Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

JULY 9, 2002





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

order at 9:05 A.M., Tuesday, July 9, 2002, on the Plaza Level of the Government

Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable John J. Rodgers, Mayor Pro Tem, presiding.



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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers were Councilors R. Gary

Allen, Berry H. Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, 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: Mayor Peters was absent.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Pastor Ryan Wilson- Pastor of First Baptist Church.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from the Columbus Consolidated

Government Parks & Recreation Summer Camp Program.

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PROCLAMATIONS:



?NATIONAL AQUATICS WEEK?:



With Mr. J. Hudson Garrett, Jr., standing at the Council table, Councilor

Hunter read the proclamation of Mayor Peters, proclaiming the week of July 14 -

20, 2002, as National Aquatics Week?, in Columbus, Georgia.

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GEORIA POLICE & FIRE GAMES:



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he knows for sure that everyone is aware of the

wonderful success that we recently enjoyed in the Police & Fire Games and said

Ms. Janice Davis of the Columbus Sports & Events Council is here today to tell

you a little about what has happened.



Ms. Janice Davis then appeared and thanked the Mayor Pro Tem and Council

and the City for their support in the Georgia Police & Fire Games. She said

more importantly, they want to say thank you to the Public Safety Departments

that were involved and said that we are probably one of the only cities in the

State that has such a collaborative effort to pull this off, as all of the

agencies work hand in hand. She said they have a difficult time finding the

event to go somewhere else, to get the type of support that they have gotten

from Columbus, Georgia. She said the event is going to be held in Carrollton,

Georgia on next year, to give Columbus a rest.



Ms. Davis said today sitting in the audience, there are so many people who

made this event such a success that it is. She said we have asked all of the

medal winners, as well as the event coordinators to come forward so that they

can be recognized. She said as part of the Management Team behind all the work

that was involved was J. D. Hawk, of the Columbus Police Department, Chief

David Arrington, of the Fire Department, Randy Robinson, Sheriff?s Department

and Lt. Frosty Ross from the Police Department.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said this is a big event and said Columbus has been

fortunate enough to host this event for the past three years, and said we have

been tremendously successful and said it is due to the efforts of these people

that are here before the Council, and then asked that we stand and give these

people a thank you and a vote of confidence for all that they have done for our

City.



Captain J. D. Hawk said it is not just Public Safety Departments that

makes this happen, but said Columbus is fortunate because of outside Public

Safety, the entire community, as well as various other departments within the

City. He said every part of this City helped them to put this event on, and

said that is something that other cities can?t do.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then asked each of the medal winners, as well as the

event coordinators to introduce themselves, which includes the following:

Captain Ricky Harrow, Fire Department, Sergeant Randy Downs, Fire Department,

David Stallings, Jerry Hazen, MCP, Larry (inaudible) MCP, Firefighter Billings,

Lt. Marie Harold, Fire/EMS, Lt. Weeks, Fire Department, Battalion Chief Eddie

Hall, Fire Department, Sergeant Lynn Martin, Fire/EMS, Robert Taylor, Sheriff?s

Department, Mike Daily, Sheriff?s Department, Sergeant Willie Jessie, Sheriff?s

Department, Officer Ron O?Neal, Police Department, Detective J. Dent

Fitzpatrick, Police Department, Officer (inaudible), Police Department, Kevin

Baldwin, Deputy Linda Lee, Sheriff?s Department, Bruce Scott, Sheriff?s

Department, Detective Alex Boykin, Police Department, Bobbie Adkins, Police

Department, Coordinator, Detective Drew Tyner, Police Department, Lt. Gil

Slouchick, Police Department, Bruce Robinson Police Department, Officer Joe

Steed, Police Department, Chad Bohannon, Coordinator, Police Department, Bill

Gasaway, Police Department, Sheriff Ralph Johnson, Chief David Arrington,

Fire/EMS, Coordinator, Frosty Ross, Police Department, Coordinator.



Councilor Woodson said she was counting the number of gold, silver and

bronze medals that were won and said that we had 16 gold medals, 17 silver and

5 bronze medals. She said that is outstanding to know how well we did in these

events.

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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 AND IT?S

RECOMMENDATION CHANGED:



An Ordinance - Rezoning approximately 1.3 acres of property located at the

northeast corner of River Road and Schley Road from an A-1 District to a C-2

District. (26-D-26-02-Schley)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



Dr. Philip Schley was present in the audience, but he did not make a

presentation, as there was no one present to oppose this proposed rezoning

ordinance.

City Attorney Fay said the Planning Advisory Commission recommends

conditional approval and the Planning Division originally recommended denial

and said he thinks that City Manager Cavezza wants to make some comments in

that regard.



City Manager Cavezza said we have changed some procedures in the Planning

Division and said this was prior to those changes. He said his view of the

issue is that it should have been recommended for approval and said it is

consistent with the C-2 zoning across the street from it. He said the

individual that is building it owns all the property around it, and said it is

not spot zoning. He said his recommendation is that the Council approves it.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then stated that the Planning Division?s

recommendation with the change is approval and conditional approval from the

Planning Advisory Commission, to which City Manager Cavezza said that is

correct.



Councilor McDaniel said he don?t see any problem with it, as Dr. Schley

owns all the property around there, and said it is just outside the Harris

County line and said he would recommend to the Council that we approve it when

it comes back to the Council.



Councilor Henderson then asked what procedures were changed that would

facilitate a change in recommendation. City Manager Cavezza said ordinarily he

would not inject himself into this process and said he would be in discussion

with the Planning Division before it comes to the Council; however, we have

made some changes in the Planning Division and this was based on how it was

done previously. He said this came to him after the fact and said he didn?t

want to reverse the Planning Division?s decision, but said he did want to put

his opinion in.



Councilor Hunter said in reviewing the materials, he would agree with the

City Manager that it should be approved. He said all the property belongs to

Dr. Schley and said it seems like it is in line with what?s out there.



City Attorney Fay then declared this public hearing has been held and said

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

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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY

CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL ON SECOND READING:____________



An Ordinance (02-68) - Amending the "Official Street Map, City of

Columbus, Georgia," by changing the official street name for the section of

public roadway currently designated as Franklin Drive to "Adelaide Drive," to

be one street name consistent with the length of the roadway; authorizing the

replacement of existing street name signs labeled as FranklinDrive to Adelaide

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

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



An Ordinance (02-69) - Amending the FY02 Risk Management Fund

Budget from $1,293,937 to $1,493,937. Councilor Henderson moved its adoption.

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

Council present for this meeting.



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

ATTORNEY FAY AND THEN INTRODUCED ON FIRST

READING:



An Ordinance - Providing for the demolition of the structures located at

2713 Baldwin Street (Charlie R. Colbert, owner), 753 Lawyers Lane (Robert

Dixon, owner), 755 Lawyers Lane (Joe Jackson, Sr., owner), #4 Caprice Court, #5

Caprice Court, 4132 Alpine Drive, 4144 Alpine Drive, 4145 Alpine Drive, and

4200 Alpine Drive (Wm. J. & Shirley C. Madison, owners), and 4819 ? 13th Avenue

(Axlence C. Wilber Scott and Sherman Walker, Jr., owners), and for demolition

services for the Inspections and Code Division in accordance with a Tabulation

of Bid sheet.

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



NO ONE REQUESTED TO BE LISTED ON THE PUBLIC AGENDA TODAY.

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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER

CAVEZZA AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:_____________



A Resolution (429-02) - Accepting a deed to Flat Rock Court, located in

part of Land Lot 62, 9th District, Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia, on

behalf of Columbus, Georgia. Councilor Turner Pugh moved its adoption. Seconded

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

present for this meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING FOUR 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 SUBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON,

WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:





A Resolution (430-02) - Authorizing the expenditure of appropriated funds,

in the FY-03 budget to Ace Mailing Services, Inc., for the provision of

printing, postage and mail processing services of motor vehicle registration

renewal notices for the Tax Commissioner, at the estimated cost of $45,000.



Councilor Turner Pugh said in reading the information that was provided to

the Council, it was stated that we are going with the State?s contract and then

asked, if we checked first to see if it could be done cheaper some place else,

beside what the State?s contract calls for.



City Manager Cavezza said it is his understanding that they did check and

said they could not do it any cheaper than the State?s contract.



Councilor Turner Pugh said in the future when we list the purchases and if

they are doing State contracts, to let us know that they did check other

sources. She said she knows that State contracts are not always the cheapest to

cities and counties.



A Resolution (431-02) - Authorizing the purchase of paper products and

related supplies for Civic Center South Commons Complex from Unisource, for the

estimated annual contract value of $12,000.



A Resolution (432-02) - Authorizing the purchase of fifteen (15) automated

external defibrillators and accessories from Stop Heart Attack, in the amount

of $44,225.00.



A Resolution (433-02) - Authorizing the purchase of traffic sign materials

from Vulcan, Inc, (D/B/A Vulcan signs), for the estimated annual contract value

of $197,000.00.



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SHIRLEY WINSTON PARK POOL OPENING:



City Manager Cavezza said this Friday, June 12th at 10:00 a.m., will be

the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the Shirley Winston

Park Pool. He said everyone is aware that it was opened for the 4th of July

weekend, and said it was a great success, like the other two pools as well.



He said there is some confusion about the pool passes, and said once an

individual obtains a pool pass, they can use that pass at any pool. He said it

is not restricted to just one pool, and said they can also ride a METRA bus

with that pass and go to a pool. He said METRA and Parks and Recreation have

done everything they could to accommodate the young people.



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HOWE AVENUE @ AVONDALE DRIVE:



Councilor Woodson said since the pool has been opened, there has been an

increase in traffic and said they need a stop sign in the area to slow the

traffic down that is coming from Howe Avenue. She then asked City Manager

Cavezza to have someone from Engineering to look into this concern.



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TRAFFIC LIGHT @ WHITTLESEY BOULEVARD AND STONE MILL DRIVE:



Councilor Henderson asked City Manager Cavezza what is the time line on

the traffic signal at the new Whittlesey Boulevard and Stone Mill Drive on Moon

Road. City Manager Cavezza said that the light is scheduled to be up by August

15th.

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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 2002 Joint Fall Conference, September 30 - October 2,

2002, in Atlanta, Georgia.



(2) Notice from the EPD Public Advisory Air Protection advising that

Florida Rock Industries has filed application requesting a permit for

installation of a new pug mill and associated equipment, to be located at 3003

Smith Road, Columbus, Georgia.





(3) Biographical Sketch of Mr. Wade Tomlinson, Councilor Suber?s

nominee, for Mr. Stephen Butler?s position on the Industrial & Port Development

Commission.



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KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Ms. Geraldine Blackmon

resigning from her seat on the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission. Councilor

Turner Pugh moved the letter be received with regrets and thanks for service.

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

Council present for this meeting.



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MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:



Airport Commission, May 23, 2002.

Elections & Registration, May 2, 2002.

Family & Children Services, June 26, 2002.



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

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

Council present for this meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING SIX NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY

CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE

WAS CALLED FOR ON EACH PETITION BY COUNCILOR MCDANEIL: __



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

zoning ordinance to allow amusements, recreational and entertainment activities

carried on wholly within a permanently enclosed building, excluding adult movie

houses, as a Special Exception Use in an M-1 Zoning District. Recommended for

approval by both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Division.)

(35-A-02-Planning Div.)



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

zoning ordinance to allow two additional alternate, non-voting members to the

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

Advisory Commission and the Planning Division.) (36-A-02-Planning Div.)



Petition submitted by Rev. James Garner to rezone approximately 0.44 acres

of property located at 2517 2nd Avenue from an R-4 District to a C-3

District. (Recommended for approval by both the Planning Advisory

Commission and the Planning Division.) (37-A-02-Garner)



Petition submitted by Flowers Construction Company to rezone

approximately 0.32 acres of property located at the southwest corner of

Comer Avenue and Center Street from an A-O District to a C-2 District.

(Recommended for approval by the Planning Advisory Commission and

conditional approval by the Planning Division.) (38-CA-02-Flowers

Construction Co.)



Petition submitted by PTI Ventures, Inc. to rezone approximately 20.449

acres of property located at 300 Jackson Avenue from a M-1 District to a

M-2 District. (Recommended for conditional approval by both the Planning

Advisory Commission and the Planning Division.) (39-CA-02-PTI Ventures, Inc.)



Petition submitted by D. F. Holley Builders, Inc. to rezone approximately

1.09 acres of property located at the southwest corner of Forrest Road and

Alta Vista Drive from an R-1A District to an R-3 District. (Recommended

for conditional approval by both the Planning Advisory Commission and the

Planning Division.) (40-CA-02-D. F. Holley Builders, Inc.)



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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 his

potential nominee is still considering.



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INDUSTRIAL & PORT DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that on last week Mr. Wade (Trip)

Tomlinson was nominated to succeed Mr. Stephen Butler on the Industrial & Port

Development Commission and then advised that he may now be confirmed. Councilor

Suber so moved. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those

nine members of Council present for this meeting.



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KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that on last week that

Mr. Bernard Corcoran, Jr., was nominated to replace Ms. Cindy Alexander, Mr.

Elliott Waddell, III to replace Mr. Joel Ames and Ms. Joan Freeman Cargill to

replace Ms. Geraldine Blackmon on the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission and

then advised that these three individuals may now be confirmed. Councilor

Turner Pugh so moved. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by

those nine members of Council present for this meeting.



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TAXICAB COMMISSION:



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

nominate someone for the new at-large seat that was approved by the Council on

last month. There were no nominations made.



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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.



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

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

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

with the time being 9:30 A.M.



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Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia