Minutes
COUNCIL BRIEFING
Meeting
March 28, 2006
Members Present: Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers and Councilors R. Gary Allen,
Wayne Anthony, Glenn Davis (arrived 8:38 a.m.), Berry Henderson (arrived 8:48
a.m.), Julius Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., Nathan Suber and Evelyn
Woodson. Also present were Mayor Robert S. Poydasheff (arrived 8:32 a.m.),
City Manager Isaiah Hugley, Deputy City Managers Lisa Goodwin and David
Arrington, Finance Director Angela Cole and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra
Davis.
Members Absent: Councilor Evelyn Turner Pugh was absent.
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This meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m., in the Council Chambers
Conference Room, Plaza Level of the Government Center.
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Topics of Discussion:
City Manager Hugley recalled that Traffic Engineer Ron Hamlett provided a
presentation during a work session regarding the LED traffic signals; the
brightness of the lights, making them safer and being more efficient with
regards to the cost of electricity and Deputy City Manager David Arrington
would provide this update. Also, he added that we would be discussing Cherokee
Avenue and some repairs that need to be done. He said finally, we would be
discussing some roadwork that needs to be done, which consists of moving some
money around.
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Traffic Signals:
Deputy City Manager David Arrington provided a report on the traffic signals.
He said that it was presented to Council to provide lens in our traffic
intersections that are brighter, safer, less expensive and last longer. He
quoted the price for the lens in the traffic lights at $1,046,000. He
explained the Georgia Department of Transportation provided earlier this year
to replace all of the 101 State intersections. He added that we have received
notice that the State is providing funding to replace the remaining 143
intersections in the community for the full total of $1,046,000. He said the
City would realize a savings because of the State funding. He reported that we
have in the Traffic Engineering?s budget about $20,000 to replace incandescent
bulbs that go out.
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Cherokee Avenue:
Deputy City Manager Arrington spoke of the recommendation that was made to hold
off on making any improvements until we could fully examine the storm sewer
pipes along Cherokee Avenue all the way from 13th Street to Hilton Avenue. He
advised the video survey has been completed and turned over to our consultant
to determine the needed repairs. He reported that during the process, we had a
pipe to collapse on 13th Street south of Garrard in an area that we previously
was not going to do any work; we also had a wall to collapse. He said that we
want to move ahead quickly; therefore, we would treat this work as an emergency
procurement. He said once this work is completed, we would come back to the
Council to determine how to proceed with the number of lanes on Cherokee Avenue.
At this time, Deputy City Manager Arrington responded to question from the
members of Council regarding Cherokee Avenue. Engineering Assistant Director
Donna Newman also made some comments in this regard.
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Mayor Poydasheff reminded everyone of the announcement to be made by Councilor
Davis today at 2:00 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce. He announced that at 5:00
p.m. today, we have a session with the Japanese students from Kiryu, Japan
being hosted by Columbus State University.
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Current Unfunded Transportation Projects:
Deputy City Manager Arrington outlined those transportation projects that
currently do not have funding. (A copy of this document was filed and made a
part of the record.) He spoke of the Veteran?s Parkway- Muscogee County School
District Improvements and the Aflac project on Mutec Drive. He maintained that
the projected funding cost required is $2,256,800. He also provided a listing
of potential funding sources for the projects with a combination of SPLOST and
Paving Fund monies.
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Current Unfunded Transportation Projects:
City Manager Hugley mentioned some other possibilities to give us some
outlets. He said from the Northside High School, we have the Fire Station and
there is a PUD that is going in there. He explained that there is an
opportunity to connect from that PUD on to Williams Road, and then there is an
opportunity to connect on to American Way.
Deputy City Manager Arrington advised that Director of Planning Rick Jones is
working with the developer (The Woodruff Company) on making that happen;
however, the school board has expressed an interest in that as well. He said
we are moving forward and would come back to Council to look for funding for
that project. He explained this is a critical link to get that traffic
somewhere other than Veterans Parkway. He spoke of the elementary school
coming on-line this fall, the middle school the following year, and Northside
High School.
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Fire State Equipment:
City Manager Hugley recalled that on the agenda last week, we had exercise
equipment for all of the fourteen Fire Stations. He said that he had mentioned
that it was a 100% grant, but he had misspoken because it is an 80/20% split
and the City?s funding would come from the General Fund contingency.
Work Session Agenda:
City Manager Hugley said that on the Work Session agenda, we had scheduled a
legislative update, but Mr. Pete Robinson (legislative liaison) was not able to
attend, because this is the final week of the legislative session. He said
that we would reschedule the legislative update.
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Big Box Ordinance:
City Manager Hugley said the Big Box Ordinance was pulled from the agenda
today. He explained that we would bring it at a Pre Council Briefing or at a
Work Session; therefore, this ordinance is being delayed.
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Ice Rink:
Since there were questions from Councilor Henderson regarding the ice rink,
City Manager Hugley advised that he could bring some information regarding the
ice rink. He said that we would also bring some information regarding the
skateboard park and the pool as well.
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There being no further business to discuss and with the dialogue being
concluded, this meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
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Sandra T. Davis,
Deputy Clerk of Council
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