MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 10, 2017
The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called
to order at 9:02 A.M., Tuesday, January 10, 2017, on the 2nd Floor of the
Citizens Service Center, located at 3111 Citizens Way, Columbus, Georgia
Honorable Teresa Tomlinson, Mayor and Honorable Evelyn Turner Pugh, Mayor Pro
Tem presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Teresa Tomlinson were Councilors R. Gary
Allen, Mike Baker, Jerry Barnes, Glenn Davis, Walker Garrett, Berry H.
Henderson and Judy W. Thomas. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton
Fay, Assistant City Attorney Lucy Sheftall, Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington
and Deputy Clerk of Council Lindsey Glisson were also present. Councilor Evelyn
Woodson took her seat at 9:02 a.m. Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh took her
seat at 9:05 a.m.
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ABSENT: Councilor Bruce Huff was absent.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Father Brian O-Shaughness of St. Anne Catholic
Church.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by the second
Grader students of the Reese Road Leadership Academy.
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MINUTES: Minutes of the December 6 & 13, 2016 Council Meeting and the January
3, 2017 Organizational Meeting of the Consolidated Government were submitted
and approved upon the adoption of a motion made by Councilor Allen. Seconded
by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present, with Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting.
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Mayor Tomlinson said we need to move some of our items around on the
agenda this morning because we have one presentation that must take place at a
particular time. She said we don?t think that it will take very long and said
that City Manager Hugley wants to call up a couple of citizens? presentation
that are on his agenda this morning.
CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:
AT THE REQUEST OF CITY MANAGER HUGLEY, THE FOLLOWING UPDATE LISTED ON
THE CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA WAS CALLED UP AS THE NEXT ORDER OF
BUSINESS:______
Ms. Betsy Covington of Community Foundation said she is coming forward
this morning with some good news, and has three big items that she would like
to update the Council on where we stand with our greenway trail network in
Muscogee County; and then provided the following information, as listed below.
Trails Update
Fall Line/10th Avenue to the River
? Status
? Route, Design, Budget and Contractor approved
? Southeastern Site Development Inc. Contractor
? Completion summer of 2017
Ms. Covington then showed a map giving an overview of the route and area in
which the trail will include. She said this gives us the ability to connect the
Riverwalk to what
else is happening in downtown. She said we will bring the features of the
Riverwalk up to land and make it obvious that this is leading you towards
something that?s important.
She then showed some schematics of the area of what it?s going to look
like.
Ms. Covington said as you know, the Friends of the RiverLink fund lives at
the Community Foundation and said they are really happy to partner with the
City on this project because this is such a great example of a fantastic
public/ private partnership that builds connections all around our City and
said that?s what they are about at the Community Foundation. She said she
doesn?t have any experience in building trails and said that the Friends group
have a little bit of experience, but said that they needed some help;
therefore, they have brought in someone to help them.
She said that Richard Bishop has agreed to come on board as their Project
Director for the RiverLink system and said that they are thrilled about that.
She said he knows how to work well with the City and he knows how to have the
vision of what can be accomplished in an area; and said she believes that this
is a way to enhance some of the work that they have been doing in Uptown and
begin to move it to other parts of our City.
Branding the Trail System
? Take-away from the Greenville Inter-City Visit
? Our trail system needs a brand, a name with pizzazz
? The Friends of RiverLink accepted the challenge to brand the trail system
? The Friends used Facebook to seek names that would indelibly brand the trail
system
The Brand and Name
Ms. Covington said they propose that this trail system be named the
Dragonfly. She said you would retain the name Riverwalk, Fall Line Trace and
Follow Me Trail and each trail that wants to have a name, will have a name, but
the overall System will be named the Dragonfly.
She then showed a picture of what they would like for the logo to be.
Dragonfly Trails
? All of the our trails will connected to or lead to the Chattahoochee River
? Dragonflies are indicator species for clean water
? Dragonflies flourish where clean water is available
? Dragonfly has the level of memorability that is needed to attach local
residents and visitors far and wide to our Dragonfly Trails
? The Friends of Riverlink request Council support in naming the trail system,
Dragonfly Trails
Next Step
? Ground Breaking for the Fall Line to the River Phase
? After direction from City staff and Council proceed with the design and
engineering for the MLK Phase
After the conclusion of her presentation, Ms. Covington then responded to
questions of members of the Council.
City Manager Hugley said he will bring a resolution back at the January
24th Council meeting to ask for the Council?s concurrence in moving forward
with naming the network, Dragonfly Trails, the design that you have seen here
today. He said if there are any questions from the Council now, they can answer
those questions; and certainly will be available to answer them at the next
Council meeting.
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MULTI-USE TRAIL AT MLK, JR. BLVD AND ANNETTE AVENUE:
City Manager Hugley said we have been discussing this matter for several
years now, three lanes, four lanes and whether or not to move forward or not.
He said that there has been debate and said they are ready to proceed forward
with Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard project now. He said they are ready
to proceed forward with 4-lanes. He said he knows that Councilor Huff and some
others have advocated for 4-lanes and said we believe we can work the project
within the 4-lane concept.
He said that they are going to have a community meeting, which Mr. Jones
will announce the date and location, and said we are hoping to come back to you
at the first business meeting in February with a resolution. He said after we
hear from the residents, we are hoping to be able to proceed with the project
after we get the resident?s feedback on how they feel about 4-lanes. He said
if they support it, we will come back to you with something, and if they don?t
support it, obviously we won?t move forward.
Mr. Rick Jones, Director of the Planning Department came forward and gave
an update on the Martin Luther King Jr., Boulevard, saying this is a project
that has been on the books for some time now, and said it is time for it to
come forward and move on with it.
He said they are looking at going out there and resurfacing Martin Luther
King Junior Boulevard from Buena Vista Road all the way down to 10th and then
restriping it back to a 4-lane segment. He said the section that runs from
Buena Vista Road to Brown Avenue, which is called the East section, right now
is already a 5-lane segment and said they are not going to do anything with
that, but said they are going to maintain that 4-lane with the center turn
lane.
Mr. Jones said they are still providing enough availability whereby in the
future, if they so desire, to put that multi-purpose trail back out there; and
said he will show you how that could possibly connect to the existing project
that we have going with the Spider web project.
He said going down to the West section from Brown Avenue going down to
10th, said they would still maintain that 4-lane segment as well, in terms of
striping it, and so forth; with the idea of looking at, long-range, in dealing
with a multi-purpose trail on the north side of that roadway.
Mr. Jones said, as you have heard this morning, in dealing with the Trails
system itself, there was a proposal of putting up a multi-purpose trail on the
north side and then showed a drawing of what that could look like. He also
showed a rendering of the Round-About at Martin Luther King Junior and the
extension of Annette Avenue.
He pointed out that the date and time for the public meeting to go back
out and discuss this project with the residents will be held on January 26th
from 5:30 ? 7:00 p.m. at Brewer Elementary School. He said citizens can come in
and ask questions; but there won?t be any presentation.
After the conclusion of Mr. Jones?s presentation, City Manager Hugley said
we want to go out and hear what the community has to say. He said we heard
strong voices previously that they wanted 4-lanes and said this is an effort to
move that project forward.
Councilor Allen said Councilor Huff is not present here today and then
asked that the staff coordinate this with them.
After City Manager Hugley and Mr. Rick Jones then responded to questions of
members of the Council, this matter was then concluded.
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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND AFTER BEING AMENDED WAS THEN ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING:
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An Ordinance (17-1) ? Amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated
Government of Columbus, Georgia; changing certain boundaries of a district
located at 4540, 4550 & 4554 Reese Road & 3747 Gentian Boulevard (parcel
084-023-003, 084-023-001, 084-023-002 & 069-010-003) from NC (Neighborhood
Commercial) Zoning District to GC (General Commercial) with conditions Zoning
District.
City Attorney Fay said the applicant, Mr. George Mize and the
representatives from Dollar General are present here this morning and said that
they are requesting that Condition Number 5, as it relates to no delivery
during peak hours, be eliminated from the ordinance. He then called on Mr.
Rick Jones of the Planning Department to make some comments.
Mr. Rick Jones said after our last conversation on this matter during the
meeting at the end of last year, the staff went back and looked at what this
condition was trying to say to us. He said they were trying to make sure that
we weren?t getting into a situation where we would have some issues with truck
traffic, particularly at peak hours. He said we then got into a conversation
as to what constitutes peak hours, and said they really don?t have anything in
the ordinance to propose that.
He said they went back and looked at that and earnestly, they just felt
like, after all had been said and done, there really wasn?t a whole lot that
this particular condition was going to accomplish.
Mr. Jones said it is their understanding that they may have one or two
truck deliveries during the week and he don?t think that is going to be a daily
occurrence.
He said they just felt like that was not going to be a real issue to us,
in terms of making those turns and blocking traffic, or anything else;
certainly not to the point that it was going to warrant any concern on the
City?s part; therefore, they are asking that the condition be removed, as we
don?t see there is a need for it at this time. He said they think that they
have accomplished everything else that they need to accomplish to make sure
this development occurs.
Mr. Jones, in responding to a concern expressed by Councilor Allen at the
last Council meeting that this matter was discuss, as it relates to a
definition of peak hours, said we don?t have a definition of peak time, but
said they are going to correct that problem and put that it in the UDO itself.
Councilor Thomas made a motion to delete Condition Number 5 in the
ordinance. Seconded by Councilor Garrett
After some discussion on the motion, with Mr. Jones, Mr. George Mize and
Mr. Tom Hodges, of Dollar General responding to questions of members of the
Council, the question was then called on the motion to delete the condition
from the ordinance, which carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present, with Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting.
Councilor Thomas then made a motion to adopt the ordinance as amended.
Seconded by Councilor Garrett and carried unanimously by those nine members of
Council present, with Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND AFTER SOME DISCUSSION WAS THEN INTRODUCED ON FIRST
READING:
An Ordinance ? Establishing water restrictions and enforcement of outdoor
water use for landscaping per the Georgia Water Stewardship Law pursuant to
O.C.G.A. Section 12-5-7; and creation of a drought response program and
enforcement in accordance with the requirements of the Georgia Board of Natural
Resources Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Rule ?391-3-30 and for other
purposes.
City Attorney Fay pointed out that Mr. Joey Murphy of the Columbus Water
Works was present to answer any questions of the Council, but there were none.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING AFTER SOME DISCUSSION OF THE COUNCIL
:__
An Ordinance ? Amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2017
beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017 so as to appropriate and
account for the payment of legal fees and expenses provided to the Muscogee
County Sheriff in the case of Darr v. Columbus; and for other purposes.
City Attorney Fay said this has been ordered by the Court to be paid and
then asked if there were any questions.
Councilor Davis asked if this now means that the case is officially over
and that we are not to expect any more invoices to the City.
City Attorney Fay said that is hopefully the case in the former Darr vs.
the Columbus matter. He said in the Pierce case, we don?t know if the former
Clerk?s attorney are going to make a motion with the court. He said they have
indicated that they are going to pursue some type of a claim for fees, but at
this point, we don?t know what that is and we don?t know what the Judge will
order.
He said both cases have been dismissed and said he has distributed around
the table this morning, copies of the orders that were issued by Judge Raymond
in the Darr case back in June. He said these order makes it crystal clear that
the Mayor and City Manager have policy making authority, to recommend a budget
to you, and you, as the legislative body, have authority under Georgia law and
the Charter to set the budget.
City Attorney Fay said the Sheriff and Clerk, as well as other
constitutional officers have to live within that budget.
He said he quotes decade old case law and in the order, it says that. He said
it is clear that you, as the legislative body, set the budget. He said the new
Sheriff and the new Clerk are aware of all these rules.
He said at this point, we do have to pay these legal fees in the Darr
matter. He said what comes down in the Pierce matter is unknown at this time.
In responding to questions of the Council, City Attorney Fay said the
$54,000 has been reviewed by Judge Raymond and ordered by the Court. He said if
we refuse to pay these fees, these is a possibility that we may be held in
contempt.
Mayor Tomlinson said the lawyers have been fired and that?s the end of it
and they have no authority to incur future expenses.
City Attorney Fay said in this particular case, all the City lawyers, as
well as his office is recommending that we go ahead and pay these fees. He said
that case is now completely dismissed.
After further discussion on this issue, with members of the Council
expressing their views regarding the matter, and in responding to further
questions of the Council, City Attorney Fay said he would not expect any more
fees in the Darr matter because these were filed around the time of the
election occurred and this should be the final set in the Darr matter. He said
we do not expect any bill for the dismissal of the case by Mr. Ken Henson.
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AT THE REQUEST OF CITY ATTORNEY FAY, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES WAS CALLED
UP AS THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS AND THEN INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:
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An Ordinance ? Amending the Operating Budget for the fiscal year 2017
beginning J1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017, to reclassify certain positions of
the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia; and for other purposes.
At the request of City Attorney Fay, Sheriff Donna Tompkins came forward
and stated that she needs to make some personal changes that hopefully will
benefit the Sheriff?s office, as well as the City of Columbus.
Sheriff Thompkins then went into some details in outlining her request to
the Council, pointing out that she is asking for a reclassification for an
upgrade of a position, which will be to assist Major Massey to provide him with
a caption?s position to assist in his operations department, as well as to
bring on a new employee to assist her with the monitoring of the budget.
City Attorney Fay pointed out that the ordinance has the four major
reclassifications that she is asking for included in it and that is what?s on
the table.
Sheriff Tompkins then responded to questions of members of the Council.
Deputy City Manager Pam Hodge then came forward and responded to questions
of the Council, as it relates to the funding of these proposed requests that
has been requested. She said some of the changes are temporary
reclassifications until a slot becomes available.
At the request of Councilor Thomas, Sheriff Tompkins then introduced
members of her command staff, to include Major Larry Mitchell, Lt. Steve Sikes,
Major Mike Massey, Major Troy Culpepper, Chief Deputy John Fitzpatrick, Lt.
Joan Wynn, and Major Terri Ezell.
She said next to Major Ezell is Mr. Joe McCrea, who she said is the person
that she would like to bring on to assist with budgeting and finance,
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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:
AT THE REQUEST OF MAYOR TOMLINSON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WHICH WAS
LISTED ON THE CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA WAS THEN CALLED UP AS THE NEXT ORDER OF
BUSINESS:____
A Resolution (6-17) ? Authorizing the hiring of personnel hired above Step
C in Pay Grade, 18-J for the Clerk of Superior Court?s Office effective January
10, 2017.
City Manager Hugley pointed out that the new Clerk is requesting approval
to fill two vacant Assistant Chief Deputy Clerks? positions in her office above
the minimum pay range. He said she wants to fill those positions at a Pay Grade
18-J, which is $52,413.40. He said she has funding in her budget to support
this request and therefore, she is asking for the Council?s approval.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Woodson.
City Manager Hugley, in response to a question of Councilor Allen, said
the current salary for one of the positons would be exactly that amount of
$52,413.40 for the person who retired on December 31st. He said for the other
Assistant Clerk?s position is slightly less than the $52,000 and she is asking
that they both be brought on at an 18J. He said they will be both the same
title and the same play.
Clerk of Superior Court Clerk Ann Hardman then came
Forward and said she is excited to be here and to join the team. She said she
don?t know if you heard her when she was running for this office, but said one
of the things that she wanted to do, was to bring, what she calls, good
government and to be a team player with you all. She said we have started out
that way and prayerfully, they will finish that way. She said she is real
excited about the opportunity.
Ms. Hardman said as the City Manager stated, she came into the office,
with two openings, as two of the top people left; therefore, she wants to bring
in two people that she needs, both who are very qualified with Master Degrees.
She said it is what she needs to help us move forward; saying that area is
good, but she wants to move it to great. She said she asks for your support
and is here to be a team player with you, as well.
After the conclusion of the discussion, the question was then called on
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh?s motion to adopt the resolution, which carried
unanimously by those
nine members of Council present, with Councilor Huff being absent from the
meeting.
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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA CONTINUED:
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:
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An Ordinance ? Amending the Columbus Georgia Deferred Retirement Option Plan
to provide that participants can suspend their participation in the plan for up
to three years; and for other purposes.
City Attorney Fay said he has distributed around the Council table, a
substitute to the DROP Plan, which is different from the prior ordinance that
was on first reading at our last meeting, which stated that participants can
suspend their participation in the plan for up to five years.
He said this new proposed ordinance says three years. He said we will need
a motion to substitute this particular proposal. He said the Pension Board
will be reviewing this proposal on tomorrow, and the Actuary, Mr. Carr is also
reviewing the proposal as well.
He said this proposal does not require any re-calculation of pension
benefits for people who elect to go into the DROP Plan. He said this matter is
up for discussion and will be reviewed by the Pension Board on tomorrow.
Councilor Allen then made a motion to substitute this ordinance for the
one that was previously introduced on first reading at the December 13, 2016
Council meeting. Seconded by Councilor Henderson.
Councilor Davis said he know that we have been having a lengthy discussion
for a while now, and had a lot of discussion at our last Council meeting, and
said another addition to it, is that at the end of three years, there will be a
mandatory review re-evaluation period for the freeze option only; and at that
point, it can be looked at real closely. He said if there are any concerns,
certainly, it can be deleted. He said it does not affect the DROP Plan at all;
the DROP Plan is not going away, the DROP Plan is there, but this would only be
an evaluation from all the concerns that were raised, to be able to take a look
at it.
He said if everybody feels good about it, we can move forward another
three years and then re-evaluate it. He said he thinks this would be a great
addition, as far as being able to review and evaluate the freeze option, which
he thinks is a win, win for the City of Columbus and the qualified
employees.
After the conclusion of the discussion, the motion to substitute the
alternate proposal was called up at this time and then carried unanimously by
those nine members of Council present, with Councilor Huff being absent from
the meeting.
City Attorney Fay said this ordinance will be on second reading at our
next Council meeting.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
City Attorney Fay said we need to have an executive session after the
adjournment of today?s meeting to discuss a litigation and a personnel matter.
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PUBLIC AGENDA:
MS. LINDA SIMMONS, RE: PROPERTY DAMAGE: ___
Ms. Linda Simmons, 941 Fairwell Drive came forward and said that she has
been here before about her home. She said she is back again regarding her
property, as it has mold and the estimate that they have given to fix it, she
said she can?t afford it. She said she feels that since the manhole flooded her
property, and the damage that was done, she can?t afford it; therefore, she
wishes that the City would step up and try to help her out and at least get it
fixed.
Ms. Simmons said January of this year, her property
also flooded again this year. She said she was told that when it flooded last
year, that it broke some kind of a seal; therefore, every time it rains, it
floods her property. She said she is getting a lot of nests in her home. She
said she wasn?t even able to bring her grandchildren over to her house for
Christmas because of the situation that she is living in. She said with her
income, retired military, she is not able to afford it.
Councilor Barnes, speaking to Ms. Simmons said he thinks that everyone
knows what his opinion is on this. He said he has vehemently spoken about the
issue, but unfortunately, it appears that he is in the minority on this
Council. He said he has done everything that he can do, and he thinks that the
City needs to step up and assist you.
City Attorney Fay, in response to Councilor Woodson?s concerns, as to her
not being aware of this situation, and then asked if there is some
documentation that she can look at, said that Risk Manager has looked into this
matter.
He said on January 7, 2016 and March 22, 2016 the Risk Manager sent a letter to
Ms. Simmons denying her claims because of the torrential downpours that
occurred as an act of nature in December 2015. He said they have many claims
since that time period and since the rain last week. He said Engineering and
Public Services looked at the systems and said that they were functioning;
however, they were overwhelmed by the rain. He said they have denied several
claims similar to Ms. Simmons.
Councilor Woodson asked has any information been given to Ms. Simmons with
a list of possible agencies and organizations that might be able to assist her.
After further discussion on this matter, Mayor Tomlinson said we might be
able to make such referrals to organizations like the House of Heroes, and
etc.. She said there are various organizations who might be able to assist Ms.
Simmons.
Ms. Simmons said the City Attorney said it wasn?t the City?s
responsibility, but said since that time the City has come out and fixed a lot
of pipes in the ground and done a lot of other things, which they should have
already done. She said it was stopped up. She said this is the reason why she
feels like the City should step up and assist her.
Mayor Tomlinson said we need to find you some resources that can help, as
Government can?t help everything all the time, and this is one of those
circumstances.
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MR. MANUEL WHITFIELD, RE: UNLAWFUL ARREST:
Mayor Tomlinson said we may have to call upon a representative from the
Sheriff?s Department for some information. .
Mr. Manuel Whitfield, 2710 Pinoal Avenue came forward and said in August
2014 he was arrested for preaching, but said before he got arrested, he came
before the Mayor and Council and he explained to you what was going on and said
you told him that he could go out and preach and that no one would bother him.
He said this is what he told the officer, but yet they still arrested him.
He said he never pay to get out, but said at this particular time a deacon from
his church did come down and get him out, and said they impounded his car.
Mr. Whitfield said he is here today asking for the bond money that his
church paid to get him out, as well as the money he paid for his car being
impounded to be refunded.
He said he is asking for a letter or something to show that he can preach
and has a right to free speech. He said it seems that the Police Department
and the Sheriff?s Department don?t know the law.
Mayor Tomlinson said the law enforcement are aware that some free speech
is allowable and said she is not sure about your circumstances. She then called
on Major J. D. Hawk to tell us about this situation. She said it is not the
legislators to give you your money back, but said it is the Court system that
would have to give you the bond money, if the arrest was not lawful; however,
you would have to prove that in court.
Major J. D. Hawk of the Police Department then came forward and said he
thinks that first of all, we need some clarification as to whether it was the
Police Department or the Sheriff?s Department.
Mr. Whitfield said it was the Sheriff?s Department.
Major Hawk said their last encounter with Mr. Whitfield was back in 2005
for the same type of activity.
Mayor Tomlinson then encouraged Mr. Whitfield to speak with Sheriff
Tompkins and she can go and find his file to see what went on. She said the
Sheriff?s Department know about and said we all need to make sure we understand
what?s going on and what the rules are.
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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA CONTINUED:
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION WAS DELAYED AT THE REQUEST OF CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY: __
A Resolution ? Authorizing the City Manager to execute an addendum to the
Medical Office Lease Agreement for the CCG Employee Health/Wellness Facility
with Physicians Realty Trust.
City Manager Hugley went into some details in explaining that the current
facility is in need of some repairs, as it relates to ADA compliance, as well
as need some additional space. He said that the current lease is scheduled to
expire in March 2018. He said when they do this work we want to move forward
to sign another 60 months lease.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Woodson.
There was much discussion regarding the execution of an addendum to the
current lease for the CCG Employee Health and Wellness Center, with several
members of the Council expressing some concerns regarding the signing of a
lease for 60 months, as well as location of a facility after which City Manager
Hugley then asked that the matter be delayed.
Ms. Reather Hollowell came forward and responded to several questions of
the members of the Council as well.
After the conclusion of this discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh then
withdrew her motion to adopt the resolution.
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:
_
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A Resolution (7-17) ? To enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the
Muscogee County School Board to accept transfer ownership of two inoperable
school buses. Columbus Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services will
utilize the buses in future school bus extrication training.
Councilor Allen moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Mayor
Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present, with Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING FOUR PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY
CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: ____
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A Resolution (8-17) ? Authorizing payments to Siemens Healthcare
Diagnostics (Dallas, TX), for recurring costs for drug testing supplies and
equipment, in the approximate amount of $10,000 - $15,000. The periodic costs
cover, as needed purchases, of drug testing supplies and equipment, required by
Accountability Courts such as: Adult Felony Drug Court, Juvenile Court, Mental
Health Court and Veterans Court.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council
present, with Councilor Davis and Woodson being absent for the vote and
Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting.
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A Resolution (9-17) ? Authorizing the purchase of a network switch and AP
bundle from C-Pak Technology Solutions (Lagrange, GA), in the amount of
$15,491.40. The purchase will be accomplished by cooperative contract via
Georgia Statewide Contract #9999-SPD-T20120501-006.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council
present, with Councilor Davis and Woodson being absent for the vote and
Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting.
*** *** ***
A Resolution (10-17) ? Authorizing an amendment to the annual contract
with Columbus Basketball Official Association (Columbus, GA), for Basketball
Officiating Services, to add Adult Flag Football League Officiating Services.
Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those seven members of
Council present, with Councilor Davis and Woodson being absent for the vote and
Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting.
*** *** ***
A Resolution (11-17) ? Authorizing the purchase one (1) SUV (2017 Ford
Explorer) from Allan Vigil Ford (Morrow, GA), in the amount of $27,124.00, via
Georgia State Contract #99999-SPD-ES40199373-002.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council
present, with Councilor Davis and Woodson being absent for the vote and
Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting.
*** *** ***
FUND BALANCE UPDATE:
Finance Director Angelica Alexander came forward to provide the Mayor and
Council with an update on the Fund Balance.
Fy2016 fund balance - ACTUALS
? GENERAL FUND 14.31 days
? OLOST 40.23 days
? TOTAL 54.54 days
Why is fund balance important?
? Fund Balance ensures that sufficient reserves are maintained to accommodate
the City?s uneven cash flow due to periodic tax collections and reimbursements
for grants.
? GFOA Best Practices recommends a General Fund balance of no less than 60 days
which the City has adopted as policy.
? Having a healthy fund balance helps the City maintain a prudent level of
financial resources to protect against reducing service levels or raising taxes
and fees due to temporary revenue shortfalls or unpredicted one-time
expenditures.
? The City seeks to maintain the highest possible credit ratings, which are
dependent, in part, on the City?s maintenance of a healthy fund balance.
Healthy Fund Balance = 60 days or more.
Potential Positive impacts to fund balance
? Dismissal of lawsuits will positively impact General Fund balance reserves by
approximately 1.47 days.
? Restricting the use of General Fund salary savings for FY2017 would
positively impact fund balance reserves.
? Estimated General Fund salary savings is approximately $3 million dollars as
of December 2016 (about 7 days of fund balance reserves).
v Note: Projections are as of the given point in time for current conditions
and assumes other conditions such as strict adherence to departmental budgets
and/or revenue estimates meet or exceed expectations.
What is Salary Savings?
? Salary savings is an unanticipated budgetary savings due to turn over,
retirements, delays in filling vacant positions, etc.
? For example, after 30 years of employment an employee retires while earning a
salary of $50,000 per year. The employee?s replacement is hired with a salary
of $30,000 per year. This change generates an immediate salary savings in the
amount of $20,000.
? Salary savings typically revert back to fund balance and should not be used
to enhance a department's approved spending level for the fiscal year.
FY17 Estimated Salary Savings by Department
Ms. Alexander then showed a chart, which included several departments that
highlighted the salary budget, pay adjustment, year to date expenditures,
projected remaining expenditures, as well as the estimated salary savings.
Fund balance scenario
Ms. Alexander then highlighted the following information, which
shows the General Fund Balance, as well as the OLOST Fund Balance
As of FY16 FY17 Positive Impacts to Fund Balance Potential Fund Balance Estimate
14.31 days 8.66 days 22.97 days
40.23 days 0 40.23 days
54.54 days 0 63.20 days
FY17 Positive Impacts =1.47 days for dismissal of lawsuits and 7.19 day for
estimated FY17 General Fund Salary Savings.
Note: The above fund balance estimate does not take into account all revenues
and expenditures that may also affect fund balance.
Recommendation
? Recommended that the use of General Fund salary savings be restricted in
FY2017 to replenish fund balance to 63.20 days in accordance to the Fund
Balance Policy.
After the presentation on the Fund Balance was made, and Finance Director
Alexander and City Manager Hugley responded to questions of the Council, the
following add-on resolution was then adopted by the Council.
A Resolution (12-17) ? Restricting the use of salary savings in FY-2017
in an effort to help replenish fund balance reserves.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present, with Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting.
---------------------------------------------------------------***
*** ***-----------------------------------------------------------
CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS
INFORMATION TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL:
(1) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Building Authority of
Columbus.
(2) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Civic Center Advisory
Board.
(3) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Columbus Board of Zoning
Appeals.
(4) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Commission on
International Relations and Cultural Liaison Encounters (C.I.R.C.L.E.).
(5) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Crime Prevention Board.
(6) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Land Bank Authority.
(7) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Planning Advisory
Commission.
(8) Biographical sketch of Ms. Nicole Adderley, Councilor Woodson?s nominee for
the District 7 Representative on the Civic Center Advisory Board.
*** *** ***
PERSONNEL REVIEW BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington provided information to the Mayor and Council,
which was received from Mr. Corey Jones, of the HR Department, advising of a
vacancy on the Personnel Review Board due to Mr. John Boddie now being employed
with the City of Columbus.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND
SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS
OF COUNCIL PRESENT, WITH COUNCILOR HUFF BEING ABSENT FROM THE MEETING:_____
___________
A Resolution (13-17) ? Excusing the absence of Councilor Jerry Barnes,
from the January 3, 2017 Organizational Meeting & Proclamation/Resolution
Session.
*** *** ***
A Resolution (14-17) ? Excusing the absence of Councilor Judy Thomas, from
the January 3, 2017 Organizational Meeting & Proclamation/Resolution Session.
*** *** ***
MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:
_ ____
Animal Control Advisory Board, December 1, 2016.
Board of Historical & Architectural Review (BHAR), November 14, 2016.
Board of Tax Assessors, 41-16 & 42-16.
Housing Authority of Columbus, October 19, 2016.
Land Bank Authority, October 5, 2016.
Pension Fund, Employees? Board of Trustees, August 10 & September 14, 2016.
Councilor Allen made a motion that these minutes be received. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present, with Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting.
*** *** ***
BOARD OF TAX ASSESSORS:
_______________________
(James Dixon) SD-29
Deceased
(Council?s Apptmt.)
CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD:
_______________________
(Shondwella Ellis) SD-15
District 5
Seat declared vacant.
(Council?s Apptmt.)
Nicole Adderley___________
(Jim Irwin) SD-15
District 7
Not eligible to succeed himself.
(Council?s Apptmt.)
*** *** ***
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ADVISORY BOARD:
___________________________
(Mattie Washington) SD-15
Eligible to succeed herself
(Council?s Apptmt.)
*Not interested in serving another term.
*** *** ***
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION:
__________________________
(Laverne Brown) SD-15
District 3
Resigned
(Council?s Apptmt.)
*** *** ***
RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD:
________________________
(Gary O. Bruce) SD-29
District 2
Resigned
(Council?s Apptmt.)
*** *** ***
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mayor Tomlinson entertained a motion to go into executive session to
discuss a Litigation/Personnel matter. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh made a motion
to go into executive session to discuss a Litigation/Personnel matter.
Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of
Council present, with Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting.
At 11:31 a.m., the Council adjourned its meeting to go into executive
session. At 12:59 p.m., the meeting was reconvened.
*** *** ***
With there being no other business to come before the Council, Councilor
Allen made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried
unanimously by those eight members of Council present, with Councilor Henderson
being absent for the vote and Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting,
with the time being 1:02 p.m.
Tiny B. Washington, MMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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