Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR MEETING

NOVEMBER 18, 2003





The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called to

order at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, November 18, 2003, 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, Julius H. Hunter,

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

adoption of Resolution Number 535-03.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Reverend Jim Hildebrand.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by two representatives of the Children?s Miracle

Network.

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AMATEUR SOFTBALL ASSOCATION:



At the request of Mayor Poydasheff, Ms. Janice Davis, Executive Director

of the Sports Council appeared to address the Council as it relates to the

Amateur Softball Association and the USA Olympic Softball Team. She said this

large group of volunteers that are present with her this morning just returned

from the ASA National Convention in Orlando, Florida, as well as a month ago;

they also went to AAU promoting Columbus, Georgia sports in our City, as well

as the industry.



Ms. Davis said this morning, they are proud to announce that this group of

Individuals, succeeded in winning the Girls ASA National Championship, ages 18

and under Softball Competition for August 2005, which is a huge accomplishment

for our City.



She said this event cost us $37,000, but said it will bring in 5,000

individuals and more than 140 teams. She said you could imagine the economic

impact that it will have on our City and said they are excited about this.



Ms. Davis then introduced those individuals who were present with her,

which included Ms. Susan Vann, Columbus Sports & Events Council, Mr. Carl

McCauley,

Mr. Mike Owens, CCVB, Ms. Tiny Latham, Volunteer, Ms. Shelly Stevens, Mr.

Herman Porter of the Parks & Recreation Department, ?Tommy?, and three members

of the local hotel industry, Mr. Gary Timmons, Howard Johnson, Ms. Michelle

Spivey, and Mr. Danny McVain, Holiday Inn.



Ms. Davis said they are excited to be able to bring this tournament to the

City of Columbus. She said we will also have the USA Team Olympic Softball Team

that will be returning to Columbus in February 2004. She said the University of

Georgia will be here playing the USA team.

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PROCLAMATIONS:



?OLIVIA TOWN?:



Mr. Bryan Norris, of Children?s Miracle Network appeared and introduced

Mr. Alan Levy, Mr. Gary Pound and Ms. Sissy Doll, Honorary Chairperson for the

Children?s Miracle Network who was present with him this morning. He said they

are here this morning to provide a copy of a children?s book that was created

by Mr. Levy and Mr. Pound. He said this book is about a little girl named

?Olivia?, who draws her perfect town on the sidewalk each day. He said they are

happy that Ms. Doll brought two extraordinary local talents together of Mr.

Levy and Mr. Pound to benefit the local children right here in this community

at the Medical Center. He said through their efforts, the Children?s Miracle

Network would truly benefit a great deal from this book.



In conjunction with this presentation, Councilor McDaniel then read a

proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming high honor and recognition to the

authors for creating this book, as well as Sissy Doll and the Children?s

Miracle Network in Columbus, Georgia.



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?HOSPICE MONTH?:



With Mr. Steve Faulk of Vista Care, Mr. Savell Trago, Ms. Pam Barron, Mr.

Mark Chandler, Ms. Helen Powell and Ms. Kim McKinney and Revered Jim Hildebrand

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

Poydasheff, proclaiming the month of November 2003, as ?Hospice Month? in

Columbus, Georgia



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?INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK?:



With Dr. Mario R. Mion, President of Delta Nu Chapter of Phi Beta Delta

and Dr. Neal McCrillis, Chapter Coordinator standing at the Council table,

Councilor Turner Pugh read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming

the week of November 18 ? 22, 2003, as ?International Education Week? in

Columbus, Georgia



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?FALUN DAFA MONTH?:



With Ms. Becky Yao standing at the Council table, Councilor Hunter read

the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming the month of November 2003,

as ?Falun Dafa Month? in Columbus, Georgia

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



WITH COACHES KEN PAULK AND LEE SCHORR AND MEMBERS OF THE BROOKSTONE LADY

COUGARS SOFTBALL TEAM STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION

WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:





A Resolution (518-03) - Commending and congratulating the Brookstone Lady

Cougars softball players upon their victory in the 2003 Class A State

Championship Tournament. Councilor Henderson moved its adoption. Seconded by

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously with those nine members of

Council present for this meeting, standing to cast their affirmative votes.



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WITH COACHES MARTY RICHBURG AND BILL STOHR AND MEMBERS OF THE HARDAWAY

HIGH LADY HAWKS SOFTBALL TEAM STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING

RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL, WITH THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT, STANDING TO CAST THEIR

AFFIRMATIVE

VOTE:





A Resolution (519-03) - Commending and congratulating the Hardaway High

School Lady Hawks softball players upon their victory in the 2003 Class AAAA

State Championship Tournament. Councilor Henderson moved its adoption. Seconded

by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously with those nine members of

Council present for this meeting, standing to cast their affirmative votes.



Councilor Henderson suggested that a copy of the videotape of today?s

meeting be forwarded to both schools for them to be placed in their achieves.

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NOTE: THE CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA IS CONTINUED BELOW.



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REGIONAL RECORDS CENTER:



Mayor Poydasheff called forward Ms. Vickie Armstrong to congratulate her

on winning an Award for Excellence in Archival Program Development from the

Secretary of State. He then read the Award in its entirety and presented it to

Ms. Armstrong.



City Manager Cavezza said Ms. Armstrong was instrumental in taking what

was no type of file system and making it the finest in the State. He said she

is a one-person team and gets very little help and is one of the most dedicated

employees that we have and we are really fortunate to have her with us.



Ms. Armstrong said it is refreshing that the City of Columbus? Records

Management Program is receiving such widespread support. She said former State

Representative Mary Jane Galer was a big assistance to the City in regards to

our Archival Records; however, she was unable to be present here on this

morning. She said Mrs. Galer was largely responsible for a great deal of the

groundwork set for our Archival Records and said she would like to take this

opportunity to thank Mrs. Galer for her assistance.



Mayor Poydasheff asked Ms. Armstrong to provide him with the information

on former State Representative Mary Jane Galer, because he would like to honor

her with a special proclamation before the Council at a later date.



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RIVERDRAGONS:



City Manager Cavezza said Mr. Barry McMullen came by to see him on

yesterday and said they are getting ready to open up their basketball season

and said their first home game is Friday, November 28th against Ashville. He

said they have put a great deal of effort into their program this year. He said

the ticket prices are down at a reasonable price and said they have a lot of

interesting half-time activities; which is a very aggressive program. He said

it is great entertainment and great sports and we are hopeful that they will be

supported, better than they have ever been this year.



Mayor Poydasheff said we have some great teams here in Columbus and said

he would encourage everyone to go out and support the sports team, the

Riverdragons, War Dogs, the Cottonmouths and the Waves. He said these teams are

only going to stay here, as long as we here in Columbus support them.

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



Mr. Elliott Waddell, representing the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission,

appeared and invited the Mayor and Council to attend the 4th Annual Night of

Lights Celebration on the Riverwalk, Thursday, December 4, 2003 in the Phenix

City Amphitheater.



He said in 2000, you charged the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission with

the Celebration to kickoff the holiday season and said it has grown every year.

He said once again, they would be featuring the Fort Benning Brass Quintet, the

Sherwood Elementary School Choir, and said this year they have added a part of

the performance of the Nutcracker, from the Columbus Ballet. He said the

Friendship Baptist Church Choir will also be there, who rose to national fame

in the movie, ?The Fighting Temptation?.



Mr. Waddell said this will also kick off the lighting of the decorations

on both the Phenix City and Columbus Riverwalk, with the evening culminating

with a fireworks show. He said this event would kick off a lot of wonderful

things that will be happening in Columbus during the Christmas season from the

Night of Lights to Victorian Christmas at Port Columbus, the Columbus-Phenix

City Christmas Parade, and the Historic Columbus Tour of Homes from start to

the Park.



Mr. Craig Strain said the Historic Columbus Tour of Homes would be held on

December 14th, which is from start to the Park and will be featuring the

Midtown Project. He said a lot of the businesses in the Midtown Project that

are located in that area will take part in this event. He said they are very

excited about the fact that they will be open and participating in what they

will be doing on the Tour of Homes.

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PUBLIC HEARING ? COLUMBUS WATER WORKS? RATE INCREASE:



Mr. Billy G. Turner, 6318 Cape Code Drive, President of the Columbus Water

Works said he would like to thank the Mayor and Council for allowing them to

have the public hearing this morning on the Columbus Water Works financial

situation.



He said in October 2002, they brought a presentation before the Council

that was a comprehensive financial evaluation of the Columbus Water Works

situation and said this year, they have continued the update that was requested

by the Council, as well as the Board of Water Commissioners as a way of

continuing to look at the Water Works financial situation.



He said he is here this morning to meet the requirements of the public

hearing that is asked for in their regulations, as well as to meet the

resolution that was adopted by the Council in 1988 in which the Columbus

Council asked that the Board of Water Commissioners hold these public hearings

at the Council meeting.



Mr. Turner then went into some details in outlining the Board of Water

Commissioners? plan for this proposed water rate increase, which will be

effective on January 1, 2004, using a slide presentation, he explained the

following aspects of the plan. He reviewed the prior situation which points out

the following and are many reasons for a rate increase.



No rate increase in 7 years 1996 ? 2002



Lowest water and sewer rates in southeast



Used $11,991,749 million from reserves in past 5 years to meet their budget



Had $3.2 million loss of revenue in 2001 ? 2002 due to closing of mills &

industries



2003 ? 2003 ? Financial study by Raftelis Financial Consulting





January 2003 ? Average rate increase ? 14.2%



January 2004 ? Planned increase ? 14.2%



January 2005 ? Planned increase ? 7.7%



January 2006 ? Planned increase ? 5%



January 2007 ? Planned increase ? 4.3%



Projects funded from Reserves



Budget Year Reserves

% of Budget



1999 ? 2000

$2,000,000 6

2000 ? 2001

$1,100,000 3

2001 ? 2002

$2,233,800 7

2002 ? 2003

$4,324,949 11

2003 ? 2004

$2,333,000 5.9



FINANCIAL SITUATION UPDATE



PROJECTS FUNDED FROM RESERVES

REVENUE LOSSES

* April 2001 Columbus Carpet $ 830,000

* July 2001 Fieldbrook Farms (Kinnett) $ 150,000

* Sept 2001 Royal Crown $ 30,000

* Dec 2001 MASBAC $ 20,000

* Dec 2001 Swift Spinning $ 100,000

* April 2002 Pillowtex (Fieldcrest) $1,600,000

Industry Closings Loss $2,730,000



* Jan 2002 Phenix City $ 500,000

TOTAL LOSS ANNUAL REVENUE $3,230,000



* Jan 2003 Phenix City Paid Final

Settlement $ 475,233



STAFFING & COST

1997 ? 1998 Employees - 250

2002-2003 - 210

Staff Reduction - Employees - 40

Staff Reduction - 16%



Audited Expenses

1996-1997 Operating Expenses - $12,520,892

2002-2003 Operating Expenses - $18,217,049



Seven (7) Year Difference - $5,696,157

Increase per Year - $ 813,736

Average Annual Increase - 6.5%



CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

? Five (5) Year Plan - $ 65 Million

? Ten (10)Year Plan - $120 Million



? Regulatory Compliance - $36.7 Million

? Public Health and Safety - $21.7 Million

? Economic Development - $36.0 Million

? Community Projects - $22.7 Million



Mr. Turner then responded to several questions of members of the Council

as it relates to new industries and businesses that may come on line and taking

those into consideration, as well as the availability of water and whether or

not we will be limited in the amount of water that we can take from the river

in the future.



Mr. Turner then introduced Mr. George Raftelis, of Raftelis Financial

Consulting, PA, who has done this year?s review of their financial update.



Mr. George Raftelis said on last year, they were brought in to work with

the Columbus Water Works and to help them in addressing some of the challenges

that were mentioned earlier by Mr. Turner. He said what they did was prepared a

financial plan as well as a rate plan that would address some of those specific

issues.



He then provided an update to the Council outlining what happened on last

year when they developed that five-year plan and how their projections compared

with actual results and what the future looks like in the next four years. He

said as you may recall, we were dealing with a five-year plan and we have gone

through one year of that plan thus far.



Mr. Raftelis then using a slide presentation outlined the following areas

of the Columbus Water Works FY2004 Rate Update, as pointed out below:



Purpose of Public Hearing

? Review FY 2003 rate setting results

? Proposed 2004 rate recommendations

? Conclusions



Rate Study Goal



Develop an effective water and wastewater financial and rate plan reflecting:

? Financial sufficiency

? Equity





Audit Reconciliation Summary





Per Model Actual

Difference % Difference



Total Operating Revenues $31.7 $32.5



Total Operating Expenses $(18.4) $(18.2)



Transfer from Operating Fund $4.8 $4.3



Debt Service $(13.8) $(13.7)



Net Non-Operating Expenses ($1.2) ($1.6)



Contribution to Capital $3.1

$3.3 $0.2 6.1%



Mr. Raftelis said we are now in the second year of this five-year program

and what we have looked at is what needs to happen to rates compared to what we

have presented to you on last year. He said there were three major areas that

they had focused on this year, which includes the following:



Focus of 2004 Rate Update

? Demand projection

? Capital Improvement Plan and financing assumptions

? Revenue requirements





Mr. Rafelits showed charts on the following five areas as outlined below:



Deficit without Rate Increase



FY 2004 Water Charges



FY 2004 Wastewater Charges



Average Monthly Bill for 20 CCF

Non-Residential Customer



Customer Bill Comparison

for 20 CCF Residential Customer



In his conclusion, Mr. Raftelis pointed out that rate increases are

consistent with those projected in 2003 for 2004. He said they are consistent

this year with what they had said on last year; and they do compare a little

more favorable this year. He said they believe that it is imperative that the

Water Works step up and continue the plan that was presented on last year, and

in 2004 rate increases are necessary to address projected deficits. He also

said that projected customer bills through 2007 continue to compare favorably

with adjacent and/or similar communities.



Mr. Raftelis, as well as Mr. Turner then responded to several questions of

members of the Council.



Mr. Billy Turner then responded to questions of Councilor Turner Pugh as

it relates to those community projects that relates to the $23 million as well

as the economic development projects, which amounts to $36 million.



Councilor Turner Pugh said she knows that a lot of the regulatory

compliances and public safety/health are brought on by the Federal and State

Government, and then asked Mr. Turner if there is a list of those things-

regulatory compliances and public safety/health requirements that are placed on

local governments by Federal and State Agencies, as it relates to water issues

where the public can see the list. She said if they have any complaints they

would need to talk to their Federal representatives.





CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS:



Councilor Woodson said she would like to ask Mr. Turner to set up a

meeting with the South Columbus Concerned Citizens regarding the capital

improvement projects that are being planned for the South Columbus area to

update them on what?s going on with those projects. She said this is right in

the back yards of some of these residents; so, we need to let them know that

the problem is being addressed. She said it may not be addressed as soon as we

would like it to be, but it is being addressed.



Councilor Davis said he would like to be able to see a list of those

Capital Improvement Projects.



Mr. Turner, as well as Mr. Raftelis, then responded to further questions

of members of the Council, after which there were several individuals who were

in opposition to this proposed rate increase then appeared and addressed their

objections.



Councilor Suber pointed out that this Council does not have a say so in

this water rate increase, as it has already been done and approved by the Board

of Water Commissioners and not the Council. He said it was determined by the

Board on last year to increase the rate and you are just here before the

Council to have the public hearing and allow the citizens to be heard.



Former State Senator Ted Land said he is here today to speak out in

protest of what he considers to be an outrageously high water rate increase

being planned by the leadership of the Columbus Water Works. He then asked if

this issue is before the Board of Water Commissioners at this time and when

will they vote on it.



Mayor Poydasheff pointed out that this was done on last year, as this was

a 5-year plan that the Board of Water Commissioners approved and requested that

the Administration of the Columbus Water Works to come back before the Council

to explain and give the reason for the continuation of the five-year plan. He

said the Board has already approved this increase.



Mr. Land said this high water rate increase would impact every water user

in this City. He said he thinks that we have a good Water Works, as they do a

good job; but he does have a serious problem with the size of this proposed

rate increase. He said the rates were increased this past January 2003 by 14.8%

and if this new 13% increase is put into effect; water users would have had a

total 28% increase in a 12-month period of time. He said this increase would be

5-6 times more than the inflation rate.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then responded to some of those concerns expressed

by Former Senator Ted Land.

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COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS AFFAIRS:



Mayor Poydasheff said the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs for the State

of Georgia is present here in the audience and said he would like to ask him to

come forward and make some comments, if he so desire.



Mr. Pete Wheeler, Commissioner of the Veterans Affairs Department said he

is here this morning to visit their new office location here in Columbus. He

said they are proud of their office here in Columbus and proud of the fact that

in the State of Georgia, they are responsible for bringing into the State over

$1.5 billion a year. He said the office here in Columbus is responsible for

bringing in over $76 million a year to people who have defended this Country

and made this the greatest Country in the United States of America, i.e., the

Soldiers, Sailors and Marines that are fighting now. He said when they return

home, they will come back to an office that is worthy of their service and said

they will see that they get all the benefits to which they may be entitled from

the Veterans Administration and from State Government. He said he wants to

thank everyone in Columbus for their wonderful cooperation that they have

always received here.



Mr. Wheeler introduced Mr. Al Rivera and his wife, who were present in the

audience with him this morning.

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WATER RATE INCREASE PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED:



The following individuals also came forward to express their opposition

to the proposed rate increase by the Board of Water Commissioners.



Mr. Cliff Tucker, 2510 Cherokee Avenue, said he felt like we needed some

clarification on the issue of residential water usage. He said he has talked

with the Columbus Water Works and also from what he has read in the newspaper,

we are on a voluntary odd/even watering system right now. He said beginning in

January 2004, it?s going to be mandatory, which is the latest information that

he has received; and said we are encouraged by this policy to conserve water,

but on the other hand we are going to have increased rates because we are not

using enough water.



He said those were several of the points that were made by the Water Works

that we need to use more water, as well as lost usages and because we have had

a lot of rain, there hasn?t been as much usage. He said because we are

encouraged to conserve, and he understands that; but how can we say on one

hand, we need to conserve, and by conserving our rates are going to be going

up. He said if we use more water, we would have lower rates, which would be the

logical conclusion he can draw from that.



Mr. Jim Rhodes, One North Whisper Courtsaid Mr. Billy Turner and his staff

at the Columbus Water Works does a wonderful job, but said the only thing that

he doesn?t agree with, is this Council and the way they have not taken on their

responsibility in the Charter of taking over and putting the Water Works under

the City Manager. He said these things would not be happening and could have

been averted long time ago, if this bureaucracy that we have of a $34 million

budget would have been put under the City Manager and carried over from there.



He then read excerpts from several newspaper articles that were written

back in 1995, which relates to the Columbus Water Works. He said it seems to

him that we have a propaganda war going on here with this, and he feels that we

need to put it under the Council where they will be the ones to increase the

water rates, not a board.



Mr. Rhodes said he doesn?t think that our Charter intended for a board to

be putting rate increases on the people, when we have a Council and that is

what they were elected for; to be representatives of the people. He said we

have approximately 45,000 people in the age range of 65 and up living in our

community and said most of them are in the category where $5.00 would mean a

great deal to them.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then made some observations regarding those comments

made by Mr. Rhodes; saying that he doesn?t see any inconsistencies with what

Mr. Turner forecasted in 1995 than what is actually coming to pass. He said

from 1995 through 2002 is eight years and we didn?t have a rate increase

through that period; so, therefore, in his mind, the eight years has been

satisfied.



Mr. Dennis Roaden, 2932 17th Avenue said a 14% increase last year and 13%

this year is outrageous. He said he understands that we have lost major

industries in the area with a lot of consumption and money to the Water Works.

He said it is obvious that connection fees to the new subdivision and the new

industries that the taxpayers are paying for that. He said he also feels that

they are paying for the closing of industries and yet we still have an excess

of water.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said we don?t like these $36 million regulatory fees;

which is a big jump that it represents; however, we don?t have any control over

it. He said this may change in the coming years, but we just don?t know. He

said he knows how frustrated people get when percentage increases are put out

and said he hopes the consuming public understand that we here at the Council

table and the Board of Water Commissioners are not immune from it, as we are

going to pay it as well. He said it is not as we are imposing something on

someone else that we are not going to have to pay ourselves. He said we have

to look past our own desires to the needs of Columbus as a whole when we look

at these things.



City Attorney Fay then asked if there was anyone else who wanted to speak

to this issue.



Former State Senator Ted Land then rose from the audience and said he has

a question. He then asked, if this water rate increase has already been

approved by the

Board of Water Commissioners, to which Mayor Poydasheff said it has.



Mr. Land said there are five members that are on the board, but there are

no members that are present here today. He said this is a hearing to talk about

a rate increase that is already a done deal and four members of the board are

not here.

Mayor Poydasheff said the Water rate increase on last year was publicized

and the hearing this year is open to the public and amply discussed, but said

you weren?t at the Water Board meeting, which was a public hearing and covered

by the newspaper.

He said this hearing today is to validate what the Water Board have said they

were going to do last year; and also when the Council asked them to come and

revalidate what they projected and said was going to be necessary every year.



After more than thirty minutes of discussion on this issue, the public

hearing was then concluded after members of the Council expressed their views

on the subject and Mr. Bill Turner clarified the issue as it relates to the

approval of the rate increase.



Mayor Poydasheff said any citizen has every right to appear before the

Water Board at their next published meeting; which is open to the public and

said the media is always there, certainly the newspaper.



City Attorney Fay then declared this public hearing now closed.

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MINUTES: Minutes of the October 28 & November 4, 2003 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 McDaniel, which carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.

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ZONING PUBLIC HEARING:



THE FOLLOWING ZONING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD AS ADVERTISED:







An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 2.88 acres of property located at

2818 8th Street, et al., from an R-4 and C-2 Districts to an R-3A and R-3

District. (42-CA-03-Planning Div.)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



Mr. Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator, Planning Division, as well as Ms.

Lynnette Gross, of the Community Development Reinvestment Division were

present, and responded to several questions of members of the Council.



Councilor Turner Pugh said she thought that when we had all of those

hearings at Carver High School, she thought we were going to go through the

area and rezone those properties that should have been rezoned to residential

from commercial and put them in the correct residential zone back then.



Mr. Johnson said they did for everything north of 8th Street, but we

didn?t do any thing on 8th Street.



Councilor Suber said we had talked about coming back and addressing those

south of 8th Street, because it is part of the entire overlay area of 8th

Street.



City Manager Cavezza said they would be doing that administratively in the

Comprehensive Plan that they will soon be bringing to the Council.



Councilor Turner Pugh then asked, what other properties in the 8th Street

or Carver Heights area are part of the Hope VI project.



City Manager Cavezza said as he understands it, this is the only Hope VI

portion. He said it was part of that agreement with the Housing Authority that

we would provide these properties to them because of the requirement with Hope

VI that they develop another area like this.



Councilor Turner Pugh said it was her understanding that our only

contribution was the $9 million for the infrastructure.



City Manager Cavezza said our contribution is the $5.5 million that they

are asking for over a 4-year period, as well as, providing these properties to

meet the requirements for developing another area in conjunction with Hope VI

and there is also a rezoning from commercial to residential on Warm Springs

Road, which is another part of the Hope VI grant.



Councilor Turner Pugh said the properties that we give to the Housing

Authority as part of the Hope VI, were these not properties brought with the

HUD money and can we do that?



Ms. Lynnette Gross said as part of the Hope VI, yes we could do that. She

said it was verified through HUD. She said it will be right at 5 acres that we

will be giving to them, which was authorized by Resolution Number 661-02.



Ms. Mae H. Marshall said she owns property at 2711 Baldwin Street and her

church is located on Washington Avenue at 9th Street. She said she would like

to know the number of bedroom and bathrooms, if these are going to be

single-family homes.



Mr. Will Johnson said he doesn?t know how many bedrooms and bathrooms they

will be putting in the structures, but they have a layout that all of these

will be single-family homes. However, when the Housing Authority applied for

the Hope VI grant, the original grant was approved with these being fee simple

duplexes; that is why they were approaching the R-3A zone; however, it looks

like they are now going to go with single family homes because they don?t think

fee simple duplexes would work in this area, but they want to use the R-3A to

keep their options open.



Several minutes of discussion continued on this matter, with Councilor

Suber as well as Mr. Johnson responding to further questions of Ms. Marshall

regarding this proposal of the Hope VI project.



Mayor Poydasheff asked Mr. Johnson to sit down with Ms. Marshall and

discuss this matter with her so that she may be able to take that information

back to her church.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said if there are concerns on the part of some of

the neighbors about how the property is going to be used in that area, he

understands what the Hope VI grant perimeters are with respect to a mixed

neighborhood, but on that size of a tract of land, he doesn?t know what can go

in an R-3 that would necessarily be compatible long terms with single-family

dwellings. He said until the developer decides what they are going to do in

that neighborhood, are we premature in considering this rezoning?



City Manager Cavezza said if you are strictly addressing this as an R-3A

area, because it is right there at the intersection of Buena Vista Road/8th

Street, he think you could justify the R-3. He said it is really not tied in

tightly or in the middle of an R-1 or R-2 area; so, he believes there is

rationale to support that. He said obviously the R-1 or the single-family is

the best option. He said we can leave it on first reading and said he could get

the Housing Authority to come next week and present their concept to the

Council.



Councilor Woodson then made a motion to delay this matter for one week.

Seconded by Councilor McDaniel.



Prior to the vote being called on the motion, Councilor Turner Pugh said

she thinks that we need to leave it on second reading instead of delaying the

first reading. City Manager Cavezza said we could keep it on second reading,

and if necessary the Council can vote it up or down.



Discussions continued on this matter, with Councilor Turner Pugh

questioning

Ms. Marshall as to what are the questions and concerns that she and her church

has in this regard. Ms. Marshall said she wants someone to give her some

explicit understanding as to what they are eligible for.





Mayor Poydasheff said he has asked Mr. Johnson and Ms. Gross to sit down

with

Ms. Marshall and explain this to her. Councilor Suber said what we are doing

for this particular area is bringing it more in line with what we have already

agreed to do and said he doesn?t see any need to delay the matter.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said his question has been answered, after which

Councilor Woodson then withdrew her motion.



Mr. Colby Davis then appeared and said that he lives in C-2 at 746 Church

Avenue and said he is concerned with 746 and 748 Church Avenue. Mayor

Poydasheff advised

Mr. Davis that he is making reference to the demolition ordinance; however we

haven?t gotten to that item on the agenda yet.

City Attorney Fay then asked if there was anyone else who wanted to be

heard on this zoning matter, but there were none.

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

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

CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA CONTINUED:



THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR

CAPTIONS READ BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:







An Ordinance - Providing for the demolition of 1306 Floyd Road (Barbara

Cullinan, owner); 614-7th Street (Clydia Mae Morgan Davis, owner); 191 Wickham

Drive (David L. Huff, owner); 1029-31st Street (William F. Jenkins & John M.

McMillan, owners); 3208 Hamilton Road (Rossie Lavon Prather, owner); 3002 Delta

Street (Robert Palmer, owner); 901 Joy Road, Lot K34 (Christine Roach, owner);

2512 & 2514-1st Avenue (James Rolling, owner); 400-29th Avenue, Lot 12

(Spelman-Hung Capital, LLC, Owner); 2506-4th Avenue (WJW Enterprises, LLC,

owner); and for demolition services for the Inspections and Code Division in

accordance with a Tabulation of Bid sheet.



City Manager Cavezza said the property at 2514 1st Avenue has been sold

and the new owner is just about complete in tearing it down and requests that

this property be removed from the list. Councilor McDaniel so moved. Seconded

by Councilor Davis and carried unanimously by those eight members of Councilor

present at the time, with Councilor Anthony having left the meeting and

Councilor Allen being absent.



He said the property at 2506 4th Avenue has also been sold and the new

owner is in the process of fixing that house. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved it be

removed from the list. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously

by those eight

members of Council present at the time, with Councilor Anthony having already

left the meeting and Councilor Allen being absent.



Councilor Turner Pugh said she is not sure of what Mr. Colby Davis wants

to discuss on Church Avenue. She said it was on the last first reading?s

ordinance drawing, but it wasn?t a part of the rezoning question and said

Church Avenue is not on the demolition list either, so can we hear what he

wanted to ask.



Mr. Colby Davis said the slide that you had with the rezoning he has a

piece of property on the map, located at Church Avenue and Buena Vista Road. He

said the address of his property is 744, 746 and 748 Church Avenue.



City Attorney Fay then asked Mr. Davis if he has a question about the

rezoning, to which Mr. Davis said that he had put in a request to be on the

docket for the Council and said he received this letter regarding the rezoning

and said he was under the impression that he was coming to talk about his

property until he got to this meeting. He said he has some property that is

being condemned and he wanted to see about getting an extension and said he

also has some property that is being auctioned off on December 2nd and said

this is his concern.



Councilor Turner Pugh said his properties are not part of the zoning

petition, so he needs to get with the Inspections & Code Division. Mr. Davis

said he talked with City Manager Cavezza earlier and he told him that he had 45

days, but said he thinks that he needs more time.

Mayor Poydasheff advised Mr. Davis he needs to talk with Ms. Rebecca

Wiggins of the Inspections & Code Division immediately after this meeting.



City Manager Cavezza said we send out a letter to all the residents within

300 feet of a rezoning and said he believes that is the letter that Mr. Davis

received; however, Mr. Davis said that he also had another issue to speak with

the Council regarding a demolition issue and said he thought this is what that

was.



Once again Mayor Poydasheff advised Mr. Davis to get together with Deputy

City Manager Richard Bishop or Mr. Bill Duck and they will straighten this

matter out.



City Attorney Fay then asked if there was anyone who wanted to be heard on

any of the properties listed in the ordinance for demolition, but there was

none. He then advised that this ordinance would be voted on next week.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY

AND LATER WITHDRAWN BY THE SPONSOR, COUNCILOR DAVIS, AT THE REQUEST OF THE CITY

ATTORNEY:



An Ordinance - Amending Section 14-204(h) of the Columbus Code so as to

prohibit trucks from loading or unloading in a residential neighborhood between

10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. This change corrects a printer's error that was later

codified in 1996.



City Attorney Fay said we are going to hold off on this ordinance. He said

this was due to a publishing error in the Code and said Clerk of Council

Washington has talked with the Publisher and they will correct that in the

codified version, so we don?t need the ordinance at this time. He said if there

is a problem we could always bring it back at a later time.



Councilor Henderson said he noticed this section talks about trucks and

no person loading or unloading garbage or trash on a compactor truck or any

other truck within 300 feet of any hotel/motel between the hours of 10:00 p.m.

and 7:00 a.m., and said you are going to add or in a residential district. He

said the reason it states 300 feet from a hotel/motel is because that is where

people are sleeping and said we don?t have the same thing in place for

residential property. He said there is one particular area where we have had

complaints where people are awakened by delivery trucks coming in at 4:00 and

5:00 a.m. in the morning, because it is on commercial property right behind

their lot, they can?t do anything about it. He said if we are going to revisit

this section, or even if it is administrative, he would like to see it

addressed within 300 feet of a residential structure as well.



City Manager Cavezza said the ordinance prohibits dumping or any of that

on any property, prior to 7:00 a.m., whether it is commercial or residential.



City Attorney Fay said it doesn?t say residential zoning districts, but

maybe they have interpreted it to be all residents. Councilor Henderson then

asked City Attorney to take a look at it, because in the past when these

residents have complained, we told them, we couldn?t do anything about it other

than speak to the people that run the business. He said it is a good reputable

business, but because of the number of places they have in town, they start

delivering things before dawn.



City Attorney Fay said he would take a look at that with the City Manager

and said if it needs some additional wording, we will come back to the Council.



City Manager Cavezza said we need people who have complaints to call the

Citizens Service Center. He said anybody that is picking up before 7:00 a.m.

are violating a City ordinance and if necessary, we need to send someone out

there to deal with it.



Councilor Henderson said the ordinance says picking up, in terms of

garbage and waste, but said there are also deliveries being made and he is not

sure that is covered in the same ordinance.



City Manager Cavezza said they would take a look at that.

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

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

PUBLIC AGENDA:



MR. JIM RHODES, UPDATE ON PLANS FOR MOON ROAD:



Mr. Jim Rhodes, who spoke earlier at the public hearing regarding the

Columbus Water Works? rate increase also requested to be listed on the Public

Agenda to speak to the issue of Moon Road; however, when his name was called to

address the Council, he was not present in the Council Chambers.

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

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

CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER

CAVEZZA AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:





A Resolution (483-03) - Requesting the Columbus Building Authority

(Authority)

issue its Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2004 in the maximum aggregate principal

amount of $24,000,000 in furtherance of the purposes of Resolution No. 474-03

and

this resolution; to authorize the execution of a first amendment to lease

between

Columbus, Georgia (Columbus) and the Authority; to authorize the preparation

and

distribution of a preliminary official statement and to authorize the execution

of a final

official statement containing information on the governmental and financial

affairs of

Columbus; to provide that the Finance Director of Columbus shall approve the

best bid

for the Series 2004 Bonds; to authorize the transfer of property to the

Authority; to

authorize the Mayor and other officials of Columbus to take such further

actions as

necessary to provide for the issuance and delivery of the Series 2004 Bonds;

and for

other purposes. Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the resolution.

Seconded

by Councilor Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those eight members of

Council

present at the time, with Councilor Anthony having already left the meeting and

Councilor Allen being absent from the meeting.

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

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

CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS CALLED UP AS THE NEXT ORDER OF

BUSINESS AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILOR SUBER AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:





A Resolution (521-03) - Authorizing a Special Exception Use to erect a

wireless

communication facility for wireless communications service on property located

at 7501

Midland Road. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the adoption of the resolution.

Seconded Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those eight members of

Council present at the time, with Councilor Anthony having already left the

meeting and

Councilor Allen being absent from the meeting.

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

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



NOTE: The Clerk of Council?s Agenda is continued below.

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

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



THE FOLLOWING FIVE RESOLUTIONS WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

MANAGER CAVEZZA AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (522-03) - Authorizing the purchase of the Bay Avenue

Parking Deck

from W. C. Bradley Co (WCBC) in the amount of $6,200,000 for the construction

and an

additional $200,000 for items requested by the City. Councilor Woodson moved

the

adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously

by those eight members of Council present at the time, with Councilor Anthony

having

already left the meeting and Councilor Allen being absent from the meeting.



A Resolution (523-03) - Authorizing the adoption of the revised Columbus

Solid

Waste Management Plan and Short Term Work Program as approved by the Georgia

Department of Community Affairs. Councilor Suber moved the adoption of the

Resolution. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those

eight

members of Council present at the time, with Councilor Anthony having already

left the

meeting and Councilor Allen being absent from the meeting.

A Resolution (524-03) - Declaring the property located at 2418 North

Lumpkin Road

(Fire Station #7), a/k/a Tax Map 041-028-022 as surplus and authorizing its

sale at fair

market value. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the adoption of the resolution.

Seconded

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

present at the time, with Councilor Anthony having already left the meeting and

Councilor Allen being absent from the meeting.



A Resolution (525-03) - Authorizing the City to accept grant funds in the

amount of

$85,000 from the Office of School Readiness. Councilor Woodson moved the

adoption

of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by

those eight members of Council present at the time, with Councilor Anthony

having

already left the meeting and Councilor Allen being absent from the meeting.



A Resolution (526-03) - Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to Deerwood

Court

and that portion of Deerwood Lane, located in Section One, Deerwood

Subdivision, on

behalf of Columbus, Georgia. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded

by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present at the time, with Councilor Anthony having already left the meeting and

Councilor Allen being absent from the meeting.





*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING EIGHT PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS HAVING BEING INCLUDED WITH THE

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

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

COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR DAVIS, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

BY THOSE EIGHT MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT AT THE TIME, WITH COUNCILOR ANTHONY

HAVING ALREADY LEFT THE MEETING AND COUNCILOR ALLEN BEING

ABSENT:





A Resolution (527-03) - Authorizing a contract with Taylor?s Moving and

Storage, Inc., to provide moving and storage services for the Community

Reinvestment Division, who administers the Homeowner Rehabilitation Assistance

Program for residents of the City of Columbus who will utilize the moving and

storage services, on an ?as needed basis,? for citizens temporarily relocated

while their residences are being rehabilitated.



A Resolution (528-03) - Authorizing a contract with Hall?s Towing Services

d/b/a Chad?s, Inc., to provide for Traffic Incident Management Services (TIMS).



A Resolution (529-03) - Authorizing the expenditures of appropriated

funds, in the FY04 Budget, to ACE Mailing Service, Inc., (Smyrna, GA) for the

provision of printing, postage and mail processing services of motor vehicle

registration renewal notices for the Tax Commissioner, at the estimated cost of

$45,000.00.



A Resolution (530-03)- Authorizing the execution of a construction

contract with

ProSource Landscaping, Inc., in the amount of $169,580.75 for Columbus Gateways

landscaping.



A Resolution (531-03) - Authorizing the purchase of two (2) 15-Passenger

Vans from Mike Patton Ford in the amount of $38,519.52; and one (1) 7-Passenger

Van from Bill Heard Chevrolet in the amount of $17,341.00.

A Resolution (532-03)- Authorizing the procurement of conversion and

scanned

document services, from ISPA, Inc./DocMaestro Products Division, (Clearwater,

FL), in

the amount of $12,752.25. for the Clerk of Council?s Office. The vendor will

scan

resolutions, ordinances and minutes.



A Resolution (533-03) - Authorizing the negotiation of a contract with

Blue Cross

Blue Shield for Health Care Benefit Services.



City Attorney Fay said that Councilor Hunter would like to request that he

be allowed

to abstain from voting on this resolution, as he is a board member of one of

the entities

that submitted a bid for these services. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers so moved.

Seconded

by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously with Councilor Anthony having

already

left the meeting and Councilor Allen being absent. .



Councilor McDaniel said he would like to point out that Blue Cross/Blue

Shield was

very low on this bid.



Mayor Poydasheff said the City Manager would meet with the hospitals to

show

them why they didn?t get the bid.



Councilor Turner Pugh said she serves on the Board of Directors of St.

Francis

Hospital, but said she is not excusing herself from voting on this matter.



A Resolution (534-03)- Authorizing payment of legal fees to Troutman

Sanders,

LLP, Attorneys At Law, in the amount of $63,534.00; and approve payment for

future

legal fees regarding the legal action against Resources Technology.





*** *** ***



CAMERAS:



City Manager Cavezza said we are ready to move forward with the traffic

light cameras; however, we have a staffing issue that we have to work out. He

said they have done their homework on that and want to go ahead and set up one

intersection for that. He said it will take some time to pull that together,

but they will bring that back to the Council at a later date. He said if any

individual runs the traffic light, it will take the individuals picture and

they will get a ticket in the mail. He said there would be several

announcements before it is put into effect.



*** *** ***



UPCOMING EVENTS:



City Manager Cavezza highlighted the following additional upcoming events,

which are outlined below.





Tues

Mon

Tue

Tues



Mon









Tues

Thurs

Fri



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

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

CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS

INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL:



(1) Memo from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Cooperative Extension

Advisory

Board.



(2) Memo from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Board of Health.



(3) Memo from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Medical Center Hospital

Authority.



(4) Memo from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Recreation Advisory Board.



(5) Certificate of Need Application received from the Chattahoochee Valley

Home Health Agency to expand CVHH geographic service area within State

Service Delivery Region 4 to include six additional counties.





*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND

ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (535-03) - Excusing Councilor R. Gary Allen from the November

18, 2003 Council Meeting. Councilor Henderson moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present at the time, with Councilor Anthony having already left the meeting.



*** *** ***



DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:



Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Ms. Leah Braxton

resigning from her position on the Downtown Development Authority. Councilor

Henderson moved the letter be received with regrets and thanks for service.

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

Council present at the time, with Councilor Anthony having already left the

meeting and Councilor Allen being absent.



*** *** ***



MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF

COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE

COUNCIL:





Building Contractors Examining Board, November 6, 2003.

Development Authority, October 2, 2003.

Elections & Registrations, October 8, 2003.

Family & Children Services, October 29, 2003.

Tax Assessors, Number 43.

Tax Assessors, Number 44.

Zoning Appeals, October 1, 2003.



Councilor Suber made a motion that these minutes be received. Seconded by

Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present at the time, with Councilor Anthony having already left the meeting and

Councilor Allen being absent.



*** *** ***







BOARD APPOINTMENTS:





HOSPITAL AUTHORITY:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out the terms of office of Mrs. Donzy

O?Dell,

Mr. James Webster, Mr. Robert Kelly and Mr. Harvey Phelps on the Hospital

Authority

expired on November 14, 2003. She said Ms. O?Dell and Mr. Webster are not

eligible to succeed themselves, but Mr. Kelly and Mr. Phelps are both eligible

to

succeed themselves. She said the Council would need to nominate three

individuals

for each of the four positions and the Hospital Authority would select someone

from the

twelve nominees submitted by the Council.



*** *** ***



INDUSTRIAL & PORT DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we still need someone to fill

the

unexpired term of Mr. Wade Tomlinson on the Industrial & Port Development

Commission. There were no nominations.



*** *** ***



Mayor Poydasheff then asked if there was anyone in the audience who was

not listed on the Public Agenda, but had an issue to bring before the Council,

they could be heard at this time. There was no one who wanted to address the

Council.



*** *** ***



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

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

carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the time, with

Councilor Anthony having already left the meeting and Councilor Allen being

absent, with the time being 11:45 A.M.









Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia