Minutes
COUNCIL BRIEFING
Meeting
April 18, 2006
Members Present: Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers and Councilors R. Gary Allen,
Wayne Anthony (arrived 8:10 a.m.), Berry Henderson, Julius Hunter, Jr., Charles
E. McDaniel, Jr., Nathan Suber, Evelyn Woodson (arrived 8:13a.m.). Also
present were Mayor Robert S. Poydasheff (arrived 8:14 a.m.), City Manager
Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay (arrived 8:14 a.m.), Assistant City
Attorney Jamie DeLoach (arrived 8:10 a.m.), Finance Director Angela Cole,
Assistant Finance Director Pam Hodge, Human Resources Director Tom Barron,
Civic Center Director Dale Hester, Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington and
Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis.
Members Absent: Councilors Glenn Davis and Evelyn Turner Pugh were absent.
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This meeting was called to order at 8:08 a.m., in the Council Chambers
Conference Room, Plaza Level of the Government Center.
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Topics of Discussion:
City Manager Hugley advised that we have two topics for discussion; the ice
rink and skateboard park. He pointed out that Councilor Henderson requested
the staff to bring back an update on the ice rink and Civic Center Director
Dale Hester would provide a presentation on the ice rink and Deputy City
Manager Lisa Goodwin would provide the presentation on the skateboard park. He
then recognized the Cottonmouths? representative Mr. J. Shelby Amos and Captain
Campbell is interested in the skateboard park.
He explained that the ice rink and the skateboard park were funded through bond
money. He said that we have $3.2 million from the SPLOST for the Olympic pool;
then, we took the bond money $3 million and $3.2 million of swimming pool money
and pulled those three projects together and identified a site near the Civic
Center (the old Naval Museum site). He pointed out that we put those projects
on hold due to the financial situation.
He expressed concerns with constructing a new building with operating and
maintenance cost due to the city reducing the workforce and city services.
Civic Center Director Dale Hester then came forward to provide a short
presentation on the ice rink. He passed around the table a document to the
members of Council. (A copy was not made available for the record.)
His presentation consisted of providing the cost savings in having an ice
rink. He projected that with $2.5 million, an ice rink could be built. He
said that staffing and utilities would cost approximately $186,000. He spoke
of the lack of time for practice for the Cottonmouths in order to schedule
other events at the Civic Center so that monies would not have to be used from
the General Fund to maintain the Civic Center. He mentioned that Auburn
Opelika, the college, wants to start a league and they need an ice rink. He
projected revenue to be $245,000 a year and $186,000 of expenses. He then
recognized Mr. J. Shelby Amos, who was present on behalf of the Cottonmouths,
and announced the commitment of $200,000 towards the cost to operate the ice
rink. He made reference to a letter acknowledging the commitment. (A copy of
the letter was not provided for the record.)
Mr. Shelby Amos offered his support for the ice rink. He also reiterated the
commitment of $200,000. He spoke of the lack of practice time and the distance
the Cottonmouths have to travel to be able to use an ice rink.
Councilor Suber asked about the projected figure of $300,000 and now the cost
is up to $2 million, at which time, City Manager Hugley said the cost
projection has always been around $2 million. Councilor Suber then suggested
that Mr. Amos agree to allowing the $200,000 to stay in escrow for three
years, at which time, Mr. Amos said we could.
Councilor McDaniel expressed his concerns with being able to justify building
an ice rink, when we are laying off employees. Civic Center Director Hester
pointed out that we are not touching monies from the General Fund.
Mr. Steve Warenstein, Past President of the Columbus new Hockey Association,
also offered his support for the ice rink. He spoke of the citizens that use
the ice rink for recreational purposes. He asked for the Council?s
consideration in building the ice rink, because it would be a great opportunity
to support Ft. Benning with the number of soldiers that are interested in ice
hockey and public skating.
At this time, City Manager Hugley called upon Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin
to provide a brief slide presentation. However, before Deputy City Manager
Goodwin came forward, he mentioned the skateboard park in Athens, Georgia that
is self-operated; it is not staffed.
Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin spoke of the travel to Athens, Georgia to
visit the skateboard park. She suggested a beginning area within the
skateboard park, which the Athens skateboard park does not have constructed.
She pointed out that their skateboard park is around 14,000 square feet, but we
were looking at approximately 20,000 to 25,000 square feet. She then listed
the components that we would like to have, which are the BMX bikes, skateboard
plaza and the kidney bowl.
She said there would be signage to let people know that they would be skating
at their own risk with a self-closing gate; it would be self-operated with
appropriate lighting in the area. Mr. Harry Lange, Parks and Recreation, spoke
of the proposed area for the skateboard park, which is the location of the old
Confederate Museum.
Mr. Lange said the skateboard park would consist of the kidney bowl, a
beginners? area, streetscape plaza area, shelter, pavilion area and the
restroom area. He then provided pictures of how the street plaza looks. In
response to a question of Councilor Henderson, Deputy City Manager Goodwin
advised that we have not estimated a cost at this time.
Councilor Allen asked about the liability. Deputy City Manager Goodwin pointed
out that we would use the same language that Athens uses for signage. She
reiterated that it would be self-operated, just like a playground. Councilor
Hunter suggested that someone from Athens, Georgia come before the Council to
discuss their skateboard park.
Captain Campbell also made comments with regards to the design of skateboard
parks.
In conclusion, City Manager Hugley said this is an update on the projects that
are funded through bond money. He said that his only concern is the timing.
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There being no further business to discuss and with the dialogue being
concluded, this meeting adjourned at 8:58 a.m.
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Sandra T. Davis,
Deputy Clerk of Council
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