Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES



COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA





REGULAR SESSION





APRIL 5, 2005



The regular monthly night meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was

called to order at 5:30 P.M., Tuesday, April 5, 2005, on the Plaza Level of the

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

presiding.



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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Poydasheff and Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers

were Councilors Wayne Anthony, Glenn Davis, Berry H. Henderson, Julius H.

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

Evelyn Woodson. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, Assistant City Attorney Jamie

Deloach, Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra

Davis were also present.



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ABSENT: Councilor R. Gary Allen was absent, but was excused upon the adoption

of Resolution Number 215-05. City Attorney Clifton Fay was also absent.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers.



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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Robert S. Poydasheff.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



WITH COACH & GENERAL MANAGER JEROME BECHARD, ALONG WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE

COTTONMOUTHS HOCKEY TEAM STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING

RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:





A Resolution (207-05) - Commending and congratulating the Cottonmouths

Hockey Team upon their victory in the Southern Professional Hockey League

Championship. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the adoption of the resolution.

Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those nine members

of Council present, standing to cast their affirmative vote.



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CHARACTER WORD:



Mr. Ed Wilson, Executive Assistant to Mayor Poydasheff came forward to

announce the character word for the month of April. He said the character word

for the month of April is ?kindness?. He said kindness is the golden chain by

which society is bound together.



He said some related words to ponder and practice are compassion, charity,

humanity, sympathy and understanding.



Mr. Wilson said kindness involves respect for others, and responding to

the needs and concerns of others with understanding assistance and support.

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COLUMBUS RIVERDRAGONS:



Mr. Barry McMullen, Manager of the Columbus Riverdragons came forward at

the request of Mayor Poydasheff and gave an update on the Columbus Riverdragon

Basketball team. He said within the next 24-hours you will have another

championship that will be part of this community. He said they are in first

place and have been over 110 days throughout the National Basketball

Development League season. He said they have had a strong season both on and

off the court.



He then gave a report of the many different activities they have had

throughout the season. He said they have some good community partners who have

put them up 70% in corporate partnership, and are up 15% in average net gate

receipts, with cash revenue; and will be up 1% in attendance.



Mr. McMullen said they have done their part here in the community to make

this a successful event and a successful entertainment option for many people

in this community. He said they are very proud of that.



He said as this league grows and expands into Texas, Oklahoma and many

other states, it is his goal that we keep this team here to make sure that

everyone knows where Columbus, Georgia is versus any other place, which could

possibly be a potential City to have an NBDL team.



Mr. McMullen said this is their final week of the season and said they

will be having a game on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m., as well as on Friday,

which will be their final game of the regular season. He said as long as they

win tomorrow night in Ashville, NC, they would be hosting a game on April 16th

at the Civic Center, as well as the potential championship game on April 23rd.

He then encouraged everyone to attend.



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TIME OUT TEDDY:



Mayor Poydasheff called forward members of the Exchange Club, as well as

Time Out Teddy?. He then read in its entirety a Certificate of Honorary

Citizenship

Declaring ?Time Out Teddy? as an honorary citizen of Columbus, Georgia.



A member of the Exchange Club said they are actively involved in Child

Abuse

Prevention Programs and said this month is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

She said ?Time Out Teddy? will be circulating in the community to let everyone

know to take time out to be a better parent and a better child.





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MR. JIM BEAUDOIN, RE: TO EXTEND AN INVITATION TO THE MAYOR & COUNCIL:

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Mr. Jim Beaudoin, with the Columbus Catfish said the word for this week

and this season is ?excitement?, with the Cottonmouths winning their

championship

which is a great thing for the City of Columbus. He said they would like to

emulate a lot of the things that the Cottonmouths have done this year to

increase attendance at their games. He said they are looking at doing a lot of

the same things this year with the Catfish. He said they are hopeful that they

will have a successful season on the field as the Columbus Cottonmouths have

had; and said it is his job to make sure that they have a successful season off

the field.



Mr. Beaudoin then gave an update of the activities and what the Columbus

Catfish have done thus far. He said he doesn?t like to sit back and just let

things happen, but he likes getting out in the community and making things

happen and be a good community partner. He said they are increasing a lot of

the promotions that they are doing this year; however, they are cutting back on

the firework shows, but are replacing them with a lot of other different

things.



He then highlighted several of the other activities that they will be

promoting and then he extended an invitation to the Mayor and Council, as well

as the viewing audience to attend the opening day activities on April 14, 2005,

6:00 p.m. of the upcoming season.



Mr. Beaudoin also pointed out that their logo has been named by Baseball

America, which is the leading publication in their industry, as the best logo

in the South Atlantic League and of the top 16 logos in all of minor league

baseball. He said they would be having a tournament between all of those 16

logos to find out which one indeed is the best logo in all minor league

baseball. He said this will be determined by people voting on Baseball

America?s website and then encouraged everyone to log on and vote for their

logo.



Councilor Henderson said he would also urge those who like sports

paraphernalia to go out and purchase one of the Catfish baseball caps.

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PROCLAMATIONS:



?CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH?:



With representatives from the Department of Family & Children Services and

Members of the Board of Directors of The Children?s Tree House standing at the

Council table, Councilor Anthony read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff,

proclaiming the month of April as ?Child Abuse Prevention Month?, in Columbus,

Georgia.



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?NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK?:



With Dr. Koppanyi of the Columbus Health Department standing at the

Council

table, Councilor Davis read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming

the

week of April 4 - 10, 2005 as ?National Public Health Week?, in Columbus,

Georgia



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?SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH?:



With Ms. Kyle Baird, of the Sexual Assault Support Center, Ms. Shelia

Robinson

and Ms. Lynn Jones standing at the Council table, Councilor McDaniel read the

proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming the month of April as ?Sexual

Assault Awareness Month?, in Columbus, Georgia.



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?NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK?:



With Ms. Roberta Ford, Ms. Terre Menafee, Ms. Stephanie Middleton and

Ms. Erma Banks, who serve as officers of the Columbus Area Library Association

standing at the Council table, Councilor Woodson read the proclamation of Mayor

Poydasheff, proclaiming the week of April 10 ? 16, 2005 as ?National Library

Week?, in Columbus, Georgia.

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MINUTES: Minutes of the March 29, 2005 meeting of the Council of the

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were submitted and approved upon

the adoption of a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and seconded by

Councilor Woodson, which carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.

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ZONING PUBLIC HEARING:



THERE WERE NO ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS ADVERTISED FOR TONIGHT?S MEETING.



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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED

BY ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY DELOACH AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND

READING:______________________________________



An Ordinance (05-32) - Amending the text of the Unified Development

Ordinance to correct omissions and to clarify sections. (9-A-05-Planning

Division)

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by

Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS DELAYED AT THE REQUEST OF ITS SPONSOR,

COUNCILOR HUNTER: __________



A Resolution - Commending and congratulating Desha Golatt of Baker Middle

School upon her winning the Muscogee County School District Spelling Bee.



Councilor Hunter said Desha Golatt could not be here tonight; therefore,

he would like to delay this resolution.



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WITH COACH HERBERT GREEN AND MEMBERS OF THE CSU COUGARS MEN?S BASKETBALL

TEAM STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS

ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR TURNER PUGH AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:_______________________



A Resolution (208-05) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus State

University Cougars men?s basketball team upon their recent victory in the Peach

Belt Conference Tournament. Councilor Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the

resolution. Seconded by Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those nine

members of Council present, standing to cast their affirmative vote.

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



MR. PAUL OLSON, RE: RESERVE FUND & ENTERPRISE FUND:



Mr. Paul Olson, who requested to be listed on tonight?s public agenda, to

discuss the reserve fund and enterprise fund, cancelled his scheduled

appearance before the Council.



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DR. IAN BOND, RE: ANNOUNCENMENT OF A NEW RADIO STATION WBUE:



Dr. Ian Bond said he is here tonight on behalf of Beacon University and to

announce the launch of a new radio station here in Columbus, Georgia. He said

he also wants to share with the Mayor and Council some of the good things that

are happening at Beacon University, particularly the radio station.



He said he is pleased to say that Beacon University is enjoying record

enrollment. He said they are at the highest that they have ever been, both in

their Degree Program and in their worldwide Institute of Ministry; which is now

in 200 cities, Canada and the United States and 22 nations around the world.



Dr. Bond said their current active student enrollment is about 6,700

worldwide and they are proud of that. He said they deeply appreciate the

support of the Mayor and the Council, because they couldn?t be what they are in

the City of Columbus without knowing the support of you standing behind them.



He said the new radio station would be WBUE, 96.1 FM. He said they see a

number of needs that they can serve the city and the Chattahoochee Valley

through this radio station.



Dr. Bond then spent several minutes in outlining some of the needs that

they feel they will provide with this new radio station. He said not only is it

available within the Fort Benning, Columbus and Phenix City area, but it is

also available worldwide. He said you can be anywhere and all you have to do is

to log onto the Internet and go to www.beacon.edu and there will be an icon for

the radio station and click on that and enjoy the radio station.



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MR. LORENZA WILDER, RE: FUNERAL

MATTERS:



Mr. Lorenza Wilder, who requested to be listed on tonight?s public agenda,

did not respond when Mayor Poydasheff called him forward to address the

Council.



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MR. EDWARD DUBOSE, RE: THE KENNETH WALKER CASE:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Dubose called and has

rescheduled his appearance before the Council for next week?s Council meeting.

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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER

ISAIAH HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: ____





A Resolution (209-05) - Authorizing the submission of an application and

if approved accept a grant in the amount of $100,000 from the Bureau of Justice

Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, for the operation of a Juvenile Drug

Court Program. Councilor Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution.

Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of

Council present for this meeting.



A Resolution (210-05) - Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to the

cul-de-sac at the northern terminus of Williams Hill Road located in Green

Island Hills.

Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor

Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present

for this meeting.



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS DELAYED FOR ONE WEEK BY THE COUNCIL AT THE

REQUEST OF CITY MANAGER ISAIAH HUGLEY:________



A Resolution - Authorizing the approval of a contract with BounceBack,

Inc.,

to provide Bad Check Recovery Services. The contractor, through the Solicitor

General?s Office, of State Court, will be the administrator of the ?Muscogee

County Check Enforcement Program? to provide bad check diversion and

restitution programs. The Program will be conducted in compliance with all

applicable state and federal laws.



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THE FOLLOWING FOUR PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS HAVING BEEN ENCLOSED WITH THE

CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER ISAIAH

HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION

MADE BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:



A Resolution (211-05) - Authorizing the purchase of one (1) municipal

street

sweeper from Tractor & Equipment Company in the amount of $114,748.00; with the

street sweeper being replacement equipment and will be used by the Street

Improvements Division, of the Public Services Department, for cleaning the

interstate, streets and City owned parking lots throughout Columbus; as well

as, helping rainwater flow by removing leaves and debris from curbs and

gutters.



A Resolution (212-05) - Authorizing the execution of a Change Order with

The Overby Company, in the amount of $12,550.22, for additional furnishings for

the new Library. Council authorized the purchase of library furnishings from

The Overby Company, per Resolution Number 345-04 on August 17, 2004. Four (4)

additional wood benches are required to increase seating space in the First

Floor rotunda.



A Resolution (213-05) - Authorizing the purchase of five (5) MW800 mobile

data computers with automatic vehicle location (AVL), in the amount of

$44,895.60 from Motorola Corporation and the total unit cost for the mobile

data computers with AVL being $8,979.12. The equipment will be installed in

new pursuit vehicles for the Sheriff?s Office. This purchase is part of a

continuing SPLOST project aimed at equipping all appropriate public safety

vehicles with advanced technology, in order to maximize the efficiency of

public safety responses to calls for service from the public. Per Resolution

No. 431-00 (RFP No. 00-0022), Council awarded a contract to Motorola to provide

mobile data units for public safety departments. To maintain uniformity of the

equipment, the City requested that Motorola extend their cost proposal until

the completion of purchases designated by the 1999 SPLOST. Motorola is also

the only known source provider for the AVL units.



A Resolution (214-05) - Authorizing payment to Motorola for an annual

Maintenance Agreement (June 2005 through May 2006) for the E911 telephone

system upgrade in the amount of $13,620.00, with the Police and Sheriff?s

Department dispatches various Public Safety Units throughout the City, as they

are needed, use the equipment in the E911 Center. This equipment is a critical

part of Public Safety?s communications system. Since the initial warranty

expired, the equipment has been covered by a comprehensive 24/7/365 maintenance

agreement with Motorola in order to assure rapid and accurate repairs and

minimal down time. This maintenance agreement also covers the bi-directional

amplification system that provides a back up to the telephone system and allows

the 911 Center to continue to operate should the equipment stop working.



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BAD CHECK RECOVERY SERVICES:



Councilor Turner Pugh asked City Manager Hugley if we have done a

comparison to see what it would cost for us to do this in-house.



City Manager Hugley said we are currently doing our own bad check recovery

in-house and we are doing a fairly good job with that; with a collection rate

of about 80%. He said we do have a few bad checks that are outstanding that we

are dealing with through the legal process.



Councilor Henderson then asked that the City Manager prepare information

on the ad check recovery services and let?s discuss it during a Council

Briefing prior to a Council meeting. He said in reading over this information,

it seems like it is more than just a bad check recovery program and it raises a

lot of questions.



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UPCOMING EVENTS:



PUBLIC HEARING:



City Manager Hugley reminded everyone of the public meeting that will be

held

on Thursday, April 7, 2005 at 4:00 p.m., at the Metra Office at 814 Linwood

Boulevard, for the purpose of discussing proposed route adjustments and

reduction.



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FIRE STATION OPENING:



City Manager Hugley also reminded everyone of the ribbon cutting ceremony

for Fire Station #10, 1441 Benning Drive, which will be held on Saturday, April

9, 2005, 10:00 a.m. He encouraged the citizens to come out to this event.



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PROPOSED BIKE TRAIL:



City Manager Hugley said there is going to be an open house on April 19,

2005 at Hannah Magnet Academy at 1338 Talbotton Road, for those interested

parties to come out and learn about the Bike Trail that is being proposed at

Cooper Creek Park.



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PUBLIC HEARING:



Referring back to this subject, Councilor Woodson expressed her concerns

as to the timeframe that his public hearing will be held to discuss the

proposed rate increase and/or route changes. She asked if it was only two

hours and also, if they were going to do different presentations. She said she

thinks the time is too early for those individuals who work and ride the bus.



City Manager Hugley then confirmed the time, saying it is going to be from

4:00 - 6:00 p.m., and said it is their hope that those persons getting off

between the hours of 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. will be coming through the transfer

station and will have an opportunity to stop in on that public hearing. He

said individuals would have an opportunity to come in between that time and ask

questions about the plans and we will be able to answer those questions.

He said the public hearing will conclude at 6:00 p.m., and the last bus

line up leaves the transfer center at 6:30 p.m. and they will be able to get

the bus back to their destination.



City Manager Hugley, as he did on last week, stated that at the direction

of the Mayor and Council, they would be doing an on-bus survey, which will be

going on daily. He said this would allow the people an opportunity to respond

to the survey as they ride the buses on a daily basis. He said even if they

didn?t make the public hearing they would have an opportunity to share their

concerns or input.



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EMERGENCY CLEAN-UP/REMOVAL OF DEBRIS:



As it relates to the Bid Advertisements of the emergency clean up and

removal of debris, Councilor Davis asked City Manager Hugley to provide some

additional information as to the scope of this advertisement.



City Manager Hugley said we have our own crews that do emergency clean up

after storms, but said when we have situations like we just recently had where

the Riverwalk flooded this past week. He said it might be that there is an

opportunity to come in and subsidize the service that we normally would

provide; which is on an as needed basis. He said this is to have someone on

contract that we would be able to call in to assist us, if needed.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers asked if we have ever had to call in additional help

in the past, to which City Manager Hugley said to his knowledge, we have not.

He said he is not absolutely certain of that, but he would have to check with

the staff to determine that.



He said he will provide this information to the Council as to whether or

not we have ever had to call in additional help to assist us in the past with

the clean-up and removal of debris.

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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED AS INFORMATION FOR THE

MAYOR & COUNCIL BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND RECEIVED:



(1) ACCG?s Legislative Update Newsletter, Volume 15, Number 9.



(2) Letter from Mr. Mark Oropeza submitting three nominees for the

position of Mr. Sanders Griffith, III on the Airport Commission.



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MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:







Family & Children Services, March 23, 2005.

Health, Board of, February 23, 2005.

Tax Assessors, Nos. 12-05.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers made a motion that these minutes be received.

Seconded by Councilor Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members

of Council present for this meeting.





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CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTION,

WHICH WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE COUNCIL:







A Resolution (215-05) - Excusing Councilor Gary Allen from the April 5,

2005

Council meeting. Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the resolution.

Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously by those nine members

of Council present for this meeting.



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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



AIRPORT COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the Airport Commission has

submitted three names from which the Council may select someone to succeed Mr.

Sanders Griffith whose term of office has expired and does not wish to be

reappointed. The following three nominees are Mr. Winfield Flanagan, Ms. Sherry

Goodrum and Mr. Newton Aaron.



Clerk of Council Washington then took a roll call vote, which resulted in

Mr. Winfield Flanagan receiving six votes and Ms. Goodrum receiving three

votes. Voting for Mr. Flanagan were Councilors Davis, Henderson, Hunter,

McDaniel, Suber and Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers. Voting for Ms. Goodrum was

Councilors Anthony, Turner Pugh and Woodson.



After it was noted that Mr. Flanagan had received six votes, Clerk of

Council Washington then advised that Mr. Flanagan could be confirmed. Councilor

Henderson then so moved. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried

unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting.



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C.I.R.C.L.E:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Jose Feliciano has

resigned from this board and that the Council will need to nominate someone for

this position.



Mayor Poydasheff said Councilor Woodson has a nomination on today.

Councilor Woodson then nominated Ms. Dolores Arce-Kaptain. She said she has

Ms. Kaptain?s bio and pointed out that she is a very outgoing individual and

has been involved in other communities and she feels that she would be a good

contributor to C.I.R.C.L.E.



Councilor Suber then moved that Ms. Kaptain be confirmed. Seconded by

Councilor Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



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HISTORIC & ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the Uptown Business

Association is recommending that Mr. Anthony Gilbert be appointed for another

term of office as their representative on the Historic & Architectural Review

Board. She also pointed out that the Columbus Board of Realtors is recommending

that

Ms. Saundra Green also is reappointed for another term of office as their

representative.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved they both be confirmed for a second term of

office. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those nine

members of Council present for this meeting.



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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



City Manager Hugley requested an executive session to discuss a personnel

matter. Councilor Henderson so moved. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried

unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting.



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With there being no further business to come before this Council, Mayor

Poydasheff then asked if there was anyone present in the audience who wanted to

address the Council they could be heard at this time. No one came forward to

address the Council.



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At 6:35 p.m., the Council adjourned its regular session to allow the

Council to go into an executive session.



At 7:00 p.m., the meeting was called back to order at which time Mayor

Poydasheff pointed out that the Council did meet in executive session, but

there was no votes taken.



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With there being no further business, Councilor Woodson then made a motion

to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those

nine members of Council present for this meeting, with the time being 7:01 P.M.



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Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia