MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
DECEMBER 16, 2008
The regular monthly night session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was
called to order at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 16, 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 Wayne Anthony, R. Gary Allen, Mike Baker, Jerry Barnes,
Glenn Davis, Berry Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr.,
and Evelyn Woodson. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, and
Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington were also present. Deputy Clerk of Council
Sandra Davis took her seat at 9:03 A.M.
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ABSENT: No one was absent.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Reverend David T. Holston, Elizabeth Missionary Baptist
Church.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by East Columbus Magnet Academy, accompanied by
Yvette Jones, Guidance Director.
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***-----------------------------------------PRESENTATION: Georgia Power Company
Leaf Award Recognition:
Mr. Robert Watkins approached the podium and stated that the Georgia Power
Company was so impressed with the Anti-idling efforts that went on last year,
that this year, the program went state-wide and for that effort, they won the
LEAF (Leadership in Environment Advancement for the Future) Award. He said with
that award, came a $2,000.00 donation to the charity of their choice. Mr.
Watkins then presented the award to Ms. Priscilla Marshall of the Keep Columbus
Beautiful Commission.
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MAYOR?S AGENDA:
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING: Minutes of the October 7, 2008 Council Meeting
of the Council of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia. Councilor
McDaniel moved the approval of the minutes. Seconded by Councilor Allen and
carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present at this time, with
Councilor Barnes being absent for this vote.
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LAKEBOTTOM PARK:
Mayor Wetherington said he would like to personally thank Mr. Richard
Hadfield, Mr. George Graham and the others who walk around Lakebottom Park
every morning picking up trash.
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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING THREE ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY
ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND
READING:________________________________________________
An Ordinance (08-70) - Property located at 7175 Beaver Run Road is proposed
for rezoning from LMI (Light Manufacturing/Industrial) zoning district to GC
(General Commercial) zoning district. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of
the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those ten
members of Council present for this meeting.
An Ordinance (08-71) ? Text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance
(UDO) to replace Table 2.2.2 of the UDO with a new Table 2.1.2 that reflects
the land-uses adopted in the 2028 Comprehensive Plan. Councilor Henderson moved
the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried
unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.
An Ordinance (08-72) ? Text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance
to amend several typographical errors regarding Chapters 7 and 9 of the Unified
Development Ordinance. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the ordinance.
Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those ten members of
Council present for this meeting.
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ZONING PUBLIC HEARINGS:
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD AS
ADVERTISED:________________________________________________________
An Ordinance ? Property located at 8239, 8243, 8247 and 8251 Cooper Creek
Road is proposed for rezoning from SFR1 (Single Family Residential 1) zoning
district to GC (General Commercial) zoning district. (42-CA-08-Spence) The
proposed use is a pharmacy with retail.
PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:
City Attorney Fay pointed out that the legal description has been corrected
and the application did include all five lots including lot 8231. He said all
five of the lots are included in the petition and it is on the table with two
conditions.
Councilor Allen asked about the discussion last week regarding the petition
going back to Planning Advisory Commission if the fifth lot was not included,
but since it is included and will be on second reading for the next meeting, I
would like to offer an amendment since that lot is included and it does have a
very dense foliage buffer on it ? to require a permanent buffer ? the
petitioner choice of a buffer extensions. Councilor Allen further asked if this
is going to present a problem and is it okay with the petitioner.
Mr. Spence (the petitioner) responded by saying that part of this lot is
wooded and the other part isn?t and right now we would leave 30 feet of the
wooded area that is already there to remain there ? but it is my belief that we
need to use part of it for the construction of the building and the parking lot
area. Mr. Spence made some additional remarks regarding the natural buffer
zone.
Councilor Allen then made a motion for option three (3) which reads: A
thirty (30)-foot undisturbed natural buffer shall be maintained on the east
side of the property subject to rezoning. This motion was seconded by Mayor Pro
Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those ten members of present for
this meeting.
Councilor Allen said he would further like to submit another amendment (to
his previous motion) that the use of the property on lot 8231 be limited to a
pharmacy/retail, as precaution measure to protect the residents.
There were some additional comments and discussion from several members of
Council and Mr. Spence, after which Mr. Spence asked, if the pharmacy did not
go through, would he have to come back to Council and go back through the
entire process regarding the other three lots and can they be reverted to
Neighborhood Commercial?
Councilor Allen in response to Mr. Spence, pointed out that under the
General Commercial options, one can put a wide variety of things in there and
that is what he (Councilor Allen) is trying to stop. He said there are other
things that are not conducive to the residential area.
After some additional discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked staff to
provide some information on the differences between neighborhood commercial and
general commercial zoning districts.
City Attorney Fay said as it stands now, the ordinance will be back on
second reading with three conditions-the third one being the buffer-and subject
to further amendment on possibly limiting the uses; possibly designating one or
two of the lots as residential commercial. City Attorney Fay pointed out that
second reading would be on January 6, 2009.
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SOLDIERS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES:
Mayor Wetherington called on Sergeant Nelson to introduce Soldiers.
Sergeant First Class Nelson ? International Student Training Detachment,
said these Soldiers would be here for approximately six months undergoing
training as part of the Maneuver Captains Career Course # 08-09. He then
introduced each of the soldiers present as well as the country they represent.
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PUBLIC AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING PERSON (S) APPEARED ON THE PUBLIC AGENDA
AND PROVIDED IS A SUMMARY OF EACH PERSON COMMENTS:________
MR. JOE BOWMAN, REPRESENTING YELLOW CAB OF COLUMBUS,
RE: TAXICAB ORDINANCE:____________________________________________
When called upon to address the Council, Mr. Bowman did not respond.
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MR. JEREMY S. HOBBS, REPRESENTING THE NON PARTISAN CIVIC ALLIANCE OF
COLUMBUS, RE: 2008 MESSAGE OF PEACE AND
GOODWILL:_________________________________________________________
Before Mr. Hobbs can address the Council, Councilor Henderson made some
comments regarding some information provided Council by Lt. Ross in regards to
the Taxicab Commission.
Mr. Hobbs approached the rostrum and said he is the Chairman of the Non
Partisan Civic Alliance of Columbus and proceeded to read a prepared message to
the Mayor, Council and citizens of Columbus. A copy of Mr. Hobbs? message is on
file in the Clerk of Council?s Office.
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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:_______
A Resolution (575-08) - Authorization is requested of a resolution
requesting the Georgia General Assembly to pass local legislation to implement
a hotel/motel excise tax at a rate of 8 (eight) percent in Columbus, Georgia to
be effective July 1, 2009 pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 48-13-51(b). This would
increase the current tax rate from 7 percent to 8 percent. Mayor Pro Tem Turner
Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Barnes and
carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.
A Resolution (576-08) - Authorization is requested for the adoption of the
Street Tree Master Plan. An agenda report, map and resolution are attached.
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 meting.
A Resolution (577-08) ? Authorization is requested to proceed with the
development of the Oxbow Meadows Park, a 1999 Special Purpose Local Option
Sales Tax Project, in accordance with the Oxbow Master Plan developed by
Jordan, Jones & Goulding and presented to Mayor and Council on December 9,
2008. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council
present for this meeting.
Councilor Baker said last week when we were discussing this, we asked for
some estimates about maintenance costs to which City Manager Hugley responded
by saying that our staff (Parks and Recreations and Public Services) take a
look at projected expenses for maintenance and so forth and today?s dollars
that we are projecting is just over $50,000.00; $30,000.00 of that will be
spent for mowing/labor and about $20,000.00 for chemicals that will be required
to maintain the area; current employees will be used to maintain any additional
area that will require maintaining as a result of building out/developing Oxbow
Meadows.
Councilor Henderson asked about the recreational boating facilities. He
said we talked about programming issues and I know we talked about maintenance
of the grass and chemicals but I would really like to have a breakdown of at
least what we think private recreational boating is going to look like, are we
going to operate it, staff it, and what it is going to cost because I think it
is more that $50,000.00.
City Manager Hugley saidbefore moving forward with a project, we will bring
it back to Council, layout the design, and project some operating cost. He said
the boating thing would not happen tomorrow but we are going to move forward
with the project. And when we do move forward with it, we will certainly bring
back to the Mayor and Council any design and layout what we anticipate what the
facility is going to look like - as we did with Lake Oliver Marina.
Councilor Allen asked City Manager Hugley to clarify CSU?s role in Oxbow
Meadow. City Manager Hugley said CSU staff and provide/operate Oxbow Learning
Center as a partnership between Columbus Water Works, CSU and the City.
A Resolution (578-08) ? Authorization is requested for the purchase of
property consisting of 17.00 acres +/- in the Enterprise Zone at 405 Brennan
Road, 425 Brennan Road, 450 Brennan Road, 453 Brennan Road, and 455 Brennan
Road for future development. Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by those ten
members of Council present for this meeting.
A Resolution (579-08) - Authorization is requested for the Chief State
Court Judge to enter into a contract with Judicial Alternatives of Georgia,
Inc., for probation services. Councilor Woodson 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 (580-08) - Authorization is requested to amend the Memorandum
of Understanding with Eagle and Phenix Ventures, LLC and Uptown Columbus for
the completion of streetscapes along 10th Street from Front Avenue to Bay
Avenue. 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.
A Resolution (581-08) ? Authorization is requested to submit an application
and if approved accept up to $125,000 from the U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency for a Sustainable Skylines Initiatives Grant to develop locally-led
activities to help reduce emission and promote sustainability with the goal of
cleaner and healthier air. Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those ten
members of Council present for this meeting.
A Resolution (582-08) - Authorization is requested to submit an application
and if approved accept a $3,343,000 Homeland Security Grant from Georgia
Homeland Security/GEMA to add two new P-25 digital radio channels to the
Columbus Regional Radio System. Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those ten
members of Council present for this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING FOUR PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED
BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A
SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON,
WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE
TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS METING:_____________
A Resolution (583-08) ? Change Order Two-Columbus Skate Park. Per
Resolution No. 257-07, Council authorized the execution of a contract with
California Skate Parks, Inc., for the design and build of the skate park.
Change Order 2 is needed for the installation of sports field lighting,
restrooms, shelter, and other amenities.
A Resolution (584-08) ? 16? Utility Trailers. The trailers are additional
units that will be used by the Right-of-Way and Landscape & Forestry Divisions
of the Public Services Department; and the Parks Services Division of the Parks
and Recreation Department. The trailers will be used to transport various
landscaping equipment to areas throughout Muscogee County.
A Resolution (585-08) ? Twenty five (25) Yard Refuse Collection Bodies. The
refuse collection bodies will be mounted on a previously purchased cab and
chassis. The refuse collection trucks are replacement units that will be used
by the Solid Waste Collection Division, of the Public Services Department, for
curbside pick up of household garbage.
A Resolution (586-08) ? Emergency Construction Services. During the week of
October 26, 2008 a cave-in occurred in the median at 12th Street and Broadway.
Due to the number of events scheduled during the week, the work needed to be
expedited to ensure the safety of citizens. Alexander Contracting was the
original contractor for the Streetscapes project; therefore, in order for the
warranties to remain in place the contractor was contacted to repair the
cave-in.
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MONTHLY FINANCE UPDATE:
Finance Director Hodge said the LOST will be effective January 2009 and
post cards will send out to citizens. She also said the education SPLOST will
be coming off at the end of December (2008) so this post card is just to notify
businesses that there is a penny coming off and a penny coming on but our sales
tax will remain at six percent.
Director Hodge said this is the Finance Update for November 2008-
advancement for the LOST and at he end of November we had eighteen police
officers of the hundred on payroll and we have spent $587,000.00 (payroll and
operating capital for those 100 officers).
She said the finance update summary page shows basically the same as in the
month of October. There is not a lot of change. We are still maintaining where
we were at the end of October as far as percentage compared to last year-this
is comparing to November of 2008 to November of 2007. In the general fund we
are down slightly from where we were this same time last year. The offset on
this is the homeowners tax relief grant; we did not receive this at this point
in time but we did receive the Continental Carbon settlement. Other funds down
(5% to 6%) are Sewer, Paving, Medical Center are as a result of the Homeowner
Tax Relief Grant; Integrated Waste is showing up 23% and the difference in that
fund is the timing issue with when we received the garbage collection from the
Water Works. This year we have a month-end that last year we did not; E911 fund
is maintaining about the same as where we were last year; Economics Development
and Debt Service fund is down about 5% or 6% and is also related to the
Homeowner Tax Relief Grant; Transportation is maintaining about the same where
we were last year-down 3% and they did receive a portion from ad valorem taxes;
Parking Management down 3.5%; Trade Center, Bull Creek, Oxbow, and Civic Center
are all maintaining about where they were last year - the revenue generated by
these enterprise fund pay for their operation.
Councilor Davis said we are all aware of how the economy is affecting
everybody and in many ways here in Columbus we are very blessed being that Fort
Benning is getting ready to accept an expansion and other business are also
expanding. When we talk about revenue collection and taxing, primarily
assessments, I think that with this body and our executive management, it would
be wise to start looking at some plans to see how we were are working with the
citizens of our community and at the same time meeting budget requirements in
keeping up services and operations. He said it would be wise to have staff
start looking into ways that we can address some of those issues in our
community (maybe on a temporarily basis) until things get better in our
economy.
Councilor Anthony asked about the concept of sending out tax bills to
businesses and what is the process of collecting those when you have a
follow-up procedure when collecting business taxes?
Director Hodge responded by saying that occupational taxes are collected
through the finance department and we send out those tax notices through the
revenue division of the finance department.
Councilor Baker asked Director Hodge if it would be possible to add just a
column (to the report) for gross sales tax collected vs. Budget and Gross
property taxes collected - just two or three of the major revenue services.
A copy of the finance report is on file with the Clerk of Council?s Office.
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PRESENTATION ON ALCOHOL ORDINANCE:
City Manager Hugley called on Finance Director Hodge and Deputy City
Manager Arrington to come forward and give their presentation on the Alcohol
Ordinance.
Director Hodge started by saying that they have encountered some issues
with issuing alcohol licenses and with the alcohol ordinance itself. She said
these issues are outlined in the handout. She then went through the information
in the handout (which is on file with the Clerk of Council?s Office), which
includes issues such as: definition/terminology ? the differences between city
playground and public park; zoning category ? change the zoning categories to
match the current UDO.
City Manager Hugley interjected by saying that it is important that they
(Council) know what is driving this and why this presentation is being made at
this time. He said it has to do with all of Columbus but it is mainly driven by
the Columbus South Revitalization/Redevelopment effort. He then called on
Deputy City Manager Arrington to provide further details in regards to this
particular issue.
DCM Arrington said during the components of the planning process, we heard
the message from the citizens and they asked us to focus on revitalization in
existing areas and that is no more so the case in South Columbus than anywhere
else in the city. In South Columbus, there is a strong focus on
revitalization-especially along the major corridors such as Victory Drive,
South Lumpkin Road, Fort Benning Road. As a part of that revitalization, one of
the things we hear from the people in that area is that they want quality
family restaurants and the current ordinance serves as a barrier to the
recruitment of those businesses. He said we have at least one that have already
inside Columbus that needs some additional support and there is another one (a
stake house) that is interested in locating inside Columbus but the barriers to
him serving alcohol prevents him from making the business decision to relocate
here. One of the things we would like to do is take a look at the distance
requirements as it relates to stifling economic development and revitalization
along with our commercial corridors in that area in an effort to promote
revitalization and to bring the type of service the people need in not only
that section of the community but in other places where the distance
requirement may be a barrier. What we would like to do is look at other
communities and the strategies they have employed to address this type of issue
and bring back recommendations to Council for your consideration.
City Manager Hugley said one area of example would be the Uptown area. He
said for example, if you wanted a nice restaurant to go in there with a liquor
license (we are not talking about a bar) it would be too close to a church and
so a very nice upscale restaurant could not go on 12th Avenue because it is too
close to a church. He said this situation is in the Columbus South area,
Uptown, Midtown and all over. City Manager Hugley further pointed out that if
we wanted to put an Applebee?s (for example) at South Lumpkin and Victory
Drive, and Applebee?s comes with a liquor license, it couldn?t go there because
it is too close to the Frank Chester Park in regards to the distance
requirement He said if you think about the entire stretch of Victory Drive
where there are churches, and the Impact Center, and parks, because of the
distance requirement, it is difficult to find a spot along that roadway
(Victory Drive) where you can put a nice quality restaurant. What this
presentation gets at, it how do we fix that, how do we have both kinds of
quality restaurants along Victory Drive and in other areas with the laws we
currently have on the books?
Councilor Woodson said she just wanted to clarify that with this request,
the 300-rule still stays in place. She further pointed out that the current
restrictions for restaurants that are near playgrounds and churches are a lot
higher.
Several members of Council voiced their opinions and concerns regarding
this matter after which City Manager Hugley pointed out that he wanted the
Council members and the people watching on television to know the basis of why
this ordinance is coming forward. He then instructed Director Hodge to proceed
with her presentation.
Director Hodge said we just covered the definition issue with zoning
category to make sure the outlawed ordinance matches the zoning category in the
UDO. She said there is also some typographical error we want to correct. She
said we have had discussions about the distance requirements and we will be
coming back to you (Council) with options and recommendations.
Director Hodge said there is also a process issue that needs correcting in
the ordinance. She said these are the issues that we will be brining back after
the first of the year and if there are any others (option/issues) you (Council)
want us to look at and/or make comparisons to other communities, we will be
happy to look at those also.
Councilor Woodson asked City Manager Hugley if it was too late to add to
the legislative agenda to see if there is any flexibility we can do on the
alcohol ordinance of 51% in food sales ? or less and what those options may
be.
City Manager Hugley, City Attorney Fay, and several members of Council
spend an additional ten minutes responding to and commenting on Councilor
Woodson?s request as well as to the presentation by Director Hodge and Deputy
City Manager Arrington.
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SCHEDULE COUNCIL MEETINGS:
City Manager Hugley pointed out that in the information section of the
agenda are the dates for upcoming Council meetings for January and February
2009. He said we will continue to list those for you (Council) and the public
until they are accustomed to the new schedule.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF WASHINGTON AS INFORMATION
FOR MAYOR AND COUNCIL:_________
(1) Notice of ACCG?s Commissioners Training Program 2009 Winter Session,
Friday, January 16, 2009, in Macon, Georgia.
(2) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Personnel Review Board.
(3) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Recreation Advisory Board.
(4) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Tree Board.
(5) Biographical Sketch of Mr. Harold Funderburg, Sr., Councilor Hunter?s
nominee to replace Ms. La Fini Mosby on the Community Development Advisory
Council.
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MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY APPROVED BY
THE COUNCIL:_____________________________________________________
Board of Tax Assessors, No. 42-08
Tree Board, September 10, 2008
Uptown Fa?ade Board, November 17, 2008
Councilor Henderson moved the approval of the minutes. Seconded by
Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present with councilor Woodson being absent for this vote.
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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ADVISORY BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Reverend Joseph Roberson is
eligible to succeed himself but she have not spoken with him to see if he wants
to continue serving on this board. Clerk of Council Washington said she would
bring this back next week with a recommendation.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Clerk of Washington pointed out that Mr. Harold Funderburg could be
confirmed. Councilor Woodson moved the confirmation. Seconded by Councilor
Allen and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present with
Councilor Davis being absent for this vote.
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HOSPITAL AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington informed the Mayor and Council that Mr. James
Webster and Mr. James Yancey terms have expired but both are eligible to
succeed themselves and have been re-nominated. However, we still need two
additional nominees for each of these seats. Clerk of Council Washington
further pointed out that Ms. Nancy Rinn cannot succeed herself and three
nominees will be need for this seat.
Councilor Allen then nominated Steven Croft for Nancy Rinn seat. He then
requested that these names be placed in their respective position and forwarded
to the Hospital Authority for selection/recommendation, if there are no
objections from Council.
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TAXICAB COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington informed Council that Mr. James Nash seat has
been declared vacant; this is an at-large position and a nominee would be
needed for this position.
Councilor Woodson asked Clerk of Council Washington to get with Mr. Richard
Bishop of Uptown Columbus, Inc for a recommendation for this board.
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UPTOWN FA?ADE BOARD:
Clerk of Washington informed Council that Mr. David Wolf has resigned and we
are still awaiting a response from Uptown Columbus for the name of a
representative for this seat.
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we are working with The
Chamber of Commerce and their Leadership Columbus Program to get individuals
who may be interested on serving on the boards.
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OTHER COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS AND COUNCIL:
Mr. Bert Coker said last week when he was here and spoke about the trolley
and that he read Resolution # 399-95 where is state that there is going to be a
trolley system and is trying to get an answer to whether or not there was going
to be such a system.
Mr. Coker made some additional comments regarding the bike trail, The Trade
Center, Skate Park, and the Natatorium making references to how the citizens
voted. He further pointed out to the citizens of Columbus that if they don?t
start protesting about the garbage fees, it will certainly increase.
City Manager Hugley said just for the record and for those watching on
television, we don?t take integrated waste fund money and spend it on golf
course and all these other things (as pointed out by Mr. Coker). This money is
an enterprise fund and intergraded fund money is only used for integrated waste
purposes- it is not transferred to the General Fund or any other fund that we
have.
In response to Mr. Coker comments regarding a trolley system, City Manager
Hugley pointed out that to put such a system in place would cost upwards of $50
million given that there is no public demand for such a system right now. He
said this will be looked at in phase two of the project but we will have to
come up with additional funding at a time when we feel that there is public
demand for a trolley and that it would be used.
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GREETINGS:
Mayor Wetherington said since this is the last City Council meeting for
this year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Marry
Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Mayor Pro
Tem Turner Pugh then made a motion adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and
carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present with Councilor
Davis being absent for this vote, with the time being 10:49 a.m.
Tiny Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
Attachments
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