MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
JUNE 9, 2009
The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called
to order at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, June 9, 2009, in the Council Chambers on the
Plaza Level of the Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable W. J.
Wetherington, Mayor, presiding.
*** *** ***
PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Wetherington and Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner
Pugh were Councilors, Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Jerry Barnes, Glenn Davis,
Berry Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., and Evelyn
Woodson. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of
Council Tiny B. Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also
present.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
ABSENT: Councilor R. Gary Allen was absent, but excused upon the adoption of
Resolution Number 224-09.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
INVOCATION: Offered by Dr. Rolesta Ellis Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle of
Faith.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
PLEDGE: Led by Mayor Wetherington.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
PRESENTATION:
Mayor Wetherington said Mr. Lee Gilmour, President of Georgia City/County
Management Association (GCCMA), who is City Manager of Perry, Georgia, was
scheduled to do a presentation on this morning; however, due to a conflict, he
will not be able to be here on today.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
MAYOR?S AGENDA:
WITH MR. JOHN TEEPLES, MS. SUSAN GERKIN, AND MS. CANDY WOJCIECHOWSKI
STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR ANTHONY AND ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:__________________________________________
A Resolution (216-09) ? Commending John Teeples, ultra-marathon runner for
his dedicated service in raising funds and awareness for the House of Heroes.
Councilor Anthony moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor
Hunter and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the
time, with Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote and Councilor Allen
being absent from the meeting.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS PUBLIC HEARING:
City Manager Hugley said before we can finalize the budget for the
Columbus Consolidated Government, and set a final millage rate, Georgia law
requires that three public hearings be held to allow the public an opportunity
to express their opinions on any increase.
He said this morning Director of Finance Pam Hodge is prepared to answer
questions during this public hearing. He said while there is an increase in
the tax millage; that increase came about because of additions to the housing
inventory or business inventory here in Columbus, Georgia. He said residential
property owners will not see a property tax increase as a result of a property
tax freeze that was enacted many years ago. He said at the time, the property
owners purchased their homes and filed for homestead exemption, their property
taxes were frozen at that point. He said this does not impact them, but said if
we added 400 new homes, or builders constructed 400 new homes, those new owners
are paying property taxes; which caused an increase in the overall property
taxes collections; or if a new business was constructed that added to the
inventory. He said those are the reasons we would realize an increase in
Columbus in our property tax collections.
City Manager Hugley said this is the third and final public hearing to
comply with Georgia Law on the Taxpayers? Bill of Rights, which requires these
three public hearings be held to allow the public an opportunity to express
their opinions on this increase. He then asked if there are those persons who
wanted to be heard, they could now come forward and make their comments.
Mr. Bert Coker, 5815 Ventura Drive then came forward and expressed his
comments. He said he knows that the Development Authority receives funds from
the City of Columbus and then asked that when these rates increase, do the rate
of the amount of funds that the Development Authority receives increases as
well. He said he knows that they was receiving $700,000 a year, but believes
that it has now increased to $900,000 a year. He said he wants to know how much
money does the Development Authority currently receives at this time?
City Manager Hugley said as we add to the inventory the value of a mill
does increases. He said the Development Authority receives .25 mills;
therefore, the amount that they receive will increase. He said they currently
receive right under $1 million.
Director of Finance Hodge said currently they estimate it at $994,000.00.
Mr. Coker spoke for ten minutes in expressing his comments regarding the
use of the funding that the Development Authority receives from the City of
Columbus with respect to their recruitment efforts for bringing more economic
development and jobs into our community.
After Mr. Coker concluded his remarks, Mayor Wetherington responded to
those comments made by Mr. Coker.
Mr. Paul Olson also came forward and offered his comments regarding this
subject. He said to his knowledge, there has not been any audit as to where
that money that the Development Authority receives is going and then asked, how
long has that being going on?
City Manager Hugley said he doesn?t remember the exact year, but said the
current rate is .25 mills.
Mr. Olson said he would like to know the exact year the Development
Authority started receiving this funding. He said he believes it has been about
seven years now. He said he wants to know why there hasn?t been an audit.
Councilor Baker responded to questions and concerns expressed by Mr. Olson.
Councilor Anthony said on October 28th of last year, we had the
Development Authority to come and do a lengthy presentation to us and presented
it to us how they had been using the funds. He said if Mr. Olson would like to,
he could go back and check that Council meeting.
Councilor McDaniel pointed out that the 3 mills that are given to the
Medical Center is for Indigent care only. He said it doesn?t cover all of the
cost for indigent care, which costs them more the 3 mills; and is required by
law. He said we bid that service out before we signed the contract and said the
Medical Center was the only one who bided on it.
With respect to the millage that is given to the Medical Center Hospital
Authority, City Attorney Fay said Councilor McDaniel is correct in that we are
bound by contract to provide the 3 mills per year and said that contract runs
another 10 ? 12 years; which started in 1992. He said the State law allows a
County Commission to provide up to 7 mills to a Hospital Authority for indigent
care, and said we are providing 3 mills annually. He said as far as the
Development Authority goes and the money that they are getting, they are
governed by a set of State laws, which controls what they can or can?t do with
public money. He said it is up to this Council to make an annual appropriation
to that body; which is currently set at .25 mills and said if this Council
wants to change it, it is in their discretion.
After some thirty minutes of discussion on this subject, with members of
the Council and City Attorney Fay responding to further questions of Mr. Coker
and Mr. Olson, this public hearing was concluded.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
GIRLS CLUB TEEN CENTER:
Mayor Wetherington pointed out that the Girls Club Teen Center, who was
scheduled to do our Pledge of Allegiance on this morning, has just arrived in
the Council Chambers. He said we have already done the Pledge of Allegiance,
but asked them to come forward and introduce themselves.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
CITY ATTORNEY'S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY
FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND
READING:___________________________________________________
An Ordinance (09-26) ? Adopting an Operating and Capital Improvement Budget in
the total amount of $234,922,446 for the Fiscal Year 2010 beginning July 1,
2009 and ending June 30, 2010, for certain funds of the Consolidated Government
of Columbus, Georgia, and appropriating the amounts shown in each budget.
Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor
Barnes and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for
this meeting, with Councilor Allen being absent.
Councilor Baker asked if we had one issue that we needed to clear up with
respect to the L.O.S.T.
Director of Finance Pam Hodge said she believes that the question was to
add in the other correctional officers for $174,353.00. She said there are
three areas that they will have to reduce the budget in order to be able to add
that item in. She said the options are the Fire Department capital, which is
$420,919.00, MCP capital in the amount of $200,748.00 or the Crime Prevention
program in the amount of $931,459. She said one of those items would have to be
reduced to add the correctional officers in at $174,353.00.
Councilor Baker asked if this had to be addressed before the operating
budget is voted on. Ms. Hodge said the total fund would not change.
City Attorney Fay said as long as the total amount doesn?t change, we
could administratively decide where the funding would come from. He said
obviously the City Manager wants the Council to know where it will come from.
City Manager Hugley said we committed that the bottom line of the budget
would not change and said we would make some line item adjustments and those
line item adjustments are currently scheduled to come from Fire/EMS. He said he
would ask Director Hodge to send that information to the Council and if they
have any issues with the adjustment where it won?t change the bottom line; then
they can find somewhere else to move it from or a portion thereof. He said we
will make a recommendation to you, from an administrative standpoint; where the
difference will be and if you have any concerns with it, then we can find other
line items in lieu of that. He said during the course of the year, if the sales
tax picks up obviously we could put some money back with Fire/EMS depending on
how the sales tax comes in.
*** *** ***
An Ordinance (09-27) ? Adopting a non-operating budget for the Fiscal
Year 2010 beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010, for certain funds of
the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia; and appropriating the amounts
shown in each budget.
Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor
McDaniel and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present at
the time, with Councilor Woodson being absent for this vote and Councilor Allen
being absent for this meeting.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING FOUR ORDINANCES WERE ALSO 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 COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILOR MCDANIEL, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLIY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING, WITH COUNCILOR ALLEN BEING
ABSENT:______________________________________________________
An Ordinance (09-28) ? Providing for contributions to the Columbus,
Georgia General Government Employees? Pension Plan for the fiscal year
beginning July 1, 2009.
An Ordinance (09-29) ? Providing for the supplemental contributions to the
Columbus, Georgia Pension Plan for employees of the Department of Public Safety
for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009.
An Ordinance (09-30) ? Providing for Government funding of a Death Benefit
Escrow for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009.
An Ordinance (09-31) ? Providing for Government funding of a Major
Disability Income Plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING TWO ORDINANCES WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY
ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND
READING:____________________________________________________
An Ordinance (09-32) ? Amending Article VII of Chapter 13 of the
Columbus Code Solid Waste Collection and Disposal by changing the guidelines
for an offset to the residential rate for low-income households. Councilor
McDaniel moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner
Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this
meeting, with Councilor Allen being absent.
An Ordinance (09-33) ? Authorizing the levy of an excise tax on rooms,
lodgings and accommodations (hotel-motel tax) pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section
48-13-51(b) at a rate of 8 percent effective August 1, 2009; and for other
purposes. Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by
Councilor Anthony and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting, with Councilor Allen being absent.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND AFTER SEVERAL MNUTES OF DISCUSSION THIS ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED ON FIRST
READING:___________________
An Ordinance ? Providing for the establishment of taxing districts,
including a county-wide general services district and three (3) urban services
districts and three (3) Business Improvement Districts (BID); providing for the
levy, assessment, and collection of taxes for Columbus, Georgia within such
districts for the year 2009 as provided under the Charter of the Consolidated
Government of Columbus, Georgia; providing penalties for violations of the
provisions of said ordinance; and for other purposes.
City Manager Hugley said the millage rate is not going to change for Urban
Service District One and there is a small difference for Urban Service
Districts 2 & 4.
Director of Finance Pam Hodge said the millage rate for District One
remains the same at 17.91; District Two there is a reduction going to 12.99,
District Four ? 11.70, which is also a reduction. She said the millage rates
for the Business Improvement Districts remains the same.
City Attorney Fay then asked if there were any questions on those rates.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
NOTE: Mayor Wetherington left at 9:40 a.m.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
Mr. Paul Olson, 13830 Upatoi Lane came forward and made comments regarding
action that was approved by the Council on December 14, 2004 with respect to a
sign variance.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh, who was presiding in the absence of Mayor
Wetherington interrupted Mr. Olson and reminded him that we are currently
discussing the first reading of the countywide taxing district and then asked
Mr. Olson if he had a question in this regard.
Mr. Olson said it states in the ordinance that as provided under the
Charter of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia; there are
penalties for violations of the provisions of ordinances; and said that the
Council has violated their resolution when they approved the resolution back in
2004. He said there are ordinances that everyone here has to abide by; so
there is correlation.
City Attorney Fay said we are dealing with the millage rate ordinance and
not dealing with the Unified Development ordinance or any other sign regulation
at this time. He said if you could be specific with respect to the millage rate
we can move along with the agenda.
Mr. Olson said he has been before this Council for the last ten years
expressing to you that he is paying a millage rate for sewer; which is like
paying for cable and not receiving cable.
He said when it comes to bus services, they also pay for bus services, but the
buses do not go out to Upatoi or Midland, to his knowledge. He said he would
like to know, why he is paying for a service that he doesn?t receive.
With respect to bus services in the Upatoi area, City Manager Hugley said
the service that we provide is based on demand. He said we don?t just send a
bus out for the sake of sending a bus out. He said at this time, the demand for
the service in the area in which you live in is obviously not there. He said as
in some other areas within this city bus routes doesn?t go everywhere in the
city. He said that service is available to you and those who live in your
area. He said we have fixed route services and dial-a-ride services, which is
based on the level of demand. He said you are assessed a limited millage for
bus service for the area in which you live in.
Mr. Olson said they pay the same millage rate as Urban Service District
One.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh then asked if there were any additional
questions relating to the taxing districts.
Mr. Bert Coker, 5815 Ventura Drive said he was before the Council a few
weeks ago and wanted to know what the wording that says other purposes means.
He said he noticed that this same wording is included in this ordinance and
said he wants to know what that means.
City Attorney Fay said if you look at any of the State laws that are passed
by the General Assembly and any other ordinances passed by the City Council, we
commonly put at the end of the caption, the words and for other purposes; which
covers anything in the ordinance; particularly the repeal of conflicting
ordinances that are not specifically mentioned. He said this ordinance has
about 20 sections in it and said we didn?t list all those sections in the
caption of the ordinance. He said it?s common legislative term that is meant
to cover everything in the ordinance.
After City Attorney Fay and City Manager Hugley responded to further
questions of Mr. Coker, this public hearing was concluded.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
NOTE: Mayor Wetherington returned back to his seat at 9:50 a.m.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
City Attorney Fay then asked if there were any further questions on the
millage rate, but there were none.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said there is a map which shows what part of the
community is in what Urban Service District and then asked City Manager Hugley
to bring that map to show to the public on next week.
City Manager Hugley said that Urban Service District One is going to be
the inter-city, Muscogee County, Urban Service District Two is the Panhandle
area and Urban Service District Four is going to be down in the Fort Benning
area.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said each year when we start working on the
budget and we talk about the different service districts, we truly look at the
services that are being provided in each one of those districts as it relates
what the millage is going to be. She said as we continue to add services
throughout the counties, the millage will be changing.
City Manager Hugley then showed on the screen, a map of the various Urban
Service Districts, which Director of Finance Pam Hodge outlined.
*** *** ***
CONTINENTAL CARBON FUNDING:
City Manager Hugley responded to questions of members of the Council
regarding the funds that was received from the settlement of the Continental
Carbon lawsuit.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING THREE ORDINANCES WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY
ATTORNEY FAY AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST
READING:__________________________________________________________
An Ordinance ? Providing for the levy, assessment, and collection of taxes
for the public school system of Columbus, Georgia; and for other purposes.
An Ordinance ? Regulating the vehicular traffic in Columbus, Georgia, by
establishing a No Parking Handicapped Zone along First Avenue, authorizing the
installation of official traffic control signs indicating said parking
restrictions, repealing conflicting ordinance; and for other purposes.
An Ordinance ? Amending Section 2-226 of the Columbus Code to provide that
members of the Commission on International Relations and Cultural Liaison
Encounters (CIRCLE) may serve two full consecutive four-year terms; and for
other purposes.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: _____________
A Resolution (216-09) ? Authorizing 911 charges of $1.50 per billable
telephone per month, upon each telephone service subscribed to by telephone
subscribers whose exchange access lines are in the areas served or which would
be served by the 911 services as stipulated by O.C.G.A. ?46-5-133. Councilor
McDaniel moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Henderson
and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this
meeting.
*** *** ***
LIBRARY CASE:
City Attorney Fay said the Georgia Supreme Court has sent the Library case
dealing with the 1999 S.P.L.O.S.T. back to the Superior Court here in Columbus.
He said they have said the court and the Court of Appeals erred on the standing
issue. He said they said our Superior Court Judge decided the standing issue
prematurely and they want some more facts found and some additional details
before there is a hearing on a motion for summary judgment. He said they will
be conferring with the attorneys for the School Board and will be filing an
appropriate motion for summary judgment at the earliest possible time.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked the City Attorney to provide the Council a
list of the amount that we have spent on legal fees on the Library case.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
PUBLIC AGENDA
MR. WILLIAM MADISON, RE:
MEDICAID/MEDICARESYSTEM:________________________________________________________
Prior to Mr. Madison making any comments, Councilor McDaniel said he don?t
want to muzzle anyone, but said he noticed that Mr. Madison wants to speak
about Medicaid/Medicare and said we don?t have anything to do with that, as it
is a Federal issue. He said he is wondering why you are not in Washington
explaining this matter rather than here. He said he wants to know why we have
to hear this matter, because we don?t have anything to do with it.
Mr. Bill Madison said every citizen in this town belongs to you. He said
our citizens are being abused. He said they are going over to the hospital at
10:00 & 11:00 p.m. at night and have no health insurance. He said they are
staying in the hospital until 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. in the morning until they can
see a doctor. He said he wouldn?t be surprised to find out that several of them
have passed away while waiting in the emergency room. He said our citizens are
using the emergency rooms now as a way to go see a doctor because they are
uninsured. He said they are poor, destitute and this is a way of resolving a
problem.
Councilor McDaniel said we don?t have anything to do with running the
hospital, as that is a separate entity. He said he couldn?t understand why you
are here talking about Medicare, as we don?t have anything to do with this.
Mr. Madison said somewhere else in the Country there is someone else
standing before a group as he is talking about the same thing. He said this is
the direction in which we would like to go in the Country to take care of all
of our citizens. He said the key is taking care of all of our citizens, which
includes all of the citizens in Columbus, Georgia.
He said they have addressed the Congressman, as well as the State
Legislators and is working with the National Office under the President?s
program with Mr. Lee Goodall in Atlanta and are talking about having joint
conferences and joint programs with these people to get this done. He said we
need good medical care for every citizen in this country.
Mr. Madison then read into the record, what he said is a joint statement
on healthcare crisis, which is co-signed by William M. Harper, IV MD.
(A copy was filed with the Clerk of Council for the Council?s records.)
*** *** ***
MR. LORENZA WILDER, RE; SPEEDING IN THE
COMMUNITY:_______________________________________________
Mr. Lorenza Wilder said he has to call the police department almost daily
regarding the speeding problem in his neighborhood. He said the reason he is
here again is because he has a concern that a speeder might kill someone. He
said we have talked about putting in sidewalks for years now and he would hope
that we install some sidewalks on Higgs Drive, as well as Wilder Drive with
some of the stimulus funding that this City Government is going to receive.
He said speeding is a great problem and some of the areas where people are
speeding is on Northstar Drive, Steam Mill Road, St. Mary?s Road, Higgs Drive,
Wilder Drive, Parkwood Drive, and Buena Vista Road.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said Mr. Wilder is correct. She said we could
write enough tickets between St. Mary?s Road, Forrest Road, and Schatulga Road
to fill up whatever the quota is for the entire year in one week. She said the
sad part of the matter is that the people who are speeding are those who live
in the neighborhoods. She said it is unfortunate that the citizens in Columbus
likes to speed and she don?t know if we will ever have an answer to this
problem because we can?t put a police officer on every corner, but she thinks
that we can write more tickets which might get some people?s attention. She
said it might be that the fines on the tickets need to increase in order to
really get their attention.
Mayor Wethrington said we are putting officers on the street as they come
out of the Police Academy. He said as you know, we will be hiring an additional
100 officers and said they should be on the streets soon. He said currently we
have hired 75 officers and are nearing the 100 mark. He said these officers are
gradually hitting the streets; therefore, maybe, we can address some of the
problems in Mr. Wilder?s neighborhood. He said he appreciates Mr. Wilder coming
down and voicing his concern about this speeding problem and he will continue
to work on it.
Councilor Woodson said she was stopped by a citizen on yesterday who lives
on Walker Street and said they used to have a police officer who patrolled that
area frequently because they have been having some people with a lot of young
children, but said all of a sudden they stop patrolling the area. She said she
would like for the Mayor to check on that area.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:_______________________________________________________
A Resolution (217-09) ? Authorizing the submission of an application and
if approved accept a $162,633 grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice
Assistance Program for the Federal Fiscal Year 2009 to be used by eligible
departments. Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded
by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members of
Council present for this meeting, with Councilor Allen being absent.
A Resolution (218-09) ? Authorizing the execution of a quitclaim deed to
2300 Parkway, LLC for 0.084 acres of property running along the west property
line of Tract VII, Brookstone Centre Parkway to 2300 Parkway LLC. providing
that all existing utility easements of record remain in effect and providing
easements of appropriate width as required by the applicable utility companies
will be reserved for unknown utilities. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption
of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by
those nine members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilor Allen
being absent.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS, HAVING BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE CITY
MANAGER?S AGENDA WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY
COUNCILOR MCDANIEL AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH, WHICH CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBRS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING, WITH
COUNCILOR ALLEN BEING
ABSENT:____________________________________________________________
A Resolution (219-09) ? Authorizing the approval of payments to Holbrook
Service Company, Inc. (Columbus, Georgia), in the amount of $119,332.00, for
the emergency purchase and installation of a replacement chiller for the jail.
One of the chillers at the jail failed and was beyond repair. The chiller
supplies cooling for the portion of the jail built in 1984, as well as,
Recorder?s Court. The City Manager approved the emergency purchase on May 20,
2009.
A Resolution (220-09) ? Authorizing the approval of payment to Muscogee
County School District?s Transportation Department in the amount of $15,290.99
for transportation expenses. The travel expenses were for various field trips
for After School Program Summer Camp participants, and teams traveling to
tournaments. The expenses cover the period from 2006 ? 2009.
A Resolution (221-09) ? Authorizing the approval of payment to Western
Oilfields Supply Company (Los Angeles, California) d/b/a Rain for Rent
(Marietta, Georgia), in the amount $26,924.25, for emergency pump rental
services. The pumps were needed to remove water due to excessive rain, which
caused flooding at Charter Oaks Watershed. The City Manager approved the
emergency procurement due to the threat of citizens? safety and welfare.
A Resolution (222-09) ? Authorizing the execution of a contract with Pratt
Industries Recycling Division to market recyclable goods and share revenue
received from the sale of the recyclable goods. Columbus Consolidated
Government will sort and process these recyclable goods.
The term of this contract shall be for three years, with the option to renew
for a two (2) year period. Contract renewal will be contingent upon the mutual
agreement of the City and the Contractor.
A Resolution (223-09) ? Authorizing the approval of payment to
McMath-Turner Construction Company (Columbus, Georgia), in the amount
$50,541.00, plus the cost for unknown contingencies, for emergency construction
services for drainage system and road repair on Warner Road.
In early May, a portion of Warner Road developed a sizeable sinkhole due to
erosion. The repair needed to be made as quickly as possible for safety and
road access. Therefore, the City Manager approved the emergency repair on May
13, 2009. The corrective work includes the following: demolition of damaged
area, grading, installation of 36? storm sewer outfall, paving, traffic
control, manhole, 42? RCP and concrete curb and gutter. The Engineering
Department requested price quotes from the following contractors:
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
PRESENTATIONS:
NEIGHBORWORKS COLUMBUS 2008 YEAR END REPORT:
Ms. Cathy Williams said they are here to update the Council on the
activities of Neighbor Works Columbus Community Housing Development
Organization.
She said their vision is to eliminate substandard housing in Columbus,
Georgia and the mission is to provide access to fit and affordable housing for
all citizens or low to moderate income and said they go about doing this from
the following six ways, as outlined below:
Housing Production
Homeownership education & counseling
Manage sources of funding
Capacity building & technical assistance
Mortgage lending Target neighborhood revitalization
Mrs. Williams said in 2008 they saw an increase in their activities as
they have built 66 new homes, 16 homes rehabilitated. She said 70% of their
production has occurred within the last three years.
She said as you know, back in October when the capital market froze up, the
housing industry went into a significant slide and in Columbus, they said their
year-end work in progress went down significantly, as they opted for a very
conservative approach to the housing market.
Ms. Williams said back in 2004 & 2005 when they were aggressively giving
homeownership education & counseling to the consumers of Columbus, they saw a
very low default rate in Columbus, Georgia. She said at the end of 2005
Congress opted to remove the requirement for homeownership counseling and
education for many of the loan products that was backed by Fannie Mae and as a
request of that, you saw a fairly significant decline in the consumers that
were assessing that service from their organization. She said to that end, in
2008 as the default rate was spiked with the adjustable rate mortgages begin to
adjust for the first time.
She said in 2008 Congress reimplementation the requirements for homebuyers
education and counseling, thereby, the numbers have gone up significantly as
the consumers have accessed that service from their organization.
She said a very large percentage of their homeowners are very low income,
which is one of the largest segments of the community that they serve with
their products and services. She said in 2008, they saw a slight increase in
the level of poverty consumers that they were assisting with their home issues;
however, for the first time, they also saw the above moderate income; the
wealthier families that were actually coming into the organization to access
the same services. She said homebuyers? education, counseling, mortgage lending
and affordable products are not something just for any certain part of our
consumer society, but said it is for everybody.
Mrs. Williams said the number of successful homebuyers increased
significantly, which was a direct correlation with the Hallock Soldier?s fund
because for the first time they were tracking a very different population in
Columbus than they typically have in the past.
She said they have had 2,515 families who have participated in the
Homebuyers Education program, 637 or 25% families have successfully purchased a
home, and of those that have come through the program, they have had only 1
default. She said that speaks volumes for the fact that counseling and
education works.
Mrs. Williams also outlined the Hallock Soldier?s Fund and the breakdown
of how many soldier families became first time homeowners. She said there was
$1 million that was put up by a private foundation to assist soldier families
in becoming first time homebuyers. She said there was 79 active duty NCO?s, 17
Veterans families with honorable discharges, 10 retirees, 8 active duty
officers and 3 active duty warrant officers.
She said 75% of the money would come back into the program that they will
again turn around and assist other soldiers? families once again. She said they
are looking nationally for partners who may want to assist other soldiers?
families by putting money into the fund.
Mrs. Williams also outlined in her presentation, the number of homes that
were purchased, which were built and/or rehab by Council Districts. She also
showed graphs detailing the sources of public support, as well as sources of
private support were shown to the Council. She said it is still mission
critical for them to continue developing both private and public funding, at
all levels (restricted and non-restricted), to support continued production of
affordable housing in Columbus, Georgia.
She said in 2009 they are aggressively participating in foreclosure
prevention. She said they are one of the Charter members of the National
Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Center and have been able to log numerous
foreclosure preservation saves; and have saved several homes in Columbus from
going into foreclosure. She said this week they would be kicking off Columbus
Cottage Number 2, which will be on next Thursday.
She said they would continue their work in assisting Columbus? families to be
life-long homeowners.
She said they are hopeful that they will be able to come back to the
Council with another proposal to develop the Soldier?s Village site, which is
very much on their radar. She said they are very committed to affordable
housing, and with BRAC coming and our soldiers putting their lives on the line
everyday for democracy in this world, it is very important that we make sure
their housing is taken care of and that they can afford to live in a community
that they are being sent to. She said they are very interested with Soldier?s
Village and hope that they will be able to come back very soon with a proposal
that you will find too difficult to turn down.
Councilor Hunter said he would like to thank Mrs. Williams for all that
she does and have done over the years for this community. He said we really
don?t take it for granted, and we just want you to know how much you are
appreciated. He said if you look at the face of Columbus, it has changed and
said you have made a sufficient positive difference for that change; and we
really appreciate the work you have done. He said the educational programs
that you have instituted have made a difference in the lives of many citizens.
Mrs. Williams said she has an amazing staff, but said it was the Council
who made a commitment ten years ago, to not only revitalize our historic
neighborhoods but to ensure that affordable housing was available in this
community and that it was not going to be exclusive of this community.
Councilor Barnes also expressed his appreciation to Mrs. Williams and the
job that she has done in the community.
Mrs. Williams said this report will be available on their website for
anyone who wants to look at it.
*** *** ***
PRESCRIPTON DRUG CARD:
City Manager Hugley said Director of Human Resources Tom Barron has done some
work and has some options that the Council might want to consider.
Director of Human Resources Tom Barron came forward and presented a report
on a Prescription Drug Card. He said this is a discount prescription card that
is available through the National League of Cities for the citizens of
Columbus, Georgia and said it would require sponsorship by the City and the
card would have the name and logo of both the National League of Cities and the
Columbus Consolidated Government.
He then highlighted the following information about the NLC Prescription
Card:
Administered by CVS Caremark
No cost to CCG or citizen users Average of 20% savings over retail
94 cities in 32 states participate (4 in GA)
NLC receives commission on sales through this card
CVS profits from wholesale/retail spreads and rebates
53 participating pharmacies in Columbus?
Other Similar Programs
Google search had 2.5 million hits
Some programs claim discounts up to 75%
Wal-Mart, Target and others offer $4 generics without a card
All are marketing efforts available to anyone
Similar programs exist for groceries and credit cards
Comments
Although programs may benefit consumers they also benefit sponsoring
organizations
Other prescription programs, grocery stores and others may ask for same
opportunity
Could be perceived as allowing use of CCG name for a private marketing campaign
How Program Works in Other Georgia Cities
Riverdale ? Cards available at main Fire Dept. and City Hall. No advertising
and no administrative activity, CVS advertised in local paper
Norcross ? Cards in City Hall, no admin. some local pharmacies not happy, CVS
advertised
Waycross ? Cards in City Hall & drug stores, put notice in utility bills, no
administrative activity
Lovejoy ? Cards in city hall & community center, announcement in Council & on
Web site
Columbus Program Options
Minimum Promotion 1 ? Advertise all 53 pharmacies on CCGTV and provide Internet
site for more information on how to get a card. Cards could be made available
at all Fire Stations. Ad on CCGTV will include a disclaimer that this is a
program sponsored by NLC and not CCG. No additional staffing needs
Minimum Promotion 2 ? put cards in limited location(s), advertise on Web site
and CCGTV, and provide minimal telephone information. No anticipated staffing
needs
Columbus Program Options
Extensive Promotion ? put cards in countywide geographic locations, promotes in
multiple media and provide telephonic support. Additional part-time staff
required
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said when she and Councilor Woodson first
submitted this proposal that they received from the National League of Cities
was that, if there were other pharmacy companies that wanted to offer the same
type program, they didn?t have a problem with it. She said they are not saying
give one source discount house for our citizens and said she didn?t anticipate
us doing any of the promotional part of it; however, we just wanted to make it
available to the citizens. She said those who use CVS would get a 20% discount,
especially to our senior citizens who are on fixed income. She said when we
talked about the prescription card before, it was not something that we said
you had to have, but it was an option. She said we didn?t say limit it to CVS,
but if there was any other company, Rite-Aid, and any other pharmacy company
has discounts available for our citizens, she thinks that it would be welcomed
and the individual would have to decide whether or not they wanted to go to
CVS, Rite-Aid or wherever to get their prescriptions filled.
She said she don?t see anything wrong with the program and don?t
anticipate us adding any staff and for us to just make it as simple as possible
for them to pick up the cards, which is practically at no cost to us.
City Manager Hugley said CVS is the administrator of this program, but
said the program that NLC has through CVS, the same program with the 53
programs that we talked about, they do the same as CVS and with those 53 NLC
gets a commission. He said it?s not just with CVS, but also with all 53 of
those companies and citizens through this program with NLC could go to any of
those 53 companies. He said he suggested that we would do the minimum, which
would be putting the 53 participating pharmacies on CCG-TV, as well as
accessing the cards and putting them in locations that we can manage, like fire
stations if that is acceptable with the Fire Chief. He said we could also put
it on our website as to how they could assess the card. He said there would be
no real staff time in doing that.
He said this card would only be beneficial to those persons who don?t have
any insurance. He said you can?t go in with your insurance card from your
employer and purchase your prescription using your insurance card and they give
you a 20% discount, but it is basically for those persons who don?t have any
prescription drug insurance coverage.
Councilor Henderson said the only thing he would be concerned about, which
is from a follow-up prospective. He said he don?t know if there has been any
other issues in any of the communities where there has been some type of
dissatisfaction expressed of one or more of those pharmacies; how those calls
come in and how are they handled. He said should we have some kind of
parameters set forth going in that if people fail to meet a certain minimum
standard or if there is a certain number of calls that we are getting. He said
if our name is on that card, people are going to call us if things don?t go
right; therefore, he thinks that we should have some criteria set forth from
the offset that would indicate that if someone had a certain number of issues
they would be expelled from the program.
City Manager Hugley said whatever we do, we are going to have a disclaimer
that says this is not a CCG sponsored, but we are just a pass-through agency to
put the information out to the citizens.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said if we start getting complaints about one
pharmacy after we get five or more complaints, then we should report that to
NLC.
City Manager Hugley said we could do that minimum level and said they will
proceed forward in doing that. He said he wants citizens to know that there are
only three questions that we can answer and beyond our staff will not be able
to answer questions, if they call. He said we can tell them what pharmacies are
participating, where to get a discount card and that NLC is the sponsor of the
program.
*** *** ***
COOPER CREEK TENNIS CENTER:
City Manager Hugley said CORTA has been a partner with the City and said
they have talked to us for a number of years about a concept that would allow
them to manage the Tennis Center and said we would like to present that concept
to the Council on today for discussion. He said if it is something that you
agree with or think would work, they would proceed forward with putting
together a plan to allow the Tennis Center to continue to be owned and
controlled by the City, but managed by CORTA.
Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin then came forward to make the
presentation. She said that CORTA has been talking to them for several years
now about this option and on late last year came to them again regarding the
Cooper Creek Tennis Center /CORTA Agreement. She said they sat down and talked
and saw that this could be a win, win situation for us. She said CORTA has been
a tremendous partner over the years with the Cooper Creek Tennis Center. She
said we currently have 30 clay courts out at Cooper Creek Tennis Center, of
which the original 12 courts were built in 1972. She said in 1990 8 additional
clay courts were added and a two-story clubhouse was built. She said CORTA
raised $275,000 for that effort. She said then in 1999 the last 10 clay courts
were added, along with the Annex, which was a $2.5 million and CORTA raised
$1.8 million of those funds. She said CORTA has played a tremendous role in
this partnership and would hope that they continue to do so.
She pointed out that Ms. Judy Pierce, Executive Director was present in
the Council Chambers earlier this morning, but had to leave due to a previous
engagement; however, several board members are still present if there are any
questions from the Council.
She also pointed out that Tony Adams; Director of Parks & Recreation is also
present.
Ms. Goodwin then went into further details in outlining the following
information with respect to some Possibilities in Partnership:
Objective:
To grant exclusive use and possession of Cooper Creek Tennis Center to CORTA
for program administration and operation beginning September 1, 2009 through
June 30, 2010
This agreement will be continued and monitored through June 30, 2015, unless
either party gives a sixty (60) day notice.
Current Uses of the Center:
Public Tournaments
CORTA will continue to schedule and coordinate all tournaments
Public use is coordinated through CORTA
All leagues are run by CORTA
Meeting the Needs:
CORTA and Special Events
Memberships:
CCTC
Cooper Creek currently has an estimated 635 members
With CCTC membership ? no court fees have to be paid. Just sign, get court
assignment and play?
CORTA
Estimated at 3,000
With a CORTA membership ? you are entitled to league play and court fees must
still be paid.
Ms. Goodwin said we asked CORTA to survey its membership to determine
those who would be supportive of this endeavor in terms of this proposal and
said approximately 91% of their membership said they are in support of this
proposal. She said later this week, the Cooper Creek Tennis Center will survey
its 635 members as well to determine their thoughts on this proposal and this
information will be brought back to the Council when we bring this matter back
to you on the 16th when we bring the resolution back to the Council.
Fee Structure:
FEES
Single Annual $200
Single (Sr/Jr) Annual* $130
Family Annual $300
Family (Sr/Jr) Annual* $200
*Junior (18 and under)
*Senior (55 and older)
General Conditions:
CORTA also must meet all requirements of the ADA Act and continue running
programs aimed at the disabled population. Program personnel must adhere to all
Federal, State and Local laws and special permission must be granted for
alcohol consumption
CORTA adheres to all non ?discrimination policies according to federal
mandates, provides programming at the center, and courts must be made available
to the public at all times.
CORTA ASSIGNING USE TO OTHERS:
Ms. Goodwin stated that CORTA may partner with other groups, provided
it is controlled by CORTA and approved by the City and/or Parks & Recreation
Department in writing.
Key Benefits:
Capital Improvements up to $25,000 can be made by CORTA without city dollars
being used, with prior approval from City.
All equipment remains the property of the department
Review of financial books will be available at all times
All profits will go back into the facility allowing continual capital
improvements of the Cooper Creek Tennis Center
Operating costs, supplies and general maintenance, will be absorbed by CORTA
Financial Subsidy to CORTA
FY2010 Projected Revenue $187,000
FY2010 Recommended Budget $267,583
(FY2010 CORTA Budget Request $323,358)
FY2010 Subsidy to CORTA $ 80,583
(FY2010 CORTA Subsidy Request $138,745)
FY2010 Recommended Subsidy based on current operations
Capital requests to be considered with other city capital requests at mid year
Subsidy will be pro-rated based on effective date
Ms. Goodwin said there are currently three full-time employees and four
part-time employees, who are currently employed at Cooper Creek and said CORTA
is willing to work with us as far as the employees are concerned. She said that
they have indicated that they are willing to speak with employees and interview
them. She said the bottom line is that if they don?t place these employees with
CORTA, the employees will not walk out the door without a job. She said we will
work with the Human Resources and other departments within the City to place
these employees and they will not lose their job.
City Manager Hugley said CORTA may or may not keep all the employees, but
said we will put them in positions that are vacant within the City government
where we would otherwise be hiring someone from outside.
He then asked Director of Finance Pam Hodge to address the question as far
as this will not be a net increase and expense to the government by doing this
proposal.
Director of Finance Pam Hodge said the information that she provided was
the projected revenue and said the budget would provide for the same subsidy
that is in the general fund currently. She said the City would maintain the
utility cost which is about $22,000, and the difference between the revenue and
expenses in our general fund budget is $100,000; therefore, we would maintain
the $22,000 for utilities and then turn the subsidy over to CORTA, which is
where the $80,583 comes from. She said there would be no change in our current
operations as far as the financial standpoint of turning the operations over to
CORTA.
Ms. Hodge said some of the things that they did request was additional
capital, but said she pulled that out to put on our mid-year request, which
would come forward with any other City requests for capital.
City Manager Hugley said if the Mayor & Council wants to consider this
proposal, CORTA maintaining the Cooper Creek Tennis Center as a public
facility, which will be at no additional cost to the government and said the
employees will be taken care of either by CORTA or the City. He said going
forward it would be within the budget that we would spend and said the only
difference that a citizen would see is probably some additional investments on
the part of CORTA.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked, what is the problem with it, the way it
is handled now. Ms. Goodwin said there is no problem in the way it is being
handled now; it is just something that they have been in conversations with
them for a long time, similar to the way the Woodruff Farm Soccer Complex is
being run.
City Manager Hugley said what CORTA would like to see is a greater
investment in the Center. He said they would like to see the courts better
maintained and would like to do some things that we have not been able to
afford to provide the resources to do and said they want to go the extra step.
He said our staff does a good job with the resources that we have; however, we
can?t maintain the courts and do the things that CORTA would like to do.
He said we don?t have the resources to maintain the courts and do the things at
the level that CORTA and so many other people would like to see it.
In responding further to Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh, City Manager Hugley
said the difference is that CORTA will put more resources in the Center than we
are able to put into it.
Ms. Nancy Prescott, President, CORTA said she would like to thank the
Council for considering this proposal. She said they are a very energetic and
passionate group of citizens about tennis. In responding to Mayor Pro Tem
Turner Pugh regarding the members of the Cooper Creek Tennis Center, she said
out of the 635 members of the Cooper Creek Tennis Center, you will find that
over 90% of those members are also members of CORTA. She said primarily the
people who join the Cooper Creek Tennis Center also are a member of CORTA.
City Manager Hugley said that survey would be completed on this week.
Councilor Anthony said CORTA has already made some significant investments
and then said he wanted to get clarification on that amount for the record.
City Manager Hugley said when we did the last eight clay courts, the cost was
$2.8 million and said CORTA put in $1.8 million of that funding. He said each
time we have added courts out at the Tennis Center; CORTA has put in the
greater portion to construct that facility.
Ms. Prescott said they bought in a tennis tournament this past weekend
with approximately 800 people playing in it and said many of those people came
from other places in the State. She said this was a Georgia State Senior
District Tournament and we have an opportunity to really take care and manage
what they consider as a gem in terms of a City park. She said Tony Adams and
his staff with Parks & Recreation do a good job out there, but said the
difference is that they would like to do a great job.
She said they don?t expect the courts to look necessarily like the private
Country Club who spends a considerable amount of money and time. She said they
(CORTA) has a passion for the game of tennis; and what they would really like
and is hopeful for, is that the courts will return to the level of play that
they were when they were first built. She said the City doesn?t have the
resources or time; however, they are a volunteer organization and have
volunteers to do some of the work that needs to be done so that we can not only
continue to provide the game of tennis for the children, and seniors, adults in
the community, as well as the special population, but also to bring in those
out-of-town tournaments. She said we could do more of that if our courts are
more pristine.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said that whenever we have these types of
proposals or projects that come up such as this one, let?s go back to our Work
Sessions whereby we dealt with nothing but these types of presentations instead
of coming to Council on the Agenda, let?s have a Work Session on the matter.
After Ms. Prescott concluded her remarks, members of the Council expressed
their views and concerns regarding this proposal, after which Ms. Prescott then
responded to several questions of members of the Council.
Ms. Helen Martin, a member of CORTA, who was also present in the Council
Chambers, said the program that they have for children is the best thing that
they do. She said they offer the opportunity for children ages 5 to 18 to come
out and learn how to play tennis at Lakebottom Park on Mondays & Wednesdays
from 6:00 ? 7:00 p.m., at no cost. She said they go out and get donations and
grants to allow these children to learn how to play tennis. She said they have
a lot of generous people who give donations for this cause. She said they want
everyone to learn how to play tennis, no matter who you are. She said they want
to give back as much as they get.
City Manager Hugley said CORTA has been a great partner and said in
looking at this proposal; one thing that they wanted to make sure of is that
nothing would change for citizens, as well as nothing would change in terms of
our control and ownership. He said they couldn?t do anything with the rates
unless they come back to this Council to get them approved. He said they can
spend money and do some capital improvements with our approval, but they are
spending their private money. He said the courts must be opened at all times to
the public without question; and if there are any complaints, they would go
through the normal process and we will get CORTA straight if that complaint
comes. He said the only difference that will be noted is the additional
investment that would come from CORTA to put into facility that the City is not
prepared to, or is not able to do, as we have our financial challenges.
He said this is an option and said we can either stay the course and do
what we have been doing, but said we will keep getting what we have been
getting or take this option and get what we have been getting, plus more, more
and more. He said they are hopeful that they can get those questions answered
regarding this proposal and then come back to this Council and get their
support.
Deputy City Manager Goodwin in concluding her presentation said that they
will do the survey this week for the Tennis Center and will bring it back at a
later date, along with taking into account those comments made by the Council.
Councilor Davis said one of the questions that he has deals with emergency
expenditures from a capital standpoint for whatever reasons and how that would
be addressed.
--------------------------------------*** ***
***------------------------------------
CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS
INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR &
COUNCIL:_________________________________________________
(1) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Employees? Pension Plan,
Board of Trustees.
(2) Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Keep Columbus Beautiful
Commission.
(3) Copy of the Personnel Review Board Members Attendance Record from January
2009 to May 2009.
*** *** ***
MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL:_________________________________________________________
Airport Commission, April 22, 2009.
Hospital Authority, April 29, 2009.
Councilor Henderson moved the approval of the minutes. Seconded by
Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council
present at the time, with Councilor McDaniel being absent for this vote and
Councilor Allen being absent for this meeting.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTION WAS ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK
OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL:____________________________________________________________
A Resolution (224-09) ? Excusing Councilor R. Gary Allen from the June 9,
2009 Council Meeting. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the resolution.
Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those eight members of
Council present at the time, with Councilor McDaniel being absent for this vote
and Councilor Allen being absent for this meeting.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING NEW ZONING PETITION, RECOMMENDED FOR CONDITIONAL APPROVAL BY
BOTH THE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION AND THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WAS SUBMITTED
BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED
FOR BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON:____________
Petition submitted by Father Gerry Schreck to rezone .35 acre of property
located at 3502 Kay Circle from SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) to GC
(General Commercial) district. (14-CA-09-Schreck)
*** *** ***
BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Carmel Biggers, and Mr.
Donald Bowman?s terms of office expired back in March and that they are not
eligible to succeed themselves and a nomination would be needed for these
seats. She said the Mayor is working on a replacement for Mr. Biggers? seat and
that the Council will need to nominate someone to succeed Mr. Bowman. There was
no action taken.
*** *** ***
FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Ms. Mattie Wright has been
nominated by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh to succeed Ms.
Jean Harper, whose term of office expired on June 30, 2009.
She further pointed out that Ms. Lauren Mescon was also nominated by Mayor
Pro Tem Turner Pugh to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Susan Wilson, who is no
longer residing in Muscogee County and said that they both may now be
confirmed.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved confirmation. Seconded by Councilor Hunter
and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present at the time,
with Councilor McDaniel being absent for this vote and Councilor Allen being
absent for this meeting.
*** *** ***
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Karl Douglass? term of
office on the Planning Advisory Commission expired back in March of this year
and that there are three nominees from which the Council may select someone to
fill his seat. She said the nominees are Mr. Ralph King, who was nominated by
Councilor Henderson, Mr. Matthew McDaniel, who was nominated by Councilor Davis
and Mrs. Mary G. Walker, who was nominated by Councilor Barnes.
She said due to there being one member of Council absent on today, she
would like to request that this matter be carried over until the next meeting.
There were no objections.
*** *** ***
MID-YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS:
Councilor Woodson said that during this budget process she tried to do
something for our City employees and she couldn?t do it due to budget
constraints. She said we continue to get proposals for different events and
said we are trying to find funding to assist these different programs and said
that she is hopeful that our Finance staff is looking to find funding for what
she wanted to do for our employees for mid-year budget adjustments. She said
she has not forgotten about that and as long as she is here, she is not going
to forget about that.
City Manager Hugley said he wants to be clear regarding this proposal with
CORTA; there is no money involved. He said it?s only the money that has been
committed to continue to do it in-house; however, we would just commit that
same money we would do it in-house to contract with CORTA. He said they would
then bring additional dollars to the table through their fund-raising and raise
the level and quality of the tennis courts. He said there is no new money in
the CORTA deal.
*** *** ***
DOG PARK:
Councilor Woodson said there are several individuals out in the community
that are interested in a dog park and said she understands that there is some
proposal being looked at. She said she has been approached by a veterinarian
and said she would like for the staff to get something together on this matter
and brief her on what?s going on with this matter.
City Manager Hugley pointed out that he knows that the Mayor had also
inquired about a Dog Park as well. He said in the Oxbow Master Plan there is a
Dog Park proposed in the Master Plan. He said out at the current Animal Care
Center we are also looking at a potential area that could be used as a Dog
Park. He said we have two or three options on the table for a Dog Pound.
Councilor Woodson said that Tony Adams did mention to her that there is a
proposal to consider about four Dog Parks throughout the City.
*** *** ***
CORTA?S PROPOSAL:
Regarding the presentation that was presented earlier, Councilor Anthony
asked City Manager Hugley if he was recommending an agreement similar to what
was done with the Woodruff Farm Soccer Association, to which City Manager
Hugley said, yes, it?s a similar relationship to what they have out at the
Soccer Complex. He said Tony Adams and Parks & Recreation are in support of it.
*** *** ***
SOUTH COLUMBUS CONCERNED CITIZENS:
Councilor Anthony submitted a list of items and concerns from Columbus
South and the South Columbus Concerned Citizens to the City Manager and said
that he would like for him and his staff to look into these concerns and
provide a response back to him regarding these items.
*** *** ***
LIBRARY CASE:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said in listening at the news with the court
case as it relates to the proposed park, asked if that is our responsibility or
the School Board?s responsibility. City Attorney Fay said we were named as a
defendant in the lawsuit; therefore, we have been involved. He said our
expenses have been minimal, which was $11,200 to-date. He said he would have to
get you the totals for the School District, which is a lot higher.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said she would like to know if we have the
authority to say, whether or not there will be a park.
City Attorney Fay said the issue is going to be decided by the court
ultimately; however, our position all along is that the ballot question and all
of the documents passed by this Council calling for the Special Purpose Local
Option Sales Tax calls for the voters to vote on a Library project, it did not
include a park.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said she is not talking about that part, she
said she just wants to know, do we have the authority to say if there will be a
park or will not be a park or is that left up to the school board. City
Attorney Fay said not at this time; he said we don?t own that property, the
School District owns it at this time.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said she wanted that cleared up for the public
because she said if you listen at the news or read about this subject, it seems
like we can go out and build a park. City Attorney Fay said we are going to get
some acreage, but we don?t own the site at this time. City Manager Hugley said
on the acreage that was included in the Library site, we have not turned that
property over to the Muscogee County School District and Library at this
time.
City Attorney Fay said he believes that the ownership is in the name of
the School District and said we are waiting for the six acres to be conveyed
back so that we can proceed with our facilities. He said that is where the
title stands right now.
*** *** ***
VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II:
Councilor Barnes said the men and women veterans of WWII are dying at a
rate of over 1,000 per month. He said an organization is offering to fly these
men and women to Washington, D.C. to the National Monument, free of charge. He
said for each flight of 100 veterans and volunteers, the cost is $68,000. He
said the plane would leave at 8:00 a.m. to take them there and allow them to
see the memorial, as well as conjugate with other veterans and then return back
at 8:00 p.m. that evening. He said they call this generation, the greatest
generation because these men and women came at the heel end of the devastation
of the Great Depression; but yet still mobilized and put themselves in harm?s
way; many of them didn?t return, and said something needs to be done for them.
He said something would need to be done for them because we don?t have that
much time. He said within four to five years, they are saying there won?t be
any more War World II veterans; therefore, he is trying to encourage everyone
who can to support this effort to do so.
*** *** ***
DOG PARK:
Referring back to the subject of the Dog Park, Councilor Davis said he is
glad to see that we are moving forward and making things happen with respect to
a Dog Park.
FREESBIE GOLF PARK:
Councilor Davis said we haven?t received any feedback on a request for a
Freesbie Golf park. He said that has been a request by citizens in the
community, especially the younger generation and then asked the City Manager
and staff to provide some information regarding a Freebie Golf park.
*** *** ***
MALE/FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETHE OF THE YEAR:
Councilor Davis asked City Attorney Fay to prepare a resolution
congratulating the Male/Female High School Athlete of the Year.
*** *** ***
With there being no other business to come before this Council, Councilor
McDaniel then made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner
Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this
meeting, with Councilor Allen being absent from this meting, and the time being
12:00 p.m.
Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
Attachments
No attachments for this document.