Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

WORK SESSION

JULY 22, 2003





The regular monthly Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was

called to order at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 22, 2003, in the Council Chambers

Conference Room, Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Robert S.

Poydasheff, Mayor, presiding.



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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Poydasheff was Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers

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

Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., Evelyn Turner Pugh, Nathan

Suber and Evelyn Woodson. City Manager Carmen Cavezza, City Attorney Clifton

Fay, and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also present.



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ABSENT: Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington was absent.



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INVOCATION: Led by Rev. Darrell Price- Rosehill Baptist Church.



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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Poydasheff.

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KIRYU SUMMER LANGUAGE PROGRAM JAPAN



Mayor Poydasheff recognized the presence of Dr. Anita Green with Columbus

State University.



Dr. Anita Green, came forward to introduce the 2003 Participants in the

CSU/Kiryu Summer Language Program. She said that the City of Columbus is

fortunate to have visitors from our sister city every year to study and improve

their English; they also learn about our culture. She pointed out that we have

activities planned that are directly related to the City and our culture. She

introduced Ms. Sandy White, her assistant that is helping her in coordinating

this program. She also introduced Mr. Esau Taukay, who is the chaperone of the

program and the Office Manager of the Kiryu International Exchange

Association. She then introduced each individual that was present with her

from Kiryu, Japan.



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CONSENT AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY

FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL UPON THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY

MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR ALLEN, WHICH CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FORTHIS

MEETING:





An Ordinance (03-59) - Amending Columbus Code Section 2-17 by providing

that an Environmental Court Docket shall be heard at both a morning and

afternoon session on the first Wednesday of each month and shall be heard at

both a morning and afternoon session on the third Wednesday of each month in

the Recorder?s Court.



An Ordinance (03-60) - Regulating vehicular traffic in Columbus, Georgia

by establishing parking restrictions within Weracoba Park; defining public

parking spaces; designating areas where parking is prohibited; designating

areas that vehicular access is restricted to service vehicles of the Columbus

Consolidated Government; authorizing the installation of official traffic

control signs designating applicable restrictions; repealing any conflicting

ordinances and for other purposes.



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THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL

UPON THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED

BY COUNCILOR ALLEN, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:



A Resolution (358-03) - Authorizing a request to accept a deed to

Turnberry Lane and Wailea Court located in Section ?L? ? Phase II, Maple Ridge

Golf Community.



A Resolution (359-03) - Excusing Councilor Gary Allen from the July 15,

2003 Council Meeting.



A Resolution (360-03) - Excusing Councilor Charles McDaniel from the July

15, 2003 Council Meeting.



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MINUTES: Minutes of the July 15, 2003 meeting of the Council of the

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were submitted and approved upon

the adoption of a motion made by Councilor Woodson and seconded by Councilor

Allen which carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for

this meeting.

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THE FOLLOWING THREE NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND AN ORDINANCE

AND PUBLIC HEARING WERE CALLED FOR BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS:



Petition submitted by Joe Denson to rezone approximately 1.1 acres of

property located at 5114 and 5124 Buena Vista Road from a C-3 District to a

R-1A District. (Recommended for approval by both the Planning Advisory

Commission and the Planning Division.) (18-A-03-Joe Denson)



Petition submitted by Charles Calhoun, MD to rezone approximately 0.30

acre of property located at 4008 Willis Road from a R-1A District to an A-O

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

Commission and the Planning Division.) (20-CA-03-Charles Calhoun, MD)



Petition submitted by Alan Rothschild, Jr., to rezone approximately 1.96

acres of property located at 3603 Weems Road from a R-1 District to an A-O

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

and the Planning Division.) (19-A-Alan Rothschild, Jr.)



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WORKSESSION:



COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY- DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN:



Dr. Frank Brown, President of Columbus State University, came forward to

provide an overview of the plans that Columbus State University has for the

Uptown Performing Arts Campus. He pointed out that the River Center for the

Performing Arts is the home of the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State

University, and that facility has made a tremendous difference for our academic

program and for the ability for Columbus State University to touch the arts and

cultural enhancement in our community. He advised that our plans now are to

enlarge that campus with property in the immediate vicinity by bring the

Department of Art and the Department of Theater to the Uptown area with

facilities being provided by private funding. Using a power point

presentation, he provided an explanation of the area to be developed and some

of the rationale for this particular site being chosen. He also named those

individuals that are present with him today and are as follows: Mr. Lon

Marlowe, Mr. John Lester and Mr. Tom Hilton. He provided an aerial view of the

Uptown Columbus area from the 1880?s. He described the potential site for

development by displaying a view of Dillingham Street being separated on one

side by One Arsenal Place from Pillowtex Warehouse on the other side. He said

that it is those two structures that would form the basis for our Uptown

development. He briefly reviewed the streetscapes that were developed by the

City?s architects and also one by the Bradley Company?s architect in

conjunction with the building they are constructing on Bay Avenue. He

projected classrooms for students and office with students flowing out into the

courtyard between classes, having outdoor performances of all types and using

One Arsenal Place for the educational process for art and theater. He

projected the inside of Pillowtex to have the environment of art galleries,

workshops, sculpture studios and places for work and education in all phases of

the arts. He said the architects envision Pillowtex as being the entryway into

the campus and as a corridor to transport people through the building to a

theater for performances. He said that we envision a lot of green space in this

area. He stated we would like to gain some green space from what is now

asphalt on Bay Avenue, with some consent and partnership from the City of

Columbus, we would look at ways to incorporate this into the campus plan. He

pointed out that water features play a very important role in the campus by

drawing people to the facility and enhancing the experience. He advised that

the architects have also drawn the Dillingham Street Bridge into the designs by

forecasting a way to illuminate it in some ways to really show off the

structure. He summed up the project by pointing out the campus from the

parking deck through Pillowtex to a theater with One Arsenal being performance,

office, classroom and student housing space. He advised that this is a true

campus space combined with the River Center. He envisioned this as a setting

and environment, which would attract tourist by the thousands. He stated that

Columbus State University wants to be a partner in moving Columbus forward.



City Manager Cavezza advised this is the debut of this plan and has not

been revealed publicly before. He said that currently there are approximately

350 - 400 students downtown going to class with about 110 of them living in

loft apartments and the number will increase to about 1,000 students with

approximately 210 in loft apartments.



Councilor Woodson asked Dr. Brown to meet with some of the merchants and

residents to make them aware of this proposal. She said this would allow them

the opportunity to ask questions about the development.



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JAPANESE DELEGATION:



Mayor Poydasheff said that he failed to recognize the spokesman for the

Japanese Delegation. He then recognized Ms. Green once again.



Ms. Green came forward to introduce Mr. Taukay and to allow him to say a

few words, because he is staying in the Rankins with the other participants in

the program. She added this is a Columbus State University facility and the

participants are pleased with their accommodations.



Mr. Esau Taukay, the chaperone of the program and the Office Manager of

the Kiryu International Exchange Association came forward to read from his

prepared statement, which expressed his sentiments of appreciation for the warm

hospitality that has been bestowed upon the participants from Kiryu, Japan. He

then presented Mayor Poydasheff with a letter from the Mayor of Kiryu and a

gift.



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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS - STATUS:



Ms. Rebecca Hardin, from the Chamber of Commerce, came forward to

complement Mayor Poydasheff, who was able to speak fluently with individuals of

different international backgrounds. She said it is a pleasure to have a Mayor

who is diverse and able to speak seven different languages.



She advised that when Mr. Bob Gilson, from the Development Authority,

spoke to the members of Council during a session, he explained at that time,

that we have a three-fold focus for the economic development this year and are

as follows:



~ Developing property- Fall line business center on Highway 80 and

Muscogee Technology Park



~ Effective marketing



~ Close the deals



She then gave a brief update on the projects and are listed as follows:



~ Opening of the first company in the Muscogee Technology Park- Lithokrome.



~ Six company expansions and three announced projects



~ 26 active projects



~ Working with seven existing companies to expand



~ 4 Projects in the Enterprise Zone



~ Average of approximately 4 prospect visits per month- some are international

prospects.



~ Finalizing the master plan of the fall line business center



~ Muscogee Technology Park is on track for the development of the eastern

connector to be completed in 2004



~ Working with the State to bring in developers and consultants throughout the

United States for ?Developer?s Day?



~ Receiving State funds for the Technology Base Incubator



She advised that the Technology Base Incubator is being built on the

Columbus State University Campus. She said that Georgia Tech, the partner in

this initiative, has hired a director of the Columbus Regional Technology

Center. She then introduced Mr. Blair Carnehan. She advised that Mr. Carnehan

would begin recruiting entrepreneur start up technology companies for this

incubator system.



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COLUMBUS SPORTS & EVENTS COUNCIL:



Mayor Poydasheff complimented Ms. Janice Davis for all of the hard work

that was done for the Special Olympics Bowling event.



Ms. Janice Davis, Director of the Columbus Sports & Events Council, came

forward to provide an update on the Sports & Events Council. She pointed out

that we still have the contract for the NFCA Lead-Off Classic for another three

years, which is in February. She recalls that last year for the ASA Nationals,

we brought in 103 teams. She continued to outline various events that the

Columbus Sports & Events Council facilitated in bringing to Columbus and are

listed as follows:



~ Senior Softball

~ Georgia Police & Fire Games

~ Special Olympics Bowling



Recent and Upcoming Events:



~ High School All By-City Athletes

~ Columbus InMotion



Economic Impact:



~ Columbus 1996 Olympics - $25 million; since then approximately $9 million



She advised that we attend the National Governing Body Annual Conference to

exhibit and promote the City of Columbus. She pointed out that there is a

process that is involved with this, because in order to get the NFCA, our bid

fee is $7,500. in addition to 80% of the gate fee; along with other expenses

that come along with that.



She said that our key strengths and partnerships and are as follows:



~The Green Shirts (volunteers)

~Partnerships with the Parks and Recreation and Convention and Visitors Bureau

~Corporate Sponsors



Ms. Davis mentioned that we need to look at whether we want the spectator

events or do we want the participant events. She explained the spectator event

is like the SEC and the ASA is an example of the participant event. She also

recalled the loss of the SEC and the NCAA. Mayor Poydasheff asked if it was

possible to go back and make pitches to get the basketball tournament back,

because one of the issues was good hotel rooms and we are moving forward in

this concept with the Wyndham beefing up and the building of a posh Hilton.

Ms. Davis replied that we could go back and speak to them, but one of the other

things now is that the seating size has increased, but we would be eligible to

do one of the Regionals.



She went over the challenges that we are facing and are listed as follows:



` Limited Staff

` Bringing more events to town

` Competition

` Financial aspect

` Media marketing







Ms. Davis provided a breakdown of the budget as follows:



` .65% of the Hotel/Motel Tax that totals annually $60,000.00

` Income from some of the events

` Corporate Sponsors

` Trust Account (This account was set up during the Olympics)

` Annual Budget this year $348,000. to make everything happen



In conclusion, she said that we envision growing the Sports and Events

Council Board. She added that we are looking at bringing all of the amateur

sports people together for a meeting to make sure that we don?t have two pieces

of sports business in the town, where we are in competition for hotel rooms.

She said we would also like to expand by getting involved into other sports.



At this time, Ms. Davis responded to various questions from the members of

Council.



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COUNCIL CHAMBERS RENOVATIONS/CCG-TV:



Mr. Greg Hudgison, CCG-TV Manager, came forward to provide information

regarding the renovations to the Council Chambers and are as follows:



Phase I:



~ Monitors to view presentations for the Council and audience to view



He pointed out that there would be a Visual Presenter to allow the

capability to show maps, diagrams, etc. He stated that when there is not a

presentation being done, the monitor would display where we are on the agenda.



~ Use of robotic cameras



He explained that once the signal leaves from the Council Chambers and

moves upstairs to the control room, we would be able to add the name of the

person speaking and some information on what is being discussed at the same

time.



Phases II & III:



~ In-house editing System and Studio on the 3rd Floor



He said that the studio would allow the City to do its own regular

programming. He advised that currently we are depending on other sources to

supply us with programming.



~ Rewiring of the video and audio system



He explained that he is working with Mr. Charles Tate, Director of

Information Technology, to allow those individuals from the Media to bring in

laptops to be able to write their stories and send them from the Council

Chambers.



Mr. Hudgison also responded to questions regarding the lighting system in

the Council Chambers.



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COLUMBUS CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT PAY PHONES:



City Manager Cavezza advised that on the pay phones, about 5% of the calls

or 459 calls were dialed on the Columbus Consolidated Government pay phones.

He advised that 17 of them or 49% are actually in government buildings. He

pointed out we are going to replace those with courtesy phones; therefore,

people would be able to use those for the same purpose. He said that 18 of

them are within short distances of private phones (service stations, convenient

stores, etc.) and they would be in place before the other phones are removed.



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TREE REMOVAL ? CUT/BLOWN DOWN:



City Manager Cavezza provided a breakdown of various cost analysis for

tree removal and are listed as follows:



Cost for removal of all trees, limbs, etc.



~ Personnel - $165,000. (Salary + Benefits)

~ Equipment - $344,000.

~ Maintenance - $39,000.



Total Start Up Cost - $548,000.



After initial start cost - $210,000. per year with a 3% annual cost increase



City Manager Cavezza stated after contacting the local tree trimmers, they

cut down approximately 8,000 trees a year, which means that the City could

possibly start picking up about 8,000 trees per year. He said that if the City

increased the cost of the garbage fee from $14.00 to $15.00 a month, which

would bring into the City an additional $600,000. a year, which would cover the

start up cost. He pointed out that all indications are that the State is not

going to be granting anymore landfill permits, which means that the City would

have to go to composting and this would incur additional cost.



He explained that we could continue enforcing the current policy,

which states that unless the Mayor declares a State of an Emergency because of

a storm; then, the City does not pick up trees that come down on private

property. He added that if a person cuts down a tree on private property, the

City does not pick up the limbs or any piece of that tree, and that individual

is required to hire a private person to pick it up. He then outlined three

options for consideration along with the associated cost for each and are

listed below:



Option I: Continuance of current policy ? Consistent with the current

$14.00 per month



Option II: Removal of all limbs six inches in diameter or smaller ? Start

up cost - $374,000. and subsequent cost - $160,000; this would equate to

increasing the garbage fee from $14.00 to $14.75



Option III: Remove all trees and limbs ? Start up cost - $548,000. and

subsequent cost - $210,000; this would equate to increasing the garbage fee

from $14.00 to $15.00



City Manager Cavezza said that we have to remember that in 2005, the City

loses its sovereign immunity in the sense that the City has to have insurance

on all of our vehicles and equipment; this is another cost that would be

added. Mayor Poydasheff suggested picking up all of the trees and limbs.



Several members of Council expressed their views and suggestions on this

matter. The following considerations were made as a result of this discussion:



The City would pick up trees and limbs, if the citizen would cut them up

to a particular size. (Councilor Henderson)



A voucher system that allows for one voucher per year for the citizens in

the community to use for severe weather. (Councilor Allen)



A user fee for citizens, who have a number of trees on their lots, to pay

approximately $20.00 for a sticker to be placed on the mailbox; therefore, if

that citizen trims or cut trees down to be picked up, the City would know to

pick them up. (Councilor Henderson)



Redefine what we are going to pick up to a limited degree for a certain

diameter amount similar to the six inches in diameter that is in the current

ordinance (Councilor Allen)



Require some type of notification from the citizens before the tree is cut

down on their property, if that individual wants the City to pick it up.

(Councilor Turner Pugh)



Check into the market for the large tree trunks to be able to sell those

to create revenue. (Councilor Anthony)



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Note: Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers left during this part of the proceedings with the

time being 10:45 a.m.

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Some members of Council requested some additional information regarding

this matter and as a result of this discussion, the following referrals were

also made:



Councilor Anthony requested to be provided with a comparison of solid

waste collection fees of other cities and surrounding counties in Georgia.



Councilor Turner Pugh asked City Attorney Fay to research this matter to

see if the Council could draft legislation to require the citizens to provide

notification to the City of Columbus before an individual cuts down a tree on

their property.



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HOUSE ON PLANTATION ROAD:



Councilor Woodson asked City Manager Cavezza to have the staff to provide

a report on the status of the house at 3064 Plantation Road to be presented to

the South Columbus Concerned Citizens regarding this vacant property.



Councilor Woodson explained that there is some miscommunication going out

into the community and we need to clarify it by providing the information to

the South Columbus Concerned Citizens for them to publish in their newsletter.

She asked if there are some State laws that we could look at when an owner

causes so much hazard and problems that something could be done. City Manager

Cavezza said that we have an ordinance coming together where we are going to

notify people one time to get their property cut and cleaned up or the City

would do it, and continue cleaning it up from then on and bill the property

owner; this would alleviate the City from continuously sending that property

owner letters.



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SIDEWALKS:



Councilor Turner Pugh requested that the staff trim those trees where the

limbs are hanging over the sidewalks and blocking the citizens from being able

to use those sidewalks.



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POWER PLANT:



Councilor Davis expressed his concern regarding a meeting that was held

last night pertaining the power plant project. He requested that City Manager

Cavezza contact the State of Georgia to request a response to the questions

from the citizens of Columbus regarding the location of a power plant.



Councilor Allen said that citizens were concerned that they were not able

to contact the applicants by mail to respond to questions. He then requested

that City Manager Cavezza provide some communication to the State of Georgia

asking them to hold up any issuance of permits until a post office box or some

address has been established for the applicants.



There was continued discussion on this matter with various members of

Council expressing their concerns regarding the noise ordinance, as it would

pertain to the power plant.



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LUNCH AT THE VFW:



Mayor Poydasheff reminded everyone that the VFW, on Victory Drive, would

be open for lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.



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With there being no other business to come before this Work Session,

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

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

this meeting with Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers having already left the meeting with

the time being 11:15 a.m.



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Sandra T. Davis

Deputy Clerk of Council

Council of Columbus, Georgia