MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
JANUARY 7, 2014
The regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called to
order at 5:33 P.M., Tuesday, January 7, 2014, 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, Jerry ?Pops? Barnes, Mike Baker, Glenn
Davis, Berry Henderson, Charles E. McDaniel, Jr. and Judy W. Thomas. Councilor
Bruce Huff arrived at 5:39 p.m. Councilor Evelyn Woodson arrived at 5:49 p.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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COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS: Mayor Tomlinson thanked the Emergency Management
employees and the Director Mr. Riley Land for assuring that the roads are safe
and assisting those that are most in need to have safe housing. She provided a
list of resources that are available to the homeless and others that are
housing insecure. She also reminded everyone to take precaution with outdoor
pets.
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AUBURN TIGERS: Mayor Tomlinson congratulated the Auburn University Tigers on
their good season and commented on the football game and their efforts.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Rev. Ralph Huling- Pastor of St. James Baptist Church.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Tomlinson.
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MAYOR?S AGENDA:
PROCLAMATION:
With members of the Mayor?s Commission on Unity, Diversity and Prosperity
standing before the members of Council, Mayor Tomlinson read her proclamation
in its entirety proclaiming the month of January 2014 as Unity Month in
Columbus, Georgia.
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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS:
Mayor Tomlinson announced the ?MLK Fun Run? that would take place on
Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and sponsored by the Courier-Eco Latino
Newspaper. Also, there would be a health screening at the A. J. McClung YMCA.
She also announced that the city would be hosting ?The Dream Lives
Festival? sponsored by the Mayor?s Commission on Unity, Diversity and
Prosperity to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., starting at
noon, on January 18, 2014. Also, there would be a service at Metropolitan
Baptist Church, on Monday, January 20, 2014, located on 5th Avenue starting at
noon and Rev. Crocker is inviting everyone to join them in this annual event.
The newspaper would be covering some other events that have not been mentioned.
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WITH GLORIA WESTON-SMART AND HER SUPPORTERS STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE,
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND
ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:
A Resolution (1-14) ? Commending Gloria Weston-Smart, Executive Director
of Keep Columbus Beautiful, upon being named as the Executive Director of the
Year by the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation. Councilor Henderson moved its
adoption. Seconded by Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by those nine
members present with Councilor Allen being absent for the vote.
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THE FOLLOWING ELEVEN RESOLUTIONS EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO RETIREES WERE
SUBMITTED AND THE CAPTIONS READ FOR EACH BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH WERE
ADOPTED UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILOR WOODSON AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE EIGHT MEMBERS PRESENT WITH
COUNCILORS ALLEN AND HUFF BEING ABSENT FOR THE
VOTE:
A Resolution (2-14) - Expressing appreciation to Honorable John D. Allen
upon his retirement with Superior Court after 27 years of service.
A Resolution (3-14) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Henry L. Brooks, upon
his retirement with the Parks & Recreation/Parks Services Division after 36
years of service.
A Resolution (4-14) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Donald R. Elmore,
upon his retirement with the Public Works/Facilities Maintenance Division after
over 21 years of service.
A Resolution (5-14) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Roger D. Gore, upon
his retirement with the Engineering/Traffic Division after 6 years of service.
A Resolution (6-14) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Ronnie J. Griffin,
upon his retirement with the Columbus Police Department after over 43 years of
service.
A Resolution (7-14) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Vincent Lockhart,
Sr., upon his retirement with the Columbus Police Department after over 26
years of service.
A Resolution (8-14) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Frank N. Massa III,
upon his retirement with the Columbus Police Department after 34 years of
service.
A Resolution (9-14) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Robert M. Oliver,
upon his retirement with the Columbus Police Department after over 29 years of
service.
A Resolution (10-14) - Expressing appreciation to Ms. Lenora M. Smith,
upon her retirement with the Community Reinvestment Department after over 18
years of service.
A Resolution (11-14) - Expressing appreciation to Mrs. Betty J. Hobbs,
upon her retirement with the Parks & Recreation/Parks Services Division after
28 years of service.
A Resolution (12-14) - Expressing appreciation to Mr. Lee R. Spencer, upon
his retirement with the Fire and EMS Department after 29 years of service.
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THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTIONS EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES WERE SUBMITTED AND
THE CAPTIONS READ FOR EACH BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH WERE ADOPTED UPON A
SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR
WOODSON AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE EIGHT MEMBERS PRESENT WITH COUNCILORS
ALLEN AND HUFF BEING ABSENT FOR THE VOTE:
A Resolution (13-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Jackey
L. Long, employee with the Columbus Police Department who passed away on July
8, 2013.
A Resolution (14-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Thomas
?Keith? Slay, employee with the Columbus Police Department who passed away on
July 30, 2013.
A Resolution (15-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Vincent
G. Pasko, employee with the Columbus Police Department who passed away on
August 26, 2013.
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THE FOLLOWING FOURTEEN RESOLUTIONS ALSO EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES WERE
SUBMITTED AS LISTED WITH MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH READING THE CAPTIONS FOR
EACH WERE THEN ADOPTED UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH
AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS
PRESENT WITH COUNCILOR HUFF BEING ABSENT FOR THE VOTE:
A Resolution (16-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Orvel
?Lynn? Joiner, former employee with the Columbus Police Department who passed
away on September 20, 2013.
A Resolution (17-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Moses
Robinson Jr., former employee with the Public Works Department who passed away
on September 15, 2013.
A Resolution (18-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Herbert
L. Kirkland, former employee with the Columbus Police Department who passed
away on September 26, 2013.
A Resolution (19-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Willard
W. Ivey, former employee with the Muscogee County Prison passed away on October
13, 2013.
A Resolution (20-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Richard
W. Kjos, former employee with the Columbus Police Department who passed away on
October 14, 2013.
A Resolution (21-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Rabon W.
Loftin, former employee with the Fire Department who passed away on September
25, 2013.
A Resolution (22-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Elba
Workman, former employee with the Public Works Department who passed away on
October 5, 2013.
A Resolution (23-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Luther
O. Miller, former employee with the Public Works Department who passed away on
October 20, 2013.
A Resolution (24-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mrs. Bobbie
J. Bell, former employee with the Information Technology Department who passed
away on September 30, 2013.
A Resolution (25-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mrs. Edith
M. Claiborne, former employee with the Muscogee County Sheriff?s Department who
passed away on November 2, 2013.
A Resolution (26-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. William
E. Ash, former employee with the Muscogee County Prison who passed away on
November 11, 2013.
A Resolution (27-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Ms. Gloria
J. Bigham, former employee with the Elections & Registration Department who
passed away on November 17, 2013.
A Resolution (28-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Jesse
Mitchell III, former employee with the Bull Creek Golf Course who passed away
on December 7, 2013.
A Resolution (29-14) - Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Jeffery
L. Myers, former employee with the Columbus Police Department who passed away
on December 8, 2013.
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COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ANNUAL REPORT:
City Manager Hugley noted that Ms. Jennifer Davidson with the Cooperative
Extension Office passed around the Council table the Cooperative Extension
Annual Report.
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THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY
MANAGER HUGLEY AND APPROVED BY THE
COUNIL:
A Resolution (30-14) - Authorizing the acceptance of donations of the
?Dream ?Lives?, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Event. Councilor
Henderson moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Baker and carried
unanimously by those ten members present. (Councilor Huff was absent for the
vote but upon returning to his seat requested that his vote be cast in the
affirmative.)
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND APPROVED BY THE COUNIL:
A Resolution (31-14) - Authorizing the hiring of a new employee above the
Step ?C? of the Pay Grade 23 for the Chief Deputy in the Marshal?s Office.
Councilor Barnes moved its adoption. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried
unanimously by those ten members present. (Councilor Huff was absent for the
vote but upon returning to his seat requested that his vote be cast in the
affirmative.)
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CCG HEALTHCARE DISCUSSION:
City Manager Hugley advised that this is the first of three meetings on
the healthcare discussion. The next meetings are as follows: January 21, 2014
at 5:30 p.m. and January 28, 2014 at 5:30 p.m.
Finance Director Pam Hodge came forward to offer a power point
presentation on the previous revenue trends, the components that impact the
revenue stream, as well as, the healthcare fund. She spoke of the slow growth
of the digest and the decline of sales tax. She noted that since FY08 the
city?s expenditures have exceeded the revenues for that year. She added that
although there was a conscience decision each budget cycle to use reserves to
supplement the budget process, the reserves can no longer be depleted any
further. The Council adopted the goal for fund balance of 90 days and a
minimum of 60 days.
Councilor Thomas asked about the calculation to include the fund balance
in the OLOST when it began in 2009 since it is only being presented in 2012,
2013 and 2014. Finance Director Hodge pointed out that she would include it in
the chart presented for the next meeting. She noted that there are funds
segregated for a purpose and cannot be co-mingled; there are fund restrictions
on every revenue that we collect.
She provided an estimation of the FY15 General Fund Projections that show
a $6.5 million deficit. She then outlined some steps that are being taken to
avoid job loss or an impact on services.
When Finance Director Hodge shared that 2/3 of employees will see either a
savings, no change or less than $1.50 impact to their bi-weekly pay check for
their premiums, Councilor Huff asked for the number of employees that represent
the 1/3 that would be impacted.
Councilor Thomas asked for the figure just for the healthcare fund deficit
instead of the entire deficit of $6.5 million.
Councilor Allen asked for some information on when the city would begin
realizing the savings for employees enrolling in the Health & Wellness Center.
Human Resources Director Reather Hollowell advised that we need operations for
at least a twelve months period to be able to determine the actual savings with
the opening date being May 1, 2013. She added that 533 employees are currently
enrolled and the proposal to realize a savings was projected for 1,200
employees to be enrolled.
DEPARTMENT HEAD PRESENTATIONS:
After the financial presentation, department heads came forward to discuss
the impact of further potential reductions to their budgets to include cuts in
personnel that would lead to cuts in programs and services. Some department
heads offered suggestions of cost saving measures and/or fee increases and are
listed below: Public Works Director- Pat Biegler, Department of Parks &
Recreation Director Dr. James Worsley.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh requested a report that shows how many vacant
positions that have been vacant for six months or more and the financial impact
of those positions.
Muscogee County Prison Warden Dwight Hamrick maintained that he would not
be able to make any additional cuts and made reference to equipment and other
items that need replacing at the Muscogee County Prison.
In conclusion, the remaining department heads listed to appear before the
members of Council approached the rostrum to discuss the impact of further
budget cuts and are listed as follows: Engineering Director Donna Newman,
Department of Fire & EMS Chief Jeff Meyers and Planning Department Director
Rick Jones.
EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK:
The following employees came forward to discuss their concerns with pay,
pose questions and provide input on the Health & Wellness Center and are listed
below:
Mr. Bill Thornton- Columbus Police Department, Ms. Wendy Thornton- Columbus
Police Department,
Human Resources Director Reather Hollowell was asked to come forward to
address specific concerns with the different healthcare plans and individual
experiences with transitioning to the Health & Wellness Center.
Councilor Woodson suggested enlarging the charts that display the current
and proposed healthcare plans for the employees to have a visual of the benefit
levels and active monthly employee contributions comparisons.
Mr. Randy Robertson- Representing the Fraternal Order of Police, made
reference to a report that was provided to the Council where employees
submitted suggestions on potential cost saving measures. He explained that
city employees recognize that healthcare cost are rising and they would have to
pay more. He then commented on the healthcare fund deficit. (A copy was
provided to be filed for the record.)
In conclusion, he encouraged the members of Council to read the report
that was submitted that contains recommendations from employees. Mayor
Tomlinson assured that a written response to the report would be provided. She
noted that the Administrations currently does have strategic planning and
priority budgeting within departments and is taken into consideration during
the budget process.
After some final comments by Mr. Robertson, Mayor Tomlinson also
encouraged employees to forward suggestions on how to reduce the city?s budget,
because cost benefits analysis are conducted on all recommendations.
Mayor Tomlinson explained that even with the four systemic deficit
problems on the table if they were all approved, it would only be $4.5 million
dollars with there being a $2 million shortfall; therefore, we have a long way
to go before we can assure the citizens there would not be jobs or services
impact.
Ms. Linda Lunsford- Workforce Investment Act, was the final employee to
approached the rostrum to speak. Human Resources Director Hollowell then
responded to the concern raised involving post 65-year-old employees or
dependents as it relates to the Health & Wellness Center. She briefly
explained that pre 65 retirees can use the Health & Wellness Center; however,
post 65 retirees are not able to be a patient at the Health & Wellness Center
due to the fully funded Medicare Advantage Plan; there are no savings to the
city in allowing retirees over the age of 65 years of age to have access to the
Health & Wellness Center.
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NOTE: Councilor McDaniel left the meeting during this portion of the
proceedings with the time being 8:15 p.m.
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Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked Human Resources Hollowell to provide a
response to if the retiree is 65 years of age or older but the spouse is not,
would the spouse be eligible to be a part of the Health & Wellness Center.
Councilor Thomas requested the post 65 retirees that visit the Health &
Wellness Center to have those retirees that have questions or concerns be
referred to the Human Resources Department.
After some additional discussions regarding the healthcare fund and the
cost involved, this matter was concluded.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mayor Tomlinson called attention to the earlier request to go into
executive session to discuss litigation. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved to go
into executive session to discuss a litigation matter. Seconded by Councilor
Woodson and carried unanimously by those eight members present with Councilors
Huff and McDaniel being absent for the vote.
At 8:52 p.m., the Council adjourned its regular meeting to go into
executive session to discuss litigation. At 8:57 p.m., the regular meeting was
reconvened and Mayor Tomlinson announced that the Council did meet in executive
session to discuss litigation, but no votes were taken.
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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Councilor
Barnes made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried
unanimously by those nine members present with Councilor McDaniel being absent
for the vote with the time being 8:57 p.m.
Sandra T. Davis, CDMC
Deputy Clerk of Council
Council of Columbus, Georgia
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