Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

WORK SESSION

MARCH 23, 2004





The regular monthly Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was

called to order at 9:05 A.M., Tuesday, March 23, 2004, in the Council Chambers,

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

presiding.



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

Councilors R. Gary Allen, Wayne Anthony, Glenn Davis, Berry Henderson, Julius

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

Evelyn Woodson. City Manager Carmen Cavezza, 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: No one was absent.



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INVOCATION: Led by Rev. Keith Coward- Christ Community Church.



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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Poydasheff.



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LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX (L.O.S.T):



Mayor Poydasheff thanked those City Officials that joined him in a trip to

Atlanta, Georgia, as well as, our State Senators for the excellent session with

the leadership of the Senate and House to work on a reasonable solution to the

local option sales tax. He stated that it is on its way to the Conference

Committee today. He said that he believes it was a successful trip.

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MINUTES: Minutes of the March 16, 2004 meeting of the Council of the Columbus

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were submitted and approved

unanimously by those ten members present upon the adoption of a motion made by

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and seconded by Councilor Allen.

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CONSENT AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE REGULATING VEHICULAR TRAFFIC LISTED ON THE CONSENT

AGENDA WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE

BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR ALLEN WHICH CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:







An Ordinance (04-19) - Regulating vehicular traffic in Columbus, Georgia

by deleting from the ?Official Street Map, City of Columbus, Georgia? the

street segment and right-of-way of Bay Avenue from the north right-of-way line

of Dillingham Street north to south right-of-way line of Tenth Street;

providing that all existing utility easements of record remain in effect and

providing appropriate width as required by the applicable utility companies

will be reserved for unknown utilities; authorizing the disposal of said

property in accordance with the Columbus Charter; repealing any conflicting

ordinances; and for other purposes.



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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS LISTED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND APPROVED BY

THE COUNCIL UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED BY

COUNCILOR ALLEN WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:



An Resolution (139-04) - Authorizing a request to accept a deed to

Kingsberry Street located in Section Two, Moonlake Subdivision. The Department

of Engineering has inspected this street and recommends the acceptance.



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THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS LISTED ON THE

CONSENT AGENDA AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR

PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR ALLEN WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY

THOSE TEN MEMBERS PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:



Application of Mr. Mike Snapp to temporarily close 3rd Avenue between 11th

and 12th Street on Friday, April 2, 2004, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in

connections with the "St. Luke School Field Day".

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THE FOLLOWING FIVE NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND AN ORDINANCE

WAS CALLED ON EACH BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS:



Petition submitted by the Columbus Housing Initiative, Inc. to rezone

approximately 0.62 total acres of property located at 568, 602, 608 & 614

Chesterfield Avenue from a C-2 District to an R-3 District. (Recommended for

approval by both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Division.)

(12-A-04-Cols. Housing Initiative, Inc.)



Petition submitted by Brian Grier, Inc. to rezone approximately 5.9 acres

of property located at 6740 Mobley Road from an R-1 District to an R-1A

District. (Recommended for conditional approval by both the Planning Advisory

Commission and the Planning Division.) (13-CA-04-Brian Grier, Inc.)



Petition submitted by D. L. Jordan to rezone approximately 9.15 acres of

property located at 8351 Fortson Road from an A-1 District to a C-3 District.

(Recommended for conditional approval by both the Planning Advisory Commission

and the Planning Division.) (14-CA-04-Jordan)



Petition submitted by George C. Woodruff Co. to rezone approximately 14.1

total acres of property located at 3401 & 3507 Schatulga Road; 5615, 5619 &

5631 Peggy Drive; and 6910 Aldora Drive from an R-1A District to an R-2

District. (Recommended for conditional approval by both the Planning Advisory

Commission and the Planning Division.) (15-CA-04-George C. Woodruff Co.)



Petition submitted by Adams Properties to rezone approximately 15 acres of

property located at 6741, 6751, 6755, 6759 & 6761 Veterans Parkway from a C-3

District with conditions to a C-3 District with amended conditions.

(Recommended for conditional approval by both the Planning Advisory Commission

and the Planning Division.) (16-CA-04-Adams Properties)

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RIVERDRAGON BASKETBALL TEAM:



Mr. Barry McMullen, came forward to report on some of the activities that

are being held by the Riverdragon Basketball Team. He reported that we are

wrapping up our third successful season. He stated that we are number one out

of the six teams in this development league in group sales, which means that we

go out and sell very well to businesses, schools and churches. He provided

some statistical information on the attendance record. He reported that we did

something unique by playing the first ever professional basketball game on a

military installation at Fort Benning. He also commented on the national

television coverage that the team has received. He spoke of the several events

hosted that involved the schools. He announced that on Friday, March 26, 2004,

we are hosting Nickelodeon Cartoon Character ?SpongeBob Square Pants?. He

announced the last games to be held for this season and are as follows: March

26, March 29, April 2, April 9 and 10.



He expressed his enthusiasm for the review and renewal of the five-year

lease agreement with the City of Columbus, which has an option for review after

the third year. He said that we are excited to come back next year and many

years to come. He reported that we are one of the top teams in the league; we

have taken 15 players from the development league and put them into the NBA

this year, which is 36 over the course of three years. He said that we are

looking to host an unprecedented event at the Civic Center, which would be on

Friday, October 15, 2004 with the Atlanta Hawks versus the Minnesota

Timberwolves, which is a professional basketball team; this would be a

pre-season game.



Mayor Poydasheff said that he would like for the teams to come back on a

periodic basis to brief the members of Council and the citizens on what we are

doing and how we are satisfying the various needs of the people in this

community.

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?PROCLAMATION?:



?CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH?:



With Ms. Paula James, Executive Director of Children?s Tree House standing

at the Council table, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers read Mayor Poydasheff?s

proclamation, proclaiming the month of April 2004 as ?Child Abuse Prevention

Month? in Columbus, Georgia.



Ms. James invited everyone to attend the Bridge of Hope Ceremony, which

would be held on April 7, 2004, at 11:30 a.m.

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UPCOMING EVENTS:



City Manager Cavezza reported on the following upcoming events and are

listed as follows:



Georgia Power Luncheon: On March 23, 2004, at 11:30 a.m., at the River

Club.



National Medal of Honor Day: March 25, 2004, at 10:30 a.m., the VFW is

hosting this event.



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HEALTHCARE:



City Manager Cavezza announced that Blue Cross and Blue Shield have come

to agreement with the Medical Center on a four-year contract to become

effective May 1, 2004, which removes our concerns about the employees having to

go out of town to have some surgical procedures done.



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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



City Manager Cavezza requested a brief executive session to discuss two

matters of potential litigation after the Work Session Agenda.



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WORK SESSION AGENDA:



HOUSE OF HEROES:



Councilor Anthony announced that on September 24, 2004 there would be a

House of Heroes Reception luncheon where the Veterans would be honored, at the

Trade Center, at 12:00 p.m. He anticipated working on approximately 50 homes

this year. He reminded everyone that the House of Heroes makes an effort to do

something personal and practical for military and public safety veterans and/or

their spouses, who need home repairs. He suggested that if there is someone

that needs assistance, they could call 494-1111 to let us know, but if there is

someone who wants to work on a house or make a contribution, they could use the

above listed number as well.



Councilor Turner Pugh challenged all the members of Council to work as a

team in assisting the House of Heroes with a home project. Councilor Anthony

also suggested that the members of Public Safety come forward to work on a

house of a former public safety official or the spouse, as well as Public

Services.



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PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE - STATUS REPORT:



Councilor Anthony brought forth some public safety issues or Human

Resources issues that need to be discussed by the members of Council and are

listed as follows:



? Conduct a Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits Study and using both

internal and external resources.



Responding to comments made by Mayor Poydasheff, Councilor Turner Pugh

advised that the study has not begun, but we are in the process of finding the

funds to do it. Before the study gets started, She said the University of

Georgia would be talking with the Council as a whole; so the Council could have

input regarding what we want in the study.



? Retain the current vacation and sick leave policy

? Restore the 60% pension

? 30 year retirement regardless of age



After presenting the list, he immediately pointed out that these are not

recommendations from the committee.



There was some discussion regarding the recruitment process and the pension

plan, at which time, City Manager Cavezza said the 60% down to 45% was part of

a package that we hope to follow through. He advised that in the past, we have

paid about $9 million a year towards the pension from the City?s budget. He

projected that this year, we are going to have to add an additional $1.8

million with the cost of the pension continuing to escalate in the years to

come; therefore, we wanted to provide some options to employees. He pointed

out that by going to 1 ? %, this could possibly build an option where the

employee could buy up to 2% with a third possible option of buying up for a 30

year and out retirement. He added that Mercer is in the process of doing those

numbers for us. Referencing the 30 year and out retirement, City Manager

Cavezza reminded everyone this has been looked at before, which would cost the

City about $3 million more a year to do, and this is why we need some type of

buy in from the employees to offset that.



City Manager Cavezza responded to Mayor Poydasheff regarding questions of

cost and savings for the 30 year and out retirement, and recalled the previous

early out was done with the assumption that savings would occur, but it turned

out to be erroneous, because the positions had to be filled and usually with a

higher ranking individual.



Councilor Turner Pugh asked if we are talking about 30 year and out for

Public Safety and General Government? Mayor Poydasheff replied that we have

people are doing clerical work, and this is not to denigrate the people that

are doing the great work in general government, but the employees in Public

Safety are out in the field; therefore, this is his reason for advocating the

30 year and out for Public Safety only.



Councilor Anthony said there has been a consensus of the committee that

whatever we are looking at, we want to do for all employees. He added that we

want to look at this as a Human Resources issue, but there may be things that

would be separated.



With continued questions regarding the pension plan, Mayor Poydasheff

pointed out that Mr. Henry Swift from the Human Resources Department would

provide the information to the Council at the Pre-Council Meeting on next week.



There was continued discussion on this matter with various members of

Council expressing their views. Councilor Suber suggested that at some point

there are some areas, one in particular, that we need to consider

consolidating, which is the Human Resources Department. Councilor Allen asked

about the educational requirements, at which time, Councilor Suber said that

the committee quickly determined in comparison with other cities that we

require our Public Safety employees to have a better education, which he has

been opposed to. He said the committee as a whole does not want to lower the

education requirements, but he believes that we have to look at it from the

City?s standpoint to determine if it is that important.



Councilor Allen said that it has been proven successful to hire someone

and give them a window of time to get that two-year degree; therefore, he would

like to see us look at that again. He added that if an individual has two-year

equivalency of college; then, that should be considered, as well as military

police training. City Manager Cavezza commented that the Sheriff?s Department

can hire nine level correction officers and allow them to work in the jail

while they work on their degrees; therefore, once the degree is completed and a

slot becomes vacant; then, they could step in a ten-level position and work out

in the community. He pointed out that the Chief of the Fire & EMS Department

has requested that we consider allowing him to hire people at the nine-level

and never step up for promotion; unless, they attain the Associate Degree.

Mayor Poydasheff expressed his agreement and pointed out that we would be

bringing that to the Council.



Councilor McDaniel recalled that some years ago, he and Mayor Pro Tem

Rodgers proposed hiring police officers that do not have college degrees, at

one pay grade below those with two years of college. He pointed out that we

withdrew it, because it was not popular. He explained that if the individual

does not get the two years of college; then, they would not be promoted. He

maintained that a person does not need a college degree to be a police officer,

and he believes that we should look at that concept.



Councilor Turner Pugh suggested that one of the things that we could ask

the University of Georgia to look at the job classifications and what we need

to do to pay those individuals, who are in the police department with college

degrees, which rewards those who do have their degrees.



One recommendation was made by Councilor Henderson, who requested that on

a regular basis rather it be quarterly, bi-yearly, etc., that each member of

Council ride along with a patrol officer. He said that he believes that we

should implement something along those lines for the Council on a regular basis.



Councilor Woodson added that each member of Council attend the Citizen?s

Law Academy. She pointed out that this academy takes a person to the shooting

range, riding with the officers, etc.



In conclusion of this discussion, Councilor Anthony summarized his

thoughts for the citizens to become active in making sure that we are getting

the best people involved in our Public Safety and Police Department and to make

it one of their responsibilities. He requested assistance with getting young

people or anyone interested in moving to Columbus to be a part of the

recruiting team to help us have a better police and work force.



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PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION:



In light of the needs in our Community, Councilor Anthony began by stating

that we have been trying to address the issues that have come before us. He

pointed out that we have been challenged to look into a Citizen?s Review Board,

which led us to look at approximately 60 cities across the country that had

either an advisory board or review board. He said that we now have some

suggestions for discussion. He then referred to Councilor Hunter to give an

overview.



Councilor Hunter expressed his appreciation for the work that has been

done by Councilor Anthony as Chairman of the Public Safety Committee. He

explained that initially, our committee was charged by the Mayor to look at

certain Public Safety issues, but in December things occurred in our community,

which caused us to expand our view and scope. He contended that we realized

that we had to come together and prospectively speaking, try to figure out what

it is that we can do to try to alleviate or avoid negative occurrences in the

future for the sake of our community. He then spoke of the formation of he

Public Safety Advisory Board in Oxford, Ohio. In communications with the Chief

of Police in Oxford, Councilor Hunter maintained that the Chief suggested

forming a Public Safety Advisory Board. He said that the Police Chief in

Oxford made mention that he came to the realization that in his community, the

vision of a safe community was something that had to be a joint effort between

Public Safety and the citizens. He mentioned the study conducted by the

International Association of Chiefs of Police, which recommended that an

advisory group be formed in Oxford made up of civilians, who would not

supervise the Police Department but would meet periodically with officials and

advise them. He pointed out that this provided an opportunity for public

safety to get their message across to the community, as well as an opportunity

for the community to get their feelings across to the Public Safety officials

about police procedures.



He continued to speak in details regarding the numerous communities that

have some type of public safety advisory board and the various needs and

functions of such a board. He then read the excerpts of an ordinance adopted

in Ocean Shores, Washington, which created their Public Safety Advisory

Commission.



In the final analysis, Councilor Hunter maintained that when an adhoc

group is created out of a crisis, there is a tendency to try to reach a quick

solution. He contended that with a Public Safety Advisory Board, what we have

is an opportunity for there to be dialogue and regular interchange between the

citizens of this community and our Public Safety officials. He stated that

this is not an opportunity for someone to come and lay charges but an

opportunity for there to be understanding and communication between Public

Safety and the community. He advised that the Public Safety Committee would be

coming forward with a recommendation that we form an advisory board in

Columbus. He determined that there are some matters that we are going to need

to tweak in our committee, but as far as the concept as conveyed by the Police

Chief Swine in Oxford, this board has been good for their community.



Mayor Poydasheff reiterated that he has the authority to appoint

commissions and board. He informed everyone that he is in the process of

appointing a Public Safety Advisory Commission. He said that he has discussed

it with City Manager Cavezza and would be coming to the Council for additional

guidance and support so that we can have a perfect thing. He then explained

his reasoning for supporting a Public Safety Advisory Commission by stating

that this commission would be a complement to what we do. He proposed that

each member of Council would appoint a member of that commission and the adhoc

professional members would be the Police Chief, Fire & EMS Chief, City Manager,

and should the Sheriff and Marshal choose to come under that; then, they would

certainly become ex-officio members. He explained that the report of the

Advisory Commission would come to the Mayor, who would share it with the

Council.



Councilor Anthony expressed his appreciation to the Mayor for his

willingness to create a commission. He then requested that his committee be

given a week to come up with some other recommendations to add to the Mayors

concept for the Public Safety Advisory Commission. He pointed out that this is

a proactive approach to addressing issues. Mayor Poydasheff added that this

would not intimidate our good law enforcement people.



In response to a question by Councilor Turner Pugh, who asked if this

commission was going to be legally set up by ordinance, Mayor Poydasheff

acknowledged that he has not made that determination but has no objections to

doing that.



Councilor Davis pointed out that he does not have enough information right

now to make a wise decision but believes that an advisory commission set up in

the right way could be proactive in a successful manner. He cautioned that we

don?t want to send a negative vibe to our officers that they are not doing the

right job, which would be a mistake, because he believes that they are doing a

great job. Mayor Poydasheff added that this is not a review board and they

would not have subpoena power. Councilor Davis then requested some additional

information about the Public Safety Advisory Commission.



Mayor Poydasheff emphasized that he is adamantly opposed to a review,

subpoena power or interference with the Police. He said that what some of the

Councilors have recommended is something that is being used in other

communities, which is an advisory board to give the police leadership a chance

also to comment, and would not interfere with their internal investigations or

operations.



Councilor McDaniel expressed his opposition to the creation of an advisory

commission, because he has been down this road before, and it was a blessing to

get rid of the old Public Safety Board. He said that we don?t need a

commission.



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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



Mayor Poydasheff called attention to the request from City Manager Cavezza

regarding an executive session to discuss two matters of potential litigation.

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers made a motion to go into executive session. Seconded by

Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present

for this meeting.



At 10:35 a.m., the Council adjourned their regular session to go into

executive session. At 11:03 a.m. the Council reconvened the regular meeting,

at which time, Mayor Poydasheff announced that the Council did meet in

executive session to discuss two potential matters of litigation, but there

were no votes taken.



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

meeting was adjourned, upon the adoption of a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem

Rodgers. Seconded by Councilor Woodson, which carried unanimously by those ten

members of Council present for this meeting, with the time being 11:05 a.m.



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Sandra T. Davis

Deputy Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia