MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
WORKSESSION
NOVEMBER 29, 2011
The regular Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called to
order at 9:01 A.M., Tuesday, November 29, 2011, in the Council Chambers,
Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Tomlinson and Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner
Pugh were Councilors R. Gary Allen, Mike Baker, Jerry ?Pops? Barnes, Berry
Henderson, Bruce Huff, Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., Judy W. Thomas and Evelyn
Woodson. Councilor Glenn Davis took his seat at the table at 9:04 a.m. 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 Michael R. Stewart, Director of Pastoral Care- Columbus
Regional System.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from Childcare Network.
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CONSENT AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING THREE ORDINANCES AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF COLUMBUS,
GEORGIA WAS SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND APPROVED UPON A SINGLE MOTION
MADE BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON AND CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY BY THE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS
MEETING:
An Ordinance (11-66) - Property located at 2040 Warm Springs Road is
proposed for rezoning from NC (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district to RO
(Residential Office) zoning district. (24-A-11-Sillitto) The current and
proposed use is for a convalescent or nursing facility.
An Ordinance (11-67) - Property located at 5372 Veterans Parkway is
proposed for rezoning from NC (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district to GC
(General Commercial) zoning district. (25-A-11-Flournoy) The proposed use is
for a pawnshop.
An Ordinance (11-68) - Property located at 6939 Buena Vista Road is
proposed for rezoning from NC (Neighborhood Commercial) to GC (General
Commercial) zoning district. (18-CA-11-Singh) The proposed use is convenience
store with gas sales.
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THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND
APPROVED UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILOR WOODSON AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE TEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT
FOR THIS MEETING:
An Ordinance (11-69) - Amending Ordinance No. 11-44 by removing property
located at 1718 43rd Street from the list of structures to be demolished.
An Ordinance (11-70) - Amending the budgets for the Fiscal Year 2011
beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011, for certain funds of the
Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, by appropriating amounts shown in
each fund for projects purchase order and other fiscal year 2010 carryovers and
various other activities.
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WORKSESSION:
LAND BANK ORDINANCE:
City Attorney Fay advised that the General Assembly previously passed
legislation to allow In Rem Foreclosures to be done by a county or
municipality; these have proven to be useful tools for counties that have an
active Land Bank Authority. He added that it allows the Land Bank Authority to
extinguish various taxes and get these properties back on the tax roll when
they sell them to low to moderate-income developers. As part of the statute,
he explained that it gives the county the authority to adopt an ordinance
similar to the two drafts that have been passed around the table.
He pointed out the difference is that the one labeled ?TC Revised? would
allow the Muscogee County Tax Commissioner to file an In Rem Foreclosure
petition to foreclose on delinquent tax properties when requested in writing by
the Land Bank Authority. The other version labeled ?LBA? would designate the
Land Bank Authority as the city?s agent for filing these In Rem Foreclosures in
Superior Court with notification to the Tax Commissioner and Clerk of Council
when they file any such action; however, the Tax Commissioner would involved in
the process either way.
Mr. Justin Krieg, Chairperson of Land Bank Authority, came forward to
address the proposed ordinance with regards to the authority of the Land Bank
Authority. He recalled that he previously provided an overview of the Lank
Bank Authority and why the Land Bank Authorities are important to communities
and how they are being used to combat issues that go along with vacant and
abandoned properties. He said one of the most effective methods to activate
these properties again is the In Rem Tax Foreclosures that authorizes the Lank
Bank Authority to take part in the In Rem foreclosure. He explained that the
biggest difference between the current process and the In Rem process is
timing. He then briefly explained the twelve month right of first refusal that
occurs once the property goes through the foreclosure sale process, which
allows the owner of record the opportunity anytime within the twelve months to
reclaim that property after paying the applicable delinquent taxes and liens.
He pointed out that the In Rem process reduces that right of redemption time
down to sixty days after the sale. He explained the hardship in marketing an
area where there are abandoned properties, as well as, the issues with getting
developers to revitalize an area where property values of the neighborhood are
down due to these unkept properties.
Councilor Thomas asked the role of the Inspections & Code Enforcement
Division with regards to the demolition process, at which time, Mr. Krieg
replied that the idea is for the Land Bank Authority to identify these
neglected or abandoned properties for foreclosure, gain ownership and transfer
ownership for redevelopment before it gets to the point of demolition or severe
inspection & code issues.
At this time, Mr. Krieg continued to respond to various questions from the
members of Council. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked about the funding source
the Land Bank Authority would use to purchase property. Mr. Krieg shared that
the Land Bank Authority does not currently have a consistent source of income;
however, the Council did approximately two years ago provide seed money in the
amount of $50,000 and this money would be used to do some of the initial work.
Mr. Krieg further explained the In Rem Foreclosure process after Councilor
Woodson expressed her views with regards to the Land Bank Authority having the
power to extinguish taxes and liens on the property that would come to city.
In response to a question from Councilor Thomas, Mr. Krieg maintained to
initiate the In Rem Foreclosure; the property owner has to be delinquent in
property taxes for twelve months. In response to additional questions, City
Attorney Fay clarified that the Land Bank Authority could extinguish county
property taxes or demolition liens; however, they could not extinguish the
portion of school taxes without the permission of the School Board.
There was some continued discussions on the proceed of the sells, purchase
of property with Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Funds.
Ms. Lula Huff, Tax Commissioner, began with her mission, which is to
collect taxes. She said the judicial In Rem Foreclosure process is going
through Superior Court and this is the main difference with the non-judicial
process. She said the non-judicial process cost approximately $200.00;
however, the judicial In Rem Foreclosure process costs the $200.00 as well as
an additional $2,000.00.
Tax Commissioner Huff pointed out that the Land Bank Authority does not
get the property once it is sold on the steps; unless, no one else bids on the
property. The Land Bank Authority gets to place one minimum bid, she explained
that if anyone bids $2.00 more than the minimum bid; then, the property goes to
the higher bidder.
She emphasized that she is accountable for every piece of property on that
digest, which means that if a piece of property is sold and that is not
communicated to her and not correctly valued or indicated as to whether it is
profitable or nonprofitable; then, she answers to the state. She said this is
the reason she needs to have just the administrative directing of that judicial
In Rem Foreclosure to come under the Tax Commissioners Office.
Tax Commissioner Huff maintained that based on the statutory law, she does
have the authority now to initiate the judicial In Rem Foreclosure; however,
the issue is having the monies to do that.
City Attorney Fay said he would insert in the ordinance for the Land Bank
Authority version in Section ?d? (2) to read that ?the petitioners would be the
Land Bank Authority and Tax Commissioner? to assist with removing concerns that
the Tax Commissioner has with not being named as a party in the petition.
He maintained that if we do not have a consensus of one draft version over
the other, we would present both at the December 13, 2011 Council Meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh also suggested adding the Tax Commissioner in
the beginning caption of the ordinance as well. City Attorney Fay said they
would also insert ?authorizes the Land Bank Authority and Muscogee County Tax
Commissioner to initiate In Rem Tax Foreclosure?.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
City Attorney Fay requested an executive session on emergency security
procedures and attorney / client session.
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CITISERV:
Assistant Finance Director Britt Hayes, came forward to provide the
following power point presentation as an update on the Citiserv and is listed
as follows:
CITISERV COMMITTEE
Maximizing Efficiencies in City Governments
A study requested by Mayor Teresa Tomlinson
November 29, 2011
Committee Members
Britt Hayes?Chair/Assistant Finance Director
Reather Hollowell-Assistant HR Director
Lem Miller-Major/Columbus Police Dept
Harvey Milner-Assistant Director Public Services/Fleet
John Redmond-Internal Auditor
Cheryl Tate-Technicians Ops Mgr/IT -Ex Officio
Liz Turner-City Manager?s Office 311 Center-Ex Officio
David Arrington-Deputy City Manager-Ex Officio
Lisa Goodwin-Deputy City Manager-Ex Officio
Mission
To research the feasibility of implementing a Columbus, Georgia
CitiServ Program.
We studied the effectiveness of programs used by governmental agencies
as a means to improve:
efficiency and effectiveness
improve quality
reduce cost
eliminate waste in operations
Recommendation
The committee feels that there is merit in moving forward with a
CitiServ Program in Columbus, Georgia.
Success is Contagious
Jefferson County, AL (Transpro) St. Louis, MO (CityView)
Mobile, AL (CitiSmart) Durham, NC (CitiStat)
Los Angeles, CA (CompStat) Nashua, NH (CitiStat)
San Francisco, CA (CompStat) Union, NJ (CitiStat)
Denver, CO (CitiStat) Buffalo, NY CitiStat
Bridgeport, CT (CitiStat) NYC PD (CompStat)
Washington, DC (CapStat) Syracuse, NY (Syr-Stat)
Miami, FL (CitiStat) Philadelphia, PA (CompStat)
State of Iowa (IowaResults) Providence, RI (ProvStat)
Baltimore, MD CitiStat North Charleston, SC (CitiStat)
State of Maryland (StateStat) Chattanooga, TN (Results)
Newton, MA (CitiStat) Austin, TX (CompStat)
Somerville, MA (SomerStat)
Springfield, MA (CitiStat) Vancouver, BC (CompStat)
Warren, MI (CitiStat) San Juan, PR (CompStat)
Staffing Options?
Employee G21 $47,234
+ benefits 17,988
+ expenses 12,000
Total $77,222
Consultant $75,000
Expertise
Objective / Independent
Flexibility ? CCG can alter how much we use them
Can determine if we want to hire an employee at a later date
The committee recommends this option.
Initial Sources of Information
Citizen?s Service Center
Whistleblower Hotline
Department Head Meetings
Individual Department Data
Finance Department
Internal Auditor/Audits
Human Resources Department
Process
Departmental Initial Meeting
Review issue
Assess & suggest alternatives
Strategic Management adjustments
Pre-Meeting Documentation
CitiServ Analysis Notification (CAN) form
CitiServ Review Board Meeting
Mayor
City Manager
Deputy City Managers (2)
Finance Director
Process
Post-Meeting Process
Synopsis of recommendations
Data requests
Exit interview with Department Head
Quarterly reports to Council
CitiServ Committee Involvement
Annually
Assess goals
Cost/Savings benefit
Timeliness Improvements
Value added for citizens
Initial Kickoff
CitiServ would initially identify two departments
General Government
Public Safety
Timeframe for moving forward will depend upon which option is chosen to staff
CitiServ.
Councilor Henderson then asked Assistant Finance Director Hayes to mention
other means of identifying inefficiencies.
After Councilor McDaniel expressed some concerns with the funding source
for the CitiServ, Assistant Finance Director Hayes suggested initially focusing
on just one department; therefore, the cost of the consultant would be lower.
Councilor Woodson asked that if the reporting agent, rather it be a department
or consultant, to come to the Council quarterly to speak on any deficiencies
that were found and how it was corrected.
Councilor Thomas expressed concerns with the staffing piece of this
presentation. She maintained that she does not see how having a consultant
that only works so many days then goes away would be able to do the relentless
review that is necessary in this or even the duties of this staff person.
Assistant Finance Director Hayes advised that he does not know if the city
would be able to hire a staff person at a Pay Grade 21 that would have the
expertise and be knowledgeable on the best practices for managing a department.
Councilor Allen suggested that the Budget Chairperson sit in with the
Mayor and City Manager to discuss these matters. It would also be interesting
to speak with other cities regarding their views on using staff personnel
versus a consultant, how long has it been in operation and how much their city
has saved.
Councilor Davis said his hope is that we first get the Internal Auditor?s
Office more assistance, because that department is being overloaded and we need
to focus on getting that department where it needs to be.
Mr. John Redmond, Internal Auditor, approached the rostrum and pointed out
that there are diminishing returns with this type of concept, as previously
mentioned by Mr. Hayes. He then confirmed that he does need some additional
assistance in the Internal Auditor?s Office. He maintained that regarding the
mass audit project, currently we are on about a ten to twelve year cycle with
one person doing it; this is not adequate. He explained that we should be on a
three to five year cycle, but we won?t actually get there with a government
this size with the number of departments and the number of employees with just
one person doing it. He pointed out that the longer the cycle the more likely
we are to have things to happen; such as, fraud, theft, etc. He said that is
the risk we take, when there is not adequate staffing.
This matter was concluded with some final comments from Mayor Tomlinson.
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PARKS & RCREATION FEES:
Mr. Arnold Goodman, Chairperson of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board,
came forward to advise that the board has been meeting monthly. He said that
we are having some problems with having a quorum and site inspections that have
been mandated in the new ordinance, but should not be taken in a negative
light.
He then made comments with regards to the board members and the newfound
duties and responsibilities of the board.
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NOTE: Councilor Barnes left the meeting during this portion of the proceedings
with the time being 11:30 a.m.
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Mr. James Worsley, Director of the Department of Parks & Recreation, first
spoke of some accomplishments of the department. He then provided the
following presentation as listed below:
Mission Statement
The mission of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department is to enhance
the quality of life for all citizens of this community by providing passive and
active recreational, educational, and cultural programming services for all age
groups. It is our objective to provide parks and recreation facilities that
are safe, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing to the entire community.
User Fees
User fees within the Parks and Recreation Department have not been
addressed in several years. We have benchmarked several cities and will show
comparisons where applicable.
League User Fees
The Department would like to impose a $100.00 user fee on all athletic
teams that are not currently paying a fee. At the present time little league
baseball, football and adult and youth soccer are played on fields under the
Parks and Recreation Department. The department pays for all maintenance and
utilities for all fields and at the present time does not charge a user fee.
It is estimated that the department spends $120,000 on utilities and
approximately $50,000 to $75,000 in maintenance per year at these particular
fields. Additionally, each of the below leagues have several tournaments where
the Parks Department maintains and drags and lines the fields at no cost to the
leagues. The department also pays for all utilities at league concession
stands.
User Number of Teams $100 per team
Columbus Youth Football 51 $5,100.00
Columbus Youth Soccer 110 $11,000.00
Redstar Soccer 6 $ 600.00
Columbus Adult Soccer (Spring) 42 $ 4,200.00
Columbus Adult Soccer (Fall) 37 $ 3,700.00
Northern Little League 36 $ 3,600.00
American Little League 26 $ 2,600.00
Pioneer Little League 25 $ 2,500.00
Peach Little League 26 $ 2,600.00
Eastern Little League 8 $ 800.00
Little League Softball 26 $ 2,600.00
Columbus Babe Ruth Baseball 10 $ 1,000.00
Dixie Boys 14 $ 1,400.00
Sally Little League 11 $ 1,100.00
Total Projected Revenue 428 $42,800.00
After School Program Fees
The Department is proposing to raise the after school program sliding fee
scale by $1.00. As these fees are based on total household income, this
increase will raise each child?s fee by $1.00 per week. These fees have not
been increased since FY09 and are still under market. It is estimated that
this increase will produce an additional $48,000.00 in revenue per year.
After School Program
Annual Income Each Additional
After School First Child Second Child Child
$60,000 and above $52.00 $47.00 $44.00
$50,000 ? 59,999 $47.00 $42.00 $39.00
$40,000 ? 49,000 $42.00 $37.00 $34.00
$30,000 ? 39,000 $37.00 $32.00 $29.00
$20,000 ? 29,000 $27.00 $22.00 $19.00
$12,000 ? 19,999 $23.00 $17.00 $14.00
Less than $12,000 $17.00 $12.00 $ 9.00
Before School
$60,000 and above $21.00 $17.00 $16.00
$50,000 ? 59,999 $19.00 $15.00 $14.00
$40,000 ? 49,000 $17.00 $13.00 $12.00
$30,000 ? 39,000 $15.00 $11.00 $10.00
$20,000 ? 29,000 $13.00 $ 9.00 $ 8.00
$12,000 ? 19,999 $12.00 $ 7.00 $ 6.00
Less than $12,000 $ 9.00 $ 5.00 $ 4.00
Before & After School
$60,000 and above $68.00 $63.00 $61.00
$50,000 ? 59,999 $61.00 $56.00 $54.00
$40,000 ? 49,000 $54.00 $49.00 $47.00
$30,000 ? 39,000 $47.00 $42.00 $38.00
$20,000 ? 29,000 $35.00 $30.00 $28.00
$12,000 ? 19,999 $30.00 $25.00 $23.00
Less than $12,000 $21.00 $15.00 $11.00
After School Program
Annual Income Each Additional
After School First Child Second Child Child
$60,000 and above $53.00 $48.00 $45.00
$50,000 ? 59,999 $48.00 $43.00 $40.00
$40,000 ? 49,000 $43.00 $38.00 $35.00
$30,000 ? 39,000 $38.00 $33.00 $30.00
$20,000 ? 29,000 $28.00 $23.00 $20.00
$12,000 ? 19,999 $24.00 $18.00 $15.00
Less than $12,000 $18.00 $13.00 $10.00
Before School
$60,000 and above $22.00 $18.00 $17.00
$50,000 ? 59,999 $20.00 $16.00 $15.00
$40,000 ? 49,000 $18.00 $14.00 $13.00
$30,000 ? 39,000 $16.00 $12.00 $11.00
$20,000 ? 29,000 $14.00 $10.00 $ 9.00
$12,000 ? 19,999 $13.00 $ 8.00 $ 7.00
Less than $12,000 $10.00 $ 6.00 $ 5.00
Before & After School
$60,000 and above $69.00 $64.00 $62.00
$50,000 ? 59,999 $62.00 $57.00 $55.00
$40,000 ? 49,000 $55.00 $50.00 $48.00
$30,000 ? 39,000 $48.00 $43.00 $39.00
$20,000 ? 29,000 $36.00 $31.00 $29.00
$12,000 ? 19,999 $31.00 $26.00 $24.00
Less than $12,000 $22.00 $16.00 $12.00
Councilor Allen requested a cost comparison of the city?s facility rental
fees with that of the Muscogee County School District.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh requested to have the staff to check on the
reinstatement of Park Rangers that was previously discussed and provide some
information.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mayor Tomlinson recalled the earlier request for an executive session to
discuss emergency security procedures and attorney / client session. Councilor
Thomas made the motion to go into executive session. Seconded by Councilor
Huff and carried unanimously by those eight members present with Councilors
Barnes and Henderson being absent for the vote.
At 12:18 p.m., the Council adjourned its regular meeting to go into
executive session to discuss a personnel matter, litigation and real estate
acquisition.
At 12:59 p.m., the Council reconvened it regular meeting, at which time,
Mayor Tomlinson announced that the Council did meet in executive session to
discuss an emergency security procedures and attorney / client session, but
there were no votes taken.
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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Mayor Pro Tem
Turner Pugh made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and
carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present with Councilors
Barnes and McDaniel being absent for the vote with the time being 1:00 p.m.
Sandra T. Davis, CDMC
Deputy Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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