Columbus, Georgia

Minutes



COUNCIL BRIEFING



Meeting

October 7, 2003



Members Present: Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers and Councilors R. Gary Allen,

Wayne Anthony, Glenn Davis, Julius Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr.,

Evelyn Turner Pugh, Nathan Suber and Evelyn Woodson. Also present were Mayor

Robert S. Poydasheff, City Manager Carmen Cavezza, City Attorney Clifton Fay

and Finance Director Kay Love.



Members Absent: Councilor Berry Henderson was absent.



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Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers called the meeting to order and the Recording Secretary

arrived at 5:08 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room, Plaza Level,

Government Center.



Revenue Bonds:

City Manager Cavezza reported that there are some taxes on debt services for

FY-06. Councilor Suber asked how much money did we borrow from the SPLOST, at

which time, City Manager Cavezza advised that we did borrow from the SPLOST,

but we have to pay it back now, because it could adversely affect some of our

projects. City Manager Cavezza said that we received $3 million from the State

and we are $22 million short.



Building for Training:

City Manager Cavezza advised that the Rangers have asked to use one of our

buildings for training operations during a period of September 5, 2003 to

December. He pointed out that the building is 4806 -13th Avenue, which is in

the Beallwood area. He said that the conditions are that they would work with

CAD, coordinate with the Police and talk with all of the neighbors to make sure

everyone is aware of it.



Mill Restoration Overlay District (MROD):

City Manager Cavezza pointed out that listed on the City Attorney?s Agenda

tonight is the first reading ordinance for the alcohol piece of the Mill

Restoration Overlay District (MROD). He explained that the amendment would

provide the same guidelines for the Mill Restoration Overlay District.



Public Agenda:

City Manager Cavezza pointed out that we have several people listed on the

Public Agenda tonight. He said that three gentleman are here to talk about St.

Mary?s Road and the traffic. He pointed out that St. Mary?s Road is on the

long-range plan for widening. He explained that the main problem is that Ft.

Benning has closed that gate in the back to that one housing area. He said

that we are going to contact Ft. Benning to see if we could work something out

where we could let people use that road to get downtown, as opposed to trying

to solve the problem on St. Mary?s Road.



City Manager Cavezza also called attention to Mr. Jim Rhodes, who wants to talk

about the Fire & EMS Department and Mr. Jim Evans is going to talk about the

SPLOST.



Executive Session:

City Manager Cavezza said that if there is some time tonight, he would request

an executive session on a legal issue and a personnel issue.



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Railroad Crossing:

City Manager Cavezza said that we approved the closing of some railroad

crossings. He said that one of those railroad crossings is on 3rd Avenue. He

said that we told the citizens in the area that we would open 3rd Avenue back

up until Veterans Parkway was complete. He said that Veterans Parkway is now

complete; therefore, we are ready to close that railroad crossing. He said

that we have a contractual arrangement with the Railroad, and we don?t have any

alternatives, but we would speak to the people in that area to explain that.



Presidential Debate:

Mayor Poydasheff said we have been working to get the Presidential/Vice

Presidential debate here in Columbus. He thanked the members of Council for

all of their efforts. He pointed out that every member of the Georgia

Congressional Delegation, both Democrat and Republican, signed the letter. He

said that his position has been to explain why it should come to Columbus. He

said that is where we are with this.



Columbus Fair:

City Manager Cavezza announced that the Fair was a huge success. He pointed

out that last year, the gross income was $628,000.00 and this year it was

$730,000.00. He reported that the attendance last year was 46,387 and this

year it was 52,168 and the City?s piece for this year is $252,273.00 compared

to $210,783.00. He said that we catered more towards family type

entertainment. Deputy City Manager Hugley added that the kids zone and petting

zoo was a huge success, which was operated by the Department of Parks and

Recreation.



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Meeting adjourned at 5:28 p.m.



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Sandra T. Davis, Deputy Clerk of Council