Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

OCTOBER 1, 2002





The regular monthly night meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was

called to order at 5:34 P.M., Tuesday, October 1, 2002, on the Plaza Level of

the Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Bobby G. Peters, Mayor, and

Honorable John J. Rodgers, Mayor Pro Tem, presiding.



*** *** ***



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

Councilors R. Gary Allen, Glenn Davis, Berry H. Henderson, Julius H. Hunter,

Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., Richard Smith, Nathan Suber, Evelyn Turner Pugh

and Evelyn Woodson. Deputy City Manager Richard Bishop , representing City

Manager Carmen Cavezza, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Tiny B.

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



*** *** ***



ABSENT: City Manager Carmen Cavezza was absent.



*** *** ***











INVOCATION: Offered by Father Gerry Schreck - St. Anne Catholic Church.

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

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



PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers.

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

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



ABSENCE OF CITY MANAGER CAVEZZA:



Mayor Peters said that City Manager Cavezza is in the hospital undergoing

some test, and said that we wish him well. He also pointed out that we have

Deputy City Manager Richard Bishop who is sitting in for City Manager Cavezza

on tonight.

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

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



PROPERTY TAX FREEZE:



Mayor Peters said that we have a lawsuit that is pending concerning the

freeze on property that is owned by individuals that have homestead exemption.

He said that began in 1983 and was voted on by referendum and sustained again

in later years, and voted on again a second time. He said that case is now in

court, and said we have the attorneys who are representing the City present

here tonight, and then introduced Justice Harold Clark and Attorney Chuck

Palmer. He said that Justice Clark was a member of the Georgia Supreme Court

and will be arguing that case for us before that Court.



He said that case will be argued on October 21, 2002 in Atlanta and said

that it is certainly open to the public, if anyone wants to go and hear that

case. He said we would have members of the Consolidated Government

present as well.

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

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



PROCLAMATIONS:



"HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH":



Mr. Luis Montano, President of Columbus Latino, appeared and read the

proclamation of President George Bush, proclaiming September 15 - October 15,

2002, as ?National Hispanic Heritage Month?.



He said Columbus Latino.com and the Hispanic community of Columbus,

Georgia, would like to honor and thank one of Columbus? Hispanic leaders with

their first annual ?2002 Hispanic Leadership Award?, and then presented the

award to Councilor Evelyn ?Mimi? Woodson.



Councilor Woodson thanked Mr. Montano and said this is a great honor. She

said she never dreamed or expected this, and said it is a great pleasure, but

said she just wants to say that she loves all of the people of Columbus,

because Columbus is her home. She said what she does, she does for the love of

God and the love of people, to show them it doesn?t matter who they are or

where they come from, as long as you believe in God and yourself anything is

possible.

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

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

CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



WITH MEMBERS OF THE NORTH COLUMUS BABE RUTH ALL-STARS STATE CHAMPIONS

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

ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:







A Resolution (537-02) - Commending and congratulating the NorthColumbus

Babe Ruth (15 year age bracket) All-Stars upon their victory in the 2002

Georgia State Championship. Councilor Henderson moved its adoption. Seconded by

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present for this meeting.

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

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



NOTE: The City Attorney?s Agenda is continued below.



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

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



YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Mayor Peters said that we have the members of the 2002 - 2003 Youth

Advisory Council present tonight, and said he will be swearing them in.



He said that Deputy City Manager Isaiah Hugley works with the Youth

Advisory Council, but is out of town tonight and unable to be present; however,

he sends his congratulations to each of you. He then called upon Mr. Howard

Pendleton to present these individuals.



Mr. Howard Pendleton said the Youth Advisory Council was started with an

idea from the City of Columbus and the Muscogee County School District, to

identify talented, young individuals in our community and to get them started

on the road to learning what government is all about and how it works.



He said these individuals have dedicated themselves to that commitment to

come in and go through the process of learning how our government really works;

so that they will be our leaders of the future for our community.



Mr. Pendleton then introduced Mr. Jonathan Hatcher, President of the Youth

Advisory Council, to make a brief statement to the Council.



Mr. Hatcher thanked the Mayor and Council for their support and hard work

to get this Advisory Council formed.



Mayor Peters then administered the oath of office collectively to each

member of the Youth Advisory Council.

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

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

CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



WITH NANCY & ROBERT WILKESON & JAMES HILLIKER STANDING AT THE COUNCIL

TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:





A Resolution (538-02) - Commending and expressing appreciation to Nancy

and Robert Wilkeson and James Hilliker for their generous donation of time and

materials in assisting the property owner at 4756 Kolb Avenue with demolition

of a dilapidated structure. Councilor Hunter moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present for this meeting, standing to cast their affirmative vote.

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

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



PROCLAMATIONS CONTINUED:



"DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH?:



With Ms. Sally Hapkins, President of the Domestic Roundtable, Ms. Roxanne

Campbell, Ms. Teresa Sanchez, Ms. Linda Bass, and Ms. Angela Roseau, standing

at the Council table, Councilor Turner Pugh read Mayor Peters' proclamation,

proclaiming the month of October 2002, as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month",

in Columbus, Georgia.



*** *** ***



MAYOR-ELECT POYDASHEFF:



Mayor Peters recognized the presence of Mayor-elect Poydasheff, who was

seated in the audience.

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

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



"DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH":



With Ms. Mitzi Oxford, Chairperson of the Mayor's Commission for Persons

with Disabilities standing at the Council table, Councilor Allen read Mayor

Peters' proclamation, proclaiming the month of October 2002, as "Disability

Awareness Month", in Columbus, Georgia.



Ms. Oxford also introduced her son Robert Walton, Jr., and her husband,

Robert Walton. She also introduced Ms. Gail McKoon, Executive Director of the

Mayor Commission for Persons with Disabilities.



*** *** ***



"COMMITTUNITIES IN MOTION DAY":



With Ms. Lisa Goodwin, Ms. Rosa Gilyard, Mr. John Lyles, and Mr. Thomas

Taylor standing at the Council table, Councilor Hunter read Mayor Peters'

proclamation, proclaiming October 3, 2002, as "Communities in Motion Day", in

Columbus, Georgia.



*** *** ***



"RACE EQUALITY WEEK":



With Ms. Cynthia Jordan standing at the Council table, Councilor Suber

read Mayor Peters' proclamation, proclaiming the week of September 23 - 29,

2002, as "Race Equality Week", in Columbus, Georgia.

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

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



RESOLUTION FOR MARGARET BELCHER:



Councilor Turner Pugh said she would like to note the passing of Mrs.

Margaret Belcher, and said Mrs. Belcher spent a lifetime in Columbus trying to

deal with race relations and helping with the start up of the Urban League.



She said Mrs. Belcher's funeral will be Friday at 11:00 a.m., at

Friendship Baptist Church, and the wake is going to be on Thursday, at 6:00

p.m., at Progressive Funeral Home Chapel.



Councilor Turner Pugh then requested that City Attorney Fay prepare a

resolution for Mrs. Belcher?s family expressing the Council?s condolences in

her passing.

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

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

MINUTES: Minutes of the September 24, 2002 meeting of the Council of the

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were submitted and approved upon

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

Councilor Smith, which carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present for this

meeting.



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

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

ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS DELAYED FROM THE SEPTEMBER 17, 2002

COUNCIL MEETING WAS AGAIN SUBMITTED AND ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING WAS

HELD:





An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 3.3 acres of properties located at

the northwest side of Arkansas Drive, the northwest corner of Arkansas Drive

and Anglin Road, and the southwest corner of Claymore Road and Anglin Road from

an R-1A District to an R-4 District. (41-CA-02-McGee)



PROPONENTS:



Mr. James Moye, Attorney, #1 Bradley Park Court, representing DRR

Properties said that all councilors have previously been present when he has

spoken towards this matter and said that their points have already been made.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then asked if there were any questions of the

Council, but there were none.



OPPONENTS:



Mr. Gerald Franklin, 3728 Claymore Road appeared and expressed his

opposition to this matter, saying that if the petition is approved, asked if

there is anyway that he can stop Mr. McGee from running that easement on his

property. He said he understands that Mr. McGee had the easement with the

previous property owners and had it pushed over to his side of the house, which

he didn?t understand what that was at the time.



City Attorney Fay said he understands that there was some mention of a

utility easement, and said if that is a utility easement of record, then the

grantee on that easement has a right to use it for utility purposes. He said

they can?t interfere with other normal uses of the property, but said they do

have a right to use it for that purpose in particular.



Mr. Moye said the easement was included in the correspondence that was

provided to the Council a few weeks ago.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said as he recalls Mr. Moye?s letter, it indicated

that he would do everything humanly possible in drafting the layout of this

property to keep from having to use that; however, if it became necessary, you

would use it, and then asked Mr. Moye if that was a correct statement. Mr. Moye

said that is correct.



Several minutes of discussion continued on this matter, with Mr. Franklin

expressing further opposition and then responding to further questions of the

Council.



Regarding the matter of the easement, in response to further concerns of

Mr. Franklin, City Attorney Fay says the map shows a drainage, utility and

sanitary sewer easement approximately 10 feet in width, which is on the edge of

Mr. Franklin?s property, but said it can only be used for those purposes. He

said they can only use those 10 feet, and if they want more, they are going to

have to go and purchase an easement or come to some sort of an agreement.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said Mr. Franklin?s concern is if they are not

encroaching on the easement itself, he should not suffer any damage from any

construction that is done on the easement. He said if they did ruin his

driveway while using the easement installing the utilities, they would be

required to put it back in place. City Attorney Fay said that is correct, and

said Mr. Franklin might have a private right of action for trespass or damage

if they did not.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers also pointed out that there was an agreement by Mr.

McGee to provide a undisturbed natural buffer surrounding Mr. Franklin?s

property, which he understands is undisturbed. He said that would consist of

the bamboo and anything else, and would provide quite a bit of privacy to that

particular piece of property. He then asked Mr. McGee if there was an agreed

upon 10-feet buffer across the Anglin Road side, to which Mr. McGee said it was

a 30-feet buffer; however, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said that the 30-feet is on

the back of Mr. Franklin?s property and it should be 10-feet on the side.



Mr. Moye said they have agreed to a 20-feet buffer on both sides of Mr.

Franklin?s property. He said they are on two sides of Mr. Franklin?s property.

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he thought that it was 10-feet on the side and

30-feet on the back.



Councilor Turner Pugh said she also thought that is what we had asked for

as well.



Mr. Randy McGee said if you go back and look at the information, the

preliminary plat that was submitted, it indicated that they would do the

undisturbed natural buffer, which is 30-feet. He said they would do a

undisturbed natural buffer around Mr. Franklin?s property and the rest of the

buffer would be 10-feet around the rest of the project.



After continued discussion on this matter, Mr. McGee then said it is

20-feet around Mr. Franklin?s side and rear property and 10-feet around the

rest of the project. He said that 20-feet is the maximum that is required.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then stated that this agreement needs to be made a

part of the ordinance, which is a 20-feet undisturbed natural buffer on the

back and side of Mr. Franklin?s property, which he then so moved. Seconded by

Councilor Turner Pugh and then carried unanimously by those ten members of

Council present for this meeting.



Councilor Turner Pugh said on Condition Number Four, as it relates to the

right-out only, it states in the ordinance that a right-out only sign shall be

posted at the driveway and said that she thought we had the discussion and

indicated that the curb had to be right-out instead of just the sign, because

people ignore signs.



Mr. Moye said they have agreed that a concrete island or whatever needs to

be done would be placed there. Councilor Turner Pugh then said that this need

to be placed in the ordinance; however, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers stated that it is

already included in the ordinance, and then read that portion of the ordinance.



City Attorney Fay also stated that this amendment was made a few weeks

ago.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he would like to make a housekeeping amendment

on Condition Number 6, and said he would like for that amendment to read: ?The

driveway on Arkansas Drive shall be located as far away from the Anglin

Road-Arkansas Drive intersection as necessary as specified by the Department of

Engineering?.



He said it is just a little vague to him the way he reads it now, and then

made a motion that this condition be amended. Seconded by Councilor Turner

Pugh and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this

meeting.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he has talked on a number of occasions with the

petitioners and have met on two occasions with the homeowners there, and said

they did traffic counts and those traffic counts that were recorded were less

than 30% of the capacity of both roadways. He said we don?t see that there is

going to be a traffic problem, as many people might have feared as a result of

that development there. However, that is a dangerous corner and said the slope

of the roadway forces vehicles toward the centerline and said in order to avoid

any future problems, as there were five accidents in 2-years at that

intersection, he has asked the Department of Engineering to construct a

stop-sign at the intersection of Anglin Road and Maryland Circle, which will be

a two-way stop. He said this would force individuals coming down Arkansas Drive

to stop at that intersection before they turn left and go down Anglin Road. He

said the Engineering Department has agreed to put that sign up and said it

doesn?t have to be a part of the ordinance, as this is necessary now.



Deputy City Manager Richard Bishop clarified that the stop sign should be

on Arkansas Drive, not Maryland Circle.



After more than fifteen minutes of discussion on this matter, with Mayor

Pro Tem Rodgers and Councilor Davis expressing further views on this matter,

and Mr. Moye responding to their questions, this matter was then concluded.



City Attorney Fay then pointed out that this ordinance will be voted on

next week.

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

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

PUBLIC AGENDA:



MR. MARK MCCOLLUM, RE: REPRESENTING THE GREATER COLUMBUS-GEORGIA CHAMBER

OF COMMERCE, RE: TO EXTEND AN INVITATION TO THE MAYOR & COUNCIL FOR THE 2002

LEGISLATIVE

EXPRESS:



Mr. Mark McCollum appeared and extended an invitation to Mayor Peters and

the members of the Council to attend the 2002 Legislative Express Reception,

which will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2002, at 8:00 p.m. He said this was

formerly known as the Courtyard Campfire, and said this is the Chamber of

Commerce?s opportunity, as well as the community?s opportunity to show their

appreciation of what you have done in the past year for the City of Columbus.

He said this is the Legislative Affairs night, and said all of the elected

officials have been invited.

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

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

CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA CONTINUED:



THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY

CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND THEN INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:



An Ordinance - Amending the Elections & Registration FY03 Budget from

$666,647 to $676,647; accepting $10,000 from the Office of the Secretary of

State and authorizing four part-time election technician (G-4) positions

through November 5, 2002.



An Ordinance - Regulating vehicular traffic in Columbus, Georgia by

establishing no parking anytime along the north curb of 32nd Street from the

east curb of 12th Avenue to the east curb of Pierpoint Avenue; authorizing the

installation of official traffic control signs indicating "No Parking Anytime";

and repealing any conflicting ordinances.

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

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

PUBLIC HEARING:



FIRE DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONAL PROCEDURES ORDINANCE:



Prior to these two ordinances being called up before the Council, Mayor

Peters gave a brief statement prior to this public hearing being held, pointing

out that we have one of the best public safety departments in the nation and

the reason we are doing this ordinance is to try to make it even better. He

said we are not trying to hurt anybody or eliminate any positions or do

anything that would be detrimental to either service. He said the Fire

Department, as well as EMS have received national honors.



Mayor Peters said we want to come up with one ordinance that will be fair

to everyone. He said he wants to thank the Firefighters for their patience and

said that he don?t agree with everything that is in this ordinance and the Fire

Chief doesn?t agree with everything either, but the bottom line is that we are

under a long time period and we have promotions that we need to make. He said

both sides of each department will retain a rank structure for the first few

years to allow some upward mobility on both sides, as you merge together and

get this cross-training done, but there will be plenty of opportunities for

everyone to move up. He said he thinks it is a good effort, and said he would

like to thank Fire Chief Roy Waters and Mr. Chris Hornick for all the work that

they have done on this ordinance.



Prior to the public hearing being called on this matter, Councilor Turner

Pugh requested that the City Manager?s Agenda be called up at this time.

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

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

CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILOR TURNER PUGH, THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS

WERE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL UPON THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION

MADE BY COUNCILOR TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS, WHICH

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:



A Resolution (539-02) - Declaring 60x120 +/- sq. feet of property located

at 420 6th Avenue as surplus and authorizing the sell of said property for the

purpose of a senior citizen water therapy facility, located in Muscogee,

Georgia, A/K/A Tax Map 020 015 002.



A Resolution (540-02) - Declaring 4,830 +/- sq. feet of property as

surplus and authorizing the sell of said property identified as Tax Map Parcel

014-019-006, A/K/A 3402 6th Avenue, Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia.



A Resolution (541-02) - Authorizing the execution of a quit claim deed to

Swift Spinnnig, Inc., for a portion of the 10 x 150 +/- feet alley that runs

south from 32nd Street between 3rd and 4th Avenue (Veterans Parkway) and a 5 x

100 +/- foot portion that abuts the tract which contains lots 15 and 16 of

Block 22, be abandoned.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING ELEVEN PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS, HAVING BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE

CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT

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

BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF

COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:



A Resolution (542-02) - Authorizing the purchase of ?Byrequest? Electronic

Report Distribution Software and one-year maintenance support, in the amount of

$18,395.00; and ?Transform?, Electronic form Conversion Software, in the amount

of $5,995.00 from Hillary Software, Inc., (Spring Lake, NJ).



A Resolution (543-02) - Authorizing a contract with Justice Benefits,

Inc., (JBI) (Dallas, TX), for Federal reimbursement Recovery Services.



A Resolution (544-02) - Authorizing payment in the amount of $11,034.00 to

Fire & Emergency Television Network (FETN) (Carrollton, TX) for renewal of the

annual satellite services for Fire & Emergency Medical Services training.





A Resolution (545-02) - Authorizing the execution of an Annual Maintenance

contract for Security Locking Services from Grayco Detention Equipment, Inc.,

for the estimated annual contract value of $150,000.00.



A Resolution (546-02) - Authorizing the purchase of Steam Cleaning

Machines and soap on an ?as needed basis? from Chemstation Southeast for the

estimated annual contract value of $13,608.00.



A Resolution (547-02) - Authorizing the purchase of Poly Vinyl Chloride

(PVC) Pipe from E & E Wholesale Plumbing on an ?as needed basis? for the

estimated annual contract amount of $7,500.00.



A Resolution (548-02) - Authorizing the purchase of one motor grader with

Cab from Tractor & Equipment Company, Stith Division, in the amount of

$115,595.00.



A Resolution (549-02) - Authorizing a contract with Tasty Delight to

provide concessionaire services at the Columbus Consolidated Government Center

Complex.



A Resolution (550-02) - Authorizing payment in the amount of $14,210.00 to

Medley Restaurant Equipment and Supply (Albany, Georgia), for the purchase of

transport carts.



A Resolution (551-02) - Authorizing payment to Troutman Sanders, LLP, for

attorney fees, in the amount of $15,299.45.



A Resolution (552-02) - Authorizing the purchase of fifty-one (51)

computers and seven (7) printers from Dell Computers, in the amount of

$69,798.00, for the Columbus Career Center, One Stop Delivery System.

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

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

COUNCILOR-ELECT ANTHONY:



Mayor Peters recognized the presence of Councilor-elect Wayne Anthony, who

was also seated in the audience.

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

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

CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE THEN SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ

BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND AFTER MORE THAN FOUR HOURS OF DISCUSSION, THE

ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED AND ITS FIRST READING CONTINUED FOR ONE

WEEK:





An Ordinance - Revising the organizational chart for the Columbus

Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services; and amending the position

Classification Plan and Pay Plan of the Consolidated Government as specified on

the attached organizational chart and list of authorized staffing.



An Ordinance - Revising the promotional procedures for the Columbus

Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services; and for other purposes.



Mayor Peters said if we see flaws in this ordinance or in the system, as

we go through this cycle and because we are on the fast track trying to get the

materials out, we can amend this ordinance within a 2-week period. He said we

need to go ahead and go through this cycle, and clear up some of these back

promotions for the last two years, and then we will move forward and try to

address all of your concerns.



City Attorney Fay said there has been a substitute organizational chart

that has been passed around the table with one change being made for the

Emergency Management, Deputy Director.



Mayor Peters said there would be recommendations from the Fire Chief, as

well as the consultant; however, the Council will decide some of these issues.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said on last week there appeared to be some

concensus of thinking about some points and then said he thinks that we need to

go ahead and deal with them, so that we won't have questions about something

that we know that we agree with. He said one of them was that at each rank

level, in exchange for education and experience, once you have met that one

time, it should not have to be carried over at each rank level. He said once

you have met that 2 for 1 trade-off, it shouldn't matter what grade level you

are sitting for, you are going to have that experience in lieu of the

education. He said he doesn't think that we should have to restate this and two

more additional years at every rank level.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then made a motion that this requirement be deleted.

Seconded by Councilor Turner Pugh.



Mayor Peters said that has been amended based on the discussion from the

meeting last week, and then asked Mr. Hornick to inform the Council of what it

reads.



Section 11-17.5: Eligibility for promotions:



Mr. Hornick said for each of the positions, they have done exactly what

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers has suggested, which is to create that trade-off

education at the first promotable position, which would be Sergeant. He said

that would be a total of four additional years, for a total of seven years.

He said for all the other positions, they have traded a one to one trade-off.

He said instead of two years for one, they have said if you don't have the

Associates Degree and don't pursue it, then you only have to have one

additional year for each year of education. He said for an Associates Degree

trade-off, that is an additional two year. He said they have done that

throughout all the positions.



Mayor Peters said in the Police Department, we have pushed education since

1970 and said in the Fire Department with the University of Georgia study, in

1997 we began requiring college. He said many have stated that when they were

hired they were not told that they had to have college education, like the

Police Department, and said they are saying now that this is going to hurt some

of their officers. He said we are recommending that they be grandfathered in,

and if they were already on the Department prior to 1997 and they have the

experience in lieu of education, then they can sit for promotions. He said if

they were hired after 1997, they knew that it was a condition of their

employment that they would have to go back to school to get their education. He

said it is a trade off, and if you have the college now, then you can sit

sooner for promotions versus those who don't have it.



Mr. Hornick said that is correct for Sergeant, and then it would be one

additional year beyond the minimum requirement for the other positions, if you

don't have the Associates Degree.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said that is not what they talked about, and said

they talked about achieving the trade-off requirement one time, and that's it.



Several minutes of discussion developed on the eligibility for promotions,

with several members of the Council expressing their views and Mr. Hornick then

responding to questions and concerns of the Council. Mr. Hornick said he didn't

come up with the one to one trade-off, but said that was a recommendation from

the Firefighters Association and was endorsed by the Fire Chief.



Councilor Turner Pugh asked where did the compromise of the one to one

trade-off come from. Chief Waters said he did not make that recommendation, and

said the way it is written now, and when it was discussed during the Work

Session, that was what he recommended. He said he knows that there was some

discussion about once you met the requirement that was it.



Chief Waters said Mr. Hornick wrote the ordinance the way he recommended

it to the Council in the Work Session, and he felt like if he changed it, then

it could cause some credibility issues with him. He said he did not come up

with those recommendations and he supports what was discussed in the Work

Session. He said Mr. Hornick's intent was to go ahead and list it in the

ordinance, so that it could be either voted on or out on today.



Mr. Hornick said he had originally wrote it as two to one, and received

language that was one to one, and that is what was put in the ordinance. He

responded to further questions of the Council regarding this recommendation,

saying his recommendation was a trade-off of two to one; however, there were

discussions of Council of many different approaches, with one being a one to

one trade-off and the other being, once they met the requirement for the

Sergeant's position not requiring it beyond that. He said his understanding was

when the language was drafted and done, the one to one is what ended up in it;

however, his recommendation was two to one. He said he thinks one to one is

reasonable, if this is what the Council prefers.



Councilor Turner Pugh said the language that they want, is the earlier

motion that was made by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers.



Councilor Turner Pugh said she needs to know whether or not the

Firefighter?s Association endorses the one to one trade-off. Prior to the

members of the Firefighter?s Association being heard, Mayor Peters asked Mr.

Hornick to explain exactly what the one to one concept is.



Mr. Hornick said in terms of the educational requirements for promotion,

said the ordinance reads that there will be a 2-year experience trade-off for

one year of education for the Fire Sergeant position; and for all other

promotable positions, Fire Captain, Fire Lieutenant, EMS Captain, EMS

Lieutenant and Battalion Chief, the ordinance reads that if you have the

Associate Degree, you need to meet a 2-year in rank experience level, plus the

Associate Degree, to qualify to test for promotion. He said if you don?t have

the Associate Degree, then you must have the 2-years experience, plus two

additional years in rank and that is the trade-off of one to one.



Battalion Chief Eddie Hall, President of the Firefighter?s Association and

Lt. Eric Reeves, Chairperson of the Promotion Committee, appeared and expressed

their views as it relates to the one to one trade-off requirement. Several

minutes of discussion developed on this matter, with Mr. Reeves and Mr. Hall

responding to several questions of the Mayor and members of the Council.





After continued discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then made a motion that

the policy be adopted and made a part of the ordinance and that once the

educational requirements have been satisfied, they don?t have to repeat it.

Seconded by Councilor Suber.



Mayor Peters and several members of the Council expressed their views on

this motion.



Mayor Peters, in response to members of the Council as to what are some of

the concerns of the firefighters and the Firefighter?s Association, said they

want to discuss the Dual Chiefs, Rank Structure, Rule of Five, and 50% EMT

Performance Test for Sergeants.



Lt. Arnold Farley also appeared and expressed his concerns as it relates

to the trade-off for educational requirements. He said if the date that they

are proposing for the testing for promotion, which is December 16, is accurate

he would miss the promotion by 10 days. He said he doesn?t have a degree;

therefore, he would have two years in service of rank and 20-years experience.



Several minutes of discussion continued, with members of the Council

responding to those concerns of Lt. Farley, regarding the testing date. Dr.

Chris Hornick also responded to several questions on this matter as to the

eligibility date, as well as it relates to the date of when the written test

would be given. He said they decided to go with the date that the ordinance is

approved.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then renewed his earlier motion, as it relates to

the educational requirements being met, after which further discussion was

held, after which the question was called on the motion, which carried by a

vote of 9 to 1, with Councilor Smith voting no and all other nine members of

the Council present voting yes.



During the next four hours and after much detailed discussions with the

Mayor and Council going through the ordinance, with the highlighted sections

being the amendments made by the Council after the consultant, Dr. Chris

Hornick, Fire Chief Waters and Deputy Chief Arrington responded to questions of

the Mayor and Council, and members of the Columbus-Fire EMS Department

expressed their views as it relates to each section, as outlined below:



Section 11-17.5(b)(c)(f) Eligibility for promotions:



Councilor Smith said he has a concern where a candidate must serve on an

engine or other fire apparatus at least 40% of the active shifts for the year.



He said he would recommend that since this is going to be a transitional

process that we try to have it in place over a 3-5 year period that we factor

in a staggered percentage, with the 1st year being 30%, 2nd year 35%, and the

3rd year 40%, until we get to that level that we want to be at; because right

now we don?t have enough paramedics to allow them to ride the trucks in order

to get that amount of time.



Mayor Pro Tem Rogers said he agrees, and said as a result of conversations

he has had with Councilor Davis, Chief Waters and Chief Arrington this proposal

will be made as a recommendation.



Councilor Smith then made a motion that these recommendations be approved.

The highlighted areas listed below are those recommendations made.



(b) For promotion to Fire Sergeant. To be eligible to participate in the

promotional procedure for Fire Sergeant, the employee must hold a firefighter

certification and successfully complete the Proficiency in Fire Apparatus

Operations test administered by the Department's Division of Fire Training.

Each promotional candidate shall be provided an opportunity to pass the

Proficiency for Fire Apparatus Operations test only once during any promotional

cycle. Further, each promotional candidate must have served on an engine or

other fire apparatus at least30 shifts for 2003, 35 shifts for 2004, and 40

shifts for 2005 in the year immediately preceding the eligibility date or have

served on an engine or fire apparatus for fifteen (15) of the previous

thirty-six (36) months and thereafter (except these requirements shall not

apply to personnel who have chosen a career path in Fire Prevention or

Training),



(c) For promotion to Fire Lieutenant. To be eligible to participate, each

promotional candidate must have served on an engine or other fire apparatus at

least 30 shifts for 2003, 35 shifts for 2004, and 40 shifts for 2005 in the

year immediately preceding the eligibility date or have served on an engine or

fire apparatus for fifteen (15) of the previous thirty-six (36) months and

thereafter (except these requirements shall not apply to personnel who have

chosen a career path in Fire Prevention or Training). (In addition, EMS Lieutenants and EMS Captains must have successfully passed

the Fire Sergeant promotional process, but are not required to hold the rank of

Fire Sergeant.) Further, all candidates must:



(f) For promotion to EMS Lieutenant. To be eligible to participate in the

promotional procedure for EMS Lieutenant, the employee must hold a firefighter

certification and a paramedic certification and have served on an ambulance or

advanced life support fire apparatus at least 30 shifts for 2003, 35 shifts for

2004, and 40 shifts for 2005 in the year immediately preceding the eligibility

date or have served on an ambulance or advanced life support fire apparatus for

fifteen (15) of the previous thirty-six (36) months and thereafter (except

these requirements shall not apply to personnel who have chosen a career path

in Fire Prevention or Training), AND



Councilor Henderson said he would like for Fire Chief Waters to provide an

implementation process or plan on the availability of time for the personnel to

get the time needed to ride on an engine or fire apparatus. Also, provide the

amount of cost to outfit the necessary number of vehicles as required by the

ALS.



After continued discussion Councilor Davis seconded the motion made by

Councilor Smith. After Chief Arrington, Lt. Patterson and Lt. Aubrey Todd

explained this recommendation further to the Council, the question was then

called on the motion, which carried unanimously by those 10 members of Council

present for this meeting



Section 11-17.6(g)(1)(2)(3) Rank order of Five:



Mayor Peters said when you take the test, pass the test and then you go to

the assessment center and then get ranked, and the Chief has the ranking of the

top five, but said he knows that Mr. Hornick?s position is that the Fire Chief

should have the discretion to not go in rank order and every time he promotes

someone, he pulls up somebody else to replace that person. He said the Chief

doesn?t want that, he just wants to have the five and nobody be brought up and

just promote 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. He said we have discussed this and everyone has

a different opinion, so we decided to just put it on the table and let the

Council decide what they want to do on this issue.



Dr. Hornick said his professional recommendation was that we use the rule

of five with replacement, and said the language that is written does not state

that. He said it is the language that the Chief and the Association wanted to

have, which is that we use the rule of five and that there would not be any

replacements, and the Chief would be allowed to choose from among those five

plus ties for the number of promotions until that group is exhausted and then

the next group of five plus ties would be moved up. He said it is a rule of

five without replacement.



Councilor Suber then made a motion that we accept the Chief?s

recommendation that once ranked after the assessment center, that he will

select the top five candidates for the positions open, and if someone is

promoted and there are only four candidates left, that he not bring anybody up,

until he exhaust those five candidates. Seconded by Councilor Smith and after

Chief Waters gave his reasoning for his recommendation, saying he wants to have

a rank order list, and then responded to questions of the Council, the question

was called on the motion, which resulted in a vote of 7- 3, with Councilor

Suber, Smith and Woodson voting yes, and all other seven members of Council

voting no.



Mayor Peters said we would revert back to the original wording, which is

that top five will go into a pool and the Chief will have the discretion to

promote whomever he desires.



Councilor Turner Pugh said the Chief could put out a policy statement that

his administration will do strict rank order.



Section 11-17.4(c)Promotional Cycle:



Councilor Smith said originally the promotion cycle was 18 months and said

in the ordinance he sees a one-year promotional cycle.



Mayor Peters said the consultant, Chris Hornick feels very strongly that

you need every 12-months to go through the cycle; however, Chief Waters feels

that 18 months would be better, because sometimes we get behind and said that

if we get behind on a promotion cycle that will throw off everything. He said

Mr. Hornick and his staff seems to think that they can stay ahead of the curb

and manage it every 12-months.



Mr. Hornick said there has been significant discussion as to whether or

not it should be a 12-month list, an 18-month list, and as a compromise between

that and 24-months. He then went into some details, pointing out within his

personal experience with the couple of hundred of agencies that he has worked

with, an annual listing is almost always what agencies use, and it makes it

much simpler to manage. He said if we do change it to a cycle other than on a

12-month or 24-month basis, the complications are going to be who qualifies

when and it is going to change and people will be confused as to when they are

eligible.



After continued discussion, with Mr. Hornick explaining his further

reasons for the 12-month promotion cycle, several members of the Council

expressed their views in this regard as well.



Mr. Hornick then responded to several questions of Mayor Peters and

members of the Council as it relates to a passing score of the written

examination regarding the promotional procedures. There were also questions

asked of Mr. Hornick as it relates to the certification of eligibility and the

45-days cycle. Chief Waters also responded to questions of the Council as to

how many individuals will be needed or eligible for the next promotion cycle.

Discussions continued on a passing score, with Mr. Hornick responding to

further questions of the Mayor and Council.



Section 11-17.3(g) Eligibility date:



Mayor Peters said Chief Waters and Mr. Hornick have a little difference of

opinion on this section.



Chief Waters, in response to a question of Councilor Turner Pugh, said he

asked that the eligibility date be consistent with the ordinance that we

currently have in place, which the cut-off would be the date of the written

examination, so an individual would qualify on the date of the examination, if

they meet the eligibility requirements. He said Mr. Hornick has a different

recommendation.



Mr. Hornick said he recommended a fixed date that doesn?t change from year

to year, and said how you establish that is when the ordinance is passed,

October 15th or July 15th, whatever number you come up with, he thinks for the

sake of the people in the department, you should specify that date and it

shouldn?t change.



Councilor Turner Pugh then asked City Attorney Fay what would be the

problem in using the date that the ordinance is adopted or the date it becomes

effective. City Attorney Fay said you could use that date and subsequent

12-months intervals after that.



Chief Waters said that it depends on when the test will be given. He said

in this particular cycle, if the ordinance is adopted within the next few weeks

and the test is given the week of December 16th, and the second reading of the

ordinance is October 15th; everyone after October 15th until the date of the

test, who could qualify will be excluded from taking the test.



More than forty-five minutes of discussion was held on this aspect of the

eligibility date, with Chief Waters and Mr. Hornick responding to further

questions of the Council. Mayor Peters and members of the Council then

expressing their views on this matter, after which Councilor Turner Pugh then

made a motion that the eligibility date be the date that the ordinance is

adopted on subsequent testing; however, the test for December, the eligibility

date shall be the date of the written examination. Seconded by Councilor

Henderson.



Mr. Hornick said we need to clarify what that means by the written test

date. He said the week of December 16th, they will be doing the written test

for all the positions, but they are not doing them all on the same day. He said

what you are going to end up doing is establishing a different date.



Chief Waters said they cannot test for every position in one day, as that

is not possible. He said if we say the date of the written exam, it could be

December 16, 17 or 18th, but it depends on what rank is being tested; then it

would be correct. He said if we lock ourselves into December 16th, they will

not be able to meet that, so if we say the week of December 16th for the first

promotional test, then we will be covered.



After further discussion on this issue, Councilor Turner Pugh then amended

her motion to say that the date of eligibility will be December 20th. Seconded

by Councilor Suber, which carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present for this meeting. The amendment is highlighted below:



The date from which an employee?s time in service or time in rank

requirement is calculated. The eligibility date for promotional testing for

the ranks of Fire Sergeant, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Captain, EMS Lieutenant, EMS

Captain, and Fire Battalion Chief shall be December 20, 2002 for the first

promotional cycle under this ordinance. For the second promotional cycle, the

eligibility date shall be twelve (12) months after the effective date of this

ordinance. For the third promotional cycle, the eligibility date shall be

twenty-four 24 months after the effective date of this ordinance and for

subsequent promotional cycles, the eligibility date shall be set at subsequent

twelve-month intervals thereafter. The examination date for each position

shall be determined by the examination administrator.



*** *** ***



Section 11-17.5(d) Eligibility for promotions.



Mayor Peters said prior to 1997 that people who didn?t have the college

were offset by experience; however, they didn?t want to relax the educational

requirements, and felt that as individuals retired that issue would work itself

out. He said people hired after 1997 knew that college was part of their

employment and wasn?t a problem, so the only issue was when you get up to the

ranks, and because we have had educational requirements since 1997, there were

not any individuals who had four-year degrees that could be promoted, because

the department didn?t have anyone with a 4-year degree.



He said we have Attorney Bill Mason who has a client that has a 4-year

degree, and said there is a recommendation from him that the Associate Degree

stay constant throughout the Department, through every rank. He said you have

to be hired with an Associate Degree, and when you get promoted to any rank,

you still have to maintain that Associate Degree, but you don?t have to go back

and get the Bachelors Degree. He said this is the issue that Attorney Bill

Mason wants to talk about.



Attorney Bill Mason said the ordinance that is proposed deletes the

requirements for Battalion Chief for promotions from Captain to Battalion Chief

and Deputy Chief.



Mayor Peters said it doesn?t eliminate it, and said instead of requiring

them to have a Bachelors Degree as it is now, we prefer them to have it, and

said that is the difference.



Mr. Mason then pointed out that the present requirement to be promoted

from Captain to Battalion Chief and above is a Bachelor?s degree. He said you

passed that in September of 1997, and that put everyone who wanted to be a

Captain or Battalion Chief on notice that as of January 1, 2002, in order to be

eligible to go above Captain, that they needed a four-year degree. He said

he represents Captain Davis of the Fire Department, who believed you at that

time, and went and got his Bachelor?s Degree.



Mr. Mason went into further details in outlining his concern of his

client. He said we are asking you to remain constant in the educational

requirements, and anyone who wants to be a Battalion Chief or above, must have

a 4-year degree.



Several members of the Council responded to those concerns of

Mr. Mason, after which Mr. Mason then responded to questions of members of the

Council.



Mayor Peters then asked Mr. Mason, if they want to leave it in as a

requirement, to which he said yes. The Mayor then asked if there was a motion

of the Council in this regard, but there was no motion made to this effect.



*** *** ***



Section 11-17.14. Position of Deputy Chief:



Mayor Peters said the next issue is whether or not you want to have in the

organizational structures, two assistant chiefs. Councilor Suber then made a

motion that there remain two assistant chiefs in the rank structure. Seconded

by Councilor Turner Pugh.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then asked if this is proposed in the ordinance and

why do we need a motion in that regard. It was pointed out that it is proposed;

therefore, Councilor Suber withdrew his motion.



*** *** ***



Councilor Smith said he has received a copy of an email, dated today from

Deputy Chief David Arrington and said it talks about the recommendations for

Integration of rank structure. He then asked Fire Chief Roy Waters to give his

reasons as to why he is recommending these be added to the ordinance.



Chief Waters said it will force them into doing things that are going be

very difficult, and said they will just have to find a way to make it happen.

He said it put things in writing and would address the concerns that the

paramedics had about cross-training, and the opportunities to be able to get

the time needed to ride on a truck. He said they have been providing those

opportunities, not as much as they would like to; however, this will give

written guidelines stating specifically what we will have to do.



Chief Waters then asked if it is the Council's intent to adopt all of

these items on the list or just some of them, to which Councilor Smith asked if

that is his recommendation to adopt all of these recommendations.



Chief Waters also said if the Council can approve that, he certainly

supports that. He said he wants everyone to be familiar with the last

recommendation on the list, which states that The Department should discontinue

conducting an EMS Lieutenant and EMS Captain promotional process after 2004.



Mayor Peters said because this is an interim chart, as long as we get a

good ordinance today, we can always come back and amend it within a two-week

time period. He said a lot of these recommendations have merits and are good

suggestions; but some of them like the last one mentioned by Chief Waters, is

too premature to debate it. He said if we can get through this cycle and see

how this is going to work, we might want to amend this ordinance if it doesn't

turn out the way you anticipate it.



Several minutes of discussion developed on the proposed recommendations,

as submitted by Deputy Chief Arrington, with Chief Arrington responding to

several questions of the Council.





The proposed recommendations are as follows:



1) The Department should establish a single rank system which requires

officers to demonstrate competency and proficiency in both Fire and EMS

disciplines.



2) The Fire Officer rank system will serve as the foundation of the new

rank system.



3) All EMS Officers will be required to participate in and successfully

complete the promotional process for each promotional rank up to and including

their current rank. Upon completion of this process and meeting the minimum

experience requirements, the EMS Officer would have achieved the permanent rank

status of an integrated officer at that rank. Upon achieving the status of an

integrated officer the candidate must successfully complete the minimum service

requirements for promotion to a higher rank.



4) The minimum promotional eligibility service requirements be established

that all personnel ride on an engine or other fire apparatus a minimum of 30%

for 2003, 35% for 2004, and 40% for 2005 or to ride 15 of the previous 36

months on an engine or other fire apparatus. This would not apply to personnel

who have chosen a career path in Fire Prevention or Training. (This

recommendation was approved earlier upon a motion of Councilor Smith)



5) As recommended by CWH, all Fire Officers will be required to

successfully complete E.M.T. training in order to achieve the integrated

officer rank.



6) This process will not modify the current number of allocated positions

for the rank of Captain or Lieutenant.



7) The Department should discontinue conducting an EMS Lieutenant and EMS

Captain promotional process after 2004.



Councilor Smith then asked Deputy Chief Arrington, if he is recommending

that these recommendations be approved, to which he said that he is. After

several minutes of discussion, Councilor Smith then made a motion that Item

Numbers 3, 5, 6 & 7, be adopted as part of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor

Suber.



Mr. Hornick also expressed his views as it relates to the integrated rank

structure, and after further discussions, the question was then called on the

motion, which carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for

this meeting.

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

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



NOTE: Councilor McDaniel left at this point in the proceedings, with the

time being 9:58 p.m.

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

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



ASSISTANT CHIEF:



Mayor Peters said the ordinance does address the selection of the

Assistant Chief and then asked Deputy Chief Vic Schmidt if he wants to be heard

on this matter, he may do so. He said the Assistant Chief is appointed by the

Chief and gives the reason on eligibility.



Deputy Chief Schmidt said he wants to speak to the change in the ordinance

requirements for the position of Assistant Chief. He said July 1, 2001 the

newly merged Department of Fire & EMS created the position of Assistant Chief,

and said at that time the job description, knowledge, skills and abilities and

minimum eligibility requirements were developed and approved by HR and used to

make a selection to fill that newly created position.



He said in the current proposed ordinance before the Council, an

additional Assistant Chief's position has been recommended, but with the

recommendations comes an imperative selection recommendation with no

competitive process being considered. He said the ordinance also includes a

competitive process at every rank for every level, except at the level of

Assistant Chief.



Mayor Peters and several members of the Council responded to several

concerns of Deputy Chief Schmidt. Chief Schmidt said the requirements that

were written then was a two to three page document, and now there are only two

to three bullets and said the requirements have been reduced in the new

ordinance, based on what was written just 13 months ago.



Mayor Peters then read those new requirements, which are as listed below:



Sec. 11-17.13. Position of Assistant Chief.



(a) The position of Assistant Chief is an appointed rank. Said appointment is

to be made by the Chief.



(b) The position of Assistant Chief shall be pay grade 23.



(c) To be eligible for the position of Assistant Chief, a candidate must have

held the appointed or promoted rank of Battalion Chief, Division Chief or

Deputy Chief. A baccalaureate degree is preferred, but not required, for this

position.



(d) The candidate must have completed the Executive Development Program as

conducted by the Georgia Public Safety Training Center or the National Fire

Academy or shall complete said Program within two years after appointment.



(e) Any officer who fails to perform the duties of this rank satisfactorily or

fails to complete the Executive Development Program, as per (d) above, may at

any time be reverted to their former permanent rank at the discretion of the

Chief.



Several members of the Council responded to several of those concerns

expressed by Deputy Chief Schmidt. Mayor Peters also pointed out to Chief

Schmidt that all ordinances and parts of ordinance in conflict with this

ordinance are repealed. He said when this ordinance is adopted, the previous

standards are obsolete and this will be the new criterion.



*** *** ***



Mayor Peters said based on the materials that have gone out and the time

for testing, what is the timeline. Mr. Hornick said according to the ordinance,

they need to prepare the promotional announcement that characterizes the

passing points and all those things by the end of the month. He said the

ordinance would have to be passed prior to that time so that they can meet it

by the end of October, which is roughly 45-days.



Section 11-17.6. Promotional procedures for Fire Sergeant, Fire

Lieutenant, Fire Captain, Fire Battalion Chief, EMS Lieutenant, and EMS Captian:



President Eddie Hall said the consultant is allowing weight for the written

test and assessment score, like they asked for, but said what they are asking

for now is that the weight be put in the ordinance and not left up to the

administrator.



Mayor Peters pointed out that Mr. Hornick said he would give weight to the

test. Mr. Hornick then expressed his views as it relates to the weight of test

scoring, and said as he has stated that the percentages for the written test

range from 23% to 33%.



Mayor Peters said they did see that, but if it is not in the ordinance, we

won't know what guidelines can be used.



Discussion continued on this aspect for some twenty minutes, with Mr.

Hornick responding to several questions of the Mayor and Council, as well as

Mr. Eddie Hall, President of the Firefighter's Association. He also outlined

those percentages that will be used for the written test. There was no change

made as it relates to the weighing of the written test.



After the conclusion of the public hearing on these two ordinances,

Councilor Allen made a motion that the ordinance is left on first reading for

one week. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried by a vote of eight to

one, with Councilor Suber voting no and all other eight members of Council

still present voting yes. (Councilor McDaniel having already left the meeting.)



*** *** ***



City Attorney Fay pointed out that he has substituted a new organizational

chart, to include the Emergency Management Deputy, and said we need a motion to

amend the ordinance. Councilor Allen so moved. Seconded by Councilor Davis and

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

meeting, with Councilor McDaniel having already left the meeting.

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

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

CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMTITED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND

ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:



A Resolution (553-02) - Excusing Councilor R. Gary Allen from the

September 24, 2002 Council Meeting. Councilor Allen moved its adoption.

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

Council still present for this meeting, with Councilor McDaniel having already

left the meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING THREE TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATIONS WERE SUBMITTED

BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE

ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR ALLEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR

WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL STILL

PRESENT, WITH COUNCILOR MCDANIEL HAVING ALREADY LEFT THE

MEETING:





Application of Mr. Burnet Quick for a temporary street closure of 6th

Avenue between 12th Street and 14th Street, on October 8, 2002, from 3:00 p.m.

to 9:00 p.m. in connection with the ?Legislative Express for City and State

Officials?.



Application of Ms. Delia Postell for a temporary street closure of Sue

Mack Drive from Auburn Avenue to Techwood Drive, on October 12, 2002, from

12:00 p.m. to midnight, in connection with a ?Neighborhood Block Party?.



Application of Mr. Stephen Saffels for a temporary street closure of the

parallel parking spaces along median of the 1000 block of Broadway, on October

26, 2002, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., in connection with a ?Concert?.



*** *** ***



HISTORIC & ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Mr. Phillip Ford

resigning from his position on the Board of Historic & Architectural Review.



Councilor Allen moved that the letter be received with regrets and thanks

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

nine members of Council still present with Councilor McDaniel having already

left the meeting.



*** *** ***



MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:



Board of Tax Assessors, Numbers 36 & 37.

Council Briefing, March 12, 2002.

Employees? Pension, Board of Trustees, August 7, 2002.

Health, Board of, July 24, 2002.

Hospital Authority, August 27, 2002.

Housing Authority, August 21, 2002.

Recreation Advisory Board, September 18, 2002.



Councilor Allen made a motion that these minutes be received. Seconded by

Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

still present with Councilor McDaniel having already left the meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING NEW ZONING PETITION, RECOMMENDED FOR

APPROVAL BY BOTH THE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION AND THE PLANNING DIVISION WAS

SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING

WAS CALLED FOR BY COUNCILOR SUBER:



Petition submitted by Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc. to rezone

properties in North Highlands from an R-4 (High Density Residential)

District to R-3A (Medium Density Residential) District and property in

Beallwood from C-3 (General Commercial) District to R-3 (Medium

Density Residential) District. (54-A-02-Habitat For Humanity.)



*** *** ***



BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



TAXICAB COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington said we still need someone for the new

at-large seat on the Taxicab Commission that was approved several months ago.

There were no nominations.



*** *** ***



YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that there was one additional

nominee that is needed on the Youth Advisory Council and then asked Councilor

Henderson if he had his nominee. Councilor Henderson indicated that he had

provided that information to the City Manager?s Office; however, it has not

been received by Clerk of Council Washington.



*** *** ***



After more than four hours of discussion on the Fire Department's

promotional procedures ordinance and with there being no other business to come

before this Council, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then made a motion for adjournment.

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

Council still present, with Councilor McDaniel having already left the meeting,

and the time being 10:32 p.m.



*** *** ***





Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia