Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

WORK SESSION

FEBRUARY 24, 2004





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

to order at 9:05 A.M., Tuesday, February 24, 2004, on the Plaza Level of the

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

and Honorable John J. Rodgers, Mayor Pro Tem, presiding.



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

Councilors Wayne S. Anthony, Glenn Davis, Berry H. Henderson, 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: Councilors Julius H. Hunter, Jr., and R. Gary Allen were absent, but

were officially excused upon the adoption of Resolution Numbers 88-04 & 89-04

respectively.



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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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MINUTES: Minutes of the February 10 & 17, 2004 minutes of the Consolidated

Government of Columbus, Georgia were submitted and approved unanimously upon

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

Councilor Henderson.

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CONSENT AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER CAVEZZA

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

MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON, WHICH CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE EIGHT MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:



An Ordinance (04-15) - Rezoning property located at 5050 Warm Springs Road

from an R-3A District to an A-O District. (5-CA-04-Wright)



An Ordinance (04-16) - Amending Section 20-20.8 of the Columbus Code on

vehicle immobilization so as to establish an amnesty period during which

violators? vehicles will not be immobilized.



A Resolution (87-04) - Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to Broadstone

Court and that portion of Ironstone Drive, located in Section Three, Broadfield

Subdivision, on behalf of Columbus, Georgia.



A Resolution (88-04) - Excusing Councilor Julius H. Hunter, Jr., from the

February 24, 2004 Council meeting.



THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED AND

APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:



Application of St. Paul United Methodist Church to temporarily close

Leonard Street between Forest Avenue and Wildwood Avenue from 6:00 p.m., on

February 26 through 6:00 p.m., on February 27, 2004, in connection with the

?Barbecue for Missions?.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and

carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present for this meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION FOR A TAXICAB OWNER?S BUSINESS LICENSE WAS

SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE

COUNCIL:



Application of Mr. Vernon L. Middlebrook for a taxicab owner?s business

license to operate Airway Cab Company, to be located at 909 East 280 Bypass,

Phenix City, Alabama. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved approval. Seconded by

Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present for this meeting.



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A Resolution (89-04) - Excusing Councilor R. Gary Allen from the February

24, 2004 Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present for this meeting.

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PROCLAMATIONS:



?SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK?:



With Riley Land, of Emergency Management, Fire Chief Roy Waters, Deputy

Chiefs David Arrington, Vic Schmidt, Jeff Meyers, Jerry Fountain and Mike

Higgins, as well as Ms. Jodi Reis of the Emergency Management Office standing

at the Council table, Councilor Davis read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff

proclaiming the week of February 22-28, 2004, as ?Severe Weather Awareness

Week? in Columbus, Georgia.

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CIVIC CENTER:



At the request of Mayor Poydasheff, Mr. Dale Hester, Director of the Civic

Center came forward to recognize two employees of the Columbus Civic Center

staff. He said it is an honor to recognize two of his employees that had gone

above and beyond the call of duty.



Mr. Hester then called forward Mr. Joe Catrone and Ms. Cressey Milner, as

well as Deputy Chief David Arrington and Fire Chief Roy Waters. He said on last

week during an adult hockey game, there was a gentleman who had a heart attack.

He said Mr. Catrone and another gentleman who was visiting from Connecticut

(Mike Harper) administered CPR, while Ms. Milner went to retrieve the AED unit,

which was then applied to the gentleman, but unfortunately he did not survive.



Mr. Hester said these individuals knew exactly what to do and they did it.

He said we can be very proud of our employees that we have working for the

City.







Chief David Arrington said they would also like to join the Council in

commending Mr. Catrone and Ms. Milner for their unselfish actions in trying to

render aid to the gentleman at the Civic Center. He said this is a tremendous

example of how first responder intervention can make such a vital

difference.



He said first responder care is a vital link in the chain of survivors and

said over the past several years, the Council has taken a leadership role in

trying to make our community as safe as possible. He said another initiative is

ongoing to even expand on that.



Chief Arrington said they would also acknowledge the role that the Mayor &

Council has played over the past several years in trying to make our community

safer and to provide the resources for the City employees to get involved and

to make a difference when something tragic like this occurs. He said he would

like to commend Mr. Catrone and Ms. Milner for their tremendous efforts in this

tragic time.



Councilor Woodson then asked the City Attorney to prepare a resolution for

next week?s Council meeting commending the actions of Ms. Cressey Milner and

Mr. Joe Catrone, who assisted the gentleman.



Mayor Poydasheff said we have established the Scott McDaniel Fund, which

is a non-profit 501 C-3 organization that will be working and educating the

public of what?s already been started.



Councilor Woodson also asked Mr. Hester to contact the gentleman?s Mayor

and City Council in Connecticut for them to present the resolution to him at

their City Council meeting.

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WORK SESSION AGENDA:



Mr. Fernando Verdree, Treasurer of the Development Authority said he would

like to offer his gratitude and appreciation for the support the Council has

given them in their efforts to attract jobs and economic development to

Musocogee County. He then introduced Ms. Becca Hardin and Mr. Billy Blanchard

who will be making the presentation on this morning. He said in these tough

economic times 2003 turned out to be a good year for Columbus and they are

hopeful that 2004 will be even better.



Prior to Ms. Becca Hardin making her presentation, she introduced Mr. Mike

Gaymon, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Billy Blanchard.



She said 2003 from an economic standpoint was very tough; however, they were

very happy to have some successes. She said in many cases on the projects

that they have worked on, they would not have been in the ball game or the

competition had it not been for the support given by this City in economic

development. She said it has put them in a different playing area and they

certainly do want to thank you for that.



Ms. Hardin then spent approximately ten minutes going over some details in

giving a recap of some of the accomplishments and focus areas that was made

in 2003, highlighting the following areas:





STRATEGY:



Develop the Products



Market the Product



Closing Deals



DEVELOPING PROPERTY PRODUCT:



Using a map of the area, Ms. Hardin then outlined the projects, which they

are currently focusing on, which includes property in the North Muscogee

Technology Park, as well as the Fall Line Business Centre'





FALL LINE BUSINESS CENTRE'



225 developable acres

? Back office / White Collar focus

? Master site plan complete

? Cul-de-sac road proposed

? City ?Greenspace? purchase

? Moving forward with rezoning northern

portion of the park



? Reduce principal of purchase loan

? DOT Wetland negotiations





REGIONALISM - THE VALLEY PARTNERSHIP



City of West Point, Georgia has joined in partnership

Regional Spec Buildings





MARKETING THE PRODUCT:



COLUMBUS REGION TARGETED RECRUITMENT



Government



Information Services



Aircraft Parks Manufacturing



Health Services



Communications



Tourism







TARGET MARKETING



ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR 2003



JOBS

CAPITAL INVESTMENT



Expansion/Retention 905

$58,900,000



New Jobs 341

$50,350,000



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Total

1,246 $109,250,000







Mr. Billy Blanchard said they appreciate the Council's support in this

process,

as they have a lot of great things going now. He said they had a great year in

2003 and feels like they have a lot of momentum building up and a lot of good

things going for them; also they want to build on that momentum going into

2004.



He then went into some details in outlining the Strategy for 2004; stating

that

they will have the same strategy that they had on last year, in which they

will

continue to develop their product, market the product and try to close these

deals.





CAPITALIZE ON OUR STRENGTHS



Water capacity



Telecommunications



Transportation



Public/Private Partnerships





DEVELOPING OUR PRODUCT



WORKFORCE



? Incorporate customized workforce development plans in all project activity

(specific recruitment initiatives)

? K-12, college, university linkages to business needs

? Ensure up-to-date data and demographics

? Market successes such as AFLAC

? Coordinate regional educators forum to support workforce initiatives

? Continue strong relations with QuickStart, DTAE, Columbus State Univ., DOL

? Capitalize on Manufacturers Council involvement





DEVELOPING OUR PRODUCT



COLUMBUS SOUTH/COLUMBUS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EZ)



Close project



Develop "premier" business park site - 34 acres



Develop marketing materials to showcase 20 acres off MLK



Brownsfield documents for future planning/development



Support Cusseta Road Interchange project



Continue to identify available land options





MUSCOGEE TECHNOLOGY PARK



Complete Eastern Connector Road to cul-de-sac A

Temporary utilities to H & K site

Complete permanent utility infrastructure

100,000 square foot spec building for Parcel 2

Finalize Foreign Trade Zone process

Mr. Blanchard then showed maps of MTP proposed new site and the

200-acres Mega site.



FALL LINE BUSINESS CENTRE'



Obtain revised maps - cul-de-sac design and eliminate City greenspace

areas

Research and obtain financing for road

Confirm utility availability and timeframe

Complete covenant specific to FLBC

Propose 25,000 square feet spec building to DAC

Follow up with future loop road developments

Greenspace status and zoning status

Finalize DOT wetland mitigation





REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT



Close project in Taylor County

Butler, Georgia Airport enhancements and promotion

Continue Joint Business Park Developments

Harris County/West Point Development meeting

Identify available property in the region for future development

Utility infrastructure developments

Updated database for marketing





MARKETING OUR PRODUCT



ED presentation for State project managers at GRC

Quarterly visits to GDIT& T

Review & update ED website

Create property specific marketing brochures

Create regional property marketing piece

Continue Greater Columbus marketing initiative

Have State-wide Developer's Day

ED Advisory Board

BRAC marketing materials



After Mr. Blanchard concluded his presentation, he then responded to

several questions of Mayor Poydasheff and members of the Council.



City Manager Cavezza also responded to questions of members of the

Council. He responded to Councilor Woodson as it relates to the Lummus

property.



CUSSETA ROAD INTERCHANGE:



Councilor Turner Pugh said in Mr. Blanchard's presentation, he talked about

supporting the Cusseta Road Interchange and said she knows that the original

proposal won't happen and then asked, where are we with it? City Manager

Cavezza said the guidance is that they are not going to do a Cusseta Road

Interchange at this point.



He then responded to further questions of Councilor Turner Pugh in this

regard; after which Councilor Turner Pugh then asked if we have tried to get

some other properties along the expressway to try to develop an Interchange.



Councilor Turner Pugh said they do want progress in South Columbus;

however, they don't want to destroy one of our oldest black churches in the

community. She then asked City Manager Cavezza to do some research and

determine if it is possible to widen Brennan Road to assist in allowing the

trucks

to go to the enterprise Zone as a possible route. .



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Ms. Becca Hardin also responded to questions of Councilor Davis as it

relates to the Valley Partnership Program.



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TOURISM:



Mr. Peter Bowden appeared and gave a twelve minute presentation in

highlighting the Meeting & Convention Advancement Program, as outlined

below:



Vision



? Cohesively Market and schedule public venues to increase out-of-town business



Key Objective



? Coordinate marketing efforts - create a One Stop Shop environment





Today?s Situation



? Varied marketing efforts with no single source for day-to-day marketing venue

use

? None of the three facilities has had a dedicated marketing director

? Monthly Facilities Meeting at Government Center

? CVB promotes trade shows & conventions

? No single point-of-contact within the venues-- limited by available dates,

inconsistent ?booking? guidelines, etc.



Approach



? Creation of a public venue advancement program.

? Organize venues with a formal relationship

? New funding to be secured

? Dedicated staff for point of contacts

? Revise rental procedures, rates & marketing

? Single focus -- (Civic Center, RiverCenter, Trade Center)





Strategy



Decision body of four directors

? Review finances

? Review goals & progress

? Create strategies & work project adjustments





Develop Marketing Package



? Collateral

? Web Site

? Video/DVD tours

Project Status



? Job description created

? Advertised the position

? Received 60+ applicants

? Interview process with focus on local candidates

? New hire with start date of Mar. 2, 2004



Several members of the Council, as well as City Manager Cavezza expressed

their appreciation for the new initiative that the Convention & Visitors Bureau

is

working on, along with the Civic Center and the Trade Center.



City Manager Cavezza also responded to questions of members of the

Council after which the Council then requested additional information, as

outlined below:



HOTELS/MOTELS:



Councilor Woodson said she would like for the City Manager to look at

putting together a committee to work with the hotels and motels located on

Victory Drive and in the South Lumpkin Road area.

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NOTE: Councilor Anthony left at this point in the proceedings.



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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



Councilor Suber said he would like to request that the Council go into an

executive session prior to the adjournment of this Council meeting to discuss a

matter of potential litigation.



City Manager Cavezza said he would also like to discuss a litigation

matter, to be considered for settlement.



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EAST HIGHLAND:



Councilor Woodson pointed out that she has submitted some information to

the Council members on the plans that East Highland has been working on and

asked the Council to take a look at this information. She said this community

has been working very hard on this matter for approximately a year now.





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COTTONMOUTHS:



Councilor Henderson said he has been reading in the news that there is a

possibility that the Cottonmouths may leave Columbus and then asked, how does

that impact our plans with the Skateboard Park? He said he knows that one of

the driving forces was the fact that another rink was necessitated by the fact

that we needed practice facilities for other teams coming in, as well as

leagues that were unable to obtain ice time. He said he don?t know if we are

going to get another team, but said it seems like such a big expense to

maintain two ice facilities.



City Manager Cavezza said he has been working with Mr. Salvador-Diaz

Version; and was planning on getting together with him to find out what his

intent is. He said if they pull out, it is questionable as to whether we need

another ice rink and said they will need to readdress this matter.



PUBLIC SAFTY:



City Manager Cavezza said there is a requirement that when the Public

Safety fills a position of a Pay Grade Level of 18 or above, they must inform

the Council and with the new Fire Station, Station 12 going up, there are three

(3) Captain positions that are authorized and funded in the budget. He said if

there are no objections, the Fire Chief will fill those positions.



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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



Mayor Poydasheff said he will entertain a motion to allow the Council to

go into an executive session, as requested earlier. Councilor Suber so moved.

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

Council present at the time, with Councilors Anthony and Turner Pugh being

absent for this vote.



At 10:14 a.m., the Council adjourned its regular session to allow the

Council to go into an executive session to discuss a litigation matter for

possible settlement, as well as a potential matter of litigation.



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HEART SAFE CITY:



At 11:02 a.m., the regular session was called back to order, at which time

Mayor Poydasheff stated that the City would be working with a 501-C non-profit

organization on a Heart Safe City Campaign.



Mayor Poydasheff pointed out that the Council met in an executive session

and said there were no votes taken and that we discussed pending litigation and

claim settlement.



Councilor McDaniel then responded to questions of Councilor Turner Pugh

as it relates to the Heart Safe City Campaign.



City Manager Cavezza said they have been working with Mrs. Jo McDaniel and

said that she has a lot of volunteers assisting her. He said there is no cost

to the City?s efforts and said there are other cities around the country doing

it. He said the intent is to teach as many people as possible in the City,

through business organizations and other organizations how to do CPR and how to

react in an emergency and also the use of an AED. He said it is a citywide

program.

He said there are letters going out to the businesses asking them to

participate in this endeavor.



Councilor Turner Pugh then asked that the City Manager obtain a listing of

all businesses from the Chamber of Commerce and send a letter to every business

as it relates to a Heart Safe City.



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

Tem Rodgers then made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel

and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council present, with

Councilor Anthony having already left the meeting and the time being

10:50 A.M.

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Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia