Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

SEPTEMBER 7, 2004





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

called to order at 5: 30 P.M., Tuesday, September 7, 2004, on the Plaza Level

of the Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable John J. Rodgers, Mayor

Pro Tem, presiding.



*** *** ***



PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers were Councilors R.

Gary Allen, Wayne Anthony, Glenn Davis, Berry Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr.,

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

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

and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also present. Councilor Evelyn

Woodson arrived at 5:40 p.m.



*** *** ***



ABSENT: Mayor Poydasheff was absent.



*** *** ***











INVOCATION: Offered by Councilor Wayne Anthony.

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



PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers.

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

CHARACTER WORD:



Mrs. Reather Hollowell came forward to announce the character word for the

month of September. She said the word of the month is punctuality.

She said some related words to ponder and practice are promptness,

dependability, respect and teamwork.



She said punctuality is a way of showing respect for the time and

commitment of others.

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

YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said we have the members of the Youth Advisory

Council present in the Council Chambers here tonight, which have been nominated

by members of the Council and local government, to advise and get involved in

what is happening in the Consolidated Government and many other issues.



He said he wants to thank them for giving of your time to be a part of

this undertaking, which is under the leadership of our Deputy City Manager

Isaiah Hugley. He said this Youth Advisory Council has been an overwhelming

success and this is the second or third time around. He said this year you have

some big shoes to fill, as there have been some great accomplishments by your

predecessors so we are looking for some hard work from each of you.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then administered the oath of office, collectively

to those members of the Youth Advisory Council. After the oaths were

administered, he then called upon Mr. Tyson Greaves, President of the Youth

Advisory Council to make some remarks.



After Mr. Greaves made some comments, each of the members then introduced

themselves.



Deputy City Manager Isaiah Hugley thanked the Mayor, Council as well as

the School Board for their support of this Youth Advisory Council. He said he

certainly thinks that we are out in front of many communities when it comes to

the connection between the youth of our community, the elected officials and

the community itself. He said these are our future leaders.



He then recognized Mrs. Brenda Dozier of the School District, as well as

those individuals from the School District and the Columbus Consolidated

Government who serve as advisors for the Youth Advisory Council.



City Manager Cavezza also recognized Ms. Mattie Hood who works along with

Deputy City Manager Hugley and the Youth Advisory Council.



The members then went to the other side of the Plaza, where the oaths of

office were notarized by Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis.

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

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



POW/MIA MEMORIAL DEDICATION:



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers called forward Sergeant Major Jan Stegeman to extend

an invitation to the Mayor & Council.



Sergeant Major Stegeman said the reason he is here tonight is to get the

approval for a street closure for the POW/MIA that will be held on September

18th.



City Manager Cavezza said he thinks Sergeant Major was here to invite

the Mayor and Council to attend this event.



THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION, AS LISTED ON THE

CLERK OF COUNCL?S AGENDA WAS THEN APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:



Application of Sergeant Major Jan Stegeman to temporarily close 10th

Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue and 1st Avenue from 9th Street to 10th

Street, on September 18, 2004 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in connection with

the ?POW/MIA Memorial Dedication?.



Councilor Suber moved approval of the application. Seconded by Councilor

Allen and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this

meeting.

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

PROCLAMATIONS:



?A DAY OF SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE?:



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said before the Council meets again next Tuesday, we

are going to once again observe the anniversary of the infamous 9/11. He said

as a remembrance and recognition of a day of solemn remembrance, he will read

that proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming September 11, 2004, as ?A

Day of Solemn Remembrance?, in Columbus, Georgia.



*** *** ***



?HOUSE OF HEROES?:



Councilor Anthony said this year the House of Heroes will be repairing

over 50 homes of veterans who served our country. He said this is a chance for

our country to say thank you to so many of these great Americans who risked and

gave so much that we might have the life, liberty and the opportunities that we

have.



He said the House of Heroes is a process by which we do something personal

and practical for them, which will begin on September 10th throughout the end

of the month.



Councilor Anthony then called members of the House of Heroes Board to come

forward to be recognized.



With Ms. Susan Gerkin and Mr. Dick Stone standing at the Council table,

Councilor Anthony then read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming

the month of September as the ?House of Heroes Month?, in Columbus, Georgia.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said the only thing that has been left out of this

proclamation is the fact that this program and its undertaking was birthed

right here in Columbus, Georgia. He said it has Congressional recognition and

sponsorship and is used as a model nationwide. He said the father of this

program is non other than Councilor Anthony. He then asked him to stand and be

recognized.

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

CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



WITH THE COACHES, TEAM MOMS AND PLAYERS OF THE NORTHERN LITTLE LEAGUE

STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED

AND READ IN THEIR ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR ALLEN AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (368-04) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus

Northern Little League 10 Year-Old All-Stars upon their recent District 8

Championship and the 2004 Georgia State Championship. Councilor Allen moved the

adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried

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

affirmative vote.



A Resolution (369-04) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus

Northern Little League 11 Year-Old All-Stars upon their recent District 8

Championship and the 2004 Georgia State Championship. Councilor Allen moved

the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried

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

affirmative vote.



A Resolution (370-04) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus

Northern Little League 12 Year-Old All-Stars upon their recent District 8

Championship and the 2004 Georgia State Championship. Councilor Allen moved

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

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

affirmative vote.



*** *** ***



WITH THE COACHES AND PLAYERS OF THE BULL CREEK BABE RUTH LEAGUE STANDING

AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE ALSO READ IN THEIR

ENTIRETY BY COUNCLOR ALLEN AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:



A Resolution (371-04) - Commending and congratulating the Bull CreekBabe

Ruth 13 Year-Old Baseball team upon their recent 2004 Georgia State

Championship. Councilor Allen moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded

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

present, standing to cast their affirmative vote.



A Resolution (372-04) - Commending and congratulating the Bull Creek Babe

Ruth 15 Year-Old Baseball team upon their recent 2004 Georgia State

Championship. Councilor Allen moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded

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

present, standing to cast their affirmative vote.

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



NOTE: The City Attorney?s Agenda is continued below.



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

MINUTES: Minutes of the August 31, 2004 meeting of the Council of the

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were submitted and approved

unanimously upon the adoption of a motion made by Councilor Woodson and

seconded by Councilor Allen.

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

ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE, WHOSE FIRST READING WAS DELAYED FROM THE AUGUST

31ST COUNCIL MEETING WAS AGAIN SUBMITTED AND DELAYED FOR ONE ADDITIONAL WEEK AT

THE REQUEST OF COUNCILOR DAVIS:



An Ordinance - Rezoning property located at 6910 River Road from an

A-0 District w/conditions to an A-0 District w/ amended conditions.

(36-CA-04-River Island Group)



Councilor Davis said he would like to request another week delay.

He said the residents and the representatives of the developers are still in

the process of trying to work out matters on defining the development as per

the rezoning request.



Councilor McDaniel then made a motion for a one-week delay. Seconded by

Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present

for this meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD AS ADVERTISED:



An Ordinance - Rezoning property located at 1059 McBride Drive from an R-1

District to a C-2 District. (46-D-04-Flemister)



PROPONENTS:



Ms. Arlesia Flemister, 1810 Susan Lane said the property that she desires

to rezone is located at 1059 McBride Drive, which is located right next to the

Walgreens on Buena Vista Road. She said she would like to rezone this property

for a beauty salon. She said there is also another commercial establishment

located in this area.



City Manager Cavezza said they wrestled with this recommendation for a

long time and said the reason the Planning Division recommended denial on this

petition is because it moves further back into a residential area with a

commercial venture. He said if you look at the map you can see there is

commercial all around and within that area.



Councilor Henderson said even though it is a noble use for it and it is

not that intrusive, the problem is that once you get that zoning classification

going further down in a residential area, it is very difficult to deny someone

else coming along after that.



Ms. Flemister said further down from her location, there is another C-2

property located there. She said there are three houses in between her property

and that other property. She said there is not much on the street as far as

houses.



Councilor Davis then asked Ms. Flemister if she is willing to limit the

use of this property to strictly a beauty salon and none other, to which she

agreed.



Ms. Flemister said whatever it takes for her to be conducive to that area,

she is willing to do it.



Mr. Tommy Graves, 872 Southern Pines Drive, said he thinks that this would

be a great opportunity for the people in this area, to break some of that

traffic down. He said a lot of older people would utilize that salon. He said

the privacy fence that Walgreens has, with the same type of fence at the beauty

salon would make that an excellent place for the people in that community. He

said a lot of Ms. Flemister?s clients live in that area.



OPPONENTS:



No one appeared to speak against this proposed rezoning ordinance.



City Attorney Fay said this ordinance would be voted on next week and

said there are three conditions included in the ordinance.



*** *** ***



An Ordinance - Rezoning property located 4420 St. Francis Avenue from an

R-2 District to a C-3 District. (45-CA-04-Spectrum Realty, Inc.)



Councilor McDaniel said he hasn?t heard any opposition to this proposed

rezoning ordinance and said they have been a good neighbor up there and he

doesn?t see why it won?t be approved.



Mr. Pound said they did have some opposition from the lady next door at the

Planning Advisory Commission meeting, Ms. Ferris, but they did resolve her

concerns. He said she was concerned that rezoning this piece of property might

cause some spot zoning that would encroach on that street. He said she was

also concerned about parking.



Mr. Pound then responded to several questions of members of the Council as

to what was the property being used for.



Councilor Henderson said it is much like the previous rezoning request

that was before us, in that even though the use is a good use for the property,

it creates a little more intrusion into that neighborhood coming down where

there is existing R-2. He said he knows that a lot of these neighborhoods are

neighborhoods in transition, but before the vote comes up he would encourage

everyone on Council to make sure they are familiar with this piece of

property.



Councilor McDaniel said he would like to make a correction for the record;

saying the street north of the property is not Woodrfuff Road, but is Rosemont

Boulevard. He said the staff report states Woodruff Road.



Mr. Pound said that is correct, it is Rosemont Drive. He said in response

to Councilor Henderson, in that area there are apartments down Rosemont Drive

and there is commercial property across the street down the other end, as well

as St. Francis Hospital; with A-1 on Woodruff Road. He said they believe this

residential property is in a transition area.



Regarding the comparison made by Councilor Henderson as it relates to the

previous rezoning, City Manager Cavezza said the reason that they recommended

approval for this property, there is no additional curb cuts. He said this

merely pushes the area back further into the community without any additional

curb cuts off that side street.



City Attorney Fay said this ordinance would be voted on next week and

pointed out that there are five conditions included in this ordinance.

















An Ordinance - Rezoning property located at 3402 6th Avenue from an R-4

District to a C-2 District. (47-CA-04-Austin)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



Mr. Ralph Austin was present, but he did not make a presentation as there

was no one present to oppose this proposed rezoning ordinance.



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

next week.

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

CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA CONTINUED:



THE FOLLOWING SEVEN ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY

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





An Ordinance (04-78) - Rezoning property located at 3900 Fairview Drive

from R-1A and R-2 Districts to an R-1A District. (41-A-04-Norris) Councilor

Suber moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor Allen and

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



*** *** ***



An Ordinance (04-79) - Rezoning property located 3807 Gentian Boulevard

from an R-1A District to an A-0 District. (42-CA-04-Bryant) Councilor Suber

moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried

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



*** *** ***

















An Ordinance (04-80)- Rezoning property located at Sonoma Pointe

Subdivision (Blackmon Road) from R-2 and A-1 Districts to an R-2 District with

conditions. (43-CA-04-Tiger Creek Development) Councilor Henderson moved the

adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor Suber.

Councilor Allen said this is the petition that we were going to try to

clarify for the record. He said on last week we talked about the use of a

setback as an R-2 category and them using R-3 setbacks. He said we talked some

about the size of the homes that were going to go on this lot and said to his

credit, the developer did call him and explained that it wasn?t necessarily the

size of the homes that was the reason for the setback change. He said it was,

in some cases, so they could build the homes closer to the sideline. He said

currently in this R-2 category, the setbacks are 8-feet and in the R-3

category, the setbacks are 5-feet. He said this is the shift that the developer

would like to have the flexibility to use in the plan design of the lot layout.



Councilor Henderson said he had a similar conversation with the developer

and said he was concerned that the case was made that he wanted to put larger

size houses. He said the size of the houses that he is already planning on

putting there is large enough that he does need some flexibility in the

distance from the ones he puts up.



Councilor Davis said it is his understanding that it is just for a few

lots, not all of the lots.



City Manager Cavezza said he could do it on any lots, as we gave him a

waiver for the entire area.



The question was then called on the motion to adopt the ordinance, which

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



*** *** ***



An Ordinance (04-81) - Rezoning property located at 2601 Courtland Avenue

and property along the SW corner of 2601 Courtland Avenue from an R-1A District

to an R-2 District. (44-A-04-Woodruff Company) Councilor Suber moved the

adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously

by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



An Ordinance (04-82)- Providing for the demolition of twelve structures

located at 1600 Fort Benning Road, Buildings No. 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,

16, 17 & 19, (Capital Development, owner); and for demolition services for the

Inspections and Code Division in accordance with Tabulation of Bid sheet.

Councilor Suber moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor

Woodson and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for

this meeting



*** *** ***



An Ordinance (04-83) - Amending Columbus Code Section 13-167.2 (6),

General Provisions by adding two new subsections (a) and (b), to provide for

trees to be picked up by the Department of Public Services for a fee and to set

forth the length requirements and placement of the trees for pickup. In

addition, amending Columbus Code Section 13-169.1 Same-Residential by adding a

new subsection (j) to set fees for tree pickup and to establish the process for

billing and collecting of said fees. Councilor Allen moved the adoption of the

ordinance. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those ten

members of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



An Ordinance (04-84) - Amending and increasing FY05 E911 Budget by $40,317

to $2,838,221 and authorizing payment for retroactive balance of $61,814 to

Cingular Wireless pursuant to O.C.G.A. ?46-5-134; and authorizing the City

Manager and Finance Director to make future payments for recurring maintenance

charges pursuant to O.C.G.A. ? 46-5-134; and for other purposes. Councilor

Suber moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor Allen and

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



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY

FAY AND THEN INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:



An Ordinance - Amending the Budgets for the fiscal year 2004 beginning

July 1, 2003 and ending June 30, 2004, for the General Fund of the Consolidated

Government of Columbus, Georgia in the amount of $121,188,248, appropriating

amounts shown to adjust department budgets to meet the legal levels of control.



City Manager Cavezza said the State is enforcing the legal levels of

control, which is something it hasn?t been doing in the past. He said if any

department goes one percent or more above their budget, we have to make the

appropriate adjustments. He said there are no additional funds, the budget

remains the same, but we have to make that adjustment internally. He said we

had three departments that exceeded their budgets last year by one percent. He

said they were Probate Court, due to legal fees, the Sheriff?s Department

because of medical costs for the jail and Information Technology, with the new

telephone system requiring some additional work.



*** *** ***



RESOLUTION FOR DR. JACK HUGHSTON:



Councilor McDaniel said on yesterday we lost one of our icons in the City

of Columbus, Dr. Jack Hughston. He said not only was he a great man, he was a

great community servant. He then asked the City Attorney to prepare a

resolution expressing the Council?s condolences in his death.



*** *** ***



RECOGNITION OF JOSIAH FLOURNOY:



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers recognized the presence of Josiah Flournoy. He said

Josiah is the son of Marty Flournoy and he is here working on his Eagle Scout

badge, observing a Council meeting.

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

PUBLIC AGENDA:



MR. LORENZA WILDER, RE: FUNERAL ESCORTS, SPEEDING IN SCHOOL ZONES, AND

SIDEWALKS ON HIGGS AND WILDER DRIVE:



Mr. Lorenza Wilder said on last week on Wilder Drive, a gentleman passed

him doing at least 65 miles per hour. He said he mentioned this on last week

where the children have to walk on Higgs Drive and Wilder Drive going to school

and there are no sidewalks. He said Councilor Turner Pugh did request for a

study to be done; however, those children are out there in these dangerous

situations. He said he would first of all, say to the parents of that area,

they need to slow down on those streets. He said he hopes that the citizens

would hear this, because it is too late when a child has been hit by a car. He

said people don?t want to get a ticket and no one wants their child killed.



Mr. Wilder said he had a friend of his who passed on last week and there

were a lot of cars because he knew a lot of people and said there was only one

motorcycle police officer for this funeral. He said there were almost 3 or 4

accidents. He said he can?t see why this Government can?t provide two police

officers, one in the front and one in the rear; and he would suggest that we

have three police officers available for funeral escorts.



*** *** ***



MR. JULIAN WALKER, RE: PROBLEMS WITH DOGS IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD AND ANIMAL

CONTROL ENFORCEMENT

DEPARTMENT:





Mr. Julian Walker said he was out in his yard on August 28th playing with

his dogs when he got attacked by a pit bull that was in his next-door

neighbor?s yard. He said he wants to know what is Animal Control?s law in this

regard. He said if the dog is in your yard, are you responsible for him.



City Manager Cavezza said there is a standing feud between Mr. Walker and

his neighbor over their respective dogs, which have been going on for some

time. He said the latest incident is where Mr. Walker said his neighbor?s dog

has bitten him. He said we couldn?t find any proof that his neighbor?s dogs

because in fact when we picked it up, it was tied up in your yard. He said this

is not necessarily an animal control problem, he thinks it is a neighborhood

relations problem.



Mr. Walker said he has some pictures that he would like for the Council to

look at.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he spoke with Mr. Walker on Friday, as well as

Councilor McDaniel. He said he doesn?t necessarily agree that if a dog is in

your yard, that?s your dog. He said if you were told that by Animal Control he

thinks that is erroronous; because if a stray dog came into his yard, he is not

responsible for that dog.



He said with all the information that we have at this point, is that they

have identified, by tag number, the three dogs that are registered to your

neighbor and the one you had tied up was not one of them. He said they are

saying it is a stray dog, and we have no proof of anything different.



Mr. Walker?s neighbor was also seated in the audience and wanted to

address the Council on this issue. However, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said we are

not going to take any action against him or for him, but said it is really a

civil matter between the two of you.



*** *** ***



MR. WILLIAM J. MADISON, RE: REQUESTING CHANGES AT HUD, JUVENILE COURT AND

IN THE CODE:



Mr. Madison said regarding his request for changes at HUD, he is going to

see what he can do about that by going to Washington, DC and seeing the HUD

people there, because it is not going to work here. He said he hopes that the

Council has received his press release that he is going to do on September

15th; whereby he will leave the City of Columbus on foot and walk the next 800

miles to Washington, DC to the Justice Department. He said one of the reasons

for going there is to explain to them what happened in Columbus, GA at the HUD

office, which was basically criminal in nature.



He said he would also discuss with them the various attacks that have been

levied upon the Madison family by whatever source necessary in Columbus.



Mr. Madison said he wants all of you to know that he has a grandson that

he loves so dearly and said that he was in his home being well cared for and

was removed from his home. He said he wants the Council and the City of

Columbus to know that this was an act that should not go unnoticed. He said it

should not go unreported and should be corrected. He said when a family is in a

home and a mother passes away, the law says that the child belongs to the

father and the father has alienable rights; with one of those being a peaceful

home. However, the Juvenile Court saw it necessary to enter the home and remove

the child illegally. He said his grandson was removed from the home, though the

father is the guardian and as long as the father is alive, no one else can be

appointed as the guardian, but our Juvenile Court appointed a Guardian

antem-litem, who assisted the Juvenile Court in removing the child.



Mr. Madison said he is asking the City Council to intervene and tell him

the law and that is what the law say to do. He said he wants the City Council

to know that he wants them to intervene because he cannot find anyone else in

the City to tell him who is over Juvenile Court; where an action has been

taken.



He said he wants you to know that this is at a point, when an act has been

conducted that is holy illegal, someone at this Council ought to be concerned.

He said this is his fourth trip this year and no one has called him and told

him he was crazy, or wrong. He said no one has called him from this Council or

asked him what?s the problem or to asked him what?s wrong. He said he has made

four trips, complaining, but not one person from the Council sees that as

important enough to call him or his family, and ask him what?s the problem. He

said he can?t tell you how disappointed he is today with the Administration in

Columbus, GA. He said he is truly disappointed.



Mr. Madison said again, the taking of his grandson from their home was a

holy illegal act and he has exact proof of that in writing from our

legislators. He said the legislators put the law on the books and the Judge is

supposed to follow it. He said what we have in Columbus is a system; whereas

the Judge makes his own law. He said he is calling it the way it is.



He said if there are any questions from the Council, he would be glad to

answer them, but there were no questions from the Council.

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

CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER

CAVEZZA AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:



A Resolution (373-04) - Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Quit

Claim Deed to Edgar Hughston Builder, Inc. for a portion of an existing

twenty-five foot storm drain easement as shown on Plat - Section Four, Lot 17

and Lot 18 Block B, Spring Ridge Subdivision. Councilor Henderson moved the

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

by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING THREE PURCHASING 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 MCDANIEL AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SUBER, WHICH

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:



A Resolution (374-04) - Authorizing the purchase of an annual Maintenance

Agreement (October 2004 through October 2005) for the 911 Center?s 800 MHz.

Radio System Console Equipment and its Central Electronics Bay from Motorola in

the amount of $26,838.12.



A Resolution (375-04) -.Authorizing the purchase of an Air Mobile

Software System from Motorola, Inc., in the amount of $118,097. The cost

includes installation and activation services. This software allows the

transfer of batch load non-real time information from a server via a Wireless

Local Area Network to Mobile Data Units in vehicles.



A Resolution (376-04) - Authorizing payment for the emergency purchase

of a Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer from INFICON in the amount of

$83,570.00; and a HazMat ID System from Smith Detection in the amount of

$50,485.00; which will enable the HazMat team to immediately analyze suspicious

powder, liquid, or gas at a HazMat incident site. Due to the immediate

analysis capabilities, this equipment will also resolve the issue of shutting

down businesses for long periods of time until suspicious substances are

identified. Currently, no other HazMat team in Georgia has this capability.

The two units are the only units under $250,000, each, that can be carried into

a hot zone and be able to identify over 10, 000 different chemicals in less

than 30 seconds.



*** *** ***



FIRE DEPARTMENT:



City Manager Cavezza said there is a Division Chief and a Battalion Chief,

as well as a Deputy Chief that will be retiring in the Fire Department and said

we are required to notify the Council before the appointments are made to those

positions. He said the appointments would be made off the standing promotion

list.



*** *** ***



BENNING ROAD SHELTER:



City Manager Cavezza said we opened up the Benning Road Shelter on Friday

night at 10:00 p.m. and served a total of 15 people in that shelter. He said

they closed it down at 4:00 p.m., today. He said this was a good learning

experience for us; where we had a few glitches, but we were able to work them

out.



*** *** ***



TREES:



City Manager Cavezza said on yesterday we started receiving telephone

calls about trees and limbs being down. He said by 6:00 p.m. we had a total of

22 calls and at 10:00 p.m. last night, we had approximately 150 calls

pertaining to limbs and trees down. He said all the trees that are in the

roadway that didn?t involve power lines have been cleared. He said there are

approximately 10-15 trees that are blocking roads where the power lines are

still live, which should be cleared on tonight. He said there is debris on the

rights-of-way, which should be cleaned up by Friday.



City Manager Cavezza said the question has been asked about a moratorium;

however, at this point we don?t see a need for that. He said as we go through

this process, if we see a change in that we will come back to the Council in

that regard.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then asked City Manager Cavezza, if it is possible

to have that assessment re-evaluated at some point in the future?



City Manager Cavezza said they think they can handle it without that.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said during the storm, Public Safety entrusted him

with a radio and said it was really an education for him. He said the volume of

calls was overwhelming and the professionalism in which they were handled; the

redistribution of resources as they were needed by Public Safety and Public

Services made him proud.



Councilor Henderson said that was also on the heels of some increased

demand on Public Safety due to the visit of Vice -President Cheney as well. He

said they had to call more people in to cover their beat, as they were already

overworked when this storm hit. He said we don?t thank our Public Safety and

Public Services personnel as much as we ought to, but we do appreciate them.



*** *** ***



COMPLAINT SYSTEM:



Councilor Woodson said she would like to have a report back on the

situation that was discussed on last week, as it relates to when there are

complaints that comes into Public Safety what process is being used. She said

she heard something on the news that disturbed her and she would like to see

the process that we use. She said she thought there would be a report included

in the packet on today, but there wasn?t anything.





*** *** ***



UPCOMING EVENTS:



City Manager Cavezza highlighted some upcoming events as outlined below.



*** *** ***

TOWN HALL MEETINGS:



City Manager Cavezza said we would be having our first town hall meeting

to address the facts surrounding the Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) on

Thursday, September 9th at Double Churches Middle School.

He said on tomorrow afternoon, they would be inviting the media in to give them

a preview of that meeting.



He said there is a series of those townhall meetings, which will be held

as follows:



? Thursday September 14th - 6:30 p.m. Baker Middle School

? Thursday, September 16th - 6:30 p.m. Reese Road Elementary School



*** *** ***



BULL CREEK GOLF COURSE RIBBON CUTTING:



? Friday, September 17th , 4:00 p.m., Bull Creek Golf Course

POW/MIA DEDICATION:



? Saturday, September 11th, 11:00 a.m., Plaza Level Government Center

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

CLERK OF COUNCIL'S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS

INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR & COUNCIL:



(1) Notice from the EPD Public Advisory Air Protection that Lynx Chemical

Group ? BH Jackson Plant has made application for the addition of a methyl acid

phosphate process, the expansion of methyl ester production, and for a change

in material stored in several tanks, located at 1136 Chumar Street, Columbus,

GA 31904.



(2) Biographical Sketch of Mr. Robert Loving, Councilor Hunter?s nominee for a

position on the Public Safety Advisory Council.



(3) Biographical Sketch of Mr. Michael Eddings, Councilor Suber?s

nominee to replace Ms. Charlene LeBleu as an alternate member on

the Planning Advisory Commisison.



(4) Biographical Sketch of Ms. Keyla Cabret, Councilor Woodson?s

Nominee for a position on the Public Safety Advisory Council.





*** *** ***



RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Mr. Robert Loving

resigning from his position on the Recreation Advisory Board. Councilor Suber

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

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

present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Councilor Suber said he would like to move the confirmation of Mr. Robert

Loving and Ms. Keyla Cabret for their positions on the Public Safety Safety

Advisory Council and so moved. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried

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



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED AND

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





Application of Pat Carpenter to temporarily close the 1000 block of

Broadway on September 10, 2004 from 6:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. and from 6:00 p.m.

on September 11 through 3:00 a.m. on September 12, 2004 in connection with

?Pedestrian Safety?.



Councilor Henderson moved approval of the application. Seconded by

Councilor Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:



Council Briefing, March 30, 2004.

Council Briefing, April 20, 2004.

Council Briefing, April 27, 2004.

Family & Children Services, August 25, 2004.

Hospital Authority, May 25, 2004.

Hospital Authority, June 29, 2004.

Hospital Authority, July 27, 2004.

Tax Assessors, No. 33.



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

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

Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING THREE NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY

CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING WERE CALLED ON

EACH BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL:



Petition submitted by Jacque Jones to amend the text of the zoning

ordinance to allow consultants (office only) as a principal use in the H

(Historic) zoning district. (Recommended for approval by both the Planning

Advisory Commission and the Planning Division.) (53-A-04-Jones)



Petition submitted by David Cummings to rezone approximately 3 acres of

property located at the northeast corner of Macon Road and Primrose Drive from

an R-1A District to a C-2 District. (Recommended for conditional approval by

both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Division.)

(54-CA-04-Cummings)



Petition submitted by David Cummings to rezone approximately 0.59 acre of

property located at 7797 Veterans Parkway from an R-1 District to a C-3

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

Commission and the Planning Division.) (55-CA-04-Cummings)



*** *** ***



BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS:



Clerk of Council Washington said we need someone to fill the unexpired

term of Mr. Donald Gates, whose seat was declared vacant by the Council. There

were no nominations.



*** *** ***



CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD:



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

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

resigned his seat on the Civic Center Advisory Board.









COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we still need Councilor

McDaniel?s nominee for someone to succeed Ms. Leigh Stewart, who represents

Council District Eight. She also advised Councilor Turner Pugh that she would

need to nominate someone for Council District Four.



Councilor McDaniel then nominated Mary Ann Slapikas. Clerk of Council

Washington pointed out that she may be confirmed. Councilor Henderson so moved.

Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those ten members of

Council present for this meeting.





*** *** ***



KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Chuck Granberry has

resigned from this board and we need someone to fill this unexpired seat. There

were no nominations.



*** *** ***





PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Councilor Suber is nominating

Mr. Michael Eddings for Ms. Charlene LeBleu?s alternate position and said she

would bring this back on next week for the Council?s confirmation.



*** *** ***



PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington said she has outlined the Public Safety

Advisory Commission seats and said that we still need a nominee for Council

Districts 2, 5, 9 and 10.



*** *** ***





U-15 RED STAR SOCCER TEAMS:



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

resolution congratulating the U-15 Red Star Soccer Team. He said the soccer

team that he helps to coach won the Atlanta Cup, which is one of the most

prestigious soccer tournaments in the State.



*** *** ***



CONTINENTAL CARBON:



Councilor Woodson said with all the weather that we have been having, she

has been losing power at her home and said one of the attorneys with the

Continental Carbon has been trying to contact her. She said she doesn?t have

the number and would like to know who it is that has been trying to get in

contact with her. She asked the City Manager if he could find out who has been

trying to reach her.





MEMBERS SERVING ON BOARDS:



Councilor McDaniel asked Clerk of Council Washington if we have a rule

that our board members have to live in Muscogee County, to which Clerk of

Council Washington said we do. He then asked that she contact the board members

to determine their residency, because he thinks that there may be some members

who live in Harris County.



*** *** ***



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

Pro Tem Rodgers then asked if there was anyone 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 indicated that they wanted to be heard.



*** *** ***



LO.S.T. TOWNHALL MEETINGS:



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he would like to remind everyone of the first

public hearing kickoff at Double Churches Middle School at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday.



Councilor Davis said he would hope that the news media would assist us in

getting this information out to the public.



*** *** ***



Councilor Woodson then made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by

Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present, with the time being 7:00 p.m.









Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia