Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA







REGULAR SESSION

JANUARY 7, 2003



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

to order at 5:30 P.M., Tuesday, January 7, 2003, on the Plaza Level of the

Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Robert S. Poydasheff, Mayor.

presiding.



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

were Councilors R. Gary Allen, Wayne S. Anthony, Glenn Davis, Berry H.

Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., Nathan Suber, and

Evelyn Woodson. City Manager Carmen Cavezza, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk

of Council Tiny B. Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were

also present.



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ABSENT: Councilor Evelyn Turner Pugh was absent.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Dr. Rolesta Ellis- Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle of

Faith, Inc.



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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers.



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OFFICIAL OATH OF COUNCIL MEMBER, COLUMBUS, GEORGIA



STATE OF GEORGIA

MUSCOGEE COUNTY, GEORGIA



Honorable John D. Allen, Judge, Superior Court of Chattahoochee Judicial

Circuit, administered the following Oath of office to Councilor-elect Wayne S.

Anthony.



I, Wayne S. Anthony, do hereby swear (or affirm) that I will well, truly

and faithfully perform the duties of Council Member of Columbus, Georgia to the

best of my ability and that I will support and defend the Charter thereof as

well as the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia and of the United

States of America. I do further solemnly swear and affirm that I am not the

holder of any public money due this State unaccounted for; that I am not the

holder of any office of trust under the government of the United States nor of

either of the several states, or any foreign state, and that I am otherwise

qualified to hold said office, according to the Constitution of the

United States and laws of Georgia, and that I will support the Constitution of

the United States and of this state.



SO HELP ME GOD! /s/ Wayne

S. Anthony



Sworn to and subscribed before me,

this 7th day of January, 2003



/s/ John D.

Allen,

Superior

Court,



Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit



Mayor Poydasheff then recognized Councilor Anthony to introduce members of

his family. Councilor Anthony introduced his wife, Frances Sue Anthony, his

mother Ms. Lucille Anthony and his daughter, Pamela Anthony.



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ADDITIONAL OATHS OF OFFICE:



Honorable Kenneth B. Followill, Chief Judge, Superior Court of

Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, then administered the following Oaths of office

to Councilors Julius H. Hunter, Jr., John J. Rodgers, Nathan Suber and Evelyn

Woodson, who were re-elected to their respective Council seats.



OFFICIAL OATH OF COUNCIL MEMBER, COLUMBUS, GEORGIA



STATE OF GEORGIA

MUSCOGEE COUNTY, GEORGIA



I, (Collectively), do hereby swear (or affirm) that I will well, truly

and faithfully perform the duties of Council Member of Columbus, Georgia

to the best of my ability and that I will support and defend the Charter

thereof as well as the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia and of

the United States of America. I do further solemnly swear and affirm that I

am not the holder of any public money due this State unaccounted for; that I am

not the holder of any office of trust under the government of the United States

nor of either of the several states, or any foreign state, and that I am

otherwise qualified to hold said office, according to the Constitution of

the United States and laws of Georgia, and that I will support the Constitution

of the United States and of this state.





SO HELP ME GOD! /s/ Julius H.

Hunter, Jr.



John J. Rodgers



Nathan Suber



Evelyn Woodson



Sworn to and subscribed before me,

this 7th day of January, 2003





/s/

Kenneth B. Followill,



Superior Court,



Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit





All five of these executed oaths were filed with the Clerk of Council

immediately after Judges Allen & Followill signed them.



Councilor Hunter then recognized the presence of his wife Saundra Hunter,

and his daughter Maria Hunter and his father-in-law Mr. Rannie Lewis.



Mayor Poydasheff then introduced his wife Stacey Poydasheff and his

daughter, Kathy Ross, who celebrated her birthday on yesterday.

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O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N-A-L M-E-E-T-I-N-G





THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY

CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (1-03) - Electing a Mayor Pro Tem. Councilor Hunter nominated

John J. Rodgers as Mayor Pro Tem for a period of two years. Seconded by

Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



A Resolution (2-03) - Appointing Tiny B. Washington as the Clerk of

Council for Columbus, Georgia. Councilor Woodson nominated Tiny B. Washington.

Seconded by Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those nine members of

Council present for this meeting.



A Resolution (3-03) - Appointing Sandra Davis as Deputy Clerk of Council.

Councilor Woodson nominated Sandra Davis. Seconded by Councilor Hunter and

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

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ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS:



THE FOLLOWING ZONING 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 6930 Buena Vista Road from a

C-3 District to an R-1A District. (64-A-02-Blackmon)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



There was no one who appeared to speak for or against this proposed

rezoning ordinance.

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NOTE: SEE BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL ZONING PUBLIC HEARING.



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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



COLUMBUS RED STAR SOCCER CLUB:



Coach Sead Gruda said the players here this morning are the most

successful of the elite of the soccer players in Columbus and said they

represent the 1700 kids that play soccer here in Columbus. He said each of

these kids played on a team that won either our tournament that we held here in

December in Columbus in their age group or a tournament held in Clearwater,

Florida in November.



He said one of the reasons they have been successful is because of the

tremendous facility that we have at the Woodruff Farm Soccer Complex. He said

in the last year alone, they have had tournaments on six separate weekends,

ranging from 130 out of town teams here for a youth tournament to 16 teams for

a college tournament.



Coach Sead Gruda said the culmination of this program, is represented by

five

other gentlemen that he has with him this morning, who grew up in our soccer

program here in town and are now playing college soccer. William Walker, who

plays Division I Soccer at the College of the Holy Cross, in Massachusetts,

Jamal Baker, Defender for the College of the Holy Cross, Richard Wopal, Goal

keeper at the College of the Holy Cross, Brel Clark, II, Striker at the Atlanta

Christian College and Jeff Hicks, Defender for Berry College, in Rome, Georgia.



Coach Sead Gruda said the individual who is largely responsible for their

development is Coach Tony Frankovich.



Coach Tony Frankovich then appeared and thanked the Mayor and Council, as

well as the Recreation Department for all that they do at the Woodruff Farm

Soccer Complex. He said we have the best facility in the entire southeast



He said the Columbus Red Star Club and Columbus, Georgia is known not only

national, but international as well. He said our girls, U-17 on last year won a

tournament in Spain. He said their goal is to develop a team who will win a

world cup for us, which is the biggest sporting event in the world.



Coach Frankovich said they are trying to build a stadium and said as soon

as they get that stadium built, they will be bringing in SECC tournaments for

women here in Columbus. He then introduced his staff coach Scotter McCollough,

who was also present with him.



WITH SEVERAL OF THE TEAMS OF THE COLUMBUS REDSTAR SOCCER CLUB STANDING AT

THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING SEVEN RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR DAVIS AND THEN ADOPTED BY

THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR DAVIS

AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR HUNTER, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL STANDING TO CAST THEIR AFFIRMATIVE

VOTE:_____________________________________________________



A Resolution (4-03) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus Red Star

Soccer Clubs U-10 Gold Athena girls upon their outstanding play in the Red Star

Challenge soccer tournament.



A Resolution (5-03) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus Red Star

Soccer Clubs U-11 Gold boys upon their outstanding play in the Red Star

Challenge soccer tournament.



A Resolution (6-03) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus Red Star

Soccer Clubs U-12 Gold Athena girls upon their victory in the Red Star

Challenge and their trip to the finals in the Sugar and Spice soccer

tournament.



A Resolution (7-03) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus Red Star

Soccer Clubs U-13 Gold Athena girls upon their victory in the Clearwater Coca

Cola

Classic.



A Resolution (8-03) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus Red Star

Soccer Clubs U-15 Gold boys upon their outstanding performance in the Clearwater

Coca Cola Classic.



A Resolution (9-03) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus Red Star

Soccer Clubs U-15 Gold Athena upon their victory in the Clearwater Coca Cola

Classic.



A Resolution (10-03) - Commending and congratulating the Columbus Red Star

Soccer Clubs U-17 Gold boys upon their victory in the Clearwater Coca Cola

Classic.

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NOTE: THE CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA IS CONTINUED BELOW.



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PROCLAMATIONS:



?CRIME STOPPERS DAY?:



With Mr. Warren Dunlap, and several other individuals standing at the

Council table, Councilor Henderson read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff,

proclaiming January 7, 2003, as ?Crime Stoppers Day?, in Columbus, Georgia.



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?MLK PRIDE MONTH DRIVE?:



With Mr. Lonnie Jackson and Ms. Gloria Weston Smart standing at the

Council table, Councilor Hunter read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff,

proclaiming the month of January 6 - February 28, 2003, as ?MLK Pride Month

Drive, in Columbus, Georgia.



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?MILDRED L. TERRY LIBRARY 50th ANNIVERSARY YEAR?:



With Ms. Valerie Richardson, Dr. Alice Budge, and Ms. Claude Mullener

standing at the Council table, Councilor McDaniel read the proclamation of

Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming the year of 2003, as ?Mildred L. Terry Library

50th Anniversary Year?, in Columbus, Georgia.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA CONTINUED:



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WERE ALSO SUBMITTED BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: ____________________________



A Resolution (11-03) - Authorizing the execution, delivery and

performance of the Forward Delivery Bond Purchase Agreement in connection with

the issuance of up to $55,000.000 in aggregate principal amount of Water and

Sewerage Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2003, previously approved by the

Columbus Council on November 5, 2002. Councilor McDaniel moved its adoption.

Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously by those nine members

of Council present for this meeting.



A Resolution (12-03) - Expressing appreciation to Richard W. McKee upon

his

retirement with the Columbus Public Services Department after 19 years of

service.

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

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



A Resolution (13-03) - Expressing appreciation to Ray Evans upon his

retirement with the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department after 7 years of

service.

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

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



A Resolution (14-03) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Joe E.

Bridges, former employee with the Risk Management Division, who passed away on

October 30, 2002. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



A Resolution (15-03) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mrs. Ina

Ruth Early, former employee with the Columbus Police Department, who passed

away on November 23, 2002. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded

by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



Mayor Poydasheff said he would like to point out that Ray Evans has been

transferred to the Florence Hand Home, in LaGrange, Georgia and said that he

will begin Phase I of his rehabilitation. He said we ask that everyone would

continue to pray for Ray?s improvement. He said we, along, with the Columbus

Parks & Recreation Department appreciate all the cards and emails and the notes

of encouragements that have been sent.

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ZONING PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED:



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

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



An Ordinance - Rezoning property located at the NW portion of 2485 Elm

Drive

from an R-1A District to an A-0 District. (65-CA-02-Fog G&H, LLC.)



City Attorney Fay said this is related to a rezoning for the Walgreen?s

drugstore, which took place approximately one year ago.



PROPONENTS:



Mr. Gunter, the petitioner said the point of their request was to add the

landscape buffer strip in the drainage area that they bought from the Marchetti

parcel to the Walgreen?s parcel; thereby, simplifying the legal issue

surrounding the buffer and drainage area.



City Attorney Fay said there are three conditions that are in the

ordinance, which are outlined as follows:



(1) The property proposed for rezoning shall be replatted as part of

2472

Martha?s Loop,



(2) The remaining property at 2485 Elm Drive shall be deed restricted

to prohibit

subdivision of the remaining lot.



(3) The conditions set forth in Ordinance No. 02-10 shall also apply to

the

property being rezoned.





Mr. Gunter then responded to several questions of members of the Council.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he has worked through this, but said he still

knows that there are some concerns that have been voiced by some of the

neighbors, but said with respect to the actual rezoning, itself, the buffering

was actually done on R-1A property that was purchased next door, the Marchetti

property. He said what this does is effectively clean this up and make it one

lot, so there are no questions in the future, as to whose property it is and

who is responsible for the maintenance of it.



OPPONENTS:



Mr. Jack Cadena, 2452 Martha?s Loop said he is still in opposition of this

rezoning, because he feels like it is encroaching the A-O zoning another 125

feet into the R-1A zoned area, which was not in the original agreement. He said

the zoning area was supposed to stop at the buffer line. He said we are trying

to clean it up to make the developer responsible, when he is getting ready to

turn the responsibility over to Walgreen?s. He said Walgreen?s would then fall

into the area of having to maintain the creek basin and maintain the slope.



He said the other problem that he has is that you are rezoning right back

to his back door with 125 feet, which will be an A-O zone, and what that will

do, is that anyone buying this piece of property will then have a better

opportunity to come back in there, and ask the City to rezone that piece of

property for an A-O zone, because it will be cornered on two sides mostly by

A-O.



Mr. Cadena said he feels like we should stay with the original plan. He

said he doesn?t have a problem with who is going to take care of the creek

basin, because at this point, it is obvious that no one is.



He spoke for several minutes in expressing his opposition, saying he feels

that we are encroaching into the R-1A area and he feels like there is no reason

for it, but have been told it is for his protection. He said he would really

not desire to have that protection and have the A-O zone stop at Walgreen?s.



Discussion continued on this matter, with several members of the Council

expressing their views regarding this subject and Mr. Cadena expressing further

concerns as it relates to the flooding in and around Edgewood School and this

rezoning matter.



Mr. Paul Jones, 2954 Elm Drive said he lives directly next door to the

property that Walgreen?s has purchased, and said right now they are not keeping

the property up. He said he sees that it is going to be a problem in the

future, because they are going to put up a fence and either rent the property,

and his biggest concern is that they are going to put apartments next door.



He said all the debris from where they are doing the construction blows

into his yard, and said no one ever picks it up. He said on December 24th,

there was a light rain, and in his back yard, he videotaped it where water was

just flowing. He said what they are putting up here is like a Band-Aid, it?s

not doing any good.



Councilor Suber said as it relates to the flooding of the ball fields,

asked City Manager Cavezza if that is on City property or School System?s

property?



City Manager Cavezza said he doesn?t know the answer to that at this point,

but said Mr. Cadena alleges that there is a conflict there, and said this is

the first that he has heard of that, but said they will check into that on

tomorrow.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said that area down on Edgewood School is low and it

does flood all the time. He said there has been some repairs made to it, and he

is not saying that it hasn?t flooded in the past couple of years, but said the

issue at hand here, is that when that project is complete, ?there have been

some things done that could have been done differently during construction, but

said the neighbors have been assured that when this finished product is done,

that there will be according to the engineering standards, less velocity of

runoff going into that creek than when this started. He said they would not get

the certificate of occupancy until that is approved.



After more than forty-five minutes of discussion on this proposed rezoning

matter, with Mr. Gunter responding to further questions of the Council,

Councilor Suber said he would like to ask for a one-week delay on this matter.



Councilor Suber said if these people are dissatisfied, it concerns him

that we are trying to rush through this, and maybe we need to delay this matter

for one week. He said if these are additional issues that are being raised

now, then a one-week delay won?t hurt the process. He said the issue is that

you won?t get a certificate of occupancy until all the conditions are met.



Councilor Allen said he would like to know what of the 17 conditions have

not been met, to which Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said nothing that he is aware of.

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said as far as the 17 conditions in the ordinance,

they apply regardless of whether or not this is done; whether it remains R-1 or

it is rezoned to A-O. He said these 17 conditions of the original rezoning

apply to this project and must be satisfactorily completed before a certificate

of occupancy is issued.



City Manager Cavezza said this construction project is going to go on for

a long time, as it is not any where near completion. He said we are not

anywhere close to giving a certificate of occupancy at this point. He said this

rezoning issue for this particular draining area is a separate issue and it has

no bearing on the ultimate certificate of occupancy. He said delaying it a week

has no impact on a certificate of occupancy and said he is not sure of the

importance of the delay.



Councilor Suber said his biggest concern is that this was one of the main

areas that these people were concerned about, which was the water, and we were

assured that if we granted this particular rezoning, then the water situation

would be effectively changed. City Manager Cavezza said it will be.



After still further discussion on this matter, Councilor Suber then made a

motion for a one-week delay. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel, which resulted in

an inconclusive vote of 5 - 4. Voting for the motion was Councilors Suber,

Woodson, McDaniel, Davis and Hunter. Voting against the motion was Councilors

Henderson, Allen, Rodgers and Anthony.



City Attorney Fay then pointed out that this matter will be on second

reading on next week and will be voted on by the Council.

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



MR. TIM FARMER, RE: PROPERTY TAX PENALTY:



Mr. Tim Farmer, 7500-6 Aspen Grove Road, appeared and said he has made a

request of the Council to have a refund made for a 10% penalty on his real

estate taxes. He said the Tax Commissioner?s office stated that they received

the check for payment on his taxes post-marked December 4th. He said he met

with Ms. Huff and explained to her that he had put the real estate tax payment

for the second half of his taxes in the mail around Thanksgiving.



He said he asked Ms. Huff to please go back and check his tax record, and

stated that her memorandum states that as far back as 1977, that his taxes has

been paid timely. He said he had asked them to go back until 1979, which is the

first time that he owned property in Muscogee County, and said she would have

found that his taxes have never been made late.



Mr. Farmer said he doesn?t have an explanation as to why the letter was

postmarked December 4th, when in fact it had been mailed prior to that. He said

if at all possible, he would ask that the 10% penalty, which he has already

paid, be refunded to him.



Councilor Suber said in reading the Tax Commissioner?s statement, he would

move that we deny Mr. Farmer?s request. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers.



In response to a question of Councilor Henderson, City Attorney Fay said

before the Council grants a waiver, the Tax Commissioner is suppose to

reasonably determine that the default giving rise to the penalty or interest

was due to reasonable cause and not due to gross or willful neglect, or

disregard of the law.



City Attorney Fay said in Ms. Huff?s memorandum, she is saying that it

doesn?t appear to be a willful case, but she doesn?t find the requisite

reasonable cause to approve of the waiver.

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said the tax bills all go out to everyone at the

same time and 30 days are granted to give the payee time to get the taxes to

the Tax Commissioner?s office and said if we wait until the last minute, we

take the chance of not getting them in on time.



After some ten minutes of discussion on this matter, the question was then

called on Councilor Suber?s motion to deny the request, which carried by a vote

of seven to two, with Councilors Davis and McDaniel voting no and all other

seven Council members present for this meeting voting yes.

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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILOR SUBER, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS CALLED UP

AS THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:



A Resolution (16-03) - Approving a Special Exception Use to allow an

addition

to a church at 1002 6th Avenue. Councilor Suber moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.

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NOTE: THE CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA IS CONTINUED BELOW.



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CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING FIVE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

MANAGER CAVEZZA AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (17-03) - Approving the Holiday Schedule for FY-2004 Budget.

Councilor McDaniel moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried

unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the time, with

Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.



A Resolution (18-03) -Authorizing the execution of a warranty deed by the

Columbus Consolidated Government of Muscogee County, Georgia to the Columbus

Consolidated Government of Muscogee County, Georgia for the acquisition of 90

plus or minus acres at Cusseta Road. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its adoption.

Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those eight members of

Council present at the time, with Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.



A Resolution (19-03) - Amending Resolution Number 94-02 to correct the

address on the original quitclaim deed transferring property to the State of

Georgia for the development of the Youth Development Campus. Councilor Suber

moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by

those eight members of Council present at the time, with Councilor Woodson

being absent for this vote.



A Resolution (20-03) - Authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract for the

acquisition of right-of-way, Georgia, Muscogee County for road improvement on

St. Mary?s Road from Buena Vista Road to Robin Lane, Project No. STP-8038(7).

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the time, with

Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.



A Resolution (21-03) - Authorizing the Mayor to execute a City

Right-of-Way Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation relating

to Georgetown Drive/Amber Drive, Project No. PR-8531(215). Mayor Pro Tem

Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried

unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the time, with

Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.





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THE FOLLOWING FIVE PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS, WITH DETAILED INFORMATION

HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED WITH THE CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA PACKET, WERE ALSO

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 MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE EIGHT

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT AT THE TIME, WITH COUNCILOR WOODSON BEING ABSENT FOR

THIS VOTE:

A Resolution (22-03) - Authorizing the purchase of LGFS/GHRS software

support services for a 12-month period, beginning January 1, 2003 from American

Management Systems, Inc., in the amount of $190,162.00.



A Resolution (23-03) - Authorizing the procurement of a service contract

for HVAC controls repairs/replacement from System Services for the estimated

annual contract value of $10,000.00.



A Resolution (24-03) - Authorizing the purchase of batteries for portable

radios on an ?as needed basis? from Motorola, Inc., for the estimated contract

value of $60,000.00; and rescind Resolution Number 245-02, which awarded the

contract to Battery Zone, Inc.



A Resolution (25-03) - Authorizing a maintenance contract for the fountain

at

Heritage Park from Ace Plumbing Company, Inc., for the annual contract value of

$21,000.00.



A Resolution (26-03) - Authorizing payment of $12,645.66 to the Elevator

Service Company, for the emergency replacement of cables on Elevator #1



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BATTERIES:



Councilor Henderson said he had asked City Manager Cavezza about one of

the purchase items and wanted to know if he had an opportunity to look into it.

City Manager Cavezza said the battery contract was awarded, but said the vendor

who received the contract was not performing, and they agreed to get out of it.

He said as we do with an RFP, we go to the second low bidder and we awarded

that to Motorola.



He said prior to the initial awarding of the batteries, there is a local

vendor, who did not bid on it; because he was not on the bid list for the

batteries. He said there was some confusion on that and when this came up

again, he raised the same concern and legitimately so; however, this is not a

new process. He said he is on the bidders list, but this is not a new bid, as

this is merely a follow through with the original bid, and its part of the

procedure to go to the next bidder, if one falls out.



In responding further to Councilor Henderson, City Manager Cavezza said

that is an administrative issue, and said if we bid out the batteries

separately, there is a separate list for batteries. He said we have addressed

this issue before.



Councilor Henderson said he knows that it has been addressed before and

has been corrected to this individual?s satisfaction. He said the reason it

came up again was because it was not a new RFP, but we went back to something

that we could have done better the first time.



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UPCOMING EVENTS:



City Manager Cavezza highlighted several upcoming events and important

dates for the Council to remember, which are outlined below:



Thursday, January 9th - Public Hearing on a Greenspace Program in the

Annex Conference Room, which is a requirement prior to us receiving our

Greenspace funds.



Monday, January 13th- 6:30 p.m., Final Comprehensive Plan Update for

District 12 & 13, South Columbus Senior Center.





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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



City Manager Cavezza requested an executive session after the adjournment

of tonight?s Council meeting to discuss a personnel issue. Mayor Pro Tem

Rodgers then so moved. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by

those nine members of Council present for this meeting.

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CLERK OF COUNCIL'S AGENDA CONTINUED:



THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS

INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR AND

COUNCIL:



(1) Notice of the 2003 NLC Annual Congressional City Conference,

March 7 ?11, 2003, in Washington, D. C.



(2) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Personnel Review

Board.



(3) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Board of Tax

Assessors.



(4) Biographical sketch of Mr. George Stanton, nominee submitted by the

School Board for an Educator?s position on the Tree Board.



(5) Biographical sketch of Mrs. Carlton Franklin, nominee submitted by

Councilor Suber for a new position on the Tree Board.



(6) Letter from Mr. Gregory Hoyt, Executive Director of Georgia

Department of Human Resources Division of Mental Health, requesting a

nomination for the position of Ms. Bennie Butler Newroth on the Region 9

MH/MR/SA Board.



(7) Letter from Mr. Burnie Quick, Re: Uptown Fa?ade Board.



***

*** ***



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:





A Resolution (27-03) - Approving the report of the Finance Director of

those

alcoholic beverage licenses that were approved and/or denied during the month

of November 2002. Councilor Henderson moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor

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

this meeting.



***

*** ***



REGION 9 MH/MR/SA BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington submitted a copy of an Appointment Form that

was submitted by Mr. Gregory Hoyt, Executive Director of Georgia Department of

Human Resources Division of Mental Health, requesting that Mrs. Barbara

Sheheane be reappointed to serve another term of office on the Region 9

MH/MR/SA Board. Councilor Allen so moved. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and

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



***

*** ***



MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARD WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE

COUNCIL:

Airport Commission, August 22, 2002.

Board of Tax Assessors, Number 48.

Community Development Advisory Council, September 17, 2002.

Council Briefing, December 17, 2002.

Community Service Board, November 18, 2002.

Employees? Pension Plan, Board of Trustees, October 2, 2002.

Family & Children Services, December 5, 2002.

Golf Course Authority, November 26, 2002.

Historic & Architectural Review Board, August 12, 2002.

Historic & Architectural Review Board, September 9, 2002.

Historic & Architectural Review Board, September 23, 2002.

Housing Authority, November 20, 2002.

Uptown Fa?ade Board, November 18, 2002.

Water Commissioners, Board of, October 7, 2002.

Water Commissioners, Board of, November 11, 2002.



Councilor Allen made a motion to receive these minutes. Seconded by

Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council

present for this meeting.



*** ***

***



THE FOLLOWING TWO NEW ZONING PETITIONS, RECOMMENDED FOR CONDITIONAL

APPROVAL BY BOTH THE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION AND THE PLANNING DIVISION

WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE WAS CALLED FOR

BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS:



Petition submitted by the Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia to

rezone

approximately 2.5 acres of property located on the west side of Talbotton Road

between 27th Street and Olive Street from an R-4 District to an A-O

District. (66-CA-02-Housing Authority)



Petition submitted by Harriet Liles to rezone approximately 0.73 acres of

property located at 3907 Willis Road from an R-1 District to an R-3A District.

(67-CA-02-Liles)

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

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

MINUTES: Minutes of the December 17, 2002 meeting of the Council of the

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, was submitted and approved

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

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

Allen.

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

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

BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington said we still need a nominee for someone to

succeed Ms. Jasmine Houston and Mr. Jim White, whose seats on the Civic Center

Advisory Board were declared vacant.



Councilor Henderson then nominated Mr. Robert Anderson to succeed Mr. Jim

White. Clerk of Council Washington then advised that we would bring this back

on next week for confirmation.





*** *** ***



HOSPITAL AUTHORITY:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we still need two additional

nominees for someone to succeed Ms. Ola Mae Washington on the Hospital

Authority. There were no nominations.





*** *** ***



KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that on last week, Ms. Patricia

Cardin was nominated to succeed Ms. Liliana McDaniel and Ms. Linda McLemore was

nominated to succeed Ms. Audrey Hollingsworth who has both resigned from the

Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission, and said they may now be confirmed.



Councilor Henderson then moved they be confirmed. Seconded by Councilor

Suber and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this

meeting.





*** *** ***



MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL AUTHORITY:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we still need two additional

nominees for Mr. Kenneth Crooks and Dr. Kenneth Goldman?s position on the

Medical Center Hospital Authority, from which the authority will select

someone.





*** *** ***



RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that at the December 17th meeting

that Mr. Jim Webster was nominated to succeed himself for another term of

office, and that Mrs. Brenda Dozier was nominated to succeed Mr. Eddie Obleton

as the School Board?s representative, and that they may now both be confirmed.



Councilor Suber moved they be confirmed. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and

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





*** *** ***



UPTOWN FA?ADE BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Bernie Quick has

submitted three recommendations from Uptown Columbus, Inc., for someone to fill

the seat of Mrs. Sally Rowe, as well as his seat, which expired back in

November. The three nominees are Mr. Fred Greene, Ms. Patricia Love and Mr.

Mark Renner.



Councilor Henderson nominated Mr. Fred Green for Mr. Quick?s position and

Councilor Suber nominated Ms. Patricia Love for Mrs. Sally Rowe?s position.

Clerk of Council Washington said she would bring this back on next week for the

Council?s confirmation.



***

*** ***



RECORDER?S COURT JUDGES REAPPOINTMENT:



Councilor McDaniel asked Clerk of Council Washington if we were supposed

to reappoint the Recorder?s Court Judges on tonight, to which Clerk of Council

Washington said that was delayed for one week, and it will be on the Agenda for

a vote on next week.



***

*** ***



SKATEBOARD PARK:



Councilor Woodson said she received a telephone call from an individual

who wants to serve on a committee to do the skateboard park, and asked if there

is going to be a committee established. City Manager Cavezza said the Youth

Advisory Committee is working on that project, but said if she provides the

name to them, they will give the individual a call.



Councilor Woodson said there is some rumor around the City that we are

putting a committee together, and then asked that they contact this individual

who is interested in this subject.



Councilor Davis said we have some professionals right here in our community

that operate a skateboard company, Mr. John Garrison, who travels all over the

world and see these skateboard parks. He said we have a resource right here in

our City, and then asked that the staff contact Mr. John Garrison and request

his assistance in the City?s study for a skateboard park.



***

*** ***



EXECUTIVE SESSION:



Mayor Poydasheff said we have a request to go into an executive session to

discuss a personnel issue.



Prior to the Council going into the executive session, Mayor Poydasheff

then asked if there was anyone who was not listed on the Agenda, but had an

issue to bring before this Council, they could be heard at this time.



Ms. Jeanette Kirby, of Meritas Drivethen appeared and said she would love

to see her street cleaned up. She said she has been there since she was 17

years old, and said it is just terrible.



Mayor Poydasheff asked Ms. Kirby if she could talk with the City Manager

or one of the Deputy City Managers, they would be able to address the problem

and see to it that her issue is properly taken care of.



HOWE AVENUE:



Councilor Woodson asked if we check the contractors work after they do a

resurfacing job, because they are not doing a very good job. She said someone

needs to go out and check the resurfacing work that was recently done on Howe

Avenue.



City Manager Cavezza said he will have someone to go out and take a look

at that street.



Councilor McDaniel said what he thinks is that the inspectors are not

inspecting these streets when the work is complete, because a lot of them are

not smooth when they go off to the edge of the street.





*** *** ***



EXECUTIVE SESSION:



Mayor Poydasheff said he would entertain a motion to go into executive

session, as requested earlier by City Manager Cavezza to discuss a personnel

issue.

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then made another motion. Seconded by Councilor Woodson

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

meeting.





*** *** ***



At 7:10 P.M., the Council adjourned its regular session to allow the

Council to go into an executive session, to discuss a personnel matter.



At 7:31 P.M., the Council reconvened its regular session, and at that time

Mayor Poydasheff pointed out that the Council did meet in an executive session

to discuss a personnel matter, but there were no votes taken.





*** *** ***



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

Henderson then made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Councilor Woodson

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

meeting, with the time being 7:32 P.M.





*** *** ***





Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia