MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
JUNE 18, 2013
A meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called to order at 9:09
A.M., Tuesday, June 18, 2013, on the Plaza Level of the Government Center,
Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor and Honorable Evelyn
Turner Pugh, Mayor Pro Tem, presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Tomlinson and Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh were
Councilors Mike Baker, Berry H. Henderson, Judy W. Thomas and Evelyn Woodson.
City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Tiny B.
Washington and Deputy Clerk Sandra Davis were also present. Councilor Bruce
Huff took his seat at the Council table at 9:15 a.m. Councilor Jerry ?Pops?
Barnes took his seat at the Council table at 9:17 a.m.
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***-------------------------------------ABSENT: Councilor R. Gary Allen was
absent, but was excused upon the adoption of Resolution Number 213-13.
Councilors Glenn Davis and Charles E. McDaniel, Jr. were also absent.
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***-------------------------------------INVOCATION: Led by Pastor Pastor
Jeremy Rands - Grace Baptist Church.
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PLEDGE: Led by Generational Kids Academy
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MAYOR?S AGENDA:
TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS PUBLIC HEARING:
City Attorney Fay said this is the last of our taxpayer?s bill of rights
public hearing that is required by Title 48 of the Georgia Code. He said this
set of hearings is required every year because the value in our tax digest are
projected to increase this year; although the millage rates for our taxpayers
are not going to increase for FY-14. He said he knows that a lot of people are
listening or may be here because they got notices about their property values,
and said if you have a question about your property value, then you need to
contact the Board of Tax Assessors? Office.
He said Director of Finance Pam Hodge is present here this morning and
said there may be individuals who may want to speak to the public hearing.
Director of Finance Pam Hodge came forward and pointed out that this is
the third taxpayers? bill of rights public hearing. She said this is a notice
of property tax increase that is required by law, and said it is a notice to
taxpayers as a whole and not individually, that the total amount of taxes that
will be collected in FY-14 will be higher than in FY-13. She said that is only
due to changes in the digest and not changes in the millage. She said the
millage rate remains the same, District 1 at 17.88, that it is District 2 at
11. 90 and District 4 at 11 mills. She said the problem with this ad is
required by the State and it doesn?t take into account the specifics of our
county dealing with the property tax freeze. She said it?s a little misleading
and we want to make sure that we answer everyone?s questions.
City Attorney Fay then asked if there was anyone who wanted to be heard.
Mr. Paul Olson then came forward and offered his comments regarding the
City?s FY-14 budget. He made comments regarding the Other Local Option Sales
Tax. He also made reference to Article 7, Section 7-102 Millage Limitation of
the Charter. He made comments about the new Natatorium and said this is an
amenity that the citizens never asked for.
Mayor Tomlinson in responding to a comment made by Mr. Olson said the
Development Authority millage has not gone up and said that Parks & Recreation
did absorb both the 2 percent cut last year, as well as the 1.5 percent this
year.
City Attorney Fay then asked if there was anyone else who wanted to speak
to the Title 48, Taxpayer?s Bill of Rights? Public Hearing, relative to our
millage rates in Columbus, Georgia. He then said with there being no one else
wanting to be heard, this public hearing is concluded.
Ms. Serena F. Williams said she just had a question about the increase in
the property taxes. She said she just wanted to know if they can be reduced.
She said she inherited some property and said the taxes have more than tripled.
She said she has a very small income and doesn?t have that kind of money to pay
the taxes. She said if she is not able to pay the taxes; then the property will
eventually be lost.
Mayor Tomlinson said when it is a particular piece of property and there
has been a transfer, as you have inherited it, said there is a reassessment as
to the value because it was probably frozen under whomever it was that gave it
to you. She then suggested to Ms. Williams to contact Ms. Betty Middleton, who
is over our Tax Assessors Department, so that she can handle your particular
circumstances. She said the property tax rate is not going up.
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MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS: Minutes of the May 14 & 28, 2013 Council Meetings
of the Council of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were
submitted and approved. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the approval of the
minutes. Seconded by Councilor Huff and carried unanimously by those seven
members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and
McDaniel being absent.
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PUBLIC AGENDA
CORONER BUDDY BRYAN, RE: RATE INCREASE FOR THE TRANSPORT OF
BODIES:_
_
Mr. Buddy Bryan, Coroner, said he is extremely proud to be the ambassador
for the City of Columbus and the citizens that he represents. He said he would
like to thank Mr. Jon Johnson, Financial Analyst, who assisted him with the
process of his budget. He said he, along with Marshal Greg Countryman, one of
the elected officials that did meet his budget reduction. He said he was proud
of that and believes they reduced their budget by 2.8 %; however, it was a
mandatory 1.5% that was to be reduced; but said he is a team player.
Mr. Bryan said he is here today to make you aware of some of the things
that he brought up at the last meeting. He said Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh
requested an analysis, but said he don?t know if it has been reviewed. He said
he has brought professionalism, ethics, morale and dignity back into the
Coroner?s office. He said he is a caring individual and sympathic to the
families? needs. He said he is planning on being in this position for twelve
years, three terms and then fully retired.
He said as of today, they have had 305 cases that have come through his
department. He said they are a little above average and will probably do about
700 this year. He said they based the budget on their needs and not their
wants. He said he based it on the need and what they needed in the office to
function. He said one of the programs that he is working on is reducing infant
child mortality in Columbus.
Mr. Bryan said he is serving on a committee where they are meeting with
expectant mothers, teaching the rights and wrongs of co-sleeping, having
stuffed animals in the bed with their children. He said he is also working with
the homeless shelters, Salvation Army, the House of Mercy, trying to get them
to mandate that when someone comes through their facility, they be provided
with the names of two individuals that they are connected with, the next of
kin, in the event something should happen to them or in the time of death. He
said a week doesn?t go by that they don?t have a death where they have to do a
lot of investigation in trying to find the next of kin. He said they are trying
to reduce that and in essence in reducing, that we will reduce the amount of
money paid out by the City for pauper and indigent cases. He said he also has a
program that he has introduced where they will be providing living wills, basic
wills, general and durable power of attorneys to the citizens of Columbus at no
cost. He said these are valuable documents that need to be in place and will
save the families from a lot of stress and strain. He said they can call his
office and they will produce these documents and have them notarized at the
same time.
He said he has provided the members of the Council with the Revenue
General Analysis. He said one thing that he is asking the Council to consider
is that at the present time we charge $150.00 to the outside counties to
transport one of their remains to Atlanta to the crime lab. He said they store
them in his morgue, and his driver, their vehicle takes them up to the crime
lab for $150.00 and he is asking the Council for permission to allow them to
increase that from $150.00 to $275.00 and said this is a way to bring in
revenues for the City.
Mr. Bryan said by law, they are required to transport remains to Atlanta
to the crime lab, but said they are not responsible for bringing them back once
a funeral home has been determined by the family. He said he has sent a letter
to all of the funeral homes making them aware of that we will no longer do
that; but said as an option to these funeral homes, for transportation, he is
asking the Council to allow him to charge these area funeral homes at a rate of
$175.00. He said he has checked with three transport services around town and
said they will charge anywhere from $275-$300. He said we can bring them back
and this will create about $35,000 in revenue to the City of Columbus.
He said they have never charged for copies, but said 90% of all the other
departments charge for any kind of copies and said they are asking the Council
to allow his department to charge for copies at the families? request; copies
of autopsies, copies of the Coroner?s report, and etc. He said this could also
generate anywhere from $800 to $1,000 in revenues into the general fund.
Mr. Bryan said his final request is that they have a surplus two-body
cooler that is located at the Coroner?s morgue and that currently have an
excellent walk-in cooler that will hold 8 to 10 bodies. He said many local and
area funeral homes have inquired about purchasing this cooler. He said we can
sell it and generate $2,000 - $3,000 because it is only taking up space for him
and using electricity.
Mayor Tomlinson said in regards to request Number 3 she knows that we
won?t be able to do that because it may be interpreted as in conflict with the
Georgia State Open Records Act. She said any documents that are provided to the
public, at the request of the public must be done consistent with that statute.
She said there is specific copy costs that is set by State law and we cannot
set a fee that is in conflict with that or different from that. She said she
would encourage Mr. Bryan to get together with the City Attorney to make sure
you are charging what the law allows you to charge because that is going to be
dictated by State law.
With regards to the matter of the cooler, Mayor Tomlinson said there is
nothing that stops him from declaring that cooler surplus and said there is a
process that we go through with the Finance Department, so just let them know.
City Attorney Fay said the transport fees can be set with the Council?s
discretion by resolution, if you want to take a look at that. He said with
regards to the copier costs, said we are restricted by the Public Records? law.
He said he saw Senator McKoon and Representative Pezold earlier in the meeting
this morning and said maybe perhaps they can consider a possible amendment to
help county coroners with copy fees, but said that would take a change in State
law.
He said he could work with the City Manager and Finance Office to declare the
cooler surplus.
After the conclusion of Mr. Bryan?s presentation, several members of the
Council then expressed their views and concerns regarding some of the Coroner?s
requests and recommendations that were being made.
Mr. Bryan then responded to the questions of members of the Council.
After much discussion on this subject, Mayor Tomlinson then asked if this
is something that has to be done in the budget or could we possibly sit down
with some of the Council members and hash this matter out. She asked if fee
adjustments have to be done in the budget or could it be done as an amendment
to the budget.
City Attorney Fay said it could be done by an amendment or this could be
set by a resolution of the Council. He said it could be a little bit less
formal than an ordinance if you wanted to; it?s your discretion.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said fees are usually discussed before the end
of the budget process too.
Mayor Tomlinson said we did discuss it at the budget process somewhat
and Mr. Bryan did present some information to the Council , but said she
thinks that there is obviously a lot of information that needs to be vetted
through, but said it just seems like this is a little deeper than maybe we
might be able to get into today.
She said it might be good for the Council to hear from the Coroner, since he is
new in the position, for them to hear from you, your observation since you have
come into the position and why you feel these changes need to be made.
Further discussions continued on this matter, with members of the Council
expressing their further views and Mr. Bryan and City Attorney Fay responding
to questions of members of the Council.
With regards to the issue of charging for copies, Councilor Woodson said
she spoke with State Representative Josh McKoon before leaving because she had
some questions in this regard. She said he told her that when the law passed,
it did not include the Coroner. She said he is going back to his office to do
some research on this particular matter and he will email us back with a
response. She said she thinks that we need to wait and see what his response is
going to be.
City Attorney Fay said we will certainly hope for some positive news from
the Senator, but said since the 1980s coroners have been subject to the Open
Records law and Open Meetings law by case law.
After some additional fifteen minutes of discussion, after comments were
made by additional Council members, this matter was then concluded.
Mayor Tomlinson said she has already sent an email to the City Attorney
and asked him to put together an administrative work group of councilors who
may be interested in this matter so that we can move this discussion along.
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Mayor Tomlinson recognized the presence of State Representative John
Pezold
and State Senator Josh McKoon, who was present in the Council Chambers
earlier.
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CITY ATTORNEY'S AGENDA
THE FOLLOWING SEVEN ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY
ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING UPON THE ADOPTION OF
A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR
WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SEVEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT
FOR THIS MEETING, WITH COUNCILORS ALLEN, DAVIS AND MCDANIEL BEING ABSENT:
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An Ordinance (13-23) ? Rezoning property located at 839 Veterans Parkway,
308 9th Street, 842 and 844 3rd Avenue from UPT (Uptown)/HIST (Historic) to GC
(General Commercial) Zoning District. The purpose of the rezoning is for an
Auto/Truck Minor Repair (Sale of Automotive Enhancements).
An Ordinance (13-24) ? Rezoning property located at 8121 Old Pope Lane and
Easement from RE1 (Residential Estate 1) to SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2)
Zoning District. The purpose of the rezoning is Single Family Homes.
An Ordinance (13-25) ? Rezoning property located at 10274 Sable Oaks Drive
and Residential 2)/RE1 (Residential Estate 1) with conditions to SFR2 (Single
Family 10273 Greenfield Drive from SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) with
amended conditions Zoning District. The purpose of the rezoning is Single
Family Homes.
An Ordinance (13-26) ? Rezoning property located at 1646 and 1648
Manchester Expressway from NC (Neighborhood Commercial) to GC (General
Commercial) Zoning District. The purpose of the rezoning is to for a pawn
shop.
An Ordinance (13-27) ? Adopting a budget for the Fiscal Year 2014
beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2014, for certain funds of the
Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, and appropriating the amounts
shown in each budget.
An Ordinance (13-28) ? Adopting non-operating budgets for the Fiscal Year
2014 beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2014, for certain funds of the
Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, and appropriating the amounts
shown in each budget.
An Ordinance (13-29) ? Amending Article VII of Chapter 13 of the Columbus
Code Solid Waste Collection and Disposal by changing the monthly residential
garbage fee and updating the guidelines for an offset to the residential rate
for low-income households; and for other purposes.
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THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY
ATTORNEY FAY AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST
READING:________________________________________________
An Ordinance ? Providing for the establishment of taxing districts,
including a county-wide general services district, three (3) urban services
districts and three (3) Business Improvement Districts (BID); providing for the
levy, assessment, and collection of taxes for Columbus, Georgia within such
districts for the year 2013 as provided under the Charter of the Consolidated
Government of Columbus, Georgia; providing penalties for violations of the
provisions of said ordinance; and for other purposes.
An Ordinance ? Providing for the levy, assessment, and collection of taxes
for the public school system of Columbus, Georgia; and for other purposes.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION THEN INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:_____________
An Ordinance ? Requiring elected officials and various departments of the
consolidated government to seek Council approval for expenditures exceeding
budgeted appropriations.
Councilor Huff asked what the process has been in the past when an elected
official had an issue with the budget or a budget overrun who would they go
through. Would they go to the City Manager or the Finance Director?
City Attorney Fay said that should be the process; however, he would let
Finance Director Hodge respond to that question.
Finance Director Pam Hodge said the process in the past has been typically
after June 30th we are still accruing expenditures related to a particular
fiscal year, which will come in after the fiscal year and we will bring back to
the Council a final budget amendment and at that time, is when you are
approving adding or reducing a department?s budget.
In response to a question of Councilor Huff, as to whether or not there
have been problems in the past, Finance Director Hodge said we have had
departments who exceeded their budgets in the past and we have had to come back
to the Council to get a final budget amendment for approval.
Ms. Hodge said the new process would require elected officials to come to
Council to request additional funds before any expenditure is incurred and not
afterwards.
Discussion continued on this matter with Mayor Tomlinson and several
members of the Council expressing their views regarding this matter, with
Finance Director Hodge responding to questions of members of the Council.
Councilors Woodson and Henderson pointed out that this is a house cleaning
measure and stated that it is for all department heads, which includes elected
officials.
City Manager Hugley also made comments regarding this proposed ordinance
pointing out that there are at least one to three departments on an annual
basis that will exceed their budget, but all of the others stay within the
bottom line of their budget. He said he wants to make clear for everyone that
it is not a situation where they exceed their budgets during the course of the
year and they just sent it to the Finance Director and she finds a way to make
it work; that just don?t happen because she doesn?t have that authority.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh pointed out in the proposed ordinance at the
top, it says various departments, but said it should say all departments.
After more than twenty minutes of discussion on this matter, with Director
of Finance Hodge responding to further questions of members of the Council,
this matter was then concluded.
City Attorney Fay said we will vote on this ordinance at our next meeting
of the Council.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND AFTER SOME DISCUSSION INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:___________________
An Ordinance (13-23) ? Amending Section 20-13.11 to create an additional
parking management district; and for other purposes.
City Attorney Fay said this is to cover the new parking facility at the
City Services Center. He said it will allow enforcement at that facility.
Councilor Thomas said she had a number of questions about the parking
deck. She said one of her questions on the ordinance is what will the parking
district be regulating; what portion of the parking deck will they be
regulating.
Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin said we are looking at the reserved
spaces. She said in the parking deck on the first level, and part of the second
level, there are reserved spaces for city officials and city employees. She
said when the public comes in there, and they park in the reserved spaces that
means parking enforcement has the authority to ticket them when they do that.
She said we will have good signage there to let the public know where their
spaces are.
Councilor Thomas said it is her belief that the first floor of that
complex should be reserved for the general public parking and not reserved for
employees or officials. She said the second and third floor she thinks should
be sufficient to hold the employees and the public officials who go there. She
said she would much prefer that the ground floor be for the general public. She
said she feels very strongly about reserving parking for officials and making
the citizens track wherever they are going to go.
After further discussion on this matter, with Deputy City Manager Goodwin
responding to further questions and concerns of Councilor Thomas, Councilor
Thomas said she would like to propose that the ground floor of that facility be
general public parking and not reserved parking. She said she thinks it is
important that out taxpayers have easy access to that Citizens Service Center.
She said she don?t think it?s appropriate to put it in the ordinance, and she
is not sure of exactly what the process would be.
Mayor Tomlinson said maybe we should have a briefing to show all of the
parking that?s available.
After the conclusion of the discussion, City Attorney Fay pointed out that
this ordinance will be voted on next week subject to refinement by the Council
or an administrative decision about whose going to park where .
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THE FOLLOWING FOUR ORDINANCES WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY
ATTORNEY FAY AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST
READING:_______________________________________ _
An Ordinance ? Providing for contributions to the Columbus, Georgia
General Government Employees? Pension Plan for the fiscal year beginning July
1, 2013.
An Ordinance ? Providing for the contributions to the Columbus, Georgia
Pension Plan for employees of the Department of Public Safety for the fiscal
year beginning July 1, 2013.
An Ordinance ? Providing for Government funding of a Major Disability
Income Plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2013.
An Ordinance ? Providing for Government funding of a Death Benefit Escrow
for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2013.
City Attorney Fay said these ordinances will be voted on at our meeting on
next week.
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CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WERE SUMBITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:_____
____________ _
A Resolution (208-13) ? Authorizing the approval to enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with Georgia Department of Transportation
(GDOT), for the acceptance of $1 million ( with a 20% cash match) in
Transportation Enhancement funds for construction of the Chattahoochee
Riverwalk, between 13th Street to 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
By Councilor Huff and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council
present for the meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel being absent.
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A Resolution (209-13) ? Authorizing the implementation of the updated
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program for FTA and FHWA Contracts. The
Federal Transit Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation
requires updates to the City?s Disadvantage Business Enterprise Program.
Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by
Councilor Huff and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council
present for the meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel being absent.
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A Resolution (210-13) ? Authorizing the submission of an application and,
if approved, accept an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) grant for
Federal Fiscal Year 2013 solicitation in the amount of $89,554, or as otherwise
awarded, with no local match requirement, to be used by eligible departments
for eligible projects as defined in the grant.
Councilor Huff moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Mayor Pro
Tem Turner and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council present
for the meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel being absent.
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION WAS THEN ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:______________
A Resolution (211-13) ? Authorizing the approval of rates for the Columbus
Aquatic Center that was included in the Business Plan presented on April 12,
2012.
City Manager Hugley said he would like to delay the component for CCG
employees. He said he will come back to the Council at a later date. He said he
would be asking for the approval of these rates that have been presented to the
Council before.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Huff.
Councilor Woodson said that she saw an email where it stated that a fee
for a residence was $300 a year and for non-residence was $350.00. She asked
what the rationale of this amount was.
City Manager Hugley said they are not taxpaying citizens, although people
outside our county pay sales tax and etc., but our residents pays property
taxes and other related fees; so, it?s a break for our residents and those
coming in taking advantage of the amenities that are being supported by
operating costs for citizens, will pay a little more.
Councilor Woodson said she didn?t have a problem with that, but the
question that she had was in the email, that the fee was so little that we were
charging the non-residents; and then asked if it is because we have the small
surrounding counties that oftentimes have issues.
City Manager Hugley said it could have been more.
Councilor Woodson said she thinks that we should give a discount rate to
our employees. She said the public forgets that we are taxpayers and that we
pay for these facilities. She said that we are always depending on our
employees and asking them to do more for less. She said there are many times we
have not been able to give them pay raises, but said our employees will go the
extra mile to meet our citizens? needs and make sure that the request of this
Council is honored. She said she is in favor of looking at that packet for our
employees.
Discussions continued on this matter, with City Manager Hugley making
additional comments regarding the high cost of employees? health cost and
things that we are doing to try to reduce our health costs and improving our
employees? health. He also responded to further questions and concerns of the
Council regarding the proposed fee structure for the Columbus Aquatics Center.
Councilor Thomas asked if there was a discount for active duty military.
She said she would also like for us to continue to take a look at these fees in
the first year to see what all of that impact has.
After more than fifteen minutes of discussion on this subject, Councilor
Thomas then made a motion to amend the fee structure to state that active duty
military with proper military identification shall qualify for residence rates.
Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those seven members of
Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis & McDaniel being
absent.
Discussion continued on this matter, with members of the Council
expressing further views on this subject, with City Manager Hugley and Director
of Parks & Recreation Dr. James Worsley responding to further questions of
members of the Council, after which the question was then called on the earlier
motion to adopt the resolution, as amended, which carried unanimously by those
seven members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis
and McDaniel being absent.
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WORK SESSION ITEM:
HONORARY NAMING OF STREETS & BUILDINGS:
City Manager Hugley said he asked Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin to
bring something on honorary naming of streets and bridges for discussion
purposes.
Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin came forward and said over the last
several months there have been much discussion about honorary designations of
our city?s facilities and streets. She said we just wanted to come and provide
you with an update of where we are in terms of that process and to also garner
some guidance from you as to where we go from here, in terms of what you would
like to see in terms of honorary designations.
Ms. Goodwin then gave a short ten minute presentation on the current
process, which is outlined below.
She said the Board of Honor, which is a designated Council appointed board
oversees the memorial program under which public activities, buildings, bridges
and other facilities are named for distinguish citizens.
Current Ordinance, Ord. #11-57
Allows the renaming of existing city streets or any segment thereof in honor or
memory of any person living or deceased and shall not change the numbering of
buildings or official street addresses.
She said on April 17, 2013 the Board of Honor at their meeting made a
recommendation that anyone who was being honored for contribution to a specific
place on the street, we name the block in front of the particular place, but if
a person is being honored for their contribution to the entire neighborhood,
then we name the entire street for that person.
Ms. Goodwin said the UDO does prohibit street names that conflict with
existing street names.
Current Process
Request received from Mayor, Council, City or outside organization to the Clerk
of Council
Clerk of Council places renaming request on her agenda for action by Council
If Council approves referral, Clerk of Council will forward to Honor Board for
consideration
Honor Board meets and agrees upon a recommendation
Recommendation from Honor Board is placed on the Clerk of Council?s agenda
along with meeting minutes and memo on board?s action.
City Council takes a vote to call for a resolution.
Clerk of Council prepares resolution for Councils consideration to be placed on
her agenda for the next council meeting.
If approved by Council, request sent to responsible department to handling.
Types of Requests:
Public Facilities
Trees
Plaques
Benches
Sports Fields
Portions of the Riverwalk
Street Names
Honorary Naming
Ms. Goodwin then outlined some of the honorees that have had designations
made in their honor.
Installing Honorary Amenity or Street Designation Signage
Upon the approval of City Council for an honorary street designation, the
Traffic Engineer is authorized to erect appropriate signage in a color
distinguishable from standard street signage.
Signs are purchased by requesting organization or family members
City installs signage
Similar requests will be forwarded and handled in the same manner for each
department, i.e. Parks and Recreation for ball field designations, etc.
Comments Received
Should honorary designations honor:
Living or Deceased Persons?
Ms. Goodwin said currently only street names can be named for the living
or dead.
Should there be time limits on designations?
Example: 5, 10, 15 years or a Lifetime?
Ms. Goodwin said currently city-owned facilities have a 15-year
designation and said this was approved a few years ago. She said what we are
looking for today is guidance from the Council as to whether or not we should
continue business as usual or are there other things that you would like to see
in terms of honorary designation that are currently not in place or is okay as
it is.
Councilor Woodson said when they did the designation for Reverend Flakes
it was a designation, not a street name change. Ms. Goodwin said you don?t
change the name of the street as she mentioned earlier in her presentation, the
street name remains the same. She said the street name is the same, but said it
is an honorary designation, which means that there is another different color
sign that goes on top of that one, which distinguishes that as an honorary
street named in honor of that person.
Councilor Thomas said she wanted to make one clarification. She said she
thinks that it was an ordinance that Councilor Henderson brought to us which
says that city-owned facilities have a 15-year designation. She said the
ordinance says that it may be reviewed by the board it doesn?t say that it will
or anything will change. She said it just says that if the board and/or the
council wants those reviewed, the 15-year time period is there. She said
currently city-owned facilities have a lifetime unless this ordinance goes into
effect; she believes that is correct.
Deputy City Manager Goodwin said as it pertains to that sub-section, that
it may be reviewed by the Board of Honor or the Columbus Council after the
lapse of the 15-year period from the date of the facility naming by Council.
She said after that 15-year period, they can look at it again.
Councilor Thomas said the statement that says there is an l5-year
designation needs to be tweaked.
Councilor Henderson said he has received a call from two members of the
Board of Honor and said they were desperately seeking some guidance because we
have forwarded some of these issues on them and have left it in their court to
try to work their way through it and said that is unfair because the guidelines
should be set by this body. He said he don?t know if there is a lot wrong with
what we are doing. He said he is in the minority because he has never been a
fan of even an honorary naming of a street simple because those are resources
that give directions to folks visiting our community, and public safety
personnel. He said even though they are honorary, it could still cause some
confusion. He said he don?t think there is anything wrong with reserving the
naming of facilities and streets for people who have passed. He said he knows
that it has been addressed in the past, by issuing a resolution of this
Council. He said when they are nearing their end of time on the earth, we have
presented a resolution acknowledging that at the appropriate time, it will be
submitted to the Board of Honor; and that way they are notified of the City?s
recognition of their contributions to the community; and yet we have stayed in
lined with what has traditionally been done, and that is naming these after
folks who have deceased.
He said however, the Council decides to do it that?s fine with him;
however, he just wants something that we can give the Board of Honor in the
form of some guidelines in an ordinance which will say these are your
parameters. He said it is kind of unfair what we do to them, telling them to
decide, and asking them to tell us whether they are going to do the entire
street, part of a street, a plaque or sign. He said he does think that in the
event, somebody who had some truly significant impact on the community and
there were to be a street renamed, he thinks that should only be done with an
ordinance and not through the Board Honor, but it is something that should be
adopted by this Council.
Councilor Henderson said his recommendations would be that if the streets
are done, he thinks that it should just be the block in front of that street
and then an honorary marking of the street signs bordering that block and that
way we keep it consistent. He said he recognizes that it represents a change
from what might have happened before but that is because we didn?t have
guidelines. He said he would also recommend that we continue to acknowledge
these individuals prior to their passing, but actually name the facilities
after they have passed.
Councilor Barnes said he thinks that whenever individuals contribute to a
community, they contribute greatly to this community and he feels that you need
to give people their flowers while they are alive. He said he has a 10-year
recap of how we have done this and said for the most part that it has been
subjective. He said he agrees with his fellow Councilors that we need to have
some kind of guidelines that it makes it even and across the board with every
person who comes before us. He said he has noticed some inconsistencies in this
10-year study. He said we do need to give them specific guidelines, because he
doesn?t think that we need to put the responsibility on these individuals.
He said he would like for members of this Council to get together and do a
work group. He said we can?t undo what has been done, but said we can make sure
that going forward in the future that our guidelines are equal and equitable to
each and every person who is nominated.
Mayor Tomlinson said she thinks that we can get a work group together if
there are some councilors who are interested. She said it is such a difficult
subject to talk about. She said when she was in private practice she had the
opportunity to see a City having to take a name off of streets and buildings
because of something that occurred while the person was still alive, but much
later in life. She said we hope that never happens, but said she has seen them
taking the person?s name off. She said even though they did great work
something happened later in life, it wasn?t someone that the community felt
needed their name on a major building. She said it is an unfortunate part of
this, but said it is something to consider and other cities have had that
unfortunate experience and hopefully, we never will.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said the reason we went to naming city-owned
facilities after a person who is deceased because we started getting a lot of
requests. She said if you do one, how you could justify not do another. She
said that was the caveat when we went to saying that a person had to be
deceased before we could name a city-owned facility after them.
Mayor Tomlinson said she will ask the City Manager to send out an email
asking who might be interested in serving on a workgroup and said we can really
hash through these and then come back with some recommendations that the
Council can debate.
Councilor Henderson said as we try to work through this small workgroup,
asked Deputy City Manager Goodwin to reach out to all the Council members and
ask for their written input of what they would like to see included.
He said he received some telephone calls from some individuals on the A.
J. McClung Memorial Stadium. He said their understanding was that the memorial
would remain part of the stadium to honor our Veterans because of Ft. Benning
and the significant price that was paid by a number of the young men and women
that went to various wars from Columbus, but that it would incorporate A. J.
McClung?s name. He said he didn?t have an answer for them. He said he was
there, but he didn?t remember how it was done. He said if we could check into
that.
Councilor Henderson said he thinks that they have a point because we
frequently name a field at a facility and it has multiple names because of the
recognition that both are very deserving; obviously without question, A. J.
McClung is. He said they thought that the Veterans from Columbus were going to
continue to be memorialized at A. J. McClung Veterans Memorial Stadium. He said
that is what they have asked and he then asked Ms. Goodwin to check into that
matter.
After more than fifteen minutes of discussion on this subject, this matter
was then concluded.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***-------------------------------------
CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED AS INFORMATION TO THE MAYOR & COUNCIL
BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON:____
_
(1) Application of Mr. Thomas Hill to temporarily close the 2100 Block of 51st
Street between Woodruff Road and 23rd Avenue, on Thursday, July 4, 2013 from
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in connection with the ?4th of July Celebration & Block
Party?.
(2) Biographical Sketch of Mr. W. J. Wetherington, Councilor Baker?s nominee to
replace Mr. Neill Hatcher on the Golf Course Authority.
(3) Biographical Sketch of Lamar Barrett, Councilor Huff?s nominee for Mr. J.
Phillip Thayer?s seat on the Board of Water Commissioners.
*** *** ***
GOLF COURSE AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington said she would like to note that Councilor
Baker is withdrawing his nomination of Mr. W. J. Wetherington as a nominee to
replace Mr. Neill Hatcher on the Golf Course Authority.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCI:__________________
_____________ __
A Resolution (212-13) ? Excusing Councilor Evelyn Woodson from the June
11, 2013 Council Meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Huff and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council
present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel being
absent.
*** *** ***
TAXICAB OWNERS BUSINESS LICENSE:
Clerk of Council Washington submitted the application of Kola Ogunkoya
for a taxicab owner?s business license to operate Eagle Cab Company & Warrior
Cab Company, located at 1331 10th Avenue, Suite 133, Columbus, Georgia 31901.
She pointed out that the Police Department has reviewed the application
and is recommending approval; however, it needs the Council?s approval as well.
Councilor Thomas moved approval of the application. Seconded by Councilor Huff
and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council present for this
meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel being absent.
*** *** ***
MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE COUNCIL:
________________________________________________
Board of Tax Assessors, No. 19-13.
Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission, June 11, 2013.
Councilor Henderson made a motion that these minutes are received.
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those seven
members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and
McDaniel being absent.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND
EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED
BY THE COUNCIL:__________________________________ ___
A Resolution (213-13) ? Excusing Councilor R. Gary Allen from the June 18,
2013 Council meeting. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the resolution.
Seconded by Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by those seven members of
Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel
being absent.
*** *** ***
BOARD APPOINTMENTS: ?
?
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Councilor Huff is nominating
Mr. Lamar Barnett and Councilor McDaniel has nominated Mr. Reynolds Bickerstaff
to succeed Mr. J. Philip Thayer, whose term of office will be expiring in
December of this year, but the appointments must be made in July pursuant to
State law. She said she will bring this back at the next meeting for a vote.
*** *** ***
BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Ms. Lelia Carr was nominated
on last week to fill the expired term of Mr. Tyler Townsend and that she may
now be confirmed. Councilor Woodson so moved. Seconded by Councilor Henderson
and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council present for this
meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel being absent.
*** *** ***
COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & CULTURAL LIAISON ENCOUNTERS
(C.I.R.C.L.E):________________________ __
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Sudhir Patel does not
want to serve another term of office; therefore, the Council will need to
nominate someone to fill this term, which expired on March 1, 2013. There were
no nominations.
*** *** ***
CRIME PREVENTION BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of Ms.
Nancy Rinn on the Crime Prevention Board expired on March 31,
2013. She further pointed out that we have two nominees for Ms. Rinn?s seat
and they are Ms. Jeanette Davis, and Ms. Nancy Rinn.
She then took a roll call vote, which resulted in Ms. Rinn being selected.
Voting for Ms. Rinn was Councilors Baker, Barnes, Henderson, Huff, Woodson and
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh. Voting for Ms. Davis was Councilor Thomas.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh then moved confirmation of Ms. Rinn. Seconded by
Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council
present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel being
absent.
*** *** ***
COLUMBUS GOLF COURSE AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the seat of Mr. Neill Hatcher
has been declared vacant by the Council and that we need a nominee for someone
to fill this unexpired term of office. There were no nominations.
*** *** ***
EMPLOYEES? PENSION BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of Ms.
Susan Lathan, who is the general government employee representative, Mr. Vince
Pasko, who is the public safety representation and Mr. W. Fray McCormick, who
represents the Business Community will expire on June 30, 2013. She further
pointed out that they are all eligible to succeed themselves for another term
of office.
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Ms. Lathan is the City
Manager?s appointment and Mr. Pasko and Mr. McCormick are both the Mayor?s
appointment.
Mayor Tomlinson then reappointed Mr. Pasko to serve another term of
office. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh then moved he be confirmed. Seconded by
Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council
present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel being
absent.
Mayor Tomlinson also reappointed Mr. McCormick for another term of office.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved confirmation. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and
carried unanimously by those seven members of Council present for this meeting,
with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel being absent.
*** *** ***
RETIREES HEALTH BENEFITS COMMITTEE
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the term of office of Ms.
Mary Stranger on the Retirees Health Benefits Committee will expire on June 30,
2013 and that she is eligible to succeed herself for another term of office.
Mayor Tomlinson then reappointed Ms. Stringer for another term of office.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh then moved confirmation. Seconded by Councilor
Huff and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council present for this
meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel being absent.
*** *** ***
RECOGNITION OF THE SHERIFF:
Mayor Tomlinson recognized the presence of Sheriff John Darr, who was
seated in the Council Chambers.
*** *** ***
With there being no other business to come before the Council, Mayor
Tomlinson then entertained a motion for adjournment. Councilor Barnes so moved.
Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those seven members of
Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen, Davis and McDaniel
being absent, with the time of adjournment being 11:42 a.m.
Tiny B. Washington, MMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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