Columbus, Georgia

COLUMBUS CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT

COUNCIL MEMORANDUM







TO: Mayor & Councilors DATE: November 15, 2002



FROM: Carmen Cavezza SUBJECT: 2003 Legislative

City Manager Agenda



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Please review the attached 2003 Legislative Agenda and advise if you have

issues you would like to add or delete.







Attachment



CJC/dmt





cc: Isaiah Hugley

Deputy City Manager







Columbus Consolidated Government



2003 Legislative Agenda

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1. Fall Line Air Quality Funding for Second Tier Cities:



Oppose cuts in the 2004 Budget of the Fall Line Air Quality Study, which is

checking air quality in Columbus, Augusta and Macon. All three cities may fall

out of compliance with the federal Clean Air Act under a tighter federal

air-quality standard and would then be required to enforce stricter emissions

requirements. (Carry over from 2002 Legislative Agenda)



2. Funding for Expansion of the Trade Center/Visitors? Center:



Support funding for the expansion of the Columbus Trade Center/Visitors?

Center. (Carryover from 2002 Legislative Agenda)



3. Change In Enterprise Zone Legislation to include retail and day care

Facilities:



Support a change in the current Enterprise Zone legislation to expand the

allowable tax abatements and other incentives to include retail and daycare

facilities that locate within an Enterprise Zone, and creating Jobs as mandated

by current state legislation.



4. Exemption from release of records of City/County employees and/or their

dependents:



Introduce legislation that will exempt the release of records that reveal the

home address, the home telephone number, social security number, insurance or

medical information of City/County employees and/or their dependents.

(Carryover from 2002 Legislative Agenda)



5. Passenger Rail Funding:



Support Legislation to keep passenger rail funding in the State Department of

Transportation?s budget and support the establishment of rail passenger service

between Columbus/Griffin/Atlanta simultaneously with the development of the

Atlanta/Griffin/Macon passenger rail corridor. (Carryover from 2002 Legislative

Agenda)



6. Increased Funding for Road Projects:



Support increased funding in the State Department of Transportation?s budget

for road projects. (Carryover from 2002 Legislative Agenda)



7. Mentally Challenged/Substance Abuse Homes:



Introduce legislation to require state agencies and/or their subcontractors to

notify local elected officials regarding the placement of mentally challenged

or substance abuse homes in neighborhoods. (Carryover from 2002 Legislative

Agenda)



8. State Funding for Oxbow Marina:



Support funding for Oxbow Marina. (Carryover from 2002 Legislative Agenda)



9. Sales Tax for Operation:



Continue to pursue our efforts for an additional local option sales tax

(LOST). (Carryover from 2002 Legislative Agenda)



10. Increased Funding for Criminal Indigent Defense:



Support increased funding for criminal indigent defense. The State now funds

only 10% of Muscogee County?s cost for attorneys for criminals who cannot

afford attorneys. (Carryover from 2002 Legislative Agenda)



11. Tri-Rivers Funding:



Support funding for Tri-Rivers. (Carryover from 2002 Legislative Agenda)