MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
WORK SESSION
AUGUST 26, 2008
The regular monthly Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was
called to order at 9:03 A.M., Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 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 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, Clerk
of Council Tiny B. Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were
also present. Councilor R. Gary Allen arrived at 9:57 a.m.
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ABSENT: No one was absent. .
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INVOCATION: Offered by Marty Wynn- Pastor, Lighthouse Baptist Church.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from St. Luke School.
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CONSENT AGENDA
THE FOLLOWING ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF COLUMBUS,
GEORGIA WAS LISTED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY ND
ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:
An Ordinance (08-47) - Property located at 2708 Warm Springs Road is
proposed for rezoning from SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) to NC
(Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district. (22-A-08-McKenna) The proposed use
is for commercial/office/retail. Councilor McDaniel moved its adoption.
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those eight
members present with Councilors Allen and Barnes being absent for this vote.
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THE FOLLOWING FOUR NEW REZONING PETITIONS WERE LISTED ON THE CONSENT
AGENDA AND AN ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED FOR BY COUNCILOR
MCDANIEL:
Petition submitted by Doug Jefcoat to rezone 13.48 total acres of property
located at 1725 Whittlesey Road & 6700 Whitesville Road from LMI (Light
Manufacturing / Industrial) / RMF2 (Residential Multi-Family 2) to GC (General
Commercial) zoning district. (Recommended for approval by the Planning
Advisory Commission and conditional approval by the Planning Department.)
(30-CA-08-Jefcoat)
Petition submitted by CHI Building & Remodeling to rezone 0.07 acre of
property located at 906 27th Street from GC (General Commercial) to RMF1
(Residential Multi-Family 1) zoning district. (Recommended for approval by
both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Department.)
(31-A-08-CHI Building & Remodeling)
Petition submitted by Virginia Toelle to rezone 0.21 acre of property
located at 4225 Armour Road from RO (Residential-Office) to NC (Neighborhood
Commercial) zoning district. (Recommended for approval by both the Planning
Advisory Commission and the Planning Department.) (32-A-08-Toelle)
Petition submitted by Gateway Assemblies of God, Inc. to amend the text of
the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regarding minimum lot size and Places
of Worship. The request is that Places of Worship located on property less
than 2 acres in size, but greater than 1 acre in size, be permitted in all
zoning districts, except MHP, LMI & HMI, as a Special Exception Use.
(Recommended for approval by both the Planning Advisory Commission and the
Planning Department.) (33-A-08-Gateway Assemblies of God, Inc.)
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THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON ITEM FOR A TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE WAS PRESENTED FOR
THE CONSENT AGENDA AND APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL:
Application of Tami Migoya Gormady to temporarily close Spirea Drive from
Althea Drive to Juniper Drive, Saturday, August 30, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. to
9:00 p.m., in connection with a "Neighborhood Barbecue". Councilor Henderson
moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by
those eight members present with Councilors Allen and Barnes being absent for
this vote.
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WORK SESSION:
FT. BENNING?S OSCAR RANGE COMPLEX ACCESS:
City Manager Isaiah Hugley called upon Lt. Col. Kevin Parker to provide an
overview of Ft. Benning?s Oscar Range Complex access.
Lt. Col. Kevin Parker came forward to provide the following power point
presentation requesting an additional access point off Chattsworth Road, which
would support the construction projects in the northern training area in
preparation for the Armor School coming to Ft. Benning. He informed that Ft.
Benning would begin increased usage of an existing access control point for
construction traffic and to request permission to add to additional drives,
which would enable Ft. Benning to shorten the distance they would have to go to
these training areas. The powerpoint presentation is outlined as follows:
Oscar Range Complex Access
Time line
Construction will start 1 OCT 2008 with peak traffic SEP-DEC 2008.
Construction will continue for approximately 3 to 4 years (2 year build for all
projects)
Oscar range projects: 5-2008 projects; 9-2009 projects, 1-2010 project
Perimeter road projects: 1- 2009; 1- 2010
Access Control Points (ACPs)
Access through these ACPs will be limited to on-site construction workers
ACPs will be open to increased traffic/new traffic only as long as necessary
Type Traffic
During the Fall of 2008, expect an increase in the number of lumber trucks and
earth moving equipment as the construction sites are established
Subsequently, traffic will primarily consist of POV traffic (workers traveling
to and from work) and cement trucks
Routes
Goal is ?Minimize? traffic through residential areas and Chattsworth Road
No more than two access points will be open at any one time on Chattsworth Road
Traffic Engineering to establish approved Haul Routes
Projects Complete
Temporary Access Control Points to Chattsworth Road will be closed
All Range traffic will use internal Perimeter Road with no further traffic
using Chattsworth Road
In response to a question from Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh, Traffic Engineer
Ron Hamlett explained they would not actually be building a road; Chattsworth
Road follows the boundary of Ft. Benning. He said they already have one
driveway ATCP 3 and what they would do is get a permit from the city for the
driveway construction.
City Manager Hugley emphasized the following points for clarification:
Construction will begin October 2008 with peak traffic through the end of the
year.
Peak traffic flow will be experienced in Fall 2008 with lumber trucks and earth
moving equipment being utilized.
After this period, traffic will be limited to personal vehicles of construction
workers and cement trucks.
Construction will continue for approximately 3 to 4 years.
No more than two access points will be open at one time.
Access control points will be limited to construction traffic only.
Upon completion of an internal access road, no further traffic will be using
Chattsworth Road.
Construction of the internal access road is scheduled for late in this project.
Lt. Col. Parker said that for the most part, traffic will be limited to
personal vehicles of construction workers and cement trucks. In response to
the construction of the internal access road, Lt. Col. Parker said the internal
access road is a 2009 project; therefore, we would not be able to start until
next summer.
City Manager Hugley noted that Traffic Engineering would be posting this
information on the Engineering Department website for public viewing following
this Council presentation. Traffic Engineer Hamlett maintained that the public
would not have access to any of these points at all, it is purely for the
construction equipment and personnel.
Responding to a question regarding the access road, Lt. Col. Parker said
the 2009 project would be a paved road.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh requested to have the staff to coordinate with
Councilor Allen regarding the meeting with the residents to discuss the
construction for an access road to Ft. Benning to be located off Chattsworth
Road.
Councilor Anthony asked about the access road completion as well as the
project, what would happen to the access points that have been created? Lt.
Col. Parker replied that they would be gated. He added that there would be a
fence along the perimeter, which is an FY-09 project, to prevent people from
wondering into the range complex once it has been built.
In response to a question of Councilor Davis, Lt. Col. Parker shared that
if the construction traffic damages Chattsworth Road, we would fix it.
In conclusion, City Manager Hugley maintained that community meetings
would be held to answer questions, as well as, listed on the Traffic
Engineering website.
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THE PRIMUS E. KING PROJECT:
City Manager Hugley recapped the events that have taking place between
Miracle in the City, Inc. and the City of Columbus to lease the Primus King
Center. He recalled that they came forward about a year ago to lease the
Primus King Center, which the City had closed down and were preparing to sell
various piece of property. He pointed out that the Boxwood and Belvedere areas
were other buildings that were shut down and opened for rental opportunity
only; Spirit-Filled Ministries has the Boxwood Center and the Belvedere Center
for similar projects as the one today. He said a lease agreement was brought
to this Council and it was approved. City Manager Hugley then introduced Ms.
Kawanna Ingram- Board Chairperson of Miracle in the City and Lorraine Douglas-
Board Trustee of Miracle in the City, Inc. approached the rostrum and using a
power point presentation offered the following outline listed as follows:
Ms. Lorraine Douglas-Board of Trustee of Miracle in the City, Inc.,
explained that we have a rolling power point presentation; since, we have a
great deal of information to present.
At this time, Ms. Kawanna Ingram- Board Chairperson of Miracle in the
City, Inc., spoke in reference to the following power point presentation:
Miracles in the City Foundation, Inc, also known as MIC, was established
March 2002 as a public non profit in the state of Georgia. MIC is a public
charity under the IRS Code Section 501 (c) (3).
ABOUT US
Since it?s inception, Miracles in the City Foundation Inc has been a
resource to the Columbus community by offering and providing free supportive
services to children, youth and families that address prevention and health
promotion, crisis intervention, stabilization and growth
To provide individuals and their families with the services and support to
increase their quality of life
Offer programs that support children, youth and families toward a better
quality of life in home, social, recreational, educational, vocational, and
spirituality
Annual Christmas Toy Drive
Annual Adopt A Block School Supply campaign
Victim Assistance with Displaced Hurricane Katrina Victims
Services intake and Referrals for Indigent Persons and needy families
Carmella E. Morales Humanitarian Award for Citizen
Parenting and Youth Empowerment Seminars
Annual Carmella A. Moralles Humanitarian Award
CURRENT PROJECTS
Adopt A Block School Supply Campaign 2008
PRIMUS E. KING PROJECT
Annual Christmas Toy Drive 2008
Carmella A. Morales Humanitarian Award
THE PRIMUS E. KING PROJECT
Breathing Life into Our Community
A Program of Miracles in the City Foundation Inc.
Columbus, Georgia
The Primus E. King Project
VISION
The Primus E. King Project will breathe ?life? into the community with
programs that improve the welfare of children, youth and families across the
socioeconomic barriers and provide services that strengthen our community.
The Primus E. King Center
The Primus E. King Community Center is a holistic community center model
designed to make our community stronger.
PEK Center Partners
Pan Columbus Wellness Project
Muscogee County DFCS
Save Our Sons, Inc.
PLP Ministries, Inc.
New Horizons Community Service Board
Chenaniah Warrior
~THE GENESIS~
The Immediate Needs for the PEK Project
Make repairs to the community building
Repair the roof
Replace plumbing fixtures in bathrooms
Remodel inside structure to accommodate office, classroom and community room
space
Remodel kitchen area
Install heating and air conditioning to the building
Install handicap access to building and restrooms
~REPAIR LIST~
Install Sealant on existing roof
Strip, buff and wax floor
Install new toilet and sinks in bathrooms
Install handrail in bathrooms
Remove and replace cabinetry in kitchenette
Build and Frame two offices and one community room
Paint inside building
Install blinds
Replace lights inside building
Replace lights inside building
Install handrail for building access
Build safety rail on rear entrance
Install heating and air conditioner units
Build and frame kitchen area
Install new kitchen appliance
Purchase community room furniture
Furnishings for community room
~THE REPAIRS~
MIC used its existing funds and solicited financial assistance and labor
from several community groups to complete the repairs needed for the center.
The repairs and remodel was completed in early 2008. A delay in the timeline
occurred when a storm topped a tree onto the room and caused damages.
~THE PREPARATION~
Preparation to open a center
Acquire building occupancy
Purchase furniture, appliances, office equipment
Install phone service and security
THE PEK CENTER
~FORMING PARTNERSHIPS~
The PEK Center Director formed partnerships with local organizations and
groups to provide services in the center. Initial Partners included:
Pan Well Columbus
New Horizons CSB
World Changes Tabernacle
Muscogee County DFCS
~GETTING READY~
B.L.O.C. PARTY 2008
A Community Celebration was held on June 28, 2008
The Community was invited to celebrate with a block party that included food,
entertainment, games and prizes
More than 200 people from the community attended the celebration
25 Vendors and Service Groups provided community information
PEK CENTER
~GATHERING~
The Center opened its doors to serve children families on June 29, 2008
Children came by for snacks, play games and spend time in the center
Three programs began in June to provide support services which included New
Horizons, Muscogee County DFCS and World Changes Tabernacle Outreach Project
PEK CENTER
~LONG HOT SUMMER~
Kid?s Caf? - A project of 2nd Harvest Community Food Bank was implemented
August 2008 and begin serving 20 children a day with nutritious hot meals
HIV Testing - New Horizons offered free HIV Testing three times per week
Health Screenings - Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Weight checks were offered
three time per week
Food Pantry - A community food pantry opened 3 days a week
CPPC Project - A program of Muscogee County DFCS provided services to children
and families beginning July 2008
~LOOKING INTO FALL~
Fall Projects 2008
Parenting with Pizzazz, Parenting Classes
G.M.A.C. Non Custodial Male Modeling Seminar
Primus E. King Project
Beyond 2008
~Sports Camps~
Garey Ingram Baseball Camp ? Instructional workshops for boys
Aaron Cohn Tennis Camp-Instructional camps for youth
Columbus Fitness Walking Trails
~Healthy Family Projects~
Family Team Meetings ? Intervention Programs to Strengthen Families
Family Violence/Family Violence Prevention and Intervention Programs
Family Financial Planning Seminars
Women and Men?s Empowerment Seminars
Nutrition and Wellness Classes
~Youth Intervention/Prevention Programs~
Teen Pregnancy Prevention and STD Awareness Seminar
Youth Advocates Peer Group for Children Exiting Foster Care
Seminars for teen study skills development
Wise Guys Male Responsibility Curriculum
Programs in Development for 2009
and beyond
~Children and Youth~
After school tutoring and mentoring program for children
~Funding~
MIC has limited operating funds
Current Fiscal Year Operating capital has been from Private Foundations Grants
and donations from the local community
Without the generous support of organization, grantors and private foundations,
MIC cannot afford to operate the center at the current or proposed level
Breathing Life Into Our Community
Councilor Henderson said if the City has some minimal participation in
helping the organization to succeed, it is beneficial to the whole community.
After some brief comments from City Manager Hugley with regards to the lease
agreement, Councilor Henderson requested the staff to research the lease
agreements that are similar to the one between the City and Miracles in the
City Foundation to determine if the City could assist with ground
maintenance.
When Councilor Henderson asked about the requirements to amend the lease
agreement, City Attorney Fay advised that it could be done by resolution of
Council to amend the lease; however, the Administration would need to see how
many similar leases the City has with that type of operation. He suggested the
Council may want to do the same for the others as well.
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COLUMBUS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREA- RIVERWAY SOUTH:
Executive Director of the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Peter
Bowden came forward to do present a powerpoint presentation on a new tourism
attraction for the City of Columbus by Riverway South and is outlined as
follows:
Project Summary
Research
?Step 1 -- Analysis of River Tourism Products
?Step 2 -- Focus Forum Market Test
?Step 3 -- Develop Tourism Products to Fulfill Product Needs
?Promote...
?Heritage and cultural tourism
?Assets of the Chattahoochee River
?
As a sustainable resource for
Apalachicola
Chattahoochee
Flint River System
?Foster protection & preservation
?Create economic benefits for communities on the River
?Create recreation & educational programs
?Partnership
?Establish two boats on the River to provide guided tours
?RiverWay South deed $180,000 boats & equipment to CVB
?RiverWay South to provide $36,000 in start up money
?The CVB will market & manage tours
The Boats
?40 x 12 ft Catamaran
?24 x 8 ft Fiesta Fundeck-Custom
Programs
?Native American dinner cruise
?Birding Trails
?Lunch on the water with historical & science guide
?Cave Cruise
?Floating classroom Ecosystem river cruise
Annual Income
?Estimated income -- $22,500
?$350 - $400 per cruise
?$2 per person charter fee
Annual Expenses
?Estimated expenses -- $19,000
?Crew -- $15,000
?Boat operation -- $2500 - $4000
?Insurance -- CCVB rider coverage
?Storage -- Florence Marina (long term)
?Trailer storage -- Columbus (daily)
?Fuel, pump-out service, misc cost for cleaning supplies, toilet paper, hand
sanitizing liquid, other incidental supplies per year
?Annual Expenses
?Estimated expenses -- $19,000
?Crew -- $15,000
?Boat operation -- $2500 - $4000
?Economic Development
through Tourism?
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh maintained that there is no cost to the City
Government; all of the cost would be bore by the Columbus Convention & Visitors
Bureau. Executive Director of the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Peter
Bowden agreed with this comment.
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NOTE: Clerk of Council Tiny Washington left the meeting at this part of the
proceeding with the time being 9:55 a.m.
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Councilor Woodson requested the staff at the Columbus Convention &
Visitors Bureau and their partners Riverway South to determine if they would be
able to have at least once a month a dinner boat cruise for the public.
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NOTE: Councilor R. Gary Allen arrived for the meeting at 9:57 a.m.
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Councilor Anthony suggested instead of ports of call having points of call
down the river where people can stop to visit the Naval Museum, Civic Center,
ball fields and on down to Oxbow Meadows.
City Manager Hugley advised that we would need the endorsement of this
project to allow CCVB to move forward and finalizing the plans. Councilor
Henderson moved approval of an oral agreement for the Columbus Convention &
Visitors Bureau to partners with Riverway South. Seconded by Councilor Anthony.
At this time, City Attorney Fay asked that Councilor Hunter be allowed to
abstain from voting on this matter; since, he is a member of this board.
Councilor Anthony so moved. Seconded by Councilor Baker and carried
unanimously by those ten members present for this meeting.
Mayor Wetherington then called attention to the original motion to approve
the agreement, which carried unanimously by those ten members present for this
meeting.
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LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX ? PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE / STRATEGY PLAN:
Deputy City Manager David Arrington approached the rostrum to provide an
update on the 1999 SPLOST projects and is outlined as follows:
Local Option Sales Tax
Draft Implementation Plan Concept
and
Preliminary Infrastructure Project List
Objectives
To establish a framework for implementing infrastructure improvements
identified in the LOST referendum.
To insure commitment on accountability and transparency of LOST revenues and
expenses is a top priority.
To focus initially on projects identified in LOST presentation.
To request Council authorization to initiate preliminary planning for
infrastructure projects with existing funding sources.
LOST PLAN ALLOCATION
70% Public Safety/30% Roads and Infrastructure by Fiscal Year
70% Public Safety by Fiscal Year
LOST - Funding Allocation for Infrastructure Improvements
Infrastructure Projects
Infrastructure projects typically require 18-24 months of design, engineering,
site investigation, property acquisition, etc.
Several potential LOST projects already have an existing funding source (Bond,
SPLOST, other).
With Council authorization preliminary planning for these projects can begin
now with funding for construction to follow.
Proceeding with planning on these projects will advance construction timeline
and will communicate progress to the public on projects discussed in public
forums.
Local Option Sales Tax
Proposed Implementation Plan for Consideration
Implementation Plan Framework
Identify preliminary list of Local Option Sales Tax eligible infrastructure
projects with a partial funding source available. (August 2008)
Request Council authorization by resolution to proceed with preliminary design,
engineering, site investigation, project management, and essential studies on
projects with existing funding sources. (September 2008)
Upon completion of design/engineering, project funding for construction will be
part of a future bond package.
Implementation Plan Framework
Meet with Public Safety officials to prioritize public safety infrastructure
projects and allocation of personnel. (Oct/Nov, 2008)
Submit proposed Local Option Sales Tax Capital Improvement Project list and
bond financing plan to Council for approval. (January 2009)
Initiate bid process on projects as design and engineering is completed.
(April/May, 2009)
Issue Columbus Building Authority bonds. (July/August, 2009)
Accountability and Transparency
Establish accounting and reporting mechanism to account for Local Option Sales
Tax revenue and expenditures. (October 2008)
Prepare and submit bi-annual CIP update to Council on Local Option Sales Tax
capital improvement projects.
Summary
Accountability and Transparency is a top priority.
Planning on several infrastructure projects may be initiated immediately with
Council authorization.
Capital Improvement Project list to be submitted for final approval by January
2009.
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Councilor Henderson requested that before the Council each infrastructure
project at a Council Briefing to discuss each separately before the proposed
Local Option Sales Tax Capital Improvement Project list is brought to Council
in January for approval.
Councilor Woodson requested that when the staff brings forth the
discussion on road projects, let?s provide a refresher on what point are we at
with each project. There has been some discussion regarding removing trees on
Victory Drive. Provide a report on what is new, what is proposed and what we
have done when we do the landscaping and streetscapes for the roads.
Councilor Anthony requested the staff to contact the State Legislatures to
request a change in the guidelines with Georgia Department of Transportation
road funding projects that have been approved in an effort to allow the City to
make the improvements and have GADOT reimburse the City once the project
reaches the top of the priority list and funding is made available through
GADOT.
After some additional discussion, this matter was concluded.
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MAGNOLIA GARDEN APARTMENTS:
Councilor Woodson requested the staff to provide a follow-up on the
Magnolia Garden Apartments that burned down on Victory Drive. The residents
are asking for assistance in opening the lines of communication with the
property owners; therefore, if the staff could write the property owners asking
them to contact the residents to let them know if the plans are to repair the
structure or sell it.
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COLUMBUS SOUTH BEAUTIFICATION:
Councilor Woodson requested the staff to get with Trees Columbus, Inc. or
Keep Columbus Beautiful to see if there are any trees available to be able to
pick some sites in Columbus South to put the huge pots with the trees to
beautify areas of Columbus South.
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FLOODING:
Councilor Henderson requested staff to provide a report on the new
improvements that were made in the Ginger Creek area to determine if there was
any flooding in the area or any flooding incidents that may have occurred in
the city to include how well the particular engineering held up in the Ginger
Creek area.
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PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION:
Councilor Barnes advised that the vote on second reading for the
amendments to the Public Safety Advisory Commission is scheduled for next
Tuesday, September 2, 2008. He requested to delay this matter because he would
not be in attendance to vote and would like to be able to cast his vote.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the ordinance be delayed for one week.
Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those ten members
present for this meeting.
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With there being no other business to come before the Council, Councilor
McDaniel made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and
carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this meeting,
with the time being 10:57 a.m.
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Sandra T. Davis, DCMC
Deputy Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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