Columbus, Georgia

COUNCIL BRIEFING



May 21, 2002





A Council Briefing was held on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 in the Council Chamber

Conference Room, on the Plaza Level of the Government Center, Columbus,

Georgia. Mayor Pro Tem Jack Rodgers, presiding.



PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers were Mayor Bobby G. Peters

Councilors: R. Gary Allen, Berry Henderson, Julius Hunter, Jr. Charles E.

McDaniel, Robert Poydasheff, Richard Smith, Nathan Suber and Evelyn Turner Pugh

and Evelyn Woodson. Also present were City Manager Carmen Cavezza; City

Attorney Clifton Fay; Director of Finance Kay Love and Director of Human

Resources Tom Barron.



ABSENT: None



GUEST: Mr. Greg Fender, District Manager, Fine Host









This meeting was called to order at 8:15 a.m.





ANNOUNCEMENTS:



? Ms. Williams scheduled to appear on the Public Agenda will not be here today.



? There will be a Budget Meeting following the Council Meeting.





FINE HOST:



City Manager Cavezza reported that as a result of the Fine Host Contract listed

on last week?s agenda, since that time several members of Council requested

that a representative from Fine Host address their concerns. At this time,

City Manager Cavezza recognized Mr. Greg Fender, District Manager of Fine Host

as the guest and asked him to respond to the various concerns raised by the

members of Council.



Councilor Henderson listed his concerns as follows:



But first, he suggested to exclude the South Commons area from the contract and

pointed out that the Civic Center is predominately organized by the City, and

that many of the events in the softball field are put on by the various

organizations inside and outside the community, the feeling was for them to

continue to bring these tournaments that have an economic - impact to Columbus;

however, he said part of the City?s package is to retain some of the

concession. He then asked for suggestions on how to work with them on an

individual basis or work through the Council, City Manager or Parks and

Recreation; but he said that he would like to strive for more variety instead

of the recommendation to exclude them completely. He reported two incidents:



(1) Canned water - It was reported that the public is being charged $1.50 for

a cup of ice. He says he realized that this was an accounting mechanism

regarding the cups, but he feels that a better policy could be used to resolve

this matter.



(2) Containers for ketchup - There are no containers for the ketchup



(3) Overcharging for extras





In conclusion, Councilor Henderson asked that Fine Host be more attentive to

the customer issues and allow the employees more latitude by making some of

these decisions on their own.





Responding to the concerns of Councilor Henderson, Mr. Bender ensured that we

will follow your lead and, from a customer standpoint, there is no reason we

should have those issues because we do have supervisors there to make those

exceptions. He stated that there are ways around charging those kinds of

prices for cups of ice, which he said is a training issue.



Responding to Mayor Peters? question, if there will be a price increase as a

result of the new contract, he replied that the only two price increases will

be an additional $ .25 for pretzels and $.25 on the bottled water. Councilor

Suber inquired about a change in the menu, which Mr. Bender advised him that

there will a change in the menu with the introduction of the barbecue concept.

He reported that a $125,000 investment will go toward those changes with an

increase in the variety and options of foods and also, the survey concept will

be reinstated.



For sanitary purposes, Councilor Turner Pugh, recommended using the packets of

ketchup instead of the dispenser.





City Manager Cavezza pointed out that the contract for Fine Host is not listed

on the Agenda, today. However, he explained that under the old contract, the

City?s grossed $23.5% and under the new contract, there is a 30% gross. He

said up to $1.5 million, we get 30% of the gross, compared to $23.5%. In

addition to that, we will put 2% market sales in the marketing fund and 2% will

go into the utility fund.



In addition Mayor Peters pointed out that the prices won?t go up, but Mr.

Bender explained that their will an additional $.25 for pretzels and $.25 for

bottled water. Responding to Councilor Suber?s question regarding a menu

change, Mr. Bender explained there will be suggested changes and said there

will be a $125,000 investment toward making those changes. He said once the

contract is approved, there will be representatives who will come down to fine

tune some of the concepts and to look at the menus within each areas. Councilor

Woodson recommended using surveys, which Mr. Bender stated would be reinstated.



After more than twenty ? five minutes of discussion on this issue, City Manager

offered to make arrangements with Fine Host, and said the this matter would be

brought up in the regular Council session.





ENTERPRISE ZONE GRANT:



? The City of Columbus will receive a $200,000 grant for the Enterprise Zone.

? The City of Columbus will be making improvements on the Old Town Storm

Water/System , June 3, 2002, on 12th Street and 3rd Avenue) lasting about two

months.

? Annual Contract for 800 MHZ Motorolas - The City is controlling

the number of radios purchased using an approval process.







AUTOMATICS WEAPONS:



Comparing the Glock versus Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistols, Councilor

Suber questioned the cost effectiveness of purchasing the Smith and Wesson ,in

comparison with the Glocks? City Manager Cavezza explained that the Sheriff?s

Department is requestings the Glocks because they say statewide all Sheriff

Department claim these are better weapons; however, he repeated the question,

at this time City Manager Cavezza asked Finance Director Kay Love to further

explain. She explained that while it not based on quantity, we do give them an

estimated volume and an idea of the amount of weapons to purchase, she said she

would provide further information on this purchase. As the councilors raised

various questions/concerns regarding the purchase of the Smith and Wesson, City

Manager Cavezza said he would meet with Public Safety and come back with

definite answers to their questions.







Their being no further business to discuss, this meeting adjourned at 8:59 a.m.













Gloria A. Secretary