Columbus, Georgia

4



COUNCIL BRIEFING



February 12, 2002





A Council Briefing was held on Tuesday, February, 12, 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, Robert Poydasheff, Richard Smith,

Nathan Suber, Evelyn Turner Pugh and Evelyn Woodson (arrived at 8:45 a.m.

)Also present were City Manager Carmen Cavezza; City Attorney Clifton Fay;

Director of Finance Kay Love and Director of Human Resources, Tom Barron.



ABSENT: Councilor Julius Hunter



GUEST: Mr. Ed Burdeshaw of Hecht, Burdeshaw, Johnson Kidd

& Clarke Architectural Inc.





This meeting was called to order at 8:32 a.m.



SOA WATCH:



Mayor Peters passed around information regarding the overtime hours performed

by the police department during the SOA Watch, which he reported was in the

amount of $70, 000. (A copy was not filed with the Clerk?s Office)



ANNOUNC EMENT:



The Ribbon Cutting for the Performing Arts Center will be in April.



OVERVIEW OF COLUMBUS STREETSCAPE DEVELOPMENT PLAN



City Manager Cavezza informed the members of Council that Mr. Ed Burdeshaw is

here to give a brief overview of the master plan for redesigning the streets

around the Performing Arts and the downtown area . He then asked Mr. Ed

Burdeshaw to come forward to explain the plan.



Using a map to demonstrate, Mr. Burdeshaw explained in detail the streets

which would be affected by pointing to 9th Street to 12th Street and

Front Avenue extending past the Trade Center. He pointed to the block where

the Performing Arts Complex is located , but added primarily we are dealing

with the two streets on each side of the performing Arts Center. The plan

was outlined as follows:



? Re-developing the median and emphasizing the connection between the parking

garage and the performing Arts Center.



? Building a canopy extending out from the performing Arts Center.



? Creating a major mid - block of crossing between the Performing Arts Center

and the Trade Center.



? Re - location of a fountain which is not a part of the contract.



? Keeping the large trees in the median and planting double row of small trees

along the east side of the median.



? Maintaining the crossovers.



? Dealing with Signage.



? Working with Georgia Power to install all power lines underground.



After 15 minutes of debriefing, Mr. Burdeshaw concluded with the overview.

At this time, City Manager pointed out that this project is funded by private

money and thanked Mr. Burdeshaw for the presentation.



City Manager Cavezza then briefed the members of Council on the following

issues:



Jail Completion: The opening is scheduled for April.

The Department of Justice will come three to six

months after opening the facility for inspection.



Extractors: Washers and dryers purchased for the Civic Center, the dryers

were delivered, but the washers were not because the company filed bankruptcy

proceedings. Since the washers were paid for in advance, legal action has been

taken to collect the money, as a result, new washers have been ordered. Note:

(Orders were placed with two separate companies)



Laptops: Expressed appreciation to the Council members for their support of

the laptops. Previous agendas and road projects can be accessed and other

information will be included as it becomes available.



EXECUTIVE SESSION:



City Manager Cavezza requested the Council Members go into Executive Session

to discuss a personnel matter.



Pension Board : There is a need to expand the board to include more

experienced people. Due to the complexity of the board, two terms of four (4)

years is not enough.



Mayor Peters recommended Morton Harris to chair the meeting if he or Carmen is

absent.



At this point, Mr. Cavezza said he was uncomfortable with the level of

expertise on the board, and to avoid controversy, let us delay this issue for

one week.



Concluding, Councilor Henderson, asked the members of Council to recommend

someone in the legal field to serve on this board.



There being no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:51

a.m.









Gloria A. Carey, Secretary