MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
WORK SESSION
AUGUST 22,
2006
The regular monthly Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was
called to order at 9:04 A.M., Tuesday, August 22, 2006, in the Council
Chambers, Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Robert S. Poydasheff,
Mayor presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Poydasheff were Councilors Wayne Anthony
Glenn Davis, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., Evelyn Turner
Pugh and Nathan Suber. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay,
and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also present. Councilor Evelyn
Woodson took her seat at 9:10 a.m.
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ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers and Councilors R. Gary Allen and Berry
Henderson were absent. Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington was also
absent.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Councilor Wayne Anthony.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Robert S. Poydasheff.
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MINUTES: Minutes of the August 15, 2006 meeting of the Council of the
Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia was submitted and approved upon
the adoption of a motion made by Councilor McDaniel and seconded by Councilor
Suber, which carried unanimously by those six members of Council present with
Councilor Woodson not yet seated at the table.
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CONSENT AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF COLUMBUS,
GEORGIA WERE SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND WERE ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON
SECOND READING UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILOR SUBER, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SIX MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
PRESENT WITH COUNCILOR WOODSON BEING ABSENT FOR THIS
VOTE:
An Ordinance (06-72) - Rezoning property located at 2601 Manchester
Expressway & 2602 Johnson Drive is proposed for rezoning from NC (Neighborhood
Commercial) District to GC (General Commercial) District. (38-A-06-Cummings)
An Ordinance (06-73) - Rezoning property located at 2419 Warm Springs Road
is proposed for rezoning from SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) District to RO
(Residential Office) District. (39-A-06-Cummings)
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COLUMBUS CODE OF ORDINANCES WAS
SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND WAS ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING
UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR
SUBER, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SIX MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT WITH
COUNCILOR WOODSON BEING ABSENT FOR THIS
VOTE:
An ordinance (06-74) - Amending Section 20-13.11 of the Columbus Code of
Ordinances, extending the Uptown Parking Management and Enforcement District to
include the east side of 1st Avenue from the south curb of 9th Street, running
160 feet south to the private driveway at 832 1st Avenue; amending the map of
the Uptown Parking Management District; and for other purposes.
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THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND
ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL
AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SUBER, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SIX MEMBERS
OF COUNCIL PRESENT WITH COUNCILOR WOODSON BEING ABSENT FOR THIS VOTE:
A Resolution (334-06) - Authorizing a request to submit an application and
if approved accept a $611,145 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration as
co-sponsor with the Columbus Metropolitan Airport.
A Resolution (335-06) - Authorizing a request to submit an
application and if approved a Homeland Security Critical Infrastructure
Protection non-matching grant in the amount of $250,000 from the Georgia Office
of Homeland Security for maintenance, inventory and securing all equipment
purchased through the Homeland Security Critical Infrastructure Protection.
A Resolution (336-06) - Authorizing a request to accept a deed to
Wandering Lane and Velpoe Drive located in Section Three, Farrwoods Cove. The
Department of Engineering has inspected these streets and recommends the
acceptance.
Regarding the grant application for the Columbus Airport, City Manager
Hugley advised that this is a federal grant in the amount of $611,145; there
are no city funds involved.
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THE FOLLOWING THREE NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED BY DEPUTY CLERK OF
COUNCIL DAVIS AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED FOR EACH BY COUNCILOR
MCDANIEL:
Petition submitted by Edward Calvin to rezone approximately 4.41 acres of
property located at 1151 & 1211 Floyd Road from an SFR2 (Single Family
Residential 2) District to an RMF2 (Residential Multi-Family 2) District.
(Recommended for denial by the Planning Advisory Commission and approval by the
Planning Department.) (51-A-06-Calvin)
Petition submitted by Edward Calvin to rezone approximately 1.36 acres of
property located at 1137 Floyd Road from an SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2)
District to a GC (General Commercial) District. (Recommended for approval by
both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Department.)
(52-A-06-Calvin)
Petition submitted by the Planning Department to amend the text of the
Unified Development Ordinance to amend requirements for existing, nonconforming
trash dumpsters. (Recommended for denial by the Planning Advisory Commission
and approval by the Planning Department.) (53-A-06-Planning Dept.)
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
After the work session agenda, City Manager Hugley requested a brief
executive session to discuss personnel matters. He announced that the Post
Council Briefing has been postponed; we would not be discussing Public Safety
education incentive pay.
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WORK SESSION AGENDA:
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION:
City Manager Hugley pointed out that the Council requested that the Public
Safety Advisory Commission come to a work session to give a report on the
activities of the commission; since their inception. He then recognized some
of the members of the commission, as well as, the Chairman Mr. Harold Bryant.
Mr. Harold Bryant, Chairman of the Public Safety Advisory Commission
approached the rostrum and gave a brief chronology of when the commission was
formed and begin to function. He shared that there was an orientation by all
the departments of Public Safety. He asked members present to stand and
introduce themselves. He noted that the commission has recommended that
funeral escorts be conducted by off-duty police officers and the funeral homes
are billed for the expense. He maintained that this does not take the officers
away from their duties; since, there is a shortage.
Mayor Poydasheff shared the recent implementation of the pay study that
was recommended in the Mayor?s FY-07 budget. He announced that twelve officers
have been hired and are about 33 officers short; there are 20 active applicants
and approximately 78 applications that have been received. He explained some
of the criteria that are necessary to be hired as police officers.
City Manager Hugley explained the entry level pay structure for new hires
in Public Safety by providing the following information: high school
education- $23,832 new pay plan $27,833; Associates degree- $25,024 now it is
$28,528; Bachelor?s Degree- $26,275 now it is $29,728; Master?s Degree- $27,589
now it is $30,928. He outlined the following incentives that are available and
are listed as follows: $2,000 sign on bonus distributed over a period of two
years; $1,000 relocation fee if residing 50 miles or further from Columbus.
Councilor McDaniel added that the figure provided just includes salary and not
benefits. City Manager Hugley estimated that with benefits calculated in, that
would put this pay at somewhere around $50,000.
Councilor Woodson requested to be provided with the inclusion of the
benefit package and equipment for each entry level of education the total
dollar figure. Mayor Poydasheff added that the Council is working on
compression issues and there would be continued discussions on the amount for
Public Safety on benefit compensation at retirement plan.
Mr. Harold expressed the concerns of the commission with trying to define
its role as a viable entity. He said that we are charged with addressing
issues of policy and procedure. He explained that the Public Safety Advisory
Commission has not been charged with reviewing specific instances. He then
asked basic questions about what the Council wants the commission to address,
and what are the parameters of operation? He then spoke briefly about the
presence of Mrs. Emily Walker at the Public Safety Commission Meeting and the
frustrations of not being able to address her specific concerns due to
litigation. He said that we were able to address some policy concerns
regarding the equipment and communication process.
After Mr. Harold made further comments regarding the state of the art
equipment, Councilor Suber expressed concerns regarding the video equipment and
whether it is working properly. He then requested that the staff check to see
if Public Safety is continuing to have problems with the video equipment.
When Councilor Suber asked if the commissioners felt that this advisory
board was productive, Mr. Harold responded by saying that the commission could
be better. He emphasized that if the commission is to be viable, there needs
to be a very specific mission statement. He said that once this is
accomplished, the commission needs to have some basic funding to let the
citizens know of their existence.
Councilor Hunter agreed that the commission needs funding to at least be
able to go out and see what other advisory groups across the country are
doing. He mentioned that there is a National Organization of Public Safety
Advisory Commissions; it would be good to network with this group. He pointed
out that the idea for establishing this advisory board was to provide
communication between the citizenry and public safety. He then explained in
great details some examples of policy decisions that the commission could
review; such as the use of beanbag guns. He suggested that Public Safety
could research the training that is needed to implement a new program. He
emphasized that the commission does not have investigative power but could
swage concerns that the citizens have upfront and act as that line of
communication. He then suggested that Mr. Harold contact the Police Chief
Swine in Oxford, Ohio; Police Chief Swine has established a Public Safety
Advisory Commission in Ohio.
In response to equipment properly working, City Manager Hugley referenced
the last report that he received on camera repairs dated January 2006. He
reported that we have a private contractor that handles repairs on cameras for
Public Safety for us. He then provided statistical information regarding the
number of system repairs in Public Safety that has occurred with a total of 46
system repairs.
Mr. Bryant concluded by mentioning that Police Chief Boren had invited the
Public Safety Advisory Commission to a brief before the Taser Guns were
implemented. He spoke of the details provided regarding the procedures and
steps that are obtained before the Taser is used and how the Police Department
was attempting to come up with something less lethal than a firearm.
Councilor Anthony suggested that the Public Safety Commission report to
the Council annually to present the work of the commission. He requested that
the staff scroll on CCG-TV periodically the ordinance regarding the Public
Safety Advisory Commission to give the citizens an idea of their function and
mission. He also mentioned that the City should publicize the notice of the
Public Safety Advisory Commission meetings and how someone might get on the
agenda. Mr. Harold advised that the commission meets the first Thursday of
each month, at 4:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.
Councilor Woodson requested that the CCG-TV staff do a Columbus Connection
story and allow the members of The Public Safety Advisory Commission to explain
parts of the ordinance. She then suggested that the Council get together to
come up with a defined mission statement for the commission.
Mr. Robert Turner, Public Safety Advisory Commission member, came forward
and expressed concerns regarding the responsibility of the commission. He said
that his had the understanding that the commission was established to try to
bring the community back together and to heal some wounds out that had been out
there, but it seems that we have drifted from that mission. He pointed out
that what we have been missing on this board is the advice of an attorney. At
this time, Mayor Poydasheff suggested that the City Attorney or Assistant City
Attorney provide the commission with some assistance.
Councilor McDaniel then made a motion that the City Attorney or the
Assistant City Attorney works with the Public Safety Advisory Commission.
Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those seven members
present for this meeting.
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ICE RINK:
City Manager Hugley recognized the presence of Civic Center Director Dale
Hester, who was present to discuss the ice rink. He advised that the
recommendations for the ice rink and skateboard park comes to the Council based
on a request. He recommends that the City not construct any new facilities at
this time; we have gone through the budget procedures and have reduced
staff.
Councilor Turner Pugh called attention to the SPLOST that was approved by
the citizen and if the skateboard park was on the list of projects, at which
time, City Manager Hugley recalled that the skateboard park was not included in
the presentation for the SPLOST. He explained that the monies that was going
to be used to construct a skate park super center was $3.2 millions that was
for a center city pool and approximately $3 million dollars that was approved
in a 2003 Bond Series. He said this money was pulled together to construct a
skate park super center and none of that money is sales tax money. He added
that during the sales tax process, this project was put on the ?B? List that we
would not rule out for construction, but there was no funding in the sales tax
for it at that time. He maintained that the ?A? List Projects would be
funded. He pointed out that the issue is not money to construct the facility
but operational cost.
After Councilor Turner Pugh expressed further concerns, City Manager
Hugley cautioned that if the project is not profitable; then, there is going to
be a deficit and the funding has to come from somewhere. She then requested
that the staff come back with a presentation.
Councilor Turner Pugh mentioned that the Golf Courses are subsidized and
the administration needs to follow through with activities for the youth.
Councilor Woodson also spoke about projects that the City has been able to find
a way to fund the operation and provided some examples of such.
Councilor Davis pointed out that there was a time that skateboarding was a
trend, but what is happening is that there is a decrease in the amount of
excitement for this activity. He then requested that the staff research and
provide the data on other communities with skate board parks to show the number
of skateboarders that are still interested in this activity and to find out if
the numbers have dropped. He added that Ft. Benning has also considered
constructing a skateboard park and asked where does that stand.
Civic Center Director Dale Hester, came forward and provided the following
presentation and is outlined below:
The Columbus Civic Center holds a variety of events. In 2006 the building
hosted 305 events, including concerts, sporting events, recreational ice
skating, and special events.
Arena Football
The Vipers played a 14 game season, 7 at home and 7 away.
The season ran from February ? June
In their first season, the Vipers averaged an attendance of 1,500 per game.
The Vipers have been replaced by the World Indoor Football League (WIFL)
COLUMBUS COTTONMOUTHS
Key Cottonmouth Info:
10th season at the Civic Center
Play 36 Home Games & 36 Away
Season lasts from October ? April
Member of the SPHL
Average attendance is 3,000 people per game
Recreational Skating Columbus Youth Hockey:
In 2006 the Civic Center was overwhelmed by the request for additional Rec
Skating dates.
The average Rec Skating date catered to 200 skaters per session.
Because of the number of events that we have during the winter months, it is
hard to accommodate the requests.
We only averaged 3 Rec Skate dates per month and the ideal number would be
somewhere around 10 (2 or 3 per week).
The Civic Center turned down more private skate parties than we had during
2006, because of the lack of ice time.
The Youth Hockey League also had to compete for ice time because of our busy
event schedule.
Our own Cottonmouths were forced to travel to different facilities in order to
practice.
In short, this is revenue not earned because of lack of ice time.
COLUMBUS SOUTH
The Columbus Civic Center is becoming a well-known facility throughout the
region and is located in Columbus South. Our goal is to be part of the
?revitalization of South Columbus?
An Ice Rink can and will be beneficial to the community and city government
since it will generate REVENUE and offer a service to all.
BUILD THE ICE RINK TO GENERATE NEW REVENUE
Location:
Adjacent to the east side of the Civic Center
Usage: Ice Rink
Cottonmouths - Curling
Youth Hockey - New Leagues (Auburn/Opelika)
Adult Hockey - Ft. Benning (new families)
Public Skating - New Industries
Figure Skating - Private Lessons
Private Parties - Small Concert Venue
Hours of Operation:
Monday ? Thursday 4PM ? 11PM (Total 28 hours)
Friday 4PM ? 12AM
Saturday 10AM ? 12AM
Sunday 10AM ? 12AM (Total 36 hours)
Grand Total: 64 hours / per week
Ice Rink Operating Schedule Weekdays
Monday ? Friday 4PM, after school
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 5PM, Youth Hockey
Tuesday & Thursday, 5PM, Curling
Monday ? Friday, 6PM, Adult Hockey
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7 - 9PM, Public Skate
Tuesday & Thursday, 7PM, Figure Skate
Tuesday & Thursday, 8PM, Public Skate
Monday ? Friday 9PM, Private
Monday ? Friday 10PM, High School / College Skate
Ice Rink Operating Schedule Weekends
Saturday ? Sunday 10AM ? 12PM, Youth Hockey
Saturday ? Sunday 12PM, Figure Skate
Saturday ? Sunday 1 ? 8PM, Public Skate
Saturday ? Sunday 8PM, Adult Hockey
Saturday ? Sunday 9PM, Private Skate
Saturday ? Sunday 10PM ? 12AM, High School / College Skate
Ice Rink Expenses
Cost - $3.0 million
Staffing & Utilities - $209,856
Staff Expenses
Staffing Expense - $9.00 / per hour
Monday ? Thursday = 3 (staff) x 9 (hr) x 28 (hrs) = $756 / per wk
$756 (wk) x 52 (wks/yr) = $39,312 / per yr
Weekend = 3 (staff) x 9 (hr) x 36 (hrs) = $972 / per wk
$972 (wk) x 52 (wks/yr) = $50,544 / per yr
Staff Grand Total = $89,856 / year
Utility Expenses
Electricity Expense - $48,000 / year
Water Expense - $12,000 / year
Concessions Expense - $12,000 / year
Advertising / PR Expense - $12,000 / year
Maintenance Expense - $24,000 / year
Skates / Supplies Expense - $12,000 / year
Utility Grand Total = $120,000 / year
Ice Rink Expenses
Expenses Grand Total = $209,856 / per
Revenue Estimate
Birthday Parties $10,000 / year
Public Skating $130,000 / year
Figure Skating $20,000 / year
Adult Hockey $35,000 / year
Youth Hockey $75,000 / year
Camps $10,000 / year
Tournaments $15,000 / year
Concessions $70,000 / year
Dasher Sponsors $10,000 / year
TOTAL Estimated Revenue = $375,000 / year
Ice Rink Net Profit:
Revenue Estimate = $375,000.00
Expense Estimate = $209,856.00
NET PROFIT: $165,144.00
Mayor Poydasheff made comments regarding projects that are subsidized.
Councilor McDaniel added that the City has subsidized the Northern Little
League. He maintained that if the City had not, the Northern Team would not be
in Williamsport, Pennsylvania representing Columbus, Georgia. City Manager
Hugley clarified that when Councilor McDaniel commented that the City subsidize
the Northern Little League, we provide the facilities for the Little League.
He explained that the other expenses that are incurred come through their
support. He added that they reach out to the City by providing fieldwork
maintenance.
Ice Rink Liability
There will always be staff on site when the building is being utilized
In case of accidents, a report will be made and if necessary emergency
personnel will be called
Commitment
The Columbus Cottonmouths have committed to help fund, for the first year of
operation, $200,000. The Youth and Adult Hockey Association have committed to
bring in a minimum of 3 tournaments. These commitments, along with the Civic
Center?s hard work, will make this a profitable and self-supporting endeavor.
?Bottom Line?
New Revenue
New Patrons
New Opportunities
New Fun
All of which equals Better Quality of Life for Columbus and the surrounding
areas!
After Civic Center Director Hester asked that Mr. Jerome Bishard be
allowed to speak, Councilor Suber moved he be heard. Seconded by Councilor
Woodson and carried unanimously by those seven members present for this meeting.
Mr. Jerome Bishard, Head Coach and General Manager of the Columbus
Cottonmouths, approached the rostrum to express his support for the ice rink
and the high demand for hockey.
Mr. Vance Robinson, President of the Columbus Youth Hockey Association,
approached the rostrum to speak of the demand for figure skating. He spoke of
the organizations that he could bring to the ice rink to generate revenue. He
also talked about hockey leagues that are being formed
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PROPOSED SKATEBOARD PARK
City Manager Hugley called forward Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin to
provide a presentation on the proposed skateboard park. He reiterated that the
City has $3 million in bond money that could be used for an ice rink and
skateboard park. He reported t hat we had 3.2 million in SPLOST money for a
center city pool and our initial effort was to combine that money and create a
Skate park Super Center, which would have been where the Old Confederate Naval
Museum was. He advised that at this moment, we are focusing on an ice rink and
a skateboard park and not the center city pool as being a part of that.
Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin, provided a presentation on the proposed
skateboard park. She began by providing pictures of the skateboard parks in
other communities. She reported that there would be no fees; it will be free
to the public and self-operates with no staff necessary. She also provided an
outlined as presented below:
Summary of Park Features
Self Operated
Main Components:
Kidney Bowl
Street Plaza
Kiddie / Beginners Bowl
Self locking gates w/ Fencing
Restrooms
Pavilion / Water Fountain
Proposed Operational Costs
Maintenance Expense
Trash Pick-Up
Hosing off Concrete
Periodically removing graffiti
Annual Operational Cost Estimated at less than $6,000
Liability
Recreational Park Act (RPA) limits liability for Parks that do not charge a
fee. (O.C.G.A. 31-3-20)
City Attorney Fay reiterated the Recreational Park Act and added that we
are also protected by county and governmental immunity. He said that the City
has two layers of protection on this type of facility.
Councilor Woodson said since the funds are available, let?s have the staff
to set up public meetings to discuss a skateboard park to see if the citizens
are still interested in having this type park. Also, have the staff to bring
back at a later date some information for discussion on the future of the
skateboard park project.
Councilor Davis requested the staff to research and provide the data on
other communities with skate board parks to show the number of skateboarders
that are still interested in this activity and to find out if the numbers have
dropped. He also requested the staff to provide a breakdown of the estimated
annual cost of $6,000 to operate the skateboard Park.
Councilor Turner Pugh requested the staff to bring back proposals as it
relates to the ice rink, the swimming pool possibilities and the skateboard
park.
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CODE ENFORCEMENT:
City Manager Hugley called upon Animal Control/Special Enforcement Manager
Drale Short to talk about the code enforcement. He advised that we also have
Code and Enforcement Manager Bill Duck present in the Council Chambers to speak
on the enforcement piece as well.
Animal Control/Special Enforcement Manager Drale Short, came forward to
advise that the presentation would provide a brief overview of the solid waste
ordinance pertaining to weeds, comparison studies of other counties and to look
at some recommendations that the staff would be proposing to assist the staff
in being more efficient in getting properties cleaned up.
Department of Public Services
Special Enforcement Division
Current Ordinance
Section 13-113 Weeds
(a) Weed violation occurs if 18 inches or higher.
(b) It?s not applicable to that part of any lot of land located more than 100
ft from any bldg.
(c) Not applicable for underdeveloped lots.
Section 13-114
(a) 1st violation, written notice, allowing 10 days
(b) 2nd violation, w/in 12 months, written notice, allowing 3 days.
(c) 3rd violation, w/in 12 months, no warning/notice, citation issued.
Section 13-115: Notice to Nonresidents,
(a) 1st violation, notified by mail allowing 10 days to comply.
(b) 2nd violation, within 12 months, notified by mail allowing three (3) days
to comply.
(c) 3rd violation, within 12 months, no notice or warning required.
(d) Photographs are taken.
(e) Property is cleaned by contractor and owner billed for services.
Section 13-167.7 (2) Accumulation of Solid Waste.
(2) No person shall permit any solid waste to remain on any private
property?.
Enforcement Challenges
Out of Town Property Owners/Habitual Violators.
In Town/Habitual Violators
Ownership ?Smoke Screens?, not having the purchasers name on the tax record
indicate P. O. Box or out of county address.
Enforcement Fleet is deplorable, last purchase of vehicles was FY?2000.
Abatement Timeline In Town Property Owners
5-7 Days validate violation
1-5 Days to notify owner.
10 Day Request For Compliance Issued.
1 Day Confirm Compliance
1-5 Days to issue citation.
Maximum abatement timeline ? 28 days.
Abatement Timeline Out of Town Property Owners
5-7 Days validate violation
3 Days to notify owner by certified mail
5 Day to receive return receipt from US Postal Service.
10 Days to bring into compliance.
1 Day to photograph and request P.O.
2-3 Days receive P.O. and distribute to contractors.
3-5 Days to clear property.
Maximum abatement timeline is 34 Days
Enforcement Statistics
Lot Clearings
IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Update Current Solid Waste Ordinance
a. One 10 day warning per violation within 3 years. 2nd violation or
more, within 3 years, immediate citation or abatement of the nuisance.
Invest in new Enforcement Vehicles, last purchase 2000.
Increase staffing. Current staffing levels are ?ONE? Enforcement Officer less
than in 1986.
a. Two additional Enforcement Officers
b. One additional Communications Tech.
Regarding vehicle purchases, City Manager Hugley advised that the
Administration would be coming back to the Council with a request to use no
less than $2 million, because of Public Safety needs and other equipment
needs. He advised that the vehicles would be considered at that time.
As a result of the presentation provided, the following referrals were
made by members of Council and are listed as follows:
Have the staff to get with the Tax Assessors to determine if some kind of
an alert could be put on the tax system on properties where the ownership is
not clear so when someone comes to pay the property taxes, the City could
determine the ownership. (Request of Councilor Turner Pugh)
Also, lets research to find out if the realtor, acting as agent for a
piece of property, could be held responsible for violations related to the
property. (Request of Mayor Poydasheff)
Have the staff to check into cutting the grass in the backyard of the
house on Luckie Street. Also, it has a pool that is not covered which may be
infected with bugs and mosquitoes. Let?s contact the owner to see about having
that house boarded up. (Request of Councilor Woodson)
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TRASH DUMPSTERS:
Councilor McDaniel asked if trash dumpsters would be discussed today, at
which time, City Manager Hugley advised that it would not be. Councilor
McDaniel then requested that the staff notify all of the real estate agencies
with control management regarding the proposed changes in the UDO as it relates
to trash dumpsters.
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In conclusion, Councilor Turner Pugh requested that an ordinance amendment
be submitted to address some of the proposals that were made in the
presentation.
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Note: Mayor Poydasheff left the meeting during this portion of the proceeding
with the time being 11:35 a.m.
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The following is a continuation of referrals by members of Council
regarding code enforcement after Inspections and Code Enforcement Manager Bill
Duck, provided a presentation on the process for structures with code
violations and are listed below:
Have the staff to research the laws to find out if there is anything that
could be done about the length of time a house could remain boarded up.
(Request of Councilor Woodson)
Have the staff to research to find out if we could develop an ordinance
that relates to abandoned property in a similar fashion to how the City deals
with abandoned cars and define what it is abandoned property. (Request of
Councilor Anthony)
Let?s have the staff to run this presentation regarding code enforcement
on CCG-TV. (Request of Councilor Suber)
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
City Manager Hugley requested an executive session to discuss personnel
matters. Councilor Suber made a motion to allow the Council to go into
executive session. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by
those seven members present for this meeting.
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At 11:52 a.m., the Council adjourned its regular meeting to go into
executive session. At approximately 1:11 p.m. the Council reconvened it
regular session. Councilor McDaniel announced that the Council did meet in an
executive session to discuss personnel matters, but there were no votes taken.
*** *** ***
With there being no other business to come before this Council, the
meeting was adjourned by a motion made by Councilor Suber, which carried
unanimously by those eight members of Council present with Mayor Pro Tem
Rodgers being absent for this vote, with the time being 1:12 P.M.
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Sandra T. Davis
Deputy Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
Attachments
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