REFERRALS FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 13, 2011
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY:
1. CHARTER AMENDMENTS:
Let?s provide an interpretation of the ways the Charter could be amended and
explain why the Georgia Constitution overrules the Columbus Charter on how the
amendments would occur. (Request of Mayor Tomlinson)
Response:
City Attorney Clifton Fay is working on a response.
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TO THE CITY MANAGER:
2. COLUMBUS WATER WORKS:
Have the Administration meet with the Columbus Water Works? representative to
discuss the reason why there is a citizen that is being charged for usage the
same amount as the CSO charge as shown on their water bill. (Request of
Councilor Woodson)
Response:
Response from Emory Blount, Executive Vice President of Cols. Water Works
The CSO charge, which appears on the monthly water bill, is for the operation
and maintenance of the CSO (Uptown Park and South Commons) treatment
facilities. This charge is only applied to customer accounts for which sewer
service is provided by CWW. This is a fixed charge and is based on the amount
of water used. A customer with minimum use, which is anything less than 5 CCF,
is not charged a CSO fee.
Listed below are the current CSO charges per account
CCF Charge
0 CCF - 4 CCF $0.00
5 CCF - 15 CCF $2.78
16 CCF - 204 CCF $5.59
205 CCF - 1004 CCF $55.81
Over 1004 CCF $159.46
However, in regards to the specific question from the customer about their
Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) charge being identical to usage, more information
is needed in order to provide an accurate response. If a copy of the water
bill or if the specific customer address can be provided to our office, this
concern will be fully and promptly investigated.
Counties Columbus Water Works provides services:
Columbus Water Works provides water services to portions of Harris and Talbot
Counties and to the Fort Benning Military Reservation.
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3. SUNDAY ALCOHOL SALES:
Referral:
Have the staff to check to see if there is any information in the form of a
market study to get an understanding of some of the various benefits that had
been discussed within the community regarding Sunday alcohol sales; in
particular, the potential revenue gains and losses associated with this
ordinance. Also, let?s check with the Police Chief to gather information on the
crime aspect of Sunday alcohol sales along with the traffic hazards. (Request
of Councilor Davis)
Response from Pam Hodge, Finance Director:
The closest organization I can find like GMA is Alabama League of
Municipalities. Yvonne talked to a Sharon in the Legal Dept. of this
association and she stated that they do not have any data regarding revenue
generated from Sunday sales of alcohol. They stated that local municipalities
or the Alabama Dept. of Revenue might have some information. We contacted
Phenix City and the Alabama Dept of Revenue and neither one track information
related to Sunday alcohol sales, even with point of sales data.
OVERALL SUMMARY
Phenix City, Al - No Data Available
Alabama Dept of Revenue - No Data Available
Alabama League of Municipalities - No Data Available
Attached below is a summary of some published articles and the source relating
to the impact of repealing the ban on Sunday Sales for off premises
establishments.
(See attachment ?A?: OFF PREMISES SUNDAY SALES SURVEY.xls)
Referral:
Also, have the staff to check with GMA to see if some other cities or counties
have requested this type of financial and criminal reporting information.
(Request of Mayor Tomlinson)
Response from Pam Hodge, Finance Director:
Yvonne spoke with Lou Comer at GMA and they do not have any data available.
Lou was referring the request to their research department and will contact us
if any data is available.
Response from Chief Ricky Boren, Police Department:
In 2010, the CPD investigated 7990 traffic accidents. There were 17 fatalities
and 2286 injuries. Only four (4) of the fatalities were alcohol related. The
number one day for accidents is Friday. The number one time for accidents is
1700-1759hrs. We have no data that supports more alcohol related accidents on
Sundays at this time...
Attached is stats we used in the Governors Challenge 2010 pertaining to
accidents and causes....the number one day for accidents is Friday...the number
one time is 1700-1759hrs....the leading cause Following Too Closely....we
worked over 8400 accidents in 2009.....only 7990 in 2010....our fatality rate
has reduced from 22 in 2009 to 17 in 2010...of the 17 in 2010, only 4 were
alcohol related....Sunday is listed as the least day for accidents....I would
like to think our aggressive traffic enforcement over the past three years is
what has educated the public into compliance with State Law concerning
DUI.................
See Attachment ?B?: Stats Used for Governors Challenge
2010-Mayors Counsel on Alcohol Sales
Emails to CM from Mr. Jimmy Blanton - December 18, 2011:
Jimmy Blanton
Associational Missionary
Columbus Baptist Association
3679 Steam Mill Rd
Greetings Mr. Hugley
I trust that you have ad great day.The other day at the council meeting I
spoke in opposition to Sunday Alcohol sales and have a vote of the general
public to decide. I feel that the council is in the position to protect the
citizens and they are the ones to make this decision. So, you were asked to
provide council with additional information.
Please find the attachments of a few studies. I do hope this helps. Please
take special note of number 4 "Alcohol Review of Research on harm of
Alcohol...." this is an Oxford study on "Hours and Days of Sale and Density
of Alcohol Outlets: Impacts on Alcohol Consumption and Damage:A Systematic
Review".
Thanks for all you do for our city. I know your job is as hard and that people
are always complaining to you...I am sorry for that!!!
Blessings to you and may you and yours have a Christ filled Christmas flooded
with His Grace of love, joy, and peace...
--
Jimmy Blanton
Associational Missionary
Columbus Baptist Association
3679 Steam Mill Rd
Columbus, GA 31906
O: 706-322-7757
F: 706-322-7758
Attachment ?C?: Alcohol Dept. of Community Health Report
Attachment ?D?: Alcohol Economic Impact of Sunday Sales
Attachment ?E?: Alcohol Pros and Cons of Sunday Sales
Attachment ?F?: Alcohol Review of Research on Harm of Alcohol Availability
Attachment ?G?: Alcohol Sunday Sales/Crime
Attachment ?F?: Alcohol Sunday Sales of Alcohol and Highway
Jimmy Blanton
Associational Missionary
Columbus Baptist Association
3679 Steam Mill Rd
Email to CM from Mr. Blanton - December 27, 2011
I trust that you had a great Christmas....I got sick on the 18 and been in most
of that time....so, I missed it I think.
Question: could you please share with me the report that you will send to the
council members so that I may see the information that your shared compared to
what I have. I would like to send them some information but do not desire to
duplicate and therefore I could just refer to your work.
thanks so much. Blessings to you
Jimmy Blanton
Associational Missionary
Columbus Baptist Association
3679 Steam Mill Rd
Columbus, GA 31906
O: 706-322-7757
F: 706-322-7758
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4. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:
Provide a copy of the performance evaluation system that is currently in place
versus the proposed performance evaluation ordinance. (Request of Mayor Pro
Tem Turner Pugh)
Response:
Staff is working on this referral and will provide a report and presentation at
the January 31, 2012 Council Worksession. The report will be submitted with
the Council Package on Friday, January 27, 2012.
5. MOON ROAD WIDENING PROJECT:
Let?s have staff continue to communicate with Mr. James & Anita Smith
regarding their property as it relates to the Moon Road widening project and
what may be done under these circumstances. (Request of Mayor Tomlinson)
Response:
Staff has been working with the engineering consultant and plan to brief the
Mayor and City Manager prior to presenting alternatives to the Smith Family.
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6. NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL:
Let?s have staff place the video as presented by the students from Northside
High School on the city?s website documenting their purpose and hope for land
development through artistic interpretations. (Request of Mayor Tomlinson)
Response:
The Northside High School video is be aired with the Council Meeting and has
been added to the City's Website.
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TO THE CLERK OF COUNCIL:
7. CCG EMPLOYEES? MEDICAL CLINIC:
Let?s provide a copy of the Council Meeting video or minutes of when the
Council requested that the Administration prepare an RFP for the employees?
clinic. (Request of Mayor Tomlinson)
Response:
In response to the referral regarding the RFP for the employee clinic, please
see minutes attached from the various presentations on CCG Employee Clinic..
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Copies submitted to the following on December 20, 2011
Mayor Tomlinson
City Manager Hugley
City Attorney Fay
Sandra T. Davis
Deputy Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
Attachments