Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

JULY 30, 2002



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

order at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 30, 2002, on the Plaza Level of the

Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Bobby G. Peters, Mayor and

Honorable John J. Rodgers, Mayor Pro Tem, presiding.



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

Councilors R. Gary Allen, Berry H. Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E.

McDaniel, Jr, Richard Smith and Nathan Suber. City Manager Carmen Cavezza, City

Attorney Clifton Fay and Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington were also present.

Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis took her seat at 9:02 a.m. Councilor

Evelyn Woodson took her seat at the Council table at 9:02 a.m. Councilor Evelyn

Turner Pugh took her seat at 9:04 a.m.



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ABSENT: No one was absent.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Reverend Emmett Aniton- Pastor of Friendship Baptist

Church.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from Wee Care Day Care Center.



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A. J. McCLUNG MEMORIAL STADIUM:



Mayor Peters said the Council will adjourn its meeting at 10:45 a.m., this

morning in order to go over to Memorial Stadium so that we can unveil the A. J.

McClung Memorial Stadium. He said under our local law, no public facility can

be named after any individual while they are still with us; but said this

morning we are going to bring former Mayor Pro Tem A. J. McClung to Memorial

Stadium, and let him know that we, as a Government, want to name Memorial

Stadium after him. He said he is in very bad health and we just want to give

him that opportunity to let him know that we do care about him.



He said the bottom line is that we will be leaving a little early this

morning; so, therefore, we are asking that all presentations this morning be

kept as brief as possible, so that we can stay on our time schedule with our

zonings and other matters.



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INTRODUCTION OF STUDENTS FROM KIRYU, JAPAN:



Mayor Peters said we have a Sister City relationship with Kiryu, Japan and

said Columbus State University is a key partner with that relationship and said

we have some exchange students here from Kiryu and then called upon Ms. Anita

Dugat-Green, of Columbus State University, Coordinator ofour Sister City

Exchange Visit, to introduce our special guests who are present with us this

morning.



Ms. Anita Dugat-Green said 10 years ago, the City of Columbus and the City

of Kiryu, Japan, in cooperation with Columbus State University and the Muscogee

County School District founded the English Language Institute and said the

students that are here in the Institute from Kiryu, Japan this year, are

appreciating that cooperative effort between both cities and also those

organizations in the City.



She said the students are happy to be here and said they have enjoyed

teaching English classes to them and showing them the Columbus area and really

immersing them in the culture.



Ms. Barbara Cumeanna, the Chaperone from Kiryu, then appeared and extended

greetings from the officials of the Kiryu City Council. She also said on behalf

of all the students of the 2002 Columbus State University exchange students who

participated this year, she would like to offer their sincere thanks for the

overwhelming hospitality that has been extended to them. She said each year a

delegation from Kiryu comes to Columbus, not only to study English; but more

importantly, to get to know the people here and learn about their way of life.



She said this program is now a tradition and that the cities of Columbus

and Kiryu, can hold up as a shining example of grassroots friendship between

the United States and Japan. She then thanked the Mayor and Council for their

continued understanding and support that in the future many Kiryu citizens can

enjoy the privilege and honor of visiting this great City.



Mayor Peters then asked the students to stand, as we welcome them to our

City.





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DRUG MARCH CONFERENCE:



Sergeant Renee McAneny, of the Columbus Police Department said the

Columbus Against Drugs is the local drug fighting group that she coordinates,

(members were present with her this morning), said on Friday, August 2, 2002,

they will host the Drug Fighters Reunion, which is held every two years, and

said Columbus was selected to be the host City this year. She said on Friday

night at the Convention & Trade Center, they will host an Appreciation Banquet,

to thank everyone involved that has been the support of Columbus Against Drugs

for many, many years. She said Columbus Against Drugs has been in existence for

almost twelve years.



She said on Saturday, August 3rd, they will host many, many workshops,

dealing with how they fight drugs in Columbus and share with other cities how

we do it here, as well as they will share with us how they do it in their

cities.



Sergeant McAneny said they would also have a community-wide anti-drug

march, which would start from the Government Center steps, where they will

leave at 7:00 p.m., and board METRA buses and travel throughout the city to

seven neighborhoods. She said they would march in four of these neighborhoods,

which will be at least two hours.



She said the Reunion would end on Sunday with a continental breakfast at

Police headquarters, as well as last minute networking with all of their

guests. She said they have 235 individuals who have registered for this

Reunion, and have guests coming from Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and two

other law enforcement agencies will join them in this Drug Fighters Reunion.



Sergeant McAneny said they would ask that all businesses in Columbus put

on their marquees and signs in front of their businesses, ?Welcome Drug

Fighters.?



Councilor Woodson said thanks to Sergeant McAneny, the Police Department,

Sheriff?s Department and Marshal?s Office, they make it successful for the

community to do these drug marches. She said it takes a lot of courage and

determination and time and said these people are taking back their communities

in their neighborhoods, with the assistance of our Public Safety personnel and

said it needs to be recognized and acknowledged. She said she would hope that

members of the Council attend some of these events, so that they can see the

hard work of these people.



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COLUMBUS WATER WORKS:



Mayor Peters said he distributed around the Council table, a press release

concerning our Water Works and said there is an issue of Federal grants, to get

funding, for a program to do away with and find a place to put solid waste

materials that some counties do not want. He said Mr. Billy Turner, President

of the Columbus Water Works is doing a fabulous job and has come up with a

plan, which will require some Federal assistance.



He said that Senator Max Cleland has announced that he is going to give

Columbus $750,000 in grant funding for that project, as well as Congressman Mac

Collins having already provided funding in last year?s budget. He said it is

about a $12 million project, and will be one of a kind in the Nation. He said

Mr. Billy Turner certainly deserves a lot of credit in this area.



Mr. Billy Turner said this deals with the solids that we take out in waste

treatment process and is probably the most difficult issue that they have to

deal with at the Water Works. He said this is a process that an engineer

brought to them a few years ago that would essentially pasteurize the solids.

He said one of the issues with bio-solids is the possible presence of pathogens

in them and said this would destroy the pathogens. He said the idea is to use

high temperature in the essential processing of the bio-solids, temperature of

only 57 degrees, which is about the temperature that milk is pasteurized in.



He said they have some research going on at the University of North

Carolina and will be doing some work at their plant this year, and hope that it

turns out to be as successful, as they think it will. He said this helps them

to produce another project in Columbus, which is a national demonstration and

this is the reason the Federal government is participating in it. He said they

hope that they will ultimately get 55 percent of the funds from the Federal

level and the other 45 percent will come from local funds, and hope the project

will be operational in the Year 2005.



Mayor Peters asked that City Attorney Fay prepare a resolution for next

week?s Agenda, thanking Senators Mac Collins and Max Cleland for their

assistance, in obtaining grant funding for the Columbus Water Works in the

fiscal year 2003 appropriations bill for the Environmental Protection Agency.



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INTRODUCTION OF MR. JIM ROSENNI:



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said out of our most recent visit to Bistrita,

Romania, the idea for a project to construct a playground in Romania arose and

said that is going to be an undertaking that will be co-sponsored by the

respective cities and the respective Rotary Clubs. He said all the money for

this project, $85,000 will be raised privately. He said we have with us here

today, Mr. Jim Rossini from Rockford, Illinois, who is the President of Kids

Around the World, who is actually going to do the construction of the

playground. He said he wanted Mr. Rossini to come and introduce himself to the

Council; because he will be representing us in the construction of this

playground.



Mr. Jim Rossini said their organization has been around since 1994 and

they have done nearly 28 projects, and recently completed their 12th different

Country project. He said they are currently working on a project in

Afghanistan, as well as a project in Thailand, all before going to Romania. He

said they are looking for an opportunity for many of the officials here to join

them on that trip to Romania to be a part of that construction team.



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PRESENTATION OF GIFTS:



Councilor McDaniel said that he had a birthday this month and said his

wife, Jo gave him an unusual present that he would like to share with the

Council. He said this is an Afghan, which is called the Columbus Afghan. He

said these are hand-made and woven, which has a lot of projects that this

Council and the Administration have had a hand in. He said there are so many

things that we have done over the years, that are included in this Afghan. He

said he and Jo decided to give each member of the Council, as well as the

Administration one, because it is something that you can keep that has all

these projects that we were involved in doing. He said he would hope that they

would enjoy them, as it is an unusual piece of work.



He then presented an Afghan to Mayor Peters and each member of the

Council, as well as former Councilor Robert Poydasheff, and members of the

Administrative staff.



Councilor Suber said on behalf of the Council, he would like to say that

we are very appreciative of Councilor McDaniel and his generosity for this

wonderful gift.

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ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS:



THE FOLLOWING FIVE ZONING ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS

READ BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON EACH AS

ADVERTISED:





An Ordinance - Amending the text of the Zoning Ordinance to allow yoga and

pilates as a Special Exception Use in an H (Historic) Zoning District.

(32-A-02-Planning Division)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



City Attorney Fay said this ordinance has been amended and then asked if

there were any questions or comments, but there were none.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD AND AFTER SOME DISCUSSION AMENDED BY

THE COUNCIL AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILOR ALLEN:



An Ordinance ? Amending the text of the zoning ordinance to allow

amusements, recreational and entertainment activities carried on wholly within

a permanently enclosed building, excluding adult movie houses, as a Special

Exception Use in an M-1 Zoning District. (35-A-02-Planning Division)



PROPONENTS:



Councilor Allen asked if we could broaden the part of the sentence that

says, excluding adult movie houses, and say adult movie houses or adult

entertainment, so that we could have some kind of language that would be all

inclusive. City Attorney Fay said we could change it to say, excluding adult

entertainment activities. Councilor Allen said he wants to make sure that we

are not opening the door for someone to walk through. City Attorney Fay then

said that we could do that with a minor amendment.



Councilor Allen then so moved. Seconded by Councilor Smith and carried

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



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OPPONENTS:



No one appeared opposing this proposed rezoning ordinance.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND DELAYED BY THE COUNCIL AT

THE REQUEST OF CITY MANAGER CAVEZZA:



An Ordinance - Amending the text of the zoning ordinance to allow two

additional alternate members to the Planning Advisory Commission.

(36-A-02-Planning Division)



City Manager Cavezza said he would like to defer this ordinance at this

time and said we are going to look at another alternative before we bring this

to the Council.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND AFTER SOME DISCUSSION, WAS

AMENDED BY THE COUNCIL AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILOR TURNER PUGH:



An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 0.44 acres of property located at

2517 2nd Avenue from an R-4 District to a C-3 District. (37-A-02-Garner)



Councilor Turner Pugh asked if there was anything in the ordinance that if

the church decides not to use it, or ceases to use it, that it can revert back

to residential. City Attorney Fay said there is not a condition at this time,

but said we certainly can add one, and now would be the time to do it.



She said everything around this property is residential, so if the church

ceases to exist you would have that C-3 property there; so, therefore, she

would like to add that condition, to say the property would revert back to

residential when it ceases to be used as a church. Seconded by Councilor

Woodson.



Mayor Peters said when we put a reversionary clause in a zoning ordinance,

we usually ask for the permission of the petitioner; so, if it should come back

before the Council at a later date, it will be on the record, as to whether or

not the petitioner agrees or opposes the condition. He then asked that the

petitioner address the Council in this regard.



Speaking to the petitioner, Mayor Peters explained that the Council wants

to put an amendment on the petition, to state that if the property is no longer

used for church purposes, it will revert back to its present zoning, to which

he said that he understands that.



The gentleman then identified himself, as Reverend James Garner, Pastor of

the church, said the only reason for this is that he understands that you

cannot have a portable sign in a residential area, and this is the reason he

chose to change this to a commercial zone; where he simply can have a sign.



Mayor Peters then asked if there is a special exception use for a sign,

rather than doing a rezoning of the property, to which Mr. Will Johnson of the

Planning Division, said no.



City Manager Cavezza said he could have asked for a variance on this, but

opted to go this route. Mayor Peters said it would be much easier to get a

variance rather than going through the rezoning process.



Reverend Garner said they have been at this location for some fifty-five

years and said the only reason for this request for a rezoning is to have a

portable sign. City Manager Cavezza then said based on the ordinance, you can?t

put a sign like that in a residential area, and said this is the only

alternative.



Councilor Suber said he thought the staff report indicated that this was

part of the Comprehensive Plan and that this area on Second Avenue was supposed

to be converting to commercial versus staying residential. City Manager

Cavezza said eventually it will be converted to commercial.



Councilor Suber then asked, why would we put in a reversionary clause if

that is what the area is reported to be in future years. City Manager Cavezza

said it is a transitional area, and said that is one of the reasons why the

staff did not recommend a reversionary clause. He said along Second Avenue

would soon be transitioning to commercial.



The question was then called on the motion to add a reversionary clause,

which carried by a vote of seven to two, with Councilors Suber and Allen voting

no and all other seven members of Council present voting yes.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD AS ADVERTISED:



An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 0.32 acres of property located at

the southwest corner of Comer Avenue and Center Street from an A-0 District to

a C-2 District. (38-CA-02-Flowers Construction Co.)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



An unidentified gentleman was present, but he did not make a presentation,

as there was no one present to oppose this proposed rezoning ordinance.



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THE FOLLOWING ZONING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY

CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING HELD AS ADVERTISED, AND THE ORDINANCE

DELAYED FOR THREE WEEKS AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILOR WOODSON:









An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 20.449 acres of property located at

300 Jackson Avenue from an M-1 District to an M-2 District.

(39-CA-02-PTI Ventures, Inc.)



Councilor Woodson said she would like to request that the ordinance be

delayed for three weeks. She said the petitioner knows that she was going to

request a delay on this matter, because she wants to take it to the community

for discussion, prior to it coming to a vote.



City Manager Cavezza said the petitioner is aware of the request for a

delay and doesn?t have a problem with it.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS ALSO HELD AS ADVERTISED:



An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 1.09 acres of property located at

the southwest corner of Forrest Road and Alta Vista Drive from an R-1A District

to an R-3.(40-CA-02-D.F. Holley Builders, Inc.)



At the request of Mayor Peters, City Attorney Fay read the two conditions

that are included in the ordinance, which are outlined below:



Joint-use driveways shall be required.



Each lot shall require a private property turn-around so that traffic

can

exit forward onto Forrest Road.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers asked the petitioner if he has the area plated yet,

to which Mr. Holley said that they did. He then distributed the plat around the

Council table. (A copy was not filed with the Clerk of Council, for the

Council?s records)



Ms. Patricia Harris & Mr. James Harris 2027 Alta Vista Road said their

property is right next to Mr. Holley?s property and said they just want to know

exactly what the entrances will be. Mr. Holley said they will have one entrance

on Alta Vista between the two lots, and one will be on Forrest Road. He said

there will also be a 10-feet buffer, and a privacy fence.



Ms. Harris said they want to see something done to the property, but they

just don?t want it to be too close to theirs or invade in on their space.



Mr. Holley then showed the driveways to Mr. & Mrs. Harris as outlined on

the plat. He said there would be one driveway between Lots 5 & 6 on Alta Vista

Drive, and two driveways on Forrest Road on the centerline between Lots 1 & 2,

and another driveway between Lots 3 & 4.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said this has been before us for apartments and said

at that time, it was alleged that this area is in transition, but said it is

not. He said it is still conducive to single-family dwellings and he commends

Mr. Holley for his efforts, to keep it that way.



Councilor Allen asked, if the 10-fooot buffer would be a undistributed

natural buffer, to which Mr. Holley said it will be. He said once they clear

the lots, it will remain as is, and said they will also probably add to that

buffer some foliage.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING FOUR ORDINANCES WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ

BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND THEN INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:







An Ordinance - Amending Chapter 19 of the Columbus Code so as to amend

Section 19-79 relating to prerequisites required for home inspectors.



An Ordinance - Amending the State Court FY03 Budget from $489,674 to

$454,674 and amending the Public Defender FY03 budget from $963,672 to $998,672

to provide funding for two State Court Public Defenders.



An Ordinance - Amending the Juvenile Court FY03 Budget from $538,969 to

$380,188; accepting $127,500 from the administrative office of the courts;

authorizing the position of Juvenile Court Judge, part-time; and creating the

circuit wide Juvenile Court budget.



Councilor Turner Pugh asked if we have heard anything else from the State,

because they were supposed to be taking over Juvenile Court completely. Mayor

Peters said they have taken over Juvenile Court, as they are going to pay for

the new facility.



City Manager Cavezza said the additional funds are provided by the State.

He said this is their reorganization of Juvenile Court, making it a Circuit

Court and hiring another individual, which is all State funding.



Mayor Peters said they had a regional meeting with the Judges, and said

all the other counties are going to participate for the Circuit Juvenile Court

system.



An Ordinance - Amending the "Official Street Map, City of Columbus,

Georgia," by changing the official street name for the sections of public

roadways currently designated as Weems Road and Livingston Drive to "Whittlesey

Boulevard" to be one street name consistent with the length of the roadway;

authorizing the replacement of existing street name signs labeled as Weems Road

and Livingston Drive to Whittlesey Boulevard.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DISCUSSION THEN INTRODUCED ON FIRST

READING:





An Ordinance - Amending the Code of Columbus, Georgia by deleting in its

entirety Section 18-10.1 entitled ?driveways, erection, content, fees for

markers?; deleting City Code Section 18-53 entitled ?residences, mobile homes

and businesses receiving mail, fire or police calls? in its entirety; enacting

a new Section 18-53 entitled "Address Assignments? for the purpose of assigning

addresses in order to protect the public health, safety and general welfare;

repealing any conflicting ordinances and for other purposes.



Ms. Gail Head, representing Hampton Place Apartments said they object to

one point in the ordinance, which gives one department the right to change

thousands of addresses without any input from the residents affected. She said

the change would not only change their street names, but would change the

street numbers, as well.



Mayor Peters said that is the problem, because you keep using it, as

terminology as a street. He said we have a street named that already is a

public street. He said what you?ll have done, is took a private drive and named

it after a public street; therefore, creating the problem. He said you all

changed the name yourself, for your private drive. He said the City didn?t

change the name, and said it is not a public street, but a private drive.



He said we are trying to work with Ms. Head to transition it in slowly.

He said right now, emergency vehicles need to respond; and if they get confused

and one of your residences doesn?t get serviced; they are going to come to the

City.



Ms. Head said she thinks that the City?s way of changing it would create a

safety hazard. She said you are talking about 390 residents with the same

addresses. She said the way that they have it, is that each building has a

different street address, and that won?t be allowed, according to this

ordinance. She said all those 390 residents would have the address of 5850

Milgen Road.



Mayor Peters said it is already in the Public Safety system, as the proper

address; the one that we are trying to get you to use. He said if there is a

problem or any confusion, it is because you have changed the name, not because

of the Public Safety system. He said we would respond based on the addresses

that are listed in the system.



He then pointed out that the Public Safety officials have said that the

way the system is set up now, it is very dangerous and confusing; and that we

don?t need to have duplicate addresses and duplicate name streets, and that is

what we are trying to eliminate.



Ms. Head continued to express her objections to this proposed ordinance,

and said that she would ask the Council to add a grandfather clause to this

ordinance, recognizing any existing apartment communities that exist on private

streets.



Mr. Jack Hodges, 6511 Hampton Way said he has worked in emergency services

and said this ordinance is telling him that our emergency service personnel

doesn?t know what they are doing. He said when he called them the other night

to see how long it would take them to get to his house, said it took them five

minutes to get there. He said when he lived in Oakland Park, it would take them

twenty minutes, and there is only one street with the name of Rice Street.



He said there are programs right now that he just purchased within the

last two weeks that list their apartments as Hampton Way and Hampton Place; it

doesn?t show 5850 Milgen Road. He said you are telling him that he needs to go

out and buy more programs so that he can find his way around the City. He said

if the emergency personnel are saying this, then he thinks that the Chiefs need

to go back to school. He said he worked in emergency services in Detroit and

said they have hundreds of streets named the same; but said if you give them a

zip code and a street number, they can find it.



Mr. Hodges said he thinks what you are doing is wrong to those residents

in that area. He said things like this make him want to leave the City; because

you don?t want to listen to the citizens. He said you listen to a few people,

for the overall betterment of everybody, and said that upsets him.



He continued for some ten minutes in expressing his opposition to this

ordinance.



Councilor Suber asked Captain Swinney to address those concerns expressed

by Mr. Hodges, as it relates to the programs that he mentioned.



Captain Swinney said those commercial products are developed from various

sources, and said the most common source is the National Geographic survey.

Councilor Suber asked what would make it so difficult for us to find the street

name that he has, if he can put in a piece of commercial equipment and find it.

He said what was explained to us was that there was nothing on the market that

would make your job any easier, if we didn?t abide by what you were suggesting

several months ago.



Captain Swinney said it has always been their position that they do not

want duplicate street names, because they don?t want the possibility of

confusion. He said every police officer who has been with the department for

any length of time, knows where Hampton Place Apartments are, as well as know

where Hampton Street and Hampton Court are, but said what they are trying to

prevent and are hoping to prevent here, is the possibility of confusion that

would add minutes to an EMS response or minutes to a police response in an

emergency, and the fact that we have other streets that are duplicates, we

recognize that and are in the process of moving through those one at a time. He

said the ordinance before the Council today allows them to do that in a more

orderly fashion without having to come to the Council.



He then spent some twenty minutes in responding to several questions of

Mayor Peters and members of the Council. As far as it relates to the commercial

products referenced by Mr. Hodges, Captain Swinney said the commercial products

have nowhere near the accuracy that we strive for in the City?s system. He said

a lot of it has to do with operating systems, with our operating system working

one way and the products mentioned by Mr. Hodges is built for use on your

personal computer.



Captain Swinney the issue is not whether or not a map recognizes the

Hampton Place apartments, but said the exclusive issue for Public Safety is the

elimination of all possible areas of confusion between some place named Hampton

Place here and another place named Hampton Street, two to three miles away

across a major highway. He said they also have some public streets that they

are going to have to work out.



After more than thirty minutes of discussion on this subject, with several

members of the Council expressing their views on the matter, and Captain

Swinney responding to further questions of Mayor Peters and members of the

Council, this matter was concluded.



City Manager Cavezza said this ordinance does more than just clarifies

names, it also allows us to recognize private roads out there that we don?t

have on our system; not for maintenance or acceptance, but for identification.

He said it helps us to clarify a lot of things, and said they are willing to

work and work through this with anyone, but said we need to get this ordinance

on the books so that we can start making corrections now and as new streets

come into the system, we can make sure that we don?t have these kinds of

problems.

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



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



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RESOLUTION FOR MR. BUD RUFFNER:



Councilor McDaniel said that Mr. Bud Ruffner died this week and said he

would like for City Attorney Fay to prepare a resolution expressing the

Council?s condolences in his death, and list it on the Agenda in two weeks.



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YOUTH SPORTS:



Councilor Henderson said it has been our custom to recognize youth sports

teams when they obtain a State championship and said he knows that there are a

few that have done that, and said he would like for the City Attorney to

prepare a resolution congratulating the Northern Little League Boys 9-10 year

olds and list it on the Agenda in two weeks. He said Councilor Allen would like

to co-sponsor that resolution with him.

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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

MANAGER CAVEZZA AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (448-02) - Authorizing the City Manager to execute an

amended lease agreement for professional hockey at the Columbus Civic Center

with an initial term ending on September 30, 2005.



Councilors Suber and Allen asked permission to abstain from voting on this

resolution. Mayor Peters then asked if we need to state the reason on the

record, to which City Attorney Fay said list financial interest; whether its

direct or indirect.



Councilor Allen said due to the new ethics law the State passed, it could

be considered a violation, since they both work for AFLAC and one of the owners

is an AFLAC board member.



Councilor Henderson then made a motion that Councilors Allen and Suber be

allowed to abstain. Seconded by Councilor Smith and carried unanimously.



Councilor Henderson then moved the resolution be adopted. Seconded by

Councilor Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those seven members of

Council, with Councilors Allen and Suber abstaining.



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A Resolution (449-02) - Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Quit

Claim Deed for 2.59 acres of right-of-way located along Whittlesey Boulevard

and noted as Parcels 1, 2 and 3 on a plat entitled right-of-way abandonment,

Columbus Park Crossing, which is hereby declared surplus in exchange for 3.94

acres of right of way along the newly constructed Adams Farm Drive and

Whittlesey Boulevard. Councilor McDaniel moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor Smith and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



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A Resolution (450-02) - Authorizing the Finance Director to issue payment

in the amount of $11,064.57 from the Pension Fund to the Employee? Retirement

System (ERS) of Georgia, on behalf of Ozella K. Smith, to establish credit

under ERS for the period of time that she participated in the Columbus, Georgia

Employees? Pension Plan. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING ELEVEN PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS HAVING BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE

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

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

MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR TURNER PUGH, WHICH

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:



A Resolution (451-02) - Authorizing a service contract for fire

extinguishers on an ?as needed? basis from Columbus Fire & Safety Equipment,

Inc., for the estimated annual contract value of $30,000.00.



A Resolution (452-02) - Authorizing the City Manager to purchase a

software maintenance agreement from the Motorola Corporation, in the amount of

$47,862.00.



A Resolution (453-02) - Authorizing the City Manager to purchase an

equipment maintenance agreement to cover fifty-four Motorola MW-520 computers

from the Motorola Corporation, in the amount of $9,720.00.



A Resolution (454-02) - Authorizing the City Manager to purchase a

maintenance agreement from the Motorola Corporation, in the amount of

$15,577.92 for the mobile data system hardware and infrastructure.



A Resolution (455-02) - Authorizing the procurement of fiber optic

services from Bellsouth.



A Resolution (456-02) - Authorizing a contract with E. J. Knight, for the

removal, recycling/refuse, scrap metal, bulky items and similar material from

the Columbus Landfill, at a rate of $11.51 per ton.



A Resolution (457-02) - Authorizing payment to Dataworks Plus, LLC., in

the amount of $12,191.00, for an annual maintenance agreement for the Mug Shot

System.



A Resolution (458-02) - Authorizing payment to Daktronics, Inc., in the

amount of $15,100, for an annual service agreement (July 2002 ? June 2003) for

various scoreboards and marquees at South Commons.



A Resolution (459-02) - Authorizing the purchase of five (5) additional

refuse truck cab and chassis from Beck Motor Company, in the amount of

$413,750.00 ($82,750.00 each) and five (5) twenty-five yard rear-loading refuse

bodies from Consolidated Disposal System, in the amount of $186,500.00

($37,300.00 each).



A Resolution (460-02) - Authorizing payment for 2002 ? 2003 membership

dues to the Georgia Municipal Association, in the amount of $30,995.49.



A Resolution (461-02) - Authorizing the purchase of a card swipe access

control system from Command Systems, Inc., in the amount of $18,816.00.



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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE AGENDA, AT THE REQUEST OF CITY MANAGER

CAVEZZA:





A Resolution - Authorizing the purchase of four (4) theatrical motor

hoists from Command Audio Visual services, in the amount of $19,950.00.



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ASA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:



City Manager Cavezza said last night was the opening ceremony for the ASA

National Championship girls fast pitch tournament. He said the games are going

to start this morning at 10:00 a.m., and said there are 104 teams, with

approximately 1500 players.



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MAYOR?S INTERNATIONAL GALA:



City Manager Cavezza also reminded everyone of the Mayor?s International

Gala, which is going to be held on Saturday, August 10, 2002, beginning with a

Reception at 6:00 p.m. He said the International Festival is going to be on

Sunday, August 11, 2002 at the Civic Center, from

2:00 - 7:00 p.m.



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COMMUNITY MEETING ? COLUMBUS SQUARE MALL SITE:



City Manager Cavezza also mentioned the community meeting on the Columbus

Square Mall site, which will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.,

at Rigdon Road Elementary School.



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STOP SIGN:



Councilor Woodson asked City Manager Cavezza to have someone from

Engineering to go out and study the area of 27th Street @ 15th Avenue to see if

a stop sign is warranted for this intersection.



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FOUR-WAY STOP SIGN:



Councilor Woodson said she would also like to have someone to go out and

do a study of Howe Avenue between Blan Street and Avondale Drive; and the area

around Luckie Street to determine whether of not a four-way stop sign is needed

there.

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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) ACCG?s The County Line Newsletter, Volume 15, Number 5.



(2) Notice of the ACCG Fall Policy Committee Day, September 5, 2002,

in Perry, Georgia.



(3) Notice of the NLC 79th Congress of Cities & Exposition, December 3 -

7, 2002, in Salt Lake City, Utah.



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THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK

OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:



Application of Rev. J. H. Flakes, Jr. for a temporary street closure of

5th Street between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, on August 10, 2002, from 1:30

p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in connection with a ?Community Church Carnival.?



Application of Rev. Virgil Marshall for a temporary street closure of 8th

Street from Illges Road to 33rd Avenue, 32nd Avenue at 8th Street, on August

17, 2002, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., in connection with a ?Church Block Party

and Annual Picnic.?



Councilor Henderson moved the approval of these two applications. Seconded

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

Council present for this 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, Numbers 27 & 28.

Budget Review Committee, May 28, 2002.

Building Contractors Examining Board, July 4, 2002.

Community Service Board MH/MR/SA, July 8, 2002.

Council Briefing, April 16, 2002.

Employees? Pension Plan, Board of Trustees, May 1, 2002.

Golf Course Authority, June 25, 2002.

Health, Board of, June 26, 2002.

Historic & Architectural Review, June 10, 2002.

Housing Authority, June 17, 2002.

Taxicab Commission, June 5, 2002.

Uptown Fa?ade Board, June 17, 2002.



Councilor Turner Pugh made a motion that these minutes be received.

Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those eight

members of Council present at the time, with Councilor Suber being absent for

this vote.



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THE FOLLOWING THREE NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY

CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND ORDINANCES WERE CALLED FOR BY COUNCILOR

MCDANIEL:





Petition submitted by the Planning Division to rezone properties located

at 1528, 1529, 1531, 1532, 1535, 1536, 1539 and 1540 Ridge Creek Way; and 1021,

1022, 1023, 1024 and 1025 Timber Creek Way from a C-2 District to a R-1A

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

and the Planning Division.) (43-A-02-Planning Div.)



Petition submitted by Rodney Milner to rezone approximately 0.92 acres of

property located at 2501 Old Whittlesey Road from a M-1 District to C-3

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

Commission and the Planning Division.) (44-CA-02-Milner)



Petition submitted by Stephanie Crosse to amend Condition #2 of Ordinance

97-6 to allow an additional curb-cut (right-in/right-out only) on Whitesville

Road. (Recommended for denial by both the Planning Advisory Commission and the

Planning Division.) (45-D-02-Crosse)



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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Clerk of Council Washington again pointed out that we still need a nominee

for someone to succeed Mr. Homer Kuhl on the Community Development Advisory

Council, as he cannot succeed himself. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers advised that he

does not have a nominee at this time. He then asked if the rules state that the

incumbent would continue to serve until his successor is named and appointed,

to which Clerk of Council Washington stated that is correct.



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TAXICAB COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the Council still needs to

nominate someone for the new at-large seat that was approved by the Council on

last month. There were no nominations made.



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PROPERTY CITED ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS:



Councilor Woodson asked if a person owns a piece of property and is cited

numerous times for environmental issues, are there any State laws where we can

condemn that home? She said there is a home that we have been dealing with for

several years now that it has not been cleaned up yet.



She said she wanted to see if there is something in the laws that we can

do. She said she has given the address to the City Manager?s office, and then

asked City Attorney Fay to coordinate with them. She asked that he do some

research and see if there are any State laws on the books, which would allow us

to condemn property that has been cited numerous times for environmental

issues.



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COUNCIL DISTRICTS MAPS:



Councilor Allen said in Sunday?s newspaper, the Columbus Ledger, in their

attempt to educate the citizens on the upcoming elections and the new district

lines, they had an article, identifying the Congressional lines, the new lines

for redistricting; but said they did omit about 90% of Council District Six,

the little panhandle that sits out there. He said he e-mailed them on yesterday

and they were very responsive and they appreciated him bringing it to their

attention. He said the population of this Council District is 27,529, which is

the largest Council District by population and by land mast. He said the voting

population is 15,293 with 11,079 active voters and is the second largest voting

district in the City.



He said on behalf of the constituents that he represents, they did not get

educated on Sunday, because their section of the City was drawn out, but said

the Ledger has agreed that they would revisit that between now and August 20th

and November; however, he just wanted to bring it to the attention of the City

Manager.



Councilor Allen said he talked with the Board of Elections & Registration

on yesterday and said they had their information correct, and said he thinks

someone from the Ledger was relying on the State?s website, which is not

updated as currently as our system here locally.



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VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS:



Councilor Turner Pugh said it is her understanding that they are supposed

to be sending out new voter registration cards to all voters. She said she

knows that they were waiting on the last possible date to register, which was

the 22nd of July, but said it was her understanding that once all the

registrations were in, after a certain period of time, they would send out

those news cards; because some of the voting districts changed, as well as the

sites changed.



She then asked City Manager Cavezza to check with the Board of Elections &

Registrations, to see when are the new voter registration cards going to be

sent out.



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NEW VOTING EQUIPMENT:



Councilor Turner Pugh said even though they are starting to do the

training on the new voting equipment, we would not be using it until November;

so that people are not confused when they go in the booths to vote, they will

not be using the new equipment until the November election.



Councilor Woodson said she thinks that we need to put something on CCG-TV

or in the newspaper, because as they are showing people the new system on how

to vote, people are getting confused and somewhat afraid. She requested that we

put something out there, so there won?t be any confusion in this regard.



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Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then asked if there was anyone who was not listed on

the Agenda, but had an issue to come before this Council, they could be heard

at this time, but there were none.



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RECOGNITION OF MRS. JO MCDANIEL:



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers again recognized the presence of Mrs. Jo McDaniel in

the Council Chambers. He again thanked Councilor & Mrs. McDaniel, for the nice

gift that was given to the Council.



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

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

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

with the time being 10:28 A.M.



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Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia