Rome public meetings in 2022

Alcohol Control Commission

The commission approved three alcohol-related requests and recommended the creation of a new 'small bar' license category that would exempt establishments from food/drink ratios. Two applications for liquor pouring were tabled pending the outcome of the small bar proposal.

• Approved liquor pouring license for Newby Farm and Vineyard (unanimous)
• Approved beer, wine, and liquor pouring license for King Claw, LLC (unanimous)
• Approved alcohol sales permit appeal for Rafael Guitterez (unanimous)
• Tabled liquor pouring applications for Steel N Spirits at 409 Broad Street and 205 North Avenue
• Recommended 'small bar' category without food/drink ratio to City Commission (unanimous)
• Approved November 21, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

City Commission

The City Commission approved the 2023 budgets, including a $750,000 addition for North Broad Street Extension paving. Officials authorized $14 million in Tax Allocation District (TAD) financing for the NOVA West 3rd Street redevelopment project. Several rezoning requests were approved, while a cryptocurrency mining permit was tabled.

• Approved 2023 budgets (unanimous)
• Approved $14M TAD financing and development agreement for NOVA West 3rd Street project (unanimous)
• Approved free ridership on Rome Transit for 2023 (unanimous)
• Approved rezoning 43 Chateau Court to Community Commercial (unanimous)
• Approved rezoning 1004 East 1st Street to Urban Mixed Use (7-1)
• Approved rezoning 111 Redmond Road to Duplex Residential (unanimous)
• Approved rezoning 1407 East 2nd Avenue to Suburban Residential (unanimous)
• Tabled Special Use Permit for cryptocurrency mining on Westside Industrial Blvd (unanimous)

Redevelopment Agency

The agency approved a financing application for the River District project and established two new TAD districts. The River District project will now move to the City and County Commissions for final approval.

• Approved River District TAD application and forwarded to City and County Commissions (unanimous)
• Approved adoption of TAD district #5 (Martha Berry Blvd) (unanimous)
• Approved TAD district #6 (North Rome) (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of the August 26, 2020, meeting (common consent)

Board of Adjustments

The Board approved variance requests for a rear setback reduction, the placement of solar panels, and a road frontage reduction. The Board also elected its Chair and Vice Chair.

• Approved rear setback reduction from 25 feet to 12 feet at 2622 N. Broad St Ext (6-0)
• Approved solar panel placement facing public right-of-way at 514 Billy Pyle Rd SE (4-2)
• Approved road frontage/lot width reduction to zero feet at 0 Redmond Circle (6-0)
• Elected Cameron Abney as Chair and David Clonts as Vice Chair (6-0)
• Approved November 2022 meeting minutes by common consent

Community Development

The committee approved the reallocation of CDBG funds to support the Floyd Training Center, Banty Jones Park, and Housing Rehabilitation. Staff provided updates on the Land Bank Authority's upcoming home builds and the Downtown Development Authority's business incubator RFP.

• Approved allocating $239,711 in 2020 CDBG funds to Floyd Training Center
• Approved allocating $119,427 in 2021 CDBG funds to Banty Jones Park
• Approved allocating $86,289 in 2021 CDBG funds to Housing Rehabilitation
• Approved August 2022 meeting minutes by common consent

Public Works / Traffic / Transit Committee

The committee recommended free transit ridership for 2023 and approved an updated safety plan. Members also decided to prioritize police enforcement and surface treatment over guardrails for Riverbend Drive accidents.

• Recommended free Transit ridership in 2023
• Approved updated safety plan
• Approved surface treatment for Riverbend Drive after trying enforcement first
• Approved request to fence City property for OYO Hotel apartment conversion
• Approved minutes of the October called meeting

City Commission

The City Commission approved updated 2023 rental rates for city facilities and finalized street closures in the West 3rd Street area. A five-year contract extension for Municipal Court Probation services was also approved. Proposed 2023 budgets and several rezoning requests were presented for first reading.

• Approved 2023 Rental Rate adjustments for Civic Center, City Auditorium, Rome Senior Center, Rome Area History Center, and Fort Norton (unanimous)
• Approved resolution to close portions of North 4th Avenue, West 2nd Street, and Bale’s Alley (unanimous)
• Approved five-year contract extension for Municipal Court Probation Supervision Services, Inc. (unanimous)
• Approved November 28, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Downtown Development Authority

The Downtown Development Authority approved the extension of a parking agreement for the Oakbar lot. The board also approved the November 2022 minutes, BID financials, and the 2022 award recipients.

• Approved November 2022 Minutes (All approved)
• Approved BID Financials (All approved)
• Approved 2022 award recipients, including Hal and Mimi Richards for the Fricks Award (All approved)
• Approved extension of DDA/Huffman lot agreement through 2032 (All approved)

Land Bank Authority

The Board approved the sale of a vacant lot to an adjacent property owner and adopted amended by-laws. Members also reached a consensus to pursue a specific project management contract for new construction and rehabs.

• Approved sale of 14 Morningside Drive SW (parcel J14L251) to Esmeralda Garcia for $2,000
• Approved amended LBA By-Laws as presented
• Approved November meeting minutes
• Consensus reached to move forward with Pro-Active Contractors, Inc. project management option (5% fee) for 1 Orchid Place and 7 Forsyth Street
• Postponed 2023 officer nominations and elections to January 2023

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission approved four rezoning requests and one special use permit for a cryptocurrency mining operation. The commission also voted to cancel the February 2023 meeting to accommodate legislative changes to hearing timeframes.

• Approved rezoning 43 Chateau Court to Community Commercial (7-0)
• Approved rezoning 1004 East 1st Street to Urban Mixed Use with 1 parking space per unit condition (7-0)
• Approved rezoning 111 Redmond Road to Duplex Residential with 25-foot setback and rear parking conditions (7-0)
• Approved rezoning 1407 East 2nd Avenue to Suburban Residential (7-0)
• Approved special use permit for cryptocurrency mining at 0 Westside Industrial Blvd with sound-dampening and vegetative buffer conditions (7-0)
• Cancelled February 2023 meeting
• Approved November 2022 meeting minutes
• Accepted nominations for next year's Chair (Anthony McClain) and Vice Chair (Charles Love)

Finance Committee

The committee recommended increasing rental fees for the Civic Center, Auditorium, Senior Center, and History Museum, and establishing a new fee for Fort Norton. The committee also reviewed the draft 2023 budgets, which will be presented for a public hearing on December 12.

• Recommended $50 increase for Civic Center and Auditorium rental fees
• Recommended $100 increase for Rome Senior Center and Rome Area History Museum rental fees
• Recommended $500 rental fee for Fort Norton facility
• Approved minutes from October 19th meeting by common consent

Rome-Floyd Solid Waste Commission

The Commission reviewed draft 2023 budgets for the landfill and recycling center, which will be forwarded to their respective Commissions for final approval. Members also discussed the need for a 2023 tire amnesty program and filling an Environmental Compliance supervisor position.

• Approved July meeting minutes as presented
• Forwarded 2023 Landfill and Recycling Center budgets to respective Commissions for approval

City Commission

The City Commission approved two rezoning requests and special use permits to facilitate the construction of a Floyd County Agriculture Center. The commission also approved a property annexation on Horseleg Creek Road.

• Approved annexation of property at 1225 Horseleg Creek Road (Unanimous)
• Approved rezoning of 3 Mile Road property to Agricultural Residential and special use permit for farm events (Unanimous)
• Approved rezoning of 2770 Martha Berry Hwy to Agricultural Residential and special use permit for farm events (Unanimous)
• Approved minutes from November 14 and November 15, 2022 (Unanimous)
• First reading held for ordinance to close portions of North 4th Avenue, West 2nd Street, and Bale’s Alley

Alcohol Control Commission

The Commission approved a new beer package license for a convenience store on North Broad Street. Members also discussed potential ordinance amendments regarding food/drink ratios for distilled spirits and updated the alcohol application process.

• Approved beer package license for Sheila Food Mart, LLC (unanimous)
• Required Sheila Food Mart, LLC employees to complete online alcohol training and verify within 60 days
• Approved October 17, 2022, meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Decided to amend alcohol applications to include a written list of standard questions for applicants

Pension Committee

The committee approved the minutes from October 21, 2021. Members reviewed a 10-year summary of the Defined Benefits Retirement Plan and discussed a proposed increase to the 401(a) match already approved by the City Commission. The committee also discussed researching health insurance options for retirees under age 65.

• Approved October 21, 2021 minutes (common consent)

Board of Adjustments

The Board of Adjustments approved a zoning variance for a property in Floyd County to allow solar panels to face the public right-of-way. The board also approved the October 2022 meeting minutes and the current agenda.

• Approved solar panel variance for 4447 Old Dalton Rd NE (4-0)
• Approved October 2022 meeting minutes (common consent)
• Approved meeting agenda (common consent)

Transportation Policy Committee (TPC)

The Transportation Policy Committee will consider adopting the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), along with a resolution. Reports will be given by local governments, transit, GDOT, and FHWA. The meeting is largely procedural with no major policy decisions listed.

• UPWP adoption and resolution
• TIP update and resolution
• Draft PPP update – CAC membership

The committee approved the 2023 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) by common consent. The Public Participation Plan was updated to align with CAC Bylaws, and the Transportation Improvement Program fiscal year was changed from 2024 to 2023.

• Approved 2023 UPWP (common consent)
• Approved September 2022 meeting minutes (common consent)
• Updated PPP to match CAC Bylaws
• Changed TIP fiscal year from 2024 to 2023

Historic Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for roof materiality at 22 E. 10th St. The commission also approved updates to the Signage Guidelines regarding backlit signage brightness.

• Approved COA8 10-22 for 22 E. 10th St roof materiality (5-2)
• Approved Signage Guideline Update limiting backlit signage to 50 lux (common consent)
• Approved September 2022 meeting minutes (common consent)

City Commission

The City Commission approved its portion of a third-quarter deficit invoice for the Recycling Center. The commission also held first readings for three annexation and rezoning requests, with public hearings scheduled for November 28.

• Approved $29,546.03 payment for Recycling Center third quarter deficit invoice (unanimous)
• Approved October 24, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Placed first reading for annexation of 1225 Horseleg Creek Road
• Placed first reading for rezoning and special use permit at Three Mile Road
• Placed first reading for rezoning and special use permit at 2770 Martha Berry Hwy

Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC)

The Transportation Coordinating Committee approved the 2023 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) by common consent. The committee also noted updates to the Public Participation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program fiscal year.

• Approved 2023 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) by common consent
• Approved September 2022 meeting minutes by common consent
• Updated Public Participation Plan (PPP) to match CAC Bylaws
• Changed TIP fiscal year from 2024 to 2023

Downtown Development Authority

The board approved a façade grant amendment for Top Hat and recommended DJ Rickman for a board member position. The board also approved the September 2022 minutes and BID financials.

• Approved September 2022 Minutes (All in favor)
• Approved BID Financials (All in favor)
• Approved $4,500 total façade grant for Top Hat (All in favor)
• Approved recommendation of DJ Rickman for board member (All in favor)

Joint Services Committee

The Joint Services Committee will meet to review Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) agreements. The meeting includes welcome and approval of minutes, followed by the review of LOST agreements and other business.

• Review of LOST agreements

The committee unanimously approved a draft of the 2022 Rome, Cave Spring, and Floyd County LOST Intergovernmental Agreement with several discussed changes. The agreement is scheduled for final approval by the City, Cave Spring, and County Commissions on November 15.

• Approved 2022 LOST Intergovernmental Agreement with discussed changes (unanimous)
• Agreed County will pay Series 2008 Bond for 3rd Avenue Parking Deck at $200,000/year for 5 years, then $150,000/year for 5 years
• Agreed City will assume all operating and maintenance for 3rd Avenue Parking Deck as of January 1, 2023
• Agreed to enter separate agreement for maintenance, security, and utilities for shared Forum/Judicial center HVAC system
• Agreed City of Rome Police Department will relocate from Law Enforcement Center within 12 months of Agreement date
• Agreed effective date of the Agreement will be January 1, 2023
• Approved October 4, 2022 meeting minutes by common consent

Land Bank Authority

The Board approved the contingent donation of a property at 303 E. 20th Street, pending bankruptcy release and tax resolution. The Board also approved a draft of the LBA bylaws, with a final vote scheduled for December. Staff provided updates on property acquisitions and potential partnerships with GNTC and Habitat for Humanity.

• Approved contingent donation of 303 E. 20th Street (Motion carried)
• Approved draft LBA bylaws with amendment requiring documented reason for Director removal
• Approved October meeting minutes (Motion carried)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission approved four land-use applications, including three rezoning requests and one annexation. These decisions included changing commercial and multi-family areas to residential or agricultural use.

• Approved rezoning of 3907 Alabama Hwy from Community Commercial to Suburban Residential (6-0)
• Approved annexation of portion of 1225 Horseleg Creek Road (6-0)
• Approved rezoning of 0 Three Mile Road from Multi-Family Residential to Agricultural Residential with special use permit for farm events (6-0)
• Approved rezoning of 2770 Martha Berry Hwy from Community Commercial to Agricultural Residential with special use permit for farm events (6-0)
• Approved September 2022 meeting minutes by common consent

City Commission

The commission approved a rezoning of three parcels at 406 Division Street and John Davenport Drive from Duplex Residential to Community Commercial, but with restrictions prohibiting alcohol sales and coin-operated amusement machines. An initial motion to approve without restrictions failed 2-4. The second motion, adding the restrictions, passed 5-1. The commission also unanimously approved street closings in the West 3rd Street area and a resolution authorizing the city manager to apply for Section 5307 Transit Grants.

• Approved rezoning at 406 Division Street and John Davenport Drive to Community Commercial with restrictions on alcohol and coin-operated amusement machines (5-1)
• Denied initial motion to rezone same properties without restrictions (2-4)
• Approved resolution to initiate street closings in West 3rd Street area (unanimous)
• Approved resolution authorizing city manager to apply for Section 5307 Transit Grants (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of October 10, 2022 (unanimous consent)
• Proclaimed November 2022 as DECA Month, National Arts and Humanities Month, and National Retired Educators Day

Public Works / Traffic / Transit Committee

The committee approved a street and alley closure request from Impact Rome Development and authorized the installation of a speed table on Broad Street. A request regarding Stars on Broad was denied.

• Approved closure of North 4th Avenue, West 2nd St, and Bales Alley for Impact Rome Development
• Approved installation of a speed table in the 100 block of Broad St costing just under $10,000
• Denied Stars on Broad request
• Approved October 12th meeting minutes

Board of Adjustments

The Rome-Floyd Board of Adjustments approved all five zoning variance applications on the agenda, each by a 4-0 vote. The variances included reductions in road frontage, lot width, front setback, and landscape strip, as well as permission for solar panels facing a public right-of-way. No applications were denied or tabled.

• Approved variance for 2781 & 2524 N. Broad Extension to reduce road frontage and lot width to 50-52 ft, conditioned on roads being 12 inches wider per Fire Marshal (4-0)
• Approved variance for 20, 22 Joplin St. and 14, 16 Maycroft Ct. to reduce front setback from 40 ft to 25 ft along Hwy 53 (4-0)
• Approved variance for 1511A Abrams Rd. to reduce road frontage requirement to 30 ft (4-0)
• Approved variance for 2499 New Rosedale Rd. to allow solar panels facing a public right-of-way (4-0)
• Approved variance for 694 Braves Blvd. to reduce front setback and landscape strip along Veteran’s Memorial Hwy from 20 ft to 17 ft (4-0)

Transportation Policy Committee (TPC)

The Rome-Floyd County Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee will meet to receive reports from local and state agencies. The committee is scheduled to review the draft 2023 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).

• Review of DRAFT 2023 UPWP

Joint Services Committee

The committee is scheduled to meet for a discussion regarding the Local Option Sales Tax. No other specific business or decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Local Option Sales Tax discussions

Fire Overview Committee

The committee will review financial statements and a report from the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief's report includes statistics for May, June, and July, as well as updates on operations, manpower, and support.

• Review of Financial Statements
• Fire Chief Report: May, June, July Statistics
• Fire Chief Report: Operations, Manpower, and Support

Transportation Policy Committee (TPC)

The Rome-Floyd County Metropolitan Planning Organization will meet to receive reports from local and state transportation agencies. The agenda includes a specific item regarding a Carbon Reduction/Y600 TIP Amendment.

• Carbon Reduction/Y600 TIP Amendment

Fire Overview Committee

The Fire Overview Committee will meet to review financial statements and the Fire Chief's report. The discussion will cover statistics, operations, manpower, and support for February, March, and April.

• Review of financial statements by Toni Rhinehart
• Fire Chief report on February, March, and April statistics
• Discussion of manpower and operations

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will review the February 2022 financial statements. The committee is also scheduled to approve the minutes from the December 1, 2021 meeting.

• Approval of December 1, 2021 meeting minutes
• Review of February 2022 Financial Statements

Fire Overview Committee

The committee will review financial statements and the Fire Chief's reports for December and January. Discussions will cover operations, manpower, and support reports.

• Review of financial statements by Toni Rhinehart
• Fire Chief report on December and January statistics
• Operations report
• Manpower report
• Support report

Transportation Policy Committee (TPC)

The Rome-Floyd County Transportation Policy Committee is meeting to receive reports from local jurisdictions and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The committee will address the Freight Plan agreeance involving RTD, GDOT, and FHWA.

• Freight Plan Agreeance involving RTD, GDOT, and FHWA