Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

AUGUST 9, 2005



The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called

to order at 9:03 A.M., Tuesday, August 9, 2005, on the Plaza Level of the

Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Robert S. Poydasheff, Mayor and

Honorable John J. Rodgers, Mayor Pro Tem presiding.



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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Poydasheff and Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers were

Councilors R. Gary Allen, Wayne Anthony, Glenn Davis, Julius H. Hunter, Jr.,

Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., Evelyn Turner Pugh, Nathan Suber and Evelyn Woodson.

City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Tiny B.

Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also present.



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ABSENT: Councilor Berry H. Henderson was absent, but was excused upon the

adoption of Resolution Number 389-05.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Lt. David Holston - Marshal?s Department.



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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home.



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PROCLAMATIONS:



?HOUSE OF HEROES?



With Mr. Neal Block standing at the Council table, Councilor McDaniel read

the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming the month of September 2005

as ?House of Heroes? month in Columbus, Georgia.



Councilor Anthony recognized the presence of Ms. Susan Gerkin, the

Coordinator for the House of Heroes who was present in the audience.

He said this summer 60 years ago, was the time when the soldiers were able to

bring peace to the end of WWII. He said we still have some people whose home

they are working on, who actually served in that conflict over 60 years ago.



Councilor Anthony said there were 17 million Americans who served in WWII

and only 4 million of those remain alive today. He said we have an opportunity

as a generation to be able to do something for them and say thank you for the

world that they provided for us.



He said Mayor Poydasheff has been to every ceremony that the House of

Heroes have had and said on next Monday, there will be a roast for the Mayor

and said the public is invited to attend that event.



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?VALLEY HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS?:



With Ms. Sarah Lange, CEO of Valley Healthcare Systems and members of the

Board of Directors, Mr. Philip Aldridge, Mr. Greg Burns and Mr. Ken Crooks

standing at the Council table, Councilor Turner Pugh read the proclamation of

Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming the wee of August 2 ? 13, 2005 as ?Healthcare

Center Week? in Columbus, Georgia.



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?KOURTNIE MCCARTY DAY?:



With Kourtnie McCarty standing at the Council table, Councilor Davis read

the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming August 9, 2005 as

?Kourtnie McCarty Day? in Columbus, Georgia upon her winning the silver medal

in the bowling championships at the 2005 Georgia Games.



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?LAWRENCE WASHINGTON DAY?



With Lawrence Washington standing at the Council table, Councilor Davis

read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff upon him winning the silver medal in

the bowling championships at the 2005 Georgia Games.



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?BRANDON ROCK DAY?:



With Brandon Rock standing at the Council table, Councilor Davis read the

proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming August 9, 2005 as ?Brandon Rock

Day? in Columbus, Georgia upon his winning the bronze medal in the bowling

Championships at the 2005 Georgia Games.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS

ENTIRETY BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:

_____________________________________________



A Resolution (379-05) - Commending Major General Benjamin C. Freakley upon

his successful command at Ft. Benning and for his new command of the 10th

Mountain Division at Ft. Drum, New York. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the

adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried

unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the time, with

Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.



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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS

ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR ALLEN AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: _



A Resolution (380-05) - Congratulating Colonel Charles D. Cornwell,

Chief of Staff, Ft. Benning, Georgia upon his retirement. Councilor Allen

moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried

unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting.



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WITH MS. SAUNDER HUNTER OF METRA AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS NAMED IN THE

RESOLUTION STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN

ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR SUBER AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (381-05) ? Commending and congratulating METRA Bus Operators

for demonstrating their expert driving skills in the Georgia State Bus Rodeo

Competition. Councilor Suber moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by

Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



City Manager Hugley said METRA is a great organization and he would like

to commend and congratulate the bus operators. He said he would also like to

take this opportunity to thank Ms. Saundra Hunter, because as you know, we are

going through a transition with Deputy City Manager Richard Bishop leaving. He

said Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin is temporarily taking over some of those

responsibilities of Mr. Richard Bishop; therefore, Ms. Saundra Hunter has

stepped up and will be directing METRA during this interim process and said she

is very capable of doing so. He said he has known Ms. Hunter for many years and

she does an excellent job and is a great manager. He said he just wants to

thank her for her willingness to do that.

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MINUTES: Minutes of the August 2, 2005 meeting of the Council of the

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia was submitted and approved upon

the adoption of a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and seconded by

Councilor Anthony which carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present at the time, with Councilor Suber being absent for this vote.

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ZONING PUBLIC HEARING:



THE FOLLOWING THREE ZONING ORDNIANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND A PUBLIC HEARING

WAS HELD ON EACH AS ADVERTISED:



An Ordinance - Rezoning 49.9 acres of property located at the northeast

intersection of River Road and Heiferhorn Creek from an RE1 (Residential Estate

1) District to a SFR1 (Single Family Residential 1) District.

(33-CA-05-Mize)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



Mr. George Mize was present, but he did not make a presentation, as there

was no one present to oppose this proposed rezoning ordinance.



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An Ordinance - Rezoning 0.978 acres of property located at 3831 Armour

Avenue from an SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) District to an RMF2

(Residential Multi-Family 2) District. (34-A-05-Hecht, Burdeshaw, Johnson,

Kidd & Clark, Inc.)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



The petitioner was present, but he did not make a presentation, as there

was no one present to oppose this proposed rezoning ordinance.



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An Ordinance - Rezoning 11.5 acres of property located at Columbus Park

Crossing-Tract I (north of Weems Road and south of Whittlesey Boulevard) and

Tract F (running adjacent and parallel to the west property line of Greystone

at Columbus Park Apartments); Tract I is proposed for rezoning from RO

(Residential-Office) District to GC (General Commercial) District; and Tract F

is proposed for rezoning from GC (General Commercial) to RO

(Residential-Office) District. (36-CA-05 Cadranel)



PROPONENTS:



Mr. Steven Cadranel, 4028 Charwood Trace, Marietta, GA.

said he is here before the Council on this morning because in the ongoing

evolution of their Master plan there is an opportunity to better consolidate

like uses within their master plan. He then showed a drawing of that master

plan.



He said his request today is to exchange the rezoning for two properties

in the Columbus Park Crossing master plan development. He said both parcels are

approximately 11.6 acres and what they are attempting to do is to swap the

rezoning so that they can put like uses with like uses and then highlighted

those areas on the map.



Mr. Cadranel said one parcel is currently rezoned A-O and the other parcel

is currently rezoned commercial. He said the A-O parcel was not subject of

their master plan five years ago. He said in the evolution of the master plan,

they have evolved to a live, work and play community and said what they are

attempting to do is to put residential abutting residential and said there is

no net increase in any of the commercial density or any of the A-O Density, but

said they are simply trying to better organize their land use for more logic,

efficient, and appropriate land plans.



He said they have reviewed their traffic analysis and shared those with

the City. He said all of the improvements that they, as the developer, were

responsible for were completed prior to the opening of the shopping center. He

said the conditions that were placed on the rezoning five years ago are still

being enforced today. He said one of those conditions was the creation of

significant greenspace; whereby they set aside approximately 10% of their 400

acres in green space. He said that is the area of green that you see along

Weems Road. He said they have enjoyed a good relationship with the

neighborhoods to their knowledge.



Mr. Cadranel said they created what was a 200-foot buffer along Weems Road

to ensure the resident?s privacy and to protect their interest. He said they

committed that they would not take access from Weems Road and that is still the

plan today. He said they have also set aside additional greenspace to help

insulate the existing neighborhoods from the master plan development.



After Mr. Cadranel concluded his presentation, he then responded to

questions of Councilor Allen and Davis as it relates to Effingham Way where the

creek flows down into the stormwater lakes into the Windsor Park area, Lake

Heath and other areas. He said their concerns is that there is a lot of silt

run-off and he is hopeful that Mr. Cadranel can speak with his people to make

sure that the silt fences and all other precautions regarding that type

drainage can be put in place to preserve and protect the neighborhood that is

already there.



Mayor Poydasheff said he was the Councilor for that area when he and Mr.

Cadranel spoke with Ms. Shulman when they first talked about developing this

entire area. He said they did keep their word, but said those concerns that

were addressed by Councilor Allen are still his concerns and he trusts that Mr.

Cadranel and his organization will do what they said they will do.



Councilor Davis said he wasn?t around when the development was laid out in

2000, but within the last month he has been trying to gather a lot of

information to sort things out. He said he understands that the developer was

responsible for doing a traffic study back in 2000 and he has asked the staff

for this information.



City Manager Hugley said Mr. Rick Jones and Mr. Ron Hamlett are present

here this morning with the information and they can come forward at the

appropriate time to present this information to the Council.



At the request of Councilor Davis, Mr. Cadranel then presented the results

of the traffic study that was conducted by his organization for this

development.



Councilor Davis asked City Manager Hugley to provide him with a copy of

this traffic study that was provided by Mr. Cadranel.



Mr. Cadranel then responded to questions of Councilor Davis as it relates

to that traffic study.



City Manager Hugley said the staff has been working on the numbers for the

new traffic study that the City concluded and then called forward

Mr. Rick Jones and Mr. Ron Hamlett to present those findings.



Mr. Jones said in reviewing any development of this type, they do

extensive research in trying to pull these numbers together to make sure that

they have things right. He said it is the responsibility, in this particular

case, for the developer to come forward with that traffic study. He said they

then review and analyze it to make sure that it meets our criteria, which is

part of the Transportation Planning staff?s responsibility, as well as the

Traffic Engineer.



He said Mr. Hamlett does have those numbers this morning and said they are

detailed and he would be glad to share this information that we have with the

Council.



Mr. Ron Hamlett, Traffic Engineer then came forward and showed the results

of the Traffic Study of each of the intersections in the area of the

development; which highlights the peak traffic hour?s numbers and turning

movement counts. (A copy of the detailed report has been made a part of the

Council?s records.)



Discussions continued on the traffic study and traffic counts, as well as

the level of services for this area of the proposed development, with

Mr. Cadranel, as well as Mr. Jones and Mr. Hamlett responding to questions and

concerns of members of the Council.



After the discussion on this particular aspect of the development, there

were several requests and referrals made by members of the Council, which are

outlined below:





TRAFFIC COUNT STUDIES:



Councilor Davis asked City Manager Hugley to provide a copy of the Traffic

Study that was provided by the developer on the proposed rezoning of the

property located at Weems Road and south of Whittlesey Boulevard, the Cadranel

petition. He said he would also like to have a copy of the City?s traffic

counts that were done in 2000.



After continued discussion, Mr. Cadranel responded to further questions of

members of the Council, as well as Transportation Planning Director Rick Jones

responding to questions of the Council as it relates to the four-lane of

Whittlesley Road from Veterans Parkway to Whitesville Road.



BROWN AVENUE BRIDGE:



Councilor Woodson asked City Manager Hugley to talk with Mr. Sam Wellborn

to see what assistance he can give in speeding up the work on the Brown Avenue

Bridge.



City Manager Hugley also responded to several questions of members of the

Council regarding Whittlesley Road.



Mr. Rick Jones Transportation Planning Director came forward and once

again responded to Councilor Woodson as it relate to Whittlesey Road, after

which several members of the Council also expressed further views on the

traffic counts as it relates to this proposed development.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he would like to call to the attention of the

Mayor and Council, Condition Number Two in the ordinance and a letter from the

City Manager that was attached to the petition, as to the TDUs requirements or

forestation. He said he agrees 100% with the City Manager?s position on this

matter. He said he understands that we are trying to develop a big box

ordinance; which is only about halfway to its conclusion. He said there are

still ups and downs, some of which is still speculations and some of which,

there is no consensus on; however the bottom line is that we are not ready to

adopt a big box ordinance.



He said we certainly need a big box ordinance and it will help the City of

Columbus. He said our present zoning ordinance under the UDO requires 10 TDUs

and said one of the proposals before this big box committee is a maximum of 20

TDUs for big box over 100,000 square feet. He said there is also some

discussion going on about the possibility of going back to 15 TDUs for

everyone.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said we are really not at a point where the

committee is recommending firmly what should be done. He said with the

compromise of the 15 TDUs, he doesn?t think it sets a precedent at all, if the

big box ordinance comes forward and says 20 in the future. He said he don?t

think that most people will be able to go out and tell the difference between

15 and 20 TDUs, if we in fact adopt a 20 TDUs ordinance. He said if we hold

this developer?s feet to the fire for 20 TDUs now; then, when we come back in

with 15 TDUs in the ordinance, then we have shortchanged him.



Councilor Suber pointed out that Mr. Rick Jones made the statement that

Whittlesey Road is going from Double Churches Road all the way over with the

widening and asked, if there was some misunderstanding in that statement.



Mr. Jones said with the widening project as it stands with the Federal

Highway Administration it starts at Veterans Parkway; however, the project

limits itself from Veterans to Bradley Park. He said they would divide into two

phases, with the first phase being from Veterans to Whitesville Road.



Several minutes of discussion developed on this aspect of that particular

road project, with Mr. Jones and City Manager Hugley responding to further

concerns of members of the Council.



City Manager Hugley also responded to questions of the Council as to who

made the recommendation on the proposed 20 TDUs that is currently included in

the ordinance. He said when he talked with the developer and pointing out that

there was a recommendation of 20 TDUs and 10 TDUs being required in the UDO, he

was willing to compromise with 15 TDUs which is in the middle, which he thought

was acceptable; therefore, he decided to recommend to the Council, to do the 15

TDUs. He said Mr. Cadranel has agreed to the 15 TDUs.



City Attorney Fay said what is on the table is the ordinance with the 20

TDUs from the recommendation and said the Council can certainly amend the

ordinance.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he intends to make a motion to amend the

ordinance.



Councilor Davis said we may have a better understanding than most of the

citizens out in the community and said a lot of things was said back in 2000

that have not happened today and said even if they are on course to happen or

not, he thinks it is important that we explain where we are and what?s going on

in the City. He said he thinks it would be important if we had a Work Session

and update the citizens on the entire Whittlesey/Moon Road project and then

asked City Manager Hugley to include on the Council?s next Work Session Agenda,

a presentation on the Whittlesey Road/Moon Road Project and to address the

concerns of the residents in that area on the road widening.



City Manager Hugley said we could do that; however, he would like to note

for the records that we do expect the Georgia Department of Transportation to

have a final public hearing on the road widening from Veterans to Bradley Park

Drive very soon.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said as the City Manager pointed out earlier, Mr.

Cadranel could move the project 300 feet with the current 10 TDUs that are

required in the UDO and said he wouldn?t need to be here today for anything.



He said there is an ordinance that would direct him; and with having said that,

he would like to make a motion to amend the ordinance, to change Condition

Number 2 to state 15 TDUs per acre. Seconded by Councilor Woodson.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers requested that the vote be held in abeyance until

such time as Councilor Anthony is seated back at the table.



Councilor Turner Pugh said in our next Work Session, she thinks that we

need to address all road projects; especially those major road projects. She

said there are a lot of projects that have been on the books for a long time.

She then asked City Manager Hugley to include on the Council?s next Work

Session Agenda, the subject of road projects. She said let?s have nothing but

road projects during that meeting; so we can see where we are and the

prioritization on those projects. Also, during that Work Session, let?s make

sure that we have those citizens who serve on the Special Appointed Committee

to deal with road projects present.



Councilor Davis requested that before the vote is taken on the amendment

on the ordinance that we hear from those citizens who may want to be heard on

this issue.



After more than one hour of discussion on this subject matter, the

following individuals also appeared expressing their support of this proposed

rezoning ordinance:



Mr. Frank Dillard, #4 Claire Court, Mr. Marty Flournoy, 2520 Wynnton Road

and Mr. James Cloud, 6817 Panestone Drive.



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OPPONENTS:



Mr. Ken Henson, 874 Greystone Drive said he owns the property located at

the intersection of Veterans Parkway & Whittlesey Road. He said he is opposed

to anything that would facilitate any additional commercial development in this

area at this time. He said back in 2000, the City made a commitment to him and

the citizens in that area and placed a condition on the future rezoning; which

was Condition Number 5 which reads, a traffic analysis shall be completed by

the developer and concurred with by the Transportation Planning Division prior

to any permits being issued for any tract, except Tract ?A?. He said Tract ?A?

was the initial development and said it is his understanding that the City has

already issued permits in this area without getting a traffic analysis. He said

the apartment complex that was built up there, the City issued a permit and

contrary to these conditions, a permit was issued for those apartments without

a traffic analysis.



He said under this rezoning, a traffic analysis should have been submitted

and said he don?t think that anyone has submitted a traffic analysis for any of

these additional developments that have taken place out here today.



Mr. Henson said he is really concerned about the 100 acres, which is on

the other side, which will basically double the amount of commercial

development.



He spoke for some thirteen minutes in expressing his opposition to this

proposed rezoning ordinance; pointing out that he thinks that the neighbors in

Springlake are entitled to an additional buffer, as well as there probably

should be some office property in that development; however, that?s not the way

the property was rezoned.



Mr. Henson said that everyone that he has spoken to said what we are

looking at is a Super Wal-mart, Home Depot and a conglomeration of big

boxes. He said the infrastructure out there as it exists today, it cannot

handle it. He said we already have a traffic problem.



He said based on the commitments that were made five years ago, in his

opinion all of this is a waste of time because he doesn?t think that anyone

should be allowed to get a permit until Whittlesey Road is widened from

Veterans Parkway to Whitesville Road. He said that is the commitment that was

made to the citizens four years ago.



City Manager Hugley then responded to those concerns expressed by

Mr. Henson.



Mr. Henson continued his presentation expressing further objections,

pointing out that the Traffic Study that was done five years ago was just based

on this first phase and it said that you had to widen Whittlesey Road from

Veterans Parkway to Whitesville Road by 2006. He said today you are being

asked to facilitate an additional development, which would double in size and

said until the road is widened, you shouldn?t allow any additional

development.



Several members of the Council then expressed their views, as well as

responded to many of those concerns expressed by Mr. Henson.



Mr. Bert Coker, 5815 Ventura Drive also appeared and expressed his

opposition to this proposed rezoning ordinance. He said he lives in Lincoln

Hills, which is right behind Adams Parks Subdivision. He said he agrees with

Mr. Henson that you are circumventing a condition in the ordinance in which you

made the developer adhere to. He said he also agrees that all of these

conditions should be met, i.e., widening of Whittlesey Road on the west, as

well as doing something about the terrible intersection where Weems Road

connects with Whittlesey Boulevard before this rezoning is approved.



He said he moved up in this subdivision in 2000 and said that road wasn?t

there at the time and this intersection has been changed at least five times.

He said it is such a bad problem trying to get in and out of that subdivision.



After Mr. Coker concluded his presentation, City Manager Hugley then

responded to those concerns expressed by him.



Ms. Karen Ball, 6909 Raintree Drive said she didn?t intend to speak on

this morning because all emphasis has been placed on traffic congestion, but

with the remarks that were made by the previous speaker as it relates to

wildlife, she wanted to just say said she didn?t appreciate the humor regarding

the wildlife. She said they have been seeing dead deer and foxes in the

neighborhood that are totally disoriented. She said we could have developed

that development so that we could have preserved some of the wildlife like

other communities have.



City Attorney Fay pointed out to Mr. Cadranel that he is on notice that

all of the conditions that are in this ordinance are on the table, including

the 2000 conditions.



Mr. Milton Jones said he is not here to speak for or against this proposed

rezoning ordinance; however, he is here to address the condition of the 20 TDUs

that deals with Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers? motion and to hopefully answer some of

the questions that have been raised today.



He said the 20 TDUs that they are discussing today and the committee,

which they were requested to serve on and to help come forth with a

recommendation on the big box ordinance; came from the Gwinnett County

ordinance.



Mr. Jones said the TDUs applies to the number of trees that must be left

in a development or planted in a development to replace trees that come down or

the combination of the two. He said the higher the TDUs, the more trees that

will be left in a development. He said the TDUs that they put in the Tree

Ordinance were woefully inadequate; they were way too low. He said they were

put in there as a compromise to try to get something passed, and said they did

get it passed.



He said the 10 TDUs in commercial is probably the worst of all the TDUs

that are too low in all of the categories and it is certainly the lowest there

is in the State of Georgia that he knows about. He said they looked at nearly

every tree ordinance that was in the State of Georgia and said this means that

in Columbus, Georgia, the tree requirements in all of commercial development

are worst than any other city that have tree ordinances.



Mr. Jones spoke for some ten minutes or more in expressing his concerns

regarding the motion to amend this ordinance to have only 15 TDUs. He also

showed some photos of how the Wal-mart in Gwinnett County looks with the 20

TDUs on the property.



He said they are currently working on the big box ordinance and they will

try to make a recommendation to the Council that will be beneficial to this

entire community and give them, particularly in the larger development that

will have a significant impact, a higher standard for the developers to meet.

He said he thinks this would be a win, win situation for everyone.



Mr. Jones also showed photos of the Wal-mart in Tallahassee, Florida

versus what the proposed Wal-mart here in Columbus will look like.



After Mr. Jones concluded his presentation, the Mayor and Council

expressed their views on this subject. Mr. Cadranel then responded to further

questions of members of the Council.



After more than two hours of discussion on this proposed rezoning

ordinance, the question was then called on Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers? earlier

motion to amend the ordinance; Condition B (2) to 15 TDUS rather than the 20

TDUs, which carried by a vote of eight to one, with Councilor Turner Pugh

voting no and all other eight members of Council present voting yes.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA CONTINUED:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY

THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING:



An Ordinance (05-64) - Providing for the levy, assessment, and

collection of taxes for the public school system of Columbus, Georgia; and for

other purposes. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the adoption of the ordinance.

Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those nine members of

Council present for this meeting.

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



MR. JAMES HENDRIX, RE: POOLS AT THE GALLOPS

CENTER:____________________________________________________



Mr. James Hendrix, who requested to be listed on today?s Agenda, did not

respond when given the opportunity to address the Council.



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MR. JIM RHODES, COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER, SUPER WAL-MART STORE AND TRAFFIC

ON MOON ROAD:



Mr. Rhodes, who was present at the meeting earlier, but left at some point

during the discussion on the rezoning issue.



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CITY EMPLOYEES RAISES:



Mayor Poydasheff said during last week?s Council a gentleman appeared

before the Council and gave his opinion on taxation and said he made some

remarks that were in error. He said he stated that there are 50 police officers

that we have a deficit of and said that is not true. He said as of yesterday,

consistent with what we have had over the years, it is only 28. He said

obviously not every police officer is on the street, because you have to allow

for vacation time, as well as education and training; however, we are very much

up on what?s going on there.



He said the gentleman also indicated that someone told him that City

employees and Public Safety employees have not received a raise within the last

five years and said that too is incorrect. He said this Council has

consistently voted for a raise or a bonus with the exception of fiscal year

2005 ordinance governing our finances and this fiscal year, 2006; we have done

something that was absolutely unique, not only the 5% bonus, but the

recognition of the work that Public Safety employees does, with an additional

$200.00. He said he wanted to make this point that the Council has been

consistent with raising pay or bonus, with the exception of one year.

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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER

HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:

A Resolution (382-05) ? Authorizing the purchase of property located at 1044

Fort Benning Road and to lease back the building for five (5) years at $600 a

month with the tenant providing all the maintenance on the building. Councilor

Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Suber

and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this

meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING FIVE PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS, WITH DETAILED INFORMATION

HAVING BEEN INCLUDED IN THE CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA PACKET, WERE SUBMITTED AND

EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND THEN ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO

THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY

COUNCILOR SUBER, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:__



A Resolution (383-05) ? Declaring the vehicles and equipment shown on the

attached list, as well as miscellaneous office equipment and furniture, as

surplus in accordance with Section 7-501 of the Charter of Columbus

Consolidated Government. The surplus items will be disposed of by auction on

August 27, 2005. Wayne Evans Auction Company, the City?s contracted

auctioneer, will conduct the auction. The equipment has either been replaced

or placed out of service due to excessive maintenance cost.



A Resolution (384-05) - Authorizing the purchase of an annual Maintenance

Agreement (October 2005 through October 2006) for the 911 Center?s 800 MHz.

Radio System Console Equipment and its Central Electronics Bay from Motorola in

the amount of $27,642.60.



The Police Department (through the 911 Center) and Sheriff?s Office uses

Motorola Console equipment to dispatch the various Public Safety Units

throughout the City as they are needed. This equipment is a critical part of

Public Safety communications system. It has, since the initial warranty

expired, been covered by a comprehensive 24/7/365 maintenance agreement with

Motorola in order to assure rapid and accurate repairs and minimal down time.

This maintenance agreement also covers the bi-directional amplification system

that provides a back up to the console system and allows the 911 Center to

continue to operate should the console equipment stop working. This

Maintenance Agreement will ensure that the City receives complete and cost

effective support of this equipment and allows the City to control the

operating costs associated with the console equipment.



A Resolution (385-05) ? Authorizing the purchase of annual Software

Maintenance Agreement for the Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system

software from Ortivus North America in the amount of $31,447.17.



The City of Columbus operates an Automatic Vehicle Location System (AVL) over

its 800 MHz. Radio system that allows the 911 Center to know the exact location

of the Police, Sheriff, Fire/EMS and Marshal vehicles patrolling the City.

This system is driven by software provided by AVeL-TECH Inc. This software is

running on the servers in the 911 Center, as well as, on the computers in each

of the Public Safety vehicles equipped with this system. This Maintenance

Agreement will insure that the City receives complete and cost effective

technical support of this software, as well as, any upgrades that are made to

it during the course of the agreement. This agreement will allow us to control

the operating costs associated with the AVL System. Ortivus North America

bought out AVeL-TECH, the developer of the software. Therefore, the vendor is

considered an only known source for the software maintenance.



A Resolution (386-05) ? Authorizing the purchase of a rapid deployment

kit for wireless gas and radiation detection from RAE Systems in the amount of

$44,300.00. The Fire/EMS HAZMAT Team will use this equipment. The Rapid

Deployment Kit (RDK) is designed for quick assessment and management of gaseous

and radiation threats. The kit includes four wireless, 5-gas, Area RAE

monitors, with in-case charging, as well as, a computerized Host Controller for

monitoring from a command center up to two miles away. The units can be

arranged in a perimeter to detect chemical hazards and to monitor the

environmental safety of a large public event. The units will help the

Hazardous Materials Response Team gain control over potentially dangerous

situations by assessing the environment and determining the geographic

disbursement of hazardous gases, chemicals and radioactive contamination. The

RAE System is the only system available offering gas and radiation detection in

one unit. RAE also is the only company with a software package that interlinks

all the units into one computer system. This option is necessary for

monitoring a perimeter such as the Civic Center, softball complex, shopping

mall, large HAZMAT spill, etc. The equipment is manufactured by Rae Systems.

Therefore, the vendor is considered an only known source for this purchase, per

the Procurement Ordinance, Section 3-114.



A Resolution (387-05) ? Authorizing the purchase of 500 licenses for Qterm

UTS Terminal Emulation Software form Quickware Software in the amount of

$57,500.00 ($115 per license). QTerm UTS is terminal emulation software

required by GCIC for access via TCP/IP.



This software will cover law enforcement terminals accessing GCIC/NCIC records,

including the Police Dept., Sheriff's Office, Marshal's Office and various

court agencies, such as, but not limited to the Solicitor Generals Office,

District Attorney's Office, etc. GCIC has mandated that all CJIS agencies be

converted to TCP/IP by September 30, 2005. Failure to do so will result in the

agency being disconnected from GCIC/NCIC law enforcement data. This is the

software deployed by GCIC in their agency and Quickware is the sole provider of

the software. QTerm UTS has been modified, specified and tailored for the

GCIC/TCP/IP conversion.



*** *** ***



CITY?S SERVICE CENTER:



City Manager Hugley said before Mr. Jim Rhodes left the Council Chambers,

he asked him to mention something about the City?s Service Center that was part

of the 1999 SPLOST; which is one of his favorite projects. He said he is trying

to keep track of where that project stands.



He said when we laid out the 1999 SPLOST projects; we placed that project

in the Year 2007 and said we have $3 million where we are planning on building

a City Service Center. He said they anticipate that it would be in the Center

of the City and said it is scheduled to be on the same site with the

Library/Sears property. He said we have not moved that project forward; but

said they are master planning the site and once they have completed that master

plan, we will have allocated property on that site where we will move forward

on that project.



*** *** ***



PROPERTY AT 1044 FORT BENNING ROAD:



As it relates to the resolution that was just adopted by the Council,

Councilor Hunter asked City Manager Hugley to point out for the public with

regards to this property, that it was properly appraised. He said he has

received some telephone calls and concerns regarding this matter. He said he

would like for the City Manager to assure the public that we did a proper

appraisal.



City Manager Hugley said this property, 1044 Fort Benning Road is

currently Stone Furniture Store and it is 15, 000 square feet. He said the fair

market value appraisal of that property, 1999 appraisal was $350,000 and

certainly we know that today that property would be worth more than that. He

said it was an independent appraiser that was done by a local lending

institution, which is a reputable bank, and we were able to receive that 1999

appraisal from them. He said the recommendation to the Council is that we

purchase that property as we are working to acquire property; its in the

Enterprise Zone and said we currently own approximately 30 acres in that

vicinity and said this parcel of property would be tied to the property that we

currently own. He said we would be able to use that as we work with the Chamber

of Commerce as we work towards an Urban Industrial Park and we anticipate that

it will bring in jobs, industry and revitalize that area.



*** *** ***



INTERSECTION ALIGNMENT:



Councilor Davis said he would like for the City Manager to have someone to

check on the status of the intersection off 185 North going towards Williams

Road to Whitesville Road at the Welcome Center as it relates to the alignment

of those intersections.



He said he knows that when we rezoned that property that we had discussed

the possibility of aligning those intersections and he believes that the

Georgia Department of Transportation has authorized the use of their entrance

way. He said he would like to have an update on the status of that and how we

can coordinate those efforts there.

----------------------------------*** ***

***------------------------------------

CLERK OF COUNCIL'S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF

COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL:

__________________________________



(1) Notice from GMA, Re: The Joint GMA/ACCG Fall Training Program for Elected

Officials, October 14, 2005, at the DuBose Porter Business and Industry

Training Center, Dublin.



(2) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Downtown Development

Authority.



(3) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Planning Advisory

Commission.



(4) Biographical Sketch of Mr. Dick McKee, Councilor Allen?s nominee to replace

Ms. Kimberly Gerlack on the Animal Control Advisory Board.



(5) Letter from Mr. Mike Thomas, Re: Duplex on 3101 & 3103 Oak Circle, in

Columbus, Georgia.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:



A Resolution (388-05) ? Approving the report from the Finance Director

of those alcoholic beverage licenses that were approved and/or denied during

the month of July 2005. Councilor Allen moved the adoption of the resolution.

Seconded by Councilor Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members

of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



UPTOWN FA?ADE BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington submitted a memorandum from Mark McCollum

forwarding the resignation of Mr. Jack Collins from the Uptown Fa?ade Board.

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the resignation be received with regrets and thanks

for his service. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by

those nine members of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:___________________________________________________



A Resolution (389-05) - Excusing Councilor Berry Henderson from the

August 9, 2005 Council Meeting. Councilor Suber moved the adoption of

the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by

those nine members of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING FIVE APPLICATIONS FOR A TAXICAB OWNER?S BUSINESS LICENSE

WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE

COUNCIL:



Applications submitted by Mr. Jeffery Johnson for a taxicab owner?s

business license to operate the following five taxicab companies, to be located

at 26 Gatlin Lane, Catuala, Georgia: Ranger Cab Company, Marine Cab Company,

Air Force Cab Company, Navy Cab Company and Amigo Cab Company.



Mayor Poydasheff said he spoke with Mr. Johnson and said he is a real fine

person and has been very accommodating in this matter. He said he and Assistant

City Attorney Jamie Deloach went out and discussed this matter with the legal

team at Fort Benning concerning the legality of names and the Department of

Defense regulations. He said Mr. Johnson is perfectly within his rights to do

that and said there are no problems under any Department of Defense directive

or army regulations. He said Mr. Johnson has indicated that he will remove the

special ranger sign and he would urge the Council to support the Police

Department in their approval.



Councilor Allen moved the approval of the applications. Seconded by Mayor

Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present at the time, with Councilor Davis being absent for this vote.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK

OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND DENIED BY THE COUNCIL:







Application of Rev. Howard White to temporarily close Pierce Chapel Road

from Veterans Parkway to Blackmon Road, on Sunday, August 14, 2005, from 9:30

a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in connection with the ?150th Anniversary Celebration.?



Councilor Allen said he spoke with Chief Boren about this matter, which is

located in Council District Six and said that the Chief is asking us to deny

this request. He said the church is having their 150th Church Anniversary

Celebration and said you can image the traffic congestion and problems that we

would incur at this intersection; not only at Veterans/Blackmon and Pierce

Chapel Road, but all the traffic diversions that would have to occur for people

trying to get from one of those streets to the next one. He then made a motion

that we deny this request. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers.



Mayor Poydasheff said he is going to be present at this event, but he

agrees with what Councilor Allen has stated. He said he thinks the way to cure

that is for the church to hire a police officer for maybe 2? hours to assist

with the traffic.



Councilor Allen said the Chief might be able to have whoever patrols that

area to be assigned to that location for a period of time, but the offer to

hire an off-duty police officer is on the table for them to consider.



The question was then called on Councilor Allen?s motion to deny this

request, which then carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present at the time, with Councilor Davis being absent for this vote.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS ALSO SUBMITTED BY

CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE

COUNCIL:





Application of Milton Hodges to temporarily close Norris Circle from

Carden Drive to Avon Drive, on Sunday, August 21, 2005, from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00

p.m., in connection with the ?Founder?s Day Celebration?.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the approval of the application. Seconded by

Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present at the time, with Councilor Davis being absent for this vote.



*** *** ***



MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:







Airport Commission, June 22, 2005.

Animal Control Advisory Board, June 14, 2005.

Board of Tax Assessors, No. 30-05.

Greater Columbus Golf Authority, June 28, 2005.

Hospital Authority, May 31, 2005.

Zoning Appeals, June 1, 2005.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers made a motion that these minutes be received.

Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those eight

members of Council present at the time, with Councilor Davis being absent for

this vote.

*** *** ***



BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Ms. Kimberley Gerlack is no

longer a resident of Muscogee County and that the Council needs to nominate

someone for this seat. Councilor Allen nominated Mr. Dick McKee to succeed Ms.

Kimberley Gerlack. Clerk of Council Washington said she would bring this back

on next week for the Council?s confirmation.



*** ***

***



CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that she has contacted the Young

Professionals Organization and that they are working on trying to get a nominee

for Councilor Woodson?s District for someone to replace

Mr. Gerardo Ricci ? District 7.



*** *** ***



C.I.R.C.L.E:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that on last week Councilor Suber

nominated Ms. Ella Lewis to fill the unexpired term of Mr. James Sakakibara on

C.I.R.C.L.E. and that she may now be confirmed.



Councilor Turner Pugh so moved. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried

unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***





EMPLOYEES PENSION BOARDS OF TRUSTEES:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the term of office of

Lt. John Starkey, who serves as the Public Safety employees representation on

this board expired in June and that he is not eligible to succeed himself.



Mayor Poydasheff then nominated Deputy Chief David Arrington. Councilor

Turner Pugh then moved confirmation. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried

unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that on last week Councilor Turner

Pugh nominated Ms. Cheryl Johnson for Ms. Julie Bray?s position on the Keep

Columbus Beautiful Commission which expired in June and that she may now be

confirmed.



Councilor Turner Pugh then moved confirmation of Ms. Johnson. Seconded by

Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



Clerk of Council Washington further pointed out that we still need someone

for Council District 5 and that Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers is working on a nominee.



*** *** ***



YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Clerk of Council Washington said we need a nominee for the Youth Advisory

Council for the 2005-2006 School year, for Council Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 &

10.



Councilor Suber asked if we need to nominate additional individuals for

the Youth Advisory Council or can we nominate the same individual that served

on last year.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then asked if there was any term limitation.

City Manager Hugley said there is no term limitation and said the Council can

renominate the person that they nominated last year, as long as they have not

graduated from high school.



*** *** ***



PROPERTY ON SCHAUL STREET:



Councilor Suber said he would like for the City Manager to have someone to

check out the condition of the property located at 2427 Schaul Street.

YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Referring back to this subject, Councilor Anthony said he has a nominee for

Council District 9, which is Ashley Gerkin. Councilor Suber then moved Miss

Gerkin be confirmed. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by

those nine members of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



HISTORIC & ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington said she believes that Councilor Anthony has a

nomination that he would like to make on today for the Board of Historic &

Architectural Review for someone to succeed Mr. Craig Davis, who has resigned

from the Board.



Councilor Anthony then nominated Mr. Robert Safran.



Clerk of Council Washington said since this is the West Georgia Architects

Society?s nomination for the board that Mr. Safran may now be confirmed.

Councilor Turner Pugh so moved. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried

unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



With there being no other business to come before the Council, Mayor

Poydasheff then asked if there was anyone who had an issue to bring before the

Council, they could be heard at this time. There was no one who indicated that

they wanted to be heard.



*** *** ***

With there being no other business at hand, Mayor Poydasheff then

entertained a motion for adjournment. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers so moved. Seconded

by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting, with the time being 12:05 p.m.







Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

Council of Columbus, Georgia