Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

FEBRUARY 18, 2003





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

order at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, February 18, 2003, on the Plaza Level of the

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

presiding.



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

Councilors R. Gary Allen, Wayne S. Anthony, Glenn Davis, Berry H. Henderson,

Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., and Evelyn Woodson. City

Manager Carmen Cavezza, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Tiny B.

Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also present.



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ABSENT: Councilors Evelyn Turner Pugh and Nathan Suber were absent, but were

officially excused upon the adoption of Resolution Number 87-03 & 88-03

respectively.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Pastor Dewayne Creswell ? Solid Rock Family Church.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from Allen Elementary School.

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GUESTS FROM BISTRITA CITY, ROMANIA:



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said over the past several years, we have forged a

Sister City relationship with Bistrita City, Romania. He said he has had the

privilege of visiting that City on six different occasions and have come to

know and love these people. He said the official Articles of Cooperation were

signed in the Year of 2000 by Mayor Vasile Moldovan and himself.



He said we took our first Sister City delegation to Bistrita in April of

2002 and said we are honored today to have visiting with us the Mayor of

Bistrita, Romania and his delegation. He said Ms. Shirley Yeager from the

Muscogee County School System is escorting these officials on today.



With the assistance of an interpreter, Mayor Vasile Maldovan brought forth

greetings from Bistrita City, Romania and introduced the members of the

delegation that were present with him, which includes Ms. Adriana Denes ?

President of the Commercial & Legal Department of County Court of Bistrita,

Vasile Bar- President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ovidiu Teodor

Cretu, City Council Member, Rev. Ioan Ardelean, Pastor of the Baptist Church in

Bistrita.



Mayor Moldovan thanked the Mayor and Council for their hospitality and

welcome that has been extended to them. He also made several comments regarding

the relationship between Columbus and Bistrita.



Mayor Poydasheff then presented a key to the City to Mayor Moldovan.

Mayor Moldovan and members of his delegation then presented gifts to Mayor

Poydasheff.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then thanked Ms. Lee Miller, a member of C.I.

R.C.L.E. for her assistance, along with Ms. Shirley Yeager, who accompanied him

as part of the first Columbus Sister City delegation to Romania last April. He

also thanked Ms. Bunky Clark, who is Chairperson of C.I.R.C.L.E. and Mr. Ed

Wilson of the Mayor?s staff for what they have done to assist our guests.



He said he is looking forward to our visit on May 1st, when we get an

opportunity to go to Bistrita, as part of a Sister City project that is being

sponsored by the Rotary Club, to build a playground for the children of

Bistrita.

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PROCLAMATIONS:



?WRBL NEWS 3 DAY?:



With Mr. Matt Browning, President/General Manager of WRBL, Mr. Phil

Scoggins, Ms. Teresa Whitaker, Mr. Carlos Williams and others, standing at the

Council table, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff,

proclaiming March 3, 2003, as ?WRBL News 3 Day?, in Columbus, Georgia.



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?SPAY DAY USA?:



With Ms. Taffey Keller standing at the Council table, Councilor Anthony

read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming February 25, 2003, as

?Spay Day USA 2003?, in Columbus, Georgia.



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?SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK?:



With Mr. Riley Land standing at the Council table, Councilor McDaniel read

the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming the week of February 16 - 22,

2003, as ?Severe Weather Awareness Week?, in Columbus, Georgia.



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?DARIUS WHITFIELD DAY?:



With Darius Whitfield, his mother, Sonya Whitfield, his principal Reginald

Sparks, of South Girard Jr. High School, Mr. John Washington, Mr. Barry

McMullen, Manager of the Riverdragons, Mr. Jeffery Lomax, Mr. Dan Menafee and

Mr. Woody Humphrey, Program Director of Phenix City Boys & Girls Club, standing

at the Council table, Mayor Poydasheff read his proclamation, proclaiming

February 25, 2003, as ?Darius Whitfield Day?, in Columbus, Georgia.

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ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD AS

ADVERTISED:



An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 0.485 acres of property located at

290 feet west of North Lumpkin Road, north of Airview Drive from a C-3 District

to an R-4 District. (2-CA-03-Ironwood Group, Inc.)



PROPONENTS:



Mr. Dick Norman, representing the petitioner was present, but he did not

make a presentation, as there was no one present to oppose this proposed

rezoning ordinance; but did respond to a question of Councilor Henderson.



Mr. Norman pointed out that the Property Manager Mr. Robert McMaster is

present here this morning if there are any additional questions.



Mr. Robert McMaster of the Ironwork Group, Inc., said their Management

Company will be commencing services, which is a sister company of their

affiliate organization. He said they currently manage Springfield Crossing,

which is the sister property to this project that is located off of North

Lumpkin Road.



Councilor Woodson thanked Mr. McMaster for the project that has been done

and this one that is forthcoming, and said if we had more development like this

in South Columbus it would change the atmosphere and stereotype of the area.



She said in the future whenever we have another inter-city visit, she

would hope that we would include this Springfield Crossing project.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE, WHOSE FIRST READING WAS DELAYED ON LAST WEEK WAS

AGAIN SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING

WAS HELD AS ADVERTISED AND AGAIN DELAYED FOR TWO WEEKS

:





An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 9.7 acres of property located at

4201 Reese Road from an R-1A District to an R-3B District. (1-D-03-Donald

Bowles, Inc.)



PROPONENTS:



Mr. Donald Bowles, the petitioner appeared and said that they did ask that

this petition be amended to R-2, and said that it is not listed on the

paperwork today.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then stated that we were going to take care of that

on today. He then made a motion that the petition be amended to an

R-2 classification. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by

those eight members of Council present for this meeting.



In response to a question of Mayor Poydasheff as to whether or not the

petition could go forth to second reading on next week, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers

said that he had asked Mr. Bowles to get him a plat so that he could visit with

the neighbors and show them, and said he never heard from him; therefore, he

would not want this petition to go to second reading yet.

Mr. Bowles pointed out that he has the plat with him here today.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then said he would like to continue the first

reading of this ordinance for two weeks. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

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

Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then asked Mr. Bowles to make available a copy of

his plat to the Council members. (Copies were filed with the Clerk of Council

Washington for the Council?s records.)



Mr. Bowles said he was unable to get with the Engineers because of the

time restraints and said he drew that plat himself based on the square footage

requirement and frontage requirements. He said it does show twenty-eight lots

(28), but said there has already been some discussion as to where the road

should be placed. He said the plat is just a conceptual drawing, which by no

means would be a final plat. He said he would ask that he not be restricted to

a number of lots, but that we can just conform to the R-2 zoning.



The following individuals then appeared and expressed their opposition to

the proposed rezoning ordinance to rezone property at 4201 Reese Road:



Ms. Barbara Pickering, 4521 Bonnie Drivesaid her property backs up to

Cooper Creek and will most immediately be affected compared to some of the

other residents further upstream. She then asked, when a parcel like this is

rezoned and a required buffered zone going through that, who maintains

ownership of the buffer zone once houses or patio homes have been developed?

She also asked if the buffer is going to be maintained by the developer or if

it goes to the individual homeowners, what is the guarantee that they maintain

that buffer?



City Manager Cavezza said there is no requirement for a buffer between

residential areas, unless the Council imposes that during this meeting. He said

once that property is rezoned; and owned by the individual who buys the house,

there is no guarantee that they will maintain that buffer, unless it is placed

in some kind of easement or something of that nature. He said that is usually

something the community deals with through covenants.



Ms. Pickering said they were under the impression that there was a

mandated buffer zone from the Planning Advisory Commission meeting.



City Manager Cavezza pointed out that the developers will not be able to

develop closer than 25-feet of the creek when this property is developed. City

Attorney Fay also pointed out that the creek area is protected by State

law.



Mr. Jim Pickering, 4521 Bonnie Drivealso appeared and once again expressed

his opposition to this proposed rezoning ordinance. He said when you consider

this matter you need to look at what is the compelling reason for changing the

current zoning. He said what is the compelling reason to put more houses in the

area. He said this is just one individual asking the Council to change the

zoning, but you have many residents asking them not to change this zoning.



After some fifteen minutes of discussion on this matter, this public

hearing was concluded.



City Attorney Fay then pointed out that this ordinance would be back on

first reading in two weeks, as amended by the Council.



CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA CONTINUED:



THE FOLLOWING THREE ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY

CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING:







An Ordinance (03-6) - Rezoning approximately 2.5 acres of property located

on the west side of Talbotton Road between 27th Street and Olive Street from an

R-4 District to an A-0 District. (66-CA-02-Housing Auth.) Councilor McDaniel

moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by

those six members of Council present at the time, with Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers

and Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.



An Ordinance (03-7)? Rezoning approximately 0.73 acres

of property located at 3907 Willis Road from an R-1 District to an R-3A

District. (67-CA-02-Liles) Councilor Allen moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council

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



An Ordinance (03-8) - Providing for the demolition of structures located

at 220 Collins Drive (James H. Beard, III, trustee) 3755 Mulberry Drive

(Ricky Lynn & Martha Lee Coleson owners), 1314 Ft Benning Road, Lot 50

(Jessie Combs, owner), 8 Lafayette Drive (Jerome Culp, owner), 3536 St.

Mary's Road, Lot A30 (Calvin S. & Brenda Leach, owners), 2563 1/2 Schatulga

Road (Vincent & Brenda Bloodshaw Jackson, owners), 703 Sheridan Avenue

(Yolanda Harris McKinnie, owner), 2140 Ft. Benning Road (Kenneth W. & Ferrell,

Ok Sun Nelms, owners), 1309 23rd Street (Hamp & Melissa Smith, owners) and for

demolition services for the Inspections and Code Division in accordance with a

Tabulation of Bid sheet. Councilor McDaniel moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council

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



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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY

FAY AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY MAYOR POYDASHEFF AND ADOPTED

BY THE

COUNCIL:





A Resolution (76-03) - Expressing appreciation to Ms. Susie McGinty upon

her retirement from the Muscogee Manor Nursing Home after 28 years of service.

Councilor Hunter moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried

unanimously by those seven members of Council present at the time, with Mayor

Pro Tem Rodgers being absent for this vote.

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



NO ONE REQUESTED TO BE LISTED ON TODAY?S PUBLIC AGENDA.



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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING FOUR RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

MANAGER CAVEZZA AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE

MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON, WHICH

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SEVEN COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT AT THE TIME, WITH

MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS BEING ABSENT FOR THIS

VOTE:





A Resolution (77-03) ? Authorizing the purchase of five parcels of land on

Riverside Avenue, Short Avenue and 26th Street (See Tax Map), located in

Muscogee County, Georgia, a/k/a Tax Map 007-011-016-007-012-027, 028 and 029,

and 007-013-003.



A Resolution (78-03) - Authorizing the submission and if approved accept

$12,000 in grant funding from the Historic Preservation Division, Historic

Preservation Fund Grants, for development of design guidelines for the Liberty

District.



A Resolution (79-03) - Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to an

extension of Garrett Lake Drive, located in Lakes Phase Three, Garrett Creek

Subdivision, on behalf of Columbus, Georgia.

A Resolution (80-03) - Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to Creek Flow

Drive and Crib Court, located in Section Two, Hardwood Creek Subdivision, on

behalf of Columbus, Georgia.



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THE FOLLOWING FIVE PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS HAVING BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE

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

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

COUNCILOR ALLEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR HUNTER, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY

THOSE EIGHT MEMBERS PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING, WITH MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS NOW AT

THE TABLE AND VOTING:



A Resolution (81-03) - Authorizing the purchase of hot asphalt on an ?as

needed? basis from Southern Asphalt, for the estimated annual contract value of

$76,000.00.



A Resolution (82-03) - Authorizing the purchase of landscape material

consisting of approximately 1,000 bales of pine straw, 10,000 bales of long

leaf pine straw, 4,000 bales of wheat straw and 4,000 bales of hay on an ?as

needed? basis from Top Quality Straw, Inc., for the estimated annual contract

value of $47,500.00.



A Resolution (83-03) - Authorizing a contract for Food and Beverage

Services to Aramark Corporation and rescinding Resolution Number 316-02, which

awarded the contract to Fine Host Corporation.



A Resolution (84-03) - Authorizing the purchase of an annual

maintenance agreement (January 2003 ? January 2004) from Motorola, in the

amount of $29,390.04 for 193 mobile data terminals (MDT).



A Resolution (85-03) - Authorizing the purchase of approximately 263

work boots from Lehigh Safety Shoe Company, LLC, for the estimated contract

value of $14,530.00.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:



City Manager Cavezza said that we have officials from the Georgia

Department of Transportation at 11:00 a.m. to update us on some of our road

projects. He said if any of the Council members could make it, he certainly

would appreciate it.



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LEADERSHIP COLUMBUS:



City Manager Cavezza said we had the Leadership Columbus Class in this

morning and said that they will be here throughout the day.

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Mayor Poydasheff thanked City Manager Cavezza and Mr. Ed Wilson of his

staff for working with Mr. Jim Rhodes in putting on that very beautiful,

emotional and outpouring of goodwill for our soldiers on Monday.



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BLAN STREET & PATSY LANE:



Councilor Woodson said she would like for City Manager Cavezza to have

someone from Engineering to go out and follow-up on the resurfacing work that

was done on Blan Street and Patsy Lane, as it doesn?t seem to be complete.



City Manager Cavezza said when the weather gets cold, you can?t put

asphalt down, and said we have several areas in the City that needs to be fixed

and followed through with.



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LOKEY DRIVE:



Councilor Davis said there is a problem that is occurring over in District

2 with some residents off of Lokey Drive and said he would like for City

Manager Cavezza to provide a history report on the long-term status of what?s

being going on in that area of Lokey Drive.

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MINUTES: Minutes of the February 4, 2003 meetings 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 eight members of Council

present for this meeting.

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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS

INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR AND

COUNCIL:



(1) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Building

Authority of Columbus.



(2) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Community

Development Advisory Council.



(3) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Planning Advisory

Commission.



(4) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Zoning Appeals,

Board of.



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THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF

COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A

SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR HUNTER AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS,

WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE EIGHT MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:



A Resolution (86-03) - Excusing Councilor Evelyn Woodson from the February

11, 2003 Council Meeting.



A Resolution (87-30) - Excusing Councilor Nathan Suber from the February

18, 2003 Council Meeting.



A Resolution (88-30) - Excusing Councilor Evelyn Turner Pugh from the

February 18, 2003 Council Meeting.



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MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE

COUNCIL:



Board of Tax Assessors, Number 5.

Civic Center Advisory Board, May 7, 2002.

Civic Center Advisory Board, June 13, 2002.

Employees? Pension Plan, Board of Trustees, January 8, 2003.

Health, Board of, January 8, 2003.



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

Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present for this meeting.



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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



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



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that on last week, Mr. Duke Miller

was nominated to succeed Ms. Biddy Hammett on the Commission on International

Relations & Cultural Liaison and that he may now be confirmed. Councilor

McDaniel so moved. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously by

those eight members of Council present for this meeting.



Mayor Poydasheff pointed out that he would like to re-nominate Ms. Lee

Miller to succeed herself for another term of office. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers

then moved that she be confirmed. Seconded by Councilor Hunter and carried

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



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TAXICAB COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Wallace Archie has been

re-nominated for his two-year term to be extended to serve on the Taxicab

Commission. Councilor Henderson then moved that he be confirmed. Seconded by

Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present for this meeting.



She also pointed out that Mr. James Brooks, Ms. Diane Quick and Lt. Julius

Ross are eligible to succeed themselves for another term of office.

Councilor Allen then nominated these three individuals to succeed themselves

for another term of office.



Clerk of Council Washington said she would bring this back in two week?s

for the Council?s confirmation on these three nominees.



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Mayor Poydasheff then asked if there was anyone present 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 be

heard.



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

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

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

with the time being 10:02 A.M.



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Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia