Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

OCTOBER 9, 2007



The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called to

order at 9:02 A.M., Tuesday, October 9, 2007, on the Plaza Level of the

Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable W.J. Wetherington, Mayor,

presiding.



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PRESENT: Present other that Mayor Wetherington were Councilors, Councilors R.

Gary Allen, Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Jerry ?Pops? Barnes, Glenn Davis, Julius

H. Hunter, Jr., Skip Henderson, Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., and Mayor Pro Tem

Evelyn Turner-Pugh. City Attorney Clifton Fay, Assistant Attorney Jamie

Deloach, Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington and were also present. Councilors

Evelyn Woodson and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis took their seats at

9:06 AM and 9:10 AM respectively.

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ABSENT: City Manager Isaiah Hugley was absent, but was represented by Deputy

City Manager David Arrington.

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INVOCATION: Offered by Pastor Don Wilhite of Calvary Baptist Church.

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PROCLAMATION:



?HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH?:



With Ms. Natividad Mandes and other representative of the Hispanic

Community (Margarita Jarra, Carmen Lopez, Carlos Hortez, Marie Cadero, Dr.

Edward Lopez, Ron Heinz) standing at the Council table, Councilor Allen read

the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming September 15 to October 15,

2007 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Columbus, Georgia.



Councilor Woodson said it seems like the Hispanic newspapers? personnel

and other Latinos from the community were stuck at the elevators down stairs.

She said she would like to ask that once these people are able to come up, that

they be allowed to stand and be recognized because this is a time when the

Hispanic Community is trying to interact with the community as a whole and

become one Columbus and try to erase the stereotype that Latinos are

undocumented. She said there are hard working, taxpaying Latinos in our

community that family history can be traced back many years.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from Baker Middle School.



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MAYOR?S AGENDA:

THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND READ IN THEIR ENTIRETY

AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL AND PRESENTED TO THOSE NAMED IN THE RESOLUTIONS:

____________



A Resolution (432-07) ? Commending Mr. Jerome Bechard, Columbus

Cottonmouths? Coach and General Manager upon his election as Chairman of the

Southern Professional Hockey League Board. Councilor Hunter called on Mr.

Bechard to move forward and be recognized.



Councilor Hunter said he is very honored to read this resolution into

record. As the coach of the Columbus Cottonmouths, Mr. Bechard has done a

fantastic job coaching that team and also as General Manager whose

responsibility it is to deal with the composition of the team. So the fact that

this (team) is a successful product is not an accident. It is due largely to

the work of this man standing here - Mr. Jerome Bechard. Upon reading of the

resolution,



Councilor Hunter moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by

Councilor Mc Daniel and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present for this meeting. When asked to make a comment, Mr. Jerome stated: I am

just lucky to live out a dream and be able to do something that I love to do

and be a part of this community. I would also like to thank everyone in the

room and the entire city for allowing us to stay here and be good role models

and do great things for this city.



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A Resolution (433-02) ? Commending the Columbus Catfish and Jim Morrison,

Manager, upon their victory in the 2007 South Atlantic League Championship

Series at Golden Park in Columbus. Councilor Henderson read the resolution into

the record. Manager Jim Morrison and the Columbus Catfish were not present to

receive the resolution. However, a copy will be forwarded to Manager Jim

Morrison and the Columbus Catfish Organization.



Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by

Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present for this meeting.

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CITY ATTORNEY'S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING FIVE ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND

READING:__________________________________



An Ordinance (07-66) ? Rezoning properties located at 4505 Buena Vista

Road from an SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) District to GC (General

Commercial) District. The proposed use is a bank branch. Councilor Henderson

asked to abstain from voting on this issue. Councilor McDaniel moved the

adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pugh and carried

unanimously by those nine members of Council voting at the time, with Councilor

Henderson abstaining.

Councilor McDaniel made the motion to allow Councilor Henderson to abstain.

Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously.



An Ordinance (07-67) ? Rezoning property located at 4640 Warm Springs Road

from an NC (Neighborhood Commercial) District to a GC (General Commercial)

District. The proposed use is convenience store with gas sales. Councilor Davis

moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pugh and carried

unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.



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An Ordinance (07-68) ? Rezoning property located at 8301 Veterans Parkway

from an SFR1 (Single Family Residential 1) District to a GC (General

Commercial) District. (39-A-07-Woodruff Brokerage Company) The proposed use is

retail. Councilor Davis moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Mayor

Pro Tem Pugh and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present

for this meeting.



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An Ordinance (07-69) ? Amending the text to the Unified Development

Ordinance to amend the composition of the Planning Advisory Commission from

seven (7) voting members and two (2) alternate members to nine (9) voting

members and no alternates. (42-A-07-Planning). Councilor Davis moved the

adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pugh and carried

unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.



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At this time Councilor Baker asked to be abstain from voting on Item

Number five (Ordinance No. 07-70). Councilor Henderson made a motion to allow

Councilor Baker to abstain. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried

unanimously by those nine members of Council voting at the time.



An Ordinance (07-70) ? Authorizing an amendment of the current retiree

health

plan contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, establishing a cost

sharing formula and for other purposes. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption

of the ordinance. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pugh and carried unanimously by

those nine members of Council voting with Councilor Baker abstaining from this

vote.



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An Ordinance (07-71) ? Amending the ?Official Street Map, City of

Columbus, Georgia,? by changing the official street name for the section of

public roadway currently designated as Midland Avenue to ?Ashley Station

Boulevard,? to be one street name consistent with the length of roadway;

authorizing the replacement of existing street name signs labeled as Midland

Avenue to Ashley Station Boulevard. Councilor Davis moved the adoption of the

ordinance. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pugh and carried unanimously by those ten

members of Council present for this meeting.



With the passage of these Ordinances, City Attorney Fay asked Councilor

Woodson if she would like to address the special exception matter.

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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



Councilor Woodson said her concern with respect to the Special Exception

matter is for 2nd Avenue. She said there was a meeting between the community

and our staff further informs her that they (community) would like a delay (of

six months) in this matter so they can go back and work with the neighborhood

and community and be able to find a happy agreement or median. She then called

on Mr. Larry Bassey to address the Council.



Mr. Larry Bussey said he is here about a special exception use for 600 2nd

Avenue. There were some opposition from the Historic District and Columbus

Historic Foundation. He said he has since met with those two groups and he

would like to ask for a postponement of this matter so we will have time to

work out a solution that is acceptable to all parties.



Councilor Woodson then made a motion to delay this matter. Seconded by

Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present for this meeting.



Councilor Anthony said he would like to publicly commend Mr. Bussey for

his efforts to work out a compromise with that neighborhood.

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NOTE: The Clerk of Council?s Agenda is continued below.



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CITY ATTORNEY AGENDA CONTINUE:



THE FOLLOWING SIX RESOLUTIONS EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THOSE EMPLOYEES

WHO RECENTLY RETIRED FROM THE SERVICES OF THE COLUMBUS CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT

WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: ___________



A Resolution (434-07) ? Expressing appreciation to Mr. Samuel J. Gartman

upon his retirement with the Columbus Water Works, after 20 years of service.

Mayor Pro Tem Pugh read the resolution into record. Mayor Pro Tem moved the

adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried

unanimously by those ten members or Council present for this meeting.



A Resolution (435-07) ? Expressing appreciation to Mrs. Patricia L. Hooper

upon her retirement with the Clerk of Superior Court, after 22 years of

service. Mayor Pro Tem Pugh read the resolution into record and moved the

adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried

unanimously by those ten members or Council present for this meeting.



A Resolution (436-07) ? Expressing appreciation to Mr. Solomon Williams

upon his retirement with the Public Service (ROWM) Department, after 19 years

of service. Mayor Pro Tem Pugh read the resolution into record and moved the

adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried

unanimously by those ten members or Council present for this meeting.



A Resolution (437-07) ? Expressing appreciation to Mrs. Diane G.

Scrimpshire

upon her retirement with the Elections & Registration Department, after 21

years of service. Mayor Pro Tem Pugh read the resolution into record and moved

the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried

unanimously by those ten members or Council present for this meeting.



A Resolution (438-07) ? Expressing appreciation to Mr. Roman C. Smith upon

his retirement with the METRA Operations Department, after 25 years of service.

Mayor Pro Tem Pugh read the resolution into record and moved the adoption of

the resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those

ten members or Council present for this meeting.



A Resolution (439-07) ? Expressing appreciation to Mr. Michael L. Reed

upon his retirement with the Columbus Water Works, after 45 years of service.

Mayor Pro Tem Pugh read the resolution into record and moved the adoption of

the resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those

ten members or Council present for this meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF

THOSE FORMER EMPLOYEES WHO RECENTLY PASSED AWAY WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR

CAPTIONS READ AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:

________________________________________________________



A Resolution (440-07) ? Conveying condolences to the family of Mrs.

Mildred B. Land, employee with the Finance and Revenue Department, who passed

away on August 14, 2007. Mayor Pro Tem Pugh read the resolution into record and

moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

carried unanimously by those ten members or Council present for this meeting.



A Resolution (441-07) ? Conveying condolences to the family of Mrs. Edith

T. Caudle, employees with the Tax Commissioner?s Department, who passed away on

August 20, 2007. Mayor Pro Tem Pugh read the resolution into record and moved

the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried

unanimously by those ten members or Council present for this meeting.

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



The following three persons appeared on the Public Agenda and provided is

a summary of each person?s comments:



Mr. Lorenza Wilder: Speeding in the School zones and neighborhood. H read

an article in the Sunday newspaper concerning speeding in the school zone. This

morning as I came down here I can still see motorists speeding in the school

zones and the community. I do not know what it takes for this issue to be

corrected, but others in the neighborhood are planning to take action. We will

be going door to door trying to get a petition. I realize that police cannot be

everywhere but the city should invest some money to slow down these speeders

before they take someone?s life. No amount of money is more important that a

child. He commends the Mayor and Council for the outstanding job they are

doing, but said we have to do more to protect our children especially in the

school zones and neighborhood.



Mr. Bert Coker: 5815 Ventura Drive ? Two positive things to say to the

Council this morning: (1) Thank you for the education forum on the TADS, was

very informative (2) Thank you for reminding us that we do have legal

immigrants here in Columbus, GA. We saw them today and are very proud of them.

He said he

would like to present an article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution ? the

article is about the TAD. After reading an excerpt from the article, Mr. Coker

asked the Council and citizens to vote ?NO? on TAD and further stated that we

do not need them (TAD) in Columbus, GA.



Mr. Paul Olsen: TAD to me means tax and deceive. Showed a referendum on

the ballot that show it have to be approved which authorize the Consolidated

Government of Columbus Georgia to exercise the redevelopment powers under the

redevelopment powers law as it may be amended from time to time. This does not

say anything about TAD; however, in the legal publication it has to be required

to be printed two consecutive weeks prior to the election. In section one it

says there are tax allocation bonds and other obligations such as municipal

bonds. It is my wish that this information be made available to the

constituents so they can see what it is that they are voting for. I have no

problems when it comes to revenue bonds. My problem is with municipal bonds

because it affects every one of us and if it goes sour, this will take money

away from the general operating fund.

The other thing that in this referendum ballot question it says it may be

amended from time to time ? this means that the law can be changed. This gives

City Council and redevelopment agency a blank check. I had a discussion with

Midtown Inc, Rise and Shine, and other personnel about the Downtown Development

Authority and how they come to have eminent domain. Teresa Tomlinson claimed

that it was fifteen years since they repealed it, but I disagree because the

Total System Campus also did eminent domain (and I don?t know if it was the

city or downtown development authority), but that puts ?mom and pop? businesses

in jeopardy. The power of eminent domain bothers me because it can be repealed

or re-enacted. The other thing that bothers me is that it was orchestrated by

this City Council to have the election on November 6, - the only issue that

sat on the ballot and cost the city $85,000. Whenever you show a desperate

situation, where things has to hurry up and get done, people are not educated,

it make them nervous about what you are trying to get across to the people.



Councilor Allen: Question to the City Attorney ? It was mentioned that the way

question was worded that it says the law may be changed ? that law cannot be

changed by Council, is that correct? Yes. That a State Law that we operate

under- as long as it stays the way it is (City Attorney Fay)

Councilor Allen: If the State changes that law and we pass the referendum the

way it is worded do we fall under any changes that come along with that State

Law?

City Attorney Fay: Yes. If the law is amended at the State level, it allows

governments that have TAD in their jurisdiction to use it for another purpose.

All that means is that from time to time they may add another specific purpose

in the law or they may correct something else they feel can be taken out. The

last amendment on this thing took place in 2006. Every 2 to 3 years you will

see a small amendment in the General Assembly to add another purpose or to take

something out.

Councilor Allen: Help me too on the other point that was mentioned regarding the

November ballot and a rush to get this through and the desperate attempt on the

City?s part. Weren?t there a push by someone in the community to hold this

referendum in September and the Council?s wisdom to allow more discussion and

education, it was then moved to November? Isn?t that correct.

City Attorney Fay: Yes I do recall that. Council wanted more discussion.

Councilor Hunter: In regards to the security for these bonds, the full faith

and credit of this City is not going to be behind the bonds. The bonds are

going to be secured by the incremental increase in the tax money generated from

the Tax Allocation District (TAD). If you look at Georgia Code 3644-14C, it

speaks to that. Also if you look at 3644-20 it also speaks further to it.

After a few more minutes of comments about TAD and a trip by Council to Florida

from Mr. Paul Olson, the members of the Council responded.

Mayor Wetherington: In my opinion, I think this was a very productive trip. We

had about one hundred business people at this chamber-sponsored event. We were

up every morning at 7:00 A.M. on the bus going to look at various projects in

Tampa. We got back to the hotel at 9:30 P.M. It was a working session. We

looked at all aspects of the things that are going on in Tampa. I think it was

a good visit. It was good for us. Obviously there are going to be people that

will criticize us for going. You (Paul Olson) always point out the negative

that is going on in this government. There is a lot that is going on (in this

government) that is right. I support this trip. In Tampa, it is not called

TADs, but it?s the same type of project. We looked at undeveloped areas that

were just sitting there and now they are productive. We are not going to

benefit from TAD right away. It is going to take time for the taxes to come in

to pay off the bonds. Your children and grandchildren will benefit from these

progressive projects. You and the public can criticize us for going, but if you

just sit back and are not aggressive we will not be progressive and we are

going to be a sleepy little town the rest of our lives. But some of us in

Columbus wants what?s best for Columbus Georgia. I?ve gone on record about TAD

(I think long and hard before I go on record) and I think it is a good project

and I think it will be good for the citizen of Columbus Georgia in the years to

come when the bonds are paid off and you start to see life and light in some of

these blighted areas. I don?t apologize for going to Tampa. This Council and

this government are operating very efficiently. Have we made mistakes? Yes.

Will we continue to make mistakes? Yes, we are but give us a chance to be a

progressive city.

Mayor Pro Tem Pugh: This is not to Mr. Olson, but rather to the public. When

people come down here week after week and criticize everything we do, sometimes

you have to look at the messenger. Also when you stand up and say that Council

members are profiting or taking money from big companies, you need to be very

careful because you are threading on a very legal ground. I don?t care what

contribution I take (Mr. Paul Olson) it does not dictate how I vote on a

subject. And you can read anything you want to read into it.

Councilor Allen: I?d like to ask the City Attorney and City Manager?s Office if

they want to comment. I think it was mentioned that taxation without

representation was what is going to be cause if the TAD passed. Could you all

(City Attorney and City Manager) walk through the tax implications and who pays

the tax once the TAD is passed on a piece of property. Could that be explained

to the public since we have someone here who is against the TAD?

Deputy City Manager Arrington: The individual property owner pays the tax

within a TAD. The only thing that distinguishes it from any taxpayer is how the

tax is allocated. A base amount is set when the TAD is created. That base

amount would continue to go to the general fund. Any appreciation and assessed

value of that property, the tax on the increase value would then go to a

special fund that can then be used to fund projects within a TAD. The taxpayer

of the property within the TAD would continue to pay the same tax that they

would otherwise pay based on the assessed value of the property. Once the bonds

are paid off, that increased value and the increase tax generated from the

value of that property would then go into the general fund instead of the

increase increment going to a special fund it would then into the general fund

to help fund city services. The majority of the property tax goes to the school

district.

Councilor Allen: Before any project is authorized for a TAD area there is

going to have multiple public hearings. There are several players in this not

just the City Council body.

Mayor Wetherington: Another committee will be appointed if the voter passed it

and that committee will make recommendations to Council and the Council would

vote on it, as to whether to create that development project or not.

City Attorney Fay: There will be one or more (probably more) public hearings

before Council approves any specific TAD project.

Councilor Allen: Help me understand how this is going to be a negative for the

taxpayers of Columbus. Clarify for me as a taxpayer, am I going to have to pay

taxes on a TAD or are my taxes going to go up or am I going to pay more to help

a TAD development project?

City Attorney Fay: No sir. It goes back to what Councilor Hunter was saying

about the bondholders are going to bear the risk for the different projects.

Not the individual taxpayers in a particular district. The bondholders are

anyone who purchases these tax allocation bonds once they go to market.

Mayor Pro Tem Pugh: One of the answers, Mr. City Attorney to Councilor Allen

question should also include the only way it would cause an increase to him as

a taxpayer is if he owns a piece of property or if he is doing development in

that blighted area. I think one of the things the public has to understand is

that TADs are only applicable to blighted area. The whole community has to vote

on whether or not this City Council can have a TAD and go out and find areas

that do need redevelopment. I would hope that once the vote is passed in

November that we do look at those types of areas and help bring them up so that

those individuals that live in those areas can have the same quality of life

that the rest of us have that live in un-blighted areas.

Mayor Wetherington: We saw many opportunities where that was the case in Tampa.

Where they put condominiums in blighted area. There was productive and the

folks in Tampa had so much positive things to say about the efforts that they

were making in these blighted area. Now they are productive and taxes are being

paid. It was refreshing to see the changes that had come about (by TADs) in

Tampa.

Councilor Anthony: I was one of those several years ago that were skeptical of

the TIPS (as they are known in other states). But what I have discovered is

that in the improvement of blighted, instead of the whole tax base of the

County being responsible for improving that area this is shifted to those who

actually come in, do the development and they bear the burden and pay the extra

taxes. It really is a lifesaver for the rest of the city and all the other

taxpayers. It is a win-win for everyone.

Councilor Hunter: I appreciated what Mayor Pro Tem just said and for some they

may say it?s altruistic. If you are not supporting this for altruistic reasons,

then think about monetary reasons. If you look at the big picture, once you

have an area that is build out and developed, as has been said, all those

monies come back to the general fund. Our biggest challenge, as we go forward,

if we are going to keep the freeze on our homes, we have to find creative ways

to bring income in so we can provide the protection people want and a good

quality of life in this community. This is one of the tools that will be

available to help us do that.

Mr. Paul Olson: To address what Councilor Allen had to say, it?s only required

in law one public hearing ? that public hearing is here in the City Council ?

not a public forum but a public hearing ? it is on a Tuesday and we find out

about it in the Sunday newspaper. Unlike the sunshine laws - and I?ve talk to

Ms. Tiny Washington, Clerk of Council, about it in the past ? through the City

Charter, you are only required to have two City Council meetings per month. The

Sunshine Law says you should let your constituents know two weeks in advance.

This is always blind-sided that on Sunday is when you know what?s on the agenda

for next Tuesday meeting. The other thing is that when it comes to Senate Bill

225 which Senator Seth Harp push and voted on in the House of Senate and vetoed

by the Governor and that was to disallow the school board from having any input

into it. It was lobbied by this City Council in December 2006 for this to go up

to the legislature. After more comments and request for answers from Mr. Olson,

he presented an article from the Georgia Trend in which Mayor Pro Tem was

interviewed.

Councilor Davis: In regards to some of the comments Mr. Olson made about the

ballots ? the question to me would be whether or not the citizens had direct

access to the law? The referendum, the question the citizens are going to be

asked to vote on is based on the law. Is this law easily assessable to the

citizens?

Deputy City Manager Arrington: Mr. Mayor, we put a link to the law on the City

Website to provide the citizens with access to the law itself.

City Attorney Fay: It is also on the CSU Website (the link).

Councilor Davis: Could we use our access channel to put this link where they

can go ? to make it a bit easier where citizens can have access because it is

important that the citizens understand the question they are being asked to

vote on.

Deputy City Manager Arrington: Mr. Mayor we can do that and I would like to

also remind the public that the final two educational forums presented by CSU

on the ballot question for TAD will be held this coming Thursday, October 11,

2007 at 6:00 P.M and also Monday, October 15, 2007 at 6:00 P.M at Midland

Middle School. Those will be the final two public forums on the TAD issue.

Councilor Henderson: I think to some degree we should be grateful to Mr.

Olson?s presence here today to clear up some misconception about the TAD. The

TAD is nothing more than another option for this city to engage in other ways

of looks for other means to improve and find other ways to provide for the

future needs of the city. And also in regards to the article on Mayor Pro Tem

Pugh? I want to personally congratulate her on that article and I hope that

some day the worst thing someone can say about me is that I used my influence

to eradicate substandard housing.

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HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH:



Councilor Woodson said Ms. Christina Richards (of Echo Latino) and the rest

of the delegation from the Latino Community has made it into the Council

Meeting and I would like for them to step forward and be recognized as part of

the Latino Community and Hispanic Heritage Month.



Ms. Christina Richards, Community Development Officer with Columbus Bank &

Trust and also the Hispanic Heritage Chairperson for the Hispanic Heritage

Month Committee said on tomorrow we are having our second Hispanic breakfast

celebrating the Hispanic Heritage and I would like for you (Council) give us

the honor of your presence. The Breakfast will be at the Columbus Trade Center

starting at 7:15 A.M, and our keynote speaker will be Mr. Don Amos, chairman of

AFLAC. We will also be presenting the first Amos Award to an individual or

organization that is working to provide for the Hispanic Community.



Councilor Woodson said Mr. Mayor, invitations were sent and I am not sure

where they were distributed to but I have requested that another invitation be

sent via fax to this Council through the Clerk of Council?s Office. I would ask

that if any of my colleagues are able to make this breakfast to please do so

and if not please put it in their calendar for next year.

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CITY MANAGERS? AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND DELAYED BY THE COUNCIL AT THE

REQUEST OF DEPUTY CITY MANAGER ARRINGTON:



A Resolution ? Accepting a deed to Gaines Creek Drive and Green Island

Drive Cul-De-Sac, on behalf of Columbus, Georgia. Deputy City Manager Arrington

asked for a delay on this issue to allow more time for meeting with residents

in this area.



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THE FOLLOWING FOUR PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED WITH THE

CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY DEPUTY CITY MANAGER

ARRINGTON AND ADOPTED BY COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION

MADE BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL. SECONDED BE COUNCILOR ALLEN AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT AT THE TIME, WITH COUNCILOR ANTHONY

BEING ABSENT FOR THIS

VOTE:





A Resolution (422-07) ? Authorizing the annual contract for maintenance

services for security surveillance system from GC&E Systems Group. The vendor

will maintain the surveillance systems, utilized at the Government Center

Complex and County Jail, on an ?as needed basis?. The City currently has Pelco

equipment installed, and the Contractor must be familiar with and authorized to

perform service and maintenance on Pelco surveillance equipment.



A Resolution (443-07) ? Authorizing the approval of a renewal agreement

with

Georgia Municipal Association in the amount of $11,664.64 for

tele-communication Management Services. The renewal agreement is for one year,

effective May 1, 2007? December 31, 2007. In the past years the

telecommunications industry has undergone major changes that have important

repercussions on local governments, particularly the manner in which public

right-of-ways can be utilized and managed and the entrance of new vendors

providing services. The City has realized that because of new technologies,

deregulation and the Telecommunications Act of 1996, specialized expertise was

required if it was to retain control over zoning, management of public

right-of-ways and franchise fee revenue, and entered into an agreement with the

Georgia Municipal Association to provide telecommunications management services.



A Resolution (444-07) ? Authorizing the purchase of thirty-eight (38)

tasers, as well as, taser holsters, and taser cartridges from DGG Taser, Inc.,

(Jacksonville, FL) in the amount of $40,062.00. The Police Department will use

the tasers as an additional tool in the Less Lethal Program. Officers will

have an option available that could prevent the necessity for ?deadly force,?

thereby possibly preventing serious injury to an officer, or a citizen taken

into custody. Taser International is the manufacturer of the less lethal

Taser. The authorized distributor for public safety entities in Georgia is DGG

Taser, Inc. Therefore this purchase is considered an only know source

procurement, per the Procurement Ordinance, Section 3-114.



A Resolution (445-07) ? Authorizing the approval of the purchase of one

(1) four door sedan, via Georgia State Contract, SWC S-050483, from Bill Heard

Chevrolet, (Columbus, GA) in the amount of $14,860.00.

The sedan is an additional unit that will be used by the new Public Services

Deputy Director of Operations in the performance of duties.

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CLERK OF COUNCIL AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS SUBMITTED AS INFORMATION TO THE MAYOR & COUNCIL BY

CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON:



A Biographical Sketch of Mr. Scott Allen, nominee submitted by Uptown

Business Association to replace Mr. Neil Clark on the Uptown Fa?ade Board.



Mayor Pro Tem Pugh moved Mr. Scott Allen be confirmed to succeed Mr. Neil

Clark. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those eight

members of Council present at the time with Councilors Woodson and Anthony

being absent for this vote.



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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. 37-07.

Family & Children Services Board, September 26, 2007.



Councilor McDaniel made a motion that the minutes be received. Seconded

by Mayor Pro Tem Pugh and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present at the time, with Councilors Woodson and Anthony being absent for this

vote.



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ADD-ON:



Temporary Street closing application for Rev. Dr. Edwin Cooper, Jr., to

temporarily close Leonard Street between Wildwood Avenue and Forest Avenue on

Sunday, October 14, 2007 from 12:30 p.m. ? 7:30 p.m., in connection with St.

Paul United Methodist Church?s Fall Festival. Councilor Henderson moved the

approval of the application. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried

unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the time, with

Councilor Woodson and Anthony being absent for this vote.



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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



UPTOWN FA?ADE BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the seat of Mr. Kelvin Welch

on the Uptown Fa?ade Board was declared vacant by this Council and pointed out

that

Uptown Columbus Inc. has submitted for consideration Mr. Scott Allen to replace

Mr. Neil Clark and Mr. David Wolf as the nominee to replace Mr. Kelvin Welch.

Councilor Allen moved they be confirmed. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and

carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the time, with

Councilors Woodson and Anthony being absent for this vote.

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OTHER COMMENTS AND REQUESTS FROM COUNCIL:



EFFINGHAM WAY:



Councilor Davis asked the Deputy City Manager Arrington for a report on

the situation at Effingham Way. Received telephone calls from people that are

really upset about the construction that had begun on the road. Would like a

report on the status of the construction process in this particular area.



Deputy City Manager Arrington said we will certainly get that report to

you and we will also communicate with the citizens out there. We have an email

group that we have been communicating with throughout this project. We will

also communicate to the status on that project and the work to be done to the

email group.



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HARDAWAY HIGH SCHOOL:



Councilor Baker said he would like to thank Ms. Thompson?s 9th Grade

Social Studies class at Hardaway High School. They invited Councilor Allen and

myself out last week (after the City Council meeting) to meet with them as a

class project. They had a lot of great questions and some of them are on our

Youth Advisory Council ? so they are already taking an active role in our

government. I appreciate the invitation to go out and meet with them.



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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Mayor Pro

Tem Pugh then made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried

unanimously by those eight members of Council present for this meeting with the

time being 10:15 A.M., with Councilors Anthony and Woodson being absent for

this vote.



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Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia

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