MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
SEPTEMBER 9, 2008
The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called
to order at 9:05 A.M, Tuesday, September 9, 2008, on the Plaza Level of the
Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable W. J. Wetherington, Mayor, and
Honorable Evelyn Turner Pugh, Mayor Pro Tem 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 Barnes,
Berry H. Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr. and Evelyn
Woodson. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of
Council Tiny 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: Led by Dr. John E. Stephens, Pastor, St Peter United
Methodist Church.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from River Road Elementary School Safety
Patrol.
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PROCLAMATIONS:
?45th ANNUAL SHRINE CIRCUS RECOGNITION DAY?:
With Mr. Mark Cantrell, President and Circus Director, Mr. Val
McGuiness, Mr. Jerry Livish, Mr. Will Powell and Mr. Andy Faulk
standing at the Council table, Councilor Allen read the proclamation of
Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming September 13 ? 14, 2008 as the ?45th
Shrine Circus?, in Columbus, Georgia.
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?SICKLE CELL DISEASE MONTH?:
With Ms. Lois Williams, Ms. Vera James, Mr. Phillip Oliver, from the
Atlanta Sickle Cell Foundation, Mr. Harold Dodds, Outreach Coordinator from
Atlanta, Mr. Larry Ware, Mr. Sherman Williams, and Ms. Diane Walker, Project
Assistant from the Atlanta office standing at the Council table, Mayor Pro Tem
Turner Pugh read the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming the month
of October as ?Sickle Cell Disease Month? in Columbus, Georgia.
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?CONSTITUTION WEEK?:
With Ms. Montyne Thompkins, Chairman of the George Walton Chapter
NSDAR, members of the, Oglethorpe DAR Chapter, Coweta Falls Chapter, as well as
the members of the Lucy Spell Radford Children?s Chapter standing at the
Council table, Councilor Baker read the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington,
proclaiming September 17 ? 23, 2008 as ?Constitution Week? in Columbus,
Georgia.
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?LITERACY DAY?:
With Ms. Sally Sinclair, Director of Adult Education, Ms. Donna Cutler,
Coordinator of Adult Education and Mr. Jami Mack, Adult Education Instructor
standing at the Council table, Councilor Barnes read the proclamation of Mayor
Wetherington, proclaiming September 9, 2008 as ?Literacy Day in Columbus,
Georgia.
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?NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ?ONE OF THE MOST
PLAYFUL CITIES IN AMERICAN 2008?:________________________
With Ms. Cammi Curry, Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation,
Ms. Margaret Brown, Ms. Hollie Browder, and Ms. Mary Ann Johnson,
Gallops Senior Director, as well as students from St. Luke and Downtown
Elementary Schools standing at the Council table, Councilor Henderson read
the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming September 9, 2008,
as ?National Recognition for ?One of the Most Playful Cities in American
2008?, in Columbus, Georgia.
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MAYOR?S AGENDA:
WITH MR. BEN RICHARDSON STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING
RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HUNTER AND
ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:____ _
__
A Resolution (426-08) ? Commending Ben Richardson, State Court
Solicitor-General for being named Solicitor-General of the Year. Councilor
Hunter moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Henderson
and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this
meeting.
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WITH COACH RICHARD MAHONE STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING
RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR DAVIS AND
ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:____
___
A Resolution (427-08) ? Commending Toronto Raptors Head Coach Sam Mitchell
and Marc Upshaw of the Samarc Foundation for conducting the Dream to Achieve
Basketball Camp. Councilor Davis moved the adoption of the resolution.
Seconded by Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those ten members of
Council present for this meeting.
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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COLUMBUS CODE OF ORDINANCES WAS
SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND APPROVED ON SECOND READING:
_________________
An Ordinance (08-48) ? Rezoning property located at 357B Brennan Road from
an LMI (Light Manufacturing/Industrial) to GC (General Commercial) zoning
district. (26-A-08-Whitten) The proposed use is for a banquet facility.
Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor
Allen and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this
meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND DEFEATED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING:_____________________________
An Ordinance ? Amending Chapter 2 of the Columbus Code so as to move the
public agenda to immediately after the Clerk of Council?s agenda; and for other
purposes. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the ordinance.
Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and defeated by a vote of
6 ? 4. Voting for the motion to adopt the ordinance was Councilors Anthony,
Barnes, McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh. Voting against the motion was
Councilors Allen, Baker, Davis, Henderson, Hunter and Woodson.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING:_____________________________
An Ordinance (08-49) ? Regulating vehicular traffic in Columbus, Georgia
by repealing Ordinance #63-80 in its entirety; enacting a No Parking Anytime
Ordinance along Leonard Street beginning at west curb of Forest Avenue and
running west along the north curb distance a of 285 feet; enacting a two hour
parking, 9 am to 6 pm weekdays, restriction along the east and west curbs of
Forest Avenue beginning at the north curb of Leonard Street and running north
to the south curb of Garrard Street; installing official traffic control signs
indicating said restrictions described herein; repealing any conflicting
ordinances and for other purposes. 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 this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND DEFEATED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING:_____________________________
An Ordinance ? Amending Chapter 2 of the Columbus Code by renaming the
Public Safety Advisory Commission the Public Safety Review Commission;
providing authority to conduct investigations; providing authority to make
recommendations to the Mayor; and for other purposes.
City Attorney Fay said the shaded area in the ordinance was a few minor
amendments added after last week?s discussion and said that is the version that
is on the table and it is ready for any action.
Several members of the Council expressed their views regarding the
ordinance after which Councilor Hunter made a motion to adopt the ordinance.
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and defeated by the Council which
resulted in a 5 ? 5 tie vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh, Councilors
Anthony, Barnes, Hunter and Woodson voting to adopt the ordinance and
Councilors Allen, Baker, Davis, Henderson and McDaniel voting no and Mayor
Wetherington voting to break the tie vote, voting no to defeat the ordinance by
a vote of 6 ? 5.
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THE FOLLOWING THREE ZONING ORDINANCES WERE ALSO SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND A ZONING PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON EACH AS
ADVERTISED:_____
An Ordinance ? Rezoning property located at 4026 Macon Road from an SFR2
(Single Family Residential 2) zoning district to NC (Neighborhood Commercial)
zoning district. (27-CA-08-River Signs, LLC) The proposed use is for a place of
worship and accessory uses.
An Ordinance ? Rezoning property located at 4801 Old Cusseta Road and all
properties along the new cut of Antietam Drive from an SFR2 (Single Family
Residential 2) and GC (General Commercial to an RMF2 (Residential Multi- Family
2) zoning district. (28-CA-08-Cusseta Road, LLC) The proposed use is for
townhouses/duplexes.
An Ordinance ? Rezoning property located at 3160 Primrose Road from an
SFR3 (Single Family Residential 3) zoning district to PUD (Planned Unit
Development) zoning district. (29-A-08-James) The proposed is for single
family residential.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING: _____________
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An Ordinance ? Providing for the demolition of structures located at:
(1) 3619 Youmans Street (J. P. Adams, Est.)
(2) 2340 S. Andrews Circle (Fred Birge, owner)
(3) 2728 N. Lumpkin Road (Oliver D. Collum, Jr., owner)
(4) 611 ? 24th Street (Mavis E. Daniels, owner)
(5) 900 Calvin Avenue (Baxter S. Edwards, owner)
(6) 910 Calvin Avenue (Baxter S. Edwards, owner)
(7) 912 Calvin Avenue (Baxter S. Edwards, owner)
(8) 914 Calvin Avenue (Baxter S. Edwards, owner)
(9) 8916 Calvin Avenue (Baxter S. Edwards, owner)
(10) 920 Calvin Avenue (Baxter S. Edwards, owner)
(11) 922 Calvin Avenue (Baxter S. Edwards, owner)
(12) 924 Calvin Avenue (Baxter S. Edwards, owner)
(13) 4802 13th Avenue (Robert & Mary Faison, owner)
(14) 2069 Mason Street (Juanita Taylor Florence, Est.)
(15) 102 ? 30th Street (Robert & Mary Howard, owner)
(16) 2705 N. Lumpkin Road (Vonceil James, owner)
(17) 2936 ? 9th Street (L. C. & Marion Johnson, Owner)
(18) 14 Esquiline Drive (JP Morgan Chase Bank, owner)
(19) 4429 St. Mary?s Road (Oretha Williams Olds, owner)
(20) 221 ? 26th Street (Cedric Peete, owner)
(21) 3315 O?Neal Street (Staysharpe, Inc., owner)
(22) 312 Bragg Smith Street (Juanita & Hallie Thomas, owner)
(23) 933 Samson Avenue (Value City, LLC, owner)
(24) 185 ? 30th Avenue (Charles S. & A. B. White, owner)
(25) 2119 ? 1st Avenue (J.C. & Ola Mae Williams, Est.)
in the amount of $102,056.38
and for demolition services for the Inspections and Code Division in accordance
with a Tabulation of Bid sheet.(Councilor McDaniel)
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PUBLIC AGENDA:
MS. ROSETTA DEMMING, RE: THE DENIAL OF HER REZONING REQUEST TO REZONE
PTOPERTY LOCATED AT 5032 BUENA VISTA ROAD:
Ms. Demming, who requested to be listed on today?s Agenda to discuss her
rezoning petition that was denied on second reading at the September 2, 2008
Council Meeting, did not respond when given the opportunity to address the
Council.
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Mr. Joe Bowman, representing Yellow Cab Company, Re: Taxicab concerns.
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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:
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A Resolution (428-08) ? Authorizing the execution of an agreement with
Georgia Southwestern Railroad, Inc., for reimbursement of expenses incurred for
railroad crossing improvements at crossing on Old Cusseta Rd.
Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor
Henderson and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for
this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL AFTER DEPUTY CITY MANAGER ARRINGTON CAME
FORWARD AND OUTLINED SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE LARP PROGRAM:
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A Resolution (429-08) ? Authorizing the execution of a "Certificate of
Ownership and Agreement" with the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT)
for the L.A.R.P Program for a total of 51 candidate streets to be considered by
DOT.
City Manager Hugley said he would ask DCM Arrington to come forward and
provide some information to the Council to make sure that we are all following
where we are going with the 2009-2010 local assistance road program know as
?L.A.R.P.?
Deputy City Manager Arrington said the resolution before contains a list
of candidate streets that would be submitted to the Department of
Transportation for funding assistance for fiscal year 2009/2010. He said
typically this list is submitted in March of the year that the funding would be
made available, but said DOT has requested that the list be submitted about six
months earlier; therefore, we are submitting the list now.
He said we are in the process; which started on last month, of resurfacing
streets that were on our list for this year. He said the funding that the State
is providing to supplement our local funding those streets is being paved now.
He said the streets that are listed on the candidate list that the Council has
would not be resurfaced until next year; these streets will be submitted to the
Department of Transportation and then in turn would examine those streets and
decide what streets they would fund. He said once the list is given back to us,
it would go on the paving list for next year and the streets that are remaining
we would utilize local funding to complete the resurface the other streets, as
long as funding is available.
At the request of City Manager Hugley regarding the rating system of the
streets, Deputy City Manager Arrington said the list that you have has a
condition index rating for each street. He said that is based on an analysis
conducted by a consultant of the condition of the street. He said the lower the
number, the worst the condition of the road and the higher the number, the
better the condition of the road.
Deputy City Manager Arrington said roads at or below a rating of 30 or
falling in 20 or below range are roads that are not candidates for resurfacing,
but need to be rebuilt. He said the roads that are in the 30 ? 70 range are the
roads that are candidates for resurfacing. He said most of the roads on the
list range from 30 to 60; which is based on our pavement management system
analysis. He said just this past summer we have completed an update of our
pavement management system where all of our streets in the community have been
assessed by a consultant; and that report is due to us by either this month or
next month. He said they have submitted some draft information and we will have
that information updated and then rely upon that information for the next five
years as far as making sure that the
street that needs to be resurfaced the most, are provided that funding.
Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by
Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present
for this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:
____________________________________________
A Resolution (430-08) ? Authorizing the approval to enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding with Riverdale/Porterdale Cemetery Foundation to
assist in restoring, enhancing and improving Riverdale, Porterdale and East
Porterdale Cemeteries. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by those ten
members of Council present for this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING THREE PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS, HAVING BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE
CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY
AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY
COUNCILOR WOODSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON, WHICH CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING: __
A Resolution (431-08) ? Authorizing payment to Motorola (Schaumburg, IL)
in the amount of $20,330.52 for mobile data terminal (MDT) infrastructure
maintenance and support, covering the period from July 1, 2008 through June 30,
2009. The infrastructure maintenance provides hardware and software support for
the mobile data terminal server hardware in the 911 Center on a 24/7/365
schedule. This hardware infrastructure interfaces the mobile data terminal in
the Police, Sheriff, Fire/EMS Departments, Marshal?s Office and Inspection &
Code.
The system is manufactured by Motorola and is proprietary in nature.
Therefore, this is an Only Known Source, per Section 3-114 of the Procurement
Ordinance.
A Resolution (432-08) ? Authorizing approve payment to ESRI (Redlands
California) in the amount of $22,924.64, for the annual ArcGIS Software
Maintenance and License covering the period from November 16, 2008 thru
November 15, 2009.
ESRI is the developer of various software packages used by the GIS
Division, and other departments, for map generation, and for editing and
maintaining the City?s tax parcels, streets zoning and land use databases.
Consequently, the vendor is considered an Only Known Source for the maintenance
and support of the software, per Section 3-114 of the Procurement Ordinance.
A Resolution (433-08) ? Authorizing the payment to DataWorks Plus, LLC, in
the amount of $16,534.00 for the annual maintenance agreement for the mug shot
system. The vendor will provide 24/7 maintenance supports for the mug shot
system, which is utilized by the Sheriff?s Department. The maintenance period
will be for one year, from August 1, 2008 through July 31, 2009. Resolution No.
233-96 authorized the purchase of the upgraded system from DataWorks Plus
(formerly TFP, Inc.). The City has paid for subsequent maintenance agreements
since the warranty for the equipment expired.
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TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES:
City Manager Hugley said a few weeks ago, we spoke to you regarding the
neighborhood traffic calming process and said he would ask Deputy City Manager
Arrington to come forward and do a follow-up with the Council on how we started
the process and where we are today.
Mr. Ron Hamlett, Traffic Engineer then came forward and went into some
details in outlining the different types of traffic calming devices.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS AS INFORMATION
FOR THE MAYOR & COUNCIL: ________________________________________________
Memorandum from ACCG, Re: GDOT?s New Project Priority System.
Letter from Marshal Greg Countryman supporting the proposed amendments to the
Public Safety Advisory Commission.
Letter from Solicitor General Benjamin S. Richardson supporting the proposed
amendments to the Public Safety Advisory Commission.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLANED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:_________________________________
A Resolution (434-08) ? Approving and receiving the report of the Finance
Director of those alcoholic beverage licenses that were approved and/or denied
during the month of August 2008. Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine
members of Council present for this meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh
being absent for this vote.
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THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK
OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:____________
Application of Richard Bishop to temporarily close Broadway from 11th
Street to 12th Street, on Friday September 19, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. through
Sunday, September 21st at 2:00 a.m., Broadway from 10th Street to 11th Street
and 11th Street from 1st Avenue to Front Avenue Friday, September 19, 2008 at
6:00 p.m. through Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 2:00 a.m. and Saturday,
September 20, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. through Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 2:00 a.m.
in connection with pedestrian safety.
Councilor McDaniel moved the approval of the application. Seconded by
Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present at the time, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh being absent for this vote.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON SUBMITTED MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS,
WHICH WERE OFFICIALLY BY THE COUNCIL: _
______________________________
Board of Elections & Registration, August 8, 2008.
Family & Children Services, August 27, 2008.
Councilor Allen made a motion that these minutes be received. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present at the time, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh being absent for this
vote.
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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington advised that Ms. Cynthia Maisano had resigned her
position on the board; therefore a nominee is needed to fill her seat. There
were no nominations made today.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington advised that Mr. James D. Yancey is not
eligible to succeed himself for another term of officer, therefore a nominee is
needed for his seat. There were no nominations today.
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KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington advised that Councilor Barnes is working on
getting a replacement to fill the seat of Mr. Earnest Baulkmon and should a
nominee soon.
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TREE BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Ms. Andrea Richardson who
was serving on the Tree Board is no longer a resident of Muscogee County and
that we will need a nominee for this position on the board.
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PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of Ms.
Gladys Ford and Mr. Ronny Smith was expiring at the end of the month and they
are both eligible to succeed themselves for another term of office on this
board. Councilor Allen then nominated them for another term of office.
Clerk of Council Washington further pointed out that Ms. Chris Henson has
resigned her seat on this board and that Council will need to nominate someone
else for this position.
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YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we still need a nominee for
someone for Council Districts 2, 6 & 10 on the Youth Advisory Council. There
were no nominations made today.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Regarding an earlier request of City Manager Hugley to go into an
executive session to discuss a real estate issue, Councilor McDaniel made a
motion to allow the Council to go into an executive session. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present at the time, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh being absent for this vote.
At 11:30 a.m., the meeting was adjourned to allow the Council to go into
an executive session.
At 12:30 p.m., the meeting was called back to order at which time Mayor
Wetherington pointed out that the Council met in an executive session to
discuss a real estate issue, but there were no votes taken.
With there being no other business to come before the Council, Councilor
Allen made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and
carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present at the time, with
Councilor McDaniel having left the meeting, with the time being 12:32 p.m.
(Councilor McDaniel left immediately at the adjournment of the executive
session.)
Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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