MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
DECEMBER 2, 2008
The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called
to order at 5:30 P.M., Tuesday, December 2, 2008, in the Council Chambers on
the Plaza Level of the Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable W. J.
Wetherington, Mayor, presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Wetherington and Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner
Pugh, were Councilors R. Gary Allen, Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Jerry ?Pops?
Barnes, Glen Davis, Berry Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Charles E. McDaniel, Jr.
City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Tiny B.
Washington, and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also present.
Councilor Woodson took her seat at 6:50 P.M.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Reverend Jonathan Smith, Associate Pastor of
St. Paul United Methodist Church.
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PLEDGE: Led by Mayor Jim Wetherington
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PROCLAMATIONS
BOB BARR COMMUNITY BAND 20TH ANNIVERSARY:
With Mr. Bill McLoughlin, Band President, Dr. George Corradino, Director
and Mr. Gary Goodman, Band Manager, Mrs. Janet Goodman, and Mr. Charles
Middlebrooks standing at the Council table, Councilor Anthony read the
proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming December 8, 2008 as ?Bob Barr
Community Band Day?, in Columbus, Georgia.
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HUMAN RIGHTS DAY:
With Ms. Belva Dorsey, Former City Manager Carmen Cavezza and Reverend
Johnny Flakes standing at the Council table, Councilor Hunter read the
proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming December 10, 2008 as ?Human
Rights Day?, in Columbus, Georgia.
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ZONING PUBLIC HEARING:
THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD AS
ADVERTISED:_______
________________
An Ordinance ? Amending Chapter 2 of the Columbus Code so as to provide
for two regular meetings of the Columbus Council per month except for January
in odd-numbered years; to provide one proclamation session per month held by
the Mayor; to provide a consent agenda and work session meeting once per
quarter; and for other purposes. (Columbus Council)
City Attorney Fay pointed out he distributed around the Council table, an
alternate draft ordinance for the Council?s consideration that would provide
two meetings on the first and third Tuesday, which is something he thinks that
you need to consider because of conflicts that may occur in June with the
budget meetings and in January every two years. He said either version will
comply with the Charter and it is permissible under Georgia law.
Councilor Anthony asked what?s pushing this to make a change in the
Council meetings and how does the public perceive us reducing the number of
meetings that we have; and does that mean we will have longer meetings when we
do meet.
City Manager Hugley said we covered the reason we was bringing this
forward at last week?s meeting; however, he would reiterate that we believe,
based on having done research in Georgia, we have Council meetings every week
and said he believes that we can be as efficient as larger governments, similar
sized governments and ever smaller governments. He said in Atlanta, Georgia;
they can handle two meetings with a large budget, they can handle two meetings
with their size budget and 15 Council meetings. He said in Consolidated
Governments, they have two Council meetings and they can handle their business.
He said we have more than 500 cities in the State of Georgia and said he
doesn?t know of a city that has a Council meeting every week. He said 90% of
them only have two meetings a month and he believes that we can do the same.
He said he mentioned on last week that when we are here during our Council
meetings, whether it be 2 or 3 hours; or however long are meetings are, we have
the staff on standby waiting to see if there is going to be an issue that is
going to come up and said we want to be able to provide you (Council) with an
immediate response. He said because we are televised, we want the citizens to
have an immediate response and not have to wait another week to get that
response, He said sometimes things could get out of control when we don?t
respond and it gets out through the media. He said we believe we can do it to
fewer meetings and the staff can dedicate those hours to providing additional
services or improving the level of services that they provide to the citizens
in managing their departments and divisions. He said the workload is not going
to decrease for this Council or the staff; however, we believe by moving the
proclamations that we can help to reduce the time spent during regular Council
meetings.
City Manager Hugley said what we are suggesting is that we try it, as we
believe it can work. He said if it can work in Atlanta, Dekalb County, Augusta,
Athens, and other places, he believes it can work in Columbus.
He said if we should start this and sees that it is not working and we are
keeping you here considerably longer time period then we can always revisit
this.
City Attorney Fay then asked if there was anyone in the audience, who
wanted to be heard on this issue.
Mr. Josh McKoon, 2237 Camille Drive then came forward and expressed his
comments saying in Section 3-103 of the Charter under Paragraph Four it says
that the Rules of the Council shall provide for regular meetings which shall be
held at least once in every week and shall fix the date and place of all
regular meetings, provided however, that any regular meeting may be cancelled
upon the adoption of a resolution by a majority vote of the Council at least
seven days prior to the meeting.
He said he really doesn?t care to comment on the policy of it, as to
whether it is a good idea or not, but it appears from that provision that the
Charter itself would have to be amended to read ?shall be held at least twice a
month? instead of once per week and said he was trying to get some
clarification on that as there are several people who wanted to know.
City Attorney Fay said there is another provision in the Charter, in that
same section which says that the Council has to meet at least twice per month.
He said that is the minimum; therefore, the Council can meet two times and
still comply with the Charter. He said it is just a matter as to how you want
to structure.
Mr. McKoon said that language, which says in no event shall fewer than two
regular meetings be held in any month, follows the language that says a regular
meeting may be cancelled upon the adoption of a resolution by the majority vote
of the Council. He said he thinks the way it reads is that the Council could
cancel two of their weekly meetings and still be within the Charter, but they
couldn?t cancel three by resolution.
He said the Code Section, Section 2-2 that is being proposed for an
amendment tonight really is the implementation of Section 3-103(4). He said he
feels that in order for the Council to do this, they would have to amend the
Charter because the very first sentence says that the meeting shall be held at
least once in every week. He said it doesn?t say may be held or at the
Council?s discretion, but says it shall be held.
Mr. McKoon said he just wanted to make that point and to suggest, just
like some other matters that have come up before, if a Charter amendment is
required, then the Charter amendment process should be followed.
City Attorney Fay then responded to questions of members of the Council
with respect to the procedures for changing the Charter, after members of the
Council expressed their views regarding the proposed amendment.
He said as your legal counsel, it?s his opinion that we don?t think that
we need to amend the Charter. He said in looking at all the Charter provisions,
you have to read them together and the way the case law says you construe
statue; you read all parts and harmonize all the portions. He said by doing
that the last operative section, in no effort shall you meet fewer than two
times, it lets you have the option of going to two meetings per month. He said
you must have at least two meetings and said you can do that by ordinance.
After continued discussion on this issue, Councilor Henderson asked City
Attorney Fay to seek a Charter Amendment to ask the General Assembly to change
the Charter to allow for two Council meetings a month.
City Manager Hugley said we will be bringing the legislative agenda on
next week and said the City Attorney could go ago and draft the appropriate
language that we can include that next Tuesday to be included with the 2009
Legislative Agenda.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said on next year when we prepare our
Legislative Agenda, let?s make sure that we get it to the legislators in
September rather than December.
Mr. Bert Coker, 5815 Ventura Drive then came forward and expressed his
comments regarding the proposed amendment to change the Council meetings to
twice a month. He said he was at the last Charter Review Commission meeting
where we reviewed the Charter and this matter came up; and they said that any
time you want to change the Charter, you can either do it during the time that
the Charter Review Commission looks at the Charter every 10 years, or you have
to go to the Legislative Delegation in order to change it.
He said also during that same meeting, they mentioned that you could have
two meetings; one meeting would be for the Public Agenda and next meeting would
be for the Work Session. He said that was the only two meetings that were
necessary to be held, as far as the Charter is concerned. He said he don?t that
what the Legislative intent of having a meeting every week. He said it might be
because we are a consolidated government and you are the county and the city
together. He said he doesn?t have a problem with having two meetings a month,
but said he would like to know more details on it; as to whether one of these
meetings would be a public agenda where the public can speak and the other one
will be a Work Session where the public will not be allowed to speak unless
there was a first reading.
City Attorney Fay said the ordinance that is being proposed for an
amendment with respect to two meetings a month does not change anything about
the Public Agenda. He said that would still be permitted, as part of the
regular meeting and this does not make any change in that procedure.
Mr. Alton Russell, 1425 Autumn Ridge Drive, said what he don?t understand
why our City Attorney picked the section that says in no event shall no fewer
than two regular meetings be held in any month to be the main point that he is
talking about when the first sentence says the rules of the Council shall
provide for regular meetings which shall be held at least once every week. He
said it looks like to him that is the priority of that section.
City Attorney Fay said it?s qualifying language to say you are going to
have meetings every week; but then they qualify it to say in no event shall you
have fewer than two meetings per month. He said there is qualifying language
all throughout the Georgia Code. He said this Council, in their discretion
under that authority can go to two meetings a month, if they desire to.
Mr. Bill Madison, 974 Overlook Drive, also came forward and expressed his
concerns regarding this matter. He said he appreciates this meeting so that the
public can be heard. He said if he has any concerns about this meeting it?s how
we got here last week. He said he doesn?t have a problem with two meetings per
month, as he doesn?t have a problem with one meeting per month. He said to him,
it is the intentions. He said the intentions is extremely important and said
that is what he finds very disturbing sometimes when dealing with politicians.
He said the School Board has a called meeting and said it is very
convenient if you call a meeting; you may not have the public to show up. He
said he is not saying that is what the School Board is doing, but what he is
saying is that is the effect of a called meeting. He said he does have a
problem with a called meeting, because he thinks that it should be scheduled in
advance, just like any other meeting so that the public will have a warning
that this is coming.
He said this two meetings a month has been called for before, as he
remembers Paul Olson coming before the Council several times calling for this
kind of meeting. He said he would like for the City Manager to explain how this
called meeting would work, as this is his overriding concern.
Mr. Madison said another concern that he has; whatever, the ordinance or
Charter change is, let?s put it up on the screen so that the public can see the
wording that we are going to vote on.
City Manager Hugley said he would get together with the City Attorney to
come up with the wording to add a resolution to our Legislative Agenda a
request for a Charter amendment so that the ordinance you approve on next week
will be in line with the Charter.
He said any called meeting that would be required, which we have done
before in June when working to approve the budget. He said it has to be posted,
which Clerk of Council Washington will post, as required by law.
He said an agenda would be prepared and sent to the newspaper so that it can be
posted. He said any called meetings would not be any different, as it will be
posted and the public will be informed as to the purpose of the called meeting
be requested. He said we would also televise that meeting as well.
City Manager Hugley said the ordinance that is listed on the agenda, as
we are discussing on first reading is the ordinance that outlines exactly what
we heard from you on last week, which is that we would do proclamations on the
first Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The second Tuesday of the month would be a regular
Council meeting and on the third Tuesday there would be no Council meeting and
the 4th Tuesday, there would be a night meeting at 5:30 p.m.; and whenever
there is a 5th Tuesday, we would have a Consent Agenda/Work Session. He said we
added one thing to the ordinance that you did not discuss on last week and that
was to make sure that we complied with the Charter. He said in odd numbered
years, on the first Tuesday, it would be a regular Council meeting where we
would have an organizational meeting where you vote to approve the Clerk of
Council, Deputy Clerk of Council or whatever other positions would be required
that you reappoint. He said the City Attorney has explained that complies with
the law.
He said the alternate ordinance, which the City Attorney drafted is the
presentation, which was presented by Deputy City Manager Goodwin. He said that
is the ordinance that you had discussion on; and you made those suggested
changes, which is what we brought back to you today.
City Attorney Fay said he distributed the alternate ordinance to you and
said that his is recommendation to the Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said so first all we need to decide if we are
going to do the one in the book or the alternate ordinance that was distributed
to us today. She said she thinks we need to decide which ordinance we want to
adopt before we talk about publishing something in the newspaper. She said
whichever one we decide as a Council that we want to go on to another reading,
she thinks the entire document needs to be published in the newspaper.
City Manager Hugley said the newspaper has covered what you have discussed
and what?s in this ordinance at least two or three different days. He said it
is in the Ledger twice this morning and said the only thing that is different
is the odd numbered of years. He said that is what?s on first reading today and
said the City Attorney put on your desk at the start of this meeting what could
be an alternate, if you want to divert from what you discussed last week. He
said in his opinion, we need to go with what the Council agreed on with more
than an hour?s discussion on last week.
He said what they heard from the various Council members and what they
summarized at the end of that meeting, and that is what we brought back to you
today. He said we can go with either ordinance, but said he tried to bring to
you what we spent an hour of discussion on.
Discussions continued on this matter, with City Attorney Fay and City
Manager Hugley responding to further questions of the Mayor & Council, as well
as Mr. Bill Madison with respect to called meetings of the Council.
City Manager Hugley, in response to Mayor Wetherington said we are going
to bring back the Charter change on the legislative Agenda for next week?s
meeting.
City Attorney Fay said the ordinance that is on the table is the meeting
dates for the second and fourth Tuesday meeting schedule, and said the
alternate ordinance that he distributed around the Council table is the first
and third Tuesday meeting schedule because of his discussions with Clerk of
Council Washington and Finance Director Hodge in trying to think down the road.
He said he was trying to eliminate conflicts in those January and June of each
year?s meeting or any other time that you might need to take action quickly on
something the first meeting of the month. He said with either ordinance you
will be in compliance.
Councilor Henderson said the only changes are moving the Tuesdays of the
week so that we can be in better shape to comply with some statutory required
delays that occur during the first of the year and then around budget time.
City Attorney Fay said he was trying to eliminate conflicts in the January
and June meetings of each year and if any other time that you might need to
take action quickly on something the first meeting of the month.
Councilor Henderson then asked if we needed to substitute this with the
ordnance that?s on the table, to which City Attorney Fay said you can; it?s
your preference. However, either ordinance does comply with the law.
City Manager Hugley said the ordinance that?s currently on the table, in
odd-numbered of years following the elections you would have a first Tuesday
night Organizational meeting, which will be a regular Council meeting. He said
that would be the only time that you would need to have a first Tuesday night
official meeting. He said Councilor Henderson is correct, we will just be
subject to the called meetings; that?s the only difference.
City Attorney Fay said he was trying to minimize conflict, that?s the
reason for the alternate.
Mayor Wetherington said we have asked City Attorney Fay to accept the
ordinance that is currently on the table.
Responding to a question of Councilor Woodson, City Attorney Fay said it
is his opinion is that we can go ahead and go to two meetings per month, by
ordinance right now, which does comply with the Charter. He said if you adopt
the ordinance then you ask the Legislative Delegation during the upcoming
General Assembly to clear up the language in the Charter so there won?t be any
confusion on anyone?s part and say two meetings per month shall be held.
After more than forty-five minutes of discussion on this subject, with
City Manager Hugley and City Attorney Fay responding to questions of members of
the Council, this matter was finally concluded.
City Attorney pointed out that the ordinance would be on second reading on
next week with the schedule for meetings the second and fourth Tuesdays of the
month.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND INTRODUCTED ON FIRST READING: ___
An Ordinance ? Amending ordinance 98-30, 00-106, and 01-29 for the
re-adoption of the existing Enterprise Zone known as the Columbus Business
Development Center; and for other purposes.
City Attorney Fay said this ordinance would re-designate the Enterprise
Zone for another ten-year period under State law beginning January 1st.
City Manager Hugley said the Enterprise Zone was approved for a ten-year
period beginning April 1998; therefore 2008 would be ten years and said we need
to redesignate the Enterprise Zone by January 1, 2009. He said the staff has
been working on some information to bring you back on the Enterprise Zone and
said what we are asking the Council to do is to redesignate the Enterprise Zone
as it exists today and then after the first of the year, we would come back to
you and provide census data and show you were we might ought to expand, or
reshape or reconfigure the Enterprise Zone. He said the important thing right
now is to get it redesignate as it today and we will then have time to make any
adjustments to it that we want to make.
Councilor Barnes said there are some areas in his district that he firmly
believes can be designated as an Enterprise Zone. He said he just wanted to be
assured that we would not close the door on that and that we could do a re-look
and expand the Enterprise Zone to include those areas.
City Manager Hugley said we will absolutely be coming back to you, but we
just need to go ahead and get it redesignated and then we will come back to you
and do whatever you want us to do with it.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING:
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An Ordinance (08-67) ? Amending mending the budgets for the Fiscal Year
2008 beginning July 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2008, for certain funds of the
Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, appropriating amounts shown in
each fund for personnel actions and various other activities. Councilor
Henderson moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor Barnes and
carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting,
with Councilor Allen being absent for this vote.
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PUBLIC AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS APPEARED ON THE PUBLIC AGENDA AND PROVIDED IS A
SUMMARY OF EACH PESONS COMMENTS:_______________________________________________
MR. PETE WHEELER, REPRESENTATING THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
SERVICVES, RE: SUPERMARKET OF VETERANS BENEFITS, DECEMBER 4,
2008:_____
___________
Mr. Pete Wheeler, representing the Georgia Department of Veterans
Services, said many Veterans and their dependents, including widows, children
and dependent parents here in Columbus area and counties surrounding Muscogee
may be entitled to various benefits that they are not now receiving. He said
the reason for this, is all those benefits must be applied for. He said many
may not have filed, simply because they don?t know what benefits they are
entitled to. Therefore, in an attempt to correct this situation and give these
people an opportunity to come and met with them and discuss the benefits that
they might be due, they will be bringing a Supermarket of Information and
Services here in Columbus on December 4th; which will be in the form of a
one-day, one-stop counseling and service program on Veterans benefits, from
10:00 a.m. ? 3:00 p.m., at the Civic Center. He said they would bring together
in one central location more than forty city, county, state and federal
agencies that deal with Veterans benefits, either directly or indirectly.
Mr. Wheeler said we will have these various agencies setup with individual
desks ready to provide information and assistance and filing for various
benefits. He said in addition to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and
the Georgia Department of Veteran Services, other agencies such as the U.S.
Department of Labor, Georgia Department of Labor, Social Security, Tri-Care,
Small Business Administration, U. S. Office of Personnel Management, and Rural
Development Agency, of the U. S. Department of Agricultural.
He said State agencies offering benefits to Veterans will also be present
with information about such benefits as free life-time driving licenses, free
fishing and hunting licenses for certain disabled Veterans. He said an addition
to these services would be a Health Fair provided by medical personnel from VA
Medical Centers from Atlanta, Augusta, and Dublin, as well as from Alabama. He
said free medical screenings will be available and said that education is
paramount importance in today?s society.
Mr. Wheeler said during the Columbus Supermarket a concerted effort will
be made to help Veterans and dependents available themselves of all the
educational benefits that they are entitled to. He said employment is very
important and said the employment of Veterans is also a matter of great
concern; therefore, agencies that specializes in helping Veterans find suitable
employment will be on held. He said this is their 42nd year in bringing this
annual one-stop information and service event to the Veterans and their
dependents in the area of Georgia.
He said he would like to thank the Mayor & Council for their assistance
and for allowing us to continue to have this Supermarket of benefits.
Councilors Barnes and Woodson thank him for what he does for our Veterans.
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CAPTAIN ART FULTZ, REPRESENTATING THE SALVATION ARMY ? COLUMBUS, RE: AN
APPEAL OF THE ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1631 13TH
AVENUE:____________________________________________________
Mr. Randy Bickerstaff said in March of 1996 they received a telephone call
from the Mayor?s Office for a meeting and in this meeting, the Mayor told us
that the Total System?s Phase 2 project was going to take their Men?s Shelter
on Second Avenue. He said with that in mind, they then went out and purchased
the old Lewis Jones Grocery Store on Linwood at Five Points for future use for
a Men?s Shelter. He said they had been using it for storage of furniture,
clothing and food over the years. He said in 2003 they contacted the City
Manager?s Office and asked what was the status of taking their property and was
told at that time, they won?t going to take the property.
Mr. Bickerstaff said they acted in good faith and now they have a building
that they don?t need that is in bad repair, with the roof leaking and pigeons
living in it. He said the Tax Assessors Office have come to them and now wants
to charge them property taxes. He said it is uninhabitable and they can?t do
anything with it. He said he is here today to ask the Council to abate their
property to keep it tax exempt. He said they are trying to sell it as fast as
they can. He said the last offer they had on it was almost less than half the
price they paid for it. He said they need the money to pay the taxes for the
goods and services for those that are needy and hurting during the Christmas
season and that is why they are here.
Captain Art Fultz said he would hasten to say that the property is not
being used in accord with their tax-exempt purpose at the moment and as such,
the City has levied tax. He said they have the property in the first place
because of an impending expansion onto their Second Avenue facility, which did
not take place. He said now they own a piece of property that they can?t use,
don?t need or want; and said what further aggravates the situation in this
depressed market, if and when we are able to dispose of this parcel, it will
quiet likely be at a much reduced price that they paid for it. He said
stewardship of limited resources compels them to bring this request before the
Council to ask you that the taxes be rescinded on that property.
Councilor Henderson said this sounds like a similar request to an issue
that we recently discussed and he thought it was your opinion that we didn?t
have the legal authority to enter into that type of agreement.
City Attorney Fay said you don?t have the authority to declare the
property tax exempt and said the only way that the Council gets into this realm
is if somebody comes after paying their taxes, whether it?s Goodwill Salvation
Army or anybody. He said they come after paying the taxes and asks for a
refund. He said then you can act on that and that?s when Ms. Huff using gives
you a report prior to your vote. He said under the law, the actual
The Board of Tax Assessors, and not this Council do declaration of tax
exemption.
Councilor Henderson said in the earlier case, when the inclination from
some members of the Council was to give back the taxes; that?s when we were
told that we couldn?t declare them exempt. He said he thinks that we ran into a
legal glitch; do we violate our ordinances and give the money back, or do we go
against what our limits of authority allows us to do and try to declare them
exempt.
City Attorney Fay said he couldn?t advise you to declare them tax-exempt.
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MR. NATHANIEL SHULER, RE: THE DEMOLITION BILL FOR BUILDING LOCATED AT 2060
MASON STREET: _______ ________
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GOODWILL MATTER:
Have the staff to look into this matter and determine what would be the
best course of action to handle it; as well as let?s try to come up with a
legal avenue we can use to assist in working this situation out. (Request of
Councilor Henderson)
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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS:
Have the staff to determine if the law with respect to non-profit
organizations and building sales requires that the tax office provide
notification to the non-profit organizations which says that if the building is
empty for a certain length of time it would not have a non-profit (tax
exempt) status and the taxes will become due. (Request of Mayor Pro Tem
Turner Pugh)
RECENT ELECTIONS:
Have the staff to ask the Elections Superintendent to provide a complete
report after all the results of the election has been certified with respect to
all the voting irregularities and problems that the different precincts had;
i.e., the church on Steam Mill Road, as well as the problems at the Matthews
Elementary School precinct. In that report outline what the problems were and
what are their plans to correct those problems prior to the next election.
(Request of Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh
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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY
MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:___________________________________________
A Resolution (542-08) ? Granting approval to enter into a contractual
agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation to receive $185,600 in
funds for the restoration and preservation of the Columbus Depot. This is the
second of two grants for the Columbus Depot Project. Councilor Allen moved the
adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried
unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.
A Resolution (543-08) ? Authorizing the approval to obtain a drainage and
utility easement from Georgia National Guard on property located at 2502
Victory Drive and consisting of a 30 foot strip for the 25th Avenue Storm Sewer
Replacement Project. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those ten
members of Council present for this meeting.
A Resolution (544-08) ? Authorizing the approval to execute a Quit Claim
Deed for any rights, title and interest in Parcel "C" to the Sears Trust so as
to facilitate petition to quiet title. The property is located between
property owned by Muscogee County School District and Roxbury Subdivision on
Reese Road. Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those ten members of
Council present for this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING FIVE PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY
CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A
SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR WOODSON AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER
PUGH, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESNET FOR THIS
MEETING:_______ ___
A Resolution (545-08) ? Authorizing payment to Michael Johnston, in the
amount of $15,000.00, for providing training for Poll Officers and Poll
Workers, for the Office of Elections and Registration, from October 9- October
17 required for early voting and the November 4th Election. Approval is also
requested for an additional $10,000.00, for training, which will be required
for remaining elections taking place during FY09.
Prior to 2005, the election superintendent was required to provide
adequate training to poll officials before the first election in each election
cycle. An amendment to O.C.G.A. 21-2-99, effective July 1, 2005, substituted
the language requiring the election superintendent to provide adequate training
to all poll officers and poll workers regarding the use of voting equipment,
voting procedures, all aspects of state and federal law applicable to
conducting elections, and the poll officers? or poll workers? duties in
connection with the election prior to each general primary, general election,
or special election. Additionally, the election superintendent must notify the
Secretary of State of the date when the instruction was held and the number of
persons attending and completing the instruction. No poll officer or poll
worker is allowed to work unless they have received instructions and been found
qualified to perform his or her duties.
The purpose for hiring a consultant to perform the training functions for
the Office of Elections and Registration is multifold. The consultant, who is
currently an area manager that supervises eight precincts on Election Day, has
the time and knowledge required to prepare, plan, and instruct the workers.
This training consultant will provide training to an average of 450 poll
officers prior to each election. Previously, the Director has been responsible
for developing the training and providing this training to the poll workers.
The retirement of the Elections Coordinator on September 28, 2007 will require
the Director and other employees to assume additional responsibilities until a
replacement can be hired and sufficiently trained. Thereby, limiting the
amount of time that should be devoted to training Election workers.
A Resolution (546-08) ? Authorizing the execution of a construction
contract with Reynolds Inliner, LLC (Fairburn, GA), in the amount of
$839,140.00, for storm drain rehabilitation priority 1 pipes (Contract 2)
A Resolution (547-08) ? Authorizing the purchase of a Cisco Voice Over IP
Phone System from AT&T (Baltimore, MD) in the amount of $35,000.00, for the
Animal Care and Control Facility. The vendor will relocate the VOIP phone
system at Special Enforcement and the analog phones at the Dog Pound to the new
Animal Care and Control Facility. VOIP phone service will be required for
approximately 16 phones.
A Resolution (548-08) ? Authorizing the purchase of computer equipment
from IBM (Smyrna, Georgia) in the amount of $54,507.40. The purchase will be
made via Georgia Statewide Contract #A63311. The computer equipment includes:
one (1) IBM Blade Center H Chassis, two (2) IBM TotalStorage SAN16B-2, and two
(2) IBM BladeCenter HS21 Server Blades. The equipment is needed for the
finance system upgrade from version 3.7 to 3.8.
A Resolution (549-08) ? Authorizing the purchase of one (1) crawler
tractor from Tractor & Equipment Company (Columbus, GA) in the amount of
$104,000.00. The crawler tractor is a replacement unit that will be used by the
Heavy Equipment Division, of Public Services, to clear dirt and trees from
areas of construction throughout Muscogee County. This crawler tractor is
replacing an older tractor that is being transferred to the Landfill Division
to be used at Pine Grove Landfill.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS
INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL:________________________________
______________
(1) Notice of the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference,
March 14 ? 18, 2009, in Washington, D. C.
(2) Biographical Sketch of Dr. Carlos Wise, Councilor Barnes? nominee to
replace Dr. Howard Willis on the Board of Health.
(3) Biographical Sketch of Dr. Price Walker, Councilor McDaniel?s nominee to
replace Dr. Howard Willis on the Board of Health.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND
ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:___________________________________________________
A Resolution (550-08) ? Approving and receiving the report of the Finance
Director of those alcoholic beverage licenses that were approved and/or denied
during the month of October 2008. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those ten
members of Council present for this meeting.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK
OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL:_________
___
Application of Holli Browder to temporarily close the northbound lane of
1000, 1100 & 1200 Broadway from start to end of each block with cross streets
remaining open, on Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 6:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in
connection with pedestrian safety during parade.
Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by
Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present
for this meeting.
*** *** ***
MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED
BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:_______________________________
Board of Health, October 22, 2008.
Board of Tax Assessors, Nos. 38-08, 39-08 & 40-08.
Civic Center Advisory Board, May 15, 2008.
Civic Center Advisory Board, October 24, 2008.
Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission, October 14, 2008.
School Board/City Council Growth Dev., March 21, 2006.
School Board/City Council Joint Property, March 15, 2007.
Pre-Council Briefing, July 19, 2005.
Councilor McDaniel moved the approval of the minutes. Seconded by Councilor
Allen and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this
meeting.
*** *** ***
BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
BOARD OF HEALTH:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the term of office of Dr.
Howard Willis will expire on December 31, 2008 and that he is not eligible to
succeed himself. Councilor McDaniel nominated Dr. Price Walker. She further
pointed out that Councilor Barnes has also nominated Dr. Carlos Wise and that
she would bring this back on next week for the Council?s vote.
*** *** ***
BOARD OF TAX ASSESSORS:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that on last week Councilor
Henderson nominated Ms. Patricia Hunter for another term of office on the Board
of Tax Assessors and that she may now be confirmed. Councilor Henderson so
moved. Seconded by Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by those ten members
of Council present for this meeting.
*** *** ***
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Bryan Stone?s seat on the
Community Development Advisory Council has been declared vacant. She said
Councilor Davis is working on a replacement for his Council District 2
Representative.
She further pointed out that Ms. La Fini Mosby?s seat has also been
declared vacant and that Councilor Hunter is working on a replacement for his
Council District 3 Representative.
*** *** ***
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of Mr.
James Webster and Mr. James Yancey expired back in November and that they are
both eligible to succeed themselves for another term of office. Councilor
Allen nominated Mr. Webster and Mr. Yancey.
Clerk of Council Washington further pointed out that we still need two
additional nominees for each of these positions, from which the authority will
select someone to serve.
*** *** ***
KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Councilor Barnes has
nominated Ms. Peggy Myles to succeed Mr. Earnest Baulkmon, as his Council
District One representative on the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission. She said
Mr. Baulkmon was eligible to succeed himself for another term of office;
however, he did not want to be reappointment.
She said Mr. Myles could now be confirmed. Councilor Henderson so moved.
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those ten
members of Council present for this meeting.
*** *** ***
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. James Wilson has resigned
his seat on the Public Safety Advisor Commission and that Councilor Baker is
working on a replacement for his Council District 5 representative.
*** *** ***
UPTOWN FACADE BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. David Wolf has resigned
his position on the Uptown Fa?ade Board and that we are still waiting for
Uptown Columbus to send us a recommendation for their representative on this
board.
*** *** ***
YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Clerk of Council Washington said we still need a representative for
Council District 6 on the Youth Advisory Council for the 2008 ? 2009 School
year. Councilor Allen said he is still working on a nominee.
*** *** ***
With there being no other business to come before the Council, Mayor
Wetherington then asked if there was anyone who was not listed on the Public
Agenda, but had an issue to bring before the Council, they could be heard at
this time.
Mr. Bert Coker, 1558 Ventura Drive came forward
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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Councilor
McDaniel then made a motion adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried
unanimously by those ten members of Council present with the time being 7:50
P.M.
Tiny Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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