MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
MARCH 7, 2006
The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called
to order at 9:05 A.M., Tuesday, March 7, 2006, on the Plaza Level of the
Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Robert S. Poydasheff, Mayor,
and Honorable John J. Rodgers, Mayor Pro Tem, 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, Nathan Suber 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.
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ABSENT: Councilor Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., was absent, but was excused upon
the adoption of Resolution Number 90-06.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Councilor Wayne Anthony.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Girl Scout Troop 104.
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PROCLAMATIONS:
?PATIENT SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK?:
With Mr. Hugh Wilson of the Doctor?s Hospital, standing at the Council
table, Councilor Anthony read the proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming
the week of March 5 ? 11, 2006 as ?Patient Safety Awareness Week? in Columbus,
Georgia.
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?AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH?:
With Mrs. Sharon Lyon of the American Red Cross, Mr. Eugene Demonte,
Chairman of the Board, ?Sandra?, ?Rita?, ?Linda? and Ben Richardson standing at
the Council table, Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers read the proclamation of Mayor
Poydasheff, proclaiming the month of March as ?American Red Cross Month? in
Columbus, Georgia.
Mrs. Lyon recognized Ms. Mitiz Oxford and Mr. Larry Pease, who were seated
in the audience.
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CHARACTER WORD OF THE MONTH:
Mr. Ed Wilson, Executive Assistant to Mayor Poydasheff came forward to
announce the Character word of the month. He said the Character word for the
month of March is ?Hope?. He said some related words to ponder and to put
into practice in our lives are ?confidence?, ?optimism?, ?encouragement?, and
?expectation?.
He said ?Hope? means cherishing confidence that good can triumphant over
evil; that something good can come out of something bad. He said Oscar
Hammerstein, in the lyrics to a song, said ?walk on, walk on with hope in your
hearts and you will never walk alone?.
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?MENTAL RETARDATION/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
MONTH?:____________________________________________________
With Mrs. Joyce A. Jackson, Division Director at New Horizons,
standing at the Council table, Councilor Turner Pugh read the
proclamation of Mayor Poydasheff, proclaiming the month of March as
?Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Month? in Columbus,
Georgia.
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MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Minutes of the February 21, 2006 Council Meeting 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 Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members
of Council present for this meeting.
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ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS:
THERE WERE NO ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY?S MEETING.
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CITY ATTORNEY'S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ZONING ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS DELAYED FOR TWO WEEKS WAS AGAIN
SUBMITTED AND THE CAPTION READ BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL
ON SECOND READING:
An Ordinance (06-15) - Rezoning property located at 7500 Layfield Road
from an RE1 (Residential Estate 1) District to an RE5 (Real Estate 5) District.
(4-A-06-Gilbert) Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the adoption of the ordinance.
Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine members of
Council present for this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTION, WHICH WAS EXPLAINED AT THE COUNCIL
BRIEFING EARLIER THIS MORNING BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY WAS SUBMITTED BY CITY
ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:__
____
A Resolution (81-06) ? Expressing opposition to HB 1063, pending in the
Georgia General Assembly, which would authorize an amendment to O.C.G.A.
48-5-41.2 and a statewide referendum to grant an exemption from ad valorem
taxation for ?all tangible personal property consisting of inventory of a
business.? Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the adoption of the resolution.
Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine members of
Council present for this meeting.
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ORDINANCE REQUEST:
Mayor Poydasheff said as of this afternoon and before, the State of
Georgia is working on general legislation to prevent the horror that is being
visited on the families of service personnel who are being buried; that either
died in Afghanistan or Iraq. He said what he would like for the City Attorney
to do is to see if we can get a stopgap ordinance. He said he doesn?t know what
the Georgia law is going to say nor does he know when it?s going to be passed;
but said in Columbus, one of our greatest virtues is our compassion. He said
as he has stated previously before in this Council, we have unanimously
supported our commitment to care for the solider and their family.
He said that actions desecrating the service of burial for our soldiers
are despicable and he considers them deplorable and he doesn?t care who knows
that. He said they are indecent indeed and we couldn?t tolerate that in a
community that prides itself in servicing and being friends and partners with
Fort Benning and their families.
Mayor Poydasheff said what he would like for the City Attorney to do is to
see to it that we can come up with an ordinance that will withstand the muster
of the First Amendment, and he is fully understanding their rights to complain,
? that will give one hour before and one hour after, that there will be no
demonstrations at or around the grave site of a deceased soldier.
City Attorney Fay said it will be real similar to the one that is pending
in the general assembly. He then asked Mayor Poydasheff, if he wants it
effective in perpetuity as any normal ordinance, or does he want a sunset
clause on it.
Mayor Poydasheff said we could do it in perpetuity, but depending on the
Georgia law, if it supersedes it, then obviously ours would go by way of sun
setting; therefore, he will talk with the City Attorney on tomorrow.
City Attorney Fay said he will do it as a permanent ordinance and then we
will see what the State ends up with. There was no objection expressed by the
Mayor.
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PUBLIC AGENDA:
MR. DEVARAJ THIRUPPATHI, REPRESENTING SUMA
VENTURES, LLP, RE: TO REQUEST AN EXTENSION ON THE
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE AT THE LOCATION OF 6220
MILGEN ROAD:______________________________________________
Mr. Devaraj Thiruppathi, who requested to be listed on the Agenda to
request an extension of his alcoholic beverage license cancelled his
scheduled appearance before the Council today.
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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:_____________
A Resolution (82-06) ? Authorizing the execution of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with Trees Columbus, Inc., to reimburse the City for
consultant services for the Veterans Parkway Streetscape Project.
City Manager Hugley said we are to receive $1million for a streetscape
project on Veterans Parkway from Victory Drive to 14th Street and said there is
a 20% match required; which is going to come from a private source through
Trees Columbus in the amount of $255,000.
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 THREE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED
AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED
BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE
MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND
SECONDED BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON, WHICH CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:_______________________________
A Resolution (83-06) ? Authorizing the acceptance of a BRAC Planning grant
in the amount of $250,000 from the Georgia Department of Labor for
implementation of Workforce Investment programs in the Lower Chattahoochee
Workforce Investment Area (WIA-14), and serve as signatory official for receipt
of funds.
A Resolution (84-06) ? Authorizing the execution of a Certificate of
Ownership and Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for the
2006/2007 L.A.R.P. Program for resurfacing 96 streets totaling 23.544 miles.
A Resolution (85-06) ? Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to Leaning
Pine Court, Southlake Drive and Garrett Pines Drive located in Section Five,
Garrett Pines on behalf of Columbus, Georgia.
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THE FOLLOWING THREE PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS, HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED WITH THE
CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY
AND ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:_
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A Resolution (86-06) ? Authorizing the purchase of various sizes of youth
basketball uniforms from Columbus Trophy, on an "as needed basis," for the
estimated annual contract value of $15,000.00. Based on previous fiscal year
usage the Parks and Recreation Department estimates spending approximately
$15,000.00 for uniforms. The Parks and Recreation Division will utilize the
uniforms for the upcoming 2006-basketball season. The contract term will be for
two years, with the option to renew for three additional twelve-month periods.
Contract renewal is contingent upon the mutual agreement of the contractor and
the City. Councilor Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting.
A Resolution (87-06) ? Authorizing the purchase of 2,152 linear feet of
W-Beam steel guardrail from Bryson Products, Inc., in the amount of
$13,686.72. The Public Services Department will use the guardrail to surround
the fleet storage yard, which is enclosed by a fence. This security measure
will prevent thieves from cutting a hole in the fence and driving away with
vehicles and equipment. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those
nine members of Council present for this meeting.
A Resolution (88-06) ? Authorizing the approval of payment to Troutman,
Sanders, Public Affairs Group, LLC (Pete Robinson) for Legislative Liaison
Services for July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 in the amount of $12,000.
Pursuant to Resolution Number 8-88, the Council has recognized the need for an
individual designated as a ?Legislative Liaison? to assist in coordination of
legislative efforts, defining legislative intent, arranging joint meetings and
planning further legislative goals. This is a 50/50 agreement with the Chamber
of Commerce paying half and the City paying half of a $24,000 payment.
Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor
Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present
for this meeting.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
Housing Authority Public Meeting, March 8th, 5:30 p.m., at Baker Middle School
to discuss the Baker Village Revitalization Project
Joint Property Committee Meeting with the Muscogee County School Board, March
14th, 1:00 p.m. Ground Floor Conference Room
Joint Growth Development Committee Meeting with the Muscogee County School
Board, March 21st, 1:00 p.m., Ground Floor Conference Room
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BRAC PLANNING GRANT:
As it relates to the approval of the BRAC Planning Grant, Councilor
Anthony asked who initiated or how did we get the $250,000 grant from the
Georgia Department of Labor? He asked if it came from someone here in town
that helped to initiate that?
City Manager Hugley said Howard Pendleton, our Workforce Investment
Job Training Partnership Director, notified him several weeks ago about the
opportunity and to let him know that he was going to go after this grant and by
all means, we said yes, because we do need planning dollars to support what we
know is going to happen with BRAC. He said he notified him a week ago that we
had been awarded the grant.
He said this grant would allow us to work with citizens in this community
to help prepare them to meet the labor market demands that will come as a
result of BRAC. He said a number of contractors will be here and there will be
other opportunities for employment.
Mayor Poydasheff asked if we will also include other surrounding areas, to
which City Manager Hugley said it includes all those counties served by our
Workforce Act/Job Training Partnership. He said it is not just for Muscogee
County, but we are reaching out to the region with that $250,000.000.
Councilor Anthony said that is a substantial grant and he would like for
the City Manager to convey their appreciation to Mr. Howard Pendleton for
taking the initiative to go after some funding for us.
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HONORING FORT BENNING TROOPS:
Mayor Poydasheff said on March 24, 2006, at 3:00 p.m., we would be
honoring the troops at Fort Benning.
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WIA GRANT:
Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers said as we discussed on yesterday morning, Workforce
Development is a primary tool, a key to bringing industry into our community
and said there has been a tremendous effort to put forth to centralize the
coordination of the training and development; therefore, he would urge Mr.
Pendleton to work in coordination with the Valley Partnership and those people
who are on the Workforce Development Committee, as this is a tremendous
blessing for this community and we are going to need every dollar of it, to be
sure that those people are trained and ready.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING THREE ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS
INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR & COUNCIL:___
_________________________________
(1) Notice of GMA?s Annual Convention, June 24 ? 27, 2006, in Savannah, Georgia.
(2) Letter from the Coalition for South Growth (CSG), Re: Big Box Ordinance.
(3) Biographical Sketch of Ms. Sonya Eddings, The Uptown Business Association
nominee to replace Mr. Fred Greene on the Uptown Fa?ade Board.
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:___
A Resolution (89-06) ? Approving the report of the Finance Director of
those alcoholic beverage licenses that were approved and/or denied during the
month of January 2006. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved approval of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those nine
members of Council present for this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF
COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL:____
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A Resolution (90-06) ? Excusing Councilor Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., from
today?s Council meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine
members of Council present for this meeting.
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PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Ms. Keyla Cabret
resigning from her position on the Public Safety Advisory Commission as the
Council District Seven Representative. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers moved the letter
be received with regrets and thanks for her service. Seconded by Councilor
Henderson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for
this meeting.
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MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:__________
______________________
Airport Commission, February 1, 2006.
Board of Tax Assessors, No. 06-06 & 06-07.
Community Development Advisory Council, December 14, 2005.
Community Development Advisory Council, January 18, 2006.
Community Development Advisory Council, February 1, 2006.
Convention & Visitor?s Bureau, January 18, 2006.
Elections & Registration, January 5, 2006.
Family & Children Services, February 22, 2006.
Golf Authority, January 17, 2006.
Health, Board of, January 25, 2006.
Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission, February 14, 2006.
Planning Advisory Commission, June 1 & 15, 2005.
Planning Advisory Commission, July 20, 2005.
Tree Board, February 7, 2006.
Water Commissioners, Board of, January 9, 2006.
Zoning Appeals, Board of, December 7, 2005.
Zoning Appeals, Board of, January 4, 2006.
Zoning Appeals, Board of, February 1, 2006.
Councilor Henderson made a motion that these minutes be received. Seconded
by Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING NEW ZONING PETITION RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL BY BOTH THE
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION AND THE PLANNING DIVISON WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF
COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED FOR BY
COUNCILOR ALLEN: __________________________________________
Petition submitted by Billy Gloyd to rezone approximately 0.50 acre of
property located at 1469 54th Street from NC (Neighborhood Commercial) to GC
(General Commercial). (12-A-06-Gloyd)
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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
BUILDING CONTRACTORS EXAMINING BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the term of office of
Mr. Allen Wright on the Building Contractors Examining Board expired at the end
of last year and that he is not eligible to succeed himself. She said the
Council must nominate someone to fill this expired term and the individual who
is appointed must be a licensed building contractor.
She said at the direction of Mayor Poydasheff on last week, she has spoken
with Ms. Mary Mardis of the Homebuilders Association and they are working on a
recommendation for a licensed female contractor.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. James S. Wilson, who is
Council District Five?s representative on the Community Development Advisory
Council resigned over seven months ago to serve on another board and that we
are still waiting for a nominee from the respective Councilor who represents
this district.
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HOSPITAL AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Councilor Davis has nominated
James Brooks Yancey and Frank Lumpkin to succeed Dr. Emma Hunter, whose term of
office expired on November 14, 2005 and that she cannot succeed herself. She
said today he is also nominating Yongmi Kim as the final nominee to be
submitted to the Hospital Authority for them to select someone to succeed Dr.
Hunter.
She also pointed out that Councilor Davis is nominating Yongmi Kim, James
Brooks Yancey and James Webster for Mr. Harvey Phelps?s seat, who is deceased.
She said we can go ahead and forward these nominees to the authority for them
to select someone for these two seats. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers so moved.
Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those nine members of
Council present for this meeting.
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UPTOWN FACADE BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the Uptown Business
Association is nominating Mrs. Sonya Eddings, as their new representative
to succeed Mr. Fred Greene, who has resigned from the Uptown Fa?ade Board. She
said Mrs. Eddings could now be confirmed. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers so moved.
Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those nine members of
Council present for this meeting.
REQUEST OF COUNCILOR SUBER:
Councilor Suber, who was not seated at the Council table when the vote was
taken on all the purchasing items on the City Manager?s Agenda, asked that his
affirmative vote be added to those items.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
City Manager Hugely said he would like to have a brief executive session
after the adjournment of today?s meeting to discuss a matter of potential
litigation.
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DOCUMENTARY ON ROSA PARKS:
Councilor Hunter said he had an opportunity to watch the Academy Awards
the other night and said he particularly watched the awards that were given to
the documentaries, the short documentaries. He said he couldn?t help but think
about what our local television station has done with regards to the Rosa Parks
documentary. He said they have done an outstanding job and said in watching the
Academy Awards; what we have here and what they have done basically rival or
matches that. He said he would hope that they present that to someone at some
point and time, because it really is an outstanding piece of work.
He said he thoroughly enjoyed listening to the individuals who were
students at Alabama State while this was going on who lived here in our
community. He said he thought that made it even more relevant listening to
those firsthand accounts. He said we have an outstanding Television Manager and
staff, which have done an outstanding job here.
Mayor Poydasheff said if there is anyone who hasn?t seen the movie,
?Crash?, they need to see it. He said it was shown at the Columbus Library and
had a full discussion afterwards. He said it is one of the best pictures that
he has had the pleasure of seeing and he was delighted that the Library did
that.
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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. There was no one who indicated that
they wanted to be heard.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Regarding an earlier request of City Manager Hugley to go into an
executive session to discuss a matter of potential litigation, Mayor Pro Tem
Rodgers then made a motion to allow the Council to go into an executive
session. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those nine
members of Council present for this meeting.
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At 6:05 p.m., the regular meeting was adjourned to allow the Council to go
into an executive session.
At 6:22 p.m., the regular session was called back to order, at which time
Mayor Poydasheff pointed out that the Council met in executive session to
discuss a matter of potential litigation, but there was no votes taken.
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With there being no other business for the Council to address, Councilor
Woodson then made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Councilor Allen and
carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the time, with
Councilor Suber being absent for this vote, with the time being 6:25 p.m.
Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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