MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
MAY 1, 2007
The regular monthly night meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was
called to order at 5:35 P.M., Tuesday, May 1, 2007, 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 Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Jerry Barnes, Berry H.
Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., and Evelyn Woodson.
City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Assistant City Attorney
Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council
Sandra Davis were also present. Councilor R. Gary Allen took his seat at the
Council table at 5:40 p.m. Councilor Glenn Davis took his seat at the Council
table at 5:41 p.m.
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ABSENT: No one was absent.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Dr. Jimmy Elder, Pastor, First Baptist Church.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from Clubview Elementary School.
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MAYOR?S BUDGET MESSAGE:
Mayor Wetherington read his budget message and presented his proposed
FY-08 Recommended Budget to the Council. He said when he campaigned for Mayor
he promised you that he would be actively involved in the budget process and
said that he has sit through all the budget hearings this year with the City
Manager, Finance Director and their staff. He said he feels that he has a
pretty good handle on the budget process and he just wanted to tell you how
much he appreciates being your Mayor and the opportunity he has to present this
budget to you.
He said his proposed budget is $205,512,846.00, which is 1.43% above the
FY-07 revised budget and 6.14% over the FY-07 adopted budget.
He said the tax rate for funding this budget remains the same as FY-07 at 17.91
mills in USD 1, 13.05 mills in USD 2 and 11.85 mills in USD 4.
Mayor Wetherington said in preparing this budget various factors were
considered to ensure that your City Government meets the challenges that we
face. He said within the current growth of our city and the expected
expansion, the demand for services at or above the current level of services is
anticipated for the upcoming year. He said we would continue to provide those
services to the citizens that we serve. He said on last year, our employees
were given 92% of the UGA Pay plan that was adopted by our Council. He said he
is recommending that we advance the 2006 pay plan to 98% of market as July 1,
2007 as adjusted by Dr. Condrey of the University of Georgia. He said
advancement of the pay plan to 98% of the market will includes longevity
increase for our current employees of one step for those employees who have
services of 2 to 9 years and two steps for those employees who have 10 or more
years of services.
He said he is recommending the pension plan return from 1.5% to 2% for
employees hired after July 1, 2003; therefore, eliminating the two tier pension
plan that we currently have now. He said this will require no additional
funding this fiscal year, but will have an impact on future budgets.
He said he has also included a 2% pay increase for retirees, effective July 1,
2007. He said he has also proposed that the City Government contribute an
additional $250 per year towards employees healthcare to offset the increase
cost; which includes an additional $5.00 pay period contribution from the
employees in this plan.
Mayor Wetherington said we cut personnel on last year, but as you know our
City is growing now; and with BRAC coming in, as well as all the other
services, businesses that opened up we had to really look at personnel and we
did. Therefore, he is recommending funding of 35 additional general funds
positions within this budget, which includes nine jailers and correctional
officers. He said, as you know on last July 1st the Council funded six new
jailers and during mid-year, they also funded nine more.
He said these additional nine positions would complete the requirements based
on a court order from the U.S. Department of Justice. He said he is
recommending two new deputies for the Marshal?s Department and one
communications tech, as well as a reclassification of One Deputy position to a
Sergeant. He said there has not been an increase in the Marshal?s Office since
1976 and they are behind with the services that they provide to us who has
rental property and etc. He said these new positions would help remove the
backlog of cases that the department is currently experience.
He said he is recommending that the Assistant Chief of Police position be
restored. He said this position is needed to assist the Chief in carrying out
his duties of the administrative arm of the Department. He said he is also
recommending two new positions of Appraisal and One Appraisal Technician in the
Tax Assessors Office; which we believe will generate enough income to pay for
the positions, but will allow the office to assess properties in a more timely
manner.
Mayor Wetherington said other new positions are in the Engineering
Department, Inspections & Code Enforcement Division, a Fleet Maintenance
Technician, Special Enforcement Officer, one part-time site supervisor and five
part-time activity leaders for the After School Program
at the new elementary school.
He said the secretary for the Clerk of Municipal Court is a position that has
not been funded in the past, but is needed by the Clerk in order to help
fulfill the mission of the department. He said they are in need of two human
resources technicians? positions in the Human Resources Department mainly for
auditing purposes. He said there would be a reclassification of one position
within the Finance Department, as well as an addition of another position to
the department due to a transfer from the Mayor ?s Office to the Finance
Department.
Mayor Wetherington said he is also recommending a base funding for the
Juvenile Drug Court that will fund the four employees of this program. He said
this proposed budget includes $937,608.00 in general fund capital purchases, as
well as $2,653,802 across all other operating funds. He said more than $1
million in SPLOST funds will be spent on public safety equipment and vehicles
for the Police, Sheriffs and Fire & EMS Department.
He said we plan on revisiting our capital needs in mid-year and request
additional capital to be funded from the general fund, fund balance based on
the end year close out of FY-07. He said the same holds true for the capital
improvement program funded at $285,000.00 for the general fund and $5,019,650
across all operating funds.
He said they are not able to fund crucial facility and infrastructure
requirements at the desired level because we just don?t have the funds to do
that. He said this budget is presented as a balanced budget only using the
general fund, fund balance to meet the approved commitment to the Baker Village
Revitalization Project.
Mayor Wetherington said this budget was prepared to be able to sustain the
level of funding in future years and is fiscally responsible. He said he
looking forward to discussing with the Council those items that are included in
his proposed budget to meet the needs and desire of our citizens of our great
City.
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PROCLAMATIONS:
?GEORGIA CITIES WEEK?:
With Ms. Reather Hollowell standing at the Council table, Councilor Hunter
read the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming the week of April 22 ?
28, 2007 as ?Georgia Cities Week? in Columbus, Georgia.
Ms. Hollowell also presented the winners of the ?If I Was Mayor? Essay
Contest, which was done by sixth grade students in the Muscogee County School
District. Mr. Kelcy Brown was the District 8 winner of the Essay Contest here
in Columbus, as well as the 2nd Place Statewide winner who went to Atlanta to
receive his award.
She said we also had three local winners, who are 1st Place winner, Aleea
Tucker, from Midland Middle School, 2nd Place winner Lauren Wilson, from Arnold
Magnet Academy and 3rd Place winner Katherine Youngblood, from Midland Middle
School.
Ms. Hollowell said all of these students will receive a gift bag from the
Mayor, as well as a Certificate of Appreciation; along with the 1st Place
winner receiving a $75.00 gift certificate, 2nd Place winner receives a $50.00
gift certificate and the 3rd place winner receives a $25.00 gift certificate.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked Ms. Hollowell to check with the
Ledger-Enquirer to see if they would publish the students? essays. Ms.
Hollowell said Tim Essay did a story in the Sunday?s edition and said the
winning student?s essays are published on their webpage.
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?PEER AWARD WINNERS?:
With Mr. Lee Huff, Public Services Department, Ms. Celsa Muniz Day, Parks
and Recreation Department, Ms. Ramona Roberson, Human Resources Department, Mr.
Larry Taylor, Public Services Department and Ms. Pam Wynn, Finance Department
standing at the Council table, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh read the proclamation
of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming a day for each of these individuals who was
selected to receive the P.E. E. R. Award during this quarter.
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?INDIVIDUAL EXCELLENCE AWARD?:
With Ms. Jackie Clark, Mayor?s Office, standing at the Council table,
standing at the Council table, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh read the proclamation
of Mayor Wetherington, presenting Ms. Clark with the Individual Excellence
Award.
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? 2006/2007 P.E. E. R. AWARD OF THE YEAR?:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh also presented Mr. Larry Taylor of the Public
Services Department with the 2006/2007 P.E.E.R. Award of the Year.
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?INDIVIDUAL EXCELLENCE AWARD OF THE YEAR?:
Warden Bill Adamson of the Muscogee County Prison accepted the award on
behalf of Mr. Emil Lawrence, who was not present due to him recovering from hip
replacement surgery.
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?ALS AWARENESS MONTH?:
With Ms. Carol Kirven standing at the Council table, Councilor Anthony
read the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming the month of May as
?ALS Awareness Month? in Columbus, Georgia.
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?LETTER CARRIERS FOOD DRIVE DAY?:
With Ms. Carol Bailey standing at the Council table, Councilor Barnes read
the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming May 12, 2007 as ?Letter
Carrier Day? in Columbus, Georgia.
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MAYOR?S AGENDA:
WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE COLUMBUS HOCKEY
ASSOCIATION AND THOSE NAMED IN THE RESOLUTION
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 (177-07) ? Commending and congratulating Middle Georgia High
School Hockey Team players upon their outstanding season in the Georgia Student
Hockey League. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the resolution.
Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those ten members of
Council present for this meeting.
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PUBLIC AGENDA
MR. DALE HESTER, CIVIC CENTER DIRECTOR, RE: THE
FIESTA:_____________________________________________________
Mr. Dale Hester, Civic Center Director, along with Ms. Robin Walker
came forward to inform the Council of the upcoming Fiesta at the Civic
Center. Ms. Walker said this is the second annual Fiesta and they have a lot
of exciting things that will take place during the week. She then outlined the
activities that will be occurring at the Fiesta, which will open on tomorrow
night.
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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:
AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILOR HENDERSON, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS CALLED
UP AT THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:_______
A Resolution (178-07) ? Authorizing the confirmation of Mrs. Rachel Buice
Barker as Interim Director of Public Services. Councilor McDaniel moved the
adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried
unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.
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RESOLUTION FOR SAM MITCHELL:
Councilor Hunter asked the City Attorney to prepare a resolution
congratulating Sam Mitchell on being named Coach of the Year in the National
Basketball Association.
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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ORDINACNE WAS SUBMITTED AND
EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCL ON SECOND READING:
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An Ordinance (07-22) ? Rezoning property located at 3801 South Lumpkin
Road from a GC (General Commercial) District and an HMI (Heavy
Manufacturing/Industrial) Districts to RO (Residential Office) District.
(9-CA-07-Place Properties) Councilor Allen moved the adoption of the
ordinance. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried by a vote of 9 to 1, with
all nine members present voting yes and Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh voting no.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINACNE WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND
EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND AFTER MORE THAN AN HOUR OF DISCUSSION WAS
INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:_____________________________________________ ______
An Ordinance ? Amending the budget for the Fiscal Year 2007 beginning July
1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2007, for certain funds of the Consolidated
Government of Columbus, Georgia; and appropriating amounts shown in the SPLOST
Project Fund for the Library Project.
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PUBLIC AGENDA:
Mr. Keith LaFlavor, Re: Alcoholic beverage license reconsideration.
Mr. Jon Graber, Re: Library Board minutes, members contact information on
website and
email address, (2) SPLOST for Library Park.
Rev. Wayne Baker, representing Spirit Filled Methodist Church, Re: The
proposed sale of
three closed recreation centers to a non-profit organization to re-open for
recreational
purposes. (cancelled)
Mr. Paul Olson, Re: Revenue Recovery Systems Collections contract, (2)
Write-Off policy of
debt, (3) National League of Cities Conference.
Mr. Bert Coker, Re: GMA?s 3% stipend from Revenue Recovery Systems Collection,
(2)
Collections Policy resolution and (3) Columbus Housing Authority. (5 minutes)
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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING FIVE 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 HENDERSON AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH,
WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOULY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS
MEETING:_____________
A Resolution (179-07) ? Authorizing the execution of a Quit Claim Deed to
the adjacent property owners, Maple Ridge Golf Club Limited Partnership, for
the unused portions of South Stadium Drive, a segment from the west dead-end
east a distance of 166.83 feet, labeled Parcel ?A? and Parcel ?B?.
A Resolution (180-07) ? Authorizing the execution of a corrective Quit
Claim Deed to Werner W. Bludau for property identified as "Parcel 100, 0.8770
acres +/-. a portion of 407 Broadway to correct the description on that portion
of the property. This Quit Claim Deed was executed in 1975.
A Resolution (181-07) ? Authorizing the acceptance of a deed of 616 square
feet of additional right-of-way in the cul-de-sac of North Lake Drive located
in North Lake Centre. .
A Resolution (182-07) ? Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to North
Crossing Court located in North Crossing.
A Resolution (183-07) ? Authorizing the acceptance a deed to Preservation
Court, Preservation Trail, Oakhurst Court and that portion of Broadleaf Lane
located in Section One, Forest Lake.
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THE FOLLOWING SEVEN PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS, HAVING BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE
CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITYMANAGER HUGLEY AND
ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY
COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH, WHICH CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLIY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESNET FOR THIS
MEETING:___________________________________________________
A Resolution (184-07) ? Authorizing the execution of Change Order 1 with
Gerald Brooks Construction, Inc., for additional services required for the
brick wall at Golden Park, in the amount of $25,450.00. Resolution No. 22-07,
dated January 9, 2007, authorized the emergency construction services to
rebuild a brick wall at Golden Park. The Engineering Department has determined
the brick wall requires a metal wall section, twenty-five feet (25') high and
forty feet (40') long for ?Batter?s Eye?: The Original Contract Amount was
$89,239.90 and with this Change Order 1 in the amount of $25,450.00; it brings
the new contract amount to $114,689.90.
A Resolution (185-07) ? Authorizing the execution of Change Order 1 with
Jordan, Jones & Goulding, Inc., for additional engineering services required
for the Closure of the Old Camp Landfill, in the amount of $42,620.00. The
Original Contract Amount was $165,164.00 and with this Change Order 1 in the
amount of $ 42,620.00, it brings the new contract amount to $207,784.00.
A Resolution (186-07) ? Authorizing the purchase of two (2) cab and
chassis from Beck Motor Company (Albany, GA), in the amount of $110,772.00; and
two (2) 55? aerial device bodies from Altec Industries (Birmingham, AL), in the
amount of $156,202.00. The bucket trucks are replacement units that will be
used by the Traffic Engineering Division to repair and replace traffic lights
at intersections throughout the City.
A Resolution (187-07) ? Approving payment to Tech System, Inc., (Duluth
Georgia), in the amount of $60,000.00, for the emergency repair and upgrade of
the Security System at the Government Center Complex. During a February storm,
a lightning strike damaged a computer board in the City?s security system. As
a result of the damage, the Sheriff?s office could not track who came in or out
of the Government Center complex or change security identification cards.
Additionally, $30,000 was approved for an upgrade to the system during the
Mid-Year Budget Adjustment. Since the repair was needed immediately, and the
pending upgrade had been approved, an emergency purchase was approved by the
City Manager to handle both situations as expediently as possible. The repair
and upgrade is required from Tech System, Inc., because the vendor provided and
installed the Security System when it was purchased, per Resolution #547-05.
A Resolution (188-07) ? Amending Resolution #419-05 (approved September 6,
2005) to change the name of awarded vendor from O. H. Cable to Signal One.
Resolution #419-05 authorized the annual contract for traffic signal contractor
services which was awarded to O. H. Cable to provide services on an ?as needed
basis?. The Purchasing Division has received notification that O. H. Cable?s
name has been changed to Signal One and will continue the contract under the
same terms of the original contract.
A Resolution (189-07) ? Approving the purchase of one (1) full-size sedan,
via Georgia State-Wide Contract, SWC S-050483, from Allan Vigil Ford, (Morrow,
GA) in the amount of $20,282.00. The sedan is a replacement vehicle for
the1998 full-size vehicle currently driven by the City Manager.
A Resolution (190-07) ? Approving payment to Rescue Training Associates
(RTA) (Pompano Beach, Florida), in the amount of $28,500.00 for Rescue
Training services for the Department of Fire and EMS. As of January 2006 the
Department of Fire and EMS is attempting to bring the department?s technical
rescue team inline with national accepted standards. Currently the National
Fire Protection Agency is the only agency that has published nationally
accepted standards concerning technical rescue. These standards are outlined in
NFPA 1670 Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents
(2004 ed.) and NFPA 1006 Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications (2003
ed.). NFPA 1670 standard identifies seven specific disciplines that are
addressed in detail (each is considered a technical rescue discipline),
provides three operational levels (awareness, operations, technicians) and
outlines specific requirements (training levels) that must be met for each
operational level. NFPA 1670 specifically addresses seven technical rescue
disciplines.
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COUNCIL REFERRALS:
Councilor Hunter said he would ask that staff make sure they are following
up with the Council and providing a response to their referral requests.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
CLERK OF COUNCIL SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WASHINGTON AS INFORMATION
FOR THE MAYOR & COUNCIL: ___________________________________________________
(1) GMA?s 2007 Legislative Alert, No. 13, March 30, 2007.
(2) GMA?s 2007 Legislative Alert, No. 14, April 5, 2007.
(3) ACCG?s Legislative Update, Volume 17, Number 14.
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WITH MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH BEING PRESENT AT
THE MEETING, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIOIN WAS
WITHDRAWN: _______________________________________________
A Resolution - Excusing Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh from the
May 1, 2007 Council Meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL:_______________________________
A Resolution (191-07) ? Approving and receiving the report of the Finance
Director of those alcoholic beverage licenses that were approved and/or denied
during the month of March 2007. Councilor Allen moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those
ten members of Council present for this meeting.
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MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL:_______________________________
Airport Commission, March 28, 2007.
Board of Elections & Registration, February 1, 2007.
Board of Health, March 28, 2007.
Board of Tax Assessors, Nos. 15-07 & 16-07.
Columbus Golf Authority, March 27, 2007.
Department of Family & Children Services Board, April 18, 2007.
Employees? Pension Plan, Board of Trustees, March 7, 2007.
Employees? Pension Plan, Board of Trustees, April 11, 2007.
Hospital Authority, March 27, 2007.
Personnel Review Board, April 18, 2007.
Uptown Facade Board, March 19, 2007.
Councilor Allen made a motion to receive the minutes. 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 TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION, NOT LISTED ON THE
AGENDA WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNICL WASHNGTON AND APPROVED
BY THE COUNCIL: ____________
Application of Richard Campbell to temporarily close 5th Avenue between
6th Street and 7th Street on Monday, April 30 ? Friday, May 4, 2007 from 5:00
p.m. ? 9:30 p.m. each day with church removing barricades each evening to allow
through traffic, in connection with ?Tent Revival?. Councilor Allen moved its
approval. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those ten
members of Council present for this meeting.
BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CULTURAL LIAISON ENCOUNTERS
(C.I.R.C.L.E):______________
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we still need someone to fill
the expired term of Mr. Bill Walton?s position. There were no nominations.
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HOSPITAL AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we still need three nominees
for someone to succeed Mr. Tom Gurr, who has resigned and
Ms. Evelyn Turgeon, who does not wish to be reappointed, but there were no
nominations.
RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we need someone to succeed
Ms. Susan Hindsman, who is no longer a resident of Muscogee County and pointed
out that this is Councilor Anthony?s nominee and he is working on getting a
replacement.
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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Mayor
Wetherington then asked if there was anyone from the audience who had an issue
to come before the Council, they could be heard at this time. No one came
forward to be heard.
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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Councilor
McDaniel then made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Allen and
carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this meeting
with the time being 8:50 p.m.
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Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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