MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 8, 2012
A meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called to order at
9:00A.M., Tuesday, May 8, 2012, on the Plaza Level of the Government Center,
Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor, presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Tomlinson was Councilors R. Gary Allen, Mike
Baker, Jerry Barnes, Glenn Davis, Berry H. Henderson, Bruce Huff, Judy Thomas
and Evelyn Woodson. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay,
Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington and were also present. Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn
Turner Pugh took her seat at the Council table at 9:06 a.m. Councilor Woodson
also took her seat at the Council table at 9: 20 a.m.
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ABSENT: Councilor Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., was absent. Deputy Clerk of
Council Sandra Davis was also absent.
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INVOCATION: Led by a representative of Pastor Gerald Parker, Jr. from New
Providence Baptist Church
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from St. Mary's Elementary Magnet Academy.
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PRESENTATION:
PENSION REFORM:
MR. STEVE VAUGHN, GEBCorp. (ACCG) came forward and gave a brief
description as to what his job is with ACCG and highlight what his experience
has
been in working with various cities and counties with regards to their pension
plans.
He responded to questions and concerns of members of Council.
Mayor Tomlinson thanked Mr. Vaughn for coming down and responding to
questions of the Council.
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MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS: Minutes of the April 17 & 24, and May 1, 2012
Meeting of the Council of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were
submitted and approved by the Council upon the adoption of a motion made by
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and seconded by Councilor Allen, which carried
unanimously by those nine members of Council present, with Councilor McDaniel
being absent.
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CITY ATTORNEY'S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING TWO ZONING ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ
BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND AN ORDINANCE WAS HELD ON EACH AS
ADVERTISED:_______
An Ordinance ? Rezoning property located at 6145 and 6157 Crystal Drive
from an SFR1 (Single Family Residential 2) to RMF2 (Residential Multifamily 2)
zoning district. (5-A-12-Crystal Falls Apartments/Mordic) The proposed use is
for multi-family apartments.
PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:
Mr. Buddy Mordic, the petitioner was present, but he did not make a
presentation, as there was no one present to oppose this proposed rezoning
ordinance.
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An Ordinance ? Rezoning property located at 4250 Miller Road from a GC
(General Commercial)/NC (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district.
(6-CA-12-Jones/Cummings) The proposed use is for auto/truck sales (used).
PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:
Mr. Carson Cummings, representing the petitioner, Mr. Donnie R. Jones was
present, but neither one of them made a presentation, as there was no one
present to oppose this proposed rezoning ordinance.
City Attorney Fay said we will vote on this ordinance in two weeks at the
regular meeting and said there will be a resolution for a special exception use
request that will also be voted on after the ordinance is adopted.
Councilor Baker then asked City Attorney Fay to read the conditions into
the record.
City Attorney Fay said there is only one condition, which states that the
property is rezoned subject to the following: Increase the maximum lot
coverage percentage from fifty (50) percent to seventy (70) percent for this
particular use for car sales. He said they can use 70% of the property for car
sales; and then asked Mr. Cummings if that is correct.
Mr. Cummings said that is correct, but said also said the minimum lot size
for a used car lot sales is two acres and their lot size is 1.63 acres.
City Attorney Fay said that will be the Special Exception Use request that
will be coming at the same time that we take a vote; which means in effect,
there are two conditions. He said we will take a vote on the zoning ordinance
first and then address the Special Exception Use request.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST
READING:________________________________________________________
An Ordinance ? Providing for the demolition of various structures located
at:
(1) 2703 Wise Street (Ameriquest Mortgage Co., Owner)
(2) 1501 & 1501? Warm Springs Road (Available Properties, LLC, Owner)
(3) 2116 Venezia Drive (Nathaniel & Georgia Mae Bessillieu, Jr., Owners)
(4) 3201 7th Avenue (Lillie F. Bush, Owner)
(5) 1218 22nd Street (Cristina M. Cole, Owner)
(6) 626 43rd Street (Community Bank and Trust, West Georgia, Owner)
(7) 314 Bragg Smith Street (Estate of Diane Coulon Dozier, Owner)
(8) 96 Pelham Drive (Wolfgang Esch, Owner)
(9) 1519 27th Street (Arnold Farley & Willie B. & Harry Lee Davis, etal Owners)
(10) 426 Tennessee Drive (Greater Grace Baptist Church, Owner)
(11) 4208 18th Avenue (Patricia C. Greer, Owner)
(12) 5723 Billings Road (Fred W. & Jill E. Hammond, Jr., Owners)
(13) 78, 84 & 88 Pelham Drive (Jescob Investment, LLC, Owner)
(14) 534 Fulton Avenue (Eva Mae Johnson & Bertha Alexander, Owners)
(15) 4126 Bellamy Street (Melvin & Morris Frank Kindred, Owners)
(16) 2310 N. Lumpkin Road (T. M. Lowe, Owner)
(17) 2406 Winchester Drive (Shirlean Marble & Jerome Patrick, Owners)
(18) 810 Harbison Drive (Jorge R.Merjivar, Owner)
(19) 2648 Willow Street (New Hope Church of God, Owner)
(20) 5783 Forest Road (Gussie Parkham, Owner)
(21) 4902 Pollman Street (Maria E. Phillips, Owner)
(22) 2630 Spenola Street (Royal Palm Masonic Lodge, Owner)
(23) 445 2nd Ave (Juanita W. Williams, Owner)
in the total amount of $269,900.66 for demolition services.
City Attorney Fay said these properties doe not make the building code or
are unfit for human habitation and this is the reason they appear here on the
demolition list. He said the total of these demolitions are $269,900.666. He
said we will vote on this ordinance in two weeks.
City Manager Hugley said that we are able to bring these demolitions
forward because of the mid-year budget allocation. He said he would just like
to remind the Mayor and Council, as well as members of the public because he
knows that sometime they get questions about the City demolishing property and
just giving away money. He said we are not giving away money, but said what we
do when we demolish property is that there is a lien placed on the property and
nothing can happen with that property. He said it can?t be sold, exchanged or
any activity occur
on that property until the lien that the City has placed on it is satisfied.
He said we will get the money that we put into the demolition of each and every
property.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked if we just look at properties on streets
where we have gotten a complaint on. She said she was reading in one of the
City?s newsletters where they have defined blocks in cleaning up the community.
City Manager Hugley said it could be that there have been complaints on the
property or our inspectors could be in a particular area of town and see the
property and see that there is an issue with the property and address it by
being pro-active in that regard. He said many of them come in from citizens
complaining about properties in their neighborhoods next door.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
City Attorney Fay said we will need a short executive session after the
adjournment of today?s meeting to discuss a real estate acquisition matter.
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PUBLIC AGENDA:
MS. AMY SLAYVAN, REPRESENETING THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING, RE: 2012 COLUMBUS
ALZHEIMER?S CONFERENCE:_________
Ms. Slayvan said they are hosting a conference for the family and
professional caregivers at the Columbus Library on Thursday, May 10, 2012. She
said it is an
educational event that is designed to expose the caregivers to new information
and new skills, as well as to allow them an opportunity to meet other
caregivers who are going through the same thing that they are. She said they
will have speakers on Alzheimer?s disease, Developmental disabilities,
Medicare/Medicade, Balancing
care-giving with a professional & personal life. She said they will also have
a skills lab where Rescue Homecare will be doing a demonstration on how to care
for someone in your home. She said registration starts at 10:00 a.m. and the
conference will begin shortly thereafter at 10:30 a.m. ? 4:00 p.m. She said
attendance is free, and lunch will be provided; however, they are taking
reservations throughout today until 5:00 p.m.
Councilors Barnes and Woodson made comments regarding this event and also
encouraged those in the community who might need information regarding some of
these services to please try to attend this conference to get the information
they need.
Mayor Tomlinson asked that our CCG-TV Manager run the notice of this
conference on our CCG TV.
Councilor Woodson asked City Manager Hugley if CCG-TV would be able to
record the conference, to which he said that CCG-TV is available to them. He
said we fund the Regional Commission in the amount of $190,000 annually and
said we would offer CCG-TV to them to come and do a commercial and tell the
citizens what services they offer here in Columbus, Georgia. He said we will go
and film some of their sites and some of the activities so that we can get the
word out because a lot of people don?t know about the Area Agency on Aging and
the other programs that they offer that is a benefit to the citizens of
Muscogee County.
Councilor Woodson said that is a great idea, but said she would like to
see if possible, if the Conference can be recorded because she feels that there
are more questions that will be asked of people who are in need. She said since
it is such short notice and a lot of the caregivers will probably be working.
City Manager Hugley said he will see if we can possible do a portion of it, if
not all of it.
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MR. MATTHEW PROBST, REPRESENTING TAXICAB COMPANY OWNERS, RE: PROPOSAL TO
ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF RISING FUEL
COSTS:___________________________________________________________
Mr. Matthew Probst, owner of Liberty Taxi Service came forward and
outlined a proposed he said he would like for the Council to consider to assist
the taxicab owners and drivers with the high cost of fuel. He said he has other
current taxi rates from other cities in the State of Georgia and has done a
comparison on those rates. He said their last rate increase was in 2004 when
the average fuel price was $2.09 per gallon and now we are averaging
approximately $3.60 per gallon.
He then outlined the following increase for each of the following items as
outlined below:
Current Rates:
Proposed Rates:
Flag drop-
$2.00 $2.50
Cost per mile -
$1.80 $2.00
Traffic waiting time
- $19.00 per hour
Additional passenger - $1.00 $3.00
Regular delayed waiting time - $18.00 per hour $19.00
Mr. Probst said they are also asking for a $2.00 fuel surcharge when the
fuel is between $2.90 per gallon and $4.25 per gallon for seven consecutive
days. He said the higher cost of fuel is causing the drivers to work longer
hours because they have to pay for their own gas. The company owners don?t pay
for their gas.
City Attorney Fay, in response to the Mayor with regards to the proposed
ordinance, said there is a draft ordinance which was provided to the members of
Council when this subject came up about a month or so ago. He said they did
some research and looked at what Savannah and August was doing and put together
this draft. He said it has some of the items that Mr. Probst mentioned. He said
there is no fuel surcharge charge. He said they included $2.00 for each
additional passenger instead of $3.00. He said Mr. Probst wants $19.00 waiting
time, but said we increased that to $.35 per minute, which is not to exceed
$21.00 per hour.
He said they also included a subsection (a) where we increased the rate
after the $2.00 for the first 1/6 of a mile or a fraction thereof, $.30 for
each additional 1/6 of a mile. He said these numbers can be changed, but they
do not have a fuel surcharge included. He said this proposed ordinance is
based on what Savannah and Augusta are doing currently, which is close to their
number. He said the Council has discretion to do whatever they want.
Mr. Probst then responded to questions of members of the Council with
regards to waiting time.
Councilor Allen said he doesn?t have a problem with the waiting time
charge, but said he would ask Mr. Probst to consider a fuel charge maybe for a
period of time during the summer months when the fuel prices are higher ? May
through September, just charge a fuel charge and then whatever rate you charge.
He said he doesn?t have a problem with charging while sitting at a traffic
light or in traffic because in his travels that is normally what he
experiences.
Mr. Probst said most of cities charge for that, but we don?t.
After some additional discussion on this subject, Councilor Allen then
requested that the City Attorney prepare an amendment to the ordinance to
consider a fuel charge.
City Attorney Fay said if you wanted to look at a $2.00 fuel charge from
May through October, they can go ahead and draft that ordinance. He said he
knows that Savannah had that in their ordinance at one time, but phased it out,
but said we certainly can do it from May to October or any other way you want
to adjust it.
Discussion continued on this matter with members of the Council expressing
their further views on this subject.
Councilor Henderson said he wants to incorporate that into the Work
Session. He said he doesn?t know if we need to be involved in the Work Session
and said he hates that the Taxicab Commission has fallen by the wayside, but at
the very least he would like to see this matter vetted by the MWR?s office at
Fort Benning. He said that is the distinction in our area in his mind, he said
we are not like Augusta, Savannah and Atlanta simply because of the size of Ft.
Benning and the number of recruits and trainees that pass through our area. He
said his suggestion was somewhat similar to Councilor Allen?s and that by oral
resolution, to go ahead and add the $2.00 fuel surcharge to immediately offset
the cost of the fuel and then expedite this to a Work Session where we can get
together with Fort Benning, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Police
Department, Taxicab owners and try to come up with something.
He said let?s just adopt the $2.00 flat fuel surcharge for fare and not
adopt any other aspect of this ordinance until it has gone through some kind of
committee.
Seconded by Councilor Allen.
Mayor Tomlinson said she will get together with the City Manager and said
they will pull together some sort of a Commission and said that will help with
the Work Session.
Councilor Barnes said he recognizes the problem that the taxicab drivers
are having, but said there are two sides of this problem. He said we just
finished having a discussion about seniors and said of the situations that they
have. He said there are many seniors who cannot drive and are affected by this,
but said seniors are on a fixed income. He said we just received this
information in our packets this weekend and said we haven?t had an opportunity
to go out and get feedback from our constituents. He said he think the fair
thing would be to have a Work Session on this matter.
City Attorney Fay said we will need an ordinance to get this into effect.
He said he can have the ordinance in two weeks at the next regular Council
meeting and then adopt it at the next regular Council meeting. He said the oral
resolution will not work, because we need an ordinance to put that into effect.
Councilor Henderson then withdrew his motion.
City Attorney Fay said he will have the ordinance with the fuel surcharge
included and said the other items can be discussed at the Work Session whenever
it is held.
After more than thirty minutes of discussion on this matter, members of
the Council expressed their further views and Mr. Probst responding to further
questions of the Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked City Attorney to find out what the
ordinance is that governs Fort Benning because they don?t go by our ordinance
when he brings back the proposed ordinance.
Councilor Davis said we also need to include Airport Authority or any
other agency that would have significant input.
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MR. JIM POUND, RE: TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN COLUMBUS:
Mr. Jim Pound, came forward and said he lives down by Lakebottom Park and
is a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee with MPO and has been a member
for the last seven or eight years. He said he is here today to talk about
congestion in Columbus and the latest project, which is the Williams Road
widening project that is coming up. He then showed a five minute video entitled
?Columbus Traffic Congestion & the proposed widening of Williams Road?. The
following information was outlined in his presentation.
CONGESTION:
2011 Congestion Management Report
Shows congestion points on major roads in Columbus
All significant congestion is at intersections, almost all are traffic light
controlled
No congestion due to width of roads
Poorly timed traffic lights are a major contributor
Poorly designed intersections are another major contributor
Columbus should focus on innovative intersection designs to minimize congestion
He then showed a map, and pointed out that what we need are Simple,
efficient, cost-effective intersection design
These do not show up as congested in 2011 Congestion Management Report
Pedestrian friendly
Brown Ave/Peacock at Wynnton Rd
Warm Springs & Blackmon Road roundabout
Complex, costly, congested
This brand new intersection shows up as congested in the Congestion
Management Report and is very pedestrian un-friendly
Williams Road at Whitesville Road
He also showed a Congestion Management Report for Williams Road
City Plan for Williams Road
Traffic currently at 12,000 VPD and projected to be 25,000 VPD in 20 years
Widen road to either 3 lanes or 4 lanes
Roundabout at north exit of I-185
Traffic light or roundabout at Fortson Road
Align Lloyd?s Road and Stevens Lane
Add three more sets of traffic lights
Cost - $7,000,000 - $8,000,000
Problems with City Plan
Why widen?
Congestion is not due to the width of the road
Two lane road can easily handle 25,000 VPD
Road widening is the most expensive part of road construction projects and
provides almost no relief to congestion
Road widening causes other problems
Higher speeds cause more serious accidents
Need to have more traffic control devices at more intersections, thereby
causing more congestion
Citizens do not want to live on widened roads
Problems with City Plan
Will not address congestion at Williams Road/Whitesville Road that was created
by the new, huge, traffic light controlled intersection
It is extremely rare to have a roundabout on one side of an interstate
interchange and a traffic light on the other ? not sure if it is even
permissible
Addition of at least three new traffic light controlled intersections will
increase, not decrease, travel time on this road
Expensive - $8,000,000
Alternative Plan
Keep Williams Road as a two lane road
Add single lane roundabout at Fortson Road
Later options
Align Lloyd?s Road and Stevens Lane and install single lane roundabout
Add roundabouts as needed at subdivision access roads
Have city wide bike/pedestrian plan before beginning to construct multi-use
pathways
Contract with qualified roundabout engineers to evaluate I-185 exits ? use
approved GDOT roundabout peer reviewer to do the study
Estimated cost of $500,000 - $1,000,000
Savings of $7,000,000
Use the $7,000,000 savings to correctly address numerous congestion points in
Columbus and support alternative forms of transportation
Mr. Pound said he just wants us to keep it simple and address the
congestion issues.
Mayor Tomlinson said Mr. Pound serves on our Citizens Advisory Commission
for the Metropolitan Planning Organization and does a great job. She said
approximately 10 or 12 years ago, he was laughed out of the room as it being
other worldly suggestion and now we are here realizing the benefits of that;
new wave road design works it way up to State Department of Transportations
throughout the country hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayers funds are
going to be saved on initiative uses of things such as round-about, three-lane
roads, as opposed to five-lane roads, and etc.
Councilor Henderson said he appreciates Mr. Pound being here on today and
said he likes some of the comments that he made and said at a later date, he
would like to have a written response to some of these problems that Mr. Pound
has alleged, as well as some of the suggestions that he has made from our
traffic personnel so that we can take a look at that.
He said he would like to commend our Planning Department because they had
an open house at Northside High School to talk about the proposed William Road
changes and there were a lot of people there with a lot of different ideas. He
said because round-a-bouts are new to this area and if people haven?t traveled
to an area where they have used them, a single lane round-a-bout is difficult
enough. He said one of the proposals was a double-lane round-a-bout and he is
somewhat concerned about that. He said when we talk about putting additional
traffic lights, he would hope that it doesn?t end up like Veterans Parkway did,
where you have all those traffic signals and at certain times of the day and
any weekend day you can?t go from in front of Main Street Village to Moon Road
in a reasonable amount of time.
Councilor Henderson said he thinks this is good food for thought and at
the very least, we need to have our traffic personnel to look it over and give
us a response to it.
Councilor Allen said he would like to echo the comments regarding the Warm
Springs Road/Blackmon Road round-a-bout. He said we didn?t get thanked very
often for our work, but said thanks to Deputy City Manager David Arrington,
Director of Engineering Donna Newman, and Traffic Engineer Ron Hamlett,
we went through three neighborhood meetings and educating the neighbors and
even allowed them to vote on which plan they liked; traffic light versus a
round-a-bout and said at the last meeting, they actually voted for the
round-a-bout. He said he has had people to stop him when he was out in the
community and thank him for the round-a-bout. He said it is truly a lot better
than having a traffic signal there and said he echoes what Mr. Pound has said.
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MR. LORENZA WILDER, RE: SPEEDING IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD; BREAK-IN AND THEFT
OF PERSONAL PROPERTY:_________________
Mr. Lorenza Wilder, who requested to be listed on today?s agenda to speak
to the subject of speeding in his neighborhood; break-in and theft of personal
property did not respond when given the opportunity to address the Council.
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CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:________________________________________________________
A Resolution (123-12) ? Authorizing the approval of the Muscogee County
Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan as required by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency every five
years. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution.
Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those eight members of
Council present at the time, with Councilor Davis being absent for the vote and
Councilor McDaniel being absent from the meeting.
A Resolution (124-12) ? Authorizing the approval to enter into agreements
with utility companies for $1,356,235.25 as follows: Georgia Power
$1,076,653.40; AT&T $84,825.32; Charter Communications $107,280; and Knology
to $87,476.45 to relocate service lines for Phase II of the Veterans Parkway
Streetscapes Project - 13th Street to Victory Drive . Mayor Pro Tem Turner
Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Allen and
carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the time, with
Councilor Davis being absent for the vote and Councilor McDaniel being absent
from the meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED SEVERAL MINUTES OF DISCUSSION WAS APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL:______
A Resolution (125-12) ? Authorizing the approval to reallocate $1,000,000
in Transportation Enhancement Funds, previously approved to fund a pedestrian
bridge and viewing platform on the Riverwalk, to another City project to be
determined and to authorize funding of the construction of the pedestrian
bridge and viewing platform in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 with 1999
SPLOST funds. Approval is also being requesting to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding with Uptown Columbus, Inc., for construction of the pedestrian
bridge.
City Manager Hugley acknowledged the presence of Mr. John Turner and
Richard Bishop who was present in the Council Chambers.
He then went into some details in explaining the reason for the request.
He said Mr. Sam Wellborn; a board member of the Department of Transportation
forwarded a letter to the Mayor giving his support of the reallocation of these
funds.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Huff.
City Manager Hugley and Deputy City Manager Arrington then responded to
questions of members of the Council and after some twenty minutes of discussion
on this matter, the question was then call on the motion as made by Mayor Pro
Tem Turner Pugh, which was carried by a vote of 8 to 1, with Councilors Allen,
Barnes, Davis, Henderson, Huff, Woodson and Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh voting
yes and Councilor Baker voting no and Councilor McDaniel being absent from the
meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:
________________________________________________________
A Resolution (126-12) ? Authorizing the approval to submit an application,
and if approved, accept an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) grant
for the Federal Fiscal Year 2012 in the amount of $99,081 with no local match
as follows: Mental Health Court $50,000, Adult Felony Drug Court $9,081, and
Juvenile Drug Court $40,000. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of
the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those
nine members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilor McDaniel being
absent.
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THE FOLLOWING FOUR PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY
CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A
SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND SECONED BY COUNCILOR ALLEN,
WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS
MEETING WITH COUNCILOR MCDANIEL BEING ABSENT:
A Resolution (127-12) ? Authorizing the approval to purchase one (1)
eductor truck (Combination Jet/Vacuum Sewer Cleaner with all standards
equipment V312/1000) via National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) Contract
#031710-AMI, from Atlantic Machinery, Inc. (Silver Spring, MD), in the
amount of $285,370.00. The eductor truck was approved in the FY12 Mid-Year
Budget, and will be used by the Rainwater Division of the Public Services
Department to clean storm/drain pipes. It is a replacement unit.
The purchase will be accomplished via Request for Proposal (RFP) #031710,
initiated by the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA), whereby Atlantic
Machinery, Inc., was the successful vendor contracted to provide Public Utility
Vehicles and/or Services, Apparatus, Equipment, and/or Accessories. The
contract, which commenced May 27, 2010, is good through May 27, 2014. The
National Joint Powers Alliance is a Service Cooperative created by Minnesota
Statute 123A.21. This statute was created in 1978 and revised in 1995 to allow
participating governmental and municipal agencies to reduce the cost of
purchased goods by leveraging their combined purchasing power. The NJPA bid
process meets the Procurement Ordinance requirements for Columbus Consolidated
Government.
A Resolution (128-12) ? Authorizing the approval to purchase five (5)
Service Trucks via Georgia Statewide Contract, SWC #S-90795-B40, from Allan
Vigil Ford (Morrow, GA) in the amount of $133,173.42. Three (3) trucks will
be used by Fleet Maintenance: one (1) 2012 Ford F-350 Regular Cab, V8 Long Bed
4 x 2 [1 ton] truck at $39,961.00; and, two (2) 2012 Ford F-250 Regular Cab, V8
Long Bed 4 x 2 [? ton] trucks at $22,898.00 each, for a total cost of
$45,796.00. Facilities Maintenance with utilize two (2) 2012 Ford F-250
Regular Cab, V8 Long Bed 4 x 2 [? ton] trucks at $23,708.21 each, for a total
cost of $47,416.42.
The service trucks were approved in the FY12 Mid-Year Budget, and will be used
by personnel to haul tools and equipment needed to service vehicles in the
field and for facility maintenance. These are replacement vehicles.
A Resolution (129-12) ? Authorizing the approval to purchase one (1)
backhoe (Caterpillar Model 416F Backhoe Loader) via National Joint Powers
Alliance (NJPA) Contract #060311-CAT, from Yancey Brothers (Fortson, GA), in
the amount of $67,000.00. The backhoe was approved in the FY12 Mid-Year
Budget, and will be used to pull, load, move and manage equipment on the yard
at the Heavy Equipment Shop. It is a replacement unit.
The purchase will be accomplished via Request for Proposal (RFP) #060311,
initiated by the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA), whereby Caterpillar,
Inc., was one of the successful vendors contracted to provide Heavy
Construction Equipment Together With Related Accessories, Supplies, and
Services. The contract, which commenced July 19, 2011, is good through July
19, 2015. The National Joint Powers Alliance is a Service Cooperative created
by Minnesota Statute 123A.21. This statute was created in 1978 and revised in
1995 to allow participating governmental and municipal agencies to reduce the
cost of purchased goods by leveraging their combined purchasing power. The
NJPA bid process meets the Procurement Ordinance requirements for Columbus
Consolidated Government.
A Resolution (130-12) ? Authorizing the approval to purchase one (1)
Sprayer Truck via Georgia Statewide Contract #99999-SPD-SPD0000039, from Peach
State Truck Centers (Norcross, GA), in the amount of $142,424.00. The sprayer
truck was approved in the FY12 Mid-Year Budget, and will be used to spray
herbicide on the right-of-way for weed control. It is a replacement unit.
A Resolution (131-12) ? Authorizing the approval to purchase one (1) Fuel
Truck via Georgia Statewide Contract #99999-SPD-SPD0000039, from Wade Ford
(Smyrna, GA), in the amount of $62,876.00. The fuel truck was approved in the
FY12 Mid-Year Budget, and will be used to service and fuel tractors and other
equipment that cannot drive to fueling point. It is a replacement unit.
A Resolution (132-12) ? Authorizing the approval to enter into a contract
for the rental of plotter/printer services from The Overby Company (Columbus,
GA) for the monthly rental rate of $314.00 per month and a plotting charge of
$0.30 per square foot. The Contractor will provide, repair, and maintain the
plotter/printer, as well as, provide all expendable supplies, excluding the
plotter paper. The plotter/printer will be utilized by Geographic Information
Systems Division to draw charts and blue prints. The contract term shall be
for sixty (60) months. The contract will be automatically renewed (without the
need for any further action) every 12 months until the end of such 60-month
term.
A Resolution (133-12) ? Authorizing the approval to purchase one (1) E-One
1500 GPM Side Mount Rescue Pumper with 1030 Gallon Booster Tank Mounted on a
new 2012 Custom E-One typhoon Cab and Chassis, in the amount of $356,411.00 (if
pre-paid in full, the discounted cost will be $347,186.00); and applicable
loose equipment in the amount of $33,464.89, from Hall-Mark Fire Apparatus,
Inc., (Ocala, Florida). This replacement fire apparatus was approved in the
FY12 Midyear Budget and will be assigned to Fire Station #1. The new fire
truck will replace a unit that is a 2000 model (12 years old).
To accomplish this purchase, the Department of Fire & EMS is participating in
Bid No 11-10-1202 administered by the Florida Fire Chief?s Association, the
Florida Sheriff?s Association and the Florida Association of Counties. The
cooperative bid was administered by the aforementioned organizations to be
extended and guaranteed to any and all units of local governments and public
safety agencies. The bid contract covers the period of January 1, 2012
through December 31, 2012. The procurement process administered by the
entities in the State of Florida meets the procurement requirements of Columbus
Consolidated Government. The City?s Procurement Ordinance, Article 9-101,
?Cooperative Purchasing Authorized,? allows for participation in this Bid.
Hall-Mark Fire Apparatus is one of the awarded vendors on the contract, and the
fire apparatus, as well as the loose equipment, under the same contract.
A Resolution (134-12) ? Authorizing the approval to purchase LifePak monitor/defibrillator and
accessories from Physio Control (Redmond, WA) in the amount of $33,488.00. The
monitor/defibrillator will be used by the Fire & EMS Department and assigned to
Ambulance M-6 at Fire Station #6. The only "reserve" cardiac monitor is
currently in use at the Training Center, where the Department teaches EMS
certification classes in-house. The LifePak brand is requested to maintain
uniformity of the medical equipment throughout the department. The Department
currently has seventeen (17) LifePak monitor/defibrillators. Physio Control is
the manufacturer of the LifePak monitor/defibrillators, and is considered the
only known source for the purchase, per the Procurement Ordinance #3-114.
A Resolution (135-12) ? Authorizing the approval to execute Amendment One
to the contract for the 2011 Cut and Cover project, with Southeastern Site
Development, for the purpose of including $32,617.00 for the Rosemont Drive
drainage system project. Per Resolution No. 402-11, Council authorized the
execution of a construction contract with Southeastern Site Development, Inc.,
in the amount of $1,505,263.19, for the 2011 Cut and Cover Project - 2nd Avenue
and 11th Street, 17th Avenue, and Robert E. Lee Drive.
Contract Amendment One is for the construction of a drainage system that will
help reduce flooding on Rosemont Drive. The Engineering Department received
many complaints from an owner of apartments located in the area. The owner
provided video of a flood event in which the existing system was surging. It
was noted that the system has a restriction where the pipe changed from a
larger size pipe to a smaller one; there are also some utility conflicts in the
system.
The Engineering Department would like to have the work performed before the
volatile storm season begins. If the traditional bidding process is followed,
it would be mid-summer before the work could begin because of the time involved
in developing plans, specifications and receiving bids. Therefore, the
Engineering Department requested pricing from (2) contractors that are
currently under contract performing similar work:
*** *** ***
EMPLOYEE COACHING:
City Manager Hugley said he would ask for a delay on the employee
coaching update. He said he would like to say that part of his ongoing concern
is that we are allowing one or two employees to coach or train and receive
money while they are also being paid by the City. He said administratively,
effective June 1, 2012 he would like to discontinue that practice. He said we
will not allow employees to be on the clock and being paid by the City and then
training and that person paying them and they receive that revenue. He said
they will be allowed to continue to coach when they are not working for the
City. He said we will bring forward a final presentation regarding coaching
within the next few weeks.
Councilor Allen said he doesn?t have a problem with what City Manager
Hugley has just suggested, but said he just want to clarify that they will be
allowed to continue to coach on their days off before or after work.
*** *** ***
FOREST ROAD PROJECT:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said she needs for Deputy City Manager Arrington
to give an update on the Forrest Road project.
Deputy City Manager Arrington said the last time he spoke to the Council
regarding the Forrest Road project, he mentioned that we were planning on going
out for an RFP for professional services for right-of-way acquisition and
following that we would assign the right-of-way acquisition services not only
for the Forrest Road project, but for a number of other projects to these
agencies in order to speed up bringing forward some of these projects for
construction.
He said in April we did conduct the request for proposals for right-of-way
acquisition services and received six proposals and over the last several weeks
we have been in the process of evaluating those proposals. He said they will be
meeting again on this Thursday and hopefully to bring forward a recommendation
to the Council on May 22nd to either three or four of these firms for proposal
services.
Deputy City Manager Arrington said upon the award of those contracts to
these firms, we will be getting price quotes from them and then assigning them
projects to include the Forrest Road project, which is the project from
Woodruff Road to Floyd Road east to Schatulga Road. He said it is the project
that we have the largest number of parcels to acquire before bringing the
project forward. He said we do have a number of projects that are ready to go
with the exception of requiring the necessary right-of-way before proceeding
with construction; those include River Road/Bradley Park Drive, Veterans
Parkway/Double Churches Road, Forrest Road Bridge Replacement projects, which
includes two bridges on Forrest Road that must be replace, Double Churches
/Whitesville Road Intersection Fort Benning/Brennan Road Realignment,
Northstar/St. Mary?s Road; which will be a round-a-bout.
He said their focus over the last several months has been on bringing
forward those projects that we have other funding, other than just City funding
involved; which includes the Whittlesey Road project, where the State gave us a
deadline to have right-of-way done, as well as the Brown Avenue Bridge project,
which they have a hard deadline to get back with the State on. He said the
other projects are
Eastern Connector, which is the extension of Muscogee Technology Parkway for
the Industrial Development and finally the Moon Road Project, which has been a
priority of the Council for some time now. He said they have been focusing hard
on getting all of those parcels acquired that they can on that. He said they
will be bringing back some of those parcel to the Council for action within the
next month or so. He said they are hoping to have this to the Council by the
meeting of May 22nd or no longer than June.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said we have been talking about the Forrest Road
project and buying right-of-way for several years now and said every year it
gets moved up another year. She said we need to start seeing some real movement
on this project.
Deputy City Manager Arrington said we hope the approach that we are taking
with bringing on more additional professional services under contract with the
City will allow us to advance these projects in a much more timely manner and
it will certainly expand our capacity to acquire our right-of-way now and into
the future.
Councilor Huff then asked Deputy City Manager Arrington once we get the
approval process is there a timeline on the Brennan Road/Fort Benning Road, and
St. Mary?s Road/Northstar Drive project. Deputy City Manager Arrington said
they will be able to develop a timeline once they get the quotes from the
different right-of-way acquisition firms. He said they will bring to us a
timeline for completing that process and we will hold them to that. He said
once we have that in hand, then they will be able to project out the bid
schedule for construction. He said we will be able to give a much more
definitive timeline on all of these projects once we get those firms under
contract.
---------------------------------------*** ***
***--------------------------------------
CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF
COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL:
_____________________________________________
(1) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Columbus Golf Authority.
(2) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Employees? Pension Board
of Trustees.
(3) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Family & Children Services
Board.
(4) Application of Richard Bishop to temporarily close Broadway from 11th
Street to 12th Street, on Saturday, May 5, 2012, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.,
in connection with ?Arthritis Walk?. (The Police Chief has approved the
application).
(5) Application of Lisa Woods to temporarily close Fulton Avenue from 6th
Street to 538 Fulton Avenue, on Friday, May 25, 2012, from 7:00 p.m. to
Midnight, in connection with ?Graduation Celebration?. (The Police Chief has
approved the application).
(6) Application of Tanya Bryant to temporarily close 20th Street from 1st
Avenue to 2nd Avenue, on Saturday, May 26, 2012, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in
connection with ?Crunk for Christ Rally Tour?. (The Police Chief has approved
the application).
*** *** ***
COLUMBUS GOLF COURSE AUTHORITY:
Councilor Huff said he would like to nominate Gerald Miley for the seat of
the individual who will be rotating off the board.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:________________________________________________
A Resolution (135-12) ? Excusing Councilor R. Gary Allen from the May 1,
2012 Special Called Meeting. Councilor Huff moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine
members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilor McDaniel being
absent.
*** *** ***
MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE
COUNCIL:________________________________________________
Board of Tax Assessors, No. 15-12 & 16-12.
Columbus Civic Center, April 19, 2012.
Columbus Convention & visitors Bureau, February 14, 2012.
Development Authority, January 5 & February 2, 2012.
Greater Columbus Golf Authority, March 27, 2012,
Hospital Authority of Columbus, March 27, 2012.
New Horizons Service Board, February 14 & March 14, 2011.
New Horizons Service Board, April 11, May 9, & June 13, 2011.
River Valley Regional Commission, February 22 & March 28, 2012.
Councilor Henderson made a motion that these minutes be received. Seconded
by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting, with Councilor McDaniel being absent.
*** *** ***
BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Councilor McDaniel had Mr.
Millard ?Ken? Toole, Sr., to succeed Perry Borom, Jr., whose term of office
expired on March 31, 2012. She further pointed out that Councilor Huff also
nominated Mr. Ed Adams at the last Council meeting and said she will now take a
roll call vote to determine who will be elected to succeed Mr. Borom.
After a roll call vote was taken by Clerk of Council Washington, it was
determine that Mr. Ed Allen was elected. Mr. Adams received seven votes and Mr.
Toole received two votes. She then asked for a motion to confirm Mr. Adams.
Councilor Woodson then so moved. Seconded by Councilor Huff and carried
unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.
*** *** ***
BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Michael P. Fox, Jr. has
contacted the Clerk of Council?s office and does desire to serve another term
of office on this board. Councilor Henderson then nominated Mr. Fox for another
term of office; after which it was pointed out by Clerk of Council Washington
that she would bring this back at the next regular Council meeting for the
Council?s vote.
*** *** ***
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we still need a nominee for
someone to fill the expired seat of Mr. Edgardo Cardona, whose seat has been
declared vacant.
Councilor Allen, District 6 Councilor said he is still working to find a
replacement for this position.
*** *** ***
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the term of office of Mr.
Glen Heinzelman on the Planning Advisory Commission has expired and then
advised that he is eligible to succeed himself for another term of office and
that he would like to be reappointed. Councilor Henderson then nominated Mr.
Heinzelman for another term of office.
Clerk of Council Washington also pointed out that Mr. Fred Ghent, who was
recently appointed this board and accepted passed away recently and that
advises that Council will need to nominate someone to fill this seat. Councilor
Allen asked that a resolution be drafted for Mr. Ghent?s family.
*** *** ***
RETIREE HEALTH BENEFIT COMMITTEE:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mrs. Annie E. Clark, who
served on the Retirees Health Benefit Committee recently passed away and
advises that Council will need to nominate someone else to fill this seat.
Councilor Barnes said he would like to have a resolution for Ms. Clark?s
family, as well.
Councilor Thomas asked if Ms. Clark?s position is a designed seat. Clerk
of Council Washington said she would have to check that and let the Council
now.
*** *** ***
TREE BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Councilor McDaniel is
nominating Mr. Jeremy Cummings to fill the seat of Ms. Claudya Muller on the
Tree Board and said she will bring this back at the next Council meeting.
*** *** ***
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mayor Tomlinson said she would entertain a motion to allow the Council to
go into an executive session to discuss a real estate acquisition matter.
Councilor Thomas so moved. Seconded by Councilor Huff and carried unanimously
by those nine members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilor
McDaniel being absent.
*** *** ***
At 11:35 a.m. this meeting was adjourned to allow the Council to go into
executive to discuss a real estate acquisition
matter.
At 12:00 noon this meeting was called back to order at which time Mayor
Tomlinson pointed out that the Council met in executive, but there were no
votes taken and with there being no other business to come before the Council,
she then entertained a motion for adjournment.
Councilor Barnes so moved. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried
unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting, with
Councilor McDaniel being absent and the time of adjournment being 12:04 p.m.
Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
Council of Columbus, Georgia
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