Agenda Item # 1
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
October 9, 2018
Agenda Report # 33
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: 2018 Legislative Agenda
INITIATED BY: City Manager?s Office
Recommendation: Approval is requested of ten (10) resolutions for the 2019
Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly, which the Mayor and
Council deem appropriate.
Background: Each year elected and appointed officials of the Columbus
Consolidated Government develop a list of issues important to the citizens of
Columbus that requires action by the Local Legislative Delegation. Once
approved, a meeting will be held with the Delegation to explain the rationale
behind these issues and to solicit their support. The Hometown Connection and
Legislative Agenda meeting will be held October 11, 2018.
Analysis: Staff, elected and appointed officials were asked to present issues
they felt were important to the operation of city government. Research and
justification for these issues were presented to the City Manager and a list
was prepared for presentation to the Mayor/Council.
Financial Considerations: The City is expected to receive additional revenues
if many of the issues are passed by the Georgia General Assembly.
Recommendations/Actions: Approve those resolutions, which the Mayor and
Council deem appropriate.
COLUMBUS CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT
2019 PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
1. AMENDMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST PROVISION FOR REDEVELOPMENT POWERS LAW:
The Columbus Consolidated Government is requesting to introduce/support
legislation to revise and to clarify the conflict of interest provisions in the
Redevelopment Powers Law which address the participation of local government
elective and appointive officials, and employees in the creation and
administration of Tax Allocation Districts. (Requested by Councilor Glenn
Davis/Carry Over From Previous Years)
Explanation:
1) With respect to property acquired after the designation of a redevelopment
area or TAD, the current law very broadly prohibits any "elected official,
appointed official, or employee of any political subdivision, board,
commission, or redevelopment agency from voluntarily acquiring any interest,
direct or indirect, in any property contract or transaction or proposed
contract or transaction in connection with the redevelopment of that
redevelopment area..." The proposed revision would remove the blanket
prohibition against voluntary property acquisition in a redevelopment area and
instead provide that any official or employee who has a direct ownership
interest in a property that is proposed to receive payment of redevelopment
costs shall disclose the interest in writing to the legislative body and shall
not vote or in any way participate in considering the matter or seek to
influence the votes of others on the matter. The current law impacts Columbus
adversely in at least two ways. First, if literally applied, it prevents any of
the 2500 plus City employees from purchasing even a home in any of the seven
extensive TAD districts. Secondly, in the most recent election cycle several
candidates were discouraged from running for local office because they had
future plans to acquire property in TAD?s even though they did not desire to
benefit from TAD proceeds.
2) The current law requires that any elected or appointed official or employee
of a political subdivision who has acquired any interest direct or indirect in
property in the redevelopment area within the two years immediately prior to
the date the plan is submitted to the local legislative body shall disclose the
interest in writing 30 days in advance and "not participate in any action of
the political subdivision which affects that property." The revision would cut
the time of written notice to 5 days and limit the coverage of the provision to
public officers as defined by O.C.G.A. Section 21-5-3 (22) instead of the
current general reference to all elected officials, appointed officials and
employees.
3) The proposed revision also refines the definition of the property interest
covered by the conflict provision. The current law covers any transaction which
facilitates the acquisition "any interest direct or indirect" in property and
substitutes a direct ownership interest in property as defined by O.C.G.A.
Section 21-5-3(8).
2. INTERSTATE 14:
The Columbus Consolidated Government is advocating support for an extension of
I-14 to and through Columbus, Georgia and request appropriate legislative
action concerning this highway extension. (Requested by Walker Garrett/John
House ? Carry Over From Previous Years)
Explanation:
Interstate 14 is under construction in Texas and first officially opened on
January 26, 2017 near Killeen, Texas. There are several benefits to have I-14
run through Columbus, Georgia to include Interstate Connection, Strategic
Military Impact and Enhanced Economic Development. If extended to Columbus,
Georgia, I-14 could run along J.R. Allen Parkway/Sam Wellborn Highway (Highway
80) with little modification of the current parkway.
3. REMOVAL OF JUNKED MOTORIZED VEHICLES BY TOWING:
The Columbus Consolidated Government is requesting that the legislative
delegation support efforts to amend State Law in a way that clarifies that
licensed towing companies may at the request of the governing authority tow
derelict vehicles that are left on occupied private property in violation of
local ordinance. (Request of Councilor Judy Thomas/ Carry Over From Previous
Years)
Explanation:
Columbus has an ordinance which make it a misdemeanor to keep a junked car on
private property except when zoning and screening provisions are met. However,
other than fining the violator, there is no other meaningful remedy because
towing companies are reluctant to tow a vehicle from occupied private property
without the protections that are afforded them when they tow in other
circumstances.
4. LEGISLATION IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON STEP THERAPY/FAIL FIRST PROTOCOLS:
The Columbus Consolidated Government is requesting the legislative delegation
introduce and/or support legislation that provide limitations on Step
Therapy/Fail First protocols imposed by insurance companies that restrict the
liberty that physicians and health care providers have to prescribe medication
they know will be effective in treating their patients. (Requested by Jerry Pop
Barnes/Carry Over From Previous Years)
Explanation:
This request is for health insurance plans to incorporate step therapy
exception processes in their preauthorization applications. Step therapy is a
health insurance protocol that requires patients to first try a less expensive
drug on a Prescription Drug list before moving up a ?step? to a more expensive
drug. This approach is also called ?Fail First?. When coverage of a
prescription drug is blocked because of step therapy protocols, the patient and
prescribing doctor must have access to a clear, convenient and expeditious
process to a step therapy exception determination. This exception will allow
the doctor to prescribe the best drug for the patient?s medical needs. The
following provisions to an exception are essential to protect patients. Step
Therapy exception shall occur within twenty four (24) hours in an urgent health
care situation and seventy two (72), hours in a non-urgent health care
situation and permit a prescriber to override the step therapy with an
exception:
1) When a required drug is contraindicated.
2) When the required drug has been tried and failed previously.
3) When the required drug will not be effective or if the patient is already
stable on another drug.
5) When following step therapy protocol may have an adverse and even dangerous
consequences for the patient.
6) When step therapy protocols may cause patients to not receive the best
treatment deemed by their health care provider to meet their medical needs.
5. LEGISLATION IMPOSING INSTALLATION OF SMALL CELL TOWERS:
The Columbus Consolidated Government is requesting that the local legislative
delegation propose a resolution to the Georgia General Assembly indicating that
that body supports amendments to the FCC Order of September 26, 2018 which
allow local control of regulation of the important communications industry.
This Council also requests that the delegation introduce or support state-wide
legislation, to the extent permitted under Federal Law, to return local
regulation to local elected officials with respect to the communication
industry. Such measures should include opportunities for neighborhood feedback
before placement of any cell or small cell towers and any other notifications
deemed appropriate by the Georgia General Assembly. (Requested by Councilor
Glenn Davis)
Explanation:
The Federal Communications recently approved an Order (WT Docket No. 17-79; WC
Docket No. 17-84) which broadly preempts local government authority to manage
and receive fair compensation for installation of small cell towers and other
related facilities on City-owned right-of-way and on City-owned
infrastructure. The FCC Order does not take into consideration the variety of
land values across the United States or the value of land in dense urban areas
versus rural sparsely populated areas. The Order ignores community standards
and aesthetic considerations which are unique to each community and help
establish a ?sense of place?.
6. HOTEL TAX RELIEF FOR EVACUEES FROM STORMS OR HURRICANES OR OTHER DISASTERS
WHEN AN EVACUATION ORDER IS ISSUED:
The Columbus Consolidated Government is requesting an amendment to the current
hotel tax exclusions to provide that no such taxes shall be charged to
individuals who are seeking lodging as a result of a mandatory or voluntary
evacuation order issued by federal, state or local officials due to a storm,
hurricane, or other disaster. (Requested by Councilor Glenn Davis/Carry Over
From Previous Year)
Explanation:
O.C.G.A. 48-13-51(h)(1) already provides that the tax shall not apply to
?persons who certify that they are staying in such room, lodgings, or
accommodations provided without charge as a result of the destruction of their
home or residence by fire or other casualty.? This request is to expand that
exemption to include situations where the person?s home is not destroyed but
they still are forced to seek temporary lodging during an evacuation.
7. NON-PARTISAN PRIMARY BALLOTS FOR ALL LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS INCLUDING
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS:
The Columbus Consolidated Government is requesting to amend state law to
provide that all local elected officials, including constitutional officers, be
elected on non-partisan primary ballots. (Requested by Councilor Glenn
Davis/Carry Over From Previous Years)
Explanation:
This would allow the voter the opportunity to vote on all local elected
officials without having their choices limited by the party selection of
candidates for state and federal elective office.
8. HOTEL/MOTEL TAX ? OTHER LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX:
The Columbus Consolidated Government is requesting that the legislative
delegation introduce legislation to amend O.C.G.A. 48-8-96 (h) (1) so that it
only applies to LOST referenda held after January 1, 2011, thereby leaving the
original two exemptions contained in the 2004 legislation in place in Columbus,
Georgia. (Requested by Councilor Glenn Davis/Carry Over From Previous Years)
Explanation:
Legislation would reinstate the original exemptions related to hotel lodging
and vehicle sales for any LOST referenda held before January 1, 2011. The
purpose of this long requested legislation is simply to apply the original
exemptions that were adopted by the voters when they approved the tax.
9. REPEAL OR MODIFICATION OF HOTEL DESTINATION FEE IMPOSED BY HB 106 2015
SESSION:
The Columbus Consolidated Government is requesting the legislative delegation
to repeal or modify Section 3 of HB 106, to be codified as O.C.G.A.?48-13-50.3,
which imposes a $5 per night fee on hotel lodging, as part of the
transportation funding plan enacted by HB 170. (Requested by Councilor Glenn
Davis/Carry Over From Previous Years)
Explanation:
This fee unfairly burdens Georgia businesses and visiting families who are
already supporting transportation funding through other taxes. This surcharge
constitutes another tax upon consumers within the Columbus market and hampers
the ability of Columbus hotels to maintain room rates. The burden of any such
fee should be spread among all counties and should not impose a heavier burden
on residents or visitors to border counties like Columbus-Muscogee. The fee
was added as part of an amendment to HB 170 which was made at the end of the
2015 legislative session and was not extensively debated. In subsequent years,
other CID and transportation taxes have been passed to provide other methods
for funding transportation needs. Accordingly, this tax which unfairly impacts
border cities like Columbus should be eliminated or reduced from the $5.00 rate.
10. PERSONAL CARE HOMES:
The Columbus Consolidated Government respectfully requests that the local
legislative delegation introduce state-wide legislation that will require
prompt notification of county and city police and fire departments, licensing
departments, and planning and zoning departments upon licensing or licensing
changes of child-caring institutions, foster care homes, and personal care
homes as defined and used above. (Requested by Councilor Glenn Davis)
Explanation:
This Council recognizes that the State of Georgia licenses facilities for
various types of assistance for both children and adults in a home-like
setting. Notification of county agencies and officials is often lacking at the
time licenses to such facilities are granted by the State, including but not
limited to, ?child-caring institutions? defined at O.C.G.A. Section 49-5-3,
?foster care homes? as defined at O.C.G.A. Section 49-5-60, and ?personal care
homes? as used in O.C.G.A. Section 25-2-13. The lack of awareness of the
licensed facilities or changes in licensing status may prevent local
governmental entities from acting promptly to protect the health and welfare of
those persons in such facilities. The Council hereby requests that the local
legislative delegation introduce a state-wide bill to require prompt
notification to certain county/ municipal officials upon licensing or changes
in license status of child-caring institutions, foster care homes, and personal
care homes by the State of Georgia.
GMA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEMS
SUPPORTED BY CCG
1. GMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICY COMMITTEE:
A. Municipal Broadband
B. Short Term Rentals or Vacation Rentals
2. GMA ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY COMMITTEE:
A. Expedited Environmental Protection Division Permitting Process
B. Stormwater Utilities
C. Disaster Preparedness and Response
D. Increased Technical and Practical Assistance by State Environmental Staff
E. Greater Regulation of Solid Waste Transfer Facilities
F. Recreation and Conservation Funding
G. Regional Recycling
3. GMA MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT POLICY COMMITTEE:
A. Restriction on Municipal Powers
B. Management of Public Rights-of-Way
C. Municipal Tort Claims Act
D. Frivolous Litigation
4. GMA TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE:
A. Strengthen the Relationships between GDOT and Georgia?s Municipalities
B. Increased Truck Weights
C. Transportation Finance
D. Rail and Transit Services in Georgia
E. Local Control of Local Road Projects
F. Review and Update LMIG Distribution Formula
5. GMA BUDGET RECOMMENDATION:
A. Georgia Environmental Finance Authority Funding
B. Protection of Funds to Support Local Government Environmental Needs
1(1)
A RESOLUTION
NO._____
WHEREAS, the conflict of interest provision of Redevelopment Powers Law, Title
36, Chapter 44 is broadly and unclearly worded in a way that leaves all CCG
officials, even employees whose positions have nothing to do with the creation
or administration of a Tax Allocation District, subject to possible disclosure
requirements and prohibitions from voluntarily acquiring a direct or indirect
interest in property in any TAD created by Council; and,
WHEREAS, this Council desires that the conflict of interest provision
applicable to TAD?s be more specific and limited as to the persons covered by
its requirements and use definitions consistent with the Ethics in Government
Act found in Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Georgia Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
We hereby request that the local delegation to the General Assembly
introduce/support the attached proposed amendment to O.C.G.A.? 36-44-21 or any
similar proposal, which clarifies that code section by providing standard
definitions and eliminates the prohibition against the acquisition of property
in TAD?s by all CCG employees. Let a copy of this resolution be forwarded by
the Clerk of Council to each member of the local delegation to the Georgia
General Assembly.
________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
9th day of October, 2018 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting _____________.
Councilor Baker voting _____________.
Councilor Barnes voting _____________.
Councilor Davis voting _____________.
Councilor Garrett voting _____________.
Councilor House voting _____________.
Councilor Huff voting _____________.
Councilor Thomas voting _____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting _____________.
Councilor Woodson voting _____________.
___________________________________ __________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
1(2)
A RESOLUTION
NO. ________
WHEREAS, Interstate 14 is under construction in Texas, and first
officially opened on January 26, 2017 near Killeen, Texas; and,
WHEREAS, the community of Natchez, Mississippi and communities in
Louisiana are taking action to make an extension of I-14 a reality in their
jurisdictions; and,
WHEREAS, if extended to Columbus, Georgia, I-14 could run along J.R.
Allen Parkway/Sam Wellborn Highway (Highway 80) with little modification of the
current parkway; and,
WHEREAS, I-14 will connect a significant number of military
installations, seaports, major cities, and large highways to each other, and
Columbus and Ft. Benning should share in this significant extension; and,
WHEREAS, this Council desires that the local legislative delegation to
the Georgia General Assembly support an extension of I-14 to and through
Columbus, Georgia and take any appropriate legislative action concerning this
highway extension.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLOVES:
We hereby respectfully request that the local legislative delegation to
the Georgia General Assembly support an extension of I-14 to and through
Columbus, Georgia and take any appropriate legislative action concerning this
highway extension. Let a copy of this resolution be forwarded by the Clerk of
Council to each member of the local delegation to the Georgia General Assembly.
_____________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
9th day of October, 2018 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting _____________.
Councilor Baker voting _____________.
Councilor Barnes voting _____________.
Councilor Davis voting _____________.
Councilor Garrett voting _____________.
Councilor House voting _____________.
Councilor Huff voting _____________.
Councilor Thomas voting _____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting _____________.
Councilor Woodson voting _____________.
___________________________________ __________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
1(3)
A RESOLUTION
NO. ________
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE LOCAL LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION SUPPORT
LEGISLATION AMENDING STATE LAW TO AUTHORIZE TOWING COMPANIES TO TOW DERELICT
VEHICLES FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY AT THE REQUEST OF THE LOCAL GOVERNING AUTHORITY.
WHEREAS, Columbus has an ordinance which makes it a misdemeanor to keep a
derelict ?junked? car on private property except where zoning and screening
provisions are complied with; and,
WHEREAS, the enforcement mechanisms for this ordinance are not
meaningful without the threat of towing the vehicle; and,
WHEREAS, state law clarification is necessary to assure that towing companies,
which tow a vehicle from an owner?s occupied private property in order to
enforce a local ordinance, are protected from liability.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the local Legislative Delegation support legislation which clarifies the
legal ability of towing companies to remove a derelict vehicle at the request
of local authorities for ordinance violations even when the vehicle is on owner
occupied private property.
__________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
9th day of October 2018 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting _____________.
Councilor Baker voting _____________.
Councilor Barnes voting _____________.
Councilor Davis voting _____________.
Councilor Garrett voting _____________.
Councilor House voting _____________.
Councilor Huff voting _____________.
Councilor Thomas voting _____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting _____________.
Councilor Woodson voting _____________.
_________________________________ __________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
1(4)
A RESOLUTION
NO._____
WHEREAS, this Council desires that health insurance plans incorporate step
therapy exception processes in their preauthorization applications; and,
WHEREAS, step therapy is a health insurance protocol that requires patients to
first try less expensive drugs on a Prescription Drug List before moving up a
?step? to a more expensive drug; and,
WHEREAS, this approach is also called ?Fail First?; and,
WHEREAS, when coverage of a prescription drug is blocked because of step
therapy protocols, the patient and prescribing doctor must have access to
clear, convenient and expeditious processes to step therapy exception
determination. This exception will allow the doctor to prescribe the best drug
for the patient?s medical needs; and,
WHEREAS, step therapy exception shall occur within twenty-four (24) hours in an
urgent health care situation and seventy-two (72) hours in a non-urgent health
care situation and permit a prescriber to override the step therapy with an
exception when:
(1) A required drug is contraindicated;
(2) When the required drug has been tried and failed previously;
(3) When the required drug will not be effective or;
(4) If the patient is already stable on another drug;
(5) When following step therapy protocol may have an adverse and even dangerous
consequences for the patient; or
(6) When step therapy protocols may cause patient to not receive the best
treatment deemed by their health care provider to meet their medical needs.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
We hereby respectfully request that the local legislative delegation to the
Georgia General Assembly introduce legislation that will require health
insurance plans to incorporate step therapy exception processes in their
preauthorization applications. Let a copy of this resolution be forwarded by
the Clerk of Council to each member of the local delegation to the Georgia
General Assembly.
______________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
9th day of October 2018 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting _____________.
Councilor Baker voting _____________.
Councilor Barnes voting _____________.
Councilor Davis voting _____________.
Councilor Garrett voting _____________.
Councilor House voting _____________.
Councilor Huff voting _____________.
Councilor Thomas voting _____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting _____________.
Councilor Woodson voting _____________.
__________________________________ __________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
1(5)
A RESOLUTION
No._____
WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently approved an Order
(WT Docket No. 17-79; WC Docket No. 17-84) which broadly preempts local
government authority to manage and receive fair compensation for installation
of small cell towers and other related facilities on City-owned right-of-way
and on City-owned infrastructure;
WHEREAS, the FCC Order does not take into consideration the variety of land
values across the United States or the value of land in dense urban areas
versus rural sparsely populated areas;
WHEREAS, the Order mandates shot clocks for local governments (mandated action
dates) while there is no corresponding shot clock for industry deployment;
WHEREAS, the Order ignores community standards and aesthetic considerations
which are unique to each community and help establish a ?sense of place?;
WHEREAS, the FCC Order effectively removes public input from citizens,
taxpayers and local elected officials and bestows this power upon an unelected
federal agency.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
(1) This Council hereby respectfully requests that the local legislative
delegation propose a resolution to the Georgia General Assembly requesting that
Georgia Congressional Representatives support an Amendment to the FCC Order of
September 26, 2018 which allows local control of regulation of the important
communications industry; and
(2) This Council also requests that the local legislative delegation to the
Georgia General Assembly introduce appropriate legislation in the General
Assembly to take all appropriate measures permitted under Federal Law to return
local regulation to local elected officials with respect to the communications
industry. Such measures should include Such measures should include
opportunities for neighborhood feedback before placement of any cell or small
cell towers and any other notifications deemed appropriate by the Georgia
General Assembly.
Let a copy of this resolution be forwarded by the Clerk of Council to each
member of the local delegation to the Georgia General Assembly.
________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
9th day of October 2018 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting _____________.
Councilor Baker voting _____________.
Councilor Barnes voting _____________.
Councilor Davis voting _____________.
Councilor Garrett voting _____________.
Councilor House voting _____________.
Councilor Huff voting _____________.
Councilor Thomas voting _____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting _____________.
Councilor Woodson voting _____________.
__________________________________ __________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
1(6)
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
WHEREAS, many citizens from Georgia and neighboring states have been displaced
as a result of mandatory evacuation orders issued by federal, state, or local
officials due to storm, hurricane or other pending or threatened disaster; and,
WHEREAS, this Council desires that OCGA Section 48-13/1(h)(1) be
amended so as to expand the hotel tax exemption to provide relief to persons
displaced as a result of mandatory or voluntary evacuation order issued by
federal, state, or local officials due to a storm, hurricane or other disaster.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
We hereby respectfully request that the local delegation to the Georgia General
Assembly introduce statewide general legislation at the 2019 Session to amend
OCGA Section 48-13-51(h)(1) so as to expand the hotel tax exemption to cover
persons displaced as a result of mandatory or voluntary evacuation order issued
by federal, state or local officials due to a storm, hurricane or other
disaster. Let a copy of this resolution be forwarded by the Clerk of Council
to each member of the local delegation to the Georgia General Assembly.
______________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
9th day of October 2018 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting _____________.
Councilor Baker voting _____________.
Councilor Barnes voting _____________.
Councilor Davis voting _____________.
Councilor Garrett voting _____________.
Councilor House voting _____________.
Councilor Huff voting _____________.
Councilor Thomas voting _____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting _____________.
Councilor Woodson voting _____________.
__________________________________ __________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
1(7)
A RESOLUTION
NO. ____
WHEREAS, in recent primary elections, Muscogee County and Georgia
voters were forced to choose a particular primary ballot for local races,
including constitutional officers, and were not able to vote for other such
candidates listed on another primary party ballot; and,
WHEREAS, this Council desires that the local delegation to the Georgia
General Assembly amend the state law so that voters can choose a non-partisan
primary ballot for races of all local elective officers, including
constitutional officers.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
We hereby respectfully request that the local delegation to the Georgia General
Assembly introduce statewide general legislation at the 2019 Session to allow
voters to choose a non-partisan primary ballot for races of all local elective
offices, including constitutional officers. Let a copy of this resolution be
forwarded by the Clerk of Council to each member of the local delegation to the
Georgia General Assembly.
______________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
9th day of October 2018 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
______members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting _____________.
Councilor Baker voting _____________.
Councilor Barnes voting _____________.
Councilor Davis voting _____________.
Councilor Garrett voting _____________.
Councilor House voting _____________.
Councilor Huff voting _____________.
Councilor Thomas voting _____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting _____________.
Councilor Woodson voting _____________.
__________________________________ __________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
1(8)
A RESOLUTION
NO. ______
WHEREAS, the Transportation Act, H.B. 170, as amended by Section 3 of H.B. 106,
both enacted in the 2015 legislative session, enacted a new code section
48-13-50.3 which imposed a $5.00 per day fee on hotel/motel lodging effective
July 2015 to fund transportation expenditures; and,
WHEREAS, this Council is concerned that this additional fee will
adversely impact the residents of Georgia, who make up a significant portion of
hotel visitors to most Georgia cities, and who make up 79% of overnight hotel
guests in Columbus, as these Georgians are otherwise being taxed to support the
development of transportation infrastructure within the State; and,
WHEREAS, this Council finds that local businesses of Columbus are
particularly adversely impacted by this destination fee, which when added to
existing sales and use taxes already charged on Columbus hotel rooms results in
an average tax of 23% on the average daily hotel rate, making it difficult for
Columbus hotels to maintain reasonable daily rates, particularly in light of
competition from hotels across the border in Alabama which are not subject to
the same fee structure.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
We hereby request that the local delegation to the General Assembly introduce
legislation to repeal or modify O.C.G.A. 48-13-50.3 which imposed a $5.00 per
night hotel/motel fee effective July 1, 2015.
__________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
9th day of October 2018 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting _____________.
Councilor Baker voting _____________.
Councilor Barnes voting _____________.
Councilor Davis voting _____________.
Councilor Garrett voting _____________.
Councilor House voting _____________.
Councilor Huff voting _____________.
Councilor Thomas voting _____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting _____________.
Councilor Woodson voting _____________.
__________________________________ __________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
1(9)
A RESOLUTION
NO. ______
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE LOCAL LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION INTRODUCE
LEGISLATION TO AMEND O.C.G.A. 48-8-96(1) (I) SO THAT IT ONLY APPLIES TO LOST
REFERENDA HELD AFTER JANUARY 11, 2011, THEREBY LEAVING THE ORIGINAL TWO
EXEMPTIONS CONTAINED IN THE 2004 LEGISLATION IN PLACE IN COLUMBUS, GEORGIA.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have discussed issues important to the
efficient operation of the Columbus Consolidated Government and the quality of
life for its citizens; and,
WHEREAS, this issue requires action in the 2019 General Assembly
Session.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
We hereby respectfully request that the Local Legislative Delegation to the
Georgia General Assembly introduce legislation at the 2019 Session to amend
O.C.G.A 48-8-96 (h) (1) so that it only applied to LOST referenda held after
January 1, 2011, thereby leaving the original two exemptions contained in the
2004 legislation in place in Columbus, Georgia.
__________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
9th day of October 2018 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting _____________.
Councilor Baker voting _____________.
Councilor Barnes voting _____________.
Councilor Davis voting _____________.
Councilor Garrett voting _____________.
Councilor House voting _____________.
Councilor Huff voting _____________.
Councilor Thomas voting _____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting _____________.
Councilor Woodson voting _____________.
__________________________________ __________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
1(10)
A RESOLUTION
No._____
WHEREAS, this Council recognizes that the State of Georgia is licensing
facilities for various types of assistance for both children and adults in a
home-like setting;
WHEREAS, notification of county agencies and officials is often lacking at the
time licenses to such facilities are granted by the State, including but not
limited to, ?child-caring institutions? defined at O.C.G.A. Section 49-5-3,
?foster care homes? as defined at O.C.G.A. Section 49-5-60, and ?personal care
homes? as used in O.C.G.A. Section 25-2-13;
WHEREAS, this Council desires that the local delegation to the Georgia General
Assembly address these matters and require prompt notification of certain
county agencies and officials upon the granting of licenses to such facilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
We hereby respectfully request that the local legislative delegation to the
Georgia General Assembly introduce state-wide legislation that will require
prompt notification of county and city police and fire departments, licensing
departments, and planning and zoning departments upon licensing of child-caring
institutions, foster care homes, and personal care homes as defined and used
above.
Let a copy of this resolution be forwarded by the Clerk of Council to each
member of the local delegation to the Georgia General Assembly.
______________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia held on the
______ day of ____________ 2018, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative
vote of _____ members of Council.
Councilor Allen voting _____________.
Councilor Baker voting _____________.
Councilor Barnes voting _____________.
Councilor Davis voting _____________.
Councilor Garrett voting _____________.
Councilor House voting _____________.
Councilor Huff voting _____________.
Councilor Thomas voting _____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting _____________.
Councilor Woodson voting _____________.
__________________________________ __________________________
Lindsey Glisson, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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