Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

JULY 1, 2003



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

called to order at 5:30 P.M., Tuesday, July 1, 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 Rodgers were

Councilors R. Gary Allen, Wayne S. Anthony, Glenn Davis, Julius H. Hunter, Jr.,

Berry H. Henderson, Charles E. McDaniel, Evelyn Turner Pugh and Nathan Suber.

City Manager Carmen Cavezza, City Attorney Clifton Fay and Clerk of Council

Tiny B. Washington were also present. Councilor Evelyn Woodson arrived at 5:35

p.m.



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ABSENT: Deputy Clerk Sandra Davis was absent.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Pastor Velma R. Watts - Tabernacle AME Church.



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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Poydasheff.

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CITY OF CHARACTER:



Mr. Ed Wilson, Executive Assistant to the Mayor came forward to announce

the Columbus City of Character word for the month of July.

He said as a part of the National City of Character Program and in cooperation

with the Georgia Municipal Association and National League of Cities we are

trying to build and maintain, here in Columbus, a City of Character. He said a

part of that is the choosing of a character word for each month. He said we

strive to live out that word in our lives.



He said the character word for the month of June is ?diligence?. He said

some related words to practice and ponder are ?discipline?, ?patience? and

?punctuality?.



Mr. Wilson said the famous Ben Franklin said that ?diligence? is the

mother of good luck. He said maybe this would give us something to think about

in connection with the word ?diligence?. He said he would hope that everyone

help to spread the good word among our City employees and the citizens of the

City of Columbus.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



WITH MR. RODERICK HOOD AND HIS FAMILY STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE

FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR ALLEN AND ADOPTED BY

THE COUNCIL:



A Resolution 297-03) - Commending and congratulating Roderick Hood upon

his agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles and his outstanding play at both

Carver High School and Auburn University.Councilor Allen moved its adoption.

Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously with those ten members

of Council present, standing to cast their affirmative vote.

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PROCLAMATIONS:



With the members of the Cheer-Zone Blazer Elite All-stars Cheerleading

Team and their coaches standing at the Council table, Mayor Poydasheff read his

proclamation, proclaiming July 1, 2003, as ?Cheer-Zone Blazer Elite All-stars

Day?, in Columbus, Georgia.

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WITH JUDGE JULIA LUMPKIN AND COUNCLOR C.E. ?RED? MCDANIEL STANDING AT THE

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

SUBER AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:





A Resolution (298-03) - Commending and congratulating Councilor C. E.

"Red" McDaniel and Muscogee County Probate Judge Julia W. Lumpkin upon their

receipt of the Distinguished Athlete Award at the Celebration of Sports

Excellence Awards Ceremony. Councilor Suber moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor Allen and carried unanimously with those ten members of Council

present standing to cast their affirmative vote.



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WITH FIRE CHIEF ROY WATERS STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING

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

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (298-03) - Expressing condolences to the family of Cynthia

Shoemaker, Captain, with the Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services, who

passed away on June 3, 2003. Councilor Davis moved its adoption. Seconded by

Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present standing to cast their affirmative vote.



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COMMENDING LT. NATE BADER:



Mayor Poydasheff read a letter that was addressed to Fire Chief Roy Waters

regarding news that was received from the State Office of EMS, as it relates to

the pass rate for applicants to the National Registry of EMT and Intermediate

written examinations. He said according to Mr. Charles Benson, State Training

Coordinator with the State Office of EMS, in addition to Columbus Technical

College EMT Technology Program, having produced three consecutive exam pass

rates of 90% or greater on the first attempt of the National Registry EMT and

Intermediate written examinations since 2002 in the general admission on campus

EMT Class program, as of June 16, 2003, Lt. Nate Bader?s April 2003 Fire

Department Personnel/EMT Class has achieved the top pass rate of 94% on the

first attempt of EMT One written examination for year-to-date in the State of

Georgia.



He said this latest outstanding achievement places the Columbus Technical

College EMT Technology Program at Number One in the State of Georgia for 2003

year to date in the category of first attempt of the National Registry EMT One

written examination. He said the National and State first attempt pass rate for

this examination in 2003 is only 64% and 63% respectively.



Mayor Poydasheff said this accomplishment is attributed to many factors,

not the less of which is the uncompromising support of and unconditional faith

of Lt. Nate Bader?s ability, dedication and his conviction regarding high

quality EMS education honestly earned.



He said we are extremely proud of Lt. Bader and said it is no wonder that

this Council and the City Manager constantly and consistently tells the City of

Columbus what great people you are and how great you perform your services here.



Lt. Bader said the firefighters that they are teaching are very sincere

and dedicated. He said they have an overwhelming demand to get more knowledge

so that they can better serve the citizens. He said the firefighters are the

true recipients of this honor and he is just the one accepting it for them.



Mayor Poydasheff said on next week, he would like to have those

individuals, who performed well, here at the Council meeting. He said we might

also want to invite some of the professors from Columbus Technical College, as

they have done a magnificent job.



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WITH REV. JOSEPH ROBERSON STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING

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

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (300-03) - Commending and congratulating Reverend Joe

Roberson upon his selection for the Dan Reed Service Above Self Award

Councilor Hunter moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried

unanimously with those ten members of Council present, standing to cast their

affirmative vote of this resolution.

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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 1.21 acres of property located at

1029, 1033 and 1037 ? 47th Street; and 4707, 4711 and 4715 ? 11th

AvenuefromaC-3 District to an R-3 District. (14-A-03-Habitat for Humanity,

Inc.)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



Mr. Kenneth Henson, representing Habitat for Humanity, Inc., was present,

but he did not make a presentation, as there was no one present to oppose this

proposed rezoning ordinance.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA CONTINUED:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY

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

DEFEATED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND

READING:





An Ordinance Amending Section 21-14 of the Columbus Code so as to decrease

the membership of the Columbus Taxicab Commission from nine members to seven

members.

Councilor Hunter said he would oppose this amendment, because of the fact

that this will take off the two at-large members. He said he agrees with the

statements made by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers that maybe we haven?t given this

amended ordinance a chance. He said if we are more diligent in our efforts to

place individuals on this commission, he would say let?s give it a chance.



Councilor Suber said that Mr. Wallace Archie, Chairperson of the Taxicab

Commission, was here on last week when this ordinance was on first reading, but

said he arrived late and he hasn?t had a chance to speak on this issue, except

when he came and asked the Council to reconsider; because he hasn?t had an

opportunity to do the job that we have appointed them to do, which is to

resubmit a revised taxicab ordinance.



He said he talked with Mr. Archie on yesterday and said they haven?t been

able to get a quorum to address the issues that a number of people have been

complaining about with the taxicabs. He said the Commission did not ask to have

these two seats added, but said this was done by the Council without conferring

with the Taxicab Commission. He said he feels that if the Taxicab Commission

can?t do their job based on something that we did, then we need to correct that

situation.



Mayor Poydasheff then asked, if there were any objections from the

Council, as a matter of a personal privilege of Councilor Suber, to allow a

speaker to be heard on this issue on a second reading. There were no objections

to allowing Mr. Archie to be heard.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he really doesn?t think that we have been

diligent in our efforts to try to appoint people to this Commission to try to

make it work and again, as he said on last week, if it was important enough to

change the ordinance a year ago, then he think it is important for us to make

it work. He said he is prepared tonight to offer two nominees for this

Commission and he thinks there may be a number of others that may be placed in

nomination.



He said we certainly do want to support Mr. Archie in his efforts to bring

forth this new taxicab ordinance and said if we failed, he would like to

apologize for that.



Councilor Turner Pugh said she agrees with Councilor Hunter and Mayor Pro

Tem Rodgers. She said she doesn?t have a problem with Mr. Archie speaking, but

said we don?t have to consult with the Committee before we decide how many will

be on the Committee and what section they represent in the community.



Several members of the Council continued to express their views on this

matter, after which Mr. Wallace Archie expressed his views regarding the

Council reducing the membership of the Taxicab Commission from nine members

seven members.



Mr. Archie said the statement that was made, that the Council doesn?t have

to ask the Commission whether or not to add or delete from their boards or

commission is true; however, as a courtesy, had he been asked or the Commission

had been asked, prior to adding these two positions, whether they could put a

position for an at-large person on the Commission at that time, the answer

would have been yes. He said because at that time, they only had six members

and was in the process of deleting one of the taxicab owner slots and making it

an at-large slot, but he never had a chance to convey to the Council because he

didn?t know that the Council was getting ready to put two additional slots on

the Commission. He said if he would have had that chance, we could have gotten

all of this taken care of.



He said when someone puts two additional members on a Commission then

evidently something is wrong with the Commission. He said no one ever told them

something was wrong with the Taxicab Commission. He said since these two

positions have been there, they have never been filled and said they were short

when you added these two positions and they are still short. He said now they

are down to five members and said they can?t have a meeting unless they have

five members present.



Mr. Archie said if it was put back to seven members, they could have a

meeting with four members and said they could have had two additional meetings

since you put it at nine members. He said he personally doesn?t see the need

for nine members. He said if you want an at-large slot, tell them and they will

get you an at-large slot, but at least give them a chance.

He said they are stuck with nine members unless the Council put it back to

seven members and said they would appreciate it if you would put it back to

seven members so that they will only need four members to have a meeting.

He said they would get you the at-large slot, if you give them a chance.



Mayor Poydasheff then asked if there was a motion of the Council in this

regard. Councilor Suber then made a motion that the ordinance be approved.

Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and defeated by a vote of 6 - 4. Voting for the

motion to adopt the ordinance was Councilors Anthony, Davis, McDaniel and

Suber. Voting against the motion was Councilors Allen, Henderson, Hunter,

Rodgers, Turner Pugh and Woodson.



Councilor Turner Pugh said we need to write those specific industries if

the individual is not attending these meetings. She said with tourism, as it

relates to economic development in this community, she is sure that these

representatives need to be there.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND

READING:





An Ordinance (03-54)- Amending the General Government and Public Safety

Pension Plans as provided by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation

Act of 2001 (?EGTRRA?) in accordance with section 401(a)(17)(B), 415(B) and

401(a)(31) of the Code effective July 1, 2002. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its

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

members of Council present for this meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST

READING:





An Ordinance - Amending Sections 8-46 and 8-47 of the Columbus Code

(Buildings) so as to conform with House Bill 748 passed by the 2003 Georgia

General Assembly.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY

FAY AND DELAYED BY THE COUNCIL FOR NINETY

DAYS:





An Ordinance - Providing for the demolition of a structure located at 715

Fort Benning Road (Robert E. & J. P. Goolsby; Estate of J. P. Goolsby, owners)

and for demolition services for the Inspections and Code Division in accordance

with a Tabulation of Bids sheet.



City Attorney Fay said that Mr. Robert E. Goolsby and his attorney,

Mr. Richard Childs is present here this morning. He said the State

Administrator has been notified of this hearing and it is ready for any

discussion today.



City Manager Cavezza said he has a signed contract that Mr. Goolsby has

provided him and said one of the provisions in the contract is that for a

period of ninety days to allow the purchaser to repair the building in

accordance with the Columbus, Georgia State and Local building codes and based

on that, he would like to recommend that the Council consider delaying this

ordinance for ninety days, to give them an opportunity to comply with that.



Councilor Allen then moved for a ninety-day delay. Seconded by Councilor

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

this meeting.



Mayor Poydasheff, speaking to Mr. Goolsby, said for the record, if

Mr. Goolsby should come back again, he would want an affirmative statement from

Mr. Goolsby?s attorney that he would permit Mr. Goolsby to speak in as much as

there is an attorney-client relationship, because he doesn?t want to see

clients talking without the authorization of their attorney. He then asked, Mr.

Childs if that was alright with him.



Mr. Richard Childs said absolutely and said that he was only here to

answer any questions. He said he represents Mr. Goolsby on the estate.



Councilor Henderson then asked if the ninety-day time limit begins from

the signing of the contract or closing of the sale. Mayor Poydasheff said

unless there is a date specified in the contract, it would start from the date

of signing of the contract.



City Manager Cavezza said the contract is dated and said it would be

ninety-days from the date of the contract. He said the contract was signed on

today and said it would be ninety-days from today.



Mr. Childs said it is his understanding that it will be ninety-days from

execution of the contract. He said it could very likely be closed within the

next two to three weeks.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST

READING:





An Ordinance - Increasing the promotional cycle and promotional roster

from a 12-month period to a 24-month period for the Columbus Department of Fire

and Emergency Medical Services.



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THE FOLLOWING FOUR RESOLUTIONS EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THOSE CITY

EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE RETIRED FROM THE SERVICES OF THE COLUMBUS CONSOLIDATED

GOVERNMENT WERE SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY MAYOR

PRO TEM RODGERS AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE

MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR ALLEN, WHICH

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT AT THE TIME, WITH

COUNCILOR SUBER BEING ABSENT FOR THIS

VOTE:





A Resolution (301-03) - Expressing appreciation to Sylvester Giddens upon

his retirement with the Columbus Water Works after more than 17

years of service.



A Resolution (302-03) - Expressing appreciation to James W. Henderson upon

his retirement with the Public Services Department after more than 19 years of

service.



A Resolution (303-03) - Expressing appreciation to John E. Horn upon his

retirement with the Columbus Police Department after more than 20 years of

service.



A Resolution (304-03) - Expressing appreciation to Daniel W. Williams

upon his retirement with the Columbus Police Department after more than 21

years of service.



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THE FOLLOWING TEN RESOLUTIONS EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO SEVERAL

INDIVIDUALS WHO RENDERED SERVICE ON A CITY BOARD WERE SUBMITTED BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND ADOPTED BY

THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM

RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR ALLEN, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE

NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT AT THE TIME, WITH COUNCILOR SUBER BEING ABSENT

FOR

THIS

VOTE:





A Resolution (305-03) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Douglas Scott for

meritorious service on the Hospital Authority.



A Resolution (306-03) - Expressing appreciation to Ms. Ola Mae

Washington for meritorious service on the Hospital Authority.



A Resolution (307-03) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. James Yancey for

meritorious service on the Industrial and Port Development Commission.



A Resolution (308-03) - Expressing appreciation to Ms. Audrey

Hollingsworth for meritorious service on the Keep Columbus Beautiful

Commission.



A Resolution (309-03) - Expressing appreciation to Ms. Liliana McDaniel

for meritorious service on the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission.



A Resolution (310-03) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Wayne Anthony

for meritorious service on the Personnel Review Board.



A Resolution (311-03) - Expressing appreciation to Ms. Agnes Lowe for

meritorious service on the Personnel Review Board.



A Resolution (312-03) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Ralph King for

meritorious service on the Planning Advisory Commission.



A Resolution (313-03) - Expressing appreciation to Ms. Arline Kitchen for

meritorious service on the Planning Advisory Commission.



A Resolution (314-03) - Expressing appreciation to Ms. Bennie Newroth for

meritorious service on the West Central Georgia Regional Mental Health, Mental

Retardation and Substance Abuse Board.



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POLICE CASE:



City Attorney Fay said he has provided to the Council, a copy of Judge

Land?s order in the Police case that was mentioned in the newspaper.

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



MR. DAVID WILKINS, MS. JANICE DAVIS AND MS. LISA COLLINS,

RE: COLUMBUS IN

MOTION:





Mr. David Wilkins said on last year, they had the First Annual Burger King

In Motion X event on Saturday preceding the Labor Day weekend and said this

year, they are changing the name of the event to Columbus In Motion. He said

this is a Greater Columbus Sports Council event. He said on last year they had

5,000 people in attendance and this year they are looking for 10,000. He said

their goal is to try to replicate the event that is held in Athens, which draws

crowds of up to 25,000 ? 30,000 people. He said they want this to be the

sporting equivalent of Riverfest and to put Columbus on

the cycling map.



Mr. Wilkins said this would be a criterion race, which is a night cycling

race in the downtown streets of our nations. He said they would like to thank

City Manager Cavezza and his staff for making this event possible.



City Manager Cavezza said this event has been coordinated and said it is

his understanding that both Janice Davis and Lisa Collins, who was also present

with Mr. Wilkins, have visited the storeowners downtown to make sure that it is

well communicated.



Mr. Wilkins said the event would be held on August 30, 2003 and then

provided copies of the track to the members of the Council.



Councilor Davis also thanked the volunteers for what they do in these

events, as well as Mr. Wilkins, Ms. Davis and Ms. Collins for what they do for

the City of Columbus.



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MR. VINCE MIDDLEBROOKS, REPRESENTING INDEPENDENT CAB COMPANY:







Mr. Vince Middlebrooks said the last time he was before the Council, he

talked with you about the taxicab ordinances and said at that time, he was told

they shouldn?t be here to discuss the dispatcher services or cellular

telephones in the taxicabs, as far as dispatching services, and told him that

he would have to come back at a later date, which he is here for tonight.



He said he has been in the taxicab business for 46 years and said the

taxicab industry is a good business, but said it needs a lot of attention.

He said in the past 20 years there hasn?t been that much attention given to the

taxicab business in this town, mainly because there has not been much really

happening to bring it to your attention.



Mr. Middlebrooks said he tried to stress to you two weeks ago, although

you didn?t want to hear it, that you have to have a radio, a meter, and a hack

light in car in order to be inspected.



Mayor Poydasheff interrupted Mr. Middlebrooks and said that the reason the

Council didn?t want to hear it was because he suggested that you stick with the

issue that you stated you were going to come to the Council for and said if you

were going to discuss another issue that wasn?t listed at the time, that

wouldn?t be appropriate. He said now is the appropriate time to discuss that

particular issue. He said it wasn?t because the Council didn?t want to hear it,

but he said it wasn?t appropriate at that time.



Mr. Middlebrooks said the main thing that he is trying to get across to

this Council is if you want a better taxicab business in this town, you must

have a radio, meter and a hack light in a taxicab to get it inspected at the

Police Department. He said first of all, you have to go through a safety

inspection first at White?s Service Station, which he thinks is a good idea.



He said if you don?t have to have a radio in a taxicab for a dispatcher

service, why do you have to have it to get it inspected? He said you must have

a radio in the taxicab to prove that you have a dispatcher to dispatch calls to

you from the public that is calling your dispatcher service for a taxicab.



He said if you rather have a City that has a bunch of taxicab drivers

running around with cellular telephones that they are answering for a

dispatcher service, that?s fine, but said you don?t have a log book. He said

the taxicab driver will not keep a log book of every call they make.



Mr. Middlebrooks continued for several minutes in expressing his views

regarding this matter, after which he then responded to questions of Mayor

Poydasheff and members of the Council.



Several members of the Council expressed their views and requested further

information.



Mayor Poydasheff said he would like for the City Attorney to check the

legality as to whether or not it is legal for a taxicab driver to use cellular

telephones as a mean of dispatching services.



Councilor Turner Pugh said that she would like for the City Manager to

allow those individuals who are interested in matters as it relates to the

taxicab ordinance to submit a list of those things they would like to be

considered in the taxicab ordinance, to be submitted to the City Manager for

forwarding to the Taxicab Commission.



Councilor Allen said as he has been able to travel through his job, he has

had the opportunity to ride in many taxicabs all across the Country and he has

seen a wide variety of different type of communication, to include the

dispatch, cellular telephone and even scroll type mechanism, that they radio

into the taxicab.







He said when the Taxicab Commission meets on the proposed new ordinance,

he would hope that they discuss and consider what technology is available that

we might need to consider as it relates to the dispatching of services and

etc.



City Attorney Fay, in response to Councilor Suber, said in the ordinance

now, the policy is that it allows radios or telephone communications. He said

Assistant City Attorney Deloach has done some checking and said that they are

not prohibited.



Mayor Poydasheff said as he understands it, Mr. Middlebrooks is

recommending that no taxicab should have a cellular telephone, but a radio.

Mr. Middlebrooks said he is saying that they shouldn?t have a cellular

telephone for a dispatcher service. He said that is what the radio is for.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers asked City Attorney Fay if the verbiage about

telephone communication was added in 1996. City Attorney Fay said he doesn?t

have the entire history, but said according to the Code, there was an amendment

in October 8, 1996 and again in October 2001. He said it was the amendment to

this section in October 1996.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he would like to see the history, because he

served with Councilor Chester when the Taxicab Commission was commissioned in

1983 and said we went so far as to get ordinances from other cities, as well as

visited, in conjunction with a convention, Washington, D. C. He said we

discovered it is one of the most highly regulated industries in America.



He said we don?t want people out there purporting to be taxicab drivers,

whom we would not be comfortable with, or would put visitors or even our own

consuming public in harms way. He said at that time, this base station was

contemplated and was put in the ordinance and at that time, there were no

cellular phones. He said the issue of cellular phones never arose, but said the

telephone was a two-radio walkie-talkie type system and said that was deemed to

be permissible as long as it was done from a base station. He said the idea was

to prevent the single car owner, who wanted to work when he wanted to work,

from calling themselves a taxicab company. He said we had no knowledge of who

was out there doing it or how available he was.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then requested City Attorney Fay to provide a

history on this subject, because what Mr. Middlebrooks is saying does make

sense, but if it has been changed, then we might need to look at it again.



In his conclusion, Mr. Middlebrooks said if the Council decides to allow

cellular telephones for dispatching services, he doesn?t have a problem as he

has done his part to bring it to you, but said what he is trying to make you

understand is that you are going to have so much chaos in the taxicab business,

if you allow this.



Councilor Davis said when the Taxicab Commission meet, if we can have

someone in attendance there that will facilitate and help them coordinate the

issue. Mayor Poydasheff said that we have Lt. Ross who serves on that board and

does that.



After more than thirty minutes of discussion on this subject, this matter

was concluded.

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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 (315-03) - Authorizing the City Manager to execute an

Intergovernmental Agreement between the Columbus Consolidated

Government and the Columbus Convention & Visitors? Bureau. Mayor Pro Tem

Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously

by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.



A Resolution (316-03) - Authorizing submittal of the Comprehensive

Plan update to the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Development Center for review,

comments and recommendations. Councilor Woodson moved its adoption. Seconded by

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

present for this meeting.



A Resolution (317-03) - Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to that

portion of Bentley Drive and Grand Lane, located in Phase Two, Cedar Pointe

Subdivision, on behalf of Columbus, Georgia. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved its

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

members of Council present for this meeting.



A Resolution (318-03) - Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to a

cul-de-sac located at Knology Way, on behalf of Columbus, Georgia. Mayor Pro

Tem Rodgers moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried

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



A Resolution (319-03) - Authorizing the Mayor to accept matching grant

funds from the Muscogee County Smart Start Collaborative, c/o United Way of the

Chattahoochee Valley, Inc., of $30,000 to fund training and technical

assistance programming, to educate child care providers and to amend the

multi-governmental fund by a like amount. Councilor Turner Pugh moved its

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

members of Council present for this meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING SEVEN PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS, HAVING BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE

CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA 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 ALLEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY

THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:





A Resolution (320-03) - Authorizing payment for actuarial and consulting

services to William M. Mercer, Inc., in the amount of $78,620.00.



A Resolution (321-03) - Authorizing the purchase of five (5) twenty-five

yard refuse bodies from Consolidated Disposal Systems, Inc., in the amount of

$186,500.00; and five (5) cab and chassis from Beck Motor Company, in the

amount of $418,750.00, with the total cost to the City being $605,250.00.



A Resolution (322-03) - Authorizing procurement of Outdoor Advertising

Services from Viacom Outdoor, in the amount of $29,682.00; $3,298.00 per month,

for nine months.



A Resolution (323-03) - Authorizing payment to Columbus Trophy &

Screen printing (Columbus, GA) in the amount of $15,771.80, for

miscellaneous supplies.



A Resolution (324-03) - Authorizing the execution of a contract with

Freeman & Associates, Inc., for streetscapes construction services.



A Resolution (325-03) - Authorizing payment to Georgia Power Company,

in the amount of $30,500.00.



A Resolution (326-03) - Approving a six-month contract extension not to

exceed $10,000.00 with Jim Anthony Enterprises to provide video recording and

broadcast services.



*** *** ***



UPCOMING EVENTS:



City Manager Cavezza highlighted some upcoming events, which are outlined

below.



July 4, 2003 from 1:00 - 9:30 p.m., Thunder on the Hooch, on the

RIverwalk.



July 10, 2003 at 6:00 p.m., Urban League 9th Annual Opportunity Day,

Fort Benning Officer?s Club.



July 11, 2003- Firefighters/EMS Annual Cookout, 6655 Lynch Road





*** *** ***



GRASS CUTTING:



City Manager Cavezza said with the constant rain, the grass is growing

faster than we can cut it. He said they are getting telephone calls in this

regard. He said we cut the right-of-way in the City and in most of the

residential areas once a month and in the outlying areas, we cut it once a

quarter. He said we cannot cut it any faster than that because we just don?t

have the resources. He said as long as the rain continues, unfortunately,

that?s the way it has to be.



*** *** ***



MARINA:



Councilor McDaniel asked City Manager to consider putting together a

committee to work on trying to get a Marina in South Columbus. He said we need

to get some people together that has some ideas about how we can build a

Marina. He said he knows that Councilor Woodson would like to have it in South

Columbus and said it would certainly revitalize that area.



He said if the Mayor wants to have a project to get that started, it would

certainly be a key to getting South Columbus going.





*** *** ***







ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE:



Councilor Woodson said she would like for City Manager Cavezza to find out

what is the status of the proposed changes that were to be forthcoming to

revise the Animal Control Ordinance. She said the staff was supposed to be

looking over the ordinance and make some recommendations to bring back to the

Council. She said her concern was the size of the fence when you have large

vicious dog. Mayor Poydasheff said we will look into that.





*** *** ***



MARINA:



Referring back to the subject of the Marina, Councilor McDaniel said he

didn?t get a response to his question and then asked City Manager Cavezza if we

can get together and look into this. He said Mr. Bobby Rowe is really

interested in this project.



City Manager Cavezza said that he would bring back a recommendation in

this regard.



*** *** ***



PENSION PLAN:



Regarding the request that Councilor Henderson made two weeks ago as it

relates to the pension plan and the request to see how those numbers work out,

as far as the retirees and what they are saying about the retention of the

public safety officers, Councilor Suber asked what is the status of that

information.



City Manager Cavezza said they will provide that information to the

Council.



*** *** ***



TRAFFIC SIGNALS:



Councilor Suber said in the future when installing traffic signals, let?s

start requiring the lines to go underground like they are at the 1st

Avenue/10th Street signal. He said you can see the difference of not having the

poles downtown, as they are on Wynnton Road and other parts of town.



*** *** ***



GRASS CUTTING:



Councilor Turner Pugh asked City Manager Cavezza to provide a copy of the

written policy on the process for writing taxpayers who may own rental property

where there is overgrown grass and weeds. She said she would also like for the

City Manager to advise as to whether or not we give them a specific timeframe

on when that grass must be cut and what occurs if they don?t comply within that

time period. She said she would like for him to determine whether or not there

is something that needs to be added to the ordinance.



She said when you have a residential neighborhood and everybody else is

keeping their grass up and then you have one house where nobody keeps the grass

cut and the house clean and nobody is living in it and it is an eyesore to the

community, but it is also a safety hazard to the neighbors who live around it,

when you have grass and weeds five feet high.



Councilor Turner Pugh said she just needs to know if we have a written

policy or do we need to do something to the ordinance, because most of those

properties, the individuals doesn?t live in them and they don?t have to see it.

She said she doesn?t think it is fair to those neighbors who live next door to

these properties. She said when we have to continuously contact a homeowner who

doesn?t live in Columbus any longer, it is not fair to the residential

properties around it, nor is it fair that the City has to keep contacting them

over and over again for them to cut their grass.



City Manager Cavezza said there is a written policy and he will bring back

the details of it. He said it is easier to deal with people out of town because

if they don?t respond in a certain period of time, we go ahead and clean up the

property and send them a bill. He said we have to go through the citation and

warning process with people who live here. He said he would bring back the

details and see if we need to tighten up the ordinance a little bite.



*** *** ***



SHRM LUNCHEON:



Councilor Anthony said that Mr. Roger Buterbaugh asked him to let the

Council know that there has been a change in the date for the SHRM Luncheon

from August 28th to August 21st.



*** *** ***



SWIMMING POOLS:



Councilor Henderson asked City Attorney Fay if we adopted an ordinance

recently or do we have an ordinance on the books that requires an alarm on a

door that goes out into the homeowners? backyard that has to emit an audible

tone for 30 seconds.



Mayor Poydasheff and several members of the Council said we do not.



Councilor Henderson said he received a telephone call from a constituent

whereby he said that an inspector required him to install this alarm. He said

he had trouble trying to find one around here. He said he would get the name of

the inspector and will follow-up with the City Manager on this issue.

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

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

CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS

INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL:



(1) ACCG The County Line Newsletter, Vol.16, No. 2.



(2) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Convention &

Visitor?s Bureau.



(3) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Housing Authority

of Columbus.



(4) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Taxicab

Commission.



(5) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Tree Board.

(6) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Board of Water

Commissioners.



(7) Letter from Cathy Cox, Secretary of State, Re: Enactments of

the

General Assembly.



(8) National League of Cities 80th Congress of Cities & Exposition, Dec. 9th

-

13th, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee.



(9) Biographical Sketch of David Cassell for the position of Darren Phillips on

the Taxicab Commission.



*** *** ***



NEW HORIZON, MH, MR, SA COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington submitted an Official Appointment Form to

confirm the reappointment of Ms. Victoria B. Allen, Ms. Anne Hopp and

Ms. Nancy Schroeder for a term of office beginning July 1, 2003 to June 30,

2005 on the New Horizon Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse

Community Service Board.



Councilor Henderson moved their confirmation. 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:



Board of Tax Assessors, No. 23.

Board of Tax Assessors, No. 24.

Columbus Airport Commission, April 23, 2003.

Historic & Architectural Review, May 12, 2003

Housing Authority, May 21, 2003.



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

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

Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING THREE NEW ZONING PETITIONS, RECOMMENDED FOR CONDITIONAL

APPROVAL BY BOTH THE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION AND THE PLANNING DIVISION,

WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE

AND PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED FOR BY COUNCILOR

MCDANIEL:





Petition submitted by Dykes Development Company, Inc. to rezone

approximately 32.18 acres of property located at the northeast corner of

Whitesville Road and Williams Road (south of the gas pipeline) from an A-1

District to an A-O District (20.70 acres) and C-3 General Commercial (11.48

acres). (15-CA-03-Dykes Development Co., Inc.)



Petition submitted by George Woodruff Company to rezone approximately 6.56

acres of property located at the southeast corner of Whitesville Road and

Williams Road from an A-1 District to a C-3 District.

(16-CA-03-Woodruff)



Petition submitted by Columbus Cardiology Associates, P.C. to rezone

approximately 0.82 acres of property located at 2744 Warm Springs Road from a

R-1A District to an A-O District. (17-CA-03-Cols. Cardiology Assoc., P.C.)

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

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

MINUTES: Minutes of the June 17, 2003 Meeting of the Council of the

Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia was submitted and approved upon

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

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

the meeting.

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

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



BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that on last week Mayor Pro Tem

Rodgers nominated Mr. William Kendall, Ms. Joan Freeman Cargill, Ms. Susan

Anderson, Mr. Bill Green, Mr. Stan Stovall, Ms. Julie Bray,

Ms. Marlene Sharpe and Ms. Linda McLemoreto succeed themselves for another term

of office and that they may now be confirmed. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers so moved.

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

of Council present for this meeting.



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that she has outlined the other

vacancies of those individuals who cannot succeed themselves and then asked if

there were any nominations for any of these seats.



Councilor Davis then nominated Ms. Sharon Dixon for Ms. Betty Lawrence?s

seat and Mr. James Miller for Donna Baudoin?s seat.



Clerk of Council Washington also pointed out that on last week Councilor

Hunter nominated Ms. Eva Smith to succeed Ms. Edith McCray for Council District

3 and Councilor Woodson nominated Ms. Susan Turner Berry to succeed Mary Barker

for Council District 7 and they may now be confirmed.

Councilor Woodson so moved. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously

by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers nominated Ms. Jane Pease to succeed

Ms. Charlene LeBleu for Council District 5. Clerk of Council Washington pointed

out that since this is a Council District appointment, Ms. Pease could be

confirmed. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved she be confirmed. Seconded by Councilor

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

this meeting.



Councilor Allen then made a motion that Ms. Sharon Dixon be confirmed to

succeed Ms. Betty Lawrence for Council District 2. Seconded by Councilor

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

this meeting.



Councilor Turner Pugh then nominated Ms. Virginia Dickerson for

Ms. Anne Wright?s at-large seat. Clerk of Council Washington said she would

bring this back on next week for the Council?s confirmation.



*** *** ***









TAXICAB COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we have outlined the four

vacancies on the Taxicab Commission, which are two at-large seats, the

representative for the Hotel/Motel Industry and the Chamber of Commerce

representative. She said we have received a recommendation from the Convention

& Visitors Bureau for the hotel/motel slot, which is Mr. David Cassell. Mayor

Pro Tem Rodgers then nominated Mr. Cassell to succeed

Mr. Darren Phillips on this board.



Councilor Allen said he thinks it would be appropriate for us to go ahead

and confirm Mr. Cassell and then so moved. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers

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

meeting.



In respond to Councilor Allen, Clerk of Council Washington said she has

spoken with Ms. Lisa Gardner of the Chamber of Commerce and she is working on

someone for that position.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then nominated Mr. Walter Bond for Mr. Gerald

Ludwig?s at-large seat. Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that she would

bring this back on next week for the Council?s confirmation.

.

*** *** ***



YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that she has outlined the eight

appointments that must be made by seven District Councilors as well as one

appointment to be made by the Mayor on the Youth Advisory Council and then

asked if there were any nominations.



Councilor Turner Pugh nominated Shannon Floyd. Councilor Suber moved that

she be confirmed. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by

those ten members of Council present for this meeting.



Clerk of Council Washington also pointed out that Councilor Hunter is

nominating Maria Hunter and that she may be confirmed. Councilor Turner Pugh so

moved. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those ten members

of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



Mayor Poydasheff 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. No one came forward to be heard.

*** *** ***



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

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

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

with the time being 7:15 P.M.



*** *** ***





Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia