Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

WORK SESSION

MAY 27, 2003





The regular monthly Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called

to order at 9:05 A.M., Tuesday, May 27, 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 were Councilors R. Gary Allen,

Wayne S. Anthony, Glenn Davis, Berry H. Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr.,

Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., Evelyn Turner Pugh, Nathan Suber and Evelyn Woodson.

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

Tiny B. Washington were also present.



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ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis

were absent.



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INVOCATION: Offered by Councilor Wayne Anthony.



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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Robert S. Poydasheff.

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MINUTES: Minutes of the May 20, 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 Woodson and seconded by Councilor Allen, which

carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this

meeting.

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EXPRESSIONS OF THANKS:









Councilor Davis said he would like to thank Mayor Poydasheff for the

hospitality and welcoming of the young French soccer players on last week. He

said they left some gifts for the Mayor and he wants to present them to him

this morning. He said what the European Soccer Clubs does is hand out banners

of their clubs, which is a tradition and custom, and said they have left a

banner for Mayor Poydasheff. He said he was impressed that Mayor Poydasheff did

not need an interpreter as he speaks French very well.



Councilor Davis also presented various other gifts to Mayor Poydasheff.

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CONSENT AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY

AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:



An Ordinance(03-33)- Rezoning approximately 0.34 acres of property located

at 2027 & 2031 6th Avenue from a R-4 District to an A-0 District.

(9-CA-03-Wilson) Councilor McDaniel moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor

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

this meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING THREE ORDINANCES WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE

MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON, WHICH

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:







An Ordinance (03-34) - Rezoning approximately 4.15 acres of property

located at the SE corner of Veterans Parkway and 19th Street from an R-1A and

C-3 Districts to an A-0 District. (10-CA-03-The Medical Center, Inc.)



An Ordinance (03-35) - Amending the Parks and Recreation's pool fee table

to revise various fees and include fees for out of county residents for FY04.



An Ordinance (03-36) - Amending and increasing the Police Department?s

Budget in the General Fund for FY03 by $24,939 for a total budget of

$22,357,326.



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THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY

FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE

BY COUNCILOR TUNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:



A Resolution (226-03) - Authorizing the City Manager to apply for, and if

approved, accept a grant of $150,000 from the FY 2003 Bureau Of Justice

Assistance Mental Health Court Grant Program. These funds will be used to

support the implementation of a court program for offenders with mental

illnesses.



A Resolution (227-03) - Excusing Councilor Charles E. McDaniel, Jr. from

the May 20, 2003 Council Meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ONCE AGAIN DELAYED BY THE COUNCIL AT THE

REQUEST OF ITS SPONSOR, COUNCILOR ALLEN:



A Resolution - Commending and congratulating Roderick Hood upon his

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

High School and Auburn University.



City Attorney Fay said we will bring this resolution back at a later date.





THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED AND

APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:



Application of Mr. Ron Hamlett to temporarily close portions of 18th

Avenue and 17th Street on June 3 - 6, 2003 (rain date June 10 - 13, 2003) in

connection with the installation of speed tables.



Councilor Turner Pugh moved its approval. Seconded by Councilor Woodson

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

meeting.

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WORK SESSION AGENDA:



BLACK BUSINESS OUTREACH TASK FORCE:



Mr. Steven Melton of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce said he is

proud to be here this morning on behalf of all the business community here in

Columbus, but particularly proud to be here with this group from the Black

Business Task Force and their outreach efforts through the Chamber of Commerce.



He said they have really focused the last several years at the Chamber on

being inclusive and looking at the diversity in business that we enjoy here in

the community. He said that there is not only diversity in race, but also in

sex, size and the types of business. He said through the support of this task

force, we are beginning to see results and are moving closer toward the One

Columbus that we all envision.



Mr. Melton said he wants to remind you that these are all volunteers, who

take time from their businesses and families to support what they do at the

Chamber. He said with their energy and efforts, they are really helping us to

move forward. He said there are so many resources available to small businesses

that they are helping others to realize them, who many of them have benefited

from it themselves. He said the more people that we can educate and take

advantage of these resources the better we will all be here in Columbus.



Mr. Erwin Jenkins, owner of AAMCO Transmissions said he opened his

business about three years ago and said that one of the first things that he

decided to do when he opened his business was to become active in the Columbus

Chamber of Commerce. He said it is a decision that he has not regretted within

those three years. He said although he is a present member of the Chamber?s

Board of Directors, and serve on several committees, the one he is the most

proud of, is the Black Business Outreach Task Force.



He said he is here today to inform the Council of what?s going on with

that Task Force and for them to get a feel of what they are trying to do with

the Task Force, which is to reach out to, not only black businesses, but all

businesses in their efforts to promote economic development; and to also play

on the theme of One Columbus, as well as public/private partnerships here in

Columbus.



Mr. Tony Calloway, Regional Vice President, Primerica Financial Services

appeared and pointed out that he also serves as Co-Chairperson of the Black

Business Outreach Task Force. He said the mission of the Black Business

Outreach Task Force is to recommend to the Chamber leadership, how to use

existing programs, as well as design, implement and market new programs to

black businesses in the Columbus and surrounding communities, and how to use

those resources that are available within the Chamber of Commerce to grow their

businesses.



He said as members of the Chamber of Commerce, who are black business

owners, they see that the Chamber of Commerce has a variety of resources and

connections to fundamentally have all the resources that we need to have

success in our businesses.



Mr. Calloway said they realize that the Chamber is a very valuable partner

in the public/private partnerships that has made Columbus well known, as well

as added to the prosperity that we have enjoyed in the community. He said they

feel that in the patchwork, that is the quilt that is the fabric of our

community, the black businesses wants to be a very valuable part of the

economic influence that we have across the region.



He then spoke for some ten minutes in outlining some of the work that the

Task Force has done, which started back in August of 2002, one of which was to

conduct a survey. He said over the course of the last eight months, they have

had 80 of the black businesses in our community respond to one question that we

felt was key to have answered, which is, What do you feel are your most

significant needs to have a positive impact on your bottom line, to grow your

business? He said the number one response was that they needed assistance with

marketing and the number two responses was access to capital.



Mr. Calloway said what they have done since that time, is started working

on efforts to get programs put in place and to draw more of the black

businesses through the Chamber into contact with the different programs that

the Chamber offers to help with marketing, one of which is the Professional

Consultants.



He said they are going to also do a test, where they will actually do what

they call a ?Marketing Makeover? with three businesses, to see if they can

apply a process that is going to help them impact the bottom line through

effective marketing campaigns, marketing plans. He said if they do that, and do

it well or correct the things that they don?t do so well, they would then take

that model and roll it out; to get more of the businesses to make their sells

known, as well as products and services known, so they can attract the

customers that they need to become profitable.



Mr. Calloway said they are also excited about the fact that when we look

at the information that was provided by the most recent census, it indicates

that there are over 2,000 businesses in our community. He said one of the most

important purposes of them being before the Council today, is that there are

public/private partnerships going on all throughout our community and said that

we know that the City of Columbus has its own resources, and the Chamber

coupled with those, and the volunteers that he represents, this group of people

which are here this morning, is what is going to make our City better, the

economy better; and what?s good for Columbus, and the Valley Partnership and is

good for the surrounding area.



Mr. Larry Jones, of Imperial Pest Control then appeared and gave his

testimony of how the Chamber of Commerce has helped him in being a member, as

well as, the success of his business.



Ms. Carol Gertjegerdes, of the Columbus Times Newspaper then appeared and

summarized the Task Force?s presentation, saying that 44% of our community is

African Americans or Blacks and said there are over 3,000 black-owned

businesses in Columbus. She said they would like to encourage these individuals

to become a part of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce where they can

really benefit.



She said this is leading towards the Mayor?s goal of One Columbus; because

the more people who come together, the more people can realize some of the

similarities that they have. However, African Americans or Blacks do have some

unique circumstances, and said it was really commendable on the part of the

Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce to start a Black Business Outreach Task

Force. She said since they have been doing this, they have had new members to

join the Chamber of Commerce.



Mr. Erwin Jenkins, in response to Councilor Turner Pugh, said the

committee meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m.,

at the Chamber of Commerce.



Councilor Turner Pugh asked Mr. Jenkins to provide their information, as

far as their meeting dates and reception, to the City Manager?s Office, so we

can run them on CCG-TV Access Channel.



Mayor Poydasheff asked that we do that for the Hispanic Committee as

well.



The following members of the Black Business Outreach Task Force was also

present in the Council Chambers, which included the following:



Tony Calloway - Primerica Financial Services



Don Cook - Tidwell Cancer Treatment Center



Brenda Chambers - Joy Florists and Gift Shop



Herman Lewis, Jr. - Citizens Trust Bank



Several business owners who are members of the Chamber of Commerce also

appeared and introduced themselves, which included the following:



Charlie Adams - Charlie Adams Enterprises



Delorise Curry - Vu Health Exams



Randy Torbert - Lawn Maintenance & Construction Company



Lafaynee Gilmore Mosley - Urban League



Charlene Odoms - Integrated Concepts Solutions



Ruth Carpenter - Primerica Financial Services



Edward Stovall, Jr.



Rovena Perry - Robo Body Gear Fashion Designer



Toni Whitaker - God?s Creations



Carlos Coleman - New York Life



Faye Sherrill - Maxis 2000, Inc.



Several members of the Council, as well as Mayor Poydasheff expressed

their appreciation to Mr. Jenkins and what he does in serving as the

Chairperson of this Task Force, as well as Mr. Steven Melton for what he does

for the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.



Councilor Woodson said once this Outreach Task Force has gotten together

and established, she would ask Mr. Jenkins if he would look at maybe coming

together with the African American community and see what we can do about the

Ma Rainey House. She said some resources have gone into the restoration of the

house, but not enough; so, therefore, she is hoping that the business community

can come together and do some fundraising.



Mr. Mike Gaymon of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce thanked the

Mayor and Council for their support of the Chamber.



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TRAVEL/TOURISM TRENDS:



City Manager Cavezza said the new Executive Director of CCVB, Peter Bowden

sent him an interesting report, which he thought the Council would be

interested in, particularly since we have invested so much in tourism. He said

tourism is one of the great providers for economic development in our community

and said we have made a great investment in tourism facilities. He then

called on Mr. Peter Bowden to give the Council an update.



Mr. Peter Bowden said there are ten top trends that they have received

from a research firm, Randall Travel Marketing that they have worked with since

1999 and has provided a number of statistics that we continue to work with.



Mr. Bowden said CCVB and its partners are in the process of reinventing

its marketing efforts, avoiding wasteful ?shotgun? approaches, focusing on core

customer segments, and adapting travel products, while recreating leadership.

He said the expected changes in the 2003 tourism economy will include new

marketing uses of technology, intense consumer research, and scientific

economic tracking to ensure maximum economic impact from each possible market

segment. It?s becoming clear that the economics of tourism and travel can?t be

dangerously left to chance. He said the consumers in all segments report they

seek safety, fewer hassles, more personal comfort, and more nurturing travel

experiences. He said the consumers are actively comparing options,

investigating and choosing wisely while putting a strong emphasis on value.



He then highlighted the Top Ten Trends, which are outlined below:



1. Flat growth in overall travel and tourism revenues



2. Safety, personal comfort and value are primary travel

concerns



3. Continued decline in business travel (which affects

conventions/meetings markets as well)



4. Sporadic increases in leisure travel ? but changes in trip

planning and choices



5. Increase in last minute travel (shorter travel planning periods)



6. Increased demand in technology for travel planning and

buying



7. Increase in family travel



8. Reinvention of travel marketing organizations (airlines,

lodging, attractions, DMOs, etc.) ? with a net result of more

intense research of all travel segments to help continue

driving growth



9. Time poverty continues to drive travel and tourism

behavior?.time becomes one of the most precious

commodities for all consumers



10. Leisure travelers looking for more intimate

experiences?.wanting to escape and totally immerse

themselves in a culture, destination, or experience?..this

becomes the next step in packaging?creating the ?total

experience?





Mr. Bowden said recent research shows that there is a significant decline

in business travel volume, with Americans planning on taking 52.6 million

business trips this spring, down 2.5 percent from spring 2002. In fact,

business travel for spring 2003 is expected to be more than 13 percent lower

than the nearly 60 million trips in spring 2001. He said according to NBTA

(National Business Travel Association) 74% of U.S. businesses have reduced

travel expenditures since 2000. 54% of respondents to a recent NBTA survey

reported they expected their total travel spending in 2003 to be down from 2002

spending levels. In addition, recovery in the business travel industry is not

expected until 2004 or later, according to 74% of the respondents.



He said that technology is also reducing the need to travel for business

Purposes, and said that teleconferencing is now invading the typical convention

or meetings that we have been associating with marketing tools. In a recent

study conducted by TIA, 47% of business travelers report ?no reason to travel?.



Mr. Bowden said for 2003, many corporations report that they have kept

their travel budgets at the same level for 2002, instructing employees to

stretch their travel budgets by lowering their per diem expenditures. He said

that CCVB have done likewise with the upcoming FY-04 budget.



He said the Randall Travel Marketing Firm did a survey and found out that

fifty percent (50%) of all business person-trips are taken for general business

purposes (likely for meetings, presentations, consulting, sales, etc.). About

one-tenth (13%) of business person-trips are taken for the primary purpose of

attending a convention or seminar. More than one-third (37%) of business

person-trips are made by those traveling for a combination of business and

pleasure. Thirty-four percent of business person-trips include air

transportation. About one in five (18%) business trips include multiple adults

from the same household; 8% include children.



Mr. Bowden said according to their research, the South Atlantic is still

the most prevalent destination for business travel, drawing 25% of business

travelers. The Pacific, East North Central and West South Central regions are

the next most popular destinations, each drawing 12%-16% of business travelers.

As a result of declining business segment revenues, more hotel and lodging

properties will be seeking increased support from their local CVB/DMO. They

will be holding the CVB/DMO more accountable than ever. The smart CVB/DMO will

take this opportunity to partner more closely with their lodging constituents.



He said the Columbus CCVB for several years now, have conducted monthly

director sales meetings, as well as meetings with general managers of all the

lodging facilities in Columbus, for an exchange of ideas and marketing trends.

According to TIA, leisure travel has grown fairly steadily in the past two

years, despite the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the weakened economy.

However, its growth began to wane near the end of 2002 and has been even more

subdued in recent months. Americans plan to take 171.2 million leisure

person-trips this spring, down 1.6 percent from spring 2002.? He said of those

leisure travelers who made changes to their plans because of the economy, 43%

traveled closer to home, 41% delayed planning for their spring/summer trip, 37%

took shorter trips, 28% avoided using air transportation and 26% changed their

hotel type in order to obtain a better rate. The survey confirms recent leisure

travel trends with travelers saying they are more interested in travel by auto,

RV or motor coach, staying within the U.S. and visiting small towns and rural

areas. These trends have become more prevalent in the past18 months. In fact,

driving trips increased 2% in 2002.



Mr. Bowden said that is one of the things that has insulated Columbus

overall within the last 2 years, because we are a drive to market, and that is

how the vacationers are taking their trips. He said the one thing that he would

request of this Council and the City leadership, is to look at building an RV

Park. He said there is an 18-month wait to custom order a motor home. He said

that Columbus is in desperate need of an RV Park.



He said 81% of leisure travelers want to spend their holidays in

destinations they have visited before. 67% want to go to the beach. 51% are

interested in arts/architectural and historic sites. 46% are attracted by

remote and untouched destinations. 45% prefer theme parks. He said out of these

categories we fit three of those models. He said we have a strong repeat

business and the heritage and culture designation and also offer, in many

circumstances, remote designation that they are looking for with a nature

tourism that is emerging and with the White Water Rafting that is proposed for

the City of Columbus, we will have a remote experience in an urban location.



Mr. Bowden said just as shoppers have come to count on prices plummeting

right before Christmas, travelers have learned the deepest discounts often can

be enjoyed by simply waiting until the last minute. Such procrastination

frustrates hotel managers by complicating planning and budgeting. According to

the last travel poll, 64% of past-year leisure travelers planned at least one

of their trips at the last minute, that is, within two weeks of taking their

trip. Among these last-minute travelers, 26% planned all of their past-year

leisure trips at the last minute.



He said the most popular reason for taking a last-minute trip is to visit

friends or relatives (39%). Other primary reasons for last minute trips include

entertainment, such as sightseeing or attending a sporting event (23%) or for

personal reasons, such as attending a wedding (19%). Last minute outdoors

recreational trips are popular as well (12%). Seven percent say their trip was

for a combination of business and pleasure purposes. Most last-minute trips are

close to home and short in duration, with the majority (69%) less than 500

miles, one-way, to the destination.



In concluding his presentation, Mr. Bowden said that standard operating

procedures of the travel industry is changing dramatically from lodging to DMO

or CCVB, as they shift their thinking and efforts to better match consumers new

travel behaviors, some of which has been covered in this report today. He said

the tourism businesses, lodges and attractions are looking at CCVB for

accountability and increased reporting and demands.



Mr. Bowden said Randall Traveling Marketing, who provides them with this

research data have used Columbus as a model for many, many years with other

CCVB on how they track their data and how they report it on an annual basis. He

said he would like to commend CSU for creating a model for them to make that

objective very possible. He said something that they discovered a few years

ago, as a trend, is that packaging is the answer.

He said this is the only way that Columbus or any CCVB will be successful.

He said as they hold their monthly meetings with the marketing organizations in

Columbus and the region, as well as the hotels and other attractions within an

18-county area, they are creating this packaging experience so that the region

and Columbus can become a destination as a whole.



He said Phase 2, as was reported to the Council at their Retreat, would

begin implementing, to a higher degree, some of these trends that were

discussed today. He said hopefully they can bring together their board, along

with the hotels, attractions, City leaders, and Vision 2010 members to have a

visioning session, to identify where the future of the CCVB lies and how we are

going to get there, as well as create some long and short term strategies.



Mayor Poydasheff said that Columbus is very well positioned for tourism

and said that is why he and the City Manager, as well as the Council is so keen

on the National Infantry Museum?s construction. He said we are going to be

working on that very diligently and he would ask that Mr. Bowden and his staff

to participate with the National Infantry Foundation on this construction

project.



He said he would also like for Mr. Bowden to work with the Sports Council,

to continue bringing in the softball tournaments. He said he thinks that Mr.

Bowden should also work with the hotel industry to make sure that our rates are

reasonable to attract the mid-size conventions, particularly the military

conventions.



Mr. Bowden then responded to several questions of Councilors McDaniel,

Hunter and Davis, as it relates to an RV Park, National Lead-off Softball

Tournament, as well as labeling and marketing Columbus, and a Marina in

Columbus.



Councilor Anthony said he would like to request that we have a

presentation at one of the Council?s Work Sessions on the White Water Rafting

that has been recently done so that we can receive an update on it.



City Manager Cavezza said as soon as we start getting the feedback from

the Core of Engineers, we had planned on giving the Council a briefing.



Councilor Anthony also asked that the Council be given an update on the

project on the Museum, so that we can let the public know where we are with

that as well.



Mayor Poydasheff asked Mr. Bowden to provide a copy of the tourism

marketing study that was done back in 1999 to the members of the Council.



Councilor Turner Pugh asked City Manager Cavezza to have the Executive

Director of the Columbus Sports & Events Council to come before the Council and

provide an update on the Sports Council, since we are talking about the many

sports activities that we are having. She said there is a special event that is

coming soon and she needs to come and talk about it.



City Manager Cavezza said that Mr. Bowden is working very closely with Mr.

Larry Campbell of the Trade Center, because when the Trade Center is completed

we want to have a line of conventions setup to go in there.

He said the real issue is hotel and motel rooms, and this is where they keep

running into blockages. He said we know we can fill the Trade Center, but said

we need the hotel rooms to support it.



Councilor Davis said he hope that this Council, in the future, will focus

more on how we can bring people to the heart of our City, and connect our

neighborhoods to what we already have. He said we have a great Riverwalk and a

lot of other great things, and said maybe coming up with some strategies on how

we can do that. He said maybe we want to consider connecting Fort Benning all

the way to the north side of town through sidewalks, trails or other means,

whereby we can encourage more pedestrians and bike traffic around our City. He

said he thinks there are some great things we can do within our City to

increase the travel to our City, especially bringing people downtown.



City Manager Cavezza said that sometime ago the Council had talked about a

wheel with spokes concept, which will do exactly what Councilor Davis is

saying. He said that eventually would come to pass, not only with the

Riverwalk, but the rails to trails process and other alternatives that we will

be looking at.



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FIRE/EMS SUMMARY REPORT- PROMOTIONAL PROCESS:



City Manager Cavezza said that the Fire/EMS personnel have accomplished a

great deal this year and said one of the things that they did was a new

promotional system, which has completed its course. He said Chief Waters would

present a summary of that system. He said everything has been totally open and

upfront and has worked very well. He said there have been a few minor glitches,

which have been corrected as needed. He said he thinks that everyone together

has set the foundation for future success in that department.



Fire Chief Roy Watersappeared and introduced those individuals who were

present with him, which included Assistant Chief Jeff Meyer, Assistant Chief

David Arrington and Captain David Starling.



Chief Waters pointed out that there was information provided to the

Council from Dr. Hornick, which provided a brief overview of the recent

promotional process that started in December 2002 and concluded this March.



He said the Consultant, CWH tested 151 personnel and of those 100 proceeded

to the Assessment Center, and since October of last year, they have promoted 26

personnel. He said he thinks that Dr. Hornick?s projections were on target with

what he projected to be an average test score on how the employees would fair

in the Assessment Center.



Chief Waters said he thinks our second promotional cycle coming up will be

the real test, because this will be the first opportunity that we have provided

for our paramedics to test with our fire personnel in the same process. He said

if the Council members have had an opportunity to look at the information

provided, most of it is self-explanatory and he would be glad to answer any

questions that the Council may have.



Chief Waters said he thinks that the first process went very well;

however, there were some rumors, but he feels that they have addressed all of

them. He said the most important thing that they have learned, as a department

did not come from the consultant, but came from the assessors that they brought

in from out-of-town. He said they have identified areas for improvement for

them in the next process, which they will meet on this morning and get those

out into the field.



He said he believes that they provided more insight into what they need to

be doing for the next promotional process than the consultant did and said they

will begin to work on that.

After the conclusion of his presentation, Chief Waters then spent several

minutes in responding to questions of members of the Council.



Chief Waters also responded to questions and concerns of Councilor Woodson

as it relates to the total number of personnel that are assigned to a fire

truck.



City Manager Cavezza said right now the promotional cycle is a one-year

cycle for this year, and said we have to announce the next cycle.



Chief Waters said according to the ordinance, the next cycle will be a

12-month cycle and after that, it will be a two-year cycle. He said an option

that they could exercise, whereby they would have to make the announcement at

the beginning of the testing process, is to make this a two-year list that is

coming up. He said the Council would have to amend the ordinance.



Councilor Allen then called for the amendment to the ordinance.



Councilor Davis said he was concerned about on-site leadership in

firefighting, particularly with the Sergeants and Lieutenants, and said during

the discussion when we last talked, in dealing with this process, there was a

concern about filling those positions, and then asked Chief Waters to give an

update on how we are doing in the area of on-site leadership.



Chief Waters said there is currently one vacancy on the fire department

side; however, there are several Paramedic vacancies, but they are not in

promotable positions. He said overall, their staffing challenge is the military

activation. He said as far as promotable positions, but when they come open,

they are easy to fill, through the rank order list. He said they don?t have the

problem that they did prior to this ordinance being adopted.



Councilor Suber asked for clarification on the amendment that Councilor

Allen called for. He said if we are saying that we don?t have enough people for

a two-year promotion schedule now.



Chief Waters said what the amendment would do is rather than test every

year and go through that process, it will be more economical for the City and

let the people know,?? he said the list that they currently have right now is

not for a year, and the one that is coming up, which will start in January,

would be for 12-months, but said if we made it for 24-months that would be

better. He said he doesn?t think anyone would be adversely impacted by it, if

they were on the list or if they didn?t get on the list, but it means they

would have to wait an additional year to get on the list. He said the bottom

line is that it will save a tremendous amount of money by doing it this way.



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UPCOMING EVENTS:



City Manager Cavezza highlighted some upcoming events for the month of May

2003, which are outlined below.



Today at 2:00 p.m., Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new addition to the

Liberty Theatre.



Tonight, AUSA Dinner/Banquet - Honoring Judge Aaron Cohn.



Budget Review Committee Meeting - Immediately following the adjournment of

the Council meeting today in the Ground Floor Conference Room.



Friday, May 30, 2003, 9:00 a.m., Memorial Day Service, Eternal Flame,

Plaza Level of the Government Center.



City Manager Cavezza said there will be a group of officials from Augusta,

Georgia to look at our SPLOST and how we have done that.

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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 eight members of Council present at the time, with

Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote, and the time being 10:23 A.M.





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Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia