Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

JANUARY 4, 2005



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

to order at 5:30 P.M., Tuesday, January 4, 2005, on the Plaza Level of the

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

presiding.



*** *** ***



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. Deputy City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay,

Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis

were also present.



*** *** ***



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

the adoption of Resolution Number 19-05.



*** *** ***



INVOCATION: Offered by Reverend Johnnie Flakes ? Fourth Street Baptist Church.



*** *** ***



PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Cadet Girl Scout Rebecca Overstreet of Troop 210.

------------------------*** *** ***-------------------------

OATHS OF OFFICE:



Honorable Kenneth B. Followill, Chief Judge, Superior Court of

Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, administered the following Oaths of office to

Councilors Glenn Davis, Berry (Skip) Henderson, Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., and

Evelyn Turner Pugh.



OFFICIAL OATH OF COUNCIL MEMBER, COLUMBUS, GEORGIA



STATE OF GEORGIA

MUSCOGEE COUNTY, GEORGIA



I, (Collectively), do hereby swear (or affirm) that I will well, truly and

faithfully perform the duties of Council Member of Columbus, Georgia to the

best of my ability and that I will support and defend the Charter thereof as

well as the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia and of the United

States of America. I do further solemnly swear and affirm that I am not the

holder of any public money due this State unaccounted for; that I am not the

holder of any office of trust under the government of the United States nor of

either of the several states, or any foreign state, and that I am otherwise

qualified to hold said office, according to the Constitution of the United

States and laws of Georgia, and that I will support the Constitution of the

United States and of this state.

SO HELP ME GOD! /s/

Glenn

Davis



Berry ?Skip? Henderson



Charles E. McDaniel, Jr.



Evelyn Turner Pugh



Sworn to and subscribed before me,

this 4th day of January 2005



/s/ Kenneth B. Followill

Superior Court Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit

All four of these executed oaths were filed with the Clerk of Council

immediately after Judge Followill signed them.

-----------------------*** *** ***--------------------------



MARSHAL COUNTRYMAN:



Mayor Poydashefff recognized the presence of Marshal Countryman, who was

seated in the Council Chambers.



*** *** ***



CHARACTER WORD:



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

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

January 2005 is actually two words and said the reason for that is we are

coordinating our character word with the Muscogee County School District. He

said the School District has chosen the word ?school pride? as their character

word of the month. He said we have adapted that and the City?s character word

is ?civic pride?.



He said related words to practice and ponder are loyalty, support,

commendation, participation and respect for others.



Mr. Wilson said civic pride calls for all of us to play a contributing

role in maintaining and improving all aspects of our City, its environment, its

programs and its activities.



*** *** ***



ONE COLUMBUS:



Reverend Johnnie Flakes said One Columbus is an idea around which many

volunteers have a symbol, desiring to make it a reality. He said he comes

before you tonight to invite the Mayor & Council, as well as the citizens of

Columbus to attend the One Columbus Dinner Inaugural, which will be held at the

Convention & Trade Center at 7:00 p.m. He said this will be the first one of

its kind, but will be an annual dinner. He said we need your support as well as

your presence, and need you to demonstrate to the City that we are all about

and desire to have One Columbus. He said there is an open invitation to the

citizens of Columbus, as we need the citizens to join the volunteers and lets

work together and bring into reality, One Columbus.



He said the speaker is going to be Mr. Aubrey Miller, an executive with

the Southern Living Magazine. The tickets are $30.00 per person.



*** *** ***



?UNITY MONTH?:



With Reverend Douglas Force, Reverend Johnnie Flakes, Mr. Jim Jackson, and

Mr. Ken Crooks standing at the Council table, Councilor Anthony read the

proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming the month of January 2005, as

?Unity Month? in Columbus, Georgia.



Reverend Force then outlined several of the activities that will take

place during the month of January. A copy of the scheduled activities was

distributed to the members of Council.



*** *** ***



?PRIDE CLEANUP DRIVE?:



With Mr. Reginald Pugh and Ms. Lunja Jackson, daughter of Mr. Lonnie

Jackson standing at the Council table, Councilor Hunter read the proclamation

of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming the months of January and February as ?Pride

Cleanup Months? in Columbus, Georgia.



*** *** ***



?SILVER AWARD?:



With Rebecca Overstreet and her parents, brother, as well as several other

individuals standing at the Council table, Councilor Turner Pugh read the

proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff proclaiming January 4, 2005 as ?Rebecca

Overstreet Day? in Columbus, Georgia.

------------------------*** *** ***-------------------------

WITH CITY MANAGER CARMEN CAVEZZA STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE

FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY MAYOR POYDASHEFF AND ADOPTED

BY THE COUNCIL: ____________



A Resolution (1-05) - Commending and expressing appreciation to City

Manager Carmen Cavezza for his dedicated service to the citizens of the

Consolidated Government, the State of Georgia and to his country upon his

retirement from the Columbus Consolidated Government. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers

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

unanimously by those nine members of Council present, standing to cast their

affirmative vote.



Mayor Poydasheff then presented a gift to City Manager Cavezza from the

Council of Columbus. After City Manager Cavezza thanked the Mayor & Council for

their recognition, several members of the Council then expressed their thanks

and appreciation to City Manager Cavezza for the assistance he has given to

each of them.

-------------------------*** *** ***------------------------



O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N-A-L M-E-E-T-I-N-G



THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL: _________________________________________



A Resolution (2-05) - Electing a Mayor Pro Tem. Councilor McDaniel

nominated John J. Rodgers as Mayor Pro Tem for a period of two years. Seconded

by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



A Resolution (3-05) - Appointing Tiny B. Washington as the Clerk of

Council for Columbus, Georgia. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers nominated Tiny B.

Washington. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those

nine members of Council present for this meeting.

A Resolution (4-05) - Appointing Sandra Davis as Deputy Clerk of Council.

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers nominated Sandra Davis. Seconded by Councilor Suber and

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

------------------------*** *** ***-------------------------



Councilor Davis said he has had the honor and sincere pleasure of working

for the citizens of Columbus, Georgia and has thoroughly enjoyed it. He said he

appreciates the opportunity that they have given him.

------------------------*** *** ***-------------------------

IRON CROSS MOTORCYCLE CLUB:



Although there was no one present to receive this proclamation, Councilor

Davis read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff into the record, proclaiming

January 4, 2005 as the ?Iron Cross Motorcycle Club Toys for Tots Day?.



Mayor Poydasheff asked Clerk of Council Washington to see to it that the

proclamation is delivered to the appropriate individuals.

------------------------*** *** ***-------------------------

CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING THREE ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED

BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND

READING:_____________________________________________________________



An Ordinance (05-1) - Amending the ?Official Street Map, City of Columbus,

Georgia,? by changing the official street name for the section of public

roadway currently designated as Bogart Drive to "R C Allen Drive,? to be one

street name consistent with the length of roadway; authorizing the replacement

of existing street name signs labeled as Bogart Drive to R C Allen Drive.

Councilor Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by

Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present at the time, with Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers being absent for this vote.



An Ordinance (05-2) - Regulating vehicular traffic in Columbus, Georgia by

amending Section 20-5-2, increasing or decreasing state speed limits in the

Speed Limit Schedule; authorizing the erection of official traffic control

signs indicating applicable speed limits; repealing conflicting ordinances and

for other purposes. Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the ordinance.

Seconded by Councilor Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those eight

members of Council present at the time, with Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers being absent

for this vote.



An Ordinance (05-3) - Regulating vehicular traffic in Columbus, Georgia by

amending Section 20-5-3, streets designated for speed enforcement using radar

and other speed detection devices by deleting and adding certain speed limits

in the speed limit schedule; repealing conflicting ordinances and for other

purposes. Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by

Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present at the time, with Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers being absent for this vote.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY

AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:____________________



An Ordinance - Amending Chapter 15 of the Columbus Code (Pawnbrokers) so

as to provide new definitions; new regulatory fees; new licensing regulations;

new requirements for the filing of computerized daily reports; and for other

purposes.



Sergeant Gil Slouschick of the Police Department was present to answer any

questions, but there were none.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND

EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:

______________________________________________________



An Ordinance - Granting to Atmos Energy Corporation, its successors and

assigns, a franchise to provide the City of Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia,

with natural gas service, and the right to construct, maintain, and operate a

system of gas mains and service pipes for the purpose of transmitting and

distributing gas in, upon, across, along and under the highways, streets,

avenues, roads, alleys, lanes, ways, utility easements, parkways and other

public grounds of the City of Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia.



City Attorney Fay pointed out that this is a 15-year agreement and said

the franchise fee will be 4% for the first five years and 5% the final ten

years.



Councilor Turner Pugh then asked if this was a typical time length of 15

years on all of our other franchise agreements, to which City Attorney Fay said

this is similar to some of the franchise agreements that we have. He said some

of the older agreements had 25 and 30 years, but said we have cut the timeframe

down in the last several years. He said a lot of the cable, and utility

franchises are 10 to 15 year timeframes.





*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY 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 NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:



A Resolution (5-05) - Expressing appreciation to Anthony J. Parciasepe

upon his retirement with the Columbus Department of Fire and EMS after 30 years

of service.



A Resolution (6-05) - Expressing appreciation to Richard L. Coe upon his

retirement with the Columbus Department of Fire and EMS after more than 28

years of service.



*** *** ***



RESOLUTIONS



Councilor McDaniel said he would like for the City Attorney to prepare a

resolution expressing the Council?s condolences in the death of former Mayor

Bill Feighner, former Councilor Philip H. Batastini and Judge Albert Thompson.



He said he had requested some time ago, a resolution for Dr. Jack

Hughston; however, that has not come forward yet. City Attorney Fay said we are

waiting for the family to let us know when will be an appropriate time for them

to come down and receive that resolution.



Mayor Poydasheff also asked that a resolution be prepared congratulating

Mr. Tim Chitwood of the Columbus-Ledger Newspaper who recently won an award.



Councilor Davis also requested several resolutions as follows: a resolution

for Pacelli?s Football Player of the Year, Matt Dunnaum, Central High?s Harry

Sneed, as well as Coach of the Year, Blair Harrelson from Brookstone.



He said Coach Pettis will be leaving Pacelli to accept a position in

Florida and said that he would also like to have a resolution honoring him for

a great season he has had there at Pacelli.

-------------------------*** *** ***------------------------

PUBLIC AGENDA:



MS. MARGIE TUCKER, RE: CONCERNS WITH GAS FUMES BURNING FROMTRUCKS:

_____________________________________________________________



Ms. Margie Tucker, who requested to be listed on tonight?s agenda to

discuss an issue with gas fumes coming into her home, did not appear when given

the opportunity to address the Council.



*** *** ***



MR. MARC UPSHAW, RE: SAM MITCHELL?S BASKETBALL

CAMP:



Mr. Upshaw cancelled his scheduled appearance before the Council on

tonight.



*** *** ***



MR. JUNIE CHRISTIAN, RE: TAX PREPARATION:



Mr. Ed Barcello came forward and said he is here tonight to inform the

community of a program that the Columbus Money Smart Coalition has started this

year. He said it is a free tax preparation; whereby many volunteers will be

preparing income taxes with their main focus being on ?Earned Income Tax

Credit?. He said as they were preparing for the tax season, they were notified

that there were approximately $4.3 million of monies that individuals from

Columbus qualified for the earned income tax credit that went unclaimed. He

said based on the numbers that were provided for by the IRS that was equivalent

to 1200 families in Columbus that did not claim this money.



He said the Money Smart Coalition is a group of seven different

organizations that have come together in the city to provide free tax service,

in the hopes of assisting many of the low to middle income people with many

things that occur during the tax season; keep them from getting rapid refund

loans and having to pay high fees for these services. He said individuals would

be able to come in and get their taxes done, and filed electronically. He said

they are expecting to have approximately 50 ? 60 IRS trained volunteers to

assist the City of Columbus to have their taxes prepared for free.



Mayor Poydasheff said he would like to ask Mr. Barcello to get together

with Mr. Christian and Deputy City Manager Hugley to put this information on

CCG-TV so that the people will know where to go and the times that this would

be taking place.



*** *** ***



MR. STEPHEN LEWIS, REQUEST WAIVER OF PROPERTY TAX PENALTY:



Mr. Stephen Lewis said he and his family have lived in Columbus for 2 1/2

years since their arrival in Columbus in 2002 and have paid local, city, state

and federal taxes willingly and faithfully. He said their track record in

meeting this important civil obligation while living in Columbus and their

previous residences in Indiana, Minnesota and Connecticut are without fault.



He said they paid to the Tax Commissioner the required tax amount of

$1,967.87 on December 1, 2004 as required by the State. He said in good faith

they trusted the U.S. postal service and the office of the Muscogee County Tax

Commissioner to process the check with attentiveness. However, due to the

ineffectiveness of what appeared to be satisfactory efforts by all parties, a

late charge penalty of $197.00 was applied. He said it is presumed that while

the original check was delivered to the post office on December 1st, the letter

was not postmarked until December 2nd; therefore, he is requesting leniency by

the Tax Commissioner and the City Council for a waiver of this penalty on the

basis that a good faith effort was made by he and his wife to pay these taxes

by the required date.



Mr. Lewis said and to show trust and loyalty to you, the City, and the

State they paid the required tax amount and the penalty dated December 20th.

He said they are hopeful that the $197.00 penalty will be waived and refunded.



Mayor Poydasheff then pointed out to Mr. Lewis that there are no lights on

this issue.



Councilor Suber then explained to Mr. Lewis that because there were no

lights, it

means that you will not be given the waiver.



Mayor Poydasheff then pointed out to Mr. Lewis that the only way he can be

granted a waiver is for a Council member to make a motion; which must be

seconded and voted upon by this Council. He said based on our precedent that

has gone back for years and years under these situations we don?t grant

waivers.



Mr. Lewis said he would accept; however, he has a recommendation, saying

that he is told that there is a separate form that comes with the taxes. He

said they chose to pay their taxes twice a year rather than with their monthly

payments and said he is not familiar with the form. He said they were told on

the form that it states there is no window for payments.



Mayor Poydasheff then suggested that Mr. Lewis discuss this matter with

Tax Commissioner Lula Huff.



*** *** ***



MR. PAUL OLSON, RE: ORCHARD GROVE MOBILE HOME PARK CONTRACT AND THE HILTON

GARDEN INN CITY CODE VARIANCE: _____________________



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

not respond when given the opportunity to address the Council.



*** *** ***



RECOGNITION OF MRS. JO MCDANIEL:



Mayor Poydasheff recognized the presence of Mrs. Jo McDaniel who was

seated in the Council Chambers. He said he would like to commend Mrs. McDaniel

on what she does with our Heart Safe City campaign.

-------------------------*** *** ***-----------------------

CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING SIX RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY DEPUTY CITY

MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL;__________

A Resolution (7-05) - Authorizing the acceptance of a grant for $88,894

from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency funded through the Georgia

Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (GHSEEP) and amend the budget

by increasing the Multi-Governmental fund for the amount of the grant.

Councilor Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by

Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.

A Resolution (8-05) - Authorizing the submission of an application and to

accept a $50,000 grant from the Salton Antitrust Settlement Fund for the

purpose of providing services for the Columbus/Muscogee County Juvenile Drug

Court Program and amend the Multi-Governmental fund for the awarded/approved

amount. Councilor Turner Pugh 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.

A Resolution (9-05) - Authorizing the submission of an application and to

accept a $23,829 grant from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the

purchase of equipment and training from IDentix for the National Criminal

History Implementation Grant as well as amend the Multi-Governmental fund for

the amount of the grant. Councilor Suber 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 (10-05) - Authorizing the City?s participation in the

ACCG-GSIWCF's Safety Incentive Program. Councilor Suber 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 (11-05) - Authorizing the establishment of the Circuit wide

Public Defenders Base budget from January 1 - June 30, 2005 for Muscogee County

at $478,000 and to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract for the same

period with the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council to provide

administrative support for

Public Defender personnel in the Superior and Juvenile Court.

Councilor Suber 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 (12-05) - Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to a

portion of SteelCreek Drive and a portion of SteeleCreek Court located in

Section One, StreeleCreek Subdivision. Councilor Suber moved the adoption of

the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by

those nine members of

Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING FIVE PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS HAVING BEEN ENCLOSED WITH THE

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

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

MADE BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SUBER, WHICH CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:_____________________________



A Resolution (13-05) - Authorizing the purchase of an annual maintenance

agreement for the Police Department/911 Center?s Automated Vehicle Location

System from Ortivus North America in the amount of $23,120.41.



A Resolution (14-05) - Authorizing the purchase of precast concrete

railroad panels, rubber flange inserts and end restraints from Omni Products,

Inc., for the estimated annual contract value of $68,800. The items will be

purchased by the Engineering Department on an ?as needed basis? to replace

existing wooden/asphalt at various railroad crossings. The precast concrete

panels will enable vehicles to cross the railroads more smoothly. The contract

term shall be for two years, with the option to renew for three additional

twelve-month periods. Contract renewal is contingent upon the mutual agreement

of the City and the Contractor.



A Resolution (15-05) - Authorizing the purchase of an Identix Live Scan

Fingerprint System from Identix Incorporated, in the amount of $23,154.00. The

equipment will be used by the Sheriff?s Office for fingerprinting purposes. The

purchase includes the software, system equipment, maintenance and training.

Identix Incorporated is the vendor required by the Grant to provide this

equipment because it must be compatible with the equipment used by the State of

Georgia. Therefore, the vendor is deemed an only known source for this

purchase. The purchase of the system is made possible via the National

Criminal History Improvement Plan (NCHIP) Grant. The grant will fully

reimburse the purchase cost.



A Resolution (16-05) - Authorizing the declaration of three (3) ambulances

and two (2) fire trucks as surplus, in accordance with Section 7-501 of the

Charter of Columbus Consolidated Government; and to approve the donation of the

items to Columbus Technical College (2 ambulances), Stewart County EMS (1

ambulance), Antioch Volunteer Fire Department (1 fire truck) and Geneva

Volunteer Fire Department (1 fire truck): The Columbus Fire and Emergency

Medical Services will soon take delivery of newly purchased ambulances (3) and

fire trucks (2). The existing emergency vehicles are no longer practical for

use by Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Due to Homeland Security

policies, the City cannot auction the emergency vehicles that are being

replaced. Therefore, the emergency vehicles will be donated to agencies

requesting the surplus items.



A Resolution (17-05) - Authorizing payment to Earth-Scapes, Inc., in the

amount of $28,260.00 for the emergency replacement of a storm water pipe. The

Engineering Department requested approval of the emergency procurement due to a

failed storm water pipe located at 1506 Alamo Drive, a residential area. The

failure of the pipe is contributing to numerous sinkholes, along the track of

the pipe, which could cause damage to private property. Consequently, per the

Procurement Ordinance, the City Manager approved the emergency purchase.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY DEPUTY CITY

MANAGER HUGLEY AND DELAYED BY THE COUNCIL AT HIS REQUEST:



A Resolution - Authorizing the procurement of roofing services in the

amount of $351,273.00 from Standard Roofing of Montgomery, Inc. If necessary,

the vendor will provide additional drain replacement with plumbing for the unit

price of $850, wood deck replacement for the unit price of $4 per square foot,

cementitious wood fiber deck replacement for the unit price of $7.50 per square

foot, metal deck replacement for the unit price of $7.75 per square foot and

wood nailer replacement for the unit price of $4.75 per square foot.



*** *** ***



UPCOMING EVENTS:



Deputy City Manager Hugley outlined the following upcoming events as

outlined below.





Fri Jan. 7 7:00p.m. Freedom Fund Banquet

Guest Speaker: Honorable Judge Greg Mathis Trade Center

Sat Jan. 8 10:00a.m. Dedication Ceremony for the Columbus Library 3050 Macon Rd

Thurs Jan. 13 7:00p.m. -

9:30p.m. One Columbus Recognition Dinner

Featuring: Aubrey Miller, Director of Travel/Tourism for Southern Living

Magazine. Trade Center

Sat Jan. 15 12:00p.m. 2005 Columbus/Phenix City Annual

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade

Unity Parade of Excellence Beginning on the Colin Powell Parkway in Phenix City finishing

Downtown Columbus at 9th Street and Broadway





FORT BENNING TROOPS:



Mayor Poydasheff said also on January 7th at 4:00 p.m., at Doughboy

Stadium at Fort Benning we will be saying farewell to the 3rd Brigade of the

3rd Infantry Division. He said Governor Perdue would be there as well. He said

he would also be there to point out that we are there for the families and that

the hearts of Columbus are open to them.



*** *** ***



ORCHARD GROVE MOBILE HOME PARK:



Councilor Woodson said she has been receiving a lot of telephone calls

about the Orchard Grove Mobile Home Park and said that she is getting conflicts

of questions and answers. She said there have been some comments made that the

mobile homes are being sold for $1.00 and $10.00 and leaving the responsibility

of the new owner to move them. He said she would like for the City Manager to

setup a meeting with the residents of the Orchard Grove Mobile Home Park and

the City to clarify and discuss several issues relating to the contract.





*** *** ***



COMPLAINTS:



Councilor Woodson said several months back she had asked for the process

of how we handle complaints against Public Safety personnel and what procedures

we use. She said she did receive a copy of the policy; but she had made a

request for a presentation to be made before this Council. She said she spoke

to Major Graham on yesterday and explained to him what we need to do is to have

a presentation made here at this Council to explain what the format and process

is so that the public can hear it. She said she is continually hearing comments

in the community that nothing happens when individuals are making complaints.



She said she would like to have the Chief of Police to make a presentation

before the Council at one of their Work Sessions to explain the process of

filing complaints as it relates to Public Safety.



Mayor Poydasheff said he would make arrangements for this presentation to

be made at our next Council Work Session.



*** *** ***



ORCHARD GROVE MOBILE HOME PARK:



Referring back to this subject, Councilor Suber said he would like to have

the City Manager and the City Attorney to meet with the residents of Orchard

Grove Mobile Home Park at the meeting that Councilor Woodson has requested and

to let them know exactly what?s going on.



*** *** ***



PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Councilor Suber said he was at a meeting on Friday and the question came

up again regarding the Public Safety Advisory Council and being that citizens

are still complaining about the conduct of our public safety officers in the

community, and being that, we as elected officials will make the final decision

about these issues, he thinks that citizens should have the opportunity to come

before this Council and deal with whatever complaints that they have, as long

as they fill out a form and submit it to the Clerk of Council so they can be on

the Agenda to voice their complaint.



Mayor Poydasheff said he doesn?t think that anyone has a problem with

that.



Councilor Suber then asked that we look at devising a form to allow them

to come before this Council to voice their complaints as it relates to these

matters.



Councilor Anthony said it might be a good function of the Public Safety

Commission to come and make a presentation on the process relative to all three

of our public safety systems.



Councilor Davis said he is a firm believer of public speak and he thinks

that individuals should always have the freedom of speech and the right to

speak up; however, he believes that we need to make sure that the chain of

command and citizens going through that chain of command is adhered to. He said

he knows that there are citizens who do try to go through the chain of command,

but there are others who try to jump over that and force their way through the

system.

--------------------------*** *** ***-----------------------

CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS

INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR & COUNCIL:



(1) Letter from Del Parker, CPA CGFM submitting a copy of the GASB 34

Compliant Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the Muscogee County School

District for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2004.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCil:



A Resolution (18-05) - Approving a Special Exception Use to authorize the

transfer of ownership of leasehold interest and improvements attached to a

wireless communications facility (tower) at 1625 North Industrial Boulevard.

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

Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



ZONING PUBLIC HEARING:



Clerk of Council Washington submitted a Letter from Scott McAbee

requesting that a public hearing be called on his rezoning petition located at

3590 Buena Vista Road that was recommended for denial by the Planning

Division. (72-D-04-McAbee)



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers called for the ordinance and public hearing on this

rezoning petition.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS

SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:



Application of Mr. Edward Dubose to temporarily close 9th Street between

1st and 2nd Avenue, 1st and 2nd Avenue from entrance/exit lanes of Government

Center to 9th Street, on January 15, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., in

connection with the ?March in protest for justice for Kenneth Walker?. Mayor

Pro Tem Rodgers moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried

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



*** *** ***



MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:_______







C.I.R.C.L.E., October 12, 2004.

C.I.R.C.L.E., November 9, 2004.

Tax Assessors, No. 48.

Zoning Appeals Board, October 6, 2004.

Zoning Appeals Board, November 3, 2004.

Zoning Appeals Board, November 23, 2004.



Councilor McDaniel made a motion that these minutes be received. Seconded

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

present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING THREE NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY

CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED FOR

ON EACH BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS:



Petition submitted by Tim Rovig to rezone approximately 5.297 acres of

property located at 8250 Fortson Road from an A-1 District to a C-3 District.

(Recommended for approval by both the Planning Advisory Commission and the

Planning Division) (73-A-04-Rovig)



Petition submitted by Steven Corbett to rezone approximately 1.5 acres of

property located at 1716 Fountain Court from a C-3 District to an A-O

District. (Recommended for conditional approval by both the Planning Advisory

Commission and the Planning Division.) (74-CA-04-Corbett)



Petition submitted by Whitesville Development Corporations to rezone

approximately 20 acres of property located at Dawson Estates, northeast of

Dawson Elementary from an R-1A District to an R-2 District. (Recommended for

approval by both the Planning Advisory Commission and Ft. Benning and

conditional approval by the Planning Division.) (75-CA-04-Whitesville Dev.

Cor.)



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF

COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: _______________





A Resolution (19-05) - Excusing Councilor R. Gary Allen from the January

4, 2005 Council Meeting. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the

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

members of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers is

still working on a nominee for someone to succeed Mr. Terry Hattaway, who has

resigned his seat on the Civic Center Advisory Board.



*** *** ***



HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of Ms.

Laverne Jackson and Ms. Nancy Rinn on the Hospital Authority expired on

November 14, 2004. She said Ms. Jackson is not eligible to succeed herself,

but Ms. Rinn is. She also pointed out that Ms. Rinn has been nominated for

another term of office and that we need two additional nominees for Ms. Rinn?s

seat and three nominees for Ms. Jackson?s seat; from which the Hospital

Authority will select their successor.



She also pointed out that Councilor Allen has nominated Mr. Tracy Lamar

Sayers for Ms. Lavern Jackson?s position. Councilor Anthony also nominated Mr.

Rick McKnight for this seat as well.



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Councilor Davis also

nominated Mr. Robert Jones, but he would like to withdraw his nominee on

tonight. Councilor Davis then confirmed that and officially withdrew the name

of Mr. Jones. She further pointed out that we still need one additional

nominee for Ms. Jackson?s seat.



Councilor Henderson said we have gone several weeks now without any

additional nominees and then asked if there was any problem with nominating Ms.

Nancy Rinn for Ms. Jackson?s seat and nominating Mr. McKnight and Mr. Sayers

for Ms. Rinn?s position since she is eligible to succeed herself anyway.



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that this has been done

previously. She said she would go ahead and submit these names to the authority.



*** *** ***



RECORDER?S COURT JUDGE PRO TEM:



Councilor McDaniel asked Clerk of Council Washington when are we going to

receive the applications for the Recorder?s Court Judge Pro Tem position, to

which she stated that we have not received the applications from the Human

Resources Department. She said she would call to inquire about those

applications and hopefully, have it listed for next week?s Council meeting.



*** *** ***



SHAW BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT:



Councilor Hunter said he would like to give kudos to those organizations

that came together to put on the Shaw Basketball Tournament over the holidays.

He said it was an outstanding affair and he would like to thank the City?s

Recreation Department, the Muscogee County School District and especially

Columbus State University.



*** *** ***



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

Tem Rodgers then made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting,

with the time being 6:50 P.M.



*** *** ***





Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia