MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
WORK SESSION
NOVEMBER 27, 2007
The regular monthly Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was
called to order at 9:04 A.M., Tuesday, November 27, 2007, in the Council
Chambers on the Plaza Level of the Government Center, Columbus, Georgia.
Honorable W. J. Wetherington, Mayor, presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Wetherington and Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner
Pugh were Councilors R. Gary Allen, Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Jerry ?Pops?
Barnes, Glenn Davis Berry Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E.
McDaniel, Jr., and Evelyn Woodson. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney
Clifton Fay and Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington 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 Reverend Charles R. Hays, Senior Pastor of
Edgewood Assembly of God.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from Waddell Elementary School.
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CONSENT AGENDA
THE FOLLOWING THREE ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL:_______________________________
An Ordinance (07-79) ? Rezoning property located at 1939 and 1943
Wynnton Road from an RO (Residential-Office) District to GC (General
Commercial)District, with the proposed use being a pharmacy/lunch
counter. (48-A-07 Gibson) Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the
ordinance. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried
unanimously by those ten members of Council present for the meeting.
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AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILOR WOODSON, THE
FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS DELAYED FOR ONE WEEK:__
An Ordinance ? Rezoning property located at 7519 Fortson Road from
NC (Neighborhood Commercial) District to GC (General Commercial)
District. (47-A-07 Milner) (Councilor McDaniel). The proposed use is
retail/commercial services.
Councilor Woodson requested a one week delay on this ordinance.
Seconded by Councilor Davis and carried unanimously by those ten
members of Council present for this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING THREE ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL
PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILOR WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:_______________________________
A Resolution (509-07) ? Authorizing the approval to pay employees for
unused sick leave in accordance with Section 16B-15-6(2) of the Columbus
Ordinance.
A Resolution (510-07) ? Excusing Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh
from the November 20, 2007 Council Meeting.
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TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION:
Application of Richard Bishop to temporarily close the Dillingham Street
Bridge, on Thursday, November 29, 2007, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in
connection with ?Night of Lights? pedestrian safety. Councilor McDaniel moved
approval. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those ten
members of Council present for this meeting.
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WORK SESSION AGENDA:
MONTHLY FINANCE UPDATE:
Director of Finance Pam Hodge gave her monthly finance update, outlining
the following information.
Current Budget Total First Quarters FY2007 (July - March) October November December Total YTD
FY2008 (July - October) Total YTD FY2007 (July - October) % Change from Last Year Actuals (FY07
Q2 to FY08 Q2) FY08 Qtr 1 Percentage of Current Budget
$137,697,140 ######## $25,598,784 $0 $0 $37,508,400 $36,792,878 1.94% 27.24%
$3,951,655 $331,671 $1,007,708 $0 $0 $1,339,380 $1,367,944 -2.09% 33.89%
$12,722,624 $978,982 $3,181,305 $0 $0 $4,160,287 $4,136,055 0.59% 32.70%
$11,155,462 $776,364 $2,975,037 $0 $0 $3,751,401 $3,685,082 1.80% 33.63%
$10,195,550 ######## $1,635,754 $0 $0 $2,691,703 $2,475,063 8.75% 26.40%
$3,404,612 $452,745 $150,883 $0 $0 $603,628 $807,222 -25.22% 17.73%
$883,141 $64,697 $247,920 $0 $0 $312,617 $307,090 1.80% 35.40%
$6,413,546 $610,157 $1,394,835 $0 $0 $2,004,992 $1,919,819 4.44% 31.26%
$5,680,597 $435,136 $1,092,943 $0 $0 $1,528,079 $1,586,859 -3.70% 26.90%
$342,761 $49,374 $19,249 $0 $0 $68,623 $94,747 -27.57% 20.02%
$2,570,921 $468,763 $201,037 $0 $0 $669,800 $745,830 -10.19% 26.05%
$1,571,894 $346,040 $118,667 $0 $0 $464,507 $447,139 3.88% 29.55%
$577,033 $57,064 $19,622 $0 $0 $76,686 $70,651 8.54% 13.29%
$6,295,438 $357,753 $609,698 $0 $0 $967,451 $1,343,612 -28.00% 15.37%
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2008 PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:
City Manager Hugley went through each item that was included on the City?s
2008 Proposed Legislative Agenda as outlined below.
1. INCREASE PER DIEM TO COUNTIES FOR INMATES
Introduce legislation for an increase in the per diem for State inmates
housed in county prisons from $20.00 to $25.00. (Councilor Anthony)
2. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER FEES
Introduce legislation clarifying the maximum fees counties must pay to
Regional Development Centers. (Councilor Hunter)
3. HOTEL/MOTEL DESTINATION FEE
Introduce/support legislation for a $2 Destination Fee for Columbus,
Muscogee County, hotel/motel facilities.
4. HR900
Delay support or introduce/support legislation to delay action on HR900 in
the 2008 Legislative Session and send HR900 to a Study Committee for further
study and analysis of actual enabling legislation and implications not
currently available.
5. STATE WATER PLAN
Support legislation providing for the State Water Plan that is currently in
preparation by the Georgia Water Council provided it contains an appropriate
Consumptive Use Budget and other acceptable provisions.
6. PREVENT TAG REGISTRATION OR TRANSFER WITH OUTSTANDING PARKING CITATIONS
Support Legislation for the purpose of preventing registration or transfer
of registration of any vehicle owned or leased by a person with outstanding
parking citations. (carry over from 2007)
7. PREVENT RENEWAL OR REINSTATEMENT OF DRIVER?S LICENSE WITH OUTSTANDING
PARKING CITATIONS
Support Legislation for the purposes of preventing renewal or
reinstatement of a driver?s license by a driver with an outstanding parking
citation. (carry over from 2007)
8. BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE/BRAC
Introduce/support legislation to assist local governments in funding
infrastructure projects as a result of BRAC. (carry over from 2007)
9. HAZARDOUS/SOLID WASTE FUNDING
Introduce legislation to mandate that funds collected for waste tire
removal be placed in the Hazardous Waste Fund and the Solid Waste Fund instead
of being diverted elsewhere. (Carry over from 2004/05/06/07)
10. LARP FUNDING
Introduce/support legislation to increase transportation funding for Local
Area Road Projects (LARP) and for County Contracts to assist in the overall
development/impact of BRAC. (carry over from 2007)
11. 911 SURCHARGE ? INCREASE
Introduce/support legislation to increase 911 fees from $1.50 to $2.50 for
telephone landlines. (Carry over from 2006/07)
12. PUBLIC DEFENDER?S PROGRAM
Introduce/support legislation to allocate full funding for the Public
Defender?s Program. (Carry over from 2006/07)
13. UGA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICES
Support continued funding for the University of Georgia Cooperative
Extension Service and its county delivery system. (Carry over from
2004/05/06/07)
FOR DISCUSSION:
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
FEMA FLOOD MAPS
Department of Natural Resources is moving quickly on Limited Detail
Studies and not researching the fiscal impact that it is having on our city, as
well as the impact it has on the citizens. Let?s request them to slow down,
take time and budget the money and conduct the study over a period of time.
(Councilor Allen)
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CENTER
Introduce legislation to pursue support for the construction of a Veterans
Administration Center in Columbus, Georgia. (Pugh)
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OXBOW MEADOWS DISPOSAL WASTE PONDS:
Mr. Gary Stickles, Director of the Department of Public Services gave a
ten-minute presentation of the current operations of the Oxbow Meadows Disposal
Waste Ponds, as outlined below.
Yard Waste Disposal
Current Operations
Current Disposal Operations
Granite Bluff
July 1990 ? City Council Resolution #325-90 authorized the purchase of 93 acres
on River Road (Granite Bluff site) for $790,000
Remaining capacity ? Appx. 5 years
May 1991 ? City Council resolution #249-91 authorized Columbus building
Authority to issue Revenue Bonds for $8,800,000 for:
Sludge Disposal Project
Inert Waste Disposal Project
Jail Improvement Project
Bull Creek Golf Course Improvement
March 1992 ? City Council Resolution #106-92 authorized the purchase of 579
acres, for $1,900,000, of land on South Lumpkin Road for:
Sludge Disposal Project
Inert Waste Disposal
April 1992 ? Operating agreement between Columbus, GA and the Board of Water
Commissioners of Columbus, GA.
The eastern most 250 acres of the 579 acres that consist of two borrow pits to
be used and controlled by the Public Services Department for inert waste
disposal.
Life expectancy ? Current pond (#1)
Appx. 7 years
Life expectancy ? Eastern pond (#2)
Appx. 8 years
Lifespan of current landfills
15 years at current rate of disposal
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OXBOW MEADOWS:
Wrenn Property and sand/gravel purchases
3rd pond and land purchased utilizing the Columbus Building Authority Revenue
bond, Series 1991 for the inert sites portion of the bond
155.05 acres for disposal of inert material and land application area for CWW.
Never used for inert disposal to date as outlined in June 3, 1993 memo. Now
proposed marina site
Inert Material
Quantity & Cost
35,000-45,000 tons/yr. processed
$14.00/ton to process
CSU Request
CSU request for City to relinquish use of 2nd Oxbow Pond
OPTIONS:
1. Stay the course with ponds #1 and #2
15 yr. Time frame
2. Quit Claim pond #2 to CSU- lose 8 yrs.
7 yr. Time frame
*3.Sell pond #2 to CSU and use proceeds from the sale to support and purchase
another site for inert waste disposal or use proceeds towards an alternate
method of inert waste disposal such as composting.
4. Relinquish pond #2 to CSU and request permit to dispose of inert material in
pond #3 (currently reserved for Marina site) ? add 10 years
17 yr. Time frame
5. Combination of composting and ponds #2 and/or #3
up to 50 yrs.
*Staff Recommendation
Benefits of Composting
All unsold material can be used as alternate daily cover at Pine Grove Landfill
Extend the life expectancies of the current inert landfills to a minimum of 50
years
Produce a useful product for citizens and the city itself
Environmentally friendly
No permits required or costly monitoring
Cost effective
2028 Comprehensive Plan
Mr. Rick Jones, Director of the Community & Economic Development Division
cane forward and gave a detailed presented on the Community Assessment Purpose:
A comprehensive review of the issues and opportunities that will affect the
future growth of the community.
Community Participation Program
Outlines how the public will be involved
Components include:
Stakeholder Interviews
Committees
Visioning Workshops
Strategic Framework Workshop
Open Houses
Project Website www.jjg.com/ccgplan/
Public Hearings
Outreach tools
Community Survey
Public Outreach Efforts
Project website www.jjg.com/CCGPlan/
News Articles/Press Releases
Posting drafts of materials on website
Visioning Workshops in Jan-Feb 2008
Strategic Framework Workshop
Open Houses & Public Hearings
Visioning Community Survey online
Summary of Community Assessment
Population Trends
Current Population
2005 Estimate of 185,799
Historic Trends
Annual population growth below 0.5% between 1980 & 2000
Fluctuations due to military deployments
Relatively New Trends
Slow metro growth, losses in City
Suburbanization
Population Projections
Assumptions for Scenario 2
(BRAC, AFLAC and Kia impacts included in both.)
Some Ft. Benning jobs have already arrived.
60% of military households will choose to live in Columbus.
Some new jobs at Ft. Benning will be filled by local labor force.
Some military spouses /teens will work on base.
Military /contractor household size will mirror national trends.
Population: Issues and Opportunities
Anticipated Population Growth
Shift from core areas to suburbs
Decreasing household size downtown
Preferences for modern housing in suburbs
Growing Senior Population
By 2028, >25% of population will be over age of 65
6,000-7,000 additional school-aged
Economic Development Overview
Metro area has $8.5 billion economy
Income increasing, outpacing inflation
Muscogee County accounts for:
>70% metro area jobs
Almost 80% of private sector area jobs
Major employers: federal government, state and local government, health care
and social services, retail trade, and hospitality sector
Employment from Known Expansions
Economic Development
Issues and Opportunities
Major population and employment growth
Spin-off growth associated with area expansions
Loss of young professionals
Redevelopment of older areas of town
Transportation infrastructure
Economic Development Incentives
Housing Overview
81,008 estimated units in 2005 (U.S. Census)
10,082 vacant units (12.4%)
7,665 new permits (2000-2006)
2000 Tenure and Household Size:
66% owner-occupied, with avg. household size of 2.58
34% renter-occupied, with avg. household size of 2.48
30% of households are cost-burdened
Projected Housing Demand
Based on Scenario 2 Population Projections, by 2028:
There will be an anticipated need for 97,941 units
Approximately 16,000 additional housing units will be needed in 20 years
Population: Overview
Historic Preservation
Six new districts need design guidelines
Currently no local preservation incentives
Tourism:
Columbus should distinguish itself from other cities
Downtown development and enhanced historic interpretation and promotion could
increase tourism to the exceptional historic districts.
Financing:
Many general government departments have had significant staffing cuts; many
facilities are in disrepair and need maintenance
Property tax freeze and failure of TAD depresses long-term financial potential.
Re-alignment of service districts and more use of enterprise funds are
possibilities to redirect funding.
Water Management:
CWW could become a regional service provider
Stormwater system is in need of maintenance, repair, and replacement
Existing Land Use
Next Steps
Transmittal of Community Participation Program and Community Assessment
Begin Community Agenda
Six Visioning Workshops (tentative dates)
- January 21 - January 29
- January 22 - February 11
- January 28 - February 12
After the conclusion of Mr. Jones? presentation, the following resolution
was approved by the Council.
A Resolution (511-07) ? Authorization is requested to transmit the Draft
Community Assessment and Draft Community Participation Program Components of
the 2028 Comprehensive Plan to the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Development
Center and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for review as provided
in Chapter 110-12-1.08 (d) and (e) of the Rules of the Georgia Department of
Community Affairs.
Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by
Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those eight members of
Council present at the time, with Councilor Allen, Henderson and Turner
Pugh being absent for this vote.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At the request of City Manager Hugley, Councilor Woodson made a motion to
allow the Council to go into an executive session. Seconded by Councilor Barnes
and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council present at the time,
with Councilors Allen, Henderson and Turner Pugh being absent for this vote.
This meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m. to allow the Council to go into an
executive session.
The meeting was called back to order at 12:01 p.m. with Mayor Wetherington
pointing out that there were no votes taken.
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With there being no other business to come before the Council, Councilor
Woodson then made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Councilor Baker and
carried unanimously by those seven members of Council present at the time, with
the time being 12:02 p.m.
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Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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