Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

JUNE 27, 2002





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

order at 9:02 A.M., Tuesday, June 27, 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., Evelyn

Turner Pugh, Richard Smith, Nathan Suber and Evelyn Woodson. City Manager

Carmen Cavezza, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington

and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also

present.



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ABSENT: Councilor Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., was absent.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Pastor Mike Reeves - Pastor of Second Baptist Church.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers.

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PROCLAMATIONS:



?OUR HOUSE?:



With Ms. Becky Rumer, Chairperson of the Columbus for Kids, Inc., standing

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

Peters proclaiming July 27, 2002, as ?Our House Month?, in Columbus, Georgia.



Mayor Peters said this is located on Hamilton Road where the Northridge

Hospital was and said it would not be possible without Mr. Larry Sanders and

Columbus Regional being a key partner in this project as well.



Ms. Becky Rumer distributed around the Council table, a brochure about Our

House, which she says is a very unique public-private partnership here in our

community, as well as the State. She said not only did Governor Barnes and

Commissioner Jim Martin from the Department of Human Resources come down last

week to help them open the doors, but said on yesterday Governor Barnes held

his third Plenary session of his Governor?s Action Group for safe kids and Our

House was lifted up as the only model right now in the State of Georgia

providing these types of services, where partners are co-located in the same

place where children are; and where we are fundamentally changing the way we

serve children and the outcomes that we are expecting to get.



She then introduced those who were present with her today, which includes

Mr. Larry Sanders of Columbus Regional Hospital, Dr. Buddy Cooper, Ms. Donna

Baudion, Ms. Patti Cardin, Ms. Linda Harper, Mr. Boyce Fields, Ms. Edna Foster,

Ms. Reece Land, Ms. Wanda Torbert and Mr. Terry Sybrant.



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COLUMBUS FIRE DEPARTMENT:



Mayor Peters said earlier this year, the Columbus Police Department went

through a rigorous evaluation recently to receive National certification and

said that it is a great honor to know that our Columbus Police Department has

received that National certification. He said our Fire Department has now gone

through this rigorous evaluation with the hopes of receiving National

certification as well.

He said there are only 57 Fire Departments in the entire United States

that has ever received National Certification and said we have a team of

assessors in Columbus that have been here for one week and going through every

aspect of our Fire Department from training to man hours, and equipment. He

said on Sunday night, they had dinner with the assessors and welcomed them to

our City, with several members of the Council being present and said we

appreciate that very much, as community support is a key element involved in

that assessment.



Mayor Peters pointed out that those assessors are present here this

morning in the Council Chambers, and said they are leaving today after

completing their report at 2:00 a.m. this morning. He said he doesn?t know what

the results are, and said they will take this back to the National organization

and make a recommendation.

He then called Fire Chief Roy Waters to come forward to make comments.



Chief Roy Waters said there is over 26,000 Fire Departments in the United

States and said there are 59 that have received International Accreditation.



He then introduced the Team Leader from the Commission on Fire

Accreditation

International, Steve (inaudible), who then introduced his team that was present

with him, which includes Mr. Robert Buse, Mr. Barry McKenna and Mr. Ina

Bennett. He said the International Accreditation System is an International

system that looks at over 250 performance indicators in the evaluation of many

departments. He said there are currently 59 departments that are currently

accredited and several more that are in the pipeline in preparation for

potential accreditation.



Steve (Inaudible) extended his appreciation for the hospitality that they

have received while here in Columbus and said they can?t say enough about the

warmth that they have received from the entire community and in particular, the

Columbus Fire Department. He said it is his honor that his team will be

recommending to the Commission in August that the Columbus Fire Department/EMS

Services be recommended for accreditation.



He said the entire department worked extremely hard over this past week

and said the team worked very hard as well, and said they were very impressed

with the organization from top to bottom here in Columbus, Georgia.



Mayor Peters then asked the Operational staff of the Columbus Fire

Department to introduce themselves, which includes, Chief Jerry Fountain,

Deputy Chief of Operations, Deputy Chief of EMS, David Arrington, Battalion

Chief Andrew Thomas, Assistant Chief Jeff Meyer, Captain Allen Davis, Program

Manager, Deputy Chief Vic Schmidt, of Administrative Services. Chief Waters

said that these individuals have worked very hard and have put in a lot of

hours to prepare for this accreditation.



City Manager Cavezza said one of the key factors in Chief Roy Waters and

the Fire Department?s success was the professionalism and staff, as well as the

adoption of the Quality Management Continuous Improvement Program by the Fire

Department. He said they embraced it, implemented it and are using it, and said

that he would hope that all the departments within the City would look at what

the Fie Department has accomplished by using the process.

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MINUTES: Minutes of the June 18, 2002 meeting 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 eight members of Council

present for this meeting.

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ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS:



THERE WERE NO ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY?S MEETING.

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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



Mayor Peters said there will be a request for the Council to go into an

executive session this morning to discuss whether or not we would like to

appeal the tax freeze lawsuit.(See below for additional information)

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



MR. WILLIAM CHAPMAN, RE: SIGN PLACEMENT:



Mr. William Chapman, representing Tire King was present again this week

due to his request of the Council being delayed for one week.



Mayor Peters said that the City Manager has provided the Council with an

update on that matter. City Manager Cavezza said he provided the Council with

some additional information. He said Mr. Chapman had mentioned the sign across

the street from his business that exceeded the 35 feet limit and said that Mr.

Chapman was correct, in that there was a variance provided by the Board of

Zoning Appeals. He said there was already a pole in place at that location and

they requested a sign, so there was a compromise on the size of the sign. He

said that was one exception in that location, and said all the other signs

conform to the ordinance.



City Manager Cavezza said Mr. Chapman?s concern is that the trees in the

median block his sign. He said coming up from the south to about 100 feet from

the Intersection, that is true, but said once you get beyond the trees you can

see it clearly and also coming from the other directions, you can see it

clearly. He said his recommendation is that no variance be granted.



Mr. Chapman said if you are traveling on Veterans Parkway, you can?t see

the sign at 35 feet, but said if you had a 58 feet sign, you might be able to

see it. He said the only Tire King sign that they have outside is on top of a

gasoline pump awning. He said they have been open at this location since March

20th and they have been trying to hold out to get this Tire King sign. He then

distributed some information around the Council table to the Mayor and members

of the Council, but a copy was not filed with the Clerk of Council for the

Council?s records.



City Manager Cavezza said if the Council allows Mr. Chapman to have this

sign, they will not have very much choice but to let everybody do it. He said

the alternative is to knock down the trees, which he said he doesn?t think we

are going to do that. He said the problem with the signs is that there are too

many signs. He said in his opinion, he doesn?t think there is a hardship

there.



After the Council members received and reviewed the information, and

Mr. Chapman continued to express his views as it relates to his request, and

City Manager Cavezza responded to questions of Mr. Chapman, Mayor Peters then

asked what was the pleasure of the Council in this regard?



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

Councilor Suber then asked City Manager Cavezza that since Mr. Chapman has

tried to come into compliance before, and has taken all of his other signage

down to complies and now he is asking for the variance. He said it appears that

he probably tried to work the City in, trying to get the variance for this

particular larger sign. He said if he had left the Shell sign, he doesn?t think

that the Board of Zoning Appeals would have told him that he had to take that

sign down. He then asked City Manager Cavezza if it would be okay for him to

put his other distributorship tire signs inside that location, for a compromise

on this issue.



Mayor Peters then said which would be a 45 feet sign.



Councilor Suber said what he has there now is two different types of

brands signs, and if he could put his other brands in there, that might help

him out and he can leave the Tire King sign on top of the current sign he has

that is in compliance, if we give him that variance to do that.



Mayor Peters said he thinks that you can only have one sign up. Councilor

Suber said that would be one sign, but it would be a combination of all of his

brands. He said they would all be in the same area.



After further discussion on this matter, with Mr. Chapman responding to

further questions of the Council, as well as City Manager Cavezza, Councilor

Suber then made a motion that we allow Mr. Chapman to put his other brand signs

on top of the current sign that he has. Seconded by Councilor Allen.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he doesn?t like Special Exceptions at the

Council table and said if we can work it through the process and get it done

that would be fine.



City Manager Cavezza said the Board meets on next Wednesday and said he

will work with the Board to get Mr. Chapman on the Agenda. Mayor Peters said

the request is that it be sent back to the Board of Zoning Appeals for their

recommendation on the 35-foot exceeding the square footage by next Wednesday.



The question was then called on the motion, which carried unanimously by

those eight members of Council present for this meeting.



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MRS. VALERIE EDWARDS RICHARDSON, REPRESENTING THE CHATTACHOOCHEE VALLEY

REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM, RE: CHILD INTERNET PROTECTION ACT:



Mrs. Richardson appeared and introduced Mr. Wayne Whitfield, Computer

Support Services Coordinator, who was present with her, and said each of the

Council members should have received notification of an open forum that the

Library is having on Monday, July 1st. She said in preparation of the open

forum on Monday, she distributed a copy of the current Internet Policy to the

Mayor and members of the Council.



Mrs. Richardson said the one thing that is so important is that they want

the public to come out and attend because right now the Library does indeed

filter their public computers. She said through this open forum, they will

revise that policy so that they are in line with whatever the legislation

becomes; because right now it is in the appeal process, but eventually they

will have a final decision. She said they want to make sure that they have

heard from the community and know what they want, and incorporate that into the

policy. She said they are here this morning to just remind everyone to please

come out and attend the forum, so you can let us know what you think.



Mrs. Richardson and Mr. Whitfield then responded to questions of Councilor

Hunter as to where was the decision made, which was the District Federal Court

and it is now being appealed at the Supreme Court.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY

AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:





A Resolution (402-02) - Commending Councilor Evelyn Turner Pugh as Budget

Review Committee Chairperson for the Fiscal Year 2002-2003. Councilor Allen

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

those eight members of Council present for this meeting.

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



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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



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

AS THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER CAVEZZA AND THEN

ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: ____________



A Resolution (403-02) - Amending Resolution Number 141-02 to award $35,500

from the Crime Victim Witness Surcharge to Children?s Tree House Incorporated,

instead of Columbus For Kids, to purchase an Image Quest Colposcope and two (2)

computers. Councilor Suber moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Allen and

carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present for this

meeting.

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NOTE: The City Manager?s Agenda is concluded below.



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TAX FREEZE:



Mayor Peters said in 1983, the people of Columbus, by a referendum put a

freeze in place on homeowners that have homestead exemptions. He said once you

do that, your valuation on that house is frozen until you either sell it or

remodel it or other actions, or pass away and leave it to someone else, and

then the valuation changes to the present value. He said that has been in place

for a long time and said it was voted on again in 1991, and by a majority vote

the freeze was left in place.



However, some citizens have now challenged that in court and a trial judge

has ruled that this violates the constitution of equal protection; and

therefore, the Council has 90 days under that ruling to either come up with a

plan to bring everybody up to the same valuation in an area, or an alternative.

He said the Council has to make a decision within thirty days from that

decision to either appeal it or let it stand.



Mayor Peters said we certainly have a right under the law to go into an

executive to discuss this. He said a lot of it has been openly discussed, and

it?s not really so much a private issue, but said the strategy with our

attorney is an issue. He said there is also another issue, which has nothing to

do with this, but City Manager Cavezza has a real estate issue that he would

like to discuss. He said we normally go into executive session at the end of

the Council meeting, but said one of the Council members has to leave this

morning.



Councilor Suber said he thinks it will be somewhat unfair for the citizens

that have come down for the ordinances on second reading that we will be

dealing with and said he thinks that we should first do citizens business and

then we can discuss the executive sessions decisions. He said we have certain

people that have been waiting for their zoning petitions to be approved or

denied and said he thinks that we need to do that first.

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA CONTINUED:



THE FOLLOWING THREE ZONING ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS

READ BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND THEN AMENDED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING

AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DISCUSSION PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION

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

UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE EIGHT MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

PRESENT:





An Ordinance (02-59) - Rezoning approximately 5.98 acres of property

located at 1741, 1729, 1721, 1715, 1711, 1707, and 1703 Elvan Avenue from an

R-2 District to an R-4 District. (14-CA-02-Oney)



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he thinks that we need to amend this ordinance

to incorporate the plans that were agreed upon in discussion with Councilor

Woodson and the petitioner. He then so moved. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and

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



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An Ordinance (02-60) - 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)



Councilor Henderson said in light of some discussion with construction

exiting on Cooper Creek Road, and the lack of a traffic signal there, it occurs

to him that we probably should put a condition in this ordinance that delays

grading or construction until the traffic light is in place. He said he thinks

we need to be consistent with some of the other issues that we have put in

place on some of the other construction in that area. He then so moved.

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

Council present for this meeting.



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An Ordinance (02-61) - 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)





Councilor Turner Pugh asked City Attorney Fay if we could include a

reversionary clause in the ordinance to state that if the grant is not received

for the senior citizens apartment that it will revert back to its present zone.



Councilor Turner Pugh then made a motion that a reversionary clause be

added to the ordinance that if the property is not used for senior citizens

apartments that it will revert back to its present zone. Seconded by Councilor

Woodson,



Reverend Lloyd Johnson, Pastor of the New Bethel Seventh Day Adventist

Church then appeared and said he has no problem with the reversionary clause.



Mayor Peters then called the question on the motion, which carried

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





THE FOLLOWING FIVE ORDINANCES WERE ALSO 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 MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED BY

COUNCILOR ALLEN, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE EIGHT MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

PRESENT:





An Ordinance (02-62) - 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)



An Ordinance (02-63) - 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 (02-64) - Providing for the levy, assessment, and collection

of

taxes for the public school system of Columbus, Georgia.



An Ordinance (02-65) - 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.



An Ordinance (02-66) - 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 ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND DEFEATED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND

READING:



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.) Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers made a motion to defeat the ordinance.

Seconded by Councilor Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those eight

members of Council present for this meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS DEFEATED BY THE COUNCIL ON LAST WEEK

WAS AGAIN SUBMITTED AND AMENDED BY THE COUNCIL, AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILOR

SUBER AND AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DISCUSSION WAS APPROVED BY THE

COUNCIL:

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An Ordinance (02-67) - 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 Suber said we took a vote on last week concerning the zoning

ordinance on Cooper Creek Road and Veterans Parkway and said he thinks that the

petitioner, along with the City has come and brought back what he thinks is

acompromise to assess or look at that situation that the developer is having.

He said on last week the developer asked us to make some concessions on that

and said he brought up the fact that if you make a promise that you have to

live up to it. He said he believes that this developer along with a number of

the citizens that live out there have been willing to make a compromise. He

said two of the property owners that live on Cooper Creek Road have given a

letter to the City that they are willing to let the construction trucks enter

on Blythe Road and the developer will create a temporary roadway on part of his

private property to get over to Cooper Creek Road. He then asked for

reconsideration on this matter. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers.



City Attorney Fay said the motion would reword what would have been a new

Condition #5 to restrict construction traffic only to Blythe Road. Councilor

Suber said also the entrance to Cooper Creek Road to get onto Blythe Road. He

said the motion is that they will only enter and exit from Blythe Road.



Mayor Peters then called the question on the motion for reconsideration,

which carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present for this

meeting.



Councilor Suber then made a motion that the ordinance be amended as stated

above. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he would hope that we not slow down our efforts

to get a traffic light there as soon as possible. Mayor Peters said they had a

meeting with the Regional Transportation Board and said they brought that issue

up and asked the Department of Transportation to try and expedite that traffic

light.



City Manager Cavezza said we have asked them to expedite that traffic

signal much sooner than August and said we are hopeful that they can do that.

He said construction would probably be completed by late September or early

October in this particular area.



The question was then called on Councilor Suber?s motion, which carried by

a vote of 7 to 1, with Councilor Allen voting no and all other seven members of

Council present voting yes.



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TAX FREEZE:



Mayor Peters said Councilor Woodson has to leave and so we really need to

go into an executive session. Councilor Henderson said he agrees that we need

to go ahead and go into executive session so that Councilor Woodson can be

briefed on this by the City Attorney; however, if we would have done it at the

end of the Council meeting like we normally do, we would have the opportunity

to hear from the public before we went into session, and said because of the

scope of the issue, he would make a motion that if there is anyone present here

today that had planned on speaking at the end of the meeting on this topic, be

allowed to speak now. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously

by those eight members of Council present for this meeting.



The following individuals then appeared and expressed their views

regarding the issue of the tax freeze:



Mr. Jim Rhodes, Mr. Gerald Ludwig, Mr. Walter Gould, Mr. Bert Coker,

Mr. Richard Allen, and Ms. Faye Sherrill.



After those citizens appeared and expressed their views on this matter,

several members of the Council then expressed their views on this subject.

Mayor Peters and City Attorney Fay then responded to questions of the Council,

as it relates to the order.

City Attorney Fay said the order does not call for back payments. He said

there is a three-year phase out provision of the freeze, but not back payments.



Mayor Peters then asked if there was anyone else who wanted to be heard on

this issue. There were none.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then made a motion to allow the Council to go into

an executive session. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by

those seven members of Council present at the time, with Councilor Allen being

absent for this vote.



At 10:08 a.m., the Council adjourned its regular session to allow the

Council to go into an executive session to discuss two issues, litigation and a

real estate matter.



At 10:46 a.m., the Council reconvened its regular session, at which time

Mayor Peters pointed out that the Council did meet in executive sessions and

that there were no votes taken. He said we talked about the litigation and

whether or not to appeal the tax freeze lawsuit.



Councilor Smith then made a motion that we appeal the lawsuit to the

Georgia Supreme Court. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried by a vote

of

7 - 1, with Councilor Suber voting no and all other seven Council members

present voting yes.

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NOTE: Councilor Woodson left at this point in the proceedings, with the

time being 10:50 a.m.

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After the vote was taken on the motion as to whether or not to appeal the

lawsuit, several members of the Council expressed their further views on this

matter, and after more than fifteen minutes of discussion on this subject, and

City Attorney Fay also responding to further questions of Mayor Peters and

members of the Council, the matter was then concluded.

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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA CONTINUED:



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER

CAVEZZA AND AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DISCUSSION

DELAYED:



A Resolution - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into negotiation and

contract with Harris County and Cusseta, Georgia to accept their household

garbage into the Pine Grove Landfill at a minimum tipping fee of $27.00 per ton

subject to rate increase as may so be designated by Council.



Councilor Turner Pugh said when we built the landfill out on Schatulga

Road, we talked about that landfill lasting for a certain number of years, and

now we want to bring household wastes from Harris County and Cusseta, Georgia

into our landfill. She said she doesn?t think that Columbus needs to become a

regional landfill, but said if you do, then you need to put it somewhere else

in this City.



City Manager Cavezza said the intent was, when the landfill was built, it

was built and designed for thirty years based on the usage of 90,000 tons per

year.

He said in fact, we have been receiving 70,000 tons per year because we have

lost some customers, as there are new landfills over in Alabama that have

opened up, and said they have been seeking alternatives. He said if we do sign

these people up that will add about six years and said we would have about

thirty-four years.



Councilor Turner Pugh said if Harris County wants a landfill, she thinks

that they need to build their landfill and keep their garbage in Harris County.

She said we talk about people moving to outlying counties and then they are

going to bring their garbage back into Columbus, and said let them keep their

garbage in their own county.



City Manager Cavezza said from a financial point of view and the

accommodation point of view, he thinks that we can handle it and still stay

within our plan. He said certainly, we are not trying to lure people?s garbage

into this county, except that they dispose of it properly. He said in his

opinion, thirty years from now, we won?t be dumping garbage anywhere.



Councilor Allen said he agrees with those comments made by Councilor

Turner Pugh and said he remembers that the landfill is supposed to last fifty

years, not thirty. He said he also has a problem with the other communities

bringing their garbage here. He said they would also have a concern if we were

going to take our garbage to their landfill.



Councilor Henderson said his main concern is that we are careful in how we

structure the negotiated contract so that we either have a series of short-term

renewable contracts. He said he noticed the figures were calculated on a

six-year saturated point for one of those sales; so, therefore, he would hope

that we not enter into any contracts that go beyond that. He said he thinks it

is great that our capacity is coming in a little under what we have estimated

and that we have managed to extend the projected life of the landfill, but the

amount of our solid waste generated could change within the next year, and said

he just don?t want to see us get locked into a long-term contract with

surrounding counties.



City Manager Cavezza then responded to further questions of members of the

Council, as it relates to what the contract would be. He said the rationale for

them wanting to support it is since we have a 20,000-ton drop off lower than

anticipated, and the increase is 12,600 tons if we bring in those two cities.

He said we will still be getting less than what we anticipated and said the

economics of it, is that it is an Enterprise Fund and said we want to make sure

that it can support itself. He said we do need to look at the rates in the

future, in order to make sure that it continues to support itself.



Councilor Suber asked, how did we figure $2 million based upon six years?

He also asked if this is part of our budget, to which City Manager Cavezza said

it is not, because it hasn?t been approved. He asked where is Harris County and

Cusseta taking their garbage now, and how much are they being charged? He said

if we are being competitive, and said if we are going to accept it, all we are

doing is precluding them from having to build something on their own, by State

law, or EPD; and asked, why are we only accepting it as $27 per ton when we

could get more. He said he is also concerned as to why would we want to accept

someone else?s garbage.



Councilor Turner Pugh said she would also like to ask the City Attorney to

go back and examine those records from those meetings, because one of the

issues that came up at some of those public hearings, was bringing garbage in

from out of the county. She said she thought that we were told then that we

would not be doing that.



Mayor Peters then asked that we delay this resolution for one week to

allow the City Manager time to get all of the facts together.



After some twenty minutes of discussion on this issue, with City Manager

Cavezza responding to further questions of the Council, after which it was then

concluded. There were no objections to the resolution being delayed.



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

MANAGERCAVEZZA AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:



A Resolution (404-02) - Approving the amended holiday schedule for the FY03

Budget to include Columbus Day and the employee?s birthday. Mayor Pro Tem

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

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

having already left the meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING EIGHT 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 MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR

SUBER AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SEVEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT AT THE

TIME, WITH COUNCILOR WOODSON HAVING ALREADY LEFT THE

MEETING:





A Resolution (405-02) - Authorizing the purchase of a track loader with cab

from Metrac, Inc., in the amount of $183,380.32.



A Resolution (406-02) - Authorizing the execution of a contract for

first-class

mail pre-sort services with Columbus Presort.



A Resolution (407-02) - Authorizing the execution of a contract for

Worker?s Compensation claims Management with Association County Commissioners

of Georgia (ACCG).



A Resolution (408-02) - Authorizing payment to Motorola Communications and

Electronics, Inc., in the amount of $87,699.18 for the FY-03 annual

transmission system maintenance contract for the City?s 800 MHZ Radio

Communication System.



A Resolution (409-02) - Authorizing the purchase of a cab and chassis from

Volvo & GMC Trucks of Atlanta, in the amount of $213,384.00, and a dump body

from Park-Built Body & Truck Company, in the amount of $27,414.00.



A Resolution (410-02) - Approving the execution of a contract for grounds

maintenance services with A Cut Above Landscape and Outdoor Solutions.



A Resolution (411-02) - Authorizing payment to the University of Georgia?s

Carl Vinson Institute of Government, for the provision of a continuing

Management Development Program, in the amount of $22, 212.60.



A Resolution (412-02) - Authorizing the execution of a contract with Palmer

and Cay for the provision of commercial property insurance coverage and The

Hight Agency for the provision of crime insurance coverage.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION, NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND

EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER CAVEZZA AND APPROVED BY

THE

COUNCIL:

_



A Resolution (413-02) - Amending Resolution Number 61-01 authorizing the

acceptance of $32,807.00 additional Greenspace Grant Funding. Councilor Turner

Pugh moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Smith and carried unanimously by

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

having already left the meeting.

GEORGIA POWER LUNCHEON:



City Manager Cavezza reminded the Mayor and Council of the Georgia Power

Luncheon that will be held at 12:00 noon today at the River Club.



*** *** ***



PSALMOND ROAD POOL OPENING:



City Manager Cavezza also reminded the Mayor & Council of the opening

ceremony for the Psalmond Road Pool on June 28, 2002 at 1:00 p.m.

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

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

CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS

INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL:

___________



(1) ACCG?s The County Line Newsletter, Volume 15, Number 4.



(2) Memo from ACCG, Re: A Showcase of Cities and Counties.



(3) Memo from ACCG, Re: An enclosed copy of ACCG?s Final Legislative

Report of the 2002 Session of The General Assembly.



(4) Notice of the next Airport Commission Meeting.



*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND

DEFEATED BY THE COUNCIL: ____________



A Resolution - Approving a Special Exception to operate a Boardinghouse/

Rooming House at 7763 Fortson Road. Councilor Smith moved the resolution be

defeated. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously by those

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

for this vote and Councilor Woodson having already left the meeting.



*** *** ***



MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF

COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:______





Board of Tax Assessors, Number 23

Building Contractors Examining Board, June 6, 2002

Housing Authority, May 15, 2002.

Health, Board of, May 15, 2002.

Uptown Fa?ade Board, May 20, 2002.



Councilor Henderson made a motion that these minutes be received. Seconded

by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously by those seven members of

Council present at the time, with Councilor Woodson having already left the

meeting.





*** *** ***



THE FOLLOWING FOUR NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY

CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE WAS

CALLED FOR ON EACH BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS:______________________





Petition submitted by the Planning Division to amend the text of the

zoning ordinance to change the off-street parking requirements for commercial,

general business or personal service establishments that cater to retail trade

but not including food stores. (Recommended for approval by both the Planning

Advisory Commission and the Planning Division). (31-A-02-Planning Division.)



Petition submitted by the Planning Division to amend the text of zoning

ordinance to allow yoga and pilates as a Special Exception Use in an H

(Historic) Zoning District. (Recommended for approval both the Planning

Advisory Commission and the Planning Division). (32-A-02-Planning Division).



Petition submitted by Artisan Properties, Inc. to rezone approximately

4.88 acres of property located at the northern portion of 6751 Macon Road from

an R-1A District to a C-3 District. (Recommended for approval by the Planning

Advisory Commission and conditional approval by the Planning Division.)

(33-CA-02- Artisan Properties, Inc.)



Petition submitted by Dykes Development, Inc. to rezone approximately

32.116 acres of property located at 6800 Macon Road from an R-1A District to a

M-1 District. (Recommended for conditional approval by both the Planning

Advisory Commission and the Planning Division) (34-CA-02- Dykes Development,

Inc.)



*** *** ***



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 COURSE 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 Wilkeson for

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

there was a 5 - 5 tie vote. She said Mayor Peters had already left the meeting

and was unable to cast his vote in this regard. She said Mayor Peters has

advised her this morning that he will cast his vote for Ms. Nancy Wilkeson.



Clerk of Council Washington then pointed out that Ms. Wilkeson may now be

confirmed. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers so moved. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and

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

Councilor Woodson having already left the meeting.



*** *** ***



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 the Council still 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 then nominated Mr. Jack Nowell. Clerk of Council Washington

advised that Mr. Nowell may now be confirmed. Councilor Smith so moved.

Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously by those seven

members of Council present at the time, with Councilor Woodson having already

left the meeting.



*** *** ***



TAXICAB COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out the Council still needs to

nominate someone to fill the one new at-large seat that was recently approved

by the Council.



*** *** ***



Mayor Peters 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.

*** *** ***



Mayor Peters said whatever plans or whatever we talk about over the next

few months, as it relates to the Tax Freeze, the public thinks that the City

relies on this tax freeze money, but said very little of it goes to the City as

comparison to the School Board. He said most of the money goes to the School

District, and said whatever is going to be worked out we need to get together

and talk about it.



*** *** ***



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

Tem Rodgers then made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Councilor Henderson

and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council present at the time,

with Councilor Woodson having already left the meeting. This meeting then

adjourned at 11:25 A.M.



*** *** ***







Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia





















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