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

JANUARY 8, 2008





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

to order at 9:02 A.M., Tuesday, January 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 that Mayor Wetherington were Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner

Pugh, Councilors R. Gary Allen, Wayne Anthony, Mike Baker, Jerry ?Pops? Barnes,

Glenn Davis, Berry H. 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.

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ABSENT: No one was absent.

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INVOCATION: Offered by Dr. Rolesta Ellis ? Pastor of Calvary Pentecostal

Tabernacle of Faith, Inc.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Jim Wetherington

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***--------------------------------------PROCLAMATIONS:



?UNITY MONTH?:



With Reverend Gerald B. Goodman standing at the Council table, Councilor

Barnes read the proclamation of Mayor Wetherington proclaiming the month of

January 2008 as ?Unity Month? in Columbus, Georgia.



Reverend Goodman stated that their efforts are no different than that of

Council or Columbus One, which is to promote citizenship where there is no

divide; citizens carry equal value and all persons in this city can be honored

and celebrated.



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?MLK PRIDE CLEANUP DRIVE MONTHS?:



With Ms. Lonya Jackson-Sarden ? Chairperson of the M.L.K Pride Cleanup

Drive Months standing at the Council table, Councilor Anthony read the

proclamation of Mayor Wetherington proclaiming January 12 ? February 23, 2008

as ?MLK Pride Cleanup Drive Months?, in Columbus, Georgia.



Ms. Sarden thanked the Mayor & Council for their continued support and

then called upon them to initiate a citywide cleanup. She also asked the

Council, as well as the audience to stand with her and recite the ?Anti-

Littering Pledge?.

MAYOR?S AGENDA:



WITH A FRIEND OF MS. FRYER STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE FOLLOWING

RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON AND

ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL: _____________________________________



A Resolution (1-08) ? Expressing sincere condolences to the family of

Carolyn Fryer, former Deputy Clerk of the U. S. District Court for the Middle

District of Georgia. Councilor Henderson called on the family members of Ms.

Carolyn Fryer to come forward. Upon reading the resolution, Councilor Henderson

moved the adoption. Seconded by Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by

those ten members of Council present for this meeting.



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WITH MEMBERS OF THE VITA COALTION STANDING AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, THE

FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS READ IN ITS ENTIRETY BY COUNCILOR BAKER AND ADOPTED BY

THE COUNCIL:________________________________________________________



A Resolution (2-08) ? Commending and supporting the Chattahoochee Valley

VITA Coalition for their efforts to provide free tax preparation to the

community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Councilor

Baker called on Mr. Joe Riddle and Ms. Linda Hyles to come forward. Upon

reading the resolution, Councilor Baker moved the adoption. Seconded by

Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present for this meeting.



Ms. Hyles thanked Council for their continued support; recognized members

of the VITA Coalition: United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley and Ms. Jennifer

St. John; Columbus Family Connection and Mr. Junie Christian; Homeless Resource

Network; Family Center and Mr. Jerome Harper and Ms. Lisa Scribner; Financial

Group; Jo Ann Cavis; Donna Cassell; Internal Revenue Service; Columbus

Consolidated Government and Mr. Joe Riddle; and volunteers. She stated that

this free service saved taxpayers a total of $131,400 ? money that would have

been paid to other tax preparers.



Mayor Wetherington extended his personal thanks to Ms. Hyles and the

volunteers who worked so hard in preparing tax returns.



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ZONING PUBLIC HEARING:



THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTOR NEY FAY

AND A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD AS

ADVERTISED:______________________________________



An Ordinance ? Rezoning property located at 1230, 1236, 1244, 1246 and

1248 5TH Avenue from an LMI (Light Manufacturing/Industrial) District to GC

(General Commercial) District. (56-A-07-Wightman) The proposed use is retail

and commercial services.



PROPONENTS & OPPONENTS:



Mr. Chris Wightman, the petitioner was present, but he did not make a

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

ordinance.



City Attorney Fay informed Council that this would be back for a vote next

week on second reading.



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CITY ATTORNEY?S AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING FIVE RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND THEIR CAPTIONS READ BY

MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER PUGH AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:______________________________________



A Resolution (3-08) ? Expressing appreciation to Mr. Charles E. Lloyd,

Police Chief upon his retirement with the Columbus Metropolitan Airport, with

13 years of service. Upon reading the resolution, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh

moved the adoption. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by

those eight members of Council present at the time, with Councilors Allen and

Woodson being absent for this vote.



A Resolution (4-08) ? Expressing appreciation to Mrs. Doris M. Johnson

upon her retirement with the Muscogee Manor Rehab Center, with 15 years of

service. Upon reading the resolution, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the

adoption. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those

eight members of Council present at the time, with Councilors Allen and Woodson

being absent for this vote.



A Resolution (5-08) ? Expressing appreciation to Mr. Paul Rivera, Jr.,

upon his retirement with the Muscogee County Sheriff?s Department, with 22

years of service. Upon reading the resolution, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved

the adoption. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and carried unanimously by those

eight members of Council present at the time, with Councilors Allen and Woodson

being absent for this vote.



A Resolution (6-08) ? Conveying condolences to the family of Mrs. Dorothy

Pemberton, with the Finance/Accounting Department, who passed away on December

11, 2007. Upon reading the resolution, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the

adoption. Seconded by Councilor Baker and carried unanimously by those eight

members of Council present at the time, with Councilors Allen and Woodson being

absent for this vote.



A Resolution (7-08) ? Conveying condolences to the family of Mr. Anthony

E. Jacobs, who passed away on November 18, 2007. Upon reading the resolution,

Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption. Seconded by Councilor Baker and

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

Councilors Allen and Woodson being absent for this vote.



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EXECUTIVE SESSION



City Attorney Fay informed Council that City Manager Hugley would like a

short executive session to discuss real estate acquisition after the

adjournment of today?s meeting.

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PUBLIC AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING PERSONS APPEARED ON THE PUBLIC AGENDA AND PROVIDED IS A

SUMMARY OF EACH PERSON COMMENTS: ____



MS. SONYA LIEBENDORFER, REPRESENTING HIDDEN HILLS SUBDIVISION, RE: THE

CONSTRUCTION OF A BARRICADE OR GUARDRAIL AT THE DEADEND OF RITCHEN

DRIVE:_______________



Ms. Liebendorfer said that she is before Council to talk about a very deadly

situation on Ritchhaven Drive. She stated that on December 16, 2007, a car went

through the dead-end and down a 40 ? 50ft hill and into the back yard of her

residence. Her son who was in his bedroom was not hurt (but the car came within

two feet of him); neither were the driver and passenger of the car hurt.



She said that she is here to ask (on behalf of the residents of the

subdivision at the bottom of the hill) that something be done about the dead

end at Ritchhaven Drive. She said since speaking to Councilor Allen about this

matter, three vertical posts with diamond reflectors have been installed at the

dead-end. Ms. Liebendorfer stated that those vertical posts are set so far

apart, that a car can still go between them and down the hill and into the

houses.



City Manager Hugley informed the Mayor and Council that this was a fist

step in securing this area; four-way stop signs can also be put in place; and

engineer Ron Hamlett is also here to provide more information on this matter.



Mr. Ron Hamlett, Traffic Engineer said what we want to do is to take a look

at the location to see what can happen. He said we have followed the normal

procedure for permanent dead-end by putting the red diamonds. He said there is

also a dead-end sign for that and the next progressive step would be to go

ahead and make the intersection ahead of that one a multi-way stop sign.

Therefore anyone who comes through it would have to come to a complete stop.

Another option would be to install an interlocking vegetative barrier and still

leave access to the property ? this can be done for under $5,000. The third

option would be what is called an Impact Continuator system ? these are the

large barrels designed to protect fixed objects. This would cost an estimated

$10,000. The last and more permanent option would be to construct a normal

paved cul-de-sac where cars would be able to turn around; however, the

disadvantage to that is the paving puts everything closer to the drop-off.



Councilor McDaniel asked City Manager Hugley how much it would cost to put

guardrail across that street. City Manager Hugley replied that he did not know

but a guardrail may not be appropriate at this intersection. Mr. Hamlett

further added that guardrails are designed for angle impact of no more than 25

degrees and a guardrail would make this a worst situation.



City Manager Hugley said what they are recommending is that we make it a

four-way stop because we believe that this will solve the problem. He said they

would also post some dead-end signs at that location as well.



Several members of the Council then expressed their views regarding this

matter.



Councilor Davis stated that he sympathizes with Ms. Liebendorfer and asked

Mr. Hamlett if posts with cabling across it can stop a vehicle to which Mr.

Hamlett answered that these are another form of guardrails designed for

low-flat angle impacts ? the purpose of it is to redirect the vehicle back onto

the road path.



Councilor Henderson stated that he has looked at this area and suggested

filling in the gaps between the posts ? possibly with posts half the height of

those currently there.



Ms. Liebendorfer said her main concern that she is her addressing is the

concern and safety of the driver, as well as those residents in the area.



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MR. BILLY WATSON, RE: HEALTH INSURANCE FOR RETIRED CITY

EMPLOYEES:________________________________________________



Mr. Billy Watson, 5552 Perry Avenue said that he has been before this

Council many times and feel compelled to come again not just for himself, but

also for the many retirees who are not able or capable of being here. He said

many of them have no one to advise them and must rely on people such as you

(Council).

It is apparent that who ever was the author of the new health plan gave no

consideration to the dedicated service or sympathy to retirees who are

struggling to get by with the high cost of living today. No one could imagine

that the cost of health care would skyrocket so we understood when we had to

begin paying part of the premium, as the cost of health care increases, our

part of the premium increased. He said in October we were paying $90 per month,

which was a major part of the premium; drugs were under Medicare and we have to

make a decision about our supplemental policy. Representatives from the Human

Resources and Finance Departments came out to our retirees meeting and informed

us that if we stayed under the city plan, everything would remain the same.



Mr. Watson said in October 2007, we received a letter from Tom Barron,

Director of Human Resources stating that the city was changing our insurance.

He stated that this was good news for the city and retirees, as the new plan

would eliminate all deductibles ? this plan cost 20% co-pay on almost

everything. He said he called Human Resources (Shirley) and asked about the

zero co-pay on the card and was told this was an error. He said if this was an

error (we received our cards in Nov) there was plenty of time to send out new

cards and correct this. He said he asked what the 20% co-pay was on ? total

bill or amount Medicare approve? She (Shirley) stated that it was her

understanding that it was on the total bill. Another retiree told me that when

he called the phone number given in the booklet, he was told the same thing.

However, when he called the same number and spoke to Stephanie, she stated it

was on the amount Medicare would pay. Since the booklet stated we could go to

any doctor that accepted this plan, I asked her how many doctors accepted this

plan and she stated about 8 out of 10. Health insurance is one of the most

important things to retirees. If the city was considering changing our

coverage, we should have received some type of notification.



City Manager Hugley said he had HR Director Tom Barron to prepare a three

bullet summary of the old plan (which ended December 2007) and the new plan

which started this month (January 2008) and try to break down the differences

in the plans. When the representative from Blue Cross/Blue Shield came and made

the presentation, it was indicated that there would be no changes and many

advantages to this plan; all that he (Mr. Watson) indicated was accurate, but

after-the-fact it was found that there is a 20% charge with no up front

deductible as had been in the old plan last year, but there is a maximum out of

pocket of $2,000.



Director Tom Barron said he has been a part of about four meetings with

retirees and there have been several hundred (all total) attending those

meetings. He said there is some truth to what Mr. Watson said ? some retirees

don?t have quite as good benefit as they had before. Others have better

benefits ?so it does impact different people differently. He said from what he

is aware of, there is no real problem with the physicians and hospitals in

town. Every hospital accepts this plan and almost all the physicians do (major

groups: Columbus Clinic, Horizon Physician) and every time we heard of a

physician who would not accept it, we sent Blue Cross out and they talked to

them and worked it out.



He said the extra cost (in a worst case scenario) a retiree could be faced

with is having to pay $125.00 for something they did not have before this plan

went into effect. But for the low-income retirees, they do not have to pay that

because it is a co-insurance and not a co-payment. This is a benefit to every

retiree and this entire organization. He said the fact that we could not

sustain the plan in its current state and by making this change in the plan, we

have cut about $1.3 million per month out of what the government was going to

have to put into this plan.



Councilor Woodson suggested that Mr. Barron and/or Blue Cross provide some

kind of script to their employees that explain the differences between the old

and new insurance plan/program. This way, when retirees call to ask questions

or get information, the information provided will not differ.



Mayor Wetherington and Council spent another fifteen minutes to further

explain the strain and difficulties the government faces in trying to provide

the best insurance possible for retirees.



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MR. JIM RHODES, RE: MOON ROAD:____________________________



Mr. Jim Rhodes said he is here this morning to present a petition to make

Moon Road three-lanes with the center lane being a turn lane and funding the

project with $4 million from the reserve fund. He also stated that five minutes

is not enough time to discuss anything. He said he has being waiting four or

five more years for Moon Road to be completed and this is too long given the

current traffic situation ? something has to done even if it means taking the

money out of the reserve fund.

He said currently there is a two-lane highway going through the subdivision and

making Moon Road into a four-lane highway is only going to make things worst

for the people living in this area. Mr. Rhodes also submitted a petition signed

by 106 residents against the expansion of Moon Road.



After several minutes of comments and suggestions from Council, Councilor

Davis asked Mr. Rick Jones, Director of the Planning Department to come back

during the next Work Session so this issue and others regarding roads

improvements can be discussed further.



Councilor Davis also asked City Manager Hugley to provide an update of the

situation on Effingham Way.



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MS. CATHY WILLIAMS, REPRESENTING NEIGHBOR WORKS COLUMBUS, RE: REQUESTING

THE SALE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY IN THE

ENTERPRISE:__________________________________



Mr. Cathy Williams, President and CEO of Neighbor Works Columbus. conceded

her time to Mr. Ken Henson but remained to answer questions Council may have.



Ms. Meredith Jarrell, representing Neighbor Works Columbus, Re: Requesting

the sale of City-owned property for ?Soldiers? Village?. Presented a drawing of

proposed Soldiers? Village. Ms. Jarrell stated that the intent of the proposal

is not just to provide affordable housing but also to provide quality hosing in

Columbus South. She said based on the market study done by Neighbor Works

Columbus, it indicated that the largest gap of un-serviced citizens is the

young military family. As a partnership with the city, Neighbor Works Columbus

can help develop ?Soldiers? Village?. According to Ms. Jarrell, this program

has been in the works for over one year and the window of opportunity for

capital is very short and will require Neighbor Works Columbus to have control

of the property by the end of February 2008 in order to get the capital.



This project is called a PUD (Planned Urban Development) ? there are

villas, town homes, physical training area, BBQ, and other community

activities. She said there will also be retail and commercial property in this

area; which is Councilor Hunter?s District, as well as being in the enterprise

zone. She said, as such the zoning will also have to be changed from Light

Industrial to Residential. This property is located at Fort Benning and Cusseta

Road.



Ms. Reggie Richards, representing Neighbor Works Columbus, Re: Requesting

the sale of City-owned property in the Enterprise Zone ? President of Columbus

South Inc. Ms. Richards stated that she has been meeting with Neighbor Works

and speaking with others about this project. She said there are a lot of

opportunities in the south side of this city, in midtown, as well as other

outlining areas. She said she is asking this Council to take this project

seriously; stating the difficulties in revitalization especially in Columbus

South.



Ms. Richards also stated that apartment creates transient communities ?

home ownership builds communities and this project alone will catapult this

area into the healthiest it has seen in decades.



Councilor Woodson asked, given the proposed name (Soldiers? Village), has

anyone contacted Fort Benning to be a part of this project? Ms. Richards said

yes, we have been working with several Fort Benning officials on the project

team (in place for several months) and those who have seen the proposed site is

very excited. She said it has been a community-wide inclusive process for over

the last year and Fort Benning is very excited about it (Response by Ms. Cathy

Williams).



Councilor Woodson also asked City Attorney Fay and City Manager Hugley

about the process of getting this property rezoned. City Attorney Fay stated

that a response from Bond Counsel is still pending and he referred to City

Manager Hugley for further comment.



City Manager Hugley responded by stating that when the city purchased this

property it was purchased with bond money and some Special Purpose Local Option

Sales Tax (SPLOST) money and the intended use of the property was for

industrial development-job creation. Since then there was a change in State Law

that allows residential, retail and some other things in enterprise zone. What

we are dealing with in meeting with Bond Counsel, City Attorney, and Finance

Director is to talk with them (Bond Council) about transitioning that property

from the label ?Industrial Development-job creation? to residential and other

commercial. He said Bond Counsel has indicated that they will try and send us a

draft resolution by the end of this week. This Council will then have to adopt

the resolution if they choose.



Mr. Ken Henson ? 874Greystone Drive said he used to be on the board of

Neighbor Works and currently works with Habitat Humanity who is currently

building across the street from the property being discussed. He said that

Habitat for the Humanities has been in this area for 20 years and is one of the

few people/organization that is building in this area. He said if something is

not done with this property or this project is not approved, this property will

remain like this for the next 15 years. This group has an opportunity to access

$4 million, but in order for them to get the money, the procedure has to be

expedited very quickly. Mr. Henson also made the following two recommendations

to Council regarding this property:



Put the property out for a bid and whoever wants to buy (subject to Council

restrictions) can buy it. Indicate that it will be restricted to a PUD; a Bond

Council approving the use of the property; subjects to other restrictions.



Appoint one person from the city to be the point of contact to help facilitate

this project over the next several weeks and report to Council every week as to

the progress of the project.



The issue of acquiring and rezoning/renaming this property went on for

several more minutes with each Council member expressing their views and

concerns - after which Councilor Davis asked City Manager Hugley to address

some of the questions and comments by Mr. Henson in the form of a referral.



City Manager Hugley also pointed out that Council may also Quit

Claim/donate the property, if they so desire, as a third option to those made

by Mr. Henson

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CITY MANAGERS? AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY

AND ADOPTED BY THE

COUNCIL:________________________________________________________



A Resolution (8-08) ? Authorizing the submission of an application and if

awarded accept $100,000 in grant funds from the Georgia Department of Natural

Resources for multi-purpose drinking stations, and signage along the trail and

gateways. Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh moved the adoption of the resolution.

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

Council present at the time with Councilor Davis being absent for this vote.



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THE FOLLOWING FIVE PURCHASING RESOLUTIONS WERE ALSO SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED

BY CITY MANAGER HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY 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 NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT AT

THE TIME, WITH COUNCILOR DAVIS BEING ABSENT FOR THIS

VOTE:____________________________________________________________



A Resolution (9-08) ? Approving the purchase of an IBM Magnetic Tape

Back-up System from IBM/Cpak (Lagrange, Georgia) in the amount of $47,857.32.

The system includes: IBM BladeCenter HS21 Server, IBM Tivoli Storage Manager

Software and License, IBM 3573 Magnetic Tape Library System, as well as,

installation and Set-up Services. The back-up system is required for the E911

CAD Project. IBM/Cpak is the sole provider of IBM equipment and software.

Therefore, the vendor is considered the only known source for this purchase,

per the Procurement Ordinance.



A Resolution (10-08) ? Approving the amendment to the software lease

agreement with CGI-AMS, Inc., (AMS) to provide conversion and implementation

services for the upgrade of the Financial and Human Resources systems to

ADVANTAGE? 3.7.01 software in the amount of $183,600.00 (which equates to 1,020

hours @ $180 per hour).



In 1994 Council approved the procurement and implementation of the 2.0

version of the software package, per Resolution #548-94. ADVANTAGE 3.7.01 is

the new release of the current software used by Finance and Human Resources.

The new release encompasses Financial Management, Procurement and Human

Resource Management. The conversion and implementation services include:

possible on-site and off-site technical and functional support, training,

troubleshooting, and reimbursable expenses. ADVANTAGE 3.7.01 provides

enhancements that increases the flexibility of the system and makes the system

more user-friendly.



A Resolution (11-08) ? Authorizing the execution of a negotiated contract

with ENSR to provide an initial comprehensive study for Columbus rail yard

relocation. The comprehensive study will characterize all relevant aspects and

requirements to facilitate and develop a project to relocate the existing rail

yard on the east boundary of Columbus, Georgia?s Central Business district

(CBD). Such a relocation has been contemplated a number of times during the

last 100 years to fulfill a variety of commercial and public revenue

opportunities envisioned by the downtown community and Consolidated Government,

and to reduce several perceived potential threats to public safety associated

with continuing extensive rail operations downtown. Projected growth of the

next few years is likely to increase the value of these opportunities.

Similarly, such growth is likely to increase the level of public risk if no

relocation is selected.



A Resolution (12-08) ? Approving the contract with NCO Financial Systems,

Inc., to provide debt collection services on an ?as needed basis?. This

service will maximize collections of delinquent account receivables, using the

highest professional standards. The services will be utilized for, but not

limited to, Landfill Collections, Parking, False Alarms, Ambulance, Demolition

Liens, etc.



A Resolution (13-08) ? Approving the contracts with Paul Garrett and

Moreland Altobelli Associates for professional negotiating consultant services.

The services are needed to provide Columbus Consolidated Government with

professional negotiating consultant services for right-of-way acquisitions in

accordance with state and federal requirements. Services performed under this

contract may include, but not limited to, acquisition of all real estate,

negotiation, preparation of condemnation information and settlements on an ?as

needed basis?. The contract will be awarded utilizing each vendor based on the

size of the project, vendor?s availability and expertise or experience level of

the services required. The term of contract shall be for two years, with the

option to renew for three additional twelve-month periods. Contract renewal is

contingent upon the mutual agreement of the City and the Contractor.

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CLERK OF COUNCIL AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS SUBMITTED CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS INFORMATION

FOR THE MAYOR & COUNCIL:



Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Board of Historic and

Architectural Review.



*** *** ***



CONVENTION & VISITORS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS:



Clerk of Council Washington submitted a letter from Ms. Susan Lawhorne

resigning from her position on the Convention and Visitors Board of

Commissioners. Councilor McDaniel made a motion to accept the letter with

regrets and to thank her for her services on the board. Seconded by Mayor Pro

Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present

for this meeting.



*** *** ***



MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL

WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL:



Board of Tax Assessors, Nos. 46, 47 & 48

Community Development Advisory Council, September 18, 2007

Council Briefing, October 11, 2005

Family & Children Services Board, December 12, 2007

Hospital Authority, September 25, 2007

Taxicab Commission, April 4, 2007

Taxicab Commission, October 3, 2007



Councilor McDaniel made a motion to receive the minutes. Seconded by Mayor

Pro Tem Turner Pugh and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council

present for this meting.



*** *** ***



BOARD APPOINTMENTS:



BOARD OF HEALTH:



Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the nominee that was submitted

by Councilor McDaniel for Dr. James Sullivan?s seat on the Board of Health did

not live in Muscogee County and informed Councilor McDaniel that another

nominee will be needed for this board.



*** *** ***



HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS:



Clerk of Council Washington informed Council that two additional nominees

are still needed for Mr. Tracy Sayers and Ms. Nancy Rinn?s position on the

Hospital Authority. She said they have been nominated to succeed themselves for

another term of office; however, we still need two additional nominees form

which the authority will select their successor.



*** *** ***



EXECUTIVE SESSION:



Regarding an earlier request of City Attorney Fay, Mayor Pro Tem Turner

Pugh made a motion to allow the Council to go into an executive session to

discuss a matter of property acquisition. Seconded by Councilor Allen and

carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



At 12:15 p.m. the regular session was adjourned to allow the Council to go

into an executive session.



*** *** ***



At 12:32 p.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 property acquisition, but no action was taken.

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OTHER COMMENTS AND REQUESTS FROM COUNCIL:



City Manager Hugley made the following announcements:

1. In regards to questions from citizens about the funding for Carver High

School State Championship event- the city did not use its funding for that

event. It was funded by money that was donated through various sources through

the Alumni Association for Carver High School.



*** *** ***



SIGNS:



City Manager Hugley said there have also been question about community

entrance signage and what was proposed by some of the Council members and what

we planned to do is to display one board that will read ?Home of Champions? and

below that will list all the various championship wins.



Councilor Henderson suggested a permanent sign for the Little League World

Series with the state champions as an add-on under the Little League sign.



*** *** ***



DEBT COLLECTION:



Councilor Allen asked about the collection portion on the City Manager

Agenda ? stating that since this firm is in Pennsylvania, do they work with a

local collection office? Councilor Allen stated that the reason he is asking

this is because there are local vendors who would like to participate, but they

do not have the experience that is required in RFP (Request for Proposal) for

collecting for a city. Councilors Allen would like this firm (in Pennsylvania)

to work with a local firm through a partnership without contracting out the

services.



City Manager Hugley responded by stating that he know that this firm do

collections in Georgia and nation wide ? it is a company that has been in

existence since 1926 but he do not know their method of whether they would come

into Columbus, GA and sub-contract with a local firm, but he would inquire

about it and provide a response next week.



Mayor Wetherington asked City Manager Hugley if there were any local firms

that submitted bids. City Manager Hugley responded by saying that there were no

local companies - but there was one local company that inquired but did not

have the experience collecting with governments.



*** *** ***



RENTERS INSURANCE:



Councilor Woodson asked City Manager Hugley to work with City Attorney Fay

to look into adding to the Ordinance for rental property owners to suggest

renters? insurance to the occupants to the rental property. Councilor Woodson

stated that the reason she is asking this is because the wife (and 1 month old

baby) of a young Soldier (who is in Iraq) contacted her because her apartment

was flooded out and she did not know anything about renters insurance.



*** *** ***







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

Henderson then made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh

and carried unanimously by those ten members of Council present for this

meeting with the time being 12:33 p.m.







Tiny B. Washington, CMC

Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia

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