MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
WORK SESSION
APRIL 22, 2008
The regular monthly Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was
called to order at 9:03 A.M., Tuesday, April 22, 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, Glenn Davis, Berry Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E.
McDaniel, Jr., and Evelyn Woodson. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney
Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington, and Deputy Clerk of Council
Sandra Davis were also present.
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ABSENT: No one was absent.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Reverend Gerald Parker, Jr. - New Providence Baptist
Church.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Fox Elementary School.
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MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS: Minutes of the February 5, 2008 Council Meetings
of the Council of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were
submitted and approved.
Councilor McDaniel moved the approval of the minutes. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council
present for this meeting.
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PROCLAMATION:
?REVEREND GERALD PARKER, JR. DAY?
With Reverend Gerald Parker, Jr., new Pastor of New Providence Baptist
Church standing at the Council table, Councilor Anthony read the proclamation
of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming Tuesday, April 22, 2008 as ?Reverend Gerald
Parker Jr., Day? in Columbus, Georgia.
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?ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION?
Councilor Allen called on the representatives, Sue Halley and Claudette
Wade, those who will be receiving the Administrative Professionals Recognition
Proclamation to come forward, and he then read the proclamation of Mayor
Wetherington proclaiming April 23, 2008 as ?Administrative Professionals
Recognition Day? in Columbus, Georgia.
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?GEORGIA CITIES WEEK?
With Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin standing at the Council table, Mayor
Pro Tem Turner Pugh read the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming
April 20 through April 26, 2008 as ?Georgia Cities Week? in Columbus, Georgia.
Ms. Goodwin said there are over 140 cities in this state that are being
recognized and celebrated in this caused. She said this celebration is going to
bring about an awareness of City Government and the programs and services that
local government provide to communities. She said for all that this government
has done here in this community, Ms. Reather Hollowell (Assistant Director of
Human Resources and her committee) have done an outstanding job in putting
together a program to highlight the programs and services that this government
provides to the community.
Ms. Hollowell said the Georgia Cities Week started off with an essay
contest, which is a State-Wide Georgia Municipal essay contest. She said in
addition to the Mayor issuing a proclamation for Georgia Cities Week, they have
also conducted an essay contest in the school system with all sixth grade
students. She said there were 124 students who submitted essays and the title
of the essay was ?If I were Mayor, I Would?.
Ms. Hollowell also recognized the winners of the essay contest who were
present for today?s Council Meeting:
Regional Winner ? Sophie Fann of Arnold Magnet Academy
Local Winners ? 3rd Place ? Matthew Meyer
2nd Place ? Katrina Townsend
1st Place ? Bryor Champion
Judges for the essay contest were Ms. Judy Thomas, Mr. Tim Chitwood, and
Mr. Ken Crooks.
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WITH MS. STACIE KIMBELL STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING
RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND
ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:____________________________________________________________
A Resolution (177-08) ? Commending and congratulating Stacie Kimbell, Legal
Office Specialist student winner of the 2008 GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award
of Leadership) competition for Columbus State Technical College. Councilor
Henderson 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.
CONSENT AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS LISTED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WERE SUBMITTED AND
EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE
ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILOR ALLEN, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:____________
An Ordinance (08-14) ? Amending the ?Official Street Map, City of Columbus,
Georgia,? by changing the official street name for the section of public
roadway currently designated as Lynch Road to Technology Parkway beginning at
the north right-of-way line of Chattsworth Road running north to the south
right-of-way line of Macon Road (US-80), to be one street name consistent with
the length of said roadway; authorizing the replacement of existing street name
signs labeled as Lynch Road to Technology Parkway.
A Resolution (178-08) ? Authorizing the designation of Technology Parkway
located in Muscogee Technology Park, as a public street. The Department of
Engineering has inspected said street and recommends the designation.
A Resolution (179-08) ? Excusing Councilor Charles E. McDaniel, Jr. from
the April 15, 2008 Council Meeting
Application of James Darty to temporarily close 6th Avenue from 8th Street
to 9th Street on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in
connection with a ?Gala Day Desert of Georgia Shriners?.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Councilors Anthony and Hunter requested a brief executive session after the
meeting to discuss litigation matters.
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SPRING FLING FESTIVAL:
Mr. Peter Bowden of the Convention & Visitors Board of Commissioners said
spring is in the air and the inaugural Broadway Spring Fest begins this Friday
evening (April 25, 2008) and continue this Saturday April 26, 2008. He said
this is a free public event for the entire community and encouraged and invited
everyone to attend this event.
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WORK SESSION AGENDA:
FINANCE MONTHLY UPDATE:
Finance Director Pam Hodge said this is the March 2008 Revenue Update. She
said the summary page for the general fund/revenues are up 1.37% at the end of
March compared to March 2007.
Sewer Fund and Paving Fund ? up 4.5% from where we were last year
Medical Center ? up 6.30%
Integrated Waste ? up 3.8%
Director Hodge said for the commercial customers, our current balance is
about $250,000; of this $58,000 are current charges - commercial customers, who
are currently charging and paying those bills. She said we still have a balance
in our payment agreement. The original agreement was for $478,000 worth of
payment agreements; received $396,000; balance $82,000; $112,000 at collection
agency.
E911 Fund ? down 14% compared to last
Economic Development ? up 6.30%
Debt Service Fund ? up 6.54%
Transportation Fund ? up over 7%
Parking Management ? down 33%
Trade Center ? down 4%, expenditures also down
Bull Creek ? up 6%
Oxbow Creek ? down over 2.5%
Civic Center ? down 17%, expenditures also down
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked Director Hodge to explain the Economic
Development account to which Director Hodge responded that this is .25 mills
for economic development and this percentage increased over last year ? this
would just be taxes collected due to increase in the digest.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked why are they over their budget to which
Director Hodge responded that they estimated what the growth of the digest
would be and so when they come back at the end of the year, they will have to
readjust this. Director Hodge also said the mid-year budget for Economic
Development and the Medical Center were not adjusted, but they will adjust them
both during the end-of-year budget.
Councilor Allen asked why was there a reduction in revenues in E911 fund.
Director Hodge responded by saying that a merger of two of the largest cell
phone companies caused the reduction and when the merger took place, the number
of customers reported to us significantly declined.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked what kind of audit system do we have in
place for the cell phone companies?
Director Hodge said cell phone companies are required to submit to us
monthly reports on the number of customers and the revenue collected from those
customers are also required to be reported. She said there is not an audit
system in place where we go out and require them to provide us with the backup
documentation of the number of customers they have.
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JOINT LAND USE STUDY:
Deputy City Manager Arrington informed the Mayor and Council that the city
has been involved with the planning process, which was initiated almost two
years ago and consists primarily of three studies:
Comprehensive Plan ? Department of Community Affairs is required to update this
plan every five years and serves as a guiding document for land use and
development decisions in the community.
Joint Land Use Study (BRAC) ? specifically designed to look at encroachment
issues where communities encroach on the Base (Fort Benning) from a standpoint
of development and might adversely impact the primary mission of the base,
which is to train Soldiers.
Regional Growth Management Plan (BRAC) ? This is a broad look at growth
specifically associated with BRAC and provides an action plan to accommodate
that growth to keep from adversely impacting the quality of life.
Mr. Arrington said we have worked very closely with the Chamber of
Commerce and Mr. Gary Jones, who served as the Chairman of the JLUS Committee.
He then introduced Mr. Jones and called upon him to make a presentation to the
Council this morning.
Mr. Gary Jones, Chairman of the JLUS Committee of the Chamber of Commerce
then introduced the rest of his team, who was present with him this morning and
proceeded with his presentation.
Mr. Jones said BRAC is a huge economic development opportunity for the
large number of jobs being created in the region a well as bringing a
phenomenal amount of capital investment. Mr. Jones said the initial
pre-positioning of the Armored School that will be permanent around Jan 2010
and the larger movements will take place between July 2010 and September 2011.
He said the movement would be completed by September 2011 because Congress
mandates it. He said there is a $2.9 million in investments for this facility
with excess of $100 million coming into this community through buying of
equipment, lumber and labor.
Mr. Jones said preparations are also being made for the workforce and
Valley Partnership and the Chamber is very active in this area. He also
provided the following information:
$2,200,000 Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (CAA)
$100,000 Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP)
$3,000,000 Governor?s Office of Workforce Development
Mr. Jones said the Regional Growth Planning Update would also consist of
Purpose Outline; Project Scope-Task; and Project Timeline.
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NEIGHBOR WORKS COLUMBUS ? DASHBOARD REPORT:
Ms. Cathy Williams, Director of Neighbor Works introduced Ms. Vickie
Partin, Vice Chair Neighbor Works Columbus, who was present with her, as one of
the many volunteers who are committed to the mission of Neighbor Works Columbus
? to promote and provide access to fit and affordable housing for citizens of
low to moderate income.
She then gave a brief overview of the Neighbor Works Program, as outlined
below:
OVERVIEW (LAST SEVEN YEARS):
Housing Production: Built 51 new homes; rehab 11 homes with an investment
of $5.6 million and housing production of affordable housing in Columbus,
Georgia.
Property Inventory: Build out of HOPE VI inventory ending; beginning to
consume some of our property in inventory outside of HOPE VI.
Homeownership Counseling: Drop in ability to counsel individuals wishing to
achieve the American dream due to lack of program funding. Have provided
counseling to 2003 clients in this community.
Homes Purchased (Built/Rehab 2001 ?2007): 494 homes purchased; 62
built/rehab; 83% homes purchased in Muscogee County.
Sources of Public Support: Federal (Housing & Urban Development HUD,
Neighbor Works America); State (Dept of Community Affairs DCA); Local (City of
Columbus).
Sources of Private Support: Business & Foundations; Restricted &
Unrestricted; Client Generated Income. Ms. Williams pointed out that the
majority of private funding is restricted to specific programs (i.e. AFLAC,
Hallock) and the Client Generated income is mostly at a considerable loss to
maintain affordability.
Total Private/Public Support: Public Funding (23% local, 5% state, 72%
federal); Private Funding (55% Business & Foundations, 45% Client Generated
Income); Private/Public Partnership (11% Public, 89% Private).
Ms. Williams said what this means to their organization is that their
mission is critical to continue developing both private and public funding, at
all levels, to support continued production of affordable housing in Columbus,
Georgia.
What is next for Neighbor Works Columbus?
Aggressive foreclosure prevention
Columbus Cottage program for elderly low-income residents
Continued work restoring our historic neighborhoods and assisting first time
homebuyers achieve the American Dream.
The handout provided by Ms. Williams is on file in the Clerk of Council?s
Office.
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MDP ? WEIGHT MATTERS: (PRESENTED BY DELLA LEWIS AND KAREN THOMPSON:
Ms. Lewis said there is a lot of health consequences (diabetes, gout,
osteoarthritis, high blood pressure) associated with obesity. It?s not just a
cosmetic problem; it is a health hazard and poses more health consequences than
smoking, drinking or poverty. On average, an obese patient has an 85% longer
hospital stay than a non-obese patient. She said in the State of Georgia, which
ranks sixth in the nation for obesity, 5,200 or 8% of all deaths are associated
with obesity.
Other areas, which are affected by obesity, are:
Direct and Indirect costs ? health care expenses and lost of productivity
resulting from disease, disability and death.
The United states spent over $117 billion on health care expenses (FY07)
State of Georgia ? annual cost is over $2.1 billion (FY07)
City of Columbus spent $16 million on health care expenses (FY07)
Effects on CCG:
Healthcare expenses (FY07)
Sick Leave (19,000 hours)
Lost of productivity
Note: Ms. Karen Thompson presented this portion of the presentation.
The Cure:
Healthy Lifestyle (not smoking, maintaining proper body weight, eating
nutritiously, exercise)
Wellness Programs (weight management)
Predictors of Success (for weight management programs):
Meets the employee?s needs and desires (convenient, affordable, and available)
Deemed to be safe and sound
Multiple measures of success (long-term weight loss and lowered risk for weight
related conditions)
Ms. Thompson said what she and Ms. Lewis is recommending is that the city
establishes a weight watchers? at work program within this City Government.
Weight Watchers:
Four Pillars (behavior, food, support and exercise)
Group Support (most people spend the bulk of their waking hours at work so this
provide a built-in support system)
Participation (will increase if the program meets the need of the employee and
is convenient)
Projected Return on Investment:
Weight Watchers Fee ($39.95 per month)
Participants (Goal is 50)
Fee Share (employee pay 50% and the city pay 50%)
Projected Return on Investment:
$59,925.00
In conclusion, Ms. Thompson reminded Council that there are many negative
consequences of obesity in the workplace and this recommendation will help
provide a healthier workforce and decrease the risks of weight related
diseases.
The handout provided for this presentation is on file in the Clerk of
Council?s Office.
Several Council members voiced their support for this program with Mayor
Pro Tem Turner Pugh asking City Manager Hugley to incorporate health screening
during employees appreciation week.
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RESOLUTION:
Councilor Hunter asked City Attorney to prepare a resolution honoring Ketia
Swanier, Columbus High School and University of Connecticut graduate, who was
recently chosen during the first round of the WNBA draft by the Connecticut Sun.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Regarding an earlier request by Councilors Anthony and Hunter, Councilor
Hunter made a motion to allow the Council to go into an executive session to
discuss litigation matters. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried
unanimously by those nine members of Council present with Councilor Davis being
absent for this vote.
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At 10:40 a.m. the regular session was adjourned to allow the Council to go
into an executive session.
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At 11:10 a.m. the meeting was called back to order at which time Mayor
Wetherington pointed out that the Council met in an executive session to
discuss litigation matter, but no action was taken.
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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 Allen and carried
unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting with
Councilor Davis being absent for this vote and the time being 11:12 am.
Tiny Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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