MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
APRIL 11, 2006
The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called
to order at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, April 11, 2006, on the Plaza Level of the
Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Robert S. Poydasheff, Mayor,
presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Robert S. Poydasheff and Mayor Pro Tem John
J. Rodgers were Councilors R. Gary Allen Wayne Anthony, Glenn Davis Berry H.
Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Evelyn Turner Pugh, and Evelyn Woodson. City
Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Tiny B.
Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also present.
Councilor Nathan Suber took his seat at the Council table at 9:13 a.m.
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ABSENT: Councilor Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., was absent, but was excused upon
the adoption of Resolution Number 146-06.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Reverend Daniel McEachin, Pastor of
Cornerstone Church of God.
Mayor Poydasheff said it is his understanding that Cornerstone Church of
God will be having a program and said he would like for him to tell the
Council, as well as the public what they are planning on doing.
Reverend McEachin said at Cornerstone Church of God they have a very well
produced Easter drama every year, which would begin on Thursday night at 7:00
p.m., and every evening at 7:00 p.m. through Sunday night. He said it is a
musical drama entitled ?The Victor?, which is produced by Ms. Judy Ebert and it
is something that they are always proud of. He said they have a lot of talent
at their church, where the Lord has blessed them with, and it is the way that
they love to minister to the City and the community. He said he extends a
special invitation for the Mayor & Council to attend this event.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Robert S. Poydasheff.
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PROCLAMATION:
?DEVIN JOHNSON DAY?:
With Devin Johnson and his mother standing at the Council table, Councilor
Hunter read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming April 11, 2006 as
?Devin Johnson Day? in Columbus, Georgia.
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?AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH?:
With Ms. Lisa Jenkins and her mother, Ms. Elsie Lewis standing at the
Council table, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff,
proclaiming the month of April 2006 as ?Autism Awareness Month? in Columbus,
Georgia.
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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:
WITH THE COACHES AND MEMBERS OF THE SPENCER HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM
STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR WOODSON AND ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:___________________________________________
A Resolution (137-06) ? Commending and congratulating the
Spencer High School Basketball Team upon recently winning the Region 2-AAA
Championship on February 11, 2006. Councilor Allen moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those nine
members of Council present for this meeting.
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WITH THE FAMILY OF MR. BERNARD E. KITE STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE
FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND
ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:_________________________________
A Resolution (138-06) ? Conveying condolences to the family of Bernard
E. ?Buster? Kite of Columbus who died on August 22, 2005. Mayor Pro Tem
Rodgers moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Henderson
and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this
meeting standing to cast their affirmative votes.
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MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Minutes of the March 21, 2006 and April 4, 2006
Council Meetings of the Council of the Consolidated Government of Columbus,
Georgia were submitted and approved upon the adoption of a motion made by Mayor
Pro Tem Rodgers and seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by
those nine members of Council present for this meeting.
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ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS:
THE FOLLOWING ZONING ORDINANCE, WHOSE FIRST READING WAS DELAYED ON LAST
WEEK WAS AGAIN SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND AFTER
SOME DISCUSSION AMENDED BY THE COUNCIL:_
An Ordinance ? Rezoning approximately 0.50 acre of property located at
1469 54th Street from NC (Neighborhood Commercial), to GC (General Commercial).
(12-A-06-Gloyd)
City Attorney Fay said he distributed around the Council table this
morning, a proposed amendment that would prohibit certain uses at this
location. He said if we want to get the amendment in the ordinance we need to
have a motion for approval. He said the Planning Division recommends this.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers then made a motion that this ordinance be amended to
include these prohibited uses. Seconded by Councilor Turner Pugh.
PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:
Mr. Chris Eagle with Keystone Investments, the petitioner said he had this
piece of property under contract with Mr. Gloyd and said we have since purposed
it, and now they are the owners, he and his partner, Keystone Investments.
Councilor Davis said on the proposed use, as it relates to retail/auto
truck repair, minor, said he doesn?t fully understand that, and then asked Mr.
Eagel exactly what does he mean by this.
Mr. Eagle said he has a client interested in leasing out the back portion
of this building. He said they do automotive repair and said the type of repair
that this particular client does would be work on higher end typed automobiles.
He said this would not be the place where you would go to get your muffler
changed or your breaks turned; but it would be more specialized higher-end
automotive repair work.
Mr. Eagle then spent several minutes in responding to various questions of
members of the Council, as it relates to screening, buffer requirements, and
etc. around this property.
He said the building, as it stands now, may already meet some of the
screening and buffer requirements because behind the building, there is
probably that 30-feet already to a fence line, which is a vegetated area.
He said the planned uses of what they would do, would not encroach anymore
towards that. He said that is not needed already, he could certainly do what?s
required to make that happen. He said in standing outside of his building,
there is only one residence that you can visibly see because of how it is
already.
City Attorney Fay then asked if there was anyone else who wanted to be
heard on this zoning petition, they could be heard at this time. There was no
one who indicated that they wanted to be heard.
City Attorney Fay said they would substitute the amended version of the
ordinance and it will be on second reading on next week.
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THE FOLLOWING ZONING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND ITS CAPTION READ BY
CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD AS ADVERTISED:________
An Ordinance ? Rezoning approximately 0.40 acre of property located
at 2939 Christine Road from SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) to SFR3 (Single
Family Residential 3). (13-A-06-Patterson)
PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:
No one, including the petitioner was present to express any support or
opposition to this proposed rezoning ordinance.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said he understands that the petitioner is ill and
not present here today, but he has a question to ask of the staff. He said he
sees one other piece of SFR-3 property that?s in the vicinity; however, it?s
several blocks away, and then asked if this is going to create a domino effect.
Mr. Rick Jones of the Planning Division said there are some other smaller
lots that are rezoned SFR-2; those were done under a variance procedure through
the Board of Zoning Appeals in the past; however, the UDO does not allow a
variance to reduce a lot size and has to go through the rezoning process. He
said in some ways, there is already that pattern established out there by
reducing the lots itself. He said the only way you can reduce a lot now is to
actually change the rezoning.
He said he doesn?t know if you are going to see a tremendous amount of
domino effect, you may see one or two more happen over the next several years,
but he doesn?t think you will see the entire neighborhood become spotted with
SFR-2 or SFR-3 there.
City Attorney Fay then asked if there was anyone who wanted to be heard on
this rezoning ordinance, for or against, but there was none.
He then pointed out that this ordinance would be ready for a vote at next
week?s Council meeting.
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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DISCUSSION AMENDED BY THE COUNCIL: ______
An Ordinance ? Amending Chapter 14 of the Columbus Code so as to regulate
escort services as permitted under O.C.G.A. Section 48-13-9; imposing
additional regulations such as an annual regulatory fee, permits and distance
restrictions; and for other purposes.
City Attorney Fay said there is one proposed amendment from the Licensing
Division today. He said the version that you have in front of you this morning
has a five (5) year felony prohibition and two (2) years for misdemeanors, but
the Licensing Division would like to put in ten (10) years for the felony
conviction and five (5) years for the misdemeanor.
He said that would be at the Council?s discretion. He said if you would like
to put that amendment in there, we could do that today.
Mayor Poydasheff said he would like to encourage the Council to go ahead
and to do that, in order to make it more rigorous for people such as these
?escort services? to come into our city.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers asked why are we doing this?
City Attorney Fay said Mr. Strain has had one applicant for an ?escort
services? license already that was denied because it was at a residential
location. He said they wanted a home occupation license and whether or not we
can hold that up on a challenge in court he is not certain of that. He said
there are a lot of counties that are regulating these, as they are recognized
business under the Georgia Statue and we can place a regulatory fee on them.
Mayor Poydasheff said the experiences that he has encountered with ?escort
services? particular in areas where you have large military installations, etc.
He said they could degenerate into more than just escort services and that
breeds crime; prostitution and things that are tending to that; therefore, he
thinks that we should do everything possible to see to it that the people that
run these ?escort services? are not felons and that they have not been arrested
or convicted of a felony within ten (10) years and that they are located in the
proper area and that they are monitored.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said we don?t have a license for them presently;
therefore they are not allowed to conduct business in Columbus, Georgia.
City Attorney Fay said currently there are no regulations at all; however,
they were trying to get something on the books. He said the State law
recognizes them as a legitimate business.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers asked if there is a restriction or restraint of
trade or Interstate Commerce by not recognizing this as a business in Columbus,
Georgia.
Mayor Poydasheff said you have to recognize them as a business since
Georgia law recognizes them as a business.
City Attorney Fay said the Revenue Division is asking for a licensing
tool. He said you couldn?t just flatly prohibit it from a legal standpoint;
that?s the problem. He said we need some sort of regulation here as a tool for
their office.
Councilor Allen asked why wouldn?t we want to preclude someone who is a
felon. He said with this provision, you are only precluding them for five (5)
years.
Mayor Poydasheff said he is asking that the Council to amend the
ordinance to make it ten (10) years.
City Attorney Fay said ten (10) years is what?s consistent with what is
already on the books for the alcohol prohibition, ten (10) years on felonies
and five (5) years on misdemeanors, which is why that was brought up as an
amendment.
Councilor Allen said if someone is a felon, why would we want to allow him
or her to be in this line of work? Why would you want to recognize them and
open the door for them to get back into an area which might cause them harm or
someone else harm in the future.
City Attorney Fay said you might be able to go a little longer than ten
(10) years, but you just can?t have a flat prohibition. He said it is a
recognized business by the State.
Councilor Allen then made a motion to amend the ordinance, Section 14-253,
to change to the prohibition from five (5) years to (10) years on felonies, and
from two (2) years to five (5) years on misdemeanors. Seconded by Councilor
Henderson.
Councilor Anthony asked if it would be appropriate to have this tabled and
sent through a committee, like the Public Safety Advisory Commission to study
it.
Councilor Allen and Mayor Poydasheff pointed out that is not their
responsibility.
City Attorney Fay said this ordinance has been sent through all the Public
Safety departments and they are all in favor of this ordinance.
The question was then called on the motion to amend the ordinance, which
carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting.
City Attorney Fay said that amendment would clarify the prohibition on
felonies and misdemeanor and then asked if anyone else had any other questions.
Members of the Council then expressed their further views on this matter,
with Councilor Suber asking questions as it relates to the fines and
enforcement of this ordinance.
City Attorney Fay said the section that was just amended has to do with
who can get a license or be employed and those prohibited misdemeanors and
certain felonies would be prohibited.
Councilor Suber then questioned City Attorney Fay as to the comments made
by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers as it relates to the $5,000, City Attorney Fay said
that has to do with the annual regulatory fee. He said $2,500 is the amount
that is currently in the ordinance.
After continued discussion as it relates to the license fees, as well as
the regulatory fee, City Attorney Fay and Mr. Craig Strain of the Revenue
Division then responded to further questions of members of the Council,
Councilor Suber then made a motion to amend the ordinance to include a
regulatory fee of $5,000.
Councilor Davis said it looks like we are kind of working our way through
this, and said because this is new to him, and he is somewhat uncomfortable
with it, he would like to know more about what we are getting into here, as
well as what we are trying to accomplish. He said he thinks that maybe a delay,
at least on his behalf, would be sufficient to try to seek some more
information and try to understand this a little bit better.
He said he has not had any dialogue or conversation on this matter and he would
like to know where we are going and some more information in order for him to
be comfortable before he puts a stamp of approval on it. He said he would like
to propose a one-week delay.
Councilor Henderson said since there are some questions and since next
week is a Work Session and a Consent Agenda, we can leave it on first reading
which would provide two weeks before the second reading and the vote in order
to allow ample time to gather any additional information.
He said if there are enough significant issues that arise over that two-week
period, than he is certain that we could put it back on first reading.
City Manager Hugley then pointed out that next week?s meeting is not a
Work Session.
Mayor Poydasheff said he would brief Councilor Davis on this matter.
After still some discussion, City Attorney Fay pointed out that this
ordinance would be on second reading for next week.
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PUBLIC AGENDA
MR. WAYNE PARMER, RE: OWNERSHIP AND LEGAL RIGHTS:
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Mr. Wayne Parmer, who requested to be listed on the Council?s Public
Agenda to discuss an issue dealing with ownership and legal rights, did not
respond when given the opportunity to address the Council.
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RECOGNITION OF KARL DOUGLASS:
Mayor Poydasheff recognized the presence of Mr. Karl Douglass, who was
seated in the audience.
Councilor Anthony said he would like to recognize Mr. Douglass for the
great work and all of his efforts in working with the many different projects
for Columbus South, as well as other projects in our community.
Mr. Douglass said they will have their meeting on tomorrow and will be
presenting their preliminary report on Baker High School and the feasibility
study; therefore, he would like to invite anyone who is interested in hearing
about what the engineers and architects found, to come tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.,
at the Annex Building to hear that presentation.
Councilor Woodson asked Mr. Douglass to please make certain that
Mr. James Walker of the School Board is notified of this meeting.
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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED
AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:__________________________________________________
A Resolution (139-06) ?Authorizing the execution of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with the Columbus Water Works to use $1 million in 1999
SPLOST funding for infrastructure improvements in the Oxbow Meadows Park
development. Councilor Suber moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by
Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting.
A Resolution (140-06) ?Authorizing the acceptance of a grant in the amount
of $20,000, if approved, from the State of Georgia Local Development Fund to
design and build display cases, special effect lighting to convert the Ma
Rainey House into a museum. Councilor Suber moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine
members of Council present for this meeting.
City Manager Hugley said on yesterday Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers asked if a
local match was required and said there appears to be a local match of
$10,000. He said if that grant goes through, the matched funds would come from
the ?Friends of Ma Rainey? and not the City. He said it would be a pass-through
grant in support of the ?Friends of Ma Rainey? and the Ma Rainey House.
Councilor Woodson asked, if there has been any consideration given in
taking the house and registering it under the National Historical Preservation,
just like they have done in Atlanta with the Martin Luther King Home.
City Manager Hugley said that has already been done. He then responded to
further questions of Councilor Woodson, as it relates to them having staff,
which is not managed by the City, but the State. He said we have not attempted
that.
A Resolution (141-06) ?Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to Royal
Street located in Section Four, Dawson Estates, on behalf of Columbus,
Georgia. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING FOUR 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
COUNCILOR TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SUBER, WHICH CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:
__________________________________________________
A Resolution (142-06) ?Authorizing the execution of the annual contract
for water management services from Superior Water Services, at a monthly cost
of $1,036.38 or $12,436.56 annually. Contractor will provide all labor,
materials and equipment to provide a complete service-oriented water treatment
management program. The water treatment program is needed, but not limited to,
the prevention of mineral scale, corrosion and bacterial growth in the water
systems, water conservation, technical support, service and reporting. The
treatment will include all cooling towers, boilers and closed water loops
operated by the City. The contract term shall be for two years, with the option
to renew for three additional twelve-month periods. Contract renewal will be
contingent upon the mutual agreement of the City and the Contractor.
A Resolution (143-06) ?Authorizing the purchase of carpet (roll & tile)
and carpet installation services from Huckaby Brothers (Phenix City, AL) on an
?as needed basis.? The roll and tile carpet will be replacement and new carpet
installations in various offices as a result of the renovations in City
Government buildings. The estimated annual contract value is $30,000.00. The
term of contract shall be for two years, with the option to renew for three (3)
additional twelve-month periods. Contract renewal will be contingent upon the
mutual agreement of the City and the Contractor.
A Resolution (144-06) ?Authorizing the approval of a renewal agreement
with Georgia Municipal Association in the amount of $17,500.00 for
Telecommunication Management Services. The renewal agreement is for one year,
effective May 1, 2006 ? April 30, 2007.
In the past years the telecommunications industry has undergone major
changes that have important repercussions on local governments, particularly
the manner in which public right-of-ways can be utilized and managed and the
entrance of new vendors providing services. The City has realized that because
of new technologies, deregulation and the Telecommunications Act of 1996,
specialized expertise was required if it was to retain control over zoning,
management of public right-of-ways and franchise fee revenue, and entered into
an agreement with the Georgia Municipal Association to provide
telecommunications management services.
A Resolution (145-06) ?Amending Resolution #43-05 to update the unit
prices for the annual contract awarded to International BusGroup; Inc., for the
purchase of Low Floor Mini-Buses.
The updated unit prices, resulting from changes required by METRA, are as
follows: FY05-$146,283.00; FY06-$145,071.00; FY07-$150,348.00 and
FY08-$154,401.00; with price adjustments allowed for any federally mandated
diesel engine emission changes expected January 1, 2007.
After award of the contract in February 2005, and the initial order was
placed for the three units in FY05, METRA requested modification changes to the
low floor mini-buses which included the following additional items: energy
absorbing rear bumper, gray rubber flooring, q?straint wheelchair tie down, 4th
wheelchair position at rear wall of bus and vinyl graphics. Video camera
system was included in the three units already ordered, per specifications.
However, the video camera system is deleted from the contract for FY06, FY07
and FY08, because METRA requested a separate annual contract for security
cameras, which was awarded in November 2005. The low floor mini-buses are
replacement units for the existing minibuses used for the Para transit program
to transport the elderly and disabled customers in the Muscogee County area.
The annual contract will enable METRA to replace old buses, as needed, for the
next four years. The term of contract shall be for one (1) year, with option
to renew for three (3) additional twelve (12) month periods. Contract renewal
is contingent upon the City and the Contractor.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATION PLAN:
City Manager Hugley said on tonight at 6:00 p.m., at the Government Center
Annex there will be a public hearing on our 5-year Consolidation Plan, which
involves our CDBG funding and how we have used and will continue to use those
funds. He said we would be bringing this 5-year Consolidation Plan back to the
Council in a Work Session in order to share that with them.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING TWO ITEMS AS
INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR & COUNCIL:
________________________________________________
(1) ACCG?s Legislative Update Newsletter, Volume 16, Number 11.
Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington Re: Board of Zoning Appeals.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON SUBMITTED MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS,
WHICH WAS OFFICIAL RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:
___
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Board of Tax Assessors, No. 12-06
Planning Advisory Commission, September 21, 2005.
Planning Advisory Commission September 23, 2005
Planning Advisory Commission October 5, 2005
Councilor Henderson made a motion that these minutes be received. Seconded
by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council
present at the time, with Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.
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THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:
____ ______________________
A Resolution (146-06) ? Excusing Councilor C. E. McDaniel from the April
11, 2006 Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those
eight members of Council present at the time, with Councilor Woodson being
absent for this vote.
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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
C.I.R.C.L.E.:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of
Ms. Ella Mae Lewis and Mr. Hidoe Kabumoto expired on March 1, 2006 and that
they both have been nominated to succeed themselves for another term of office
and are now ready to be confirmed. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers so moved. Seconded by
Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council
present at the time, with Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.
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PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Karl Douglass and
Mr. Derrick Shields were nominated on last week to succeed themselves for
another term of office on the Planning Advisory Commission and they may now be
confirmed. Councilor Henderson so moved. Seconded by Councilor Allen and
carried unanimously by those eight members of Council being present at the
time, with Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.
Clerk of Council Washington further pointed out that Ms. Chris Henson has
been nominated to succeed Mr. Berry Henderson, who wasn?t eligible to succeed
himself and that she may also be confirmed. Councilor Henderson so moved.
Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those eight members of
Council present at the time, with Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of Ms.
Debra Huling, Council District 2 representative, Mr. Harold Funderburg. Council
District 3 representative and Mr. Douglas Bryant, Council District 7
representative, who no longer lives in Muscogee County on the Community
Development Advisory Council expired on March 27, 2006 and that they are not
eligible to succeed themselves. She then asked the respective Councilor of
those districts if they had a nominee, but there were none.
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PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that she is still working with the
Young People?s Organization to come up with a recommendation for someone to
succeed Ms. Keyla Cabret, as the District Seven representative. She said they
had submitted a recommendation for someone, but that individual did not live in
District Seven.
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BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of
Ms. Leah Braxton on the Board of Zoning Appeals expired on March 31, 2006 and
that Mr. Perry Borom has been nominated to succeed Ms. Braxton and that he may
now be confirmed. Councilor Suber so moved. Seconded by Councilor Allen and
carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the time, with
Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.
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LAST WEEK?S COUNCIL MEETING:
Councilor Allen said on last week, he was out-of-town on business and said
he was able to watch the replay of the Council meeting on the Internet and said
it worked beautifully. He said he didn?t get an opportunity to see the entire
Council meeting and then asked Clerk of Council Washington if he was tardy in
getting his notice to her that he wasn?t going to be here on last week and
wanted to know if he was excused from that meeting. Clerk of Council Washington
said he was excused on last week.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Councilor Suber said he didn?t see Mr. Gibbs? name listed on the Agenda
under the Community Development Advisory Council and then asked if we approved
him on last week. He said he thought that we had to wait one week before
confirmation.
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that because this was a District
appointment, it could be confirmed that same day.
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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Mayor
Poydasheff then asked if there was anyone who had an issue to bring before the
Council, they could be heard at this time. No one indicated that they wanted
to be heard.
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3051 VICTORY DRIVE:
Councilor Woodson asked City Manager Hugley to update her on a rezoning
for 3051 Victory Drive. She said apparently there was someone in the audience
today that received a letter stating that it was going to be on first reading
today and it wasn?t. She asked if we knew anything about that?
City Manager Hugley said he is not aware of that. He said he would have to
see the letter, if they received a notice that it was going to be on first
reading today. He said it wasn?t scheduled; therefore, maybe there was a mix up
in communications.
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PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION:
Councilor Suber asked Clerk of Council Washington if he had recommended
Mr. Scott Boyce for a seat on the Planning Advisory Commission. Clerk of
Council Washington stated that he did, but we were waiting until Ms. Chris
Henson was confirmed as a regular member and we would then bring back the
alternate position on next week.
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311 CENTER:
Councilor Anthony said at one of the meetings over the weekend at the
South Columbus Concerned Citizens meeting, they raised concern about some
safety issues in the Oakland Park area, and said he called that in on Sunday
afternoon to the 311 number and within an hour after the start of business
yesterday morning, Sergeant Sheldon from the Police Department had already
called to follow up on it and is making some special efforts in that regard.
He said he just wanted to let the citizens know that the process does work
and they need to know that when they make a request, particularly when it comes
from a group, we do take it seriously. He said he just would like to commend
everyone in that process.
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ITEMS OF CONCERNS:
Councilor Davis said he has been receiving a lot of telephone calls and
said it seems to be on a regular basis, dealing with various issues primarily
illegal parking of different types of vehicles in front of residences, as well
as junked items being stored in driveways and the front yards, such as junk and
trash.
He then asked City Manager Hugley if we could possibly during a Work
Session, look at this concern and help educate the public of those items and to
highlight the boundaries of what people can and can?t do in their yards, public
streets, etc.
City Manager Hugley said we could have Public Services and Special
Enforcement to come to talk about the things that we look for and those things
that are not permissible.
*** *** ***
HOUSE ON PLANTATION ROAD:
Councilor Woodson asked City Manager Hugley to have the staff to send to
the media the history of the house that is located on Plantation Road that we
have been having problems with during the last several years.
She said it was in the news on yesterday and this morning that the City
hasn?t done anything to react to that home there. She said she knows for a
fact that we have done something, because we had Senator Harbison to look at
the State laws to see if there was anything that we could do. She said she was
at the Annex on yesterday at a meeting and a reporter was talking to Rebecca
Wiggins about that. She said we had told Rebecca that this is not an incident
that just came about, but this has been going on now for about 10-12 years.
City Manager Hugley said he also saw that clip on the news last night as
well. He said he could tell you that we have gone out there numerous times
regarding this matter. He said he has personally gone out on that property and
talked with the lady that was on the news last night. He said the out-of-town
owner has complied with all of the requirements that they have made of the
property owner, to include putting a new roof on the house. He said there are
simply no violations and said if we had something that we could enforce, we
would do it.
*** *** ***
REGULATIONS ON MOPEDS:
Councilor Woodson asked City Attorney Fay to research the Code of
Ordinances and determine if we have any ordinances already in place that would
regulate individuals who ride mopeds or motorized motorbikes, where they have
to wear safety gear.
She said she was told that on Walker Street and North Lumpkin Road there
are a lot of young people who are riding these mopeds or motorized motorbikes
without a helmet or any type of protective gears and was asked if there are any
ordinances or anything in place for that.
City Attorney Fay said he is not aware of any ordinances on that, but the
helmet and motorcycle are state laws, but he would take a look at that.
*** *** ***
WAL-MART STORE ON BUENA VISTA ROAD:
Councilor Suber said the individuals from Wal-mart when they were here
requesting the rezoning had said that they would have the location on Buena
Vista Road renovated, fully painted inside and out, etc., and said they are
behind. He asked City Manager Hugley to check and see what?s the status of the
renovations of the Wal-mart store on Buena Vista Road and determine the
timeframe for completion. Also, make contact with Mr. Ben Billings as it
relates to finding a location for a Wal-mart store in South Columbus. He said
Mr. Billings is saying that we need to be in negotiations to get a location in
South Columbus, which he thought that they were doing on their own. He said he
wants the City Manager to contact him and bring him up to speed on this matter.
*** *** ***
Once again Mayor Poydasheff asked if there was anyone who wanted to
address the Council, they could be heard at this time. There was no one who
wanted to be heard.
*** *** ***
With there being no additional business to come before the Council, Mayor
Poydashef then entertained a motion for adjournment. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers so
moved. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine
members of Council present for this meeting, with the time being 10:12 a.m.
Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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