MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
JULY 28, 2009
The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called
to order at 5:30 P.M., Tuesday, July 28, 2009, in the Council Chambers on the
Plaza Level of the Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable W. J.
Wetherington, Mayor, presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Wetherington and Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner
Pugh were Councilors, Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Jerry Barnes, Glenn Davis,
Berry Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., and Charles E. McDaniel, Jr. City
Manager Isaiah Hugley, Assistant City Attorney Jamie Deloach, and Clerk of
Council Tiny B. Washington were also present.
Councilor Evelyn Woodson took her seat at the Council table at 5:40 p.m.
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ABSENT: Councilor R. Gary Allen, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh, and Councilors
Wayne Anthony and Berry ?Skip? Henderson were absent, but excused upon the
adoption of Resolution Numbers 266-09, 267-09, 268-09, and 269-09 respectively.
City Attorney Clifton Fay was also absent, but was represented by Assistant
City Attorney Jamie Deloach. Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis was also
absent.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Bishop L. D. Skinner, Pastor of the Bread of Life
Christian Center.
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PLEDGE: Led by Northern Little League Yankees Baseball All-Star Team.
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Due to there being only five members of Council present at this time in
the proceedings, Mayor Wetherington called up the Public Agenda as the first
order of business until such time that there were six members of Council
present in order to take action on any item.
PUBLIC AGENDA:
MR. JACKSON TURNER, RE: PRIORITIES SET BY VARIOUS LAW ENFORCMENET
AGENCIES:_______________________________________
Mr. Jackson Turner said he is here tonight to talk about the priorities
set by the various law enforcement agencies and said what brought him to this
matter is the speed traps on Interstate 1-185. He said he started noticing a
few months back that speed traps started appearing on I-185. He said there was
up to ten police vehicles that were out on the highway at any given time and
then an article subsequently appeared in the newspaper that was tally the
number of tickets that was given and the amount of revenue that was generated.
He said since he lives north of that area, he sees it pretty much everyday;
speed traps continues and then again another article appears in the newspaper.
He said he don?t think it is appropriate to take that many law enforcement
officers off of their duties to do speed trap duties. He said it started with
the police officers, and then he started seeing Sheriff Deputies and then
Marshal?s Deputies. He said he was wondering if they are able to do the jobs
they are supposed to be doing; their primary responsibilities while sitting on
speed trap duties. He said after a little investigation of the various
departments, he did notice that there is a lot of backlog. He said some of the
various law enforcement offices have a significant backlog of work; but yet
they are sitting on the side of I-185 handing out tickets. He said to him
this looks like revenue generation.
After Mr. Jackson expressed his concerns, Mayor Wetherington said from
time to time, we feel it is necessary to put emphasis on those folks who are
violating traffic laws. He said we don?t do it very often, but said every once
in a while, we put a detail out on I-185 and some of the other streets in the
City to observe traffic and make cases where necessary. He said it is not
something that we do on a very basis.
Captain Curtis Lockette of the Marshal?s Department also appeared and
presented some statistics with respect to the number of lives lost in accidents
by those persons speeding in response to those comments made by Mr. Jackson.
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DR. LOIS E. BRONERSKY-ENUMAHD, M.D., RE: 911 SERVICE IN COLUMBUS ? WHO IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT AND REGULATION OF
CHARGES:____________________________________________________________
Dr. Lois Enumahd came forward and said she recently had an allergic
reaction to some medication in which 911was called and she was transported to
the hospital. She explained that all of the people who were involved in her
care sent her a bill. She said one of the bills came from an ambulance service
and the insurance only paid $400 on a $1000 plus bill. She said she had
expected the insurance company to pay more and as a result she contacted the
insurance company and they explained that the ambulance service was out of
network. She said she did not agree with the insurance company therefore she
requested an appeal. She appealed the decision and 3 to 4 weeks later she
received a letter saying that the insurance company upheld their original
decision.
She said at this point she called the Columbus 911 business offices and
asked about the policy. She said she was told that it did not matter what
private insurance she had, the City has no arrangements with any insurance
agencies; and all insurances would be out of network.
She went on to make more comments regarding her insurance policy as it
relates to bills that were acquired during this incident.
Chief Robert Futtrell explained that the City does not have enough units
for the population of Columbus; therefore independent ambulance services are
used to catch the overload but the City does not regulate their rates.
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NOTE: Councilor Woodson arrived at this point in the proceedings with the
time being 5:40 p.m.
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City Manager Hugley said 7 years ago the former City Manager brought a
proposal based on the critical need for paramedics. He said we were short
paramedics then and we are still short paramedics today. He said without the
support of these private agencies we would not be able to meet the requirements
of the mandate for service to the citizens of this community. He said when this
plan was brought forward the intent was not to regulate what the private
providers charge, but to assist with the greater needs of providing that
service to them.
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MAYOR?S AGENDA
WITH THOSE NAMED IN THE RESOLUTIONS STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE
FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND READ IN THEIR ENTIRETY AND ADOPTED BY
THE COUNCIL:________
A Resolution (252-09) ? Commending the Northern Little League Yankees
Baseball Team for winning the 2009 Jack Cook Tournament City Championship.
Councilor Davis moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor
Barnes and carried unanimously by those six members of Council present for this
meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and Councilors Allen, Anthony, and
Henderson being absent from the meeting.
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A Resolution (253-09) ? Commending the Northern Little League Minor
Baseball All-Star Team for winning the 2009 Kirkland Scott Memorial Minor
Baseball Tournament Championship. Councilor Davis moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by those six
members of Council present for this meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and
Councilors Allen, Anthony, and Henderson being absent from the meeting.
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CITY ATTORNEY'S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY ASSISTANT
CITY ATTORNEY DELOACH AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND
READING:___________________________________
An Ordinance (09-41) ? Rezoning Property located at 3502 Kay Circle from
SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) zoning district to GC (General Commercial)
zoning district. (14-CA-09-Schreck) Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the
ordinance. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those six
members of Council present for this meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and
Councilors Allen, Anthony, and Henderson being absent from the meeting.
An Ordinance (09-42) ? Amending the ?Official Street Map, City of
Columbus, Georgia,? by changing the official street name for the section of
public roadway currently designated as Mutec Drive to Corporate Ridge Parkway,
to be one street name, consistent with the length of roadway; authorizing the
replacement of existing street name signs labeled as Mutec Drive to Corporate
Ridge Parkway. Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded
by Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by those six members of Council
present for this meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and Councilors Allen,
Anthony, and Henderson being absent from the meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE, WHOSE FIRST READING WAS CONTINUED FROM THE JULY
14, 2009 COUNCIL MEETING WAS AGAIN SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY ASSISTANT CITY
ATTORNEY DELOACH AND AFTER MORE THAN ONE HOUR OR MORE DISCUSSION WAS INTRODUCED
ON FIRST READING:____________________________________
An Ordinance ? Establishing a position of Director of Crime Prevention and
setting a Pay Grade of G24 for such position; and for other purposes. (Budget
Review Committee)(Delayed from July 14, 2009)
Ms. Judy Thomas, Executive Assistant to the Mayor came forward and said
this is the final report of the Mayor?s Commission, which began meeting last
January. She said the Mayor has introduced the members of the Commission and
they represent a broad base of our community. She said as the Commission met,
they looked at a number of programs throughout the city and they came to
realize; that this Office of Crime Prevention needs to focus in five areas.
She said the first recommendation that the Commission has is in the area of
recreation; the commission looked at the current recreation programs and
recreation centers. She said the recommendations include some upgrading and
possible expansion of the City owned recreation centers. She said they believe
that the location of the recreations should be evaluated as well as the
programming of each recreation center. She said the recreations centers should
offer a wide variety of activities for the children that attend them. She said
the Commission feels that in order for the recreation centers to be profitable
they must be sufficiently staffed with qualified staff, they should be open
later during school days and open all day during summer break. She said the
second area of emphasis that the Commission looked at was education, which
focused on parent education, as well as children. She said the third area that
the Commission took a look at was the drug and alcohol prevention. She said
the Commission spoke with the Columbus Police Department about areas of the
City that have a high crime rate and it was confirmed that a vast majority of
the crimes committed are drug related. She said the fourth area of
recommendation is employment and jobs and said the Commission took a look at
providing job training and certification of former prisoners when they come
back into the community. She said the last area of recommendation is on
community policing.
Ms. Thomas said the Director of the Office of Crime Prevention is seen as
a visionary, someone who sees the broad picture of crime prevention.
She said this person should have a broad background in these areas of emphases:
recreation, education, drug and alcohol, employment and jobs and community
policing. She said this is not a law enforcement position; this is a crime
prevention program. She said it is the Commission?s recommendation that this
person report to the Mayor and oversee the operating budget of the Office of
Crime Prevention in the same manner that other directors in the city
government. She said the Commission is also recommending a Crime Prevention
Board or Commission in which the director would serve as a liaison. She said
the Commission is also proposing that the director?s salary be set at a pay
grade 24, which is $63, 208.29. She said the Crime Prevention Commission is
recommending another Commission that would be 7 members including the chair.
She explained that the members would be nominated by the Mayor and approved by
Council. She said the Commission is recommending that the chair be given a
3-year term and the other 6 members be allotted a term by lot. She said the
Council has the final approval of all things concerning this Commission.
Councilor Woodson thanked Ms. Thomas for the presentation and said this is
exactly what she had been requesting. She said this would educate the citizens
on the work that was produced by the board members.
At this time, the chairman and several members of the Commission expressed
their thoughts and concerns.
Councilor Davis said we should keep in mind that there are four Council
members that are not present today. He expressed that it would be wise to
continue the issue on first reading due to the absent Councilors? requests and
concerns.
Mayor Wetherington said we have been talking about this issue since
January. He said he would like to honor Councilor Davis?s request, but he does
not want to keep putting this issue off. He said it is necessary to act on
this issue one-way or the other.
After more than one hour of discussion, this matter was delayed after
members of the Council expressed their further views and concerns.
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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 (254-09) ? Authorizing the submission of an application
and if approved accept a $7,500 Purchase of Services Grant from the Council of
Juvenile Court Judges of Georgia for the Juvenile Offenders Program. Councilor
Woodson moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel
and carried unanimously by those six members of Council present for this
meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and Councilors Allen, Anthony, and
Henderson being absent from the meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING ELEVEN PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS, HAVING BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE
CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION
MADE BY COUNCILOR WOODSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SIX MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING, WITH
MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND COUNCILORS ALLEN, ANTHONY AND HENDERSONI BEING
ABSENT FROM THIS MEETING:___________________________________________________
A Resolution (255-09) ? Authorizing the annual contract to purchase
hybrid low floor electric buses from Daimler Buses North America, Inc. METRA
anticipates purchasing approximately 0-5 buses per year over a five (5) year
period. The unit price, per contract year, for the buses, is as follows: Year
1: $483,146; Year 2: $490,393; Year 3: $497,749; Year 4: $505,215; Year 5:
$512,793. The City will allow for negotiating the bid price, if such things as
EPA, FTA or regulatory legislative guidelines are changed and bus manufacturers
are required to adhere to the new regulation. The hybrid low floor electric
buses will be used for both suburban express service and general service on
urban arterial streets. The hybrid low floor electric buses are replacement
units for the existing buses utilized by Department of Transportation/METRA.
The annual contract will enable METRA to replace old buses on an ?as needed?
basis for the next five years. The term of contract shall be for two (2) years,
with option to renew for three (3) additional twelve (12) month periods. The
contract renewal will be based solely upon the mutual agreement of the City and
the Contractor.
A Resolution (256-09) ? Authorizing the execution of an annual contract
for the purchase of security cameras and accessories on an ?as needed? basis
from GE Security, Inc., and Transit Marketing Group. During the first year,
Metra estimates spending approximately $103,000 to purchase security cameras
and accessories to be installed on transit buses. The term of the contract
will be for one year, with the option to renew for two additional twelve-month
periods. Contract renewal is contingent upon the mutual agreement of the City
and the Contractors.
A Resolution (257-09) ? ? Authorizing the approval of the contract for
pest control services with Knox Pest Control for the estimated annual contract
value of $16,752. The vendor will provide pest control services at 89 City
owned buildings. Additional buildings may be added to the list of buildings,
at any point during the contract, as required by the City. A monthly cost for
each additional building will be negotiated with the contractor. The contract
term is for a two-year period with an option to renew for three additional
twelve-month periods. Renewal of the contract is contingent upon the mutual
agreement of the City and the contracted vendor.
A Resolution (258-09) ? Authorizing the annual contract to purchase 30?
foot low floor trolley buses, from Gillig LLC. METRA anticipates purchasing
approximately 0-5 buses per year over a five (5) year period. The unit price,
per fiscal year of the contract, for the buses, is as follows: FY10 -
$410,578; FY11 - $410,578; *FY12, FY13 and FY14 vehicle prices will be
calculated using U.S. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index and All Urban
Consumer (CPI-U) and shall not exceed five (5%) percent annually. The 30? foot
low floor trolley buses are replacement units for the existing trolley buses.
The annual contract will enable METRA to replace old buses on an ?as needed?
basis for the next five years. The term of contract shall be for two (2) years,
with option to renew for three (3) additional twelve (12) month periods.
Contract renewal is contingent upon the City and the Contractor.
A Resolution (259-09) ? Authorizing payment to IBM, in the amount of
$42,142, to cover maintenance agreements for various computer hardware. The
cost covers parts and service 24-hours, 7-days per week.
A Resolution (260-09) ? Authorizing payment to AT&T for the annual
maintenance for all Cisco equipment and software license renewals, included in
the IP Telephony network in twelve locations: the Government Center, Annex,
Public Safety Complex, Fox Recreation Center, Trade Center, Public Services
Administration Building, Fleet Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, Signal
Shop, Storage Warehouse, METRA, and the Animal Control Facility. The annual
cost of network and equipment coverage, known as AT&T DataCare, is $97,362.84.
A Resolution (261-09) ? Authorizing payment to Grant Environmental
Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $30,000 for emergency field renovations for
the football field at Lakebottom Park. The renovations were needed because the
middle of the football field had been reduced to dirt due to the high traffic
volume. The field had to be laser graded from hash mark to hash mark and then
resodded. The field had to be ready by August; therefore the renovations were
approved as an emergency purchase by the City Manager on June 24, 2009. Grant
Environmental Contractors has performed similar work for the City, and
according to the Parks and Recreation Department, was able to complete the work
by the August deadline.
A Resolution (262-09) ? Authorizing the purchase of one (1) cab and
chassis from Beck Motor Company (Albany, GA), in the amount of $59,200. A
7-Yard dump truck body will be mounted onto the new cab and chassis. The truck
is a replacement unit that will be used by the Street Repairs and Maintenance
Division of Public Services to transport gravel and other roadway repair
materials to job sites throughout Muscogee County. On August 12, 2008 Council
approved the purchase of three (3) cab and chassis from Beck Motor Company, per
Resolution No.377-08, RFB No.08-0064. The bid specifications required vendors
to submit a bid price for future purchases. Beck Motor Company submitted a bid
price of $59,200, per unit, for future purchases. On June 23, 2009, the vendor
provided written confirmation to Public Services that they would honor the same
price.
A Resolution (263-09) ? Authorizing payment to CIMCO Refrigeration (Mobile,
Alabama), in the amount of $75,000, for preparatory infrastructure work for the
new ice rink. On December 18, 2007, per Resolution #623-07, Council approved
the emergency purchase of a replacement ice floor and refrigeration system,
from Cimco, for the Civic Center. While the vendor was performing the work,
they installed the mains, which will provide the future tie-in for the new ice
rink.
A Resolution (264-09) ? Authorizing payment to the Georgia Municipal
Association (GMA) in the amount of $33,138.66 for 2009 - 2010 membership dues
for the City of Columbus, Georgia. GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization
that provides legislative advocacy, education, employee benefit and technical
consulting services to its members.
A Resolution (265-09) ? Authorizing payment to Lightspeed Datalinks for
the maintenance of the Muscogee County Jail Visitation System in the amount of
$66,732 (payable each month @ $5,561); and payment for maintenance of the
Judicial Arraignment System in the amount of $16,200 (payable each month @
$1,350). The maintenance period covers a three-year period. Proceeds from the
inmate telephone system at the Muscogee County Jail was the primary source of
financing for the Video Visitation System, and the Judicial Arraignment System
which allows inmates to visit with their families and be arraigned by Superior
Court judges, without leaving their jail cells. However, in November 2008 the
account was transferred from the Sheriff?s Office to Columbus Consolidated
Government. Since November, the inmate telephone system proceeds are deposited
into the General Fund.
At this time, City Manager Hugley made some comments relating to the
provisions of the ice rink. He said before the summer, the Civic Center was
preparing to shut down for 3 months in an effort to install a new ice floor.
He said the cost of the ice floor was $1.3 million dollars. He said while they
were in the process of putting in the ice floor, Mr. Dale Hester, Director of
the Civic Center proceeded forward with asking the contractor to install the
mains, which would provide the future tie-in for the new ice rink. He said
this would cost $75,000. He said this decision was made to avoid having the
contractors complete the ice floor and then come back and tear something up
once they proceed with the new ice rink.
Councilor Baker asked if the work had already been authorized and if it was
funded out of the same funds.
City Manager Hugley explained that the $75,000 would come out of the 2003 B
Bond Series (3 million dollars), which was set aside for the skateboard park
and ice rink.
Councilor Davis asked if there was any reason why this shouldn?t have been
changes order.
City Manager Hugley clarified that it could have been presented as a change
order, but had it been presented as a change order it would have never appeared
before the Council.
Councilor Baker asked if the 10% change order authorization would supersede
the dollar limit authorization. He said he believes that there was a new
policy started July 1st to raise the authority to $25,000.
City Manager Hugley said the City Manager?s purchasing authority was
$10,000 in the past, but has been raised to $25,000, but said it has no
relation to the situation at hand. He said on any capital project there is an
ordinance that the City Manager has the authority to make change orders that do
not exceed 10% of the total amount of the project. He said if it exceeds 10%
of the total project amount then it must come before the Council for approval.
The question was then called on the motion to approve all the purchasing
items as outlined above, which carried unanimously by those six members of
Council present, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and Councilors Allen, Anthony,
and Henderson being absent from the meeting.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS
INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR & COUNCIL: _________
(1) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Alcoholic Beverage License
Requirements.
(2) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Land Bank Authority.
(3) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Taxicab Commission.
(4) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Valley Partnership.
(5) Mayor?s Committee for Person?s with Disabilities for the weeks of June 22,
29 & July 6, 2009.
(6) Biographical Sketch of Ms. Willette Roundtree, Keep Columbus Beautiful
Commission recommendation to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Josephina Takemoto
in the At-Large position.
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KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION:
With regards to the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission, Councilor Woodson
said she received an email with reference to this appointment; however, she
would like to ask for a delay on this matter because she has some individuals
who are interested in serving on this board. She said she is going to bring
some names forward for this board, as well as the C.I.R.C.L.E. because there is
a Latino Women?s Organization who is ready to get involved in serving on
boards.
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LAND BANK AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Mr. Rob Doll,
resigning his position on the Land Bank Authority.
Councilor McDaniel moved the letter be received with regrets and thanks
for his service. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those
six members of Council present for this meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh
and Councilors Allen, Anthony, and Henderson being absent from the meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING FOUR RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF
COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A
SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR HUNTER,
WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SIX MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS
MEETING, WITH MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND COUNCILORS ALLEN, ANTHONY AND
HENDERSON BEING ABSENT FROM THIS
MEETING:_______________________________________________________
A Resolution (266-09) ? Excusing Councilor R. Gary Allen from the July 28,
2009 Council Meeting.
A Resolution (267-09) ? Excusing Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh from the
July 28, 2009 Council Meeting.
A Resolution (268-09) ? Excusing Councilor Wayne Anthony from the July
28, 2009 Council Meeting.
A Resolution (269-09) ? Excusing Councilor Berry ?Skip? Henderson from the
July 28, 2009 Council Meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK
OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL:________________________________________________________
Application of Pastor Greg Saunders to temporarily close Thomas Street
between Rigdon Road and Benner Avenue on Sunday, August 9, 2009 from 4:00 P.M.
to 7:00 P.M.
Councilor McDaniel moved the approval of the application. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those six members of Council
present for this meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and Councilors Allen,
Anthony, and Henderson being absent from the meeting.
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MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL:__________________________________________________________
Budget Review Committee, May 12, 2009.
Development Authority of Columbus, June 4, 2009.
Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission, June 9, 2009.
Planning Advisory Commission, February 18, 2009.
Planning Advisory Commission, March 18, 2009.
Planning Advisory Commission, April 15, 2009.
Board of Tax Assessors, No. 24-09.
Councilor McDaniel moved the approval of the minutes. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those six members of Council
present for this meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and Councilors Allen,
Anthony, and Henderson being absent from the meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING TWO NEW ZONING PETITIONS RECOMMENDED FOR CONDITIONAL
APPROVAL BY BOTH THE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION AND THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT
WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC
HEARING WERE CALLED FOR BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL: ___________
Petition submitted by Rebecca Hubbard to rezone .8 acres of property
located at 506 23rd Street from RMF2 (Residential Multi Family 2) to RMF1
(Residential Multi Family 1) District. (Recommended for Conditional Approval by
both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Department)
(15-CA-09-Neighborworks Columbus).
Petition submitted by David Cummings to rezone 0.70 acres of property
located at 2416 Warm Springs Road from Residential Office w/ Conditions to
Residential Office w/ Amended Conditions. (Recommended for Conditional Approval
by both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Department)
(16-CA-09-Cummings).
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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Carmel Biggers, and Mr.
Donald Bowman terms of office expired back in March and that they are not
eligible to succeed themselves and a nomination would be needed for these
seats. She said the Mayor is working on a replacement for Mr. Biggers? seat and
that the Council will need to nominate someone to succeed Mr. Bowman. There was
no action taken.
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COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & CULTURAL LIAISON ENCOUNTERS
(CIRCLE):_______________________________________________
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that at the July 14, 2009 Council
Meeting, Mr. Sudhir V. Patel and Mr. Owen Ditchfielf was nominated for another
term of office to succeed themselves on the C.I.R.C.L.E. and advised that they
may now be confirmed.
Councilor Woodson said she would like to ask that this matter be delayed
because she has someone interested in this board; however, Clerk of Council
Washington stated that since these two incumbents have already been nominated
to succeed themselves for another term of office she would ask that they be
confirmed, as there is one additional vacancy on this board that the individual
Councilor Woodson is considering can be appointed to. There were no objections
expressed by Councilor Woodson.
Councilor Hunter then made a motion that Mr. Patel and Mr. Ditchfield be
confirmed. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those six
members of Council present for this meeting and carried unanimously by those
six members of Council present for this meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh
and Councilors Allen, Anthony, and Henderson being absent from the meeting.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Clerk of Council Washington informed Council that Mr. Steven D?Ostroph has
resigned and Councilor Henderson is working on a replacement and that she is
also working with Leadership Columbus.
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COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ADVISORY BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington informed Council that Rev. Joseph Roberson does
not wish to be reappointed and Cooperative Extension is working on
recommendations for a replacement.
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EMPLOYEES? PENSION PLAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that City Manager Hugley is
nominating Mrs. Reather Hollowell, who serves as the City employees?
representative for another term of office, for which her current term expired
on June 30, 2009. Councilor Hunter moved she be confirmed. Seconded by
Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by those six members of Council
present for this meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and Councilors Allen,
Anthony, and Henderson being absent from the meeting.
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LAND BANK AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of
Mr. William Baird, Mr. Terry Hattaway, and Mr. Joseph Powell have expired on
the Land Bank Authority. She also pointed out that Mr. Rob Doll has resigned
from his seat on this board.
She said Mr. Baird, Mr. Hattawy and Mr. Powell are all eligible to succeed
themselves for another term of office. She said Mr. Baird and
Mr. Hattaway are the Council?s appointments and Mr. Powell and Mr. Doll are the
Mayor?s appointment. There were no nominations made.
*** *** ***
TREE BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out those terms of office of
Mr. James R. Head, Ms. Dorothy McDaniel and Mr. Milton Anthony for the Tree
Board expired on July 31, 2009 and that Mr. Head and Ms. McDaniel are eligible
to succeed themselves for another term of office; however
Mr. Anthony is not eligible to succeed himself, as he has served more than two
consecutive full terms of office.
*** *** ***
VALLEY PARTNERSHIP JOINT DEVELOPMENT AUT:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of Ms.
Jacki Lowe and Mr. Carmen Cavezza on the Valley Partnership Joint Development
Authority has expired and that they are both eligible to succeed themselves for
another term of office.
*** *** ***
Ms. Catherine Cunningham, who lives in Oakland Park came forward and said
we have the Police, Sheriff?s and Marshal?s Department on the Interstate and
then asked why can?t they coordinate these efforts instead of having all of
them there at the same time, so that we can have more police officers where we
need them on the streets.
Mayor Wetherington said he has talked with Chief Boren about that and said
he thinks that we should be more aggressive seven days a week. He said he
thinks that we should be consistent throughout the weeks, and months.
Ms. Cunningham said they could coordinate and allow one agency to go out
at a certain time. She then expressed some concerns that she has been
experiencing in her neighborhood with crime taken place. She said she has had
to call the Police Department on a number of occasions.
Mayor Wetherington pointed out to Ms. Cunningham that we would soon have
some additional police officers on the streets to help curtail these crime
elements.
With there being no other business to come before this Council, Councilor
McDaniel then made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and
carried unanimously by those six members of Council present for this meeting,
with Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and Councilors Allen, Anthony, and Henderson
being absent from the meeting, and the time being 8:50 p.m.
Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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