Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

OCTOBER 30, 2007





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

to order at 9:07 A.M., Tuesday, October 30, 2007, on the Plaza Level of the

Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable W.J. Wetherington, Mayor,

presiding.



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PRESENT: Present other that Mayor Wetherington and Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner

Pugh were Councilors, Councilors R. Gary Allen Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Jerry

?Pops? Barnes, Glenn Davis, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Skip Henderson, Charles E.

McDaniel, Jr., and Evelyn Woodson. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, 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: No one was absent.

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INVOCATION: Offered by Pastor Ashley Randall, St. Mark United Methodist Church.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by the students of Benning Hills Elementary School.

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MAYOR?S COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AWARENESS

MONTH:_______________________________________



With Ms. Mitzi Oxford, Chairperson of the Mayor?s Committee for Persons

with Disabilities came forward and gave an Overview of Mayor?s Committee for

Persons with Disabilities; Disability Awareness Month; as well as recognized

the of winners of the Disability Awareness Art Contest; recognition of Columbus

Career Center, Georgia Department of Labor, and Columbus Public Library for

their support.



Ms. Oxford recognized those who were present with her, to include Ms. Joy

Norman, Mr. Ron Frazier, and Ms. Susanne Barnes.



She then presented an award to the Columbu7s Library for being the host of

their Third Annual ADA Workshop and Job Fair. She said not only did they host

this meeting for them, but frequently hosts their board meetings, executive

advisory boards, as well as the general public.



Ms. Oxford also recognized Vocational Rehabilitation Services, who assists

in helping to organize and getting people with disabilities in terms of

employment within this community. She said they could not do the ADA Workshop

and Job Fair were it not for the support of the Columbus Career Center of the

Georgia Department of Labor.



She then recognized the presence of Ms. Jamie Lloyd, Mr. Walt Pollock, Ms.

Debbie Wellborn and Mr. Jim Hunsinger, and all the other personnel at the

Columbus Career Center. She also recognized the Art Teachers, as well as the

winners of the Art Contest.

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PROCLAMATIONS:



?RETIRED EDUCATORS DAY?:



With Ms. Edna J. Hagan and several others standing at the Council table,

Councilor Baker read the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming

November 4, 2007 as ?Retired Educators Day? in Columbus, Georgia.

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MAYOR?S AGENDA:

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY

COUNCILOR HUNTER AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:______________________________________________________

A Resolution (455-07) ? Commending Seattle Seahawk Mack Strong upon his

successful fifteen years as a professional football player. Councilor Hunter

moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried

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

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SOUTH COLUMBUS CONCERNED CITIZENS:



Councilor Woodson said the South Columbus Concerned Citizens wanted this

Council to know that when they meet for their monthly meeting, they voted in

favor of the TAD. She said they wanted you to know that they are 100% in

support of you and thinks that it will be a great asset for South Columbus.



She said the Columbus South Revitalization Executive Board will be bringing

a resolution of support to their board and they also want to thank you for the

vision in seeing this. She said with the TAD and its passage, it would be a

great tool for South Columbus and they are hopeful that the other citizens can

see this as well and we can take away the dividing line between north and south

with the new revitalization.



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HEALTH FAIR:



Councilor Woodson son two weeks ago there was a health fair in the

Hispanic community and on Tuesday, at the third hour it was brought to her

attention of an issue that occurred and said that Councilor Barnes and Mayor

Pro Tem Turner Pugh had advised her to contact some individuals to assist in

this health fair. She said in the process of assisting them she learned of a

very important topic that she thinks everyone in our community needs to know.

She said when you request the community healthcare mobile to come to a health

fair, you need to let Ms. Sandra Rodriguez what your intent is. She said the

community mobile van doesn?t have staffing, as it is done by grants. She said

if a community wants to do a health fair and would like to have the van to come

to their facility, they must check to ensure there is funding. She said they

can provide the van, but what good would the van be if you don?t have the

medical assistance that you need.



She said she would like to give kudos to St. Francis Hospital and the

Medical Center; because she called them on Thursday afternoon and requested

some assistance. She said she told them what her plight was and they provided

as much assistance that they needed.



Councilor Woodson said we have great volunteers and citizens in our

community. She said she would like to thank St. Francis, as well as the Medical

Center and asked the City Attorney to prepare a resolution thanking them for

their assistance.

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MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS: Minutes of the July 17 & 24, 2007 Council Meetings

of the Council of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were

submitted and approved unanimously upon the adoption of a motion made by

Councilor Henderson and seconded by Councilor Allen, which carried unanimously

by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.

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CITY ATTORNEY'S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY

AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:

_____________________________________________________



An Ordinance ? Authorizing the reclassification of one Election

Coordinator to the new Class Title Assistant Director of Elections and

Registration in the Columbus Consolidated Government Position Classification

Plan.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY

FAY AND INTRODUCED AND AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DISCUSSION INTRODUCED ON FIRST

READING: ___________________________________________



An Ordinance ? Providing penalties for violations of any watering ban

issued by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or Environmental

Protection Division affecting Columbus, Georgia; and for other purposes.



City Attorney Fay said there are several drafts around the Council table;

however, Draft #1 is the ordinance that is officially listed on the Agenda. He

said Draft #3 has language that is proposed by the City Manager, which the

Council might want to go ahead and put in the ordinance by amendment.



Councilor Henderson then gave a chronology of events and how this

ordinance was brought forth to the Council. He said since we talked about this

subject a week ago, several residents had contacted him; and he knows that some

of the other Council members have heard from residents as well, who were

concerned with people who were not complying with the water ban. He said he

then asked the City Attorney to check into what authority and latitude we had

to put some kind of teeth into it, to try to encourage compliance.



Discussion then developed on this ordinance, with members of the Council

expressing their views on this subject, with City Attorney Fay responding to

questions of members of the Council and the Mayor.



Mr. Billy Tante of the Columbus Water Works also appeared before the

Council and made a presentation on this issue, as well as responded to several

members of the Council.



After continued discussion on this subject, several members of the Council

then asked for additional information with respect to this subject.



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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY

FAY AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:

_____________________________________________________



An Ordinance ? Amending Ordinance 07-30 by changing the criteria for

paramedics to receive emergency service certification pay in the amount of

$2600 annually, retroactive to July 1, 2006; and for other purposes.

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS APPEARED ON THE PUBLIC AGENDA AND LISTED BELOW

IS THE SUBJECT MATTER IN WHICH THEY APPEARED TO

DISCUSS:___________________________________



Mr. Sergio & Mrs. Diana Schwaris, Re: A request of waiver for

penalties and interest on property tax.



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Mr. Edward Dubose, representing Georgia State Conference NAACP,

Re: Kenneth Walker case and the Department of Fire & EMS.



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Mr. Jim Rhodes, Re: TAD, (2) Veterans Issues and (3) Funds for

indigent defense.



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Mr. Paul Olson, Re: (1) Affidavit pertaining to L.O.S.T (2) Local

Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T) referendum and (3) Landfill debt collection

service.



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Mr. Bert Coker, Re: (1) Building Authority bonds and (2) SPLOST.



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Mr. William Madison, Re: Jail overcrowding and (2) five minutes

Public Agenda rule.

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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING FIVE PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS HAVING BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE

CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA 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 SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BARNES, WHICH CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SIX MEMBERS OF COUNCIL STILL PRESENT WITH COUNCILORS

ALLEN, ANTHONY, MCDANIEL AND WOODSON BEING ABSENT FOR THIS VOTE:

____________________



A Resolution (456-07) ? Approving the annual contract for the provision of

inspection services for rehabilitative housing from Home Inspections on an ? as

needed basis?. Home Inspections will provide professional inspection services

for rehabilitative housing including single and multi-family structures and

commercial rehabilitation. Primarily, the Department of Community Reinvestment

will utilize these services; however, other City departments may utilize such

services as required. The inspector shall provide all necessary labor,

supervision and materials required to perform thorough inspections of

structures, which may be potential candidates for rehabilitation. Inspection

services shall include the following: Thoroughly inspect each structure, at the

request of the City, to determine if the structure is a viable candidate for

rehabilitation. Prepare inspection report, which fully details the Inspector?s

recommendation to rehabilitate structure or not to rehabilitate structure.

Prepare work write up and specifications for rehabilitation. Develop a scope

and cost estimates for rehabilitation process. Monitor progress of contractor

(s) during the rehabilitation process.

Oversight of all residential programs new/rehabilitative projects. Inspection

of rental units assisted under the City?s HOME program.



The term of this contract shall be for two years with an option to renew

for three additional twelve-month periods. Contract renewal will be contingent

upon the mutual agreement of the City and the Contractor.



A Resolution (457-07) ? Approving the annual contract for the purchase of

xerographic bond plotter paper from Point of Sale Supply, and ink cartridges

from Ribbons Express, Inc., for the estimated annual contract amount of

$3,750.50. The supplies will be purchased on an ?as needed basis?, by the

Engineering Department, GIS Division. The supplies will be used to produce

maps and graphics for the public and various city departments, to include but

not limited to, Engineering, Tax Assessor's, Planning, Community Reinvestment,

Fire/EMS, Police and Public Services. The contract term shall be for one year,

with the option to renew for two (2) additional twelve-month periods, if

agreeable to both parties.



A Resolution (458-07) ? Authorizing the execution of a contract with

Holley Construction Company and Associates, Inc., to provide construction

management services for repairs to the Historic Train Depot, in which the

Chamber of Commerce is located. The building requires roof repairs, carpeting,

carpentry items, basement leak repairs, ceiling tile repairs, and other

interior and exterior repairs.



A Resolution (459-07) ? Authorizing the approval of the annual contract

for the purchase of fire hose from First Choice Fire & Safety, LLC, on an ?as

needed basis?, for the estimated contract value of $36,270.00. The contract

will provide fire fighters with fire hose to be used during structural fire

fighting. The contract term shall be for two years, with the option to renew

for three additional twelve-month periods, contingent upon the mutual agreement

of the City and the Contractor.



A Resolution (460-07) ? Authorizing the execution of an annual contract

with Columbus Basketball Official Association to provide officiating services

for the estimated contract value of $33,025.00. Officiating Services are

required for the following activities: Adult Basketball, GRPA District and

State Tournaments, Midnight Basketball, Columbus Youth Basketball, Innovative

Sports Development Basketball, Percy Griffin Basketball and the Freshman

Holiday Basketball Tournaments. The vendor will provide a minimum of two (2)

officiators, per game, for Adult Basketball, GRPA District and State

Tournaments, Columbus Youth Basketball, Innovative Sports Development

Basketball and Percy Griffin Basketball League. Three (3) officiators, per

game, are required for Midnight Basketball and the Freshman Holiday Basketball

Tournaments.



There will be approximately 695 basketball events at City recreation

centers, for the 2007 - 2008 seasons. The officiating services will be

provided in accordance with the Georgia High School Association (GHSA)

regulation guidelines.

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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS SUBMITTTED AS INFORMATION BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON: _____________________________



(1) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Convention and Trade

Center Authority.



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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLANIED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:

______________________________________________



A Resolution (461-07) ? Excusing Councilor Evelyn Woodson from the October

23, 2007 Council Meeting. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the

resolution. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously

by those six members of Council present at the time, with Councilors Allen,

Anthony, McDaniel and Woodson being absent for this vote.



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CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON SUBMITTED MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS,

WHICH WERE OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:

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Airport Commission, September 26, 2007.

Board of Health, September 26, 2007.

Board of Tax Assessors, No. 38-07.

Board of Tax Assessors, No. 39-07.

Building Contractor?s Examining Board, September 6, 2007.

Convention & Visitors Bureau, September 19, 2007.

Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission, October 9, 2007.



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

by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those six members of

Council present at the time, with Councilors Allen, Anthony, McDaniel and

Woodson being absent for this vote.



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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terns of office of

Dr. Patrice Holt, Ms. Jeannie McKee, and Ms. Gail Simpson on the Animal Control

Advisory Board expired on October 15, 2007 and that they are eligible to

succeed themselves. She said Dr. Holt represents the Veterinarian?s Association

and must be a licensed veterinarian participating in the City?s One-Stop pet

registration program. She said Ms. McKee and Ms. Simpson both serves in an

at-large position.



Councilor Allen nominated Ms. McKee and Ms. Simpson to succeed themselves

for another term of office.



Clerk of Council Washington said she would bring these nominations back on

next week for the Council?s confirmation.



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PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of

Mr. Daniel Williams, District One, Mr. James Wilson, District Five,

Ms. Margaret Shafer, District Seven, Mr. Archie Rainey, District Nine will

expire on October 31, 2007, but they are all eligible to succeed themselves for

another term of office.



She further pointed out that Ms. Cheryl Gallatin, who represents District

Ten is no longer a resident of Muscogee County; therefore, we will need someone

else to fill this position.



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YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Councilor Woodson is

nominating Darren McCray as her District 7 representative on the Youth Advisory

Council and said that he may be confirmed. Councilor Henderson so moved.

Seconded by Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by those six members of

Council present at the time, with Councilors Allen, Anthony, McDaniel and

Woodson being absent for this vote.



She said we are still working on a representative for Council District 8.



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

Wetherington then asked if there was anyone who was not listed on the agenda,

but had an issue that they wanted to bring before the Council could be heard at

this time.



Mr. C. A. Hardmon, (Brother Love) then came forward and made comments

regarding a Citizens Review Board to deal with issues within the Columbus

Police Department, as well as other Public Safety Departments. He also made

comments with respect to Kenneth Walker?s death.



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

Tem Turner Pugh then made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Henderson

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

with Councilors Allen, Anthony, McDaniel and Woodson being absent for this

vote, with the time being 12:50 a.m.



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Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia







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