Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

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

Council Members

REFERRALS/RESPONSES FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL

COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 10, 2012







TO THE CITY ATTORNEY:



1. TAXICAB INDUSTRY:



Have staff to check into the concerns of some of the taxicab drivers with

respect to the rising fuel cost and determine how this matter could be

addressed after looking into all of the factors. (Request of Councilor Davis)



RESPONSE:

Per City Attorney Clifton Fay:



A draft ordinance has been provided to Council for consideration.



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TO THE CITY MANAGER:



2. COMER AUDITORIUM:



Have the staff to research to determine if there are funding possibilities

through HUD, grants or other programs for the repair and renovation of the

Comer Auditorium. Also, let?s check with GMA to see if there are any other

funding opportunities. (Request of Councilor Woodson)



Provide updates on the assessment and repair of the Comer Auditorium to keep us

apprised regarding funding availability. (Request of Councilor Davis)



*** *** ***

RESPONSE:



Staff is working on this referral and will provide a response by May 8, 2012.





REFERRALS/RESPONSES FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL

COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 10, 2012 CONT?D







3. EMPLOYEE COACHING & TRAINING:



Have the staff to consider compensating the employees that are swimming coaches

by an extra nominal amount for the certification; then, pay them per student

for training instructions. (Request of Councilor Henderson)



Have the staff to check into allowing non-employees the opportunity to coach at

our facilities, but not the employees that are on their own time. (Request of

Councilor Thomas)



RESPONSE:

Per Parks/Recreation Director James Worsley:



The Parks and Recreation Department is currently considering paying lifeguards

that provide instruction more per hour. The nominal amount that is being

suggested is $10 per hour. The Parks and Recreation Department will also take

under consideration the suggestion of paying lifeguards per student for

training instruction.



Non-employees are allowed to coach at our facilities. We utilized volunteers

who are able to pass the city's background check. For example, non-employees

coach in our basketball program each season. We are also encouraging employees

to volunteer their time as coaches as long as they do not supervise or oversee

the program or facility.





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4. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE:



Have the staff check on the property located at 4598 Labrador Drive in Hunter?s

Point to go ahead and have the grass cut and get the property cleaned up.

Also, let?s attempt to get a response from the bank owners with regards to

their intentions with the property and to see if they would get this property

on a routine maintenance schedule during the summer. (Request of Councilor

Henderson)



RESPONSE:



On April 17, 2012, Special Enforcement Staff checked location, draft a letter

to contractor for handling, and will bill the property owner.





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REFERRALS/RESPONSES FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL

COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 10, 2012 ? CONT?D







5. TRAFFIC CONCERNS:



Have the staff check into an unauthorized entrance that has been cut across

city right-of-way going into Bridgemill, off Whitesville Road. The staff has

been made aware of this and was to block this entrance. Have staff to provide

an update on the status. (Request of Councilor Henderson)



RESPONSE:

Per Engineering Director Donna Newman:



Both the City and Water Works are working on this referral and will provide an

update as soon as possible.





*** *** ***



6. LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:



Provide an update or report on the legislative agenda that was forwarded to

the State delegation to determine which items were introduced, what was the

final decision or status of those introduced, and if an item was not

introduced; then, we should know why. Also, before the city develops its next

legislative agenda, let?s have some discussion on how we are going to do that.

There were pieces of legislation that were adopted and copied to the members of

Council; however, we have not discussed how the legislation would impact the

city of Columbus. Also, Let?s work on the Council having more contact with the

State Legislators during the General Session. (Request of Councilor Thomas)

Also, let?s see if we could invite our State Delegation to a City Council

Meeting to report back to the Council on legislation for the purpose of having

some discussion. (Request of Mayor Tomlinson)



*** *** ***



RESPONSE:



State Representative Calvin Smyre will provide a Legislative Update Tuesday,

April 24, 2012. A copy of the report is attached.





REFERRALS/RESPONSES FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL

COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 10, 2012 ? CONT?D





7. DITCHES:



Have the staff to check into a ditch that has standing water in the area off

Newcastle Way that runs from Regency Drive all the way to Skylake Drive. Also,

there is a hydrant that is running at the intersection of Newcastle Way and

Harwich Circle. (Request of Councilor Barnes)



RESPONSE:



The ditch is clean but holding water. Rainwater Management will coordinate

with Heavy Equipment to have the grade-all machine to grade the ditch. There

will be some areas the crew will not be able to reach and a Rainwater inmate

crew will grade those using shovels. I will keep you updated on our progress.

The Columbus Water Works has turned off this hydrant until repairs are

completed.



*** *** ***

8. BUFFER ZONES:



Have the staff to provide some information on how to hold contractors

accountable with regards to putting buffer zones in place; the address of this

particular property would be provided at a later time. (Request of Councilor

Huff)



RESPONSE:

Per Deputy City Manager David Arrington:



Below is a statement that basically combines Donna and Ron's responses. It is

my best understand of the current process. Please update the Buffer Zone

referral with the statement below unless Donna, Pat, or Ron has a problem with

the information.



The petitioner is required to submit site development plans in accordance with

the UDO requirements for buffers. If Council imposes additional buffer

requirements in a zoning ordinance, those requirements are included in the plan

review process. The buffer requirements in the site development plans are

reviewed and approved, if compliant to the UDO or zoning ordinance, by the City

Arborist. The City Arborist or his designee inspects the development during

construction to insure compliance with the approved plans. When construction

is complete and all buffer requirements are met, the Arborist submits his

approval for the project to move forward and the warranty period to begin.



After construction is complete, the maintenance of the buffers as required by

the UDO or ordinance becomes the responsibility of the Inspections and Codes

Department. The department will dispatch an inspection to investigate any

complaint concerning the compliance of a buffer to requirements set forth by

the UDO or Council.

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