MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
WORK SESSION
JULY 22, 2008
The regular monthly Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was
called to order at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 22, 2008, on the Plaza Level of the
Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable W. J. Wetherington, Mayor,
presiding.
*** *** ***
PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Wetherington and Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh
were Councilors R. Gary Allen, Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Jerry ?Pops? Barnes,
Glenn Davis, Berry H. Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel,
Jr., and. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, City Attorney
Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council
Sandra Davis were also present.
Councilor Evelyn Woodson arrived at 9:10 a.m.
------------------------------------*** ***
***----------------------------------
ABSENT: No one was absent.
------------------------------------*** ***
***----------------------------------
INVOCATION: Offered by Bishop Barbara Shepherd, Founder & Pastor of Words of
Wisdom Christian Center.
------------------------------------*** ***
***----------------------------------
PLDEDGE: Led by the Urban League Summer Youth Academy.
------------------------------------*** ***
***----------------------------------
PASSAGE OF ONE-CENT SALES TAX:
Mayor Wetherington said he would like to take this opportunity to thank
the Council and the City Manager for the support they gave in helping to get
this L.O.S.T. passed. He said the citizens of Columbus has spoken loud and
clear as to what their priorities are. He said he intends to and he knows the
Council members does as well to support that yes vote with putting a high
priority on our Public Safety and infrastructure issues that face this City.
He said the Administration is going to bring a plan before the Council within
the new few weeks outlining how we are going to implement the hiring of the
officers and do the things we said we were going to do with the yes vote.
He said he just want the citizens of Columbus to know that we heard you
loud and clear and it was a mandate from you that theses are the issues that
are important to you, i.e. public safety issues, as well as roads and
infrastructure issues. He said he is grateful for all the support that was
given in this effort.
Mayor Wetherington said public safety was one of his priority issues that
he ran on when he ran for Mayor. He said the citizens said that they wanted a
safe community and some emphasizes put on public safety.
Councilor Anthony said he wanted to say thank you to the Mayor for his
good and courageous leadership on this issue, as well as to say thank you to
the members of the Yes Committee. He said he would also like to thank those
individuals who contributed to the committee, and a special thank you to the
FOP, as well as some of the other organizations who stepped up to the plate
early on to endorse the program. He said also to the Ministerial Alliance who
although had reservations of which we were going to be listening to and try to
implement some of those concerns stepped up and gave good leadership in our
community.
Councilor Barnes also expressed his appreciation and thanks to Mayor
Wetherington and the citizens for the support that they gave to the L.O.S.T.
(Local Option Sales Tax) vote.
------------------------------------*** ***
***----------------------------------
CONSENT AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING FOUR ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND
ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY
COUNCILOR ALLEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:__
An Ordinance (08-36) ? Amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated
Government of Columbus, Georgia; this amendment changes certain boundaries of a
district located at 3714 Willis Road from SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2)
District to RO (Residential Office) District.
An Ordinance (08-37) ? Amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated
Government of Columbus, Georgia; this amendment changes certain boundaries of a
district located at 1049 McBride Drive from SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2)
District to NC (Neighborhood Commercial) District.
An Ordinance (08-38) ? Amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated
Government of Columbus, Georgia; this amendment changes certain boundaries of a
district located at the southwest corner of Veterans Parkway and Williams Road
from SFR1 (Single Family Residential 1) District to GC (General Commercial)
District.
An ordinance (08-39) ? Regulating vehicular traffic in Columbus, Georgia
by enacting a No Parking Anytime zone to include the street right-of-way along
the north and south curbs of Standing Boy Road beginning at the east curb of
Big Eddy Road and running east to the west curb of Winthrop Court; authorizing
the installation of official traffic control signs indicating No Parking
Anytime with said restrictions; repealing any conflicting ordinances and for
other purposes.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND ADOPTED BY THECOUNCIL:________________________________________
______
A Resolution (318-08) ? Authorizing the submission of an application and,
if awarded, accept a grant in the amount of $135,000 or otherwise awarded,
from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for Federal Financial
Transportation Assistance under Title 49 U.S.C. Section 5316 and to contract
with FTA on behalf of the city should the application receive approval.
Councilor Hunter moved the approval of the resolution. Seconded by Mayor Pro
Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present
for this meeting.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION FOR A TAXICAB BUSINESS LICENSE WAS SUBMITTED AND
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:
Application of Antoine Raymond for a taxicab owner?s business license to
operate Eagle Taxicab Company, located at 1500 Morris Road, Columbus, Georgia
31901.
Councilor McDaniel moved approval of the application. Seconded by
Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present
for this meeting.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING THREE NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED FOR BY COUNCILOR
MCDANIEL:____________________________________
Petition submitted by Rob McKenna to rezone 1.4 acres of property located
at 2708 Warm Springs Road from SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) to NC
(Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district. (Recommended for approval by both
the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Department.)
(22-A-08-McKenna)
Petition submitted by April Hocutt to rezone 0.30 acre of property located
at 2970 Glenbrook Drive & property between Glenbrook Drive and I-185 from SFR2
(Single Family Residential 2) to NC (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district.
(Recommended for conditional approval by both the Planning Advisory Commission
and the Planning Department.) (23-CA-08-Hocutt)
Petition submitted by George Mize / Will White to rezone 3.73 acres of
property located at the northern portion of 7778 Schomburg Road from SFR1
(Single Family Residential 1) & RE1 (Residential Estate 1) to RO
(Residential-Office) zoning district. (Recommended for conditional approval by
both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Department.)
(24-CA-08-Mize / White)
RECORDER?S COURT JUDGE:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that she has submitted the two
nominees for the Recorder?s Court Judge Pro Tem?s position, which became vacant
due to the resignation of Judge Pro Tem Alonza Whitaker. She said the two
nominees are Cynthia Masaino and Pete Quezada.
After a roll call vote by Clerk of Council Washington, with all ten
members of the Council voting for Ms. Cynthia Masaino said that Ms. Masaino
could now be confirmed.
Councilor Henderson so moved. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried
unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.
------------------------------------*** ***
***----------------------------------
NOTE: See below for additional information on this subject.
------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------
WORK SESSION:
FINANCE MONTHLY REPORT:
Finance Director Pam Hodge came forward and said this is a preliminary
financial report. She said as you know that our fiscal year ended on June 30,
2008 and she did make a note to make sure that it?s clear that we have not
posted all year end entries and accruals; so our comparison to the July 2007
there might be some discrepancies because all of those accruals for June of
2008 has not been posted; but they have in the comparison for June 2007.
She said if you look on the summary page, where you see the general fund
and it is showing down 4.73%; there are accruals that still need to take place
in the general fund. We have just received in May, the local option sales tax
this morning, which was $3,159,000 and when you add that in to the June 2008
number, that is only a difference of 2.56%. She said we still have one more
month of the local option sales tax to accrue for, as well as other
miscellaneous revenues; some of the franchise payments for the last quarter
still haven?t been received yet.
Ms. Hodge said she is not concerned about the 2.56% because with the local
option sales tax we received this morning, we are at 100.67% of budget, so we
expect to be approximately 3-4 % over budget from what we budgeted for FY-08.
She said the general fund looks really good, and our sales tax in comparison
with the same period of time on last year, we are still up slightly at .28%.
She said we are seeing the sales tax flatten, but we are maintaining a little
bit of where were we last year.
Sewer Fund ? 103% of budget, Paving fund ? 100% of budget. These funds
are funded by taxes, which we collect in October and December and don?t have
the same type of accruals that we have in the general fund.
E-911 Fund ? 75% of budget and do have some accruals to make and expect a
change when we do bring the final June 2008 financial report.
Economic Development/ Debt Service Fund ? 105% & 104% of budget. Ms. Hodge
said are just over where we projected that we would be at this point. The Debt
Service fund shows a decrease from last year of 76.36%. She said on last year
we did receive the funding from the State in the amount of $22 million. She
said if you take that out we are 4.32% above where we were on last year; that?s
the growth in the digest, which is exactly what we expected to see in the debt
service fund.
Transportation Fund ? 83% of budget. This fund is also funded by grants;
therefore, we have some accruals to make on the grant side. The way the grant
operates is based on reimbursements. We spend the money and then we will get
reimbursed; so, those accruals WWE will have to be made in this fund.
Parking Management Fund ? Ms. Hodge said we have had some issues in
parking management and said we have seen a decline in the revenue. She said we
are lower than where we had anticipated being at the beginning of the year; and
just moving forward we made some adjustments in the 09 budgets to account for
some of those declines.
Trade Center ? Ms. Hodge said that we are right on target at 96% of
budget. She said the revenues are at $2.4 million and expenses $2.3 million.
Bull Creek ? Revenues are up 3.5% and their expenses, as well as their
revenues are right in line. She said we don?t see that every year; so, this was
a good year for the golf course.
Oxbow Meadows ? Revenues $365,000, expenses are $459,000. She said it
takes us more to operate Oxbows Meadows than we generate in revenue.
Civic Fund ? 99% of budget. Both revenues and expenses are right on track.
Councilor McDaniel asked City Manager Hugley what are his plans that we
will be receiving from the Continental Carbon lawsuit?
City Manager Hugley said he had a conversation with the Mayor on yesterday
and said that the Mayor will be talking to the Council about the plans for that
money.
Finance Director Hodge said we would be coming back with our final report
at a later date.
*** *** ***
COLUMBUS ARTS ALLIANCE:
City Manager Hugley said Mr. Paul Pierce of the Columbus Arts Alliance
came before this Council a few months ago and shared with you the economic
impact of the cultural arts in this community and was requested to come back to
further show some information and his thoughts with you, so he is here today.
Mr. Paul Pierce, Chairman of the Columbus Cultural Arts Alliance said he
appreciates the opportunity of being able to come before this Council on last
month and begin to tell their story about what?s happening in term of economic
impact in the arts in Columbus. He said they would like to put a little finer
point on it this morning and move forward on that.
He said he would like to congratulate the Mayor and the Council members
for their great success on last week, because we know that the success of arts
and culture and the success in public safety are tied very closely. He said a
stronger public safer public safety particular downtown is going to mean a
greater strength
for our arts organization and tax revenue that the city collects.
He said on last April the Columbus Arts Alliance conducted a Retreat and a
SWOT Analysis at the Cunningham Center and a number of wonderful things came
out of that. He said out among the priorities that were named, was for them to
do a better job of telling the story of their successes to help shape the
future of the city and strengthen the public portion of our public/private
partnership and it is in that spirit that in which he is here this morning.
Below is Mr. Pierce?s presentation that he made before the Council.
Do you remember ?IT??
Of course, you do. Back in the 1990?s, we hired consultants and facilitators.
We had town hall meetings. We dreamed big we scratched our heads, and we made
proposals. All to discover ?IT?.
??IT?, as you know, was envisioned:
As a way to promote a unique identity for Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley.
To make Columbus more attractive to corporate site searchers.
Give people a stronger motivation to visit Columbus.
Be a catalyst for private investment - particularly in downtown and along with
river.
Provide a source of increased tax revenue
Provide opportunities for innovative partnerships.
In short, ?IT? was supposed to be THE thing that Columbus was known for - our
emblem to the world.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, after we stopped straining so hard to find ?IT?,
?IT? emerged. ?IT? is clearly our Arts and Culture Industry.
The evidence is striking:
Ten years ago, the Columbus Challenge raised $100 million for the arts and
culture - the vast majority of which came from private sources. A new and
revitalized infrastructure for cultural
programming and tourism destination product was established.
Since then, our Arts and Culture Industry has spent over $200 million on
programs, payrolls and operations.
Arts and Culture organizations have paid an estimated $6 million in local taxes
since the Columbus Challenge. This does not count the millions in taxes that
our Vendors, suppliers and contractors have paid locally.
Total economic impact: more than half a billion dollars.
Some 5 million admissions have been recording by our non-profit arts and
culture industry since 1998.
In recent years, attendance has been growing - in some seasons, as much as 13%.
In recent years, the Georgia Council for the Arts - outscoring much bigger
organizations in Atlanta has ranked two of our major non-profit arts
institutions Number in the State. Why these high scores? It?s simple:
Excellence, Innovation, Service to Underserved Populations and Arts Education.
Two recent studies by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the
Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley have shown the impact that the
arts is having on our community:
One study shows the effect of the arts on the economy and the other shows the
effect on families and children.
Mr. Pierce said The Knight Foundation study, in particular, points to something
even more exciting. Private finding - far out of proportion to our population
-has helped Columbus develop a model of growth and sustainability unlike
anything that?s happening anywhere in the US.
He said we often speak of the Arts and Culture Industry as being an ?economic
engine?. What do we mean?
Whenever there is an arts event:
Somebody buys a dress
Goes to a restaurant
Goes to the dry cleaners
Goes to a beauty parlor
Calls a florist
Orders a drink
Fills their tank with gas
Checks into a hotel
Goes to a shoe store
Goes to a car wash
Pays a baby sitter
Mr. Pierce said the City has just spent million of dollars downtown and
downtown looks fabulous. There were a number or reasons for that investment but
we all know one big motivation was the enhancement of the ?IT? ? to make our
Arts and Culture Industry more accessible and more attractive -to capitalize on
the huge amount of private investment that has already been made downtown.
He said The Columbus Cultural Arts Alliance is here this morning to
present two initiatives that we believe is crucial to capitalizing on the
tremendous progress we have made in making our City the ?IT?.
The Arts Alliance is prepared to undertake a much greater responsibility in
assisting the
Columbus Consolidated Government in achieving its goals. He said they would be
participating in the public forums in the development of the Strategic Plan and
work closely
with the City Manager in supporting the priorities of Council and the City
staff. He said
they are anxious to forge a closer working relationship with the City and to
offer the
considerable support of the hundreds of our board members and trustees and the
thousands of our volunteers to help propel the city forward.
Funding. To flesh out the public portion of our public-private partnership and
to develop
this emerging national model in a robust way, Columbus simply has to invest
more money
in:
Destination marketing for Cultural Tourism
First class Arts and Culture services to underserved populations in our
community
Audience Development
Arts Education
He said a few years ago The Knight Foundation conducted a study of
ten national Symphony Orchestras because they wanted to find out where do
Symphony Orchestras comes from. He said what they discovered was that of 72% of
Symphony Orchestras audiences, had as a child, played an instrument or sang in
a choir. He said they have found that if a young person gets their hands on the
?stuff? that Art is made of, audiences result when they are older.
Mr. Pierce said we are not here this morning to name a dollar figure
for an increase of the Municipal Arts Fund nor to recommend a source for this
new finding, but said they are anxious to begin a dialogue with the Council and
City Manager on identifying the range of new services to our citizens and the
opportunities it will provide for the total population of the city.
City Manager Hugley said he has had an initial meeting with Mr.
Pierce and he has talked about funding and he has had conversations with other
organizations like the Sports Council and others who are interested in funding.
He said they all get a portion of the hotel/motel tax through the CCVB and said
we have to continue to dialogue about how we proceed forward with supporting
those two organizations and other organizations that might come forward as
well. He said we will continue to talk with them and hopefully at some point we
can come back to the Council with some recommendations to you or some thoughts
that you might want to consider.
Councilor Anthony asked, how does our growing focus on history and the
museums in our community? He said we have several different many museums in
our community and how do they fit into this equation plus; perhaps,
eco-tourism; or are we getting beyond the arts and culture and is there a way
to wedge those things together; and recreation, maybe there is overlapping
intersecting.
Mr. Pierce said there certainly can be and is an overlap in recreation. He
said when you think about the big picture as to how cities fund their budgets;
we are funding something called recreation, which is for the enjoyment pleasure
and activity of all citizens hopeful. However, we also know that many people
don?t play basketball, golf or tennis; but yet, we are all happy that those
things are all funded because it makes for the betterment of the city. He said
conceptually recreation and arts and culture do have a very close relationship
because it is the kind of thing that adds to the quality of life to our
community and sets the stage for economic development and corporate site search.
*** *** ***
DRAFT COMMUNITY AGENDA, 2028 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
UPDATE:_________________________________________________________
City Manager Hugley said it has been said that if you fail to plan that
you have plan to fail. He said we have a lot going on in our community and this
is an exciting time. He then called upon Mr. Rick Jones to make a presentation
on the 2028 Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Rick Jones, Director of the Department of Community Development then
went into some details outlining the plan, providing the following information:
WHAT IS THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN?
A vision for the future
? 20 years ahead!
? Future Land Use Plan
? A policy guide for elected officials
? Implementation strategies and policies to make the plan happen
ROLE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
VISION
Comprehensive Plan = Overall Framework
Community Assessment
Community Agenda
Future Land Use Map and Policies
Implementation Strategies
Short-Term Work Program
Funding
Functional Plans
Transportation
Water Supply
Wastewater Treatment
Solid Waste Management
Stormwater Management
Parks And Recreation
Public Safety
Implementing Ordinances
Zoning Ordinances
Development Regulations
Building Codes
Fees
Capital Improvements Program
Financial Capacity Analysis
Capital Budget
Administration
Plan Reviews
Permits
Building Codes
STEP 1 IN THE PLANNING PROCESS:
Community Assessment
1. Population
2. Housing
3. Economic Development
4. Natural and Cultural Resources
5. Transportation
6. Land Use
7. Community Services and Facilities
8. Intergovernmental Coordination
STEP 2 IN THE PLANNING PROCESS:
Community Participation Program
? A document that outlines the public involvement process
? Public Involvement Process included
Stakeholder Interviews
Six Visioning Workshops
Project Website
On-line Community Survey
Three Open Houses
Community
COMMUNITY OUTREACH OVERVIEW:
25+ community stakeholder interviews
774 Community Visioning Surveys completed
327 attendees at six Visioning Workshops throughout Columbus
84 attended the Strategic Framework Workshop
105 persons attended Open Houses
THREE OPEN HOUSES:
North Columbus
Monday, June 23, 2008
Veterans Memorial Middle School
6 - 8PM
Midtown
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Columbus Public Library
6 - 8 PM
South Columbus
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Baker Middle School Cafeteria
STEP 3 IN THE PLANNING PROCESS:
COMMUNITY AGENDA:
? Overview and Context of Change
? Community?s Vision for the Future
Vision Statement
Future Policy Map/ Character Areas
Future Land Use Map
Policies
? Issues and Opportunities for the Future
? Implementation Program
? Appendix ? Maps, Community Input, Record of Accomplishments
COMMUNITY VISION STATEMENT:
?The City of Columbus will continue to be a unified city in which all work
together to achieve common goals and in which individuality and diversity are
embraced and respected. It will be a regional center of commerce and culture; a
city in which the commitment to growth and economic development is matched by
the commitment to the highest quality of life for all citizens.?
CONTEXT OF CHANGE:
? Regional Influence
? Ft. Benning
? Population
? Housing
? Employment
? City?s Growth and Redevelopment Potential
THE BIG IDEAS:
? Seize the Moment!
? Revitalize and Minimize Sprawl
? Regional Role is Changing.
? Citizen Trust and Involvement is Crucial.
? Make the Big Decisions Wisely.
The
THE BIG DECISIONS:
? Strengthen City?s Capacity for Revitalization
? Focus resources on Targeted Redevelopment Areas
? Make Regulatory and Zoning Changes
? Rethink Transportation
? Pursue Additional Financial Resources
PLANNING GOALS:
Community Revitalization
Quality Community Infrastructure
Balanced Transportation
Protection & Enhancement of the Natural Environment
Managing Impacts of Growth
Regional Coordination and Local Partnerships
Example:
ISSUE AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Goal: Community Revitalization
Opportunities
A-1 New Growth is coming
A-2 Changing Demographics
A-3 Developable Land in In-town Neighborhoods
A-4 Preservation of Existing Housing Stock
A-5 Mixed-Use Development Opportunities
Issues
A-8 Effects of Continuing Current Growth Trends
A-10 Barriers to Redevelopment
COMMUNITY REVITALZATION:
Implementation Strategies
? Create the Mayor?s Council on Revitalization
? Strengthen the City?s Reinvestment Agency
? Organize a Council of Neighborhoods
? Designate Targeted Redevelopment Areas (TRA?s)
? Prepare detailed Master Plans for TRA?s
? Designate Quality Redevelopments
? Increase funding for housing rehabilitation and neighborhood preservation
? Prepare Zoning Overlay Districts for TRA?s
QUALITY COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE:
Implementation Strategies
? Develop a Strong Capital Improvements Program.
? Establish Priority Growth Areas.
? Consider Using Performance-based Land Use Controls.
? Upgrade Existing Infrastructure and Public Facilities in Targeted
Redevelopment Areas.
? Incorporate Principles of Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design in UDO.
REDEVELOPMENT FOCUS:
BALANCED TRANSPORTAION:
PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT:
MANAING IMPACRS OF GROWTH:
REGIONAL COORDINATION AND PARTNERSHIPS:
SHORT TERM WORK PROGRAM:
FURURE LAND USE PLAN:
FUTURE POLICY MAP:
CHARACTER AREAS:
FUTURE LAND USE MAP:
WHAT?S NEXT:
*** *** ***
CONSERVATION MEASURES:
Mr. Chris Brown and Mr. Ron Smith of the Public Services Department came
forth and made the following presentation on Conservation Measures for the
Columbus Consolidated Government.
CCG Fuel Usage
METRA Fuel Usage
Current Policies
Alternatives to Consider
Waste Management Fund Challenges
What Does it Do
Fund Concern
Proposal to Help This Concern
CCG Annual Fuel Usage
METRA Annual Fuel Usage
2007 Fuel Used: 261,650 gallons Cost of $543,755
2008 Fuel Used:
260,256 gallons Cost of $734,217
Policy Measures
Anti Idling Policy ? Adopted by Public Services and METRA
Resolution # 463-07
Policy Measures
Time Schedule for Fueling ? Set for emissions control
PM?s done on set schedules
Other Considerations
Nitrogen in Tires
Hybrid Vehicles
Ethanol blend being mandated
Waste Management Fund
Review
Waste Management Fund Financials
Enterprise Fund
Account for self-sustaining, business type activities
Funded by user charges
Revenue generated = 90% Residential
$14/month since 2001
Waste Management Fund Financials at June 30, 2007
Total Current Assets - $11,643,536
Estimated Landfill Closure and Post closure Liability - ($5,484,412)
100% landfill capacity used at Schatulga
18% landfill capacity used at Pine Grove
Restricted for Projects - ($8,437,264)
Includes New Cell Construction, Vehicle Replacement and Encumbrances
Funding requirement as of June 30, 2007 - ($2,278,140)
Waste Management Fund Financials
OPTIONS to fund the Waste Management requirement
Reduce expenditures
Increase revenues
Extend the life of the landfill
Waste Management Fund Operations
Future Closure of Pine Grove Landfill ($21.4m)
Annual Solid Waste Fee paid to EPD
Annual Air Quality Fee Paid to EPD
Annual Engineering & Monitoring
All Supported by $14 Month
Fund Concerns
FY ? 08 Waste Management Fuel Budget was exceeded by $262,000
Future Closure and Post Closure Cost
Options for Consideration
1.Year Round Once Per Week Pick Up
2.Winter / Summer Plan
Oct. thru Mar. ? Once per Week Pick Up
Apr. thru Sept. ? Twice per Week Pick Up
3. Continue Twice Per Week Pick Up
Recommendation
Year Round Once Per Week
Household Waste Pick Up
PROS
?Once Per Week Pick Up?
Reduce by 50% the Number of Miles Driven Each Week
Increase the Life and Reduce the Maintenance Cost
Reduce Overtime
Less Contribution to Air Pollution
CONS
?Once Per Week Pick Up?
Unpopular with Some Citizens
*** *** ***
PUBLIC AGENDA PROPOSED OPTIONS:
City Manager Hugley went into some details outlining what the process that
other cities are using with respect to persons appearing on their Public
Agenda.
ALBANY, GA
Time: 5 Minutes
Subject: Speaker?s Choice. Cannot speak on a particular subject more than twice
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: Beginning of Council Agenda.
* Limited to 2 at the beginning; additional speakers will be permitted to
speak at the end of each meeting, time permitting.
ATHENS, GA
Time: 3 Minutes
Subject: Speaker?s Choice
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: Beginning of Council Agenda.
* Citizens may address Council on any item listed on the agenda when called on
by Council; May speak once during that portion of the agenda for up to three
minutes with a 30 second reminder at 2 ? minutes.
ATLANTA, GA
Time: 2 Minutes
Subject: Speaker?s Choice
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: Beginning of Council Agenda.
AUGUSTA, GA
Time: 5 Minutes
Subject: Speaker?s Choice. Can only speak on a particular subject every 3
months.
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: Beginning of Council Agenda.
CHARLESTON, SC
Time: 3 Minutes
Subject: Speaker?s Choice.
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: Beginning of Council Agenda.
CHARLOTTE, NC
Time: 3 Minutes
Subject: Speaker?s Choice.
Appearance: Can only speak at Citizens? Forums
Placement of Agenda: 4th item on Council Agenda (6:30 7:00 p.m.)
* Citizens may only speak at Citizen?s Forums.
First Monday-unlimited speakers (not televised).
Fourth Monday- limited 10 speakers (televised).
DECATUR, GA
Time: No time limit
Subject: Agenda Items
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: 4th item on Council Agenda.
Requests and petitions that do not relate to agenda items will be heard at the
end of the meeting.
FORSYTH, GA
Time: 3 Minutes
Subject: Speaker?s Choice
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: Last item on Council Agenda.
HARRIS COUNTY, GA
Time: 5 Minutes
Subject: Speaker?s Choice
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: Beginning of Council Agenda.
MACON, GA
Time: 5 Minutes
Subject: Can speak once on any subject
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: Beginning of Council Agenda.
* Citizens may speak once on any subject; no more than three people can speak
on one issue.
ROSWELL, GA
Time: No Limit
Subject: Speaker?s Choice
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: N/A
* Public is allowed to address Council at Open Forums.
SANDY SPRINGS, GA
Time: 10 Minutes
Subject: Speaker?s Choice
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: last on Council Agenda.
SAVANNAH, GA
Time: No time limit
Subject: Speaker?s Choice
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: Beginning of Council Agenda.
VALDOSTA, GA
Time: 3 ? 5 Minutes
Subject: Speaker?s Choice
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: Beginning of Council Agenda.
COLUMBUS, GA
Time: 5 Minutes
Subject: Speaker?s Choice.
Appearance: No Restrictions
Placement of Agenda: 3rd item on Council Agenda.
Citizens can also speak at the end of each regular session Council meeting.
City Manager Hugley said the Columbus Consolidated Government has an Open
Door Policy from the Mayor and City Manager to the staff and certainly with
every Councilor and Department Head. Citizens can contact them in person, by
email or by phone on any issue.
*** *** ***
PIONEER LITTLE LEAGUE:
Councilor Henderson called for a resolution to recognize the Pioneer
Little League Baseball. He said if there is anyone who wants to help them with
their fundraising efforts can call him.
*** *** ***
RECORDER'S COURT:
Regarding the earlier vote with respect to the appointment of Ms. Cynthia
Maisano as the Recorder's Court Judge and the roll call vote, Clerk of Council
Washington pointed out that she would like to state for the record that
Councilor Woodson has stated that she voted for Mr. Pete Quezada, not Ms.
Maisano.
*** *** ***
With there being no other business to come before the Council, Mayor Pro
Tem Rodgers then made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and
carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this meeting,
with the time being 11:58 a.m.
Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
Council of Columbus, Georgia
Attachments
No attachments for this document.