Pre-Council Briefing
Minutes
July 19, 2005
Present: Mayor Bob Poydasheff and Mayor Pro Tem Jack Rodgers. Councilors Gary
Allen, Wayne Anthony, Glenn Davis, Berry Henderson, Julius Hunter, Jr., Charles
E. McDaniel, Jr., Evelyn Turner Pugh, Nathan Suber and Evelyn Woodson were
present. Also present were City Manager Isaiah Hugley, and Recording Secretary
Sandra Davis.
Others Present: Biff Hadden, Bob Hydrick, Richard Bishop and Director of Human
Resources Tom Barron,
Absent: No one was absent.
Location: Council Chambers Conference Room, on the Plaza level of the
Government Center.
Meeting began at 8:05 p.m.
Ft. Benning Partnership:
Mayor Poydasheff began the meeting by stating Mr. Biff Hadden with the Columbus
Chamber of Commerce would be coming forward to bring forth information to
display the potential impact that the movement of Ft. Knox to Ft. Benning would
have on the City of Columbus. He stated that Mr. Hadden would point out the
potential hazards, the numbers and where the problems may be.
Mr. Biff Hadden said the May 13th official Department of Defense?s
recommendations to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission provided us with
a different way to analyze growth. He said this four-year process is about
the transformation of the army, and said under the BRAC, the government is
going to use the BRAC dollars and legislation to bring about this
transformation. He said in 2003 we started to take a comprehensive approach to
look at how we could take action, as a region, to capitalize on the economic
development potential of BRAC. Mr. Hadden said we are communicating and
coordinating with local regional community leaders, state and federal
officials. He said Ft. Benning is prepared and has a plan. He said our
community and region could support entirely what the DOD wants to do with Ft.
Benning.
At this time, Mayor Poydasheff advised the Councilors that they were all
invited to hear the General give a briefing for all of the communities. He
said the briefing would take place on July 22, 2005 at the Trade Center at 1:30
p.m.
Mr. Biff went on to explain that the transformation would be a four-structure
change, dramatically expanding the infantry. He said there would be the
creation of the combined arms maneuver center. He said this is a six-year
process, but the army is focused on four years. He also said there should be
about fifty one hundred additional military positions coming into Ft. Benning.
He said Clark Realty is responsible for doing the six hundred fifty three
million dollar housing replacement project at Ft. Benning. He said the growth
to Ft. Benning is going to impact every thing in Columbus. Mr. Hadden said the
growth out of Ft. Benning would exceed the overall capacity of Martin Army;
therefore, there could be a new replacement hospital. Mr. Hadden advised that
the two direct impacts on Columbus would be in the housing and transportation
areas.
Councilor Davis asked Mayor Poydasheff what kind of efforts were being made on
the state level, as far as, seeking support for infrastructure.
Mayor Poydasheff said he has spoken to a number of legislators but does not
know where it stands.
Mr. Hadden said about a week and a half prior to the release, he visited
Atlanta and did a presentation for twelve Commissioners. He said they have
formed an inner departmental task force and said they are concerned with the
needs and requirements. He said we are trying to figure out what the impact is
and share that so the requirements can be identified and in turn work with the
inner departmental task force.
Mr. Hadden said mid September is when the official recommendation plan goes
forward to Congress and the President for final approval.
There were several questions raised by the Council with Mr. Biff Hadden
responding to each question.
First Readings:
City Manager Hugley said on the agenda on first reading, the Kimbrough property
is scheduled for rezoning. He said they have requested that we delay the
rezoning until August 16. He said because it has been advertised on the
agenda, we will allow any residents who are present to be heard.
City Manager Hugley said we also have the RC Bottling Company listed on first
reading.
He said they were going to sell the property to a church but now has decided
not to sell it. He said they would be asking to withdraw the rezoning.
Guardrails:
City Manager Hugley said we also have listed on the agenda the guardrails for
Cherokee Avenue. He said he is asking that the issue be delayed for thirty
days, possibly a little longer to allow us time to explore other options. He
then stated what the other options would be: to convert Cherokee to three
lanes, which would be two lanes with a single turning lane in the middle and
the other option would be to get color guardrails.
Education Sales Tax:
City Manager Hugley advised the Council that he would be speaking with them
regarding education sales tax. He said there would be a public hearing August
31, 2005. He also said he would provide the Council with information
concerning education sales tax.
Meeting adjourned at 8:56 P.M.
___________________________
Sandra T. Davis
Recording Secretary
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