and Gold, uh Joe Wright Homes, and Ashlin Park being managed. And I think that this unit will serve those areas best. Anybody else?

Mr. Clerk, will you call the RO? Commissioner Robinson? Yes. Rock? Yes. Bean? Yes. Fisher? Yes. Hixon? Yes. Collins? Yes. McDaniel?

Yes. Second part of the re uh community redevelopment is to approve the use of opiid funds for a program ride forward roam. It is a program at by the uh transportation department. And what they're asking for is for us to use some opiate money that we have, $10,000, to give them a little seed money to uh start implementing this program that will uh reduce some fairs for some uh needy people. And uh so I'll need a motion and a second.

So move. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any discussion? I think she did a amazing job of presenting what the the need is to keep all transportation going and the area, the job training, the veterans, all the low income, everybody who really needs assistance to make sure that they get to where they need to go is in a great idea. So, I support this 110%. Anyone else? Mr. Clerk. Commissioner Robinson? Yes. Brock, yes. Bean, yes. Fisher, yes. Hixon, yes. Collins, yes. Daniel, yes.

Development Oversight Committee will meet Tuesday, February 3rd, 10:30 at the Floyd County Administrative Building. That's one of our joint meetings that we have with the county. And then uh finally, the water sewer committee will meet Thursday, February 5th, 9:00 in the Sam King room. Mr. brought uh tourism committee will meet Wednesday, January 28th, 11:45 at the civic center. That is it for my report. Mr. Cochran, as I said earlier, is not here tonight. Uh he's under the weather. And so, let me turn the page here. Commissioner Bman,

I just have a comment, no report, but I wanted to say Sammy that the team that you put together to help with the MLK King Commission did a fabulous job. I couldn't ask for a better team and we thank you and it was a success. Thank you. Rome Floyd County Planning Commission, I'll go ahead and read this for now. Uh we'll meet Thursday, February 5th. That will be in the commission chambers at 2:30 in the afternoon. Um, Commissioner Collins.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I will tell you that the Nova Commission did meet. It's a great deal of information that came forth out of that meeting. I plan on bringing some uh information to our planning retreat about some grant money that's going to be available to help out with parts. As a matter of fact, seven also um the MLK day that Monday was [snorts] for all involved. Commissioner Bam and former mayor Sunday Stevenson, school board, Commissioner Aan Jackson, Mayor, Commissioner G Fisher, Commissioner Cochran, myself and the ones that attended, man, we was kind of blown away. It was one of the biggest crowds. I think I heard Alvin Jackson say that ever assemble. Walk down broad. It was uh got inside the spirit was high, very nice. Had us up dancing in the aisles. It was great to honor such great men and women that I wish that I came along during that time and would have had the courage to walk with and be a part of But to be a recipant of it, [clears throat] sit here as a dark skinned man just run chills over me to know what they went through and how these people are still carrying it on. Thank you, Commissioner Beamman. Thank you to this administration for all your contribute

to the facility was just outstanding. I understand y'all had a great dinner at the civic center. For all the participants out there that carried this out, I was grateful for the young people that showed up that had a chance to know that the dream is still alive. And more than anything today, we need this togetherness. So again, thank you. And thank you to all under the sound of my voice that had a opportunity to be a part of. I am so grateful and my family is so grateful again for having this opportunity to sit here. That's all I have, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Robin,

I have no report. Mr. Mayor, Mr. McDaniel, I have nothing. Oh, I didn't want to leave you out. I have nothing. All right. As I said downstairs, um, everybody received their committee assignments. I asked that you look at them and, um, just as soon as you can start going to these meetings. I we I think we put February 1st that they would you'd be into effect on February 1. If there is a meeting in January that was read off tonight that uh and you are a part of that committee now um feel free and welcome to go to that meeting. Um anybody got anything else?

Let's go home. One one more thing I want to pass along. Uh Commissioner Cochran is not here but I want to congratulate Commissioner Cochran's son Logan. He was inducted into the National Honor Society. his the school that he attends. I would just say, Mr. Mayor, to the new boots that's on this commission that uh they do have a chance as being chair of your committees, move them where it be suitable to you. I hope that won't none of you set them at six o'clock at night, [laughter] but you do get opportunity that do still stand, does it? U Mr. Kirk?

Yes, sir. the committees uh and the chair and the makeup of the committees have the right to amend those days and times as they see fit. I think we've got that problem taken care of for Commissioner