Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

WORK SESSION



FEBRUARY 22, 2005





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

called to order at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, February 22, 2005, in the Council

Chambers, 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 John J. Rodgers

were Councilors Wayne Anthony, Berry Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles

E. McDaniel, Jr., Evelyn Turner Pugh, Nathan Suber and Evelyn Woodson. City

Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, and Deputy Clerk of Council

Sandra Davis were also present. Councilors R. Gary Allen and Glenn Davis took

their seats at 9:02 a.m.



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ABSENT: Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington was absent.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers.



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

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CONSENT AGENDA:



WITH MR. DALE HESTER AND MEMBERS OF THE CIVIC CENTER STAFF STANDING AT THE

COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY

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

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (112-05) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus Civic

Center employees and Director J. Dale Hester upon their receipt of the 2004

Prime Site Award by Facilities Magazine. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its

adoption. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those ten

members present and standing to cast their vote in the affirmative.



Mr. Dale Hester, Civic Center Director, came forward and allowed those

employees that were present with him to introduce themselves and are listed as

follows: Mr. Jennifer McVay- Finance Director, Robin Walker- Marketing

Director, Mr. Art Thomason- Events Coordinator, Ms. Barbara Werner- Fiscal Tech

IV, Ms. Ashley Foster- Events Coordinator, Ms. Lisa Thomas-Cook- Box Office

Director and Mr. Gregory Coates- Operations Manager.



Mr. Hester announced that we have eleven more concerts booked from now to

the end of June. He said that we have spent a great deal of time at the Civic

Center with the number of events that are occurring. He then thanked the

members of Council for their continued support. There were gift bags presented

to each member of the Council by the Civic Center staff.



City Manager Hugley commended the staff for all of the long hours that

they put in to make the Civic Center run smoothly, because he has had the

opportunity to stand in as interim Civic Center Director for more than six

months and can assure that these are some hard working employees.



Councilor Woodson asked Mr. Hester to provide some statistical information

regarding the number of individuals who attend these events, at which time,

Civic Center Director Hester mentioned the number of concerts and events that

have been sold out.

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PROCLAMATIONS:



?SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK?:



With Mr. Riley Land, Emergency Management Director and Mr. Jerry Fountain

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

Poydasheff, proclaiming the week of February 20 - 26, 2005 as ?Severe Weather

Awareness Week?, in Columbus, Georgia.



Emergency Management Director Land announced that there would be an

exercise planned for tomorrow, between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., for

participation in the State?s Severe Weather Tornado Drill, which involves the

sounding of the outdoor emergency warning sirens.



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?SPAY DAY USA?:



With Ms. Tony Biggs standing at the Council table, Councilor McDaniel read

the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming February 25, 2005 as ?Spay

Day USA?, in Columbus, Georgia.



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MINUTES: Minutes of the February 15, 2005 meeting of the Council of the

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were submitted and approved upon

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

Councilor Allen, which carried unanimously by those ten members present for

this meeting.

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CONSENT AGENDA CONTINUED:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2005 WAS

SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND DELAYED BY THE COUNCIL ON

FIRST READING:



An Ordinance - Amending Ordinance No. 05-17, which amended the budgets for

the fiscal year 2005 beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2005, for

certain funds of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia,

appropriating amounts shown in each fund for personnel actions and various

other activities; and for other purposes.



At the request of City Attorney Fay, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved to delay

the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried

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



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THE FOLLOWING TWO ZONING ORDINANCES AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF COLUMBUS,

GEORGIA WERE SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND WERE ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON

SECOND READING:



An Ordinance (05-18) - Rezoning property located at 5124 Buena Vista Road

is proposed for rezoning from R-1A (Low Density Residential) District to C-3

(General Commercial) District. (5-A-05-Williams) Councilor McDaniel moved its

adoption. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those ten

members of Council present for this meeting.



An Ordinance (05-19) - Rezoning property located at 1322 & 1328 16th

Street is proposed for rezoning from R-3A (Medium Density Residential) District

to A-O (Apartment-Office) District. (6-CA-05-D.R.Properties, LLC) Mayor Pro

Tem Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried

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



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THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND

ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING PURSUANT TO A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY

MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:



An Ordinance (05-20) - Authorizing the members of the Board of Honor to

serve concurrently on other boards of the Consolidated Government.



An Ordinance (05-21) - Authorizing a forty-five day moratorium on

applications for wireless communication facility applications.



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THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND

ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM

RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN

MEMBERS PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:



A Resolution (113-05) - Authorizing a request for the acceptance of a deed

to Foster Lane and the Detention Pond located in the south addition, Anglin

Court. The Department of Engineering has inspected this street and detention

pond and recommends the acceptance. An agenda report, map and resolution are

attached.



A Resolution (114-05) - Authorizing a request for the acceptance of a deed

to Wrenwood Drive, Wren Creek Drive and Sparrow Court located in Section One,

Wrenwood. The Department of Engineering has inspected these streets and

recommends the acceptance. An agenda report, map and resolution are attached.



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THE FOLLOWING FOUR NEW ZONING PETITIONS TO AMEND THE ZONING ATLAS OF

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA WERE SUBMITTED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND A PUBLIC HEARING

WAS CALLED FOR EACH BY COUNCILOR

ALLEN:





Petition submitted by Wright Wade to rezone approximately 5.179 acre of

property located at 6008 Billings Road from an R-1 District to an R-1A

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

Commission and the Planning Division.) (10-CA-05 Wade)



Petition submitted by Grey Rock Development to rezone approximately 334.5

acres of property located near the NW & SW corners of Veterans Parkway &

Wooldridge Road from an A-1 District to a R-1 District. (Recommended for

conditional approval by both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning

Division.) (11-CA-05-Grey Rock Dev., LLC.)



Petition submitted by Tiger Creek Development & The Billings Company to

rezone approximately 6.1 acres of property located at Parts of 6001 & 6003 Warm

Springs Road from R-1A/ PUD/A-1 Districts to an A-O District. (Recommended for

conditional approval by both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning

Division.) (12-CA-05-Tiger Creek Dev. & the Billings Co.)



Petition submitted by Tiger Creek Development to rezone approximately 38

acres of property located at Part of 6003 Warm Springs Road from an R-1

District to an R-3A District. (Recommended for conditional approval by both

the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Division (13-CA-05-Tiger

Creek Dev.)



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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



City Attorney Fay advised that he believes that Councilor Turner Pugh

would like to request a brief executive session to discuss a personnel matter.

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WORK SESSION AGENDA:



FUND BALANCE, BRIEFING:



City Manager Isaiah Hugley asked that we postpone the Fund Balance

Briefing because Finance Director Angela Cole is ill; therefore, he would like

to bring this matter to the Council during a Strategy Meeting. He pointed out

that we have previously held Strategy Meetings and have went to Callaway

Gardens to hold that meeting. Due to budget constraints, he suggested that we

not hold the meeting at Callaway Gardens but at the Trade Center. He proposed

March 22, 2005 as the date that is being considered.



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STREETSCAPE, UPDATE:



Deputy City Manager Richard Bishop, came forward to report that this is

the presentation that was given before the merchants last week. He said that

our goal is to keep the merchants involved, because they are impacted by

everything we do in the downtown area.



Using the overhead projector, Deputy City Manager Bishop explained that we

are working our way in reverse from 14th Street to 9th Street and from 9th to

Broad Street, which has already been completed; then, from 10th Street from

Broad Street to Front Avenue, 11th Street from Broad Street to Front Avenue and

12th from Broad Street to Front Avenue.



He provided an aerial view of how Broad Street looked before the

streetscape project near Country?s Barbeque, as well as, the latest view of the

same area. He outlined the scope of the work, which is listed as follows:



Scope of Work:



? Storm water/ sewer separation



? Hardscapes



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers pointed out that this is part of the 1999 sales tax

money. He then asked if the money for the sewer would be coming out of the

sales tax or the sewer fund, at which time, Deputy City Manager Bishop

explained that we have the bond money that we have set aside for the sewers, as

well as, the 1999 SPLOST to improve the sewers. He added that there is no new

money.



? Landscaping



? Lighting and amenities



Councilor Davis asked Deputy City Manager Bishop to briefly explain the

involvement of Trees Columbus, Inc. in the landscaping process regarding the

trees that would be saved during the process and those that would be removed.

Deputy City Manager Bishop elaborated on the process by pointing out that none

of the large oak trees in the center median would be disturbed. He added that

we are going through great extremes to protect those trees. He said that all

of the trees on the store front side would be disturbed. He explained that

when those trees were planted years ago, the median that they grew in was just

not sufficient. He explained that in working with the arborist, Trees

Columbus, Inc. and others, it was in the best interest to replace those trees,

and we are getting some nice caliber trees to go back in there. He added that

we are building the space for those trees to grow in and that is the decision

that was made. Councilor Davis making some additional comments pointed out

that due to the digging, interfering and destroying of some of the root systems

and the work on the combined sewer replacement, some of those trees are going

to be damaged and the thought was to replace them all.



Deputy City Manager Bishop continued with his presentation after briefly

responding to some further questions regarding the removal of trees.



? Traffic Signals



? Schedule



Deputy City Manager Bishop reported that we have been keeping in contact

with the businesses in the area. He explained that we got off to a rough start

at 14th Street working towards 13th Street. He identified some issues with

underground utilities, which had to be resolved, and we have now actually cut

our time in half; therefore, things are getting a lot better with the

schedule. Mayor Poydasheff asked if we have received any complaints or

concerns regarding loss of business, at which time, Deputy City Manager Bishop

confirmed that we have received some. He added that we are doing everything

that we can to assist with minimizing the impact, but certainly there are

some. He pointed out that the cut in schedule time to about seven weeks would

also minimize the impact.



In conclusion, Deputy City Manager Bishop advised that we decided last

week in a meeting with the merchants that we would meet every other month to

continue the communication, so that they would understand where we are in the

process. He then explained the practices that are being devised to make sure

that the customers are able to get to the businesses; therefore, there is never

a business that should be shut down where someone could not get to it. He said

that we would continue to meet with the businesses and try to respond to any

issues that may come up. He projected that in approximately one year we would

be back to 9th Street, which is where we started.



After the presentation was concluded the following referrals where made by

the members of Council:



Prepare a marketing strategy for the businesses that have lost some

customers due to the construction of the streetscape downtown. (Request of

Councilor Woodson)



Once this has been done, let?s advertise it on the CCG-TV as well as, some

information on detours, suggested parking places, and areas that are closed

down for construction. (Request of Councilor Woodson)



Let?s also send this information to the businesses downtown. (Request of

Councilor Woodson)



Research the matter to find out why some of the benches are facing away

from the intersection. (Request of Councilor Davis)



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RENOVATION PROJECT ON 13TH STREET:



Councilor McDaniel called attention to the great work that has been done

on 13th Street at the expense of Mr. Bill Burgious. He said that it is going

to be a wonderful project once it is completed. He commended Mr. Burgious and

Jackson State for taking the initiative to take on the project using their own

money.



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UPCOMING EVENTS:



City Manager Hugley provided a listing of upcoming events and are outlined

as follows:



? Georgia Power Luncheon: February 22, 2004, at the River Club, at 11:30 a.m.



? 2005 Leadoff Classic: February 25 - 27, 2005.



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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



Mayor Poydasheff called attention to the previous request for an executive

session to discuss personnel matters. Councilor McDaniel moved to go into an

executive session. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by

those ten members present for this meeting.



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REZONING PROJECT:



Before the regular meeting was adjourned to allow the Council to go into

executive session, Mr. Tommy Davis came forward to apologize for his tardiness

on last week. He then commended the Planning Division for bringing forth the

concerns regarding his rezoning project, and said he would hope that they feel

that we have worked to resolve those concerns and requested Council?s

consideration for the project.



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At 9:40 a.m., the Councilor adjourned it regular meeting to go into an

executive session.



At 10:25 a.m., the Council reconvened its regular meeting, at which time,

Mayor Poydasheff announced that the Council did meet in an executive session to

discuss personnel matters and there were no votes taken.



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

Suber then made a motion for adjournment, which carried unanimously by those

ten members of Council present, with the time being 10:27 A.M.



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Sandra T. Davis

Deputy Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia