Columbus, Georgia

Minutes



COUNCIL BRIEFING



Meeting

December 16, 2003



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 and Nathan Suber. Also present were Mayor

Robert S. Poydasheff, City Manager Carmen Cavezza, City Attorney Clifton Fay,

Interim Finance Director Angela Cole and Department of Transportation Director

Lisa Goodwin.



Members Absent: Councilor Evelyn Woodson was absent.



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Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m. in the Council

Chambers Conference Room, Plaza Level, Government Center.



Vehicle Immobilization Ordinance:

City Manager Cavezza informed the members of Council that the Administration is

drafting an ordinance to boot vehicles for failure to pay traffic tickets. He

then recognized Department of Transportation Director Lisa Goodwin, who

promptly introduced the new Parking Division Manager Mr. Willie Holmes.



A flowchart was provided to the members of Council as part of their packet.

Department of Transportation Director Goodwin reminded everyone that this

ordinance was brought forward at the request of the Council. Other cities were

studied, as pointed out by Department of Transportation Director Goodwin, and a

sound ordinance that would be good for the community is the result. She

pointed out that the main objective in this ordinance is the booting of the

vehicle. She explained that if a person has three or more unpaid parking

tickets or one $50.00 ticket; then, the vehicle is subject to booting. She

briefly explained the process, in which a letter is sent to the individual.

She identified the options available to a citizen that receives the delinquent

letter. If the citation(s) have not been paid within the seven days and the

other options have not been exerted, she determined that the vehicle would be

subject to immobilization. Department of Transportation Director Goodwin

lifted for viewing purposes the device that would be used to immobilize the

vehicle. She mentioned that a bright notice would be placed on the driver?s

side windshield explaining that the vehicle has been immobilized as well as the

amount necessary to have it removed. If the fines are not paid along with the

removal fee within 24 hours, she pointed out that the vehicle would be towed

and now the towing fees would apply. She added that if the vehicle stays

impounded for more than 30 days; then, the vehicle is subject to be sold in

order to satisfy the City?s fees and penalties.



Department of Transportation Director Goodwin then responded to various

questions regarding the time line available before immobilizing the vehicle.

When Councilor Allen asked about possible damage to the car and the selling of

the car, Department of Transportation Director Goodwin responded by saying that

everything has been cleared through City Attorney Fay. Councilor McDaniel

asked about liens on the car, at which time, Department of Transportation

Director Goodwin explained that an attempt would be made to contact the lien

holder. There were also questions regarding the implementation, at which time,

City Manager Cavezza acknowledged that there would be a 30 day amnesty period.

Department of Transportation Director Goodwin added that there would also be a

grace period that allows the individual to come in and pay the face value of

the citation without doubling the fine.



Councilor Allen suggested that it would be a good move to go to the downtown

businesses and talk to the owners to advise them of the problems that we are

having. He also suggested extending the grace period. Councilor Davis asked to

be provided with some comparison data.



Civil Rights Bus Museum:

Department of Transportation Director Goodwin announced that Metra is working

on a project, where we have acquired a 1952 southern bus. She advised that we

have restored this bus that was donated by a citizen. The intent is to create

a Civil Rights Museum with this bus explained Department of Transportation

Director Goodwin, and the bus would remain stationery. She envisioned a design

where the students would be able to come to the Metra Transfer Station where

the bus would be on display and allow them to board the bus, sit in the seat

next to Rosa Parks and they would be able to see James Blake, the bus

operator. She advised that individuals would be able to view the video

regarding the 1960?s. She maintained that we are doing this to bring awareness

about the importance of transit during that era. Once this project has been

completed, she advised that invitations would be sent to the members of

Council. She said that Bridgestone/Firestone wants to put this bus on display

at one of their international meetings in Atlanta, at the World Congress

Center, in February.



Councilor Allen asked about the cost associated with the bus, at which time,

Department of Transportation Director Goodwin responded by saying that the bus

was free, but what we are paying for out of our capital budget is the project,

which is 10% City dollars, 10% State Dollars and 80% Federal Dollars. In

reference to questions about funding to display the bus at the World Congress

Center, Department of Transportation Director Goodwin advised that the vendor,

Bridgestone/Firestone would fund it.



State Court Solicitor?s Office:

City Manager Cavezza recalled that last week, State Court Solicitor Ben

Richardson came to talk to the Council about the Victim Witness Funds and how

he wanted to use some of the funds. He said that he has been advised by City

Attorney Fay that Mr. Ben Richardson has that prerogative and there is no

approval or disapproval by the Council. City Manager Cavezza warned of the

potential problem if those funds run out and he cannot pay those employees that

money; then, he would have to come back to us. He maintained that his position

is that we should not support that. He said that he would let State Court

Solicitor Richardson know that he has the prerogative to use those funds.



Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance:

Councilor Suber advised that he is going to be requesting a delay on the brown

bagging piece of the alcoholic beverage ordinance. He said that there is an

attorney who is claiming that his client would be seriously affected by this

ordinance.



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Meeting adjourned at 8:59 a.m.





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Sandra T. Davis, Deputy Clerk of Council