Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

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

Council Members

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

REGULAR SESSION

MAY 8, 2007



The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called

to order at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, May 8, 2007, 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 Mike Baker, Jerry Barnes, Glenn Davis, Berry H. Henderson,

Julius H. Hunter, Jr., and Evelyn Woodson. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City

Attorney Clifton Fay, Assistant City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council

Tiny B. Washington and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also present.

Councilor R. Gary Allen took his seat at the Columbus table at 9:15 a.m.

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ABSENT: Councilor Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., and R. Gary Allen was absent, but

was excused upon the adoption of Resolution number 205-07 and 206-07.

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INVOCATION: Offered by Reverend Michael McBride, Pastor of Trinity Temple.



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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by students from River Road Elementary School.

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PROCLAMATIONS:



?PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK?:



With Ms. Reather Hollowell standing at the Council table, Mayor

Pro Tem Turner Pugh read the proclamation of Mayor Wetheirngton, proclaiming

the week of May 6 ? 12, 2007 as ?Public Service Recognition Week? in Columbus,

Georgia.



?BUILDING SAFEETY WEEK?:



With Mr. Danny Cargill, President of the West Georgia Inspectors

Association standing at the Council table, Councilor Davis read the

proclamation of Mayor Wetheirngton, proclaiming the week of May 6 ? 12, 2007 as

?Building Safety Week? in Columbus, Georgia.





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?NATIONAL DAY OF THE TEACHER?:



With Mr. Al Barnes standing at the Council table, Councilor Hunter read

the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington, proclaiming May 8, 2007 as ?National

Day of the Teacher? in Columbus, Georgia.

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MAYOR?S AGENDA:



WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE NORTHSIDE HIGH

SCHOOL QUARTET STANDING AT THE COUNCIL

TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS

ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND ADOPTED

BY THE COUNCIL:______________________________________



A Resolution (192-07) ? Commending and congratulating the

Northside Quartet of Northside High School for winning First

Place at the State Literary Competition. Councilor Henderson moved the

adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried

unanimously by those seven members of Council present at the time, with

Councilor Barnes being absent for this vote and Councilors Allen and

McDaniel being absent from the meeting.



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WITH THE COACH AND MEMBERS OF THE COLUMBSU

COTTOMOUTHS HOCKEY TEAM STANDING AT THE

COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS

SUBMITTED AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY CUNCILOR

HENDERSON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: _ _________



A Resolution (193-07) ? Commending and congratulating the Columbus

Cottonmouths Hockey Team upon winning the Commissioner?s Cup and upon their

outstanding 2006-2007 season. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the

resolution. Seconded by Councilor Hunter and carried unanimously by those eight

members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen and McDaniel

being absent.



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WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE NORTHSIDE HIGH

SCHOOL RIFLE TEAM STANDING AT THE COUNCIL

TABLE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED

AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR DAVIS AND

ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:____________________________



A Resolution (194-07) ? Commending and congratulating the Northside High

School Rifle Team upon their victory at the State Rifle Match held at Ft.

Benning, Georgia on March 24, 2007. Councilor Davis moved the adoption of the

resolution. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those

eight members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen and

McDaniel being absent.

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MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING: Minutes of the March 13, 2007 Council Meeting of

the Council of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were submitted

and approved upon the adoption of a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh

and seconded by Councilor Woodson, which carried unanimously by those eight

members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen and McDaniel

being absent for this vote.

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CITY ATTORNEY'S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY

AND DELAYED BY THE COUNCIL:___________________________________________________



An Ordinance ? Amending the budget for the Fiscal Year 2007 beginning July 1,

2006 and ending June 30, 2007, for certain funds of the Consolidated Government

of Columbus, Georgia; and appropriating amounts shown in the SPLOST Project

Fund for the Library Project.



Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh made a motion to delay the ordinance. Seconded

by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council

present for this meeting, with Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent for

this vote.



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THE FOLLOWING FOUR ZONING ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

ATTORNEY FAY AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON EACH AS ADVERTISED:_____



An Ordinance ? Rezoning property located at 3515 Macon Road from an NC

(Neighborhood Commercial) District to a GC (General Commercial) District.

(17-A-07-Cummings)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



Mr. Davis Cummings, the petitioner was present, but he did not make a

presentation, as there was no one there to oppose this proposed rezoning

ordinance.



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An Ordinance ? Rezoning property located at 7200, 7875 and 12001 Layfield

Road from an RE1 (Residential Estate 1) District to an RE10 (Residential Estate

10) District and properties located at 7680 and 7900 Layfield Rd and the

Jackson property on the east side of Layfield Road are proposed for rezoning

from an RE1 (Residential Estate 1) District to an RE5 (Residential Estate 5)

District. (18-A-07-Planning Department)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



Members of the Planning Division staff was present, but they did not make a

presentation, as there was no one present to oppose this proposed rezoning

ordinance.



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An Ordinance ? Rezoning property located at 4730 and 4744 Warm Springs

Road from an SFR1 (Single Family Residential 1) District to a GC (General

Commercial) District. (16-A-07-H & S Brokerage Co.)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



No one was present to speak for or against this proposed rezoning

ordinance.



Councilor Henderson pointed out that Synovus Trust owns this property and

that when the tine comes to vote on this matter, he will be requesting to

abstain from voting on the matter.



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An Ordinance ? Rezoning property located at 5388 Veterans Parkway is

proposed for rezoning from an NC (Neighborhood Commercial) District to a GC

(General Commercial) District. (19-CA-07-Flournoy & Calhoun)



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



No one appeared to spoke for or against this proposed rezoning ordinance.



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THE FOLLOWING FIVE RESOLUTIONS EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THOSE EMPLOYEES

WHO RECENTLY RETIRED FROM THE SERVICES OF THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT WERE

SUBMITTED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER

PUGH AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTINO OF A MOTION MADE BY

MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON, WHICH CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SEVEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESNET AT THE TIME, WITH

COUNCILOR HUNTER BEING ABSENT FOR THIS VOTE:_______



A Resolution (195-07) ? Expressing appreciation to Mr. Rufus M. Riggs upon

his retirement as Director of the Public Services Department, after 17 years of

service.



A Resolution (196-07) ? Expressing appreciation to Mr. Douglas W. Shafer

upon his retirement from the Columbus Police Department/ Investigative

Services, after 36 years of service.



A Resolution (197-07) ? Expressing appreciation to Mr. Gregory W. White

upon his retirement from the Columbus Police Department/Field Operations, after

37 years of service.



A Resolution (198-07) ? Expressing appreciation to Mr. Robert Porch upon

his retirement from the Public Services Department, after 25 years of service.



A Resolution (199-07) ? Expressing appreciation to Mr. Jimmy B. Mays, Jr.

upon his retirement from the Columbus Police Department/Field Operations, after

31 years of service.

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PUBLIC AGENDA



Mr. Richard Bishop, representing Uptown Columbus, Inc., Re: Announcement of

the Uptown Columbus, Inc. Broadway Event Series



Mr. Dennis Roaden & Ms. Susan Wieczorek, representing Our Lady of Rosehill

Ministries, Re: Update on homeless mission.



Mr. Jim Rhodes, Re: Requesting support for interchanges on Moon Road from

Wilbur Avenue to Whitesville Boulevard and (2) Support for Veterans

Administration Center in Columbus, Georgia.



Mr. Lorenza Wilder, Re: Police Department and Speeding.



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CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER

HUGLEY AND DELAYED BY THE COUNCIL AT HIS REQUEST: _____________________________



A Resolution ? Declaring a segment and right-of-way of Lynch Road from

the north right-of-way line of Manchester Expressway north to the north

property line of 7716 Lynch Road as surplus and execute a Quit Claim to Doug

and Jeannie Jefcoat, adjacent property owner for said property.



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THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY

MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE

MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON,

WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SEVEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESNET AT THE

TIME, WITH COUNCILOR DAVIS BEING ABSENT FOR THIS VOTE AND COUNCILORS ALLEN AND

MCDANIEL BEING ABSENT FROM THE MEETING;









A Resolution (200-07) ? Authorizing the submission of an application and

if approved accept a $15,000 grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety

for the Muscogee County Marshal's Office to enhance traffic enforcement

efforts.



A Resolution (201-07) ? Amending Resolution # 514-06; whereby Sandy View

Drive was incorrectly listed as Sandy Oak Drive on the resolution, located in

Seventh Addition to Roosevelt Heights.



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THE FOLLOWING THREE PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS HAVING BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE

CITY MANAGER?S AGENDA WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY

AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE ADOPTION OF A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY

MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE SEVEN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESNET AT THE TIME, WITH

COUNCILOR DAVIS BEING ABSENT FOR THIS VOTE AND COUNCILORS ALLEN AND MCDANIEL

BEING ABSENT FROM THE MEETING; _______________________________



A Resolution (202-07) ? Authorizing the purchase of one (1) Harley

Davidson police motorcycle from Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson in the amount

of $17,147.78. The motorcycle is a replacement unit. The unit will be used by

the Motor Transport Division of the Columbus Police Department for traffic

control, motor vehicle accident response and investigations throughout the City.



A Resolution (203-07) ? Authorizing payment to National League of Cities in the

amount of $10,254.00 for membership dues. The National League of Cities is the

oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments

throughout the United States. Its mission is to strengthen and promote cities

as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance. Working in partnership

with the 49 state municipal leagues, the National League of Cities serves as a

resource to and an advocate for the more than 18,000 cities, villages, and

towns it represents. More than 1,600 municipalities of all sizes pay dues to

NLC and actively participate as leaders and voting members in the

organization. The National League of Cities provides numerous benefits to its

network of state municipal leagues and direct members.



A Resolution (204-07) ? Authorizing the execution of a construction

contract for a flood abatement project with Reynolds, Inc., for the

value-engineered amount of $18,300,000, and for the Engineering Department to

purchase box culvert and check valve materials directly from the vendors

utilized by Reynolds, Inc. The Project consists of Phase I Sewer and

Streetscapes for the 6th Avenue Flood Abatement Project. The bid includes

Sewer and Streetscapes line items for Phases I, II and III; Reynolds, Inc., is

the apparent low-bidder. The bid amounts exceeded the amount budgeted for this

project. Therefore, in accordance with Section 3-108, Item J of the

Procurement Ordinance, the City requested the apparent low-bidder to

value-engineer all phases of the project. Although other vendors are low on

certain phases of the project, the City can only request value engineering from

the low-bidder for the entire project. Upon completion of the value engineering

process, the Engineering Department decided funds were available only for Phase

I of the project. Reynolds, Inc., total bid for Phase I Sewer and Phase I

Streetscapes was $19,883,968.62; the value-engineered total for Phase I Sewer

and Phase I Streetscapes is $18,300,000.



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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



City Manager Hugley said he would like to request a brief executive

session after the adjournment of today?s meeting to discuss a personnel matter.



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CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL SERVICES:



City Manager Hugley reminded the Council of the Candlelight Memorial

Services which will be held today at 7:00 p.m. on the Plaza Level of the

Government Center.

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CLERK OF COUNCIL?S AGENDA:



CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING ITEM AS INFORMATION

FOR THE MAYOR & COUNCIL: ________________________________________________



(1) Copy of TAD Redevelopment Planning and Implementation: Implications for

the Columbus Consolidated Government and Muscogee County School District.



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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND

ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:___________________________________________________



A Resolution (205-07) ? Excusing Councilor Charles E. McDaniel, Jr.

from the May 8, 2007 Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh

moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and

carried unanimously by those six members of Council present at the time,

with Councilors Davis and Hunter being absent for this vote and Councilors

Allen and McDaniel being absent from the meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING THREE TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED AND

EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:

___________________________________________________



Application of Courtney Blackmar to temporarily close Peachtree Drive from

Elmwood Drive to Crest Drive (including its intersection with Park Drive) on

Monday, May 28, 2007 from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., in connection with a ?Memorial

Day Celebration?.



Application of Richard Bishop to temporarily close Broadway from 10th -

12th Street and 11th Street from Front Avenue to west side of 1st Avenue, on

Fridays, May 18, 25, June 1 & 8, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., in

connection with pedestrian safety.



Application of Richard Bishop to temporarily close Broadway from 10th -

12th Street and 11th Street from Front Avenue to west side of 1st Avenue, on

Saturday, June 9, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., in connection with

pedestrian safety.



Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the approval of these applications.

Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those six members of

Council present at the time, with Councilors Davis and Hunter being absent for

this vote and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from the meeting.



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MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY APPROVED BY THE

COUNCIL:_______________________________



Board of Tax Assessors, No. 17-07.

Board of Zoning Appeals, April 4, 2007.

Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, February 14, 2007.



Councilor Henderson made a motion to receive the minutes. Seconded by

Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by those six members of Council present

at the time, with Councilors Davis and Hunter being absent for this vote and

Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from the meeting.



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CLERK OF COUNCIL SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION AS AN ADD-ON ITEM,

WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL: ___________________________________________



An application of Ms. Lucy Burkett to temporarily close the Dillingham

Street Bridge, on Friday, May 11, 2007, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in

connection with the "CVCC Graduation Ceremony". Councilor Henderson moved the

approval of the application. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried

unanimously by those six members of Council present at the time, with

Councilors Davis and Hunter being absent for this vote and Councilors Allen and

McDaniel being absent from the meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING ADD-0N RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:

______________________________________________



A Resolution (206-07) ? Excusing Councilor Allen from the May 8, 2007 Council

meeting. Councilor Henderson moved the approval of the application. Seconded by

Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those six members of Council

present at the time, with Councilors Davis and Hunter being absent for this

vote and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being absent from the meeting.



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THE FOLLOWING TWO NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINACNE AND PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED FOR BY COUNCILOR

HENDERSON:_________________________________



Petition submitted by Homecorp to rezone approximately 0.14 acre of

property located as part of 3361 North Lumpkin Road from GC (General

Commercial) to RMF2 (Residential Multi-Family 2). (Recommended for approval by

both the Planning Advisory Commission and the Planning Department.)

(21-A-07-Homecorp)



Petition submitted by Johnny Cato to rezone approximately 0.75 acre of

property located at 6344 & 6366 Buena Vista Road from NC (Neighborhood

Commercial) to GC (General Commercial). (Recommended for approval by the

Planning Advisory Commission and denial by the Planning Department.)

(22-D-07-Cato)



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BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CULTURAL LIAISON ENCOUNTERS

(C.I.R.C.L.E):______________



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we still need someone to fill

the expired term of Mr. Bill Walton?s position. There were no nominations.

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HOSPITAL AUTHORITY:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we still need three nominees

for someone to succeed Mr. Tom Gurr, who has resigned and

Ms. Evelyn Turgeon, who does not wish to be reappointed. Mayor Pro Tam Turner

Pugh nominated Ms. Cathy Walker.

RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we need someone to succeed

Ms. Susan Hindsman, who is no longer a resident of Muscogee County and pointed

out that this is Councilor Anthony?s nominee and he is working on getting a

replacement.



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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Mayor

Wetherington then asked if there was anyone from the audience who had an issue

to come before the Council, they could be heard at this time. No one came

forward to be heard.



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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



At the request of City Manager Hugley, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh then made

a motion to allow the Council to go into an executive session to discuss a

personnel matter. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by

those six members of Council present at the time, with Councilors Davis and

Hunter being absent for this vote and Councilors Allen and McDaniel being

absent from the meeting.



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At 10:52 a.m. the regular session was adjourned to allow the Council to go

into an executive session to discuss a personnel matter.



At 11:35 a.m., the meeting was called back to order at which time Mayor

Wetherington pointed out that the Council met in an executive session to

discuss personnel matter, but there was no votes taken.



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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Councilor

Anthony then made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and

carried unanimously by those six members with the time being 11:36 a.m.



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Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia







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