MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
WORK SESSION
JULY 31, 2012
The regular Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called to
order at 9:04 A.M., Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in the Council Chambers, Government
Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Evelyn Turner Pugh, Mayor Pro Tem
presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh were Councilors
Mike Baker, Jerry ?Pops? Barnes, Berry Henderson, Charles E. McDaniel, Jr. and
Judy W. Thomas. Councilor Glenn Davis took his seat at the table at 9:04 a.m.
and Councilor Bruce Huff took his seat at 9:18 a.m. Also present were City
Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay and Deputy Clerk of Council
Sandra Davis.
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ABSENT: Mayor Teresa Pike Tomlinson and Councilors R. Gary Allen and Evelyn
Woodson were absent. Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington was also absent.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Michael R. Stewart, Director of Pastoral Care- Columbus
Regional System.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by City Manager Hugley.
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ABSSENCE OF MAYOR TOMLINSON:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh advised that Mayor Tomlinson is out-of-town on
city business today.
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CONSENT AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA WAS
SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND APPROVED UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY
COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR THOMAS AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY
THE SEVEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT WITH COUNCILOR HUFF BEING ABSENT FOR THE
VOTE AND COUNCILORS ALLEN AND WOODSON BEING ABSENT FOR THIS
MEETING:
An Ordinance (12-35) - Amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated
Government of Columbus, Georgia; this amendment changes certain boundaries of a
district located at the Southwest corner of 9601 Yellow Pine Road (Garret Pines
subdivision) and the Northwest corner of 8997 Macon Road (proposed Midland
Downs development) from SFR3 (Single Family Residential 3) to PMUD (Planned
Mixed Unit Development) Zoning District for the Southwest Corner of 9601 Yellow
Pine Road from and from PMUD (Planned Mixed Unit Development) to SFR3 (Single
Family Residential 3) Zoning District for the Northwest Corner of 8997 Macon
Road. (7-CA-12-Willis Plantation, LLC / Jackson-Burgin, Inc.)
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND APPROVED
UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR
THOMAS AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE SEVEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT WITH
COUNCILOR HUFF BEING ABSENT FOR THE VOTE AND COUNCILORS ALLEN AND WOODSON BEING
ABSENT FOR THIS MEETING:
A Resolution (219-12) - Authorizing a request to submit an application,
and if approved, accept a $7,500 grant for the Juvenile Court Purchase of
Services Juvenile Offenders Program from the Council of Juvenile Court Judges
of Georgia. An agenda report and resolution are attached.
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WORKSESSION:
PAUPER BURIAL / CREMATION PROPOSAL:
Public Services Director Pat Biegler, came forward to provide the
following power point presentation on pauper burials and proposals with regards
to cremations and is listed below:
Public Services Department
Pauper Cremations
January 2012
Pauper Burials in Porterdale only
?1,009 graves available as of January 1, 2012
?Average 81 per year for last five years
?12.5 years at current usage rates
City reimburses funeral homes $350 for each
burial.
Expenses
Their real expenses are $225.00 for a container. In addition, they expend
their manpower, gas, use of vehicles, etc? to pick up a body at the hospital or
morgue, take it to the funeral home, hold it at the funeral home, then place in
a container and convoy to the cemetery.
Their normal fee to pick up the body is $425.00, which we do not pay.
Cremation
Allows three burials per site, potentially increasing
capacity to 3,027 and extending life to 37 years.
Pros:
Savings of land, man hours and operating costs.
Cons:
?Cost is higher - $315 to crematory
?Family approval or court approval required
?Process can take up to two months or longer
?Storage of body during that time is a problem, as funeral homes do not have
the storage capacity, nor does the coroner.
?The coroner reports that he can accommodate 2 to 3 for short periods of time
only.
Options
Option 1:
?Stop pauper burials.
Option 2:
?Continue burials as presently handled (do nothing)
Option 3:
?Encourage cremation where family permission is easily acquired: City to pay
$600 per cremation burial and pay $400 for traditional burials.
?Explore/develop easier approval processes working with the legal system.
?Assuming 30 cremations per year, budget impact would be $10,050.00 per year.
As a result of the above presentation the following referral was made and
is listed below:
Provide some additional information on the legislation mentioned by City
Manager Hugley; whereas, the coroner or probate judge is given the authority to
allow the county to proceed with cremations if no family members come forward
within a certain length of time; therefore, if we decide to move in that
direction, we would have looked at all of the legal issues surrounding this
matter. (Request of Councilor Thomas)
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METHANE AT PINE GROVE AND
SCHATULGA LANDFILLS
Public Services Director Biegler also made a presentation with regards to
methane at Pine Grove and Schatulga Landfills and is provided below:
Methane Gas:
Occurs as a natural bi-product of landfilled garbage.
The amount builds over time
When testing shows certain levels of methane, installation of a system for
methane removal is required by the state
We are approaching that point with Pine Grove Landfill
Methane can be used for:
Carbon Credits
Tax Credits
Generation of Electricity
PINE GROVE LANDFILL
Study complete April 2010.
Current Plan is to:
Use gas to power the Sustainability (Recycling) Center.
Recommended:
Use gas to power the County Prison.
Sell any excess gas to adjacent property owners.
NEXT STEPS
Fund Design of Retrieval and Generator System for Pine Grove.
If we start this coming fiscal year, we could build by FY2015.
Estimated Design Cost: $200,000.
Estimated Construction Cost: $4 million
?M
SCHATULGA ROAD
Contract signed in 1995 for 20 years.
Original contract runs 2015.
Landfill is still producing methane.
Recommendation
If still producing in 2015, connect to Pine Grove generator to add to our
gas/energy plant.
In conclusion of this presentation, Deputy City Manager David Arrington
approached the rostrum to briefly share information on the waste to energy
efforts. As a result of this information, the following referrals were made
and are listed below:
Have staff to research to determine if there are any federal grants
available. (Request of Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh) Also, check to find out if
there are any environmental grants available to assist with the cost for the
design of the retrieval and generator system. (Request of Councilor Thomas)
Let?s check with other communities that are already utilizing the concept of
gas to energy. (Request of Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh)
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TRANSPORTATION / ROAD PROJECTS UPDATE:
Deputy City Manager Arrington provided an update on the road projects with
the use of a power point presentation and is listed below:
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
Agenda
Completed Projects
Local Transportation Projects
Georgia DOT Projects
ATMS Project
Government Center Parking Improvements
Completed Projects
Cargo / Transport Round-a-bout
Satilla Landfill Closure
Moon Road ? Knology to Veterans
Technology Parkway ? North
Sacerdote Lane Extension
Oxbow Meadows Environmental Park
Status
Property Acquisition ? Complete
Utility Infrastructure ? Complete
Environmental Learning Center
Expansion ? Complete
Connector Trail & Lake Improvements ? Complete
Parking Lot ? Complete
EPD permitting ? Complete
Transportation Improvements ? Ready for Bid
Pavilion, Dog Park & Festival Field ? Bids due July 31
14th St. Pedestrian Bridge & Plaza
Scope
Bridge. reconstructed bridge and support structure for pedestrian use, create
observation deck and vendor area on bridge, scheduled completion Oct. 2012
Plaza. Demolish and reconstruct bridge over Riverwalk, streetscape 14th St. to
Broadway
6th Avenue Flood Abatement
Status
Culvert installation complete to 9th Street.
Weracoba culvert to 10th Avenue complete
Streetscapes underway to 8th St.
7th, 8th, 9th Avenue work underway
Jail parking lot substantially complete
Culvert installation under RR scheduled for August 11th
Streetscape from 6th St. to 8th St. underway
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
Projects Description Status Schedule
Corporate Ridge/Woodruff Intersection Improvement Under Construction Spring 2013
Moon Road- Wilbur to Whittlesey Widen from 2 lanes to 3 lanes ROW underway 120 parcels Const. Bid Fall
2012 ? Construction Winter 2013
18th Avenue Garrard Round-a-bout Under Construction Oct. 2012
Northstar / St. Marys Road Round-a-bout Design Complete. Utility conflicts, ROW Acq.
Winter 2013
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
Projects Description Status Schedule
River Road/Bradley Park Intersection Improvement Plans Ready. DOT Approved. ROW 16 parcels ?
Round-a-bout concept under development TBD
Veterans / Double Churches Intersection Improvement Plans Ready, ROW, DOT, Norfolk Southern approval ROW to
begin Sept.
Fort Benning / Brennan
Intersection Improvement
Round-a-bout concept under development, public meeting to be sched.
TBD
Corporate Ridge / Schatulga Round-a-bout Plans under development Construction Spring 2013
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
Projects Description Status Schedule
Pedestrian Bridges Buena Vista Rd
South Lumpkin Rd Refurbishment BV Road bridge repairs underway TBD-based on structural
improvements on BV bridge
Pedestrian Bridge
Cusseta Replace existing bridge Design ? build contract GMP $1.5 million Based on NS approval
Forrest Road
Schatulga to Floyd Widen from 2 lanes to 3 lanes ROW ? Titles searches 168 parcels ROW Acquisition
Scheduled August 2013 ? 2 firms
Forrest Road Palomino to Macon Concept under development Final Public Hearing Fall 2012 TBD
Forrest Road bridges Replace two bridges Plans complete. ROW 16 parcels Construction Fall Winter 2012
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
Projects Description Status Schedule
Whitesville/Double Churches Intersection Improvement ROW underway 17 parcels Winter 2012
Cusseta / Old Cusseta Intersection Improvements Concepts development. Public meeting to be scheduled TBD
Citizen Service Center Road New construction connecting Rigdon Rd and Boxwood Rd Under
construction in coordination with building construction Spring 2013
GEORGIA DOT PROJECTS
Projects Description Status Schedule
Whittlesey Road Widening 2 lanes to 4 lanes Under construction 2014 completion
Talbotton Road Widen from 2 lanes to 4 lanes ROW underway by DOT ? 2 yrs Scheduled for FY14
Technology Parkway - North Widen from 2 lanes to 4 lanes Under Construction Scheduled completion August
2012
Technology Parkway - South New construction 4 lanes ROW underway Scheduled let April 2013
Brown Avenue Bridge Bridge Replacement ROW certification scheduled for August Nov. 2012 let for
construction
Veterans Parkway Widening 2 lanes to 4 lanes ROW underway by DOT ? 2 yrs Scheduled let FY15
Automated Traffic Management
Project Budget - $3,700,000
Funding Sources ? ARRA Funds, DOT, City
Project Status ? Construction underway on Veterans
Macon Road connection approved through Energy Efficiency Grant
Columbus Traffic Management Center
Deputy City Manager Arrington provided an illustration of the Columbus
Traffic Management Center.
Government Center Parking Improvements
Deputy City Manager Arrington advised that these improvements primarily
consist of restriping. He explained that on the curb lines of the Government
Center, there would be parallel parking on the east side of 2nd Avenue and of
that, 5 would be handicap spaces and the rest would be regular parking spaces.
He added that on the 1st Avenue side of the Government Center curb line would
be converted from parallel parking, in some areas no parking, to angle parking
with some additional handicap spaces on the west side. Altogether, he pointed
out that we are looking to add 27 parking spaces and of that 27, there would be
8 additional handicap spaces that would be created around the Government Center
for the public. He said this would require the elimination of a lane of
traffic southbound on 2nd Avenue and one lane of traffic on 1st Avenue
northbound.
TSPLOST Columbus Proposed Projects
US 27/Custer Road Interchange
Buena Vista / I-185 Interchange
Intercity Express Bus System
South Lumpkin Trail System
Buena Vista Road / Spider Web Improvements
Cusseta Road / Old Cusseta Rd. / I-185
Columbus Riverwalk
SR 219 Passing Lanes
There were members of Council that made comments with respect to traffic
concerns and requested additional information as outlined in the referrals
below:
Have the staff to schedule a meeting with the residents in the St. Marys
Road and North Star Drive area to explain why that intersection may not warrant
the use of a traffic light, and that a roundabout may be the only option
available. (Request of Councilor Huff) Have the staff to conduct another
traffic count for St. Marys Road / North Star Drive before we schedule a
meeting with the residents in that area. (Request of Mayor Pro Tem Turner
Pugh)
Provide an update on some traffic concerns with making a right turn off
Moon Road onto Veterans Parkway. (Request of Councilor Davis)
Have the Engineering Department staff to go out to the Double Churches
Road area to determine what could be done to create a better traffic flow
situation for making the left turn off Veterans Parkway onto Double Churches
Road. (Request of Councilor Davis) Also, check to see if something could be
done on a temporary basis until the improvements are made in this area.
(Request of Councilor Davis)
Have the staff check into the southbound traffic that exits onto St. Marys
Road from I-185. The left turn signal traveling onto St. Marys Road does not
allow many cars to pass through the traffic light. (Request of Councilor
Thomas)
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OLOST:
Finance Director Pam Hodge came forward to provide the following report
with a summary being listed below:
OTHER LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX:
Roads:
Budget ? $12,243,301
Encumbrance ? $2,618,279
Expenditures - $3,812,471
Balance - $5,812,551
Stormwater:
Budget ? $2,800,000
Encumbrance ? $1,427,501
Expenditures - $416,506
Balance - $955,993
Information Technology:
Budget ? $750,000
Encumbrance ? $61,239
Expenditures - $675,185
Balance - $13,576
Facility Improvements:
Budget ? $1,650,000
Encumbrance ? $15,372
Expenditures - $466,915
Balance - $1,167,713
TOTALS:
Budget ? $17,443,301
Encumbrance ? $4,122,391
Expenditures - $5,371,078
Balance - $7,949,832
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ADDITIONAL REFERRALS:
I-185 IMPROVEMENTS:
Have staff to check the area undergoing some improvements underneath the
I-185 on Cusseta Road exiting the Willis Plaza area, because there are some
concerns regarding the upkeep of the trees and shrubbery; there was also some
fencing removed and it is really dark underneath that bridge. (Request of
Councilor Huff)
COURT HEARINGS:
Have the staff to research the procedures from the time an individual is
arrested until the time of court, because there is an inordinate period of time
before an individual goes to court. Let?s have the staff determine what the
procedures are and to find out what purview does the City has in this regard.
(Request of Councilor Barnes)
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS:
After Councilor Thomas expressed the concerns of some of the Fortson Road
area residents, that were previously listed on the public agenda, with regards
to adequate notification of an upcoming case to be handled with the Board of
Zoning Appeals, City Manager Hugley advised that the applicant has asked for a
delay on that particular case; therefore, it would not be heard tomorrow.
City Manager Hugley added that the notices were prepared and delivered to
the mailroom on schedule as required by law. He then briefly explained how the
mail is processed from the City?s mailroom to be mailed out.
In conclusion of this discussion the following referrals were made and are
listed as follows: Have the staff to review the ordinance regarding
notification for cases handled by the Board of Zoning Appeals to determine if
the ordinance needs to be changed from seven (7) to fifteen (15) calendar days
prior notice of hearing dates to the nearby residents. (Request of Mayor Pro
Tem Turner Pugh)
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NOTE: Councilor McDaniel left the meeting during this part of the proceedings
with the time being 11:22 a.m.
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Let?s check to see if staff could look into some other areas of where
postmarked dates are important or other ways to have a mail out date on those
envelopes. (Request of Councilor Davis)
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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Councilor
Henderson made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Baker and carried
unanimously by those seven members of Council present with Councilor McDaniel
having left the meeting and Councilors Allen and Woodson being absent for this
meeting with the time being 11:24 a.m.
Sandra T. Davis, CDMC
Deputy Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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