Columbus, Georgia

Minutes



COUNCIL BRIEFING



Meeting

February 03, 2004



Members Present: Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers and Councilors R. Gary Allen,

Wayne Anthony, Glenn Davis, Berry Henderson, Julius Hunter, Jr., Charles E.

McDaniel, Jr., Evelyn Turner Pugh (arrived 5:10 p.m.), Nathan Suber and Evelyn

Woodson (arrived 5:18 p.m.). Also present were Mayor Robert S. Poydasheff,

City Manager Carmen Cavezza, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Finance Director Angela

Cole, Clerk of Council Tiny Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis.



Members Absent: No one was absent.

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Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers called the meeting to order at 4:50 p.m. in the Council

Chambers Conference Room, Plaza Level of the Government Center.



Public Safety Pay:

Mayor Poydasheff began by addressing the concerns regarding the public safety

pay. He mentioned that we may have to go into the fund balance, as well as

making comments in reference to the L.O.S.T, but reiterated that something

needs to be done.



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Comprehensive Plan:

City Manager Cavezza updated the members of Council on the chronology for the

Comprehensive Plans. He pointed out that it would be addressed by the Planning

Advisory Commission on tomorrow and should come to the Council some time

thereafter.



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Non-attainment Status:

It appears as pointed out by City Manager Cavezza, that Russell County would be

declared non-attainable by Alabama, because they are barely above the line. He

also mentioned that Columbus is in the MSA that Russell County is in; although,

we are not in non-attainment. He informed everyone that the EPA is going to

declare the entire MSA non-attainment; which includes the City of Columbus. He

then mentioned the State legislatures that have been contacted for assistance

regarding this issue, because it could cause the City a lot of problems.



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Waiver of Tax Penalty:

During the Council Meeting, City Manager Cavezza advised that he would be

asking for the late tax penalty to be waived on a couple that was involved in a

car accident were one was killed and the gentleman was seriously injured.



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Mid-year Adjustments:

City Manager Cavezza, referring to the mid-year adjustments, suggested

reviewing the numbers and explaining the details of each. He made reference to

a document that had been passed around the table. (A copy was not filed with

the Recording Secretary.)



General Fund: additional $696,000.00

Paving Fund: increase by $66,000.00



City Manager Cavezza explained that through the Paving Fund, the City spent in

FY-03 $150,000.00 for grinding stump, but the study that was conducted, shows

that we could complete the task internally for a lesser amount. The increase

of $66,000.00, as pointed out by City Manager Cavezza, reflects the cost of

purchasing the equipment. He stated that this cost does not include the two

employees, because we would not be bringing them on board until July 1st, for

the amount of $56,900.00. Mayor Poydasheff added that this would be a cost

savings for the City to not have to contract this service out.



Councilor Allen asked questions regarding the number of employees needed to

grind stumps and how often does the City have to grind stumps, which were

addressed by City Manager Cavezza, by explaining that he does not have the

numbers that reflect how many stumps the City grinds. Finance Director Angela

Cole pointed out some of the savings that have already been incurred in the

Paving Fund by mentioning the purchasing of the equipment and deletion of the

Engineering Director?s position.



City Manager Cavezza then responded to questions regarding the Paving Fund, the

possible future reduction of stump grinding and the two positions.



At this point, City Manger Cavezza continued with his review of the mid-year

adjustments:



Medical Center: additional monies on the $3 million that we gave them. (Revenue

adjustment $145,961.)



Multi-governmental Fund: Transportation Planning Grant and State Court

Solicitor Ben Richardson gave his employees a pay raise out of the Victim

Witness Fund, which is a transfer of monies. (Revenue adjustment - $43,084)



Economic Development: Small Business Loan Program will now be administered

in-house. (Revenue adjustment - $43,500.)



Development Authority: This is the .25 mill for the Development Authority.

(Revenue adjustment $4,810.)



Special Projects: This is money for damaged trees. (Revenue adjustment $3,902.)



Metra: Savings of $57,270. The savings is due to the elimination of the

Transportation Service Manager position. There is also an addition of a

Parking Division Manager and part-time Enforcement Officer for $55,000.00,

which is actually a savings.



Civic Center Fund: This is the Clear Channel piece. (Revenue adjustment of

$96,000.)



Risk Management Fund: This is money for the trees and the Victim Witness

Program. (Revenue adjustment of $8,702.)



At this time, City Manager Cavezza, revisited the General Fund budget

adjustments and briefly explained each item:



General Fund:

Legal: Cost incurred as a result of the case involving methane gas and

landfill - $125.000.

Chief Administrator: Cost for pay raises for the two Deputy City

Managers - $14,835.

Special Projects: Cost for moving a part-time position to a full-time

position to train employees in new software - $22,483.

Information Technology: - Combination of cost for additional operation

for taking over the telephone system - $7,595.

Community Development: Moving the money for the vacant Community

Economic Development Director to the Chief Administrator position to fund the

additional money for two current positions - $14,835.

Public Services: Lot clearing, auto parts and supplies and elevator

upgrade - Total of $126,000.

Boards and Commissions: Reimbursement from the School District for the

special election - $82,000.

Fire & EMS: Major change in how business is conducted because of the

shortage of paramedics. Cost is for an incentive pay of $100.00 per pay period

for each EMT-I - $67,000.



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Note: Councilor Evelyn Turner Pugh arrived at this point of the proceedings

with the time being 5:10 p.m.

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Superior Court: - Court Reporters - $15,000.

State Court: - Victim Witness pay increase that the State Court

Solicitor gave to his employees - ($12,000.)

Tax Commissioner: - Legal Fees for the Pillowtex bankruptcy case -

$3,000.



Total: $697,896.

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Reorganizations and Reclassifications:

City Manager Cavezza gave an overview of the following organizational changes

and reclassifications:



*Deletion of the Transportation Service Manager (G-13); creation of two Parking

Division Managers (G-10) and part-time Parking Enforcement Officer (G-5)



*Deletion of the Engineering Directors position



*Inspections & Codes Division Manager (G-13) to Director of Building & Codes

(G-14)

*Assistant Director of Engineering (G-14) to Director of Engineering (G-14)

*Community & Economic Development Director (G-15) to Director of Planning

(G-14)

*Community Reinvestment Manager (G-13) to Director of Community Reinvestment

(G-14)

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Homeland Security

Councilor Davis asked if the City has received any monies with regards to the

Homeland Security, at which time, City Manager Cavezza replied that we have

applied for and received some equipment but no money.



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Note: Councilor Evelyn Woodson arrived at this point of the proceedings with

the time being 5:18 p.m.

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Vacant Positions:

Councilor Turner Pugh requested a list for next week of all the vacant

positions within the City Government and the length of time the position has

been vacant.



Pay Study:

Councilor Turner Pugh asked that the administration look at the cost for

conducting an outside study of the governmental salaries for general government

and public safety employees and provide the information to the budget committee.



Meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.





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Sandra T. Davis, Deputy Clerk of Council