MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
WORK SESSION
MAY 22, 2007
The regular monthly Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was
called to order at 9:01 A.M., Tuesday, May 22, 2007, in the Council Chambers on
the Plaza Level of the Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable W. J.
Wetherington, Mayor, presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Wetherington and Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner
Pugh were Councilors R. Gary Allen, Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Glenn Davis,
Berry Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr. and Charles E. McDaniel, Jr. City
Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, and Deputy Clerk of Council
Sandra Davis were also present. Councilor Evelyn Woodson took her seat at the
Council table at 9:07 a.m. and Councilor took his seat at the Council table at
9:09 a.m.
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ABSENT: Councilor Jerry ?Pops? Barnes was absent. Clerk of Council Tiny B.
Washington was also absent.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Father Richard Sutter- Saint George?s Anglican Church.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Wetherington.
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MEMORIAL DAY:
Mayor Wetherington recognized the presence of Mr. Jim Rhodes, who
approached the rostrum and announced that on May 30, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., there
would be a Memorial Day Event with the guest speaker being Colonel John
Mitchell, US Army Retired.
He called attention to the resolution that the Council approved on May 15,
2007 requesting the Congressional Delegation to pursue funding to construct and
operate a Veterans Center in Columbus. He advised that according to the
document he has, it mentions that Montgomery and Macon are getting Veteran
Administration Centers in 2007 and 2008 with no mention of Columbus.
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CONSENT AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING THREE ZONING ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH
AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:
An Ordinance (07-27) - Rezoning property located at 2410 15th Avenue is
proposed for rezoning from RMF1 (Residential Multi-Family 1) District to NC
(Neighborhood Commercial) District. (13-A-07-Williams)
An Ordinance (07-28) - Rezoning property located at 4710 Steam Mill Road
is proposed for rezoning from SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) District to GC
(General Commercial) District. (14-CA-07-Rodgers)
An Ordinance (07-29) - Rezoning property located at the west side of
South Lumpkin Road, north of Rigdon Park is proposed for rezoning from LM1
(Light Manufacturing/Industrial) District to GC (General Commercial) and RMF2
(Residential Multi-Family 2) District. (20-CA-07-BOCO Development, LLC)
Councilor Henderson asked staff to address concerns that have been raised
regarding engineering and the flood plain for the project along the river. He
asked if it would be worthwhile for the City to initiate some type of
engineering or to get an opinion to make sure there are not going to be any
long lasting problems in that area as a result of building on that low lying
wetland area.
Mr. Rick Jones, Community & Economic Development Director came forward to
advise that the staff has met with the developer and explained to them what we
would like to see happen with this project in terms of dealing with the flood
plan and floodway. He assured that we would demand of him that the developer
provide all of the engineering on this project to show how this project is
going to work. He added that there is a check and balance system.
Councilor Woodson pointed out that she had similar concerns, but advised
that the entire project would not be done all at once. She explained that the
developer would start building in the front portion of the property. She
pointed out that there are a lot of State Regulations and EPA is also involved.
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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL
PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND
SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS
OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:
A Resolution (223-07) - Excusing Councilor Jerry Barnes from the May 22,
2007 Council Meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:
Application of Liz Turner to temporarily close 9th Street between 1st and
2nd Avenue, on Wednesday, May 30, 2007, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., in
connection with a ?Memorial Day Ceremony Program?. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh
moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those
nine members present for this meeting.
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THE FOLLOWING THREE NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUMBITTED AND A PUBLIC
HEARING AND ORDINANCE WAS CALLED FOR EACH BY COUNCILOR MCDANIEL:
Petition submitted by the W. C. Bradley Company to rezone 14.68 acres of
property located at 1201 Front Avenue from LMI (Light Manufacturing /
Industrial) to CRD (Central Riverfront District). (Recommended for approval by
both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Department.)
(23-A-07-W. C. Bradley Co.)
Petition submitted by Uptown Columbus, Inc. to amend the text of the
Unified Development Ordinance to amend requirements for Outdoor Cafes in CRD
Zoning District. (Recommended for approval by both the Planning Advisory
Commission and the Planning Department.) (24-A-07-Uptown Columbus, Inc.)
Petition submitted by the Planning Department to amend the text of the
Unified Development Ordinance to create the first corridor overlay district:
US Highway 80 Overlay District. (Recommended for approval by both the Planning
Advisory Commission and the Planning Department.) (25-A-07-Planning Dept.)
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BUENA VISTA ROAD PETITION:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh advised that the rezoning petition for 6650
Buena Vista Road submitted by Moye Road Development, LLC was not listed on the
Consent Agenda for today.
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UPTOWN COLUMBUS:
Councilor Woodson announced that it is a great honor for the State of
Georgia to recognize the City of Columbus with an award for all of the
redevelopment work that has been done in the downtown area and has properly
designated the City of Columbus and Uptown Columbus, Inc. as an official Urban
Main Street Community. She then called upon Mr. Richard Bishop to come forward
as she read the contents of the plaque in its entirety. Upon conclusion,
Councilor Woodson presented the plaque to Mr. Richard Bishop.
Mr. Richard Bishop, Executive Director of Uptown Columbus, Inc., made some
brief comments on the construction that has taken place in the downtown area.
He recalled that the process began about a year ago and appreciates the City?s
support. He maintained that we are the first Urban Main Street City in the
State of Georgia. He reported that all of the larger cities are trying follow
suit. He pointed out that the Main Street program is built around historic
preservation and this city has been success in this area within the last few
years. He then invited everyone to the Broadway Event Series for the next
three Friday nights and on this past Saturday, we started our fresh market. He
pointed out that we have local grown produce from this area that is there on
Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
City Manager Hugley requested a brief executive session on personnel
matters.
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WORK SESSION:
FINANCE UPDATE:
Ms. Pam Hodge, Finance Director provided an overview of the Columbus
Consolidated Government Unaudited Quarterly Revenue Report, FY-2007 Fourth
Quarter.
Councilor Baker asked questions regarding line item 4153- Breach of
Covenant, at which time, City Attorney Fay advised that he believes this is
where the tax assessors have a preferential assessment of conservation use on
certain property, and that property gets sold or developed; then, the covenant
ends and they pay an additional amount of tax. Councilor Baker then asked
about line item 4461-Cost Allocation Service Fees with Finance Director Hodge
explained that cost allocation is where we charge out to the other operating
funds into the other funds for those cost that are in the General Fund;
therefore, all of the other operating funds pay into the General Fund.
Finance Director Pam Hodge then addressed in more detail three particular
areas within the Finance Department: landfill tipping fees, ambulance and
Medicare appeals, and false alarm.
Landfill tipping fees- The staff would be bringing forward other requests for
write offs on the landfill tipping fees. Agreements have been signed for a
little over ten of our customers for over $100,000 to make payments. The staff
would be sending to collection $148,000 for 32 customers that have either
refused to pay or those customers that have not used the landfill in the last
couple of years but are still under the statute of limitation. A detailed list
would be provided to the members of Council and would be available to the
public.
Ambulance and Medicare appeals- 2,212 claims that have been submitted to
Medicare through the appeals office. To date, they are manually processing
those and have processed 1,224; we have received $232, 000 of that amount that
was due to the City from Medicare for the period August 2005 through August
2006. We have collected from the ambulance side $1.4 million and last year for
the entire year for FY-06, we collected $805,000.
False Alarms- The city has collected $19,400 to date and in FY-06, we had
collected $375,000. and zero in FY-05.
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YMCA:
City Manager Hugley advised that we have been communicated with the YMCA
regarding the Warren Avenue property, which is downtown across from Country?s
Barbeque on Broad. He explained that the YMCA is going through a process of
trying to construct a YMCA on that site. He pointed out that they need a
portion of the property that is owned by the city and Warren Avenue, which is a
street that the City has officially closed. He then called on Deputy City
Manager David Arrington to give the Council an overview.
Deputy City Manager David Arrington came forward to briefly explain the
efforts of the YMCA to invest $9 million in the uptown area to construct a new
YMCA building. He explained that the building would be located north of 13th
Street on a track of land and in order for that project to move forward, they
would acquire two small parcels of city owned property, which includes Warren
Avenue as well as a small triangular shaped piece of property known as 1333
Warren Avenue; this is currently a vacant lot. He reported that the appraised
value of the 1333 Warren Avenue property is $190,000. He explained that Warren
Avenue was not appraised but the value that we are working with is
approximately $180,000. He recognized the presence of Mr. David Steele and Mr.
Tom Mascinit with the YMCA board in the event that the Council has questions.
He pointed out that the Administration does support this investment into the
uptown area and would like to move forward. He then called attention to the
draft of a proposal to essentially exchange the land for membership for City
employees in lieu of cash payment, which was brought to the Council before back
in January. He also offered a proposal to enter into a 20-year lease with the
YMCA for a dollar a year with the option to renew for an additional 20-year
term within the contract. He pointed out that either proposal would provide
the property for them to move forward with the construction.
Mr. David Steele, President of YMCA, approached the rostrum to respond to
a question from Councilor Henderson regarding financing of the project by the
YMCA.
Several members of Council expressed their views and concerns with each of
the proposals.
Several members of Council offered suggestions on how to transfer this
property to the YMCA, which included, in part, the following referral:
Have the staff to provide information on what steps could be taken in order to
give the Warren Avenue property to the YMCA. (Request of Councilor Allen)
City Attorney Fay expressed concerns with donating the property to the
YMCA. He pointed out that we normally do these type situations as an
exchange. He noted that under the Charter, there are certain criteria that
have to be met. He then briefly explained that one criteria would be that the
Council would have to adopt a resolution that reads that the property is not
needed for public purposes and the interest of the Consolidated Government has
no appreciable monetary value, which is the only sticking point with respect to
a straight quitclaim deed.
Deputy City Manager Arrington then responded to questions from Councilor
McDaniel regarding utility lines and the lack of a necessity to have an
easement. re is not a lot of time for the employees to be true collectors.
She suggested that a debt collection agency be used to work those accounts that
the staff has been unable to collect on, after exhausting all of their means.
After questions raised by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh regarding how the city
acquired this property, Deputy City Manager Arrington responded by saying that
the triangular piece was purchased through CDBG funds a number of years ago.
She pointed out there are stipulations on how property acquired through CDBG
funds are handled, which resulted in the following referral:
Have the Administration to get together to determine how to proceed with the
lease considering the stipulations with this property being purchased with CDBG
funds and whose responsibility it would be to reimburse CDBG the $40,000 for
the property in order for the City to be able to lease the property to the
YMCA. (Request of Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh)
In conclusion, City Manager Hugley advised that we would bring this matter
back next week on Council?s agenda.
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HOTEL/MOTEL TAX:
City Manager Hugley recognized the presence of the present CEO of the
Columbus Convention and Visitor?s Bureau, Mr. Peter Bowden, who is present to
talk about their portion of the Hotel/Motel tax. At this time, Deputy City
Manager Arrington passed around the table a breakdown of the Hotel/motel tax
and the various agencies receiving a portion of the tax. He advised that the
CCVB receives 3?, Civic Center receives 2?, Trade Center 1? and the River
Center 1?. He explained that of the 3? that the CCVB receives, it shares it
with the Arts Alliance and the Sports Council.
Mr. Peter Bowden, Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, came forward
and provided a power point presentation regarding the hotel/motel tax and is
outlined as follows. He recapped the breakdown of the 7?
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VETERANS PARKWAY STREETSCAPES PROJECT:
Mr. Rick Jones spoke of enhancements that could be coming to a roadway
that is one of the main sections of the community. He reported that we have
received two transportation enhancement grants from DOT in the amount of $2
million to make this project happen. He then recognized Former Mayor Bob
Hydrick to come forward to make the presentation.
Former Mayor Mr. Bob Hydrick, came forward to advise that he is standing
in for Mr. Sam Wellborn. He maintained that this is a project that would
transform Veterans Parkway into a true parkway. He said the cost is
approximately $3.75 million that would be spent. He pointed out that there are
two $1 million grants that has be obtained, and there is a third $1 million
granted that would be granted this year. He then provided the following
presentation as outlined below accompanied by drawings of the potential end
results of the proposed project.
Veterans Parkway Streetscape Enhancement and Pedestrian Improvement Project
Project Description
Upgrade streetscape elements
from 13th Street
to Victory Drive
Improvements to
pedestrian facilities and lighting
street trees
traffic signals
Veterans Parkway Streetscape Enhancement and Pedestrian Improvement Project
Project Funding
GDOT grants = $3 million
Trees Columbus matching funds = $750,000
CCG capital outlays = $0
Veterans Parkway Streetscape Enhancement and Pedestrian Improvement Project
Benefits
Community appearance and image
Safety
Pedestrian access
Property values
Veterans Parkway Enhancement Project
Key Dates
2003/05/07 Grant applications
2005 Design contract awarded
2005/06 Planning and design
2006 Public hearing
2007 GDOT Concept design approval
Veterans Parkway Enhancement Project
Technical Elements
Streetscape Enhancements
Pedestrian Enhancements
Traffic Enhancements
Veterans Parkway Enhancement Project
Trees Medians Sidewalks Pedestrian Lighting Crossing Plazas
Street Lighting Relocated
Utilities Signal Mast Arms
Veterans Parkway Streetscape Enhancement and Pedestrian Improvement Project
Veterans Parkway Enhancement Project ? As Proposed and Modified, at Burger King
Veterans Parkway Enhancement Project ? As Proposed and Modified, At Car Wash
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RAILS TO TRAILS:
Planning Department Director Rick Jones came forward and provided the
following power point presentation:
Rails to Trails Update - 2007
A History of Effort
Abandon rail line acquired in 1990, from 10th Avenue (Rail Yards) to Psalmond
Road
Project identified in the 1993 Alternative Transportation Plan
Approved in 1999 as a SPLOST project for $11 million
Received $1.5 million in state Transportation Enhancement grants
A trolley component was proposed in the 1999 SPLOST, but was later put on hold
due to costs
Public hearings were held in 2005 to review the proposed design
Proposed Project
The entire project runs approximately 11 miles
Starts at the 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge and goes to Psalmond Road
Project was initially to be built in two stages
14th Street Pedestrian Bridge to Cooper Creek Park
Cooper Creek Park to Psalmond Road
A third stage has been added to include the section from Columbus State
University to Cooper Creek Park in order to utilize the state Transportation
Enhancement grants
Trail will consist of a 12 foot wide asphalt trail for walking, biking, and
jogging
The Uptown section will require the upgrading of sidewalks and the
establishment of bike lanes
Amenities will include benches, trash receptacles, and signage
Two rest areas are planned:
Near Hannan Elementary Magnet Academy
Across from Peachtree Mall
Rest areas would have public restrooms, water fountains and possibly space for
small retail operations (bike shop, snack shop)
Options Worth Considering
Lighting of the Trail
Security Cameras
Call Boxes
Recommended Action
State Transportation Enhancement grants need to be utilized now by the city
($1.5 million)
Opportunity exists to make all or some of SPLOST funds available now ($11
million)
Use of all available funds would the entire project gets built at the same time
Construction could start mid summer 2007
Contest to allow community to name the trail could be developed
Utilize state Transportation Enhancement grants now ($1.5 million)
Make available all (some) of the SPLOST funds to complete the entire project
now ($11 million)
Authorize construction to begin by mid-summer 2007
Authorize a citywide contest to name the trail
In conclusion, Councilor McDaniel made a motion to accept the concept of
the streetscape with necessary modifications. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner
Pugh and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this
meeting.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At the request of City Manager Hugley, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh made a
motion to go into executive session on personnel matters. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members present for
this meeting.
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At 11:56 a.m., the Council adjourned its regular session to allow the
Council to go into an executive session.
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At 12:41 p.m., the regular meeting was reconvened, at which time, Mayor
Wetherington announced that the Council did meet in executive session to
discuss personnel matters, but there were no votes taken.
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With there being no other business to come before the Council, Mayor Pro
Tem Turner Pugh made a motion for adjournment. Seconded by Councilor Woodson
and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council present with
Councilor Hunter having left the meeting, with the time being 12:42 p.m.
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Sandra T. Davis, DCMC
Deputy Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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