Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

JUNE 18, 2002





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

order at 9:02 A.M., Tuesday, June 18, 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., Robert Poydasheff, Evelyn Turner Pugh, Richard Smith, Nathan

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

Fay and Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington were also

present.



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ABSENT: Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis was absent.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Pastor Anias Hassell - of The Word of Truth Church of

God in Christ.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from the St. Luke Early Learning

Center.

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?NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH?:



Mayor Peters said that we have some special guest from the Department of

Housing and Urban Development present with us this morning, and then called

forward Ms. Anita Crosby and Mr. Michael German. He said they have been our

partners in development and said that homeownership has been a key component of

our Agenda here in Columbus and HUD certainly has been a major player in that

effort.



With those two individuals, along with several others standing at the

Council table, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers read the proclamation of Mayor Peters,

proclaiming the month of June, as ?National Homeownership Month?, in Columbus,

Georgia.



Mr. German said that President George W. Bush was with them in Atlanta on

yesterday to celebrate National Homeownership Month and said today, they would

also like to present an award congratulating and thanking the Columbus

Consolidated Government and applauding them for its efforts to make the dream

of homeownership a reality for Georgia citizens.

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MINUTES: Minutes of the June 4 & 11, 2002 meetings of the Council of the

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were submitted and approved upon

the adoption of a 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.

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PROCLAMATIONS:



UPTOWN COLUMBUS EVENT:



Mayor Peters said he would like to thank City Manager Cavezza, the Police

Department, Mr. Buddy Nelms, and the business owners downtown, as well as Mr.

Bernie Quick and Uptown Columbus for the event that was held on Saturday night.

He said everything came together for a major event in Uptown and said everyone

enjoyed it, and said that it was really crowded. He said that is the way it

should be every weekend and said it was a wonderful event.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



WITH ATTORNEY ALLEN ROTHSCHILD AND MR. DAUGHTERY STANDING AT THE COUNCIL

TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR

POYDASHEFF AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: ____



A Resolution (386-02) - Commending the Columbus Bar Association upon its

selection as the 2002 recipient of the William B. Spann, Jr. Award by the State

Bar of Georgia and further commending Mr. Alan F. Rothschild, Jr. and Judge

William J. Smith for their special recognition for commitment to legal services

for the poor through the Association's 2001-2002 Pro Bono Campaign and Call to

Service initiative. Councilor Poydasheff moved its adoption. Seconded by Mayor

Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present

for this meeting.



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WITH BLANCHARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, ROCHELLE JONES STANDING AT THE

COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR

POYDASHEFF AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:

_







A Resolution (387-02) - Commending and congratulating students at

Blanchard Elementary School and Principal Rochelle Jones for their creativity

in producing a 39-foot patchwork flag and further commending Michelle Boyd for

her coordination of the Flag Day trip to Washington, D.C. Councilor Poydasheff

moved its adoption. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously

by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.



Councilor Turner Pugh said she would like for City Manager Cavezza to work

with Ms. Jones and the Blanchard Elementary School, as well as the School

System to help find a place to hang this flag. She said she noticed that there

was a story on the news, which stated that they didn?t know where they were

going to hang the flag in Columbus. She said if maybe the City could help find

a place in one of our facilities to hang it. She said once the new Infantry

Museum is constructed that would be one of the perfect places. Mayor Peters

said we had thought about the Trade Center.



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WITH MS. DEE SHORE STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION

WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:__________________________________________________



A Resolution (388-02) - Commending and congratulating Clubview Elementary

School teacher Dee Shore upon her retirement. Councilor Henderson moved its

adoption. Seconded by Councilor Poydasheff and carried unanimously by those ten

members of Council present for this meeting.





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POLICE & FIRE GAMES:



Mayor Peters said we will kickoff the Georgia Police & Fire Games for the

fourth

and final year here in Columbus at 12:00 noon today. He said the Governor will

be here at noon to do that. He said anyone who would like to attend the opening

ceremony is welcomed to

attend.









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AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILOR ALLEN, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS CALLED UP

AS THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS AND AFTER EXPLAINED BY COUNCILOR ALLEN THEN

INTRODUCED ON FIRST

READING:







An Ordinance - Amending Chapter 11 of the Columbus Code by providing for

notification of residents and businesses within 450 feet (Urban Service

District One) and 1000 feet (Urban Service District Two) of a blast site as

defined in the 2000 Standard Fire Prevention Code; and for other purposes.



Councilor Allen said he met with City Attorney Fay and the City Manager

and

The Administration met with the Fire Marshall and those developers who most

often use blasting and said we constructed this ordinance change to the City

Code.

He said it is in agreement with those in the community who participate in this

activity. He said basically what the ordinance says is that within 450 feet of

a

blasting site, a notification will be sent out in Urban Service District One,

and

within 1000 feet in Urban Service District Two. He said the notice can either

be mailed or hand-delivered based on the neighborhood. He said it is a good

ordinance and everyone who utilizes it are in agreement. He said the Police and

Fire Safety officers are in agreement with it, as well.



In response to a question of Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers, Councilor Allen said

the

Developer will be responsible for mailing out those notices.



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WITH COUNCILOR POYDASHEFF STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING

RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (389-02) - Commending and expressing appreciation to Columbus

Councilor Robert S. Poydasheff for his years of service to the Columbus

community and the Columbus Council. Councilor McDaniel moved its adoption.

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

Council present for this meeting standing to cast their affirmative vote.



Mayor Peters said the way the law is set up that since Councilor

Poydasheff is in the middle of his term, he has to vacate the position and

there will be a Special Election called for his position. He said those

individuals who want to qualify for this seat can go ahead and do so. He said

there will not be a cost for another election, but said it will be held at the

same time in August when we have the Primary Election. He said Councilor Smith

doesn?t have to resign, because his seat is up anyway and he is not in the

middle of his term. He said there are individuals who will be running for his

seat and said he will continue serving out the rest of his term. He said that

each Councilor who serves the Consolidated Government requires a silver tray

and then presented a silver tray to Councilor Poydasheff from the Mayor &

Council, thanking him for all of his service.



Councilor Poydasheff then thanked his constituents of Council District Two

who

elected him to represent them twice as their Councilor. He also thanked the

Mayor

and members of the Council for their spirit of cooperation during his tenure as

a

City Councilor. He said the service that the Mayor and Council put in for our

community is something that the people may not understand, but said they work

constantly and consistently to create a good Columbus. He said although this is

his

last Council meeting, he will look forward to being a part of the forward

momentum in our community and he believes that the best is still ahead. He said

he would continue to work to keep up that momentum, so that Columbus can be the

best place to work, live and to raise a family.



Mayor Peters pointed out that qualifying will begin tomorrow and said that

we

have some excellent candidates that are running for Mayor and the different

offices and we wish them well.

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



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TAXPAYERS BILL OF RIGHTS , SB 177 PUBLIC HEARING:



Mayor Peters said under State law, anytime you have a millage change, we

need to hold a public hearing to tell people whenever there is going to be a

change

in your budgets and assessment. He then said this morning we will hold that

public

hearing.



City Attorney Fay said this would be the second of three public hearings

required under Ga. Law 48-5-32.1. City Manager Cavezza then read the ad that

was released during a press conference a few weeks ago. He said the first

public

hearing was held on June 11th at 6:00 p.m., and with today?s hearing and the

third

and final hearing will be held on June 24th at 3:00 p.m., here in the Council

Chambers.



Mayor Peters then asked if there was anyone who wanted to be heard at this

time on this issue.



Mr. Paul Olson said he noticed in District One that it is currently 16.38

mills and the way it was advertised, it will a 3.09% increase. He said he

wished that they would have put what the millage increase would be rather than

just putting the percentage. He said in Urban Service District from this

operating budget, which encompasses most of Columbus, Georgia and said in

District 2 where he lives, that will also increase .35 mills.



Mayor Peters pointed out to Mr., Olson that is the increase, not in

addition to. He said the paving fund is a quarter mill increase and the

operations budget is the same.



Mr. Olson said in District 4, there will be no increase at all, which

encompasses Bibb City and the southern district itself; however, what he don?t

understand is Urban District 5, 6, & 7. He said in last year?s operating

budget, there was no

District 5, 6, & 7.

City Manager Cavezza then explained to Mr. Olson that these are the

Business

Improvement Districts. He then went into some details in explaining these

districts to Mr. Olson. He said there has been no change in the districts and

said when the BIDS were approved, those districts were made public and are the

same.



Councilor Allen said he has received several telephone calls about this

and said that it could have been advertised a little more clearly. He said the

public thinks that in certain portions of the City that taxes are going up 22

mills. He said Mr. Olson in correct in that it could have been advertised a

little differently, but said he believes that the State law required us to

advertise it the way it was advertised, and said all the districts have to be

listed.



After Mr. Olson spent some ten minutes in expressing his views on the tax

increase, Mayor Peters, City Manager Cavezza, as well as several members of the

Council then responded to several concerns and questions of Mr. Olson.



Mr. Bert Coker also appeared and expressed his views and concerns

regarding the tax increase. He said he knows it is a hard decision to raise

taxes and said it is an even harder decision not to raise taxes. He said why do

we need a tax increase when the President has cut taxes and has given everyone

some tax relief with their own money and has also declared a recession. He said

do we need the money for people like Masterbuilt to buy more enterprise land so

that they can go out and develop it and the development fails or is it a

mandate. He said do we need it for school property to build a school.



He said the chip plant is good, and it would be great for the City of

Columbus, but he thinks that we need to have some manufacturing jobs, because

this is mainly the jobs that we have lost.



Mr. Coker said every time he tries to call the Development Authority, he

always reaches the Chamber of Commerce. He said he would like to see on paper

where these people came in second with the Development on ADM. He said he don?t

think we need to give the Development Authority an additional $800,000.00 to

market Columbus, Georgia. He said if he was to go out and fail he wouldn?t

expect anybody to give him any more excess money.



After more than twenty-five minutes of discussion on this issue, Mayor

Peters and several members of the Council again responded to several of those

concerns addressed by Mr. Coker.



City Attorney Fay again advised that the third public hearing would be

held on next week.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY

CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DISCUSSION THEN DEFEATED BY THE

COUNCIL ON SECOND READING:



An Ordinance - Amending Ordinance No. 02-43 (Tree Preservation and

Replacement) by removing the requirement that for residential lots exceeding

7,500 square feet, one tree must be planted in the front yard; and for other

purposes.

Councilor Henderson moved its adoption. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers,

which resulted in a 5 - 5 tie vote, with Mayor Peters breaking the tie vote by

casting his vote not to approve the ordinance. Voting for the motion was

Councilors Allen, Henderson, Turner Pugh, Smith and Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers

voting yes. Councilors Hunter, McDaniel, Poydasheff, Suber, Woodson and Mayor

Peters voting no.

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An Ordinance - Amending Ordinance No. 02-43 (Tree Preservation and

Replacement) by creating a new Tree Protection Advisory Board (seven members)

and a new Board of Arbor Appeals (five members); and for other purposes.



Councilor Suber moved the ordinance be defeated. Seconded by Councilor

Hunter and carried by a vote of 6 ? 4. Voting for the defeat of the ordinance

was Councilors Suber, Turner Pugh, Woodson, Poydasheff, McDaniel and Hunter.

Voting no was Councilors Henderson, Allen, Smith and Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers.

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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 approximately 1.67 acres of property located at

the southeast corner of Veterans Parkway and Cooper Creek Road from an R-1

District to a C-3 District. (27-CA-02-Kumar)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



The petitioner was present, but did not make any presentation, as there

was no present to oppose this proposed rezoning ordinance.



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NOTE: Mayor Peters left at this point in the proceedings, with the time

being 10:25 a.m.

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

CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD

AS ADVERTISED AND AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DISCUSSION, AMENDED BY THE

COUNCIL:___________________________________________________________



An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 2.53 acres of property located at the

northern section of 2423 Woodruff Farm Road from a C-2 District to an A-0

District. (28-CA-02-New Bethel Seventh Day Adventist Church)





Mr. Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator responded to several questions of

the Council.



Pastor Lloyd Johnson, the petitioner, along with his architect, Mr. David

Christian appeared and responded to several questions of Councilor Turner Pugh.



Mr. Christian said they have not made that final determination that they

cannot achieve a 30-foot undisturbed buffer at this point. He said they are

prepared to meet one of the three options for the buffer requirements, but at

this stage of their design process, they have not done a fully graded site plan

to determine how far up the hill grading would have to go to that rear property

line. He said the site for this project sits substantially lower than the

houses that back up to it.



He also responded to those concerns of Councilor Turner Pugh as it relates

to the drainage problems, pointing out that those are being dealt with in the

construction of the church that is ongoing now.



In responding further to Councilor Suber, as it relates to a 30-feet

natural buffer, Mr. Christian said they haven?t definitively determined whether

or not they can hold a full 30-feet undisturbed buffer. Councilor Suber than

asked if they would make a commitment that they will make the 30-feet buffer,

because that is the only thing that prevents the apartments from being

separated from the neighborhood.



Mr. Christian then said if the approval of this site?s rezoning is

conditional upon providing a 30-foot undisturbed buffer, then they will

redesign the site to make sure they can achieve a 30-foot undisturbed buffer.



After several minutes of discussion on this matter, Pastor Johnson said

that they will design accordingly. Councilor Suber then asked Pastor Johnson if

he would make an amendment to his application to state that he will put in the

30-foot undisturbed buffer, to which he said yes. Councilor Suber then made a

motion to amend the ordinance to include a 30-foot undisturbed natural buffer.

Seconded by Councilor Allen.



After Pastor Johnson and Mr. Christian responded to further questions of

Councilor Turner Pugh, the question was then called on the motion, which

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



City Attorney Fay then declared this public hearing held, and pointed out

that ordinance will be voted on at next week?s meeting.

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NOTE: Mayor Peters returned back at this point in the proceedings, with

the time being10:38 a.m., but left again later in the meeting. (See below)

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THE FOLLOWING TWO ZONING ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR

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

ADVERTISED:





An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 0.78 acres of property located at

4923 warm Springs Road from an R-1A District to a C-3 District.

(29-CA-02-Jordan)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



Mr. Wayne Jordan, of Jordan Electric Company appeared and said he is in

agreement with the two conditions that are outlined in the ordinance.



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An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 0.44 acres of property located at

7763

Fortson Road from an R-1A District to an R-3A District. (30-D-02-Faith Homes

For Girls, Inc.)



PROPONENTS:



Ms. Wylee Toms, Director of the Faith Homes for Girls appeared and went

into details as to what they are planning on doing with the property. She said

they would like to expand their facility to house between 6 ? 9 young ladies.

She responded to several questions of the Council.



City Manager Cavezza said that boarding houses can go in an R-3A or R-4

district. He said if this rezoning is approved they would have to come in for a

Special Exception Use request.



City Attorney, in response to questions of the Council said that this

property is different for the other surrounding properties.



OPPONENTS:



Mr. Lew Carver appeared and expressed his opposition to the proposed

rezoning ordinance. He said this is a residential area and said he don?t think

this in-home business should be allowed in this area.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING THREE ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY

CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND

READING:



An Ordinance (02-48) - Rezoning approximately 6.5 acres of property

located at

5825 Morningside Drive from an R-1 District to an R-1A District. (22-A-02-Harco

Properties, LLC) Councilor Suber moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor

Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present at

the time, with Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers being absent for this vote.



An Ordinance (02-49) - Rezoning approximately 0.17 acres of property

located at 1121 30th Street from a C-2 District to an R-3A District.

(23-A-02-Watson)

Councilor Poydasheff moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Turner Pugh and

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

Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers being absent for this vote.



An Ordinance (02-50) - Rezoning approximately 9.5 acres of property

located at the southeast corner of Moon Road and Stone Mill Drive from an R-2

District to an A-0 District. (24-CA-02-Developers-Investors, Inc.) Councilor

Smith moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried by a vote of

9 to 1, with Councilor Henderson voting no and all other nine members of

Council present voting yes.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DISCUSSION, DEFEATED BY THE COUNCIL

ON SECOND READING:__________________________



An Ordinance - Amending Ordinance No. 00-96 that amended certain

boundaries of a district located off of Veterans Parkway, east of Cooper Creek

Road (currently known as 8400 Veterans Parkway). The purpose of this amendment

is to amend condition number 2 and add a new condition number 5.

(25-CA-02-Lullwater Apts., LLC) Councilor Smith moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor Poydasheff.



Councilor Allen said he has a great concern for the neighborhood and said

he would like to offer an amendment to address that concern. He then made a

motion to delay the use of Cooper Creek Road and Franklin Drive until such time

as the apartments are being occupied. (This motion dies for the lack of a

second)



Mr. Doug Jeffcoat, representing the Bradley Company, along with Mr. Dick

Edwards, Fickling Company appeared once again as they did on last week and

responded to several questions and concerns of the Council.



Mr. Edwards said they are scheduled to have all 12 buildings completed by

October 1st. He said the problem that they have is when they get to Building #5

they will have a bottleneck there. He said as it has been stated before, and

there has been some discussion as to whether or not this is an adopted policy

by the City or not, but said they are being told that as they occupy each

building, they will have to put a barricade up and cannot have traffic coming

through that. He said this is how they are operating and have been instructed

to operate to this day. Mr. Edwards said for those Councilors who have not had

an opportunity to go out and look at the area, he would encourage them to do

so. He said they think it is a beautiful community, but said they have a

serious problem and said they need some help.



After some thirty minutes of discussion on this issue, with several

members of the Council expressing their views on this matter, and Mr. Edwards

and Mr. Jeffcoat responding to further questions of the Council, the question

was then called on the motion to adopt the ordinance, which was defeated by a

vote of six to four. Voting for the motion was Councilors Henderson,

Poydasheff, McDaniel and Smith. Voting against the motion was Councilors Turner

Pugh, Suber, Allen, Woodson, Hunter, and Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers.



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THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY

CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING PURSUANT TO THE

ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR POYDASHEFF AND SECONDED BY MAYOR

PRO TEM RODGERS, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

PRESENT AT THE TIME, WITH COUNCILOR SUBER BEING ABSENT FOR THIS VOTE:



An Ordinance (02-51) - Adopting the annual Operating and Capital

Improvements Budget for the fiscal year 2003, beginning July 1, 2002 and ending

June 30, 2003, in the total amount of $171,763,407 for certain funds of the

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia and appropriating the amounts

shown in each budget as outlined in the ordinance.



An Ordinance (02-52) - Adopting non-operating budgets for fiscal year

2003, beginning July 1, 2002 and ending June 30, 2003, for certain funds of the

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia and appropriating the amounts

shown in each budget as outlined in the ordinance.



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THE FOLLOWING SIX ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY

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

ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR POYDASHEFF AND SECONDED BY

COUNCILOR SMITH WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

PRESENT AT THE TIME WITH COUNCILOR SUBER BEING ABSENT FOR THIS VOTE:



An Ordinance (02-53) - Providing for the demolition of the structures

located at 2817 Bradley Circle (Elizabeth Adams, owner), 2827 9th Street (Mary

& Benson Ford, owner), 2314 Buena Vista Road (Lafayette Hilton, owner), 1133

Staunton Drive (Louis L. Johnson, Jr., owner), and 4415 16th Avenue (Leo

Mackey, owner), and for demolition services for the Inspections and Code

Division in accordance with Tabulation of Bid sheet.



An Ordinance (02-54) - Providing for contributions to the Columbus, Georgia

General Government Employees? Pension Plan for the fiscal year beginning July

1, 2002.



An Ordinance (02-55) - Providing for Government funding of a Major

Disability

Income Plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2002.



An Ordinance (02-56) - Providing for Government funding of a Death Benefit

Escrow for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2002.



An Ordinance (02-57) - Providing for the supplemental contributions to the

Columbus, Georgia Pension Plan for employees of the Department of Public

Safety for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2002.



An Ordinance (02-58) - Amending Article VII of Chapter 13 of the Columbus

Code Solid Waste Collection and Disposal by establishing new guidelines for an

offset to residential rate for low-income households; and for other purposes.



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THE FOLLOWING THREE ORDINANCES WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ

BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:

____________________________________________________________________



An Ordinance - Providing for the establishment of taxing districts,

including a county-wide general services district and two (2) urban services

districts and three (3) Business Improvement Districts (BID); providing for the

levy, assessment, and collection of taxes for Columbus, Georgia within such

districts for the year 2002 as provided under the Charter of the Consolidated

Government of Columbus, Georgia; providing penalties for violations of the

provisions of said ordinance; and for other purposes.



An Ordinance - Providing for the levy, assessment, and collection of

taxes for

the public school system of Columbus, Georgia.



An Ordinance - Amending Section 17C-5(e)(4), Soil Erosion and

Sedimentation Control, Site Development Permits, so as to provide that

applications will be acted upon within fifteen (15) business days after filing;

and for other purposes.



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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:____________________________



A Resolution (390-02) - Expressing support for the Johnston Mill, L.P.

project at 3201 Columbus Avenue and support for rehabilitated historic property

tax assessment of this project to the extent authorized by law. Mayor Pro Tem

Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Poydasheff and carried

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

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



MR. WILLIAM CHAPMAN, RE: SIGN PLACEMENT:



Mr. William Chapman, representing Tire City appeared and said he is

present this morning to request a variance for a sign to be erected at their

new location. He said the sign is 58 feet. He said seven years ago they opened

a store on 13th Street near the old United Oil building and put up a sign,

which cost approximately $12,500 and said after seven years have left that

location and moved to a new location on Veterans Parkway @ 54th Street. He said

if you go north on Veterans Parkway, the 35-foot sign you cannot see until you

get right onto of their property. He said they have been at this location since

March 20th without an outdoor Tire King sign.



Mayor Peters then asked Mr. Chapman, how do they deal with the argument

that if you go out there and other people have their signs up that have to be

within the 35-feet distance, and can?t go higher than that. He said if the

Council gives you permission to erect a sign 58-foot, then everyone else will

come and request permission to go to 58-feet.



Mr. Chapman said there is a 70-foot billboard at Regions Bank, and a

55-foot sign at the Texaco Service Station right across the street next to the

Krystal that was approved by this Council a year and a half ago. He said his

request is not unreasonable, because you can?t see the sign. He said he has

already complied with the ordinance, and have taken a Shell Oil sign down that

was 45-feet, and two small signs down. He said he also had to take down a

Uniroyal sign, which is a direct dealer which they do business with.



In response to Mayor Peters, Mr. Chapman said the committee approved it.

He said it didn?t go to the Council. City Manager Cavezza said he thinks that

sign was grand fathered in. He said the billboards are an exception, as they go

up higher. He said anything there that is above 35-feet was grand fathered in

when the ordinance was adopted. He said if you drive down Veterans Parkway,

which he did on yesterday, if the Council approves this, clearly his sign would

be above the rest, and said you would expect an onslaught of other people

coming in wanting the same thing.



After further discussion on this issue, with Mayor Peters and City Manager

Cavezza responding to several concerns of Mr. Chapman, with several members of

the Councilor Woodson expressing their views on the matter, after which

Councilor Woodson asked that this matter be delayed until such time as she can

get all the information on the request.



Councilor Suber said he would like for City Manager to check and see if

there was a variance granted to the Texaco Service station on Veterans Parkway

for a sign to be erected a few years ago.



Mayor Peters then said we will delay this matter until next Thursday so

that we can get all the facts on it.

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

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



NOTE: Mayor Peters left again at this point, with the time being 11:25

a.m.



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

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

CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING NINE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

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

MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR POYDASHEFF AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON WHICH

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:_____________



A Resolution (391-02) - Authorizing the adoption of the 2002 Consolidated

Strategy and Plan Annual Budget for filing with the United States Department of

Housing and Urban Development.



A Resolution (392-02) - Approval is requested of a resolution endorsing

and supporting the vision and goal outlined in the April 2002 report title,

"Recommendations for Achieving Quality Growth in Georgia" from the Joint Task

Force on Quality Growth.



A Resolution (393-02) - Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to Lagoon

Court, Lily Pad Drive and a portion of Buckhorn Drive located in Phase Five,

Beaver Pond Subdivision, on behalf of Columbus, Georgia.



A Resolution (394-02) - Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to Adelaide

Drive and Bent Pine Court located in Section ?K? II, Maple Ridge Golf

Community, on behalf of Columbus, Georgia.



A Resolution (395-02) - Authorizing the execution of a Quit Claim Deed for

City Property adjacent to the Cul-de-sac at the dead end portion of Old Flat

Rock Road to George Woodruff Company and Spectrum Company.



A Resolution (396-02) - Approving a variance to Section 18A-33b of the Columbus Code

commonly referred to as the Subdivision Regulations from the standard width of

the street of 31 feet (back of curb to back of curb) to 26 feet for

Developers-Investors, Inc, Maple Ridge Golf Community.

A Resolution (397-02) - Approving a variance to Section 18A-33b of the

Columbus Code commonly referred to as the Subdivision Regulations to construct

the standard width of the street from 31 feet (back of curb to back of curb) to

26 feet for Brian Grier, Inc.



A Resolution (398-02) - Authorizing the submission of an application and to

accept grant funds from the Georgia Department of Education for the physical

education component of the After School Program.



A Resolution (399-02) - Authorizing the submission of an application and

to accept a grant from Muscogee County Geli Collaborative in the amount of

$30,000 as part of the Georgia Early Learning Initiative for training and

technical assistance for quality child care improvement.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING TWO PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS, WITH DETAILED INFORMATION HAVING

BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA PACKET, WERE SUBMITTED AND

EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER CAVEZZA AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL UPON THE ADOPTION

OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR POYDASHEFF AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR

HENDERSON AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR

THIS MEETING:_______________________________________



A Resolution (400-02) - Authorizing the purchase of two (2) one-ton truck

crew cab and chassis with 8-? foot dump bed from Freeway Ford in the amount of

$60,712.00.



A Resolution (401-02) - Authorizing the execution of a Change Order for

additional road improvement for various City Streets (SPLOST-01) - Bid No.

01-0055.



*** *** ***



CROWN VICTORIA FORDS:



Councilor McDaniel said he read an article where the Crown Victoria Fords

that we have, the police cars, that they have a recall on the gas tank. He said

if you get hit in the rear at a certain speed that it will explode. He then

asked if we have received any information in this regard, to which City Manager

Cavezza said he is not aware of any such recall. Councilor McDaniel then asked

that he check into it and determine whether or not there has been a recall on

those gas tanks. He said they really need to check on it, because there was an

article that Ford was concerned about it, and there was a safety problem in

that the car would explode.



*** *** ***



TRASH:



Councilor Suber said we have had people out at the St. Mary?s Shopping

Center because of the trash over the weekend from the nightclub and coming out

of the dumpsters around the area. He said it seems like every weekend they

continue to let it fly around the area. He said he would like to see if we can

have someone from the City out there at that Shopping Center every Monday for

the next few weeks, to make sure that these people understand we are serious

about all this trash that they are letting blow around from the dumpster in

this area from the nightclubs on the weekend. Also, determine whether or not it

is the responsibility of the Shopping Center or the individual business owners,

to keep this area clean.



*** *** ***



DUMPSTERS:



Councilor Turner Pugh said she would like for the City Attorney to check

and see if there is anything in our ordinance or do we need to develop some

kind of policy when businesses close up and board up the buildings and have

dumpsters on site that are accessed by the public that those dumpsters have to

be removed within a certain amount of time that the businesses close. She said

people are dumping stuff in those dumpsters and said it is very unsightly.



City Attorney Fay said he would have to look into that, because he doesn?t

know of any ordinance provision that has a time limit to get it out of there.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he would think that the service provider would

be removing that, if they don?t receive payment on it.



Councilor Woodson asked if we could also check and see if we have an

ordinance where there is a time limit for them to ensure that if the building

is vacant that it be boarded up. She said the owner of the establishment that

she reported about two weeks ago has not done anything yet.



City Manager Cavezza said one of the things that he wanted to discuss at

the briefing this morning, but he didn?t have time, is that he wanted to show a

chart which tracts the process. He said he will include this in the Council?s

packet, and hopefully, before the next Council meeting, we can talk about the

timelines and how we can react to these things.



Councilor Woodson said we can have the City Attorney to check and see if

we can go ahead and board it up and then bill them for it. She said we need to

do something very soon, because there is a lot of broken glass everywhere. City

Attorney Fay said right now you can under the emergency provision, and said

that is what the City Manager wanted to discuss with you about, Section 8-87,

an emergency provision, when there is eminent danger of public health, the City

Manager and the Building Official can take action.



City Manager Cavezza said they met on this matter and said if there is a

safety or hazard, we can go in and board it up and then bill them.



*** *** ***



UPCOMING EVENTS:



City Manager Cavezza outlined some dates for some upcoming events around

the City, which are outlined below:



June 18th ? Opening Ceremony for the Police & Fire Games, Trade Center



June 27th ? Georgia Power Luncheon with the Council



June 28th ? Shirley Winston Park & Psalmond Pool Opening



June 22 ? 27 ? Fire & EMS Certification Evaluation



*** *** ***



MATILDA LANE APARTMENTS:



Councilor Hunter said with regards to the Matilda Lane Apartments, said he

would like for someone to send him an email advising what is being done to

clean up the area from the burned building of the Matilda Lane Apartments. He

said he knows that it is on the condemnation list, but said we had talked about

the need to have that building boarded up and cleaned up. Councilor Suber said

that the trash is still out there.



*** *** ***



SHIRLEY WINSTON PARK:



Councilor Turner Pugh said that the date we have set for the opening for

the Shirley Winston Park pool may have to be changed, because the pool may not

be ready at that time. She said what she has told them that we don?t want to

put out a date if we can?t stick to it. She said she don?t want them to rush

and said she would rather that it be a week or two later opening, if it will

not be completed finished by then.



*** *** ***



NEW VOTING EQUIPMENT:



Councilor Turner Pugh said as it relates to the letter received from the

Secretary of State?s Office regarding the new voting equipment, have the staff

to make sure that before we spend those $90,000 for this new equipment, that we

really need to spend that money. Councilor Allen said he would also like for

the staff to determine when will we be reimbursed for purchasing this

equipment.

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

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

CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS

INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR AND

COUNCIL:



(1) Notice of the next meeting of the Region 9 MH/MR/SA, to be held at the

Region 9 Office, 3800 Schatulga Road, Columbus, GA 31907, on June 21,

2002 at 2:00 p.m.



(2) Letter from Guy Sims, Supt. of Education of the Muscogee County

School

Board regarding a resolution passed setting a millage rate for the fiscal year

ending June 30, 2002.



(3) Letter from Ms. Cathy Cox, Secretary of State, Re: New voting equipment

for all counties.

(4) Memo from Jim Higdon, GMA Executive Director, Re: The Joint GMA-

ACCG Fall Conference, September 30 ? October 2, 2002 at the Atlanta

Marriott Marquis Hotel, in Atlanta, GA.



(5) Memo from Jim Higdon, GMA Executive Director, Re: Convention and Board

Meeting and Reception, Monday, June 24, 2002 at the Westin Hotel In

Savannah, GA.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND

OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:





Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Kenneth Henson, Jr.

regarding the Hospital Authority Board advising that Robert Kelley has been

elected to fill the position held by Dan T. Thompson and advised that Mr.

Kelley may now be confirmed. Councilor Poydasheff so moved. Seconded by

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

for this meeting.



*** *** ***



MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF

COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE

COUNCIL:



Council Briefing, February 12, 2002.

Council Briefing, February 19, 2002.

Building Contractors Examining Board, May 2, 2002.

C.I.R.C.L.E, May 14, 2002.

Convention & Visitors Bureau, May 15, 2002.

Historic and Architectural Review Board of, May 13, 2002.

Taxicab Commission, May 8, 2002.

Board of Tax Assessors, Number 22.

Zoning Appeals, Board of, May 1, 2002.



Councilor Poydasheff made a motion that these minutes be received.

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

of Council present for this meeting.





*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING TWO TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATIONS, NOT LISTED ON THE

AGENDA WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE

COUNCIL:





Application of Reverend J. H. Flakes, Jr., to temporarily close 5th Street

between 2nd Avenue & 3rd Avenue, on Saturday, June 22, 2002 from 2:00 - 5:00

p.m., in connection with a Community Carnival.



Application of Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc., to temporarily

close 4th Avenue from 25th Street to 28th Street, on Saturday, June 29, 2002

from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., in connection with the dedication of 12 Habitat Homes.



Councilor McDaniel moved the approval of these two applications. Seconded

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

present for this meeting.

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

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



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 said he has not

confirmed whether or not the individual he had in mind would like to serve



*** *** ***



COLUMBUS GOLF AUTHORITY:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that on last week during the roll

call vote on the two nominees, Mr. Rudolph Allen and Ms. Nancy Wilkerson for

someone to succeed Judge Albert Thompson on the Columbus Golf Course Authority

there was an inconclusive vote of 5 ? 3. She then took another vote, which

resulted in a 5-5 tie vote. Voting for Mr. Rudolph Allen were Councilors

Hunter, Poydasheff, Turner Pugh, Suber and Woodson. Voting for Ms. Nancy

Wilkerson were Councilors Allen, Henderson, McDaniel, Smith and Mayor Pro Tem

Rodgers.



Mayor Peters was not present at the time, to break the tie vote. The

matter will be brought back again on next week.

*** *** ***



INDUSTRIAL & PORT DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Stephen Butler?s term of

office has expired and that he is not eligible to succeed himself and that the

Council needs to nominate someone to succeed him. There were no nominations.



*** *** ***



KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION:



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

someone to succeed Ms. Cindy Alexander. There were no nominations.



*** *** ***



EMPLOYEES PENSION BOARDS OF TRUSTEES:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of

Mrs. Carolyn Helms on the Employees Pension Boards of Trustees will expire on

June 30, 2002, and she is not eligible to succeed herself.



Mayor Peters was not present at the time, therefore Clerk of Council

Washington said she would bring this matter back on next week.



*** *** ***



REGION 9, MH/MR/SA:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Michael Johnson?s term

has expired last year on the Region 9, MH/MR/SA Board and that he is not

eligible to succeed himself. There were no nominations.



*** *** ***



TAXICAB COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we need to fill the one new

at-large seat that was recently approved by the Council.



*** *** ***



ELVAN AVENUE REZONING:



Councilor Woodson said she has received the plans for the proposed

rezoning of the property off of South Lumpkin and said she would like for the

Planning Division to make sure that everything is in the ordinance before we

bring it back to the Council.

*** *** ***



INDUSTRIAL & PORT DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION:



Councilor Henderson asked Clerk of Council Washington to email him some

written definition and scope of the Industrial & Port Development.



*** *** ***



PROPERTY TAX INCREASE:



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he feels like there may be a misconception in

the public after Mr. Olson spoke this morning. He said very quick math says

that his percentages were correct, but said it is not a simple calculation that

we go through here. He said if you take the percentages that he gave, he is

correct; but he is just going through an incorrect process. He said he has the

Finance staff present here now, and then asked if it was necessary to elaborate

on that. He said the only reason he brought this up, is because he don?t want

anyone sitting at home with a calculator making those calculations themselves,

coming up with 1.54% millage increase. Several members of the Council stated

that they felt like we do need to do something. Councilor Henderson said his

only concern is that it is a fairly complex mathematical computation and said

he thinks that we would be better served by having the staff to do a

presentation on CCG-TV on the calculations for the proposed property tax

increase.



*** *** ***



RESOLUTION FOR COUNCILOR PUGH:



Councilor McDaniel said he would like for the City Attorney staff to

prepare a resolution expressing the Council?s appreciation to Councilor Turner

Pugh for her service as Chairperson of the Budget Review Committee.



*** *** ***



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then asked if there was anyone present in the

audience who was not listed on the Public Agenda, but had an issue to bring

before the Council, they could be heard at this time. There was no one who

indicated that they wanted to be heard.



*** *** ***



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

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

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

meeting, with the time being 11:42 A.M.





Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

Council of Columbus, Georgia





















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