Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

11/19/2002


To
Mayor and Council
Subject
Columbus Building Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2003
Initiator
Finance Department
Recommendation
Approve a Resolution requesting the Columbus Building Authority issue its Lease \n \n Revenue Bonds, Series 2003A and Series 2000B in furtherance of Resolution \n \n 564-02 and to authorize execution of a lease contract between Columbus and the \n \n Authority; to ratify preparation and distribution of the preliminary official \n \n statement and to authorize execution of the final official statement; to \n \n provide for the approval by the Finance Director the best bid for the 2003 \n \n Bonds; to authorize the Mayor and other officials of Columbus to take such \n \n further actions as are necessary to provide for the issuance and delivery of \n \n the Series 2003 Bonds.
Approval
Approved
Background
Resolution No. 564-02 adopted on October 8, 2002 authorized actions pertaining

to obtaining financing of projects through the Columbus Building Authority.

The projects are as follows:



2 Fire Stations - $2,300,000 This project consists of constructing and

equipping two fire stations. The tentative fire station are # 16- two bay with

ambulance and fire station #9 - three bay with ambulance. These two fire

stations are a necessary to fulfill the City?s ISO requirements. Approximate

Bonds to be issued - $2,300,000.



Storm Water Enhancements - $16,200,000 This project consists of storm water

infrastructure enhancements in the Old Town Basin, the area formerly known as

Bibb City, and other parts of Muscogee County. Existing studies have

determined that there are critical deficiencies in the existing storm water

infrastructure throughout Muscogee County. The scope of work includes

planning/study, design and construction of the storm water system

enhancements. Approximate Bonds to be issued - $16,200,000.



Road and Street Resurfacing/Reconstruction - $6,000,000 This project consists

of resurfacing and/or reconstruction of approximately 80 miles of local

roads, streets and/or bridges. This project will address a backlog of roads,

streets, and bridges that have been identified as needy. This funding source

will supplement other available funding sources for this project. The City

will resurface and/or reconstruct approximately 25+- miles per year until bond

proceeds are exhausted. The roads, streets, and bridges that will be resurfaced

or reconstructed have been identified as candidates in the Pavement Management

System for resurfacing and/or reconstruction based on Georgia Department of

Transportation and other pavement management criteria. Approximate Bonds to

be issued - $6,000,000.



800 MhZ Tower - $1,500,000 This project consists of land acquisition,

constructing, and equipping an 800 MHz radio tower for the City?s prime

transmission site for the existing 800 MHZ Radio System. The City currently

leases tower space on the WXTX TV tower. The installation of a new radio tower

will save the City the annual lease fee and provide the opportunity for the

City to lease tower space to commercial users. Approximate Bonds to be issued

is $1,500,000. Approximate Bonds to be issued - $1,500,000.



Parking Garage -Trade Center - $3,500,000 This project consists of

constructing and equipping an approximate 300 car parking garage to be operated

and maintained by the Consolidated Government. The garage will be located in

Downtown Columbus adjacent to an existing hotel and will be used by hotel

patrons, Trade Center patrons, and the general public. The additional parking

space is a part of the overall plan for improvements that support the Trade

Center expansion and other parking requirements in the Downtown area.

Approximate Bonds to be issued- $3,500,000 (Series B).



Parking Garage - Bay Avenue Area - $6,200,000 This project consists of

constructing and equipping an approximate 780 car parking garage to be operated

and maintained by the Consolidated Government. The garage will be located on

Bay Avenue for use by adjacent office buildings and the general public. The

approximate location for this parking garage is identified in the City?s

parking study. (Debt service is guaranteed thru an MOU with the W.C. Bradley

Company) Approximate Bonds to be issued - $6,200,000 (Series B).



Parking Lot/Deck ? Front Avenue - $500,000 This project consists of

constructing and equipping an approximate 70 space surface lot/deck to be

operated and maintained by the Consolidated Government. The parking lot will

be located on Front Avenue and will be used by the general public. This lot is

part of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan to mitigate the loss of parking spaces

along Broadway. Approximate Bonds to be issued - $500,000.



Skate Park Supercenter - $3,000,000 This project consists of constructing and

equipping a state of the art regional Skate Park SuperCenter for the general

public to include various types of ramps, rails, pipes, etc. for skateboarding,

in-line skating, and BMX biking. The project also consists of an ice rink to

be used by the general public, youth and adult hockey leagues and as an

alternate practice site for professional hockey when hockey practice conflicts

with other Civic Center events. The SuperCenter would be a covered structure

that will allow for use 365 days a year. It would include a pavilion,

playground, and a ProShop. Approximate Bonds to be issued - $3,000,000.



Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center - $5,000,000 This project consists

of major new additions to the existing complex comprising of approximately

115,000 square feet and the renovation of the existing 180,000 square feet for

a total 295,000 square feet. Included in this is more than 182,000 square feet

of meeting space in addition to 113,000 square feet of support area to include

food preparation, storage, mechanical and electrical equipment. The project

also creates exterior patios, walks, fountains and green space. The project

will be constructed in two phases consisting primarily of new construction to

the west of the existing facility followed by additions and renovations to the

existing building. The appr. project cost of $35-m is being funded from state

and local funding in addition to these bond proceeds. (Debt Service will be

repaid from beer tax) Approximate Bonds to be issued - $5,000,000.
Analysis
The proposed funding plan is based on current market assumptions and will

adjust to current market on date of issuance. The Series 2003 bonds are

structured in a tax exempt series and a taxable series, Series A and Series B,

respectively with a 30 year term and will be sold competitively on or about

January 15, 2003. The approximate amount of tax exempt Series A Bonds to be

issued is $37,440,000. The approximate amount of taxable Series B Bonds to be

issued is $10,640,000.
Financial Considerations
Interest will be capitalized for 12 months from the date of issuance with

interest only payments in FY 04 and FY 05 in an approximate amount of

$2,409,043 per year, and the first principal repayment in FY 06. The bonds

will be structured with a standard call feature. The annual debt service

requirements for the Bay Avenue Parking Garage will be repaid from guaranteed

lease revenue from a MOU with W.C. Bradley, Inc. The annual debt service

requirements for the Trade Center renovation/expansion will be repaid from the

beer tax that the Trade Center receives. The balance of the annual debt

service payments will require an increase in the debt service millage of

approximately 0.43 mills in FY 04 . In future years the millage requirement to

service this debt will range from 0.30 mills in FY 05 to 0.65 mills in FY 06

and beyond. FY 06 and beyond do not assume any growth in the digest. Future

millage rate requirements may be reduced by digest growth.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement
Legal Considerations
Council action is required to authorize the Columbus Building Authority to

issue the Series 2003, Lease Revenue Bonds.
Recommendations/ Actions
Approve a Resolution requesting the Columbus Building Authority issue its Lease

Revenue Bonds, Series 2003A and Series 2003B in furtherance of Resolution

564-02 and to authorize execution of a lease contract between Columbus and the

Authority; to ratify preparation and distribution of the preliminary official

statement and to authorize execution of the final official statement; to

provide for the approval by the Finance Director the best bid for the 2003

Bonds; to authorize the Mayor and other officials of Columbus to take such

further actions as are necessary to provide for the issuance and delivery of

the Series 2003 Bonds.