MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
FEBRUARY 6, 2007
The regular monthly night meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was
called to order at 5:30 P.M., Tuesday, February 6, 2007, on the Plaza Level of
the Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable W. J. ?Jim? Wetherngton,
Mayor, presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Wetherington were Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner
Pugh Councilors Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Jerry ?Pops? Barnes, Glenn Davis,
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
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ABSENT: Councilors R. Gary Allen and Berry H. Henderson were absent, but were
excused upon the adoption of Resolution Numbers 62-07, 63-07 respectively.
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INVOCATION: Led by Reverend Dr. Hal Brady, Pastor of St. Luke United Methodist
Church.
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PLEDGE: Led by Girl Scout Troop 385 from Spirit Filled Methodist Church.
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PROCLAMATIONS:
?EVELYN WRIGHT TURNER PUGH DAY?:
After Ms. Lula Huff appeared and gave a brief presentation of the Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority and explained what Delta Day is; she also pointed out
that they are here today to honor the service and contributions to the
community of one of their sorority sisters, Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner
Pugh. With Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh seated at the Council table, with
several members of her sorority sisters standing in the audience, Mayor
Wetherington then read his proclamation, proclaiming, today, February 6,
2007 as ?Evelyn Wright Turner Pugh Day? in Columbus, Georgia.
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?INDIVIDUAL EXCELLENCE AWARD?:
Councilor Turner Pugh read the proclamation recognizing Sergeant
Freeman Johnson of Muscogee County Prison, who has been selected to receive the
Individual Excellence Award, which recognizes employees who make consistent
contributions to the organization through outstanding job performance as viewed
by supervisors and managers, as well as set an example of outstanding quality
management teamwork and/or customer service.
P.E.E.R. AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Councilor Turner Pugh read the proclamation-recognizing Officer
Anthony Powell, Andrew Hudson, Susan Brown, Larry Pollard and Michael
King who has been selected to receive the P. E.E. R. Award, which
recognizes employees who make consistent contributions to the organization
through outstanding job performance as viewed by supervisors and
managers, as well as set an example of outstanding quality management
teamwork and/or customer service.
Councilor Turner Pugh then read the proclamation in its entirety,
proclaiming May 2, 2006 as a day named for each of those individuals named
above. She said she would like to say thank you to the employees and for them
to continue doing what they are doing.
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?NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK?:
With Dr. B. J. McBride standing at the Council table, Councilor Barnes
read the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming February 5 ? 9,
2007 as ?National School Counseling Week? in Columbus, Georgia.
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?DR. JAMES C. MOSLEY, JR., D.C. DAY?:
With the family of Dr. James C. Mosley, Jr., D.C. standing at the Council
table, Councilor Woodson read the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington,
proclaiming high honor and recognition to Dr. James C. Mosley for his
many years of dedication and service to his family and the Columbus
community.
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MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS: Minutes of the December 12 and 19, 2006 Council
Meetings of the Council of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia
were submitted and approved upon the adoption of a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem
Turner Pugh and seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those
eight members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen and
Henderson being absent from this meeting.
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CITY ATTORNEY'S AGENDA:
WITH THE FAMILY OF MR. JIM HUMES STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE
FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WAS
READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:_________________________________
A Resolution (51-07) ? Expressing condolences to the family of Columbus
Attorney, James E. Humes, II who died on January 8, 2007. Councilor McDaniel
moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Hunter and carried
unanimously by those eight members of Council present for this meeting, with
Councilors Allen and Henderson being absent from this meting.
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WITH MS. JUDY NAIL STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WAS
READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR ANTHONY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:
A Resolution (52-07) ? Commending and congratulating Ms. Judy Nail, upon
her retirement as Director of the Arts and Humanities Program for the Muscogee
County School District. Councilor Anthony moved the adoption of the
resolution. Seconded by Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those eight
members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen and
Henderson being absent from this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A
SINGLE MOTION MADE BY COUNCLOR WOODSON AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER
PUGH, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE EIGHT MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESNET FOR
THIS MEETING, WITH COUNCILORS ALLEN AND HENDERSON BEING ABSENT FROM THE
MEETING: ______________________________________________
An Ordinance (07-6) ? Rezoning property located at 1726 Elvan
Avenue is proposed for rezoning from SFR3 (Single Family Residential 3)
District to RMF2 (Residential Multi-Family 2) District. (77-D-06-Oney)
An Ordinance (07-7) ? Rezoning property located at 1655 and 1657
Elvan Avenue from SFR3 (Single Family Residential 3) District to GC (General
Commercial) District. (78-D-06-Oney)
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:_____________________________________________
An Ordinance ? Amending the budgets fro the fiscal year 2007, beginning
July 1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2007, for certain funds of the Consolidated
Government of Columbus, Georgia, appropriating amounts shown in each fund for
capital and other activities, and for other purposes.
City Manager Hugley said this is our usual mid-year budget, which normally
comes to the Mayor & Council in January of each year. He said the different
thing that you will see in this midyear budget that we have not had in previous
years would be that we did not include capital in the FY-07 budget that was
adopted and approved for July 1, 2006 ? June 30, 2007.
He said we told the Mayor & Council during the FY-07 budget process that
we would bring capital at mid-year and between July and the end of the calendar
year 2006, we informed you that the amount would around $3 million. He said we
have had two Council briefings that have been televised, where we have
explained in details, by every line item exactly what?s in the mid-year budget.
City Manager Hugley said the mid-year budget includes $2.9 million for
capital, $1,040,000 that would come out of the GMA Lease Pool program. He said
on the operating side, we are requesting $962,000, as we told you during the
Pre-Council briefings that we have new revenue of $1,261,000. $1 million came
in as a result of the SPLOST being, with that being more than we had projected.
He said we received $261,000.00 above and beyond what they had projected in
insurance premiums from the State. He said of the $1.2 million new money, we
are requesting that $962,000.00 additional operating funds be approved in this
budget.
He said we also told you that our healthcare costs came in at $1.4 million
above what we projected as the FY-06 budget ended. He said we had told you that
we would bring something to you at mid-year for our retirees; therefore, this
mid-year budget request includes a 3% pay increase for retirees, which is
approximately $200,000.00. He said the total amount of the mid-year budget
adjustment is $7.3 million and our budget would go from $195.5 million to
$202.9 million, which is approximately 3.7% increase.
City Manager Hugley said those individuals who would like to see copies
can go on line to the city?s website at: www.columbusga.org and review those
Pre-Council Briefings that covered the mid-year budget request in much details.
City Attorney Fay pointed out that this is a public hearing and then asked
if there was anyone who wanted to be heard on this mid-year budget request, but
there were no one who indicated that they wanted to be heard.
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RESOLUTION FOR LEMLUEL H. MILLER, JR.:
Councilor McDaniel asked City Attorney Fay to prepare a resolution from the
Council expressing condolences to the family of former Clerk of Council Lemuel
H. Miller, Jr., who recently passed away. (Columbus Council)
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION, NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA WAS SUBMITTED AND
EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND AFTER SOME DISCUSSOIN WAS ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL: ________________________________
A Resolution (53-07) ? Opposing the decision of the Georgia Public Service
Commission (PSC) in docket 21112-U and encouraging the PSC to reconsider its
actions; and for other purposes.
City Attorney Fay said Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh has sent around some more
information on this matter and said that GMA is asking us to participate in an
appeal of this decision. He said that is not in the resolution at this time,
but said we can add that, if the Council wants to participate in the appeal.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said as it relates to the appeal process, said
she distributed around the Council table, an email that she received from GMA
that explains in detail why they are appealing it. She said if the franchise
fee decision stays; then what this does is gives Georgia Power the authority to
add onto the local citizens bill an additional 3% for the franchise fee. She
said right now the way the franchise fee is done, it is included in your
electric bill; however, if it stays and is not overturned by the courts,
Georgia Power would be able to add an additional franchise fee percentage onto
the taxpayers? bill.
City Attorney Fay said the materials from GMA says that in a 3 ? 2 vote by
the Public Service Commission, Georgia Power would be able to increase utility
bills of city residents by 25 by 2009. He said if we want to participate in any
opposition now is the time to do it.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh then made a motion to amend the resolution to
include our participation in the appeal process. Seconded by Councilor Woodson
and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present for this
meeting.
Discussion continued on this resolution for some twelve minutes or more
with City Manager Hugley making comments regarding this subject, as well as
responding to some questions of members of the Council; after which Mayor Pro
Tem Turner Pugh then made a motion to adopt the resolution, as amended.
Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those eight members of
Council present for this meeting.
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SICK LEAVE:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said right now a the end of each year, all
unused sick leave, we pay city employees a certain percentage of that, and then
asked City Attorney Fay, how does the law read or what does it take into
consideration if any employee is retiring in November of that year and they
were not here December 31st what would happen to that sick leave they did not
use during the year. She asked if they would be paid for it like the other
employees.
City Manager Hugley said in terms of sick leave, if you are retired,
before that sick leave check comes out then the employee would not be paid that
sick leave pay.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh then asked if we have done any kind of study as
far as those employees who are retiring that year to look at the historical
figures to see which employees took more sick leave before retirement, and
whether or not it would be cheaper to pay them a certain amount at the end of
the year, even though they retired in October or November.
She said if they had retired December 31st then they would have gotten a
check, but if they retire one month before, then they would not get check, but
if you look at the number of sick leave days they took where it would benefit
the city more if we were to pay out instead of them taking a sick day.
City Manager Hugley said we could go back and look at who retired during
the course of the year and look at their sick leave usage leading up to
retirement to see if there has been more than they have used in years leading
to retirement and see if its out of the norm.
Councilor Woodson asked City Manager Hugley to let?s also look at
something whereby we can possibly pay them a certain percentage amount.
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PUBLIC AGENDA
MR. MILTON LOCKETT, PRESIDENT OF CAD, RE: THE
ORGANIZATION?S APPRECIATION TO THE CITY LEADERS
FOR SUPPORTING CAD (COLUMBUS AGAINST DRUGS):_______
Mr. Milton Lockett said many times, he hears people come down to this
Council and address them, but often times he thinks they are not putting in
prospective what you really do. He said as a group, they want to come down
here tonight to tell you how much we appreciate you and the support that
you have given to them over the years. He said when they first started out,
they don?t think that the people around, even the Council members didn?t
know that we were going to advance this far. He said on next month, will be
fifteen years that they have been fighting drugs and cleaning up the
community. He said at that time they had one group and it came into
existence because of the Council members sitting here today; especially
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh. He said it was here idea and vote that got
them their first monetary award that could actually go into the streets and
clean up their community and for that he appreciates it.
He said it was the Mayor, who at that time was the Chief of Police who
came down with them to assist them in getting this program started. He said
he thinks that a lot of people thought that they would be here for a few days
and then be gone.
Mr. Lockette thanked those many Council members who have assisted
them in the past and said they still need your support. He said we need all of
you to support us, and said we would like for you to attend some of their
meetings. He said when they have their planned camp out, he would like for
some of you to come out and see what they are doing.
He then introduced some of the leaders that help assist them in fighting
drugs and other criminal elements throughout our city, which includes CAD
(Carver Heights Against Drugs), DFOC (Drug Fighters of Columbus), South
Columbus Against Drugs, East Columbus Against Drugs, Winterfield On
the Move, HERD (Helping East Highland Rid Drugs), Liberty Gardens
Against Drugs, RID (Residents Against Illegal Drugs), and Teens Against
Violence & Drugs.
Mayor Wetherington thanked Mr. Lockett and the members of his group
for their efforts and what they have done to help assist us in our community.
Councilor Davis also thanked Mr. Lockett and his group and appreciates
what they do.
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RESOLUTION FOR COLUMBUS AGAINST DRUGS:
Councilor Woodson asked the City Attorney to prepare a resolution honoring
the 15 years of service to the community by the Columbus Against Drugs groups
for next month.
She said she would like for us to look and see if there is any way that we
can further assist the Columbus Against Drugs groups with support that is
needed for more officers from the different Public Safety Agencies to assist
them in their efforts.
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MR. PAUL OLSON, RE: CITY CHARTER, EXTERNAL
AUDITOR AND CIVIC CENTER CONTRACT:___________________
Mr. Paul Olson cancelled his scheduled appearance before the Council
tonight due to him being ill.
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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA
THE FOLLOWNIG RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AFTER SOME DISCUSSION: ________________________
A Resolution (54-07) ? Adopting the FY2008 Holiday schedule, which
includes a recommendation to add Columbus Day.
City Manager Hugley said you have before you a list of holidays for the
State of Georgia and some surrounding cities. He said on the list of holidays,
there is an option to add an additional holiday, and that day is Columbus
Day. He said back several months ago, Councilor Hunter had much to say
about why we should have Columbus Day in Columbus, Georgia as a
holiday. He said he didn?t want to ignore that and wanted to at least list it
for
your consideration. He said he wanted you to see what others are doing as
far as this holiday is concerned.
Several members of the Council expressed their views regarding this
resolution, with City Manager Hugley responding to questions of members
of the Council, after which Councilor Turner Pugh then made a motion to
approve the resolution, to include Columbus Day as a holiday for the
Columbus Consolidated Government. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel an
Carried by a vote of 7 to 1, with Councilor Davis voting no and all other
seven members of Council present voting yes.
DISCOVER COLUMBUS PARK:
Councilor Woodson said she would ask the City Manager to revisit a program
that was brought forth in 1996 or 1997 to the Parks & Recreation Department
with regards to a Discover Columbus Park, and let?s look at it again to try to
bring it to fruition.
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COLUMBUS DAY CELBRATION:
Councilor Turner Pugh said let?s get the Youth Advisory Council
involved in the Columbus Day celebration.
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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 MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BARNES, WHICH
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE EIGHT MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESNET FOR THIS MEETING,
WITH COUNCILORS ALLEN AND HENDERSON BEING ABSENT FROM THIS MEETING:______
A Resolution (55-07) ? Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to Almond
Woods Drive and Almond Woods Court located in Almond Woods Subdivision.
A Resolution (56-07) ? Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to that
portion of Ivy Ridge Drive and that portion of Granite Field Drive located in
Section Six Phase Two, Ivy Park.
A Resolution (57-07) ? Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to Kingsberry
Court, that portion of Kingsberry Lane, that portion of Acme Drive and that
portion of Rinehart Drive located in Section Four, Moonlake.
A Resolution (58-07) ? Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to Upland
Court and that portion of Upland Way located in West Addition to Pinewood.
A Resolution (59-07) ? Authorizing is the execution of a Quit Claim Deed
to Tiger Creek Development for street segments of Zenos Drive, Dirk Way and
Upland Way in exchange for new streets and right-of-ways in order to construct
Pinewood Subdivision.
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THE FOLLOWING TWO PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS,
HAVING BEEN INCLUDED IN THE CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA
WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE
ADOPTIOIN OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO
TEM TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BARNES,
WHICH CHARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE EIGHT
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING, WITH
COUCNILROS ALLEN AND HENDERSON BEING ABSENT FROM
THIS MEETING:______________________________________________
A Resolution (60-07) ? Authorizing the purchase of a service contract for
various types of engines from Associated Fuel System, Inc., and Jasper Engines
& Transmissions for the estimated annual contract value of $70,000.00. The
estimated contract value is based on the amount the department has budgeted for
engines. Engine repair and rebuild services are required for METRA Transit
System, and will be procured on an ?as needed? basis. The contract period
shall be for two years with the option to renew for three additional
twelve-month periods. Contract renewal is contingent upon the mutual agreement
of the Contractor, Georgia Department of Transportation and the City.
A Resolution (61-07) ? Authorizing the purchase of one (1) E-4 GEM
electric vehicle from Red Bug Motors (Jekyll Island), in the amount of
$16,612.00. The vehicle will be used by the Crime Prevention Unit of the
Columbus Police Department to demonstrate to citizens the effects of driving
under the influence.
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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHGINTON SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS AS INFORMATION
FOR THE MAYOR & COUNCIL:___________________________________________________
(1) ACCG?s Legislative Update Newsletter, Volume 17, Number 3.
(2) GMA?s 2007 Legislative Alert, No. 3, February 2, 2007.
(3) Biographical Sketch of Ms. Mary G. Walker, Councilor Barnes? nominee for a
seat on the Planning Advisory Commission.
(4) Biographical Sketch of Ms. Lucy Sheftall, Councilor Davis? nominee for a
seat on the Planning Advisory Commission.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Mark McCollum,
Secretary to the Community Development Advisory Council requesting that the
seat of Mr. Charles Gibbs be declared vacant due to lack of attendance.
Councilor McDaniel moved the seat be declared vacant. Seconded by Councilor
Woodson and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present for
this meeting.
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HISTORIC & ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Ms. Sandi Green
resigning from her position as the Board of Realtors representative on the
Board of Historic & Architectural Review Board.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the resignation be received with regrets
and thanks for her service. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried
unanimously by those eight members of Council present for this meeting.
Councilor McDaniel then nominated Ms. Barbara Pound to succeed Ms. Sandi
Green as the Board of Realtors representative. Clerk of Council Washington
said she would bring this back on next week for the Council?s confirmation.
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REQUEST TO WITHDRAW ZONING PETITION:
Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Mr. Nathan McGaan,
Brittland Properties, Inc., requesting to withdraw his rezoning application for
property located at 5150 Macon Road.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh made a motion to allow the petition to be
withdrawn. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those
eight 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:_______________________________
Board of Tax Assessors, No. 04-07.
Board of Health, November 22, 2006.
Community Development Advisory Council, January 23, 2007.
Employees? Pension Plan, Board of Trustees, January 3, 2007.
Family & Children Services, November 22, 2006.
Hospital Authority, November 28, 2006.
Trade Center Authority, December 7, 2006.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh made a motion to receive the minutes. Seconded
by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council
present for this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMTITED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE
MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON AND
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE EIGHT MEMBERS OF COUNCLI PRESNET FOR THIS
MEETING:_____________________
A Resolution (62-07) ? Excusing Councilor R. Gary Allen from the February
6, 2007 Council meeting.
A Resolution (63-07) ? Excusing Councilor Berry Henderson from the
February 6, 2007 Council meeting.
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PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington said she would bring this back on next week
for the Council to take a vote as Councilor Davis has asked that
Ms. Lucy Sheftall be nominated for this alternate seat on the Planning Advisory
Commission on tonight.
Councilor Davis then officially nominated Ms. Lucy Sheftall for this
alternate seat of Mr. Michael Eddings. He said she is a resident of Senatorial
District 15 and would like to serve on this board.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said she would like to ask the Councilors to
think about increasing the alternate members on the Planning Advisory Board.
She said right now we only have two alternate members and there are seven
regular members. She said if we could increase the alternate members to either
four or seven, which will be the same number of regular members. She said if
you could give her some feedback after the Council meeting and then we can get
the City Attorney to draw up the ordinance change for next week?s Council
meeting.
City Attorney Fay said if you want to go with that, that?s fine, but said
we will have to get it initiated in Planning and it will have to go through
PAC, the entire zoning process.
Councilor Woodson said that we could do seven members.
In response to a question of Councilor Baker, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh
said they added alternate members in the event that a regular member was not
present they would have enough individuals to carry out the work of the
Planning Advisory Commission. She said at one time, when we jus had the regular
board people didn?t show up for the meeting; therefore, they couldn?t carry on
the Planning Advisory Commission meeting, so we came up with an alternate. She
said when you have an alternate member from another district, you run into the
possibility of not having both senatorial districts and not necessarily having
a female on the board.
After discussion on this subject, it was determined that the alternate
members would be increased to seven members. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh then
requested City Attorney Fay to initiate whatever steps need to be taken for
this matter to go through the Planning process.
City Attorney Fay said they could get the ordinance started for an
amendment to the UDO to have seven alternate members.
Councilor Anthony said as they serve as alternate members they become
familiar with the process and have some history before they become actual
members; therefore, we can promote people with the succession planning process.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said when we appoint members or alternate
members; we need to make sure that we don?t stack the board with one job
occupation.
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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.
Mr. Owen Ditchfield, 1801 Dee Avenue then came forward and said he is very
excited about all the wonderful things happening in our community, but said
there is one thing that really irritates him and he is hoping that we can be
creative about fixing that problem; which is the unauthorized signs on city
rights-of-way.
He said the latest plaque has been Joe?s Towing, who also buys junk cars.
He said these signs are everywhere on the city?s rights-of-way all over town.
He said he still has two Mark Taylor signs up on Avondale Drive that no one has
picked up. He said that maybe we need to be creative and hire some retired
sergeant that owns a pickup truck and give him a contract to go out and pick up
these signs. He said every sign he picks up, he gets $10 and the City gets
$10. He said you could swear him in and give him some training to make sure
that doesn?t violate the rights-of-way and all the other conditions.
Mr. Ditchfield said this makes the city looks bad, especially as we start
getting more visitors for the Infantry Museum and all the other exciting things
that happen here. He said of course, you would have to make exceptions for
houses for sales and other things, even political signs, give them two weeks.
City Manager Hugley said we need to do a better job, but said some of
those putting signs out they know the system and said we have to change the
system. He said citizens know that our Special Enforcement personnel doesn?t
work on the weekend and they will go out on Friday and cover the city with
these signs because they know that they have the entire weekend, and then you
get into the next week.
He said what they have to do, is to give some of those employees time off
during the week, to allow them to work some weekends and no one will know when
they are going to be working on those weekends.
Therefore, we have to be creative as Mr. Ditchfield has indicated and do a
better job. He said if we can identify those people putting those signs on the
city rights-of-way, we have got to have something to enforce them especially if
they do it more than once. He said we need to look at ordinances and see how
we can work it in a different way, as well as be creative and work our
enforcement people on some weekends.
City Manager Hugley said he thinks the first approach for us is going to
be to change some work hours on a quarterly basis or every other week or so and
have someone work weekends, but said we will look at how we can do a better job
to see if we can improve on that.
Councilor McDaniel said we already have the ordinances on the books, but
said it is just a matter of having the people to enforce it. He said that is
the problem.
City Attorney Fay said as far as the enforcement is concerned, we have an
ordinance in place with the specific penalties, and said we are only authorized
to have certain penalties under law in Recorder?s Court. He said that is what
we have to live with and said they can be fined under the description of the
Recorder.
After continued discussion, City Manager Hugley said they are taking
advantage of us on the weekends mostly and said we have just got to find a way
to work on that.
Mayor Wetherington said he has noticed in riding around the city that on
the weekends, there are a lot of people out soliciting money in the middle of
the street and said he has asked Chief Boren to put a stop to that and he
thinks that he is doing that.
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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 Barnes and
carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present for this meeting
with the time being 7:00 p.m.
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Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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