MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
JUNE 1, 2010
The regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called to order
at 5:30 P.M., Tuesday, June 1, 2010, on the Plaza Level of the Government
Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable W.J. Wetherington, Mayor, presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other that Mayor Wetherington and Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner
Pugh were Councilors Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Jerry ?Pops? Barnes, Glenn
Davis, Berry H. Henderson, Julius H. Hunter Jr., and Evelyn Woodson. City
Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Tiny B.
Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also present.
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ABSENT: Councilor Charles E. McDaniel Jr., was absent, but was excused upon
the adoption of Resolution Number 180-10. Councilor R. Gary Allen was also
absent.
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INVOCATION: Led by Reverend Dr. Charles Rodgers, Pastor of Cathedral of Prayer
Church.
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PLEDGE: Led by students from the Middle School Poster Contest Winners.
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MAYOR?S AGENDA:
POSTER CONTEST WINNERS:
Ms. Shelly Hall, Director of the Columbus Consolidated Government?s
Victim-Witness Program came forward and gave some brief information regarding
the Victim Witness Program. She said their job is to make sure that all victims
are guaranteed their rights. She said the one time of the year that is very
exciting for her is during National Crime Victims Rights Week when they get to
educate the public and raise awareness of victims? rights and crime, if it does
exists; what you can do about it. She said this year that they held a poster
contest, whereby all the middle schools within the Chattahoochee Judicial
circuit could participate. She said they had over 300 entries and present with
her today are five of the winners who participated in the Poster Essay Contest,
which includes Alex Plazas, Wynnbrook Christian DeCliffia Coleman, Academic
Success, Thomas Boyd, Blackmon Road Middle School, Demetrius Scott, Fort Middle
School, and Toxiana Wilson, Midland Middle School.
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PROCLAMATIONS:
?JOHN M. LASSEN DAY, GEORGIA EMT OF THE YEAR?:
With Mr. John M. Lassen, his wife and grandson standing at the Council
table, Councilor Davis read the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming
June 1, 2010 as ?John M. Lassen Day? for being awarded the Georgia EMT of the
Year.
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?FERNANDO BAUZO DAY?:
With Fernando Bauzo and his father, along with Marshal Greg Countryman
standing at the Council table, Councilor Anthony read the proclamation of Mayor
Wetherington, proclaiming June 1, 2010 as ?Fernando Bauzo Day?, in Columbus,
Georgia.
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?HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH?:
With Mr. Joe Riddle, Director of the Department of Community Reinvestment
and members of his staff standing at the Council table, Councilor Baker read
the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming the month of June 2010, as
?Homeownership Month?, in Columbus, Georgia.
Mr. Riddle pointed out that there will be three housing summits this
month; with the first one being held on June 3, 2010 from 6:00 ? 8:00 p.m., at
the Columbus Public Library, June 17th on the Plaza Level of the Government
Center 11:30 ? 1:00 p.m., June 22nd, Columbus Public Library from 6:00 ? 8:00
p.m. He said since July 1st, they have been able to provide many of residents
here in the city with the ability to purchase their first home and he is very
proud of that accomplishment.
Councilor Hunter said he really appreciates the work that Mr. Riddle has
done over the years in this city, as he has truly made a difference. He said
the purpose of City government should be to try to improve the quality of life
of the citizenry and said Mr. Riddle and the people that he has worked with
have tried to do that. He said we have been very, very blessed during the years
that he has been here and said that he is going to miss him.
City Manager Hugley said that Mr. Riddle is going to be leaving the City
Government and will be going back to his home state, the State of Arkansas. He
said he has an expertise that people across the country are looking for. He
said he has an opportunity to go back home and spend more time with his
parents, as he will be closer to them. He said he has done an excellent job for
us and the people of our City and a lot of people are much better off and in
homes because of Mr. Riddle and his staff taking it to the people and making
sure that they are aware of the programs and services that they offer.
He said we would bring him back at the appropriate time and thank him for his
service.
Mayor Wetherington also expressed his thanks and appreciation to Mr.
Riddle as well.
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?NEIGHORWORKS COLUMBUS WEEK?:
With Attorney Michael Eddings and Mr. Colin Martin standing at the Council
table, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh read the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington,
proclaiming the week of June 5 ? 12, 2010 as ?NeighborWorks Columbus Week?, in
Columbus, Georgia.
Attorney Eddings said NeigborWorks does a wonderful job in providing
affordable housing to those people in our community and really does outstanding
work. He said it is because of civic leaders, business leaders and those people
in the community who support programs like NeigborWorks that they are able to
go out and revitalize our communities and also keep affordable houses available
for people who need it.
He said NeighborWorks Week would kick-off with its celebration on East
Wynnton Park off of Baldwin Street. He said the Mayor and Congressman Sanford
Bishop are scheduled to attend the kick-off of this week. He said the entire
week would be spent revitalizing that community; painting homes, refurbishing,
landscaping and etc.
Attorney Eddings said he and Mr. Colin Martin both serve on the board with
Ms. Cathy Williams.
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TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS PUBLIC HEARING:
With the time now being 6:00 p.m., City Manager Hugley advised that it
was time for us to call forward the Taxpayer?s Bill of Rights Public Hearing.
He said each year during budget session, and as required by Georgia Law,
we are required to have three public hearings to allow the public an
opportunity to express their opinion regarding the millage rate. He said each
year, we try to explain to the citizens that this advertisement and the wording
is crafted and provided to us under stature and said the way it reads can be
misleading. He said he would like to ask that our Finance Director, Ms. Pam
Hodge come forward to respond to any questions that anybody might have.
City Manager Hugley said as he stated earlier, we are required to have
three public hearings on this Taxpayer?s Bill of Rights. He said that we had
one on this morning, and are having this one tonight at 6:00 p.m., and will
have the final hearing on next Tuesday, which will satisfy the law as it
relates to these three public hearings.
He then read the way the notice is required to be listed, which is as
follows:
Tax Millage. The budget tentatively adopted by the Consolidated Government of
Columbus, Georgia, requires a millage rate higher than the rollback millage
rate. Therefore, before the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, may
finalize the tentative budget and set a final millage rate, Georgia Law
requires that three public hearings be held to allow the public an opportunity
to express their opinions on this increase.
He said the one thing that we have to make clear each year is that when
the digest increases because we have added new homes to the inventory in
Muscogee County or when people have renovated their homes or made improvement;
which causes the Tax Assessors to have to go out and reassess based on added
square footage to a home, the digest will grow and as a result of that, we
would collect more money because there is more homes in the inventory or there
has been renovations at a particular property to change. He said it appears
that there is an increase, but we know that in Muscogee County property taxes
are frozen for homeowners at the time you purchase your home. He said we take
40% of the fair market value and that is the value that we move towards
assessing. He said you get the $13,500 homestead exemption and then we assess
your property taxes on what is left; therefore, your property taxes are frozen.
He said if you live in Muscogee County and you didn?t do anything differently
to your home, then your property taxes will remain the same.
He said this year there is something that will occur because we went out
for a second local option sales tax and we collected that during 2009 and said
we will have to rollback that money that we have collected.
After City Manager Hugley went into much details regarding the notice of
property tax increase, Finance Director Pam Hodge then came forward and gave
more details with respect to the total amount of the millage in each of the
Urban Service Districts, as well as the Business Improvement Districts. She
then offered to answer any questions, but there were none. She said this is
also a public hearing and if anyone wanted to speak on the millage rate now is
the time to do so.
Prior to anyone coming forward to speak to the public hearing, City
Manager Hugley said we will be doing some educational sessions as we go forward
because we have a lot going on in terms of change and said that change will
last for one year and then it goes back to where it was in 2009; therefore, it
may be confusing to some people.
He said we are satisfying the requirements of the law with this taxpayer?s
bill of rights public hearing and said the floor is open if there is anyone who
wanted to be heard on this matter.
Councilor Woodson asked City Manager Hugley if we could provide an
educational component on our website to outline information for the citizens
regarding the rollback.
City Manager Hugley said we could certainly do that and will probably put
a web cast or something, as well as send out a postcard to explain the process.
He said they are going to do some things between now and October when they will
realize the rollback that we are required to do by law. He said we would do a
number of things.
Mayor Wetherington then asked if there was anyone who wanted to be heard
regarding the taxpayers? bill of rights public hearing.
Mr. Paul Olson, 13830 Upatoi Lane came forward and expressed his views
regarding the property tax rollback. He made reference to a newspaper article
written by a reporter back on July 6, 2008 with respect to the property tax
rollback. He then read excerpts of Section 7-102 of the Charter of Columbus
regarding the millage limitation. He said the only way the City Charter can be
changed is that you would have to do an ordinance or have a referendum before
the people or go to the General Assembly.
He spoke for several minutes regarding the reduction of the millage rate,
as well as made comments regarding METRA being an enterprise fund, which is
supposed to take care of itself; and said he doesn?t understand why we are
subsidizing this fund. He also said that he doesn?t understand the Economic
Development fund and would like to have someone explain it to him.
City Manager Hugley then responded to those concerns of Mr. Olson
regarding the compliance of the Charter as it relates to the local option sales
tax and the legislation, which approved the second local option sales tax and
the rollback of these property taxes. He said the law was very clear in this
second local option sales tax as it relates to rolling back property taxes for
at least one year. He said by doing that this year, it is his belief that we
are complying with the law as it relates to this second local option sales tax,
which came in recent years. He said we are exempting automobile dealerships and
hotels; and we are now in the process of rolling back the property taxes as
required by law in this particular piece of legislation for this second local
option sales tax. He said he thinks we have complied with the law as it relates
to the Charter in the first local option sales tax and the second local option
sales tax is different. He said we are in the process of complying with the law
and once we rollback the property taxes this year, we would have complied with
the year and then from that, we will move forward. He said he thinks that an
attorney general?s opinion would support that.
After further discussion on this subject, City Attorney Fay said what City
Manager Hugley stated is correct. He said the law has changed dramatically
since the 1970s on the sales tax and rollback requirements. He said the sales
tax is generating much more revenue than it did in 1973; and said for a point
of clarification, he is not sure if Mr. Olson is confused on the 9-mill
reduction, but said there is not an annual requirement of a 9-mill reduction.
He said we are simply capped at 9 mills for city operations each year and said
what Ms. Hodge was trying to explain, USD 1, this year because of the state law
rollback requirements, we are going from 9-mills to 1.71 mills; a reduction of
7.29 mills and said that is because of the rollback requirement and the state
law. He said when you add all of these reductions together, that will be
approximately $30 million; which is the amount we have collected within the
past year with the new penny sales tax. He said there is not an annual
requirement to reduce by 9 mills; however, the Charter says the cap on city
operations for each year is 9 mills.
City Manager Hugley said the floor is still open on the taxpayers? bill of
rights public hearing and then asked if there was anyone else who wanted to be
heard, but there were none. He said the third and final hearing would be held
on next Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m.
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MAYOR?S AGENDA CONTINUED:
WITH TRAVIS OESTMANN AND SEVERAL OF HIS TEAM MATES STANDING AT THE COUNCIL
TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON
AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:
A Resolution (173-10) ? Commending Travis Oestmann, Co-Medalist winner,
and Northside High School Patriots for their GHSA Class AAA Golf Championship.
Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor
Hunter and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present for
this meeting, with Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent.
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WITH MS. JANET DAVIS AND SEVERAL OF HER CO-WORKERS STANDING AT THE COUNCIL
TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR WOODSON
AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:
A Resolution (174-10) ? Commending Janet Davis, CEO of TIC Federal Credit
Union for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual convention of
Georgia Credit Union Affiliates. Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those eight
members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen and McDaniel
being absent.
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COLUMBUS HIGH BASEBALL TEAM:
Councilor Anthony asked City Attorney Fay to prepare a resolution for the
Columbus High School Baseball Team; however, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh pointed
out that the resolution has already been requested.
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CITY ATTORNEY'S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING:_______________________
An Ordinance (10-18) ? Amending Section 5-13.1(b) of the Columbus Code so
as to increase the adoption fee with spay/neuter voucher from $25.00 to $50.00;
increasing adoption fee to $75.00 with said $50.00 vouchers effective July 1,
2010. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those seven members of
Council present at the time, with Councilor Woodson being absent for the vote
and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from this meeting.
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An Ordinance (10-19) ? Amending Chapter 3 of the Columbus Code so as to
allow renewal of expired identification card (ABC card) if the only
disqualifying violation of applicant is failure to possess current ABC card
within a twelve-month period prior to application for renewal; and for other
purposes. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by
Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by those seven members of Council
present at the time, with Councilor Woodson being absent for the vote and
Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING AFTER SOME DISCUSSION: ______________
An Ordinance ? Adopting a budget for the fiscal Year 2011 beginning July
1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011, for certain funds of the Consolidated
Government of Columbus, Georgia, and appropriating the amounts shown in each
budget.
An Ordinance ? Adopting non-operating budgets for the Fiscal Year 2011
beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011 for certain funds of the
Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, and appropriating the amounts
shown in each budget.
City Attorney Fay said this is the public hearing on the ordinance and
said if anyone has any questions or wants to speak to this issue, they could be
held at this time.
Councilor Davis said during the budget session, we talked about and
discussed several issues and then asked City Manager Hugley if this would be
the appropriate time or if not, later to determine whether or not we want to
consider changing the fee structure for the integrated waste fee, as well as
looking at the landfill and all the relevant services that we provide.
City Manager Hugley, in responding to Councilor Davis said this would be
the appropriate time, as this is the first reading and public hearing on the
budget; however, we do have one additional public hearing with respect to the
taxpayer?s bill of rights.
Councilor Davis said he thinks now would be the appropriate time to look
at this matter; but he is not qualified to say exactly would those increases in
the fees should be, which would be a user fee for those persons who uses the
services out at the landfill.
After some further thought on this matter, City Manager Hugley indicated
that he would prefer to wait and then came back at a later time to do a
presentation before the Council to do a comprehensive look and then determine
how to best proceed with amending the fee structure to increase fees for those
services out at the landfill.
City Attorney Fay said we could come back at a later date and amend that
fee structure in a separate ordinance to look at a tipping fee change.
Councilor Davis then asked City Manager Hugley if he could bring this
matter back before the Council at a later date; and to do it as soon as
possible.
Mr. Paul Olso, 13830 Upatoi Lane, then came forward and made comments
regarding the Integrated Waste Fund. He said in looking at the budget for the
Integrated Waste Fund, he noticed that in the FY-09 budget, the amount of
funding for this fund was $80,000, and in FY-10, it was down to $14,000 and for
FY-11, you are now projecting the amount to be $80,000.
He said this will be a 427% increase and asked that someone explain how you are
going to go from $14,000 to $80,000 and why did it drop so low.
Ms. Pam Hodge, Director of Finance said she believes what Mr. Olson is
referring to is the commercial solid waste collection fee and said the actual
for FY-09 was at $81,000 and said we did estimate the amount in the FY-10
budget at $14,000. She said she would have to look and determine what the
amount is that we have collected to-date, and said what we are budgeting for
FY-11 is $72,000. She said this would be commercial solid waste collection fee,
budget versus actual.
With further discussion regarding the proposed FY-11 budget, Ms. Hodge and
City Manager Hugley responded to further questions of Mr. Olson on the
Integrated Waste Fund, as well as the Workforce Investment Act program, as well
as Lake Oliver Marina, and the Economic Development Authority.
He said the Economic Development Authority has never been audited and said
he would like to see what you have done with the Parks & Recreation Department
that you also do the same thing with the Economic Development Authority because
of the funding that you give to them.
Councilor Henderson said that he would like for us to give Mr. Olson a
list of some of the people who appeared before the Budget Review Committee
because some of the questions were answered as we walked through their
respective departments and said if you have an intinary of who appeared when;
then you would be able to assess them if any other questions came up and said
we would be glad to get that information to you.
City Attorney Fay then asked if there were any other questions or if
anyone else wants to be heard on this ordinance, but there were none.
He then pointed out that this concludes the public hearing on these two
ordinances and that they would be voted on at the next Council meeting.
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NOTE: Councilors Anthony and Hunter left at this point in the meeting
with the time being 6:45 p.m.
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PUBLIC AGENDA:
NO REQUESTED TO BE LISTED ON TONIGHT?S PUBLIC AGENDA.
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Councilor Barnes said he knows that we have no one listed on the public
agenda and said he would like to ask for the Council?s indulgence in hearing a
citizen. He said Ms. Aslean Florence is doing something for the community and
said she inadvertently didn?t turn in her application to be listed on the
agenda and said she would like to address the Council on tonight.
He then made a motion that she be allowed to address the Council. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those six members of Council
present at the time with Councilors Anthony and Hunter having already left the
meeting and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from the meeting.
Ms. Aslean Florence said she is the widow of Mr. Herman Florence, who
passed away on last year, June 13, 2009 of colon cancer. She said he was a
firefighter with the Columbus Fire Department for four years and retired with
the Fort Benning Fire Department, where he retired as a Fire Inspector
Specialist, where he was responsible for inspecting the entire military base.
She said she has established the Herman Florence Foundation and to enhance the
program and foundation, they have partnered with Feed the Children Foundation
and said on June 13th, they will be doing an outreach memorial celebration in
his honor. She said Feed the Children Foundation will be here in our city and
distribute 400 boxes of food to 400 families in the community and surrounding
area.
She said the reason she is here tonight before the Council is to ask for
their endorsement and to come out and support this event on that day. She said
she would also like to provide some additional information as to what the
foundation itself will be doing. She said because her husband was a
firefighter; they have established a memorial scholarship for him and said the
scholarship will help to assist with emergency funds whenever there is a
firefighter who needs some assistance in an emergency situation. She said if
there is a death in their family or some type of emergency that comes about,
their foundation would do some type of emergency relief to them and whatever
means of support they may need.
Ms. Florence said they have partnered up with several local agencies and
said the vouchers will be coming in on next week and said the families have
already been contacted and these 400 boxes of food will be distributed to them.
She said because this event will be on private property, she understands that
the City will not be able to offer any support with tents or any other items.
She said there will also be a medical team available on site, as well as
the Red Cross and information will be distributed during this event on cancer
and the effects of cancer.
Councilor Barnes thanked Ms. Florence for coming forward to share this
event with them and the community.
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CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:___________________________________________
A Resolution (175-10) ? Authorizing the filing of the Annual Action Plan
and applications requesting entitlement funding for the Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME). Councilor Woodson
moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and
carried unanimously by those six members of Council present at the time, with
Councilors Anthony and Hunter being absent for this vote and Councilors Allen
and McDaniel being absent from the meeting.
A Resolution (176-10) ? Authorizing the acceptance of a Hazard Mitigation
Grant in the amount of $36,000, or as otherwise awarded, from the Georgia
Emergency Management Agency to update the existing Pre-Disaster Hazard
Mitigation Plan. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those six
members of Council present at the time, with Councilors Anthony and Hunter
being absent for this vote and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from
the meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING THREE PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND
EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE
ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILOR BAKER, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SIX MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
PRESENT AT THE TIME, WITH COUNCILORS ANTHONY AND HUNTER BEING ABSENT FOR THIS
VOTE AND COUNCILORS ALLEN AND MCDANIEL BEING ABSENT FROM THE MEETING:
______________________________________________
A Resolution (177-10) ? Authorizing the approval of the contract for tennis
court surfacing supplies with 10-S Tennis Supply for the estimated annual
contract value of $15,260.00. The tennis court surfacing supplies include
Magnesium Chloride and Har Tru Rubico Surface, which will be purchased on an
?as needed basis?. The Parks and Recreation Department will use the supplies
to resurface the tennis courts. The contract term shall be for one year with
the option to renew for four (4) additional twelve-month periods, if agreeable
to both parties.
A Resolution (178-10) ? Authorizing the execution of a construction
contract with Metro Waterproofing, Inc., in the amount of $73,981.00, for
waterproofing the exterior of the Annex building. The scope of work includes
waterproofing, roofing services and gutter repairs.
A Resolution (179-10) ? Authorizing payment to Kenneth Clark and
Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C. in the amount of $100,000.00 to settle a claim of
risk management.
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KEEP COLUBUS BEAUTIFUL HOUSE:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked City Manager Hugley to have Mr. Cecil
Carroll of the city?s facilities maintenance division to take a look at the
Keep Columbus Beautiful House to see what needs to be done to fix it back up in
a more livable state.
City Manager Hugley said we are already in the process of looking at the
Keep Columbus Beautiful House and said we have gotten some quotes on the repair
of the house, and said Deputy City Manager Goodwin has just told him that we
have already identified the funding source to repair the house.
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NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY UPDATE:
Mr. Ron Hamlett, Traffic Engineer came forward and gave an update to the
Council on the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy. He said a little over a
year ago, they came before the Council and explained to you the problems they
were having with a lot of complaints with speeding in neighborhoods, cut-thru
traffic and the issue they are having with doing a lot of speed studies; and
therefore was causing them to get behind in their work.
He then went into some details in a presentation which he then presented
to the Council, outlining the following information, as detailed below.
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy Approval
Traffic Engineering Reviewed NTC Policies Developed by Other Cities and Counties
Visited NTC installations in Georgia
Submitted Recommendation to Council for the Columbus NTC Policy
Council Approved NTC Policy
Qualifying Criteria
Residential Street
?Local? Street Classification
Adequate Length, > 750?
Significant Volume, > 500 VPD
Publicly Owned Street
Petition Process
Receive request for Speeding/Cut Thru Traffic
Send Application Package with Map to Petitioner
First Round Petition ? 20% of Households
Perform Speed and Volume Data Collection
Review Existing Subdivision Traffic Control
Analyze All Traffic Data
Mail Recommendations to Petitioner
Implement Soft Measures When Applicable ? i.e. SDC Signs, Speed Limit Signs,
Speed Trailer, Enforcement
Hold Public Meeting for Construction/Hard Measures
Second Round Petition ? 65% of Property Owners
Implement Improvements
Considerations
The solution is determined by the degree of the speeding problem.
The less the speeding is a problem, the less restrictive the solution.
The more severe the speeding problem is, the more restrictive the solution
needs to be.
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Results
154 NTC Requests Received
154 Petition Packages Mailed
27 Petitions for NTC Studies
Performed 90 Traffic Counts
Provided 105 Slow Down Columbus Signs
Installed 36 Traffic Signs
Made 8 Speed Trailers Deployments
Made 11 request of Police Enforcement
Installed Four Speed Tables
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Findings
NTC Policy is Understandable
Neighborhoods Are Participating
Neighborhood Participation Improves Compliance
Soft Measures Causing a 3 to 4 MPH Reduction
Hard Measure Are Being Evaluated
NTC Study Can Be Completed in 2 to 3 Months
Need to Improve Response Time to Petitioner
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said according to your policy when someone calls
in a complaint about speeding, the Traffic Engineering Division sends out a
package of information to the citizens to walk the neighborhood, and then
asked, what happens when a Councilor calls in a complaint. Mr. Hamlett said if
there is a contact person with that complaint, then they would contact them if
they had called in the complaint.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said if a Councilor calls on behalf of something
in their neighborhood, then it needs to go back to that councilor and not to
the people in the neighborhood. She also said that she doesn?t understand why
we need 20% of the people in the neighborhood to agree with what we want to do
to stop the speeding.
City Manager Hugley said we brought this policy to the Council about a
year and a half ago and said if we need to change something then we are okay
with that.
Much discussion developed on this subject matter with members of the
Council expressing their very strong views regarding the problem of speeding in
the City. City Manager Hugley and Mr. Hamlett then responded to several
questions and concerns of members of the Council.
City Manager Hugley said the most effective means that he has witnessed in
stopping speeding in our city is when Police Chief Boren sends his officers out
in the community. He said this has been a big help. He said in terms of where
Traffic Engineer Hamlett places the traffic calming devices and the purpose in
which he places, there are some standards that he follows that are not made up
in Columbus.
Traffic Engineer Hamlett said before they do any traffic study depending
on what they are evaluating, if it is speeding, they are trying to put them in
a place where turning into an intersection doesn?t skew that speed because we
want it to be as good a indicator as what?s happening through that street. He
said when we send out our maps to the individuals, we will go back and show
them where the speed locations were and then come back and elevate them as an
end result.
Mr. Hamlett then continued with his presentation as outlined below.
Problems Encountered
Street Classification of Residential Collector
Speed Differential, D = < 5 MPH, 5 to 9 MPH, > 10 MPH
Original Petitioner Not Responsive
Petitioners Are Not Picking Up Slow Down Columbus Signs
Multiple Hard Measures Required per Street
Implementation Schedules Being Delayed
Funding
Councilor Davis said when he talks with residents; whether it?s a
neighborhood street, collector, or arterial, all the citizens know is that
there is consent pressure from speeding. He said when he talks with them,
He talks about the process and them needing 20% of their neighbors to sign off
on this. He said where it is confusing is, whether or not it is 20% of their
neighbors on the street, the defined neighborhood or what exactly is it.
Mr. Hamlett said what they do, is when we send the package to them, we
look at their subdivision. He said if it is a street like Wilder Drive, you
don?t want to cause people to slow down on that street, but instead of that,
they move over to an adjacent parallel street. He said what they try to do, is
if they did something on this street, what would be the next logical path. He
said they don?t want to chase the speeding problem all over town, but we want
to get it corrected; therefore, when they do a neighborhood and if it had a
street parallel on both side, they would include those two streets within that
area to get the 20%.
After continued discussion on this subject of traffic calming devices,
members of the Council expressed their continued concerns regarding this
matter, and Mr. Hamlett responded to questions of members of the Council, City
Manager Hugley said if we can tweak the process and improve it. He said he
doesn?t like the idea of having the citizens to do the surveys, but he knows
that he is limited in staff. He said they only have four staff members and said
if they concentrate on these surveys; then they would have to divert from doing
something else.
Ms. Donna Newman, Director of Engineering in response to an earlier
question of the Council said, one question she believes that has been asked, is
how do they know what residents to get signatures from and said we provide them
with a map as part of the packet of information that shows the area in which we
are doing the study and said those are the residents that they will need to get
the 20% signatures from. She said that is how they know that it is not just to
go out to every household.
Councilor Barnes said he has problems with the way this process is being
done. He said it is difficult a lot of times for an individual to go out and
get the 20% signatures of the other residents. He then went into some details
in outlining problems that the citizens were having with speeding on Gettysburg
Way, as well as on Celia Drive. He said the people conducted a study; however,
they were told that there was no speeding problem. He also made reference to a
meeting that was held at a church on St. Mary?s Road regarding the speeding
problems on Gettysburg Way.
He said it takes time to get the 20%, but said he doesn?t think that we
need to put that responsibility on the citizens because he believes it is an
impediment to the process. He said with Gettysburg Way there were over 160
people, and we didn?t respond to their concerns. He said we need to have a
different system and one of the things we need to do is to dispense with the
survey and we need to take a look at the way we do things. He said whenever an
elected official deems that there is a problem; then we need to be responsive
to the concerns of the citizens. He said we do need to look at the system
because the system is flawed.
Councilor Henderson said he understands the situation that we are in and
that we can?t get to every one of these not with the manpower that we have;
however, he does agree with Councilor Barnes that it is tough to ask the
citizens to participate because not every street that we are asking these
citizens to walk on is not in a completely safe environment. He said he
understands why we are doing it and he does not know of a better way that we
can do it; but in some instances he thinks the system is not working.
He said he thinks it is working as best as it can with the existing manpower
that we have, but it is moving too slow. He said he do hear from some people
that it takes awhile to get this implemented.
He said he understands that you are doing all you can do with the
resources that we currently give you; and he thinks that we really do need to
decide as a Council whether or not we want to put the resources necessary to
tweak this.
City Manager Hugley said it might be an easier way to get the 20% when
residents comes to a meeting at a particular location and then we can sign them
up and they can sign off whether or not they agree with the traffic calming
device options. He said there would be two opportunities for them to sign up.
Mayor Wetherington said he has heard Councilor Barnes bring the issue of
speeding on Gettysburg Way to this Council table on several occasions. He then
pointed out that at the request of Councilor Barnes, he did meet with several
members of the Council out at the church on St. Mary?s Road where there was
standing room only crowd because speeding was so bad in that neighborhood. He
said we put a number of motorcycle officers out in that area for a period of
time and they did make a number of speeding cases. He said as mentioned earlier
by the City Manager, the blue & white is much better than any other signs that
you can put, if they have time to go out there.
He said he has heard Councilor Barnes also talk about speeding on Lamore Drive,
Celia Drive, as well as Gettysburg Way and said on tomorrow morning, he will
have some officers detailed out there on those streets and we will see if we
can reduce the speeding some in that area.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked Mayor Wetherington to also include Wilder
Drive on the list to detail an officer to as well.
After more than thirty-five minutes of continued discussions on this
matter, City Manager Hugley and Mr. Hamlett responded to further questions of
members of this Council, after which referrals were made by some members of the
Council as outlined below.
Councilor Woodson requested Traffic Engineer Hamlett to have some of the
?Slow Down Columbus? signs posted along Avondale Road, Hawthorne Drive and
Ramsey Road.
Councilor Barnes requested that we take another look at the survey because
he feels it is an impediment. He also said whenever an elected official
recognizes something as a problem, it needs to be addressed as such; and then
it needs to be given first priority.
With respect to Celia Drive, have the staff to determine what are the next
steps to take in getting this matter resolved.
In finalizing his presentation and responding to a question of Councilor
Davis, Traffic Engineer Hamlett said, we are finding out that of all the
traffic calming devices that we have gone through, that we are having problems
with those that require hard measures at a rate of about 10%.
Councilor Davis said he thinks we talked about using money out of the
L.O.S.T. or how would we come up with the revenue to deal with these requests.
City Manager Hugley said we do have L.O.S.T. money for these pay as you go
kinds of things. He said certainly this is something that could be funded from
some of the infrastucture money.
He said he was just reminded that when it is an asphalt traffic calming the
pothole crew is the one that does the asphalt traffic calming.
City Manager Hugley said there are two issues here; one, how we go about
verifying the need rather than having citizens do it and once you have
concluded that you need the traffic calming device or devices on a single
street and then the resources, manpower and materials for implementing it.
Recommendations
If Residential Collector,
Minor Collector = < 1,500 VPD Apply NTC Soft & Hard Measures
Major Collector = > 1,500 VPD Apply only Roundabouts if
qualifies for NTC
If Local Street, Speed Differential (D)
D = < 5 MPH, No Action Required
D = 5 to 9 MPH, Consider Soft Measures ?
SDC Signs, Speed Limit Signs, Speed Trailers
D = > 10 MPH, Consider Hard Measures
(Hard Measures Needed in Intervals of 300? to 600?)
Staff Improve Response & Implementation Schedules
Funding
Hard Measures Costs $20,000 & Greater per Installation
Need $50,000 to $100,000 per Year to be Effective
------------------------------------*** ***
***--------------------------------------
CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS
INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR &
COUNCIL:_________________________________________________
Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Medical Center Hospital
Authority.
Mayor?s Committee for Persons with Disabilities Weekly Report for the weeks
beginning on May 3, 2010 through May 28, 2010.
*** *** ***
THE MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL AUTHORITY:
With regards to her memorandum regarding the resignation of Mr. Edward
Griffin, Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that members of the Council
have submitted nominations to be submitted to the Medical Center Hospital
Authority for someone to be selected to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Griffin.
She said Councilor Baker is nominating Ms. Jennifer Horne; Councilor Allen
is nominating Mr. Robert Jones, and Councilor Davis is nominating Mr. Bob Koon.
Clerk of Council Washington then submitted the letter from Mr. Edward
Griffin resigning from his seat on the Medical Center Hospital Authority.
Councilor Henderson 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 at the time, with Councilors Anthony and Hunter
being absent for this vote and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from
the meeting.
She said she would forward these nominations to the Medical Center
Hospital Authority for them to select someone to succeed Mr. Griffin.
*** *** ***
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Mr. George Mize, Jr.
advising that the Hospital Authority of Columbus has elected Mr. Ernest
Smallman, IV to replace the late Mr. Franklyn Lambert. Councilor Henderson made
a motion that he be confirmed. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh carried
unanimously by those six members of Council present at the time, with
Councilors Anthony and Hunter being absent for this vote and Councilors Allen
and McDaniel being absent from the meeting.
*** *** ***
MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY RECIVED BY THE COUNCIL:_______________________________
Board of Tax Assessors, No. 20-10.
Hospital Authority of Columbus, April 27, 2010.
Councilor Henderson made a motion to receive the minutes. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those six members of Council
present at the time, with Councilors Anthony and Hunter being absent for this
vote and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from the meeting.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWNG NEW ZONING PETITION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF
COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED FOR BY
COUNCILOR HENDERSON:__________________________________
Petition submitted by Harlan Price to rezone 0.13 acre of property located
at 219 26th Street from RMF2 (Residential Multi Family 2) to GC (General
Commercial) district. (Recommended for denial by the Planning Advisory
Commission and conditional approval by the Planning Department.)
(19-CA-10-Price)
Councilor Henderson made a motion to receive the petition. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those six members of Council
present at the time, with Councilors Anthony and Hunter being absent for this
vote and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from the meeting.
City Attorney Fay later pointed out that the petition was being
recommended for conditional approval and not denial; therefore, an ordinance
could be called for the public hearing. Councilor Henderson then called for the
ordinance and public hearing.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF
COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: ________________________________
A Resolution (180-10) ? Excusing Councilor McDaniel from the June 1, 2010
Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those six
members of Council present at the time, with Councilors Anthony and Hunter
being absent for this vote and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from
this meeting.
*** *** ***
BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
BOARD OF FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the term of office of Ms.
Lauren Mescon will expire on June 30, 2010 and that she is eligible to succeed
herself for another term of office and would like to serve again. Councilor
Henderson then nominated Ms. Mescon for another term of office.
Clerk of Council Washington said she would bring this back on next week
for the Council?s confirmation.
*** *** ***
BUILDING AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the term of office of Mr.
Terry Ballard on the Building Authority of Columbus expired on March 24, 2010
and that he is eligible to succeed himself, but does not desire reappointment.
She said the Council would need to make a nomination for someone to fill this
expired term. There were no nominations made at this time.
*** *** ***
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out the following terms of office of
offices expired on last month: Mr. Charles Weaver Council District 1, who is
eligible to succeed himself for another term of office.
Councilor Barnes nominated Ms. Thomas to succeed Mr. Charles Weaver for
his District 1 representative. Clerk of Council advised that because this is a
district appointment Ms. Thomas could be confirmed. Councilor Henderson so
moved. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those six
members of Council present at the time, with Councilors Anthony and Hunter
being absent for this vote and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from
this meeting.
Clerk of Council Washington also pointed out that Mr. Daniel Priban;
Council District 9 representative cannot succeed himself, as well as Mr. John
Partin, Ms. Lula Arrington, and Mr. Eddie Roberts.
She said Mr. John Partin, Ms. Lula Arrington and Mr. Eddie Roberts, these
are the Mayor?s appointments and further advised that Mayor Wetherington is
nominating Ms. Kim E. Jenkins to succeed Ms. Lula Arrington and advises that
she may now be confirmed. Councilor Woodson moved she be confirmed. Seconded
by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those six members of
Council present at the time, with Councilors Anthony and Hunter being absent
for this vote and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from the meeting.
Clerk of Council Washington also pointed out that Mr. Arthur Rogers,
Council District Four representative cannot succeed himself and that Mayor Pro
Tem Turner Pugh is working on a replacement as well as Ms. Leigh Stewart,
Council District 8 representative could not succeed herself and Councilor
McDaniel is also working on a replacement for this seat.
*** *** ***
CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the seats of Mr. Wane Hailes,
who served as Council District 4 and Ms. Wanda Jenkins, who served as Council
District 1representative have been declared vacant and said we need a new
nominee from these two Councilors.
*** *** ***
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the term of office of Mr. Rob
Doll on the Housing Authority expired on April 30, 2010 and that he is eligible
to succeed himself for another term of office; however he does not desire to be
reappointed. She advised Mayor Wetherington that this is his appointment and he
needs to nominate someone for this seat.
*** *** ***
POTHOLE CREW:
City Manager Hugley said regarding an earlier question of the Council as
to whether or not, we approved the additional pothole crew during the budget
process, said we did not approve it. He said we decided to consider it during
the mid-year budget adjustments.
*** *** ***
RIDES FOR MIRACLES:
Councilor Henderson said we had some police officers that rode along with
Scott Ressessmyere on this ride across the 48 states and said he would like to
call for a resolution to honor all those who made the ride.
*** *** ***
With there being no other business for the Council to discuss, Mayor
Wetherington then asked if there was anyone seated in the audience who had an
issue to discuss could come forward at this point.
Mr. Paul Olson, 13820 Upatoi Lane came forward and made several comments
with reference to the audit of the Parks & Recreation Department.
He said Mr. Redmond was doing his job and did a fantastic job in performing
this audit.
He then asked who initiated the audit with the Internal Auditor to perform
an audit on the Parks & Recreation Department.
Mayor Wetherington stated that he did. He responded to further questions
of Mr. Olson. He said the Internal Auditor could perform audits at his
request, as well as the request of the Council and the City Manager.
Mr. Olson said he thinks that we need to look at the Economic Development
Authority as well. He also questioned the City Attorney as to whether or not he
reviewed a contract that the City has with this Elite Basketball organization.
He said if we abide by the City Charter, he thinks that we will not find
ourselves in any trouble.
After Mr. Olson spent some ten minutes in expressing his views regarding
audits and investigations.
Mayor Wetherington said he and the City Manager had asked the Internal
Auditor to look into most of the departments within the government. He said he
believes that he has looked at 24 of those departments and said he is going
around checking them all. He said he was the one to tell him to look into Parks
& Recreation because we hadn?t gotten to it yet.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said according to the ordinance that setup the
Auditor?s position, the Council was supposed to receive a copy of these audits
and said we have not received a copy of them.
Mayor Wetherington said he has instructed Internal Auditor Redmond to
provide a copy of those audits to the members of Council.
-------------------------------------*** ***
***---------------------------------
With there being no additional business for the Council to discuss, Mayor
Wetherington then entertained a motion for adjournment. Councilor Henderson so
moved. Seconded by Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by those six
members of Council present at the time, with Councilors Anthony and Hunter
being absent for this vote and councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from
the meeting, with the time being 8:00 p.m.
Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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