MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 15, 2008
The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called
to order at 9:05 A.M., Tuesday, April 15, 2008, in the Council Chambers,
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, Mike Baker, Glenn Davis, Berry Henderson
and Julius H. Hunter, Jr. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton
Fay and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also present. Councilor
Evelyn Woodson took her seat at 9:06 a.m.
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ABSENT: Councilors Wayne Anthony, Jerry ?Pops? Barnes and Charles E. McDaniel,
Jr. were absent. Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington was also absent.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Rev. Thad Smith, Senior Pastor- Morningside Baptist
Church.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from Brewer Elementary School.
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PROCLAMATIONS:
?VICTIMS? RIGHTS WEEK?:
With Mr. John Gray Conger- District Attorney, Ms. Lashern Colbert- Victim
Witness Program Director, Ms. Marketa Gordy, Ms. Deloris Jagota and Sherry
Jackson standing at the Council table, Councilor Allen read the proclamation of
Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming April 13 - 19, 2008 as ?Victims? Rights Week?
in Columbus, Georgia.
Mr. John Gray Conger, mentioned two other employees that were not present
this morning: Ms. Mildred Cook and Ms. Exie Boykins. He reported that last
year; we serviced approximately 1,000 victims of violent crimes in the whole
circuit. He said we are involved in the compensation to these victims of
approximately $.5 million in funds that come from the State of Georgia. He
then announced that on April 18, 2008, we would be having an open house on the
first floor of the West Wing of the Government Annex Building.
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?CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH?:
With Ms. Lynne Taylor standing at the Council table, Councilor Baker read
the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming the month of April 2008 as
?Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month? in Columbus, Georgia.
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WITH EMPLOYEES OF THE COLUMBUS DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMS AND CHIEF MEYER
PRESENT, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AS LISTED
ON THE MAYOR?S AGENDA AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HUNTER AND WAS
ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:
A Resolution (166-08) - Congratulating Columbus Department of Fire and EMS
and Chief Jeff Meyer upon being named 2008 Region 7 Emergency Medical Service
of the Year. Councilor Hunter moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor
Henderson and carried unanimously by those seven members present for this
meeting.
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WITH MEMBERS OF THE KENDRICK HIGH SCHOOL LADY CHEROKEES BASKETBALL TEAM
AND COACH STERLING HICKS PRESENT, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY
CITY ATTORNEY FAY AS LISTED ON THE MAYOR?S AGENDA AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
COUNCILOR HUNTER AND WAS ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:
A Resolution (167-08) - Congratulating members of the Kendrick High School
Lady Cherokees basketball team upon their first place victory in the Class AAA
State Championship. Councilor Hunter moved its adoption. Seconded by
Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those seven members present for
this meeting.
Coach Sterling Hicks announced the parade that is scheduled for Saturday,
April 19, 2008, at 11:00 a.m.
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WITH MEMBERS OF THE GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM
AND COACH BEULAH PRESENT, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CITY
ATTORNEY FAY AS LISTED ON THE MAYOR?S AGENDA AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
COUNCILOR HUNTER AND WAS ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:
A Resolution (168-08) - Congratulating members of the George Washington
Carver High School basketball team upon their second place victory in the Class
AAA State Championship. Councilor Hunter moved its adoption. Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those seven members
present for this meeting.
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MINUTES: Minutes of the January 29, 2008 meeting of the Council of the
Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia was submitted and approved upon
the adoption of a motion made by Councilor Woodson and seconded by Councilor
Allen, which carried unanimously by those seven members of Council present for
this meeting.
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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL STREET MAP OF COLUMBUS,
GEORGIA WAS SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY ANDINTRODUCED ON FIRST
READING:
An Ordinance - Amending the ?Official Street Map, City of Columbus,
Georgia,? by changing the official street name for the section of public
roadway currently designated as Lynch Road to Technology Parkway beginning at
the north right-of-way line of Chattsworth Road running north to the south
right-of-way line of Macon Road (US-80), to be one street name consistent with
the length of said roadway; authorizing the replacement of existing street name
signs labeled as Lynch Road to Technology Parkway.
Councilor Woodson asked if this street name change would cause any issues
with businesses having to make the change, because there have been some
concerns in the past with regards to street name changes, at which time, City
Manager Hugley expounded further on the public roadway name change that is
being requested. He pointed out that we would be coming back with a resolution
to rename Eastern Connector to Technology Parkway; then, the entire stretch
would be Technology Parkway. He added that on the south side of Macon Road,
there are two businesses and surveys have been sent out; those are the only two
businesses, as he understands it, that would impacted.
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND READ IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:
An Ordinance - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Bob Gilson for his
meritorious service on the Development Authority of Columbus. Councilor Hunter
moved its adoption. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried
unanimously by those seven members present for this meeting.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
City Attorney Fay requested a brief executive session to discuss litigation.
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PUBLIC AGENDA:
MR. JIM RHODES, RE: ONE PERCENT SALES TAX FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ROADS,
PROGRAMS OF NATIONAL AND HOPE (MOHR), VA CENTER FOR COLUMBUS AND CONTEXT
SENSITIVE DESIGN:
Mr. Jim Rhodes, came before the Council to first speak on the dedication
ceremony where the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway US-80 monument was
erected there. He advised that the one at Tybee Island was dedicated on April
7, 2008.
Mr. Rhodes then asked questions regarding the one percent sales tax,
Councilor Woodson clarified that she is in support of the one percent sales
tax, which has 70% for public safety and 30% for roads. She said separate from
the one percent sales tax, we need to do something for the General Government
Employees, because they were feeling that nothing was being done for them.
Mayor Wetherington explained that the one percent sales tax would be for
public safety and roads 70/30, but the Council did not want the General
Government Employees to be left out, and he made the promise that the General
Government Employees would be taken care of in the normal function of the
budget process.
With regards to the Medal of Honor Day, Mr. Rhodes expressed his concerns
with the lack of attendance from the government personnel. He then
acknowledged the presence of Councilor Baker at this event. He pointed out
that we have over 60,000 retirees and veterans that live in the Columbus Area
and most particular, the Medal of Honor recipient who is the only one living.
Mr. Rhodes then made reference to a letter he received from Senator Ed
Harbison regarding the Veterans Administration Center. He said that he does
not understand why Columbus does not have one.
In conclusion, Mr. Rhodes spoke of the context sensitive design for Moon
Road and the construction of the Rails for Trail. He then suggested that the
Citizen Service Center be constructed before the Rails for Trails.
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MR. BERT COKER, RE: DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ACCOUNTABILITY, ONE PERCENT SALES
TAX AND STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK WORKSHOPS:
Mr. Bert Coker, approached the rostrum to speak on the Development Authority
and the .25 mill that is earmarked to the Authority. He spoke of the failed
negotiations for a Chip Plant to locate in Columbus.
He also called attention to the exemptions of car sales and hotel/motels in the
one percent local option sales tax. He recalled that the Mayor had stated that
35% of the people paying for the tax would be from out of town; however, people
from out of town would also be staying in the hotels, but hotels/motel are
exempt.
Mr. Coker made reference to the Ledger-Enquirer in the section where citizens
are allowed to make comments. He made mention of a gentleman that attended the
Strategic Framework Workshops, who expressed some comments with regards to a
lot of new taxes that would be implemented if the one percent sales tax did not
pass. He then read off a listing of potential taxes.
City Manager Hugley pointed out that he was in attendance at the Strategic
Framework Workshops; however, Mr. Coker was not. He said the speaker merely
provided some of the revenue sources used in other communities. He maintained
the revenue sources were not suggested by the speaker to be adopted by this
City. He said they were only providing information. He maintained that he
does not intend to bring those revenue sources forward for Council?s action; it
was simply a presentation.
Responding further to questions of Mr. Coker, City Manager Hugley said the
report is not complete yet. He explained that we are still having public
forums to allow citizens to come in and provide input. In reference to the
$540,000.00, City Manager Hugley said the money was well spent because they are
going to publish a document and present to us the Comprehensive Plan that is
due to the Department of Community Affairs by October 2008. He pointed out
that we stand to gain 42,000 new citizens and would impact Columbus in every
way. He said in past years, the Comprehensive Plan has been done in-house, but
in those years; we were not faced with the kind of growth that we are
anticipating with the Base Realignment and Closure.
Councilor Baker said that most communities do not do fiscal impact studies on
their comprehensive plans, because it is cheaper and easier not to. He said
this information was presented to the citizens as part of the overall
comprehensive plan and had nothing to do with additional taxation. He
reiterated this was information to citizens about the future fiscal impact of
the amenities and projects they may want to see in their community.
Mr. Coker also expressed concerns in that the City of Columbus was unable to
get the KIA Plant to locate here.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh pointed out that most of the items on the list
that Mr. Coker read are user fees, which means that if you do not use the
service; then, you do not pay it; these fees have been discussed for years.
City Manager Hugley advised the return on investment is excellent in terms
of the billions of dollars in construction in our city, county and the region.
He pointed out that the Development Authority does a good job for us. He said
that some times you go after opportunities and you do not win, because
neighboring cities and states may put more incentives on the table then we can
do locally.
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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 WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SEVEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS
MEETING:
A Resolution (170-08) - Authorizing the purchase of two (2) 7-yard dump
bodies from Transport Equipment Company (Albany, Ga), in the amount of
$19,500.00.
A Resolution (171-08) - Authorizing the execution of an annual contract
with the Plant People to provide plant interior design and maintenance for the
Columbus Civic Center.
A Resolution (172-08) - Authorizing the purchase of replacement digital
recording units and monitors, for the Muscogee County Jail, from GC&E Systems
Group in the amount of $34,918.30. The equipment will be utilized as part of
the ongoing security surveillance at the jail.
A Resolution (173-08) - Authorizing a contract with Bruce Tile Company in
the amount of $14,000.00, plus cost for any unforeseen damage for construction
services related to the repair of the damaged railing on the Riverwalk.
A Resolution (174-08) - Authorizing the purchase of furniture for the
Marshal?s Office Training area from The Overby Company in the amount of
$25,364.82.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
City Manager Hugley made the following announcements and are listed as follows:
Community Covenant Signing: Thursday, April 17, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. in Legacy
Hall of the River Center for Performing Arts. Secretary of the United States
Army, Mr. Peter Geren would recognize the great partnership that Columbus and
the Chattahoochee Valley maintain with Ft. Benning.
Victim Witness Program - Friday, April 18, 2008, 12:00 p.m., in the West Wing,
on the Plaza.
Kendrick High School Celebration - Saturday, April 19, 2008, 11:00 a.m.,
Kendrick High School Lady Cherokees 2008 AAA State Basketball Champions. The
parade would start at CB&T Bank on 13th Street in Phenix City, Alabama and
conclude on 9th Street near the Columbus Government Center.
Rigdon Road Dedication Ceremony - Sunday, April 20, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., Rigdon
Road Elementary School Cafeteria.
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ICE RINK:
Councilor Henderson announced that he believes there is a meeting being
scheduled with Civic Center Director, Mr. Dale Hester and has asked City
Manager Hugley to notify the members of Council regarding this meeting.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY DEPUTY CLERK OF COUNCIL DAVIS AS
INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR & COUNCIL:
(1) ACCG?s Legislative Update, Volume 18, Number 12 ? April 8, 2008.
(2) Memorandum from GMA, Re: Community Tax Reform.
(3) Memorandum from GMA, Re: Training Sessions for Elected Officials, August 1
- 2, 2008, Hiawassee, Georgia.
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THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY DEPUTY CLERK OF COUNCIL DAVIS
AND AN ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED FOR BY COUNCILOR
HENDERSON:
Letter from Mr. Perry E. Pate, Jr., President of Pate Development,
requesting that an ordinance and public hearing be called on his petition to
rezone 2.014 acres of property located at 5070 Warm Springs Road from an RO
(Residential-Office) with conditions to RO (Residential-Office) with amended
conditions that was recommended for denial by the Planning Division.)
(Petition was received by Council on April 8, 2008)
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THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY DEPUTY CLERK OF
COUNCIL DAVIS AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY
COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR ALLEN WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BY THOSE SEVEN MEMBERS PRESENT FOR THIS
MEETING:
A Resolution (175-08) - Excusing Councilor Jerry ?Pops? Barnes from the April
15, 2008 Council Meeting.
A Resolution (176-08) - Excusing Councilor Wayne Anthony from the April
15, 2008 Council Meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY DEPUTY CLERK
OF COUNCIL DAVIS AND WITHDRAWN BY THE COUNCIL AT THE REQUEST OF THE TWO
SEPARATE APPLICANTS UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR HUNTER AND SECONDED
BY COUNCILOR WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SEVEN MEMBERS PRESENT
FOR THIS MEETING:
Resolution authorizing a Special Exception to operate a Day Care Center,
Type III, located at 600 2nd Avenue. (The Planning Department is recommending
approval.) (Delayed from the October 2, 2007 Council meeting)
Resolution requesting a hardship variance to waive the street frontage
requirements for property located at 661 and 671 Mobley Road. (The Planning
Department is recommending denial.)
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MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY DEPUTY CLERK OF COUNCIL
DAVIS AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:
Board of Tax Assessors, No. 11-08.
Board of Elections & Registration, March 6, 2008.
New Horizons CSB, March 10, 2008.
Zoning Appeals Board, March 5, 2008.
Councilor Allen made a motion that these minutes be received. Seconded by
Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting.
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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD:
Deputy Clerk of Council Davis advised that Mr. C. L. Moffitt couldn?t succeed
himself; this is Council District Nine nomination and we would list this matter
again in two weeks.
In response to a question of Councilor Anthony, Deputy Clerk of Council Davis
advised that she has spoken to Ms. Becky Gordon, Chamber of Commerce, and Ms.
Gordon has sent out emails to all participants of the Leadership Columbus
Class, so we expect to hear something back soon. Councilor Anthony then asked
that the Clerk?s Office check with the Civic Center staff as well for a
potential nominee.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD:
Deputy Clerk of Council Davis advised that Mr. Tom Wyatt was nominated to
replace Mr. Herman Lewis- Council District Seven. Councilor Allen moved
confirmation of Mr. Tom Wyatt. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried
unanimously by those seven members present for this meeting.
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GOLF AUTHORITY:
Deputy Clerk of Council Davis advised that Rev. Rudolph Allen was nominated by
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh to replace Ms. Nancy Hopkins. He may be confirmed.
Councilor Woodson moved confirmation of Rev. Rudolph Allen. Seconded by Mayor
Pro Tem Turner Pugh.
Councilor Henderson said that he thought Councilor Barnes had a nominee for
this position. Deputy Clerk of Council Davis said that she was not aware of a
nominee; however, the Council could hold off on taking the vote today.
Councilor Henderson said that he does not want to delay this vote. He said
that it is his understanding that there are some other positions on this board
that would be opening up at the end of June.
Mayor Wetherington called attention to the motion on the table, which carried
unanimously by those seven members present for this meeting.
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At this time, Mayor Wetherington asked if there was anyone in the audience
that had a matter to bring before the Council. No one came forward.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mayor Wetherington called attention to the previous request to go into
executive session to discuss litigation. Councilor Henderson moved the Council
go into executive session to discuss litigation. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those seven members present for this
meeting.
At 10:17 a.m., the Council adjourned its regular meeting to go into executive
session. At 11:16 a.m., the Council reconvened its regular meeting, at which
time, Mayor Wetherington announced that the Council did meet in executive
session to discuss litigation, but there were no votes taken.
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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Councilor
Henderson made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and
carried unanimously by those six members of Council present for this vote with
Councilor Baker having left the meeting and Councilors Anthony, Barnes and
McDaniel being absent from this meeting with the time being 11:17 a.m.
Sandra T. Davis
Deputy Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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