MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
REGULAR SESSION
MARCH 10, 2009
The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called
to order at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 10, 2009, on the Plaza Level of the
Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Evelyn Turner Pugh Mayor Pro
Tem, presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other that Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh were Councilors R.
Gary Allen, 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: Mayor J. W. Wetherington was absent. Councilor Wayne Anthony was also
absent, but was excused upon the adoption of Resolution Number 86-09.
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INVOCATION: Led by Reverend Dr. Hal Brady, Pastor St. Luke United Methodist
Church.
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PLEDGE: Led by students from the St. Luke School.
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ABSENCE OF MAYOR WETHERINGTON:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said that Mayor Wetherington is out of town this
morning in Atlanta with the Columbus Day activities with the Chamber of
Commerce.
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CITY ATTORNEY'S AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING FIVE ORDINANCES WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY
ATTORNEY FAY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING:
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An Ordinance (09-7) ? Rezoning property located at 1100 10th Avenue from
an LMI (Light Manufacturing Industrial) zoning district to GC (General
Commercial) zoning district, with the proposed use being a thrift store and
storage. (1-A-09-Weathers)
Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by
Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting with Councilor Anthony being absent from the meeting.
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An Ordinance (09-8) ? Rezoning property located at 347, 348 & 361 Bragg
Smith Street from an RMF2 (Residential Multi Family 2) zoning district to an
RMF1 (Residential Multi Family 1) zoning district, with the proposed use being
for single-family homes. (2-A-09-Columbus Habitat for Humanity)
Councilor Allen moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by Councilor
Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for
this meeting, with Councilor Anthony being absent.
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An Ordinance (09-9) ? Providing for the demolition of various structures
located at:
(1) 3907 7th Avenue (Larry J. Campbell, owner)
(2) 380 29th Avenue (Charles Carter, owner)
(3) 3914 7th Avenue (Grace Chin-Quee, owner)
(4) 1522 Winshire Street (Booker T. Edmonds, owner)
(5) 810 35th Street (Annie Lou Feathersone, owner)
(6) 2101 1st Avenue (Wendy K. Griffin, Trustee)
(7) 2736 Cusseta Road (Marie Bernice Hall, Estate)
(8) 824 Brooks Road (Joseph & Corris Isagba, owner)
(9) 2314 & 2316 15th Avenue (Cristobal Lopez, owner)
(10) 3, 5 & 7 Mathews Street (Thomas Alton McRae, Estate)
(11) 133 Gates Avenue (Sadie Peterson, owner)
(12) 2307 Heard Street (David Pugh, owner)
(13) 700 Brooks Road (Jeannie E. Smith, owner)
(14) 3150 Plateau Drive, Lot 430 (Etta Stenzel, owner)
(15) 3009 6th Avenue (Roland Sturges, Estate)
(16) 3005 5th Avenue (Vonnie & Michael M. Tate, owner)
(17) 704 Brooks Road (Teresa H. Toombs, owner)
(18) 1510 26th Street (John E. Wells, Jr., owner)
(19) 1424 26th Street (Christopher Joe Willis, owner)
and for demolition services for the Inspections and Code Division in accordance
with the attached Tabulation of Bid sheet.
Councilor Allen moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded
by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting, with Councilor Anthony being absent.
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An Ordinance (09-10) ? Amending the Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance for
Columbus, Georgia so as to amend certain sections of Chapter 3 of the Alcoholic
Beverage Ordinance of the Columbus Codes so as to correct certain errors; and
for other purposes.
City Attorney Fay said he distributed around the Council table on this
morning an amendment that we need to get a vote on prior to voting on the
ordinance. He said this amendment is a revision of definition that has been
added for City playgrounds after the discussion two weeks ago. He said the
definition speaks for itself, but said it is narrower. He said that is Section
3-5(a) on Page 2.
City Manager Hugley said he would like to have Director of Finance Pam
Hodge to come forward and speak to the language for the definition of
playground. He said if you would recall when the ordinance was on first
reading, Attorney Josh McKoon speak and had some concerns about the definition
of playground being too general. He said we advised you at that time that we
would talk with him and invited others who had any concerns with the definition
to let us know.
He said Director of Finance Hodge has worked with the staff and made the
amendment and has shared that with Mr. McKoon, who was satisfied with the
amendment, as she has explained that to him. He said he just wanted her to go
over that with you before the vote.
Director of Finance Pam Hodge said originally in the ordinance change,
they had made it a recreational area and said they have gone back and looked at
that and changed it back to a City playground. She said the recreational area
would have excluded more than what our intentions was to exclude; therefore, we
have added a definition at the bottom for City playgrounds to be any area owned
by the City or other governmental agency open to the general public for
recreational purposes, which includes slides, swings, climbing apparterus or
similar equipment. She said this is so that it doesn?t restrict an area that is
just a passive park, but it will only restrict those that have playground
equipment in a park.
Councilor Woodson then made a motion to amend the ordinance to include
this language. Seconded by Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by those
nine members of Council present for this meeting, with Councilor Anthony being
absent.
Councilor Henderson then made a motion to adopt the ordinance, as amended.
Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those nine members of
Council present for this meeting, with Councilor Anthony being absent.
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An Ordinance (09-11) ? Amending the Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance for
Columbus, Georgia so as to provide for a new category of ?traditional
restaurant? with specific requirements for licensing and reduced distance
restrictions; and for other purposes.
Councilor Woodson moved the adoption of the ordinance. Seconded by
Councilor Barnes and carried by a vote of 8 to 1, with Councilor Allen voting
no and all other eight members of Council present for this meeting voting yes,
with Councilor Anthony being absent.
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THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY ATTORNEY FAY
AND INTRODUCED ON FIRST READING:_____________________________________________
An Ordinance ? Amending the ?Official Street Map, City of Columbus,
Georgia?, by changing the Official Street Name, for portions of the public
roadways currently designated as Abbott Avenue and Crockett Drive; authorizing
the replacement of existing street names with signs labeled North Abbot Avenue,
and East Crockett Drive.
City Attorney Fay said he provided some information to the Council in
their agenda packet that explains this matter. He said they are going to
replace these names on part of these streets with North Abbot Avenue and East
Crockett Drive to make it easier for Public Safety and other deliveries.
Councilor McDaniel said the reason for this ordinance is for the Public
Safety situation, because the ambulances have trouble finding addresses because
there is a creek that splits these two streets. He said we had a meeting with
the residents in the area, and said there were no objectives to adding the word
north or east.
There were no questions or objections on this request.
City Attorney Fay pointed out that the ordinance would be voted on at the
next regular Council meeting on March 24, 2009.
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THE FOLLOWING TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY
ATTORNEY FAY AND AFTER SOME DISCUSSIONS ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL
:__________________
A Resolution (78-09) ? Approving a Special Exception Use for property
located at 600 2nd Avenue (SEU0901-1) in a HIST (Historic) zoning district for
a Day Care Type III.
Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson.
Councilor Henderson asked the staff to come forward and explain to the
Council what is a Type III Daycare Center. He said we had gotten into a
situation before where we have underestimated the extent of which they were
allowed to operate.
Mr. Rick Jones, Director of the Department of Community Development said a
Type III facility is anything that has nineteen or greater clients. He said it
is his understanding that it would be a prescribed amount of time, not 24-hours
a day. He said the State mandates and monitors these types of facilities.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked, how many persons are allowed in Type I &
Type II facilities.
Mr. Jones said they mirror what the State mandates to us. He said Type I
can have six or less clients and Type II can have between six and eighteen
clients. He said anything over nineteen or more would be considered as a Type
III facility.
After the conclusion of the discussion, question was then called on the
earlier motion, which carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting, with Councilor Anthony being absent.
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A Resolution (79-09) ? Authorizing a hardship variance to waive the
minimum street frontage requirement in order to divide lot into 2 tracts at
507F Biggers Road.
Councilor Davis asked if the applicants who are making this request are
aware of all the issues pertaining to City services and that there may be
issues arising from hardships or lay of the land.
Mr. Jones said they have laid out the conditions of the resolution for the
applicants and they are aware of these things. He said hopefully, they
understand the intent of what we are trying to accomplish.
City Attorney Fay pointed out that there are four conditions included in
the resolution.
Councilor McDaniel then moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by
Councilor Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting, with Councilor Anthony being absent.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
City Attorney Fay requested a short executive session to discuss
litigation, personnel, and a real estate acquisition matter after the
adjournment of today?s Council meeting.
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ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE REVISIONS:
Councilor Woodson said she would like to express her appreciation to the
staff and all those who offered assistance in working on the alcoholic beverage
revisions to our Code of Ordinances. She said this is very important to our
City, which opens up the area of South Columbus for growth and all that we have
going on in this area.
She said she also wanted to thank the staff for taking time out of their
busy schedule and the advocates who went out to the community and spoke to the
various community groups on her behalf when she wasn?t able to go and attend
meetings.
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PUBLIC AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS APPEARED ON THE PUBLIC AGENDA AND PROVIDED IS A
SUMMARY OF THEIR COMMENTS:_________________________________________________
MR. MARKUS AND MRS. FREDERICA HAMMONDS, RE: THE FLOODING OF THEIR HOME ON
FEBRUARY 28, 2009:_________
Mr. Hammonds said his home located at 3501 Califon Ct. was flooded on
February 28, 2009. He said he contacted 911 immediately; however, he didn?t
get a response from them, and have not to this date received a response. He
said he was fortunately blessed that Councilor Julius Hunter lives right around
the street from him. He said after a few hours after leaving a note on his
door, he came around to his home and walked through their house through the
sludge and mud and saw the debris that was inside of his house. He said he
wanted to be dramatic today and bring to the Council a bottle of water from the
slush and sludge, but later changed his mind.
He said the Council has received a letter from them on today. He said he
has been a resident in this house since his mother purchased it in 1973. He
said in 1978 his mother?s house flooded and he was there when it flooded.
He said she sued the City; the residents sued the City and thanks goodness they
received some compensation.
He said later in 1990 he and his wife purchased the house. He said in 1990
our home was flooded. Over four feet of raw sewage and floodwater rushed
through around 11: 00 PM destroying everything. It was devastating to say the
least. I am thankful that my wife and I along with our four small children were
not in the home at the time.
Mr. Hammonds said when his house flooded back in 1990, then Mayor James
Jernigan and Councilor Frank Chester came out to his house and told us that the
City, my government, would work with us to do something to help us with our
house. He said although they had flood insurance, it did very little. He said
they received $20,000.00 for the coverage of their house, but said they lost
well more than that with the contents of their home. He said he was so blessed
today to hear Councilor Woodson say what great things we are doing in South
Columbus.
He said their plea to the Council on today is to help them. He said he has
gone to third world countries and yet, he is living in a deplorable condition
in his own home, as bad as it has been in some of the countries that he has
been to.
He said they have lived in a house that has not been cleaned correctly.
He said the ditch has been unsanitary. He said he knows that they have a great
cause. He said he got great responses after Councilor Hunter forwarded this
information to some of the other city officials and they told us what would be
done. He said site elevation, risk management, and several other people came
out and saw the damage. He said someone said to him that he is like a modern
day Job, how can this keep on going on and your house flood back then and flood
again and the City not do anything.
Mr. Hammonds said he is part of the City and pay taxes; he said he is
squeaking today and squeaking wheel is trying to get some oil and said he needs
some help today. He said he don?t want to go through this again, as he has
suffered a lot of things by losing everything that he had. He said the only
thing that he kept back in 1990 was his Schofield Bible. He said he lost his
robe, his baby pictures. He said everything has been lost. He said this last
time while they were running out of the house, and the water was coming up? He
said he lost four vehicles in his back yard this time. He said when Councilor
Hunter came through their home; he had tears in his eyes and said he hope that
we can do something to help.
He said when other people came through his home, they saw the mud, debris
and smelled the stench and they felt the pain. He said he has seen what
happened with Hurricane Katrina and knows that he is blessed. He said he knows
that we have a good City and a good country. He said if they could have flood
catchments installed instead of his house catching this water.
Mr. Hammounds said when he goes out, he worries about his wife and family.
He said he has to take medicine because he is always anxious and sacred that a
flood would occur and will wash them out. He said he believes that we, the City
can do something to change this. He said back in 1990 Mayor Jernigan and
Councilor Chester said maybe we could buy your property. He said we need to
move you or do something. He said he don?t know if him proposing to the City
that you can change this cul-de-sac into a flood catchments, with flood cells
instead of his home being the one catching it or something can be done for the
reduction of water flow.
He said water constantly flows into that creek ?Tiger Creek? now
currently, ?Califon Creek?. He said the water backs up and it has done it
several times. He said he is sorry he has to be the one to say that something
has to be done. He said he would ask the Council to consider it and please tell
him what you can do. He said he believes the City can figure out something.
Councilor Hunter said he did go out to Reverend & Mrs. Hammonds home on
Saturday, February 28th and said it was devastating to personally witness what
they had just gone through. He said the water was above their cars; and they
had dogs in the backyard that was literally swimming for their lives. He said
they live right next to the creek that is on Califon Court and said he thinks
that we are all very aware of the problems that we have had over the years on
Califon Court. He said there was some talk at one time about buying up that
property.
He said he had a number of areas in his district that suffered flood
damage and he has been emailing the City with regards to each of these issues.
He said his hope is that the City will thoroughly evaluate the situation with
regards to each particular site and try to determine what caused the flooding
at each of these sites and what can be done in the future to alleviate that
problem. Also, with regard to each of the citizens that he contacted the City
about with regards to their flooding problems that we get back with them
individually with a response, to include the people in Benning Hills (Mr. &
Mrs. Derrick Shields, Mr. Cortez Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. George & Patsy Von
Gardner), as well as those persons in Battle Forrest who lives on Gettysburg
Way, who again have suffered mud damage that we are familiar with.
He said the bottom line is this, what can we do in the future to deal with
those particular sites to try to prevent this from happening or lessen the
chance of it happening. He said there might be a site, which he thinks the
Califon Court site is, that no matter what we do; we are not going to prevent
flooding. He said we have tried in the past to deal with the creek that is
immediately by the Hammonds? backyard. He said every time it rains in that area
people worry whether or not this is the time it?s going to be the big one. He
said on Saturday, February 28th this was the big one.
Councilor Hunter said when he was walking through the Hammonds? home, his
thoughts went back to Hurricane Katrina. He said it was a little mini Katrina
because they were dealing with water, molding that was going to occur and
sewerage coming into their home; and the odor that comes with that that you
have to deal with. He said after leaving the Hammonds? home, he went down to
Lakebottom and went jogging. He said Lakebottom was full of water too, where
the Basketball Courts are there is a softball field was a Lake full of water
and you had kids down there swimming and someone had put a boat in the water
and was boating. He said just image if there were homes down there how terrible
that would be. He said that was the Hammonds? home; their home was a Lake, the
only thing we had living people there.
He said Lakebottom is greenspace; that water dissipated and went away; but
these people are left to live with this situation. He said he thinks the time
has come for the city to really look at that particular site on Califon Court
and really consider whether or not that should be greenspace. He said again,
the bottom line is this, he knows that we are going to deal with that creek, as
there was crews out there immediately afterwards dealing with the creek,
they?ve done it in the past, but for whatever reason, whether it?s the buildup
that we are having in the city, that creek continues to overflow and it
continues to worry the physic of the people who are living there.
Councilor Hunter said he knows that there may be a cost with dealing with
this issue, but we have had to deal with the issue in the past and it has been
costly. He said in looking at the big picture, he wonder if it would be less
costly to go ahead and deal with it now, rather than continue to deal with it
in the future and continue to pay these costs, as well as continue to risk the
lives of the people living there; not only their physical lives, but the
quality of life that they are living. He said he thinks the humane thing to do
is to really shine a light on that Califon Court situation because they are
living in a valley and said it was really truly brought home to him how
dangerous that situation is, and said he thinks that we are very fortunate that
no human lives was lost that day. He said Reverend Hammonds is correct; their
home will never be the same. He said we have got to deal with that situation,
as we can?t continue to go on and do business as usual when it comes to that
area.
Councilor Hunter said with regards to the other sites in the city, if
we can do something to try to alleviate and lessen the chance of that happening
fine, but if there is a site that is going to continue to happen; then we ought
to think about whether or not we are going to have human beings continue to
live there. He said he would hope that this Council and our city take a look at
that situation.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said she doesn?t want Reverend Hammonds to think
that we are taking this lightly. She said she and the Mayor met with the City
Manager on yesterday and said your house is not the only one, but said there
are several other houses that were flooded. She said we would be discussing
that as a Council body.
City Manager Hugley said he did meet with the Mayor & Mayor Pro Tem on
yesterday and we talked about this matter. He said to the Hammonds and all of
the families caught in various flood areas across the city, our hearts goes out
to you. He said he knows that this has happened over many years; early 70s,
1990, and now in 2009; which looks like they have been almost 20 years apart,
nonetheless, they are occurring.
He said he asked the staff to come forward this morning to do a
power-point presentation. He said he asked staff to bring a presentation that
would talk about the event of February 28th; what happened with that event. He
said in this presentation, he has asked them to talk about some immediate
short- term action that we can take, as we face future situations like this;
what we can do to immediately prepare for an event that happened on February
28th. He said he has also asked them to look at long-term permanent solutions.
City Manager Hugley said the presentation that you will hear from our City
Engineer will not provide our recommendations to long-term permanent solutions,
but it will tell you the plan of action; what steps we are going to take to try
and get to the long-term permanent solutions, which we know will be expensive.
He said we have some areas in the city, like the area on Califon Court, where
the Hammonds lives, as well as some other areas and he has asked the staff to
identify those areas as hot spots, so we will know all the hot spots and know
what immediate action to take, if we see that a significant rain is going to
come.
Ms. Donna Newman, Director of Engineer then came forward and said they
received many telephone calls from 911 through the Citizens Service Center
through Public Services and through several of the Council members. She said
they have gone out and investigated those calls. She said the information that
you have on today is not the final information, as they are continuing to get
calls. She said this is the information that they had as of Friday of last
week.
She then highlighted the following information with regards to the rain
event that was held on February 28, 2009 and the flood damage as a result of
the rain, as outlined below:
Flood Return Frequencies:
Return Frequency % chance of occurring or being
exceeded each year
2 year Storm 50%
5 year Storm 20%
10 year Storm 10%
25 year Storm 4%
50 year Storm 2%
100 year Storm 1%
Rainfall Totals and Intensity:
USGS Rain Gauge - Oglethorpe Bridge
3 inches between 9am and Noon
1 in/hr over 3 hours ~ 4 yr-storm
USGS Rain Gauge - Pine Knot Creek (Marion County)
3 inches between 11am and Noon
3 in/hr over 1 hour ~ 25 yr-storm
USGS Rain Gauge - Ochillee Creek (Ft. Benning)
3 inches between 11am and Noon
3 in/hr over 1 hour ~ 25 yr-storm
USGS Gauge at US 280 (Oglethorpe Bridge)
Ms. Newman said they gauged the storm to be in excess of a 25-year storm.
She said there might have been other areas that were higher than a 25-year
storm, but said this is all that they had that measured the rainfall over a
period of time.
Storm Impacts:
(to date)
19 Residences Flooded (water in the living space)
5 Businesses Flooded
76 Streets Flooded (Per Citizens Service Center)
Ms. Newman said the worst area that was hit, as far as flooding inside a
structure was around Robert E. Lee and Artillery Road in Benning Hills. She
then showed some photos of the property flooded, which was located at the
following addresses:
1 Artillery Drive
4 Artillery Drive
Robert E. Lee Drive
Levy Road at
Marathon Drive
3522 Levy Rd
Califon Court
3501 Califon Court
Ms. Newman showed a map of the areas and pointed out that the Levy Road
property area is not in a designated flood plain, but said it is just a
localized area. She said Mr. Hammonds is in a flood plain area and said that
his house is roughly about 4.5 feet below the 100-year flood elevation. She
said they estimated that there were a couple inches of water in his house at
the same time.
Breed?s Hill Loop
Bunker Hill Area
Ms. Newman said in this area there were four houses that had water damage
to them. She said these houses were not in a flood plain area.
Contributing Factors:
Rainfall Intensity
3+ inches of rainfall in a 1-hour period in many areas
4 to 7 inches of rainfall recorded for the entire event
Debris
Infrastructure (inlets and culverts) blocked by debris
Inadequacy of Storm Sewer System
Topography
Ms. Newman showed photos of the Debris that was in the storm sewer system
at the following locations:
Debris at Robert E. Lee Drive
Debris Jam at Ukraine Culvert
Clogged Inlet on Willis Street
Floodplain Statistics:
3356 Structures (greater than 1000 ft2) in Columbus are completely or
partially contained within the Special Flood Hazard Area a.k.a. ?Flood Zone?
The Special Flood Hazard Area has a 1% chance of flooding to a depth of 1 foot
or more each year
Flood Insurance:
Homeowners Insurance typically does not cover losses due to flooding
Flood Insurance is available to every property owner in Columbus to include
renters
You do not have to be in a ?Flood Zone? to purchase flood insurance
Flood Insurance:
Flood Insurance Premiums for Older Homes (Built before 1975) are not Elevation
Based, but are determined using a single rate table
Flood Insurance is available for the structure as well as the Contents of the
Structure
Standard Coverage can be obtained up to $250,000 for a residential structure
Preferred Risk Policies are also available for those not in the ?Flood Zone?
Plan of Action:
Evaluate Public Service?s ?Hot Spot List?, modify as required
Assess the capacity of the Storm Sewer Systems in the Robert E. Lee and Levy
Road areas
Investigate Federal Grant Programs
Assess future CIP Projects based on findings
Ms. Newman said the city has a Hot Spot List, which is areas that have
been identified in the past that had a problem with clogging, or there is a
history of flooding. She said what they will do, is if they know or have
information from the weather forecasters that we are impeding a heavy rainfall
event, they will go out and check these areas to make sure they are clean of
debris, as well as make sure the storm sewer system is at its maximum capacity.
She said they would also go out to the areas that are subject to flooding and
sit out barricades. She said as the rainfall starts and they know that the
water is going to flood the streets, they will go ahead and sit out the
barricades and close off the streets to try to prevent people from going
through the area and getting stuck.
She said they would verify all these structures that are funding and make
sure that all these locations are on the Hot Spot List so that they will be
checked routinely. She said they also go out after a storm event and re-clean
these areas and make sure that anything that was picked up in a storm event are
cleaned.
City Manager Hugley said we are evaluating each of the areas, as we speak
and said we will look at those areas and determine if there needs to be an
infrastructure project there. He said if there were a need for an
infrastructure project, we would be bringing those forward to make you aware of
those needs in that particular area; much like what was done with the Effingham
Way project. He said we also brought forth the Flood Abatement project in the
Liberty District as an infrastructure project.
Councilor Woodson said she would like to get a report of the houses that
was reported for the city to look at, and what action was taken. She said she
would like for the staff to identify each of the houses that you went to and
what did you find; what was the city?s responsible in repairing the property.
Much discussion continued on this subject matter with City Manager Hugley
responding to questions of members of the Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked if we have a timeframe as to when the
report will be scheduled to come back before this Council because ultimately
whatever happens, the Council will make the final decision on what we do.
City Manager Hugley said on the information requested by Councilor
Woodson, they would be able to provide a report rather quickly, but said on the
potential infrastructure projects, he would have to defer to our City Engineer
to determine how long that would take. He said it is gong to cost us some money
if we decide it?s going to be an infrastructure project because we will have to
hire a consultant engineer firm to give us some guidance and directions.
Ms. Newman said it would depend on the complexity of the project.
City Manager Hugley said we would take a look at it and come back to the
Council at the next Council meeting and tell you what kind of timeframe we are
looking at.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said she wasn?t asking for a solid commitment,
but said if you are living in a home and that?s your only place that you can
live, you would like to have some kind of assurance of whatever help you can
get. She said she thinks the Work Session should be dedicated to those 19
properties that we have identified that had flooding so that the Council can
make some kind of decision that they would like for the Administration to move
forward on. She said we couldn?t make any kind of commitment if we don?t know
what the structures are and what happened and if we even have any liability in
it. She said she would hope that at least those 19 properties that have been
called in and have been identified as to sites we need to look at, if we could
devote that Work Session to those properties.
City Manager Hugley said we could bring that back at the Work Session in
two weeks.
Ms. Newman said we could also have some preliminary information on what
they find at those locations. She said they wouldn?t be able to tell you
exactly what the problem is or exactly what it would take to fix the problem
because they don?t have enough time to do all of the detailed engineering
studies that we need to do.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said there are so many people who are under the
impression that you can only get flood insurance if you were in a labeled flood
zone and said that is not the case. She said one thing that she found out from
Ms. Newman on yesterday is that there are different levels of flood insurance
that you can purchase and said she thinks that everybody needs to talk with
their insurance agent in regards to that.
Ms. Newman said they have reminded everyone that they have talked to, they
have reminded them of the fact that flood insurance is available to everyone
that resides or owns property in Muscogee County and said they have encouraged
them to purchase flood insurance for their protection.
Councilor Hunter said with regards to flood insurance maybe we can run
some public relations spots on our Government Channel with regards to
insurance, the different types of coverage.
He said he wants to thank Councilor Woodson for her comments, because
she is saying what he had said earlier in that we need to make sure that we get
with each of these individuals that contacted the city; and give them a
thorough response because they are wanting to know what the city can do for
them and what is the city gong to do to try to prevent what happened from
happening in the future.
Councilor Hunter said that is exactly what he is asking for, is that we
take each particular site and look at it to see what can be done and if there
is a site that we just can?t deal with; then let?s deal with that issue too. He
said with regards to Califon Court, it?s good that we are going to be proactive
in the future with regards to these sites and make sure debris is cleared; but
he knows that with regard to that area, we have seen people working on that
creek in the past quiet often, but in spite of those efforts, they have had
flooding problem. He said people that live in that section have said that in
the past when they had flooding, the city have said that they were going to do
things and have followed up and did things to try to clear the creek to make
things more passable there. However, their concern is going to be this, if we
don?t deal with the situation now, if we are going to be satisfied, try to make
sure the creek is clear, will that commitment be there ten years from now, or
ten years from now, will there be another flood, because of the fact that it?s
just going to happen there because of the best efforts. He said we see people
working on that creek, it?s quite often, that we go through Aldridge Road and
see people from the city working on that creek, but in spite of that, they had
that flooding problem on Feb. 28th.
Councilor Allen said he heard the City Manager mention that we were going
to hire an engineering consultant to advise on the proper approach, to which
Ms. Newman said we might have to.
He said he hate to pile onto an issue, but said he is sure that all
Councilors could identify in their areas or some parts of the City where there
may be additional emergency situation similar to this. He said he is sure that
the Engineer has a list of other areas that have potential to flood and said
one that comes to mind is one that we looked at on Bertcliff Drive. He said it
seems like over a period of time the development back in the 40s & 50s there
were several developers that hooked into another pipe; the proper size pipes
that were not used and he knows that there are other conditions that contribute
to flooding that we have looked at. He said when you have those types of
situations, if we hire a consultant that we begin to add to the list for them
to look at it and make it a city-wide project, not just an isolated area of the
city. He said if we are going to do it right, then we need to look at all of
them at one time.
Ms. Newman said one thing that we need to keep in mind is that you have to
set a standard; you must set a limit that you are going to design to. She said
any rainfall event that exceeds that standard you are gong to experience some
flooding. She said that is a standard that we will have to talk about, because
it is definitely an economic standard. She said we would focus on that during
the Council?s next Work Session and what we could expect from that.
City Manager Hugley said we do need to add the Bert Cliff Drive to the
list and said if Council members recall any other property that we have dealt
with, he would hope that you bring those to our attention. He said he would ask
the staff to go back and look at the records from Engineering and Public
Services that we can add to the list.
Ms. Newman then gave a brief update on some of the recent projects that
was funded by the Council, which includes Effingham Way, as well as Lindsey
Creek.
Effingham Way Drainage Project:
No homes or businesses were flooded during the event
The BMP (Best Management Practice) functioned as designed
Lower Lindsay Creek Flood Map Revisions
Preliminary Reports indicate that the lower section of Lindsay Creek
downstream of the Carmike 8 Theater may contain the ?g100-year?h storm event
A Letter of Map Revision is being developed for submission to FEMA
Over 50 homes will be removed from the Floodplain
Lindsay Creek at former Columbus Square 8 ? 2 feet from the top of the
wall at peak flow (30 ft wide)
Lindsay Creek at upstream of Melrose Drive ? 6 feet from the top of the
wall at peak flow ? 35 feet wide
----------------------------------------*** ***
***----------------------------------
CITY MANAGERS? AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING THREE RESOLUTION WERE SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CITY MANAGER
HUGLEY AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:___________________________________________
A Resolution (80-09) ? Authorizing the approval to apply for
re-certification and, if approved, accept recognition from the Georgia
Municipal Association as a "Certified City of Ethics". Councilor Henderson
moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried
unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting, with
Councilor Anthony being absent.
A Resolution (81-09) ? Authorizing the submission of an application and if
approved accept $6,000 from the Columbus Board of Health Smart Choice Program
for a period of three months to purchase equipment and informational materials
designed to address the issues of childhood obesity.
Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor
Henderson and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for
this meeting, with Councilor Anthony being absent.
A Resolution (82-09) ? Authorizing the submission of an application and if
approved accept a grant from the Judicial Council of Georgia to fund the
Muscogee County Adult Drug Court for a one year period beginning July 1, 2009.
Councilor McDaniel moved the adoption of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor
Allen and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this
meeting, with Councilor Anthony being absent.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING THREE PURCHASING 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 CONCILOR MCDANIEL AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR
WOODSON, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT FOR
THIS MEETING, WITH COUNCILOR ANTHONY BEING ABSENT FROM THIS MEETING:
A Resolution (83-09) ? Authorizing the approval of court reporter services
from Russell & Russell for the estimated annual contract value of $105,340.
The court reporter services will be used on an ?as needed basis? for all
Recorders? Court proceedings to record preliminary felony hearings. Services
include the following: original transcripts and copies, the presence of a
court reporter at Recorder?s Court at 7:00 a.m., at 1:30 p.m., and to remain as
needed. The contract term shall be for two years, with the option to renew for
three additional twelve-month periods. Contract renewal will be contingent
upon the mutual agreement of the City and the Contractor.
A Resolution (84-09) ? Authorizing the approval of payment to Annamaria
Carpenter and C. Brandon Glass, Esq., in the amount of $22,000.00 to settle a
risk management claim.
A Resolution (85-09) ? Authorizing the approval of payment to Southland
Pools & Spas (Columbus, GA) in the amount of $25,000.00 for the emergency
purchase needed to retrofit the drains at City pools. The Virginia Graeme Baker
Pool and Spa Safety Act was enacted by Congress and signed by President Bush on
December 19, 2007. Designed to prevent the tragic and hidden hazard of drain
entrapments and eviscerations in pools and spas, the law became effective on
December 19, 2008. Under the law, all public pools and spas must have
ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 compliant drain covers installed and a second
anti-entrapment system installed, when there is only a single main drain. In
order to comply with the law and have all pool drains retrofitted by the
commencement of the City?s pool season, Parks and Recreation obtained a quote
from Southland Pools & Spas to do the work. The vendor quoted a price of
$25,000 to retrofit all City pools. Southland has successfully and
satisfactorily completed other pool projects and repairs for the City on other
occasions. The City Manager approved the emergency purchase on February 16,
2009.
*** *** ***
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS UPDATE:
City Manager Hugley said at the last Council meeting, we spoke to you about
the Bradley Park Drive/River Road intersection and advised you that we would
come back with a follow-up on that presentation and said he would like to call
upon Deputy City Manager David Arrington to do that at this time.
Deputy City Manager David Arrington said after the presentation during the
last Council meeting on the Local Option Sales Tax projects, we did brief the
Council on a project that is in the current fiscal year budget dealing with
needed improvements at Bradley Park Drive/River Road. He said this is a project
that was identified in the Congested Management Study, specifically the problem
identified in the study dealt with traffic movement on River Road, as well as a
segment of the J.R. Allen exit ramps and 54th Street and River Road
intersection. He said the project was funded in FY08 - $1,200,000 and we have
also done some concept design work.
He said based on the project and our recommendations on last week, the
Mayor has asked that we go back and take an additional look at, which we have
done. He said they met with the Mayor on last week and after that meeting, he
was agreeable to us moving forward with this recommendation. He said
specifically their recommendation was to proceed with the design and
construction on proposed improvements as recommended by staff at River
Road/Bradley Park Drive with available funds. He said the other area of focus
in their study, which was only based on their knowledge of there being some
problems with Cascade/ Green Island, but the alternative to address that
problem were extremely costly and required sufficient right-of-way and we felt
like we needed to move forward with addressing the problem that was identified
in the Congested Management Study and then look for future alternatives to
address the Cascade/Green Island Project.
Mr. Arrington said they felt like trying to address that secondary problem
now would only delay our focus in addressing the primary problem and we felt
like we needed to focus on the primary problem. He said their recommendation
from the last Council meeting was to proceed with design and construction on
proposed improvements at J.R. Allen exit ramps and 54th Street intersection
with River Road. He said they would probably need to look for and identify
funding source for construction through annual budget CIP planning process.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh, Deputy City Manager Arrington
said they did meet with the Mayor and the staff answered the questions that the
Mayor had on last week.
City Manager Hugley said unless you tell us otherwise we will proceed
forward with this project.
Councilor Davis said he wanted to thank Deputy City Manager Arrington for
that update. He said he know that the Mayor might not have been informed, but
said there were several meetings of concern with the issues related, as
outlined by Mr. Arrington and said the staff did a good job in laying out the
project. He said some people are upset, but there are others who do understand
it, and said he don?t know if there is a perfect solution to serve the problem
there, but he thinks what?s on the table is going to be the best solution at
this point and time. He said any other changes would be extremely costly to the
city and then someone else will not be happy with the way it works out. He said
that inter-change is a complicated system there. He said he has struggled with
it, trying to find the best solution, but feels that the city has done a good
job. He said he don?t think that the Mayor was informed when he asked for the
report and said it needs to be noted that the staff went out and met with the
citizens and put out several different proposals, layouts and designs and he
thinks that was a good thing, because the people understood it a little bit
better. City Manager said there is no need to take a vote on this matter, as
they will proceed based on not hearing any objections from the Council.
*** *** ***
DEMOLITION OF THE OLD ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY:
City Manager Hugley pointed out that Director of Public Services Gary
Stickles has asked to proceed with the demolition of the old Animal Control
Facility out on Sacerdoate Lane. He said we don?t need any action from this
Council unless there are objections to it. He said they have now moved into
their new facility and the old facility, which is located right there in front
of the prison is seen as a security risk. He said it is an old building and
there is nothing that we can do with it; therefore, we are going to proceed
with the demolition of it, but just wanted to make the Council aware of it.
*** *** ***
PROPERTIES IN EAST HIGHLAND:
Councilor Woodson said she provided information to the staff of seven
properties in East Highland and said she would like to have an update of those
properties as to what has been done. She said there were also two issues
regarding lighting.
*** *** ***
AVONDALE DRIVE/HOWE AVENUE:
Councilor Woodson said when they put the speed bumps out there on Avondale
Drive/Howe Avenue to determine the amount of traffic if we put it too close to
the intersection or the stop sign, you are not going to get an accurate
reading. She said she would like for the staff to look at the situation again
with the speed bumps on Avondale Drive/Howe Avenue.
*** *** ***
Councilor Woodson said she received a telephone call from someone seeking
assistance for a family. She said apparently there is a foster parent and their
home burned down and they are asking for assistance from the City, but every
time you call the number all you hear is music, but said she will continue to
try to contact that person. She said she is not sure what we can do.
*** *** ***
PLACE OF RESIDENCE:
Councilor Woodson said it was brought to her attention again that she
doesn?t live in her home. She said she does live in her home and she sometimes
parks her car in her garage. She said she does work and goes other places; and
said just because people don?t see her car in her driveway doesn?t mean that
she doesn?t live at her home. She said this is something that she has to
constantly defend. She said for the people who live in her district, she lives
in her home and her district and she doesn?t plan on selling her home. She said
her house is a reminder of the time she served in the military and she doesn?t
plan on going anywhere. She said she had three constituents that asked her to
publicly say that, because when they walk they are continuing to hear this. She
said she thinks that her personal live should be left alone.
----------------------------------------*** ***
***-----------------------------------
CLERK OF COUNCIL AGENDA:
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AS
INFORMATION FOR THE MAYOR &
COUNCIL:_________________________________________________
ACCG?s Legislative Update, Volume 19, Number 7 - February 27, 2009, and Number
8 - March 5, 2009.
GMA?s Legislative Alert, Number 7 - February 20, 2009 and Number 8 - February
27, 2009.
NLC?s 20th Awards for Municipal Excellence- 2009 Call for Nominations.
Memorandum from Clerk of Council Washington, Re: Planning Advisory Commission.
Biographical Sketch of Mr. Tom Gates, Mayor Wetherington?s nominee to replace
Mr. H. S. Guron on the Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Certificate of Need Application from The Medical Center, Columbus, Muscogee
County, for the expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department.
Certificate of Need Application from The Medical Center, Columbus, Muscogee
County, for the acquisition of a Fixed-Base PET/CT Scanner.
*** *** ***
MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS WERE SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND OFFICIALLY APPROVED BY THE
COUNCIL:_______________________________
Airport Commission, January 28, 2009.
Board of Water Commissioners, December 8, 2008.
Board of Water Commissioners, January 12, 2009.
Board of Tax Assessors, Nos. 06-09 & 07-09.
Family & Children Services Board, February 25, 2009.
Golf Authority, January 27, 2009.
Personnel Review Board, February 18, 2009.
Planning Advisory Commission, November 19, 2008.
Planning Advisory Commission, December 3, 2008.
Planning Advisory Commission, December 17, 2008.
Councilor Henderson made a motion to receive the minutes. Seconded by
Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those eight members of Council
present at the time, with Councilor McDaniel being absent for this vote and
Councilor Anthony being absent from this meeting.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWNG TWO NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE
SUBMITTED AND EXPLAINED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL WASHINGTON AND AN ORDINANCE AND
PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED FOR BY COUNCILOR HENDERSON:
Petition submitted by Wade Jordan to rezone 0.6 acre of property located
at 2004 6th Avenue from RMF2 (Residential Multi Family 2) to RO (Residential
Office) district. (Recommended for approval by both the Planning Advisory
Commission and the Planning Department). (4-A-09- Jordan)
Petition submitted by Wade Jordan to rezone 0.6 acre of property located
at 5064 Warm Springs Road from SFR1 (Single Family Residential 1) to RO
(Residential Office) district. (Recommended for approval by the Planning
Advisory Commission and conditional approval by the Planning Department).
(5-CA-09- Jordan)
Councilor Henderson called for the ordinance and public hearings on these
two new petitions.
*** *** ***
BOARD APPOINTMENTS:
COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & CULTURAL LIAISON ENCOUNTERS
(CIRCLE):________________
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Ms. Shirley Jaeger has
resigned her seat on the Commission on International Relations & Cultural
Liaison Encounters and that this is the Mayor?s appointment and that he is
working on a replacement.
CONVENTION & VISITORS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the terms of office of Ms.
Elizabeth Barker, Mr. James Smith have expired; however they are both eligible
to succeed themselves. She also pointed out that Mr. H. S. Guron is
no longer in the hotel industry and that the Mayor has a nominee for this
position.
*** *** ***
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ADVISORY BOARD:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that the term of office of Rev.
Joseph Roberson expired back in December and that he does not desire to be
reappointed. She further pointed out that Council must nominate someone for
this position.
*** *** ***
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we need a replacement for the
late Mr. Homer Kuhl?s position on the Community Development Advisory Council,
who represented Council District 5. She also pointed out that Mr. Steven
D?Ostroph has resigned his position on this board as well. She said he was the
Council District 10 Representative and that we need a replacement for that
position as well.
*** *** ***
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that we have three positions on
the Hospital Authority that has been vacant for quiet some time now and that we
still need three nominees for each of these positions. She said
Mr. Thomas Gurr has resigned, Ms. Nancy Rinn cannot succeed herself and that
Ms. Kim Peters has also resigned.
Councilor McDaniel then nominated Ms. Aimee Horstman for
Ms. Nancy Rinn?s position and Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh nominated Mr. Travis
Whitley for Mr. Thomas Gurr?s position.
*** *** ***
TAXICAB COMMISSION:
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. James Nash?s seat on the
Taxicab Commission has been declared vacant and that Mr. Robert Kidd has
resigned his position on the board. There were no nominations.
*** *** ***
WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA REGIONAL MH/DD/AD PLANNING
BOARD:__________________________________________
Clerk of Council Washington pointed out that Mr. Joseph Gosha has resigned
his position on the West Central Georgia Regional MH/DD/AD Planning Board and
that Council must nominate someone for this position.
*** *** ***
THE FOLLOWING ADD-ON RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED BY CLERK OF COUNCIL
WASHINGTON AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL:
__________________________________________________
A Resolution (86-09) - Excusing Councilor Wayne Anthony from the March 10,
2009 Council Meeting. Councilor Henderson moved the adoption of the resolution.
Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine members of
Council present for this meeting, with Councilor Anthony being absent.
*** *** ***
AUTHORITIES, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS:
Councilor Woodson asked if it was possible for us to run the different
authorities, boards and commissions that are vacant, as well as the
qualifications to serve on these boards on CCG-TV and if someone sees it and
feels that they are interested can apply for the position. She said it is
somewhat difficult to recruit board members and said sometime we recruit the
same people and are criticized for that. She said maybe if there is something
on the Government Access Channel periodically, maybe we could get a larger pool
of candidates to serve on these boards.
Clerk of Council Washington said she would get together with Mr. King with
regards to this matter.
*** *** ***
With there being no additional business of the Council to conduct, Mayor
Pro Tem Turner Pugh then asked if there was anyone present in the audience who
was not listed on the Public Agenda, but had an issue to bring before the
Council could be heard at this time.
Mr. Charlie Carter, 377 Henson Avenue said he is here this morning in
regards to his property located at 380 29th Street that was on the demolition
list on last week. He said this property is located on the South side of
Columbus. He said he has done quiet a bit of work and has spent a considerable
amount of money in fixing this property up. He said he has some pictures that
he would like for the Council to look at and see the before and after pictures
to see the work that he has accomplished. He said the City Inspector is saying
that there are a lot of discrepancies as far as the house itself. He said this
is an old house and the entire pretense of getting it torn down was to remove
the asbestos siding, and said that has been accomplished.
He said it seems like every time he does something, there is another
situation, Catch 22. He consequently, he is between a rock and a hard place;
and he is here today asking for some additional time in order to comply with
the Code.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked Mr. Carter, if he realized that the first
reading was held two weeks ago and the second reading?s vote was taken earlier
this morning. She said it has been voted on the demolition list and then asked
if he could tell the Council why he didn?t come on the first reading.
Mr. Carter said he has been back and forth to the doctors, as he has been
suffering with Prostate Cancer; having to go back and forth to Opelika for
treatment.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said according to the chronology listing of this
property, the first inspection was made back in October 2006 and a notice was
mailed out on November 8, 2006; it mentions something on the report about a new
owner and then asked, if the property was sold.
Mr. Carter said they purchased the property from Ms. Gwendolyn Harris, who
was the previous owner.
Mrs. Sharon Graham Carter said if she is correct, it might have been
November 2007. She said at the time they purchased the property it was under
the demolition process. She said they did purchase the home with the intent of
upgrading the home, but have had some problems due to her husband?s illness.
She said they have made some progress within recent time and said they are
asking for an extension of time, if possible. She said they would complete the
home and make it an outstanding home for someone to live in.
Mr. Carter responded to questions of members of the Council.
Ms. Rebecca Wiggins of the Inspections & Code Division said she spoke with
Mr. James Carter on February 13th before the first reading and advised him that
if he wanted to ask for more time that he needed to come to the Council during
the first reading and he said he would be here. She said since he received the
letter about the first reading, he has done some work and we have current
pictures of that work as of yesterday. She said there has been some work done,
and there has been some good work done, but there is a lot of work left to do.
He said there are some violations that need to be corrected and there are
things that probably should have been done in a different order. She said Mr.
Carter did not call for any inspections that he did not get and said we have
sent out inspectors randomly and with every request that he has made, he has
gotten an inspection.
Councilor Henderson said he would encourage anyone that want to star t
putting money into property that is on the demolition list, that they first get
with Ms. Wiggins or someone from the Inspection & Code Division to make sure it
is going to be worth doing that and it is actually going to be able to be
counted towards pull this thing off. He said he knows that if they get with the
staff early on and the work is done well and there is a sincere effort being
made, they will work with the individual because they don?t want the properties
torn down, they just want to follow through on the Council?s mandate to try to
clean up some of these area and make sure the properties are up to code.
After further discussion on this matter, with Mr. Carter making further
comments regarding his request, and Ms. Wiggins responding to further questions
of the Council, this matter was concluded.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh pointed out that this property has been approved
for demolition and said unless the Council asks that it be taken off the
demolition list it stays. There was no motion for the property to be taken off
the list.
Ms. Wiggins then responded to further questions of the Council, after
which this matter was concluded.
*** *** ***
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Regarding an earlier request of City Attorney Fay to go into an executive
session, Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh said she would entertain a motion to allow
the Council to go into an executive session to discuss a litigation matter, a
personnel matter, and a real estate issue. Councilor Woodson so moved. Seconded
by Councilor Allen and carried unanimously by those nine members of Council
present for this meeting, with Councilor Anthony being absent.
*** *** ***
Prior to the Council going into executive session, Ms. Ollie Tarver, 329
Mays Avenue came forward and made some brief comments to the Council.
She said the Lord spoke on the 28th & 29th in this valley and the vicinity. She
said there was many that did not hear God, but said it is wise that we open our
eyes and hear God. She said the right way is the only way in all situations.
She said she would like to say to her Council members, you are in charge, the
leaders of this valley, this city. She said we are to respect you; she is going
to respect you although there are things that she has to do. She said there are
things that she doesn?t have any choice in the things that the Lord leads her
to do. She said all of us are going to be judged. She said we thank God for the
mercy that he has given us during these last two weeks. She said nothing, but
his mercy came forth on our behalf, because tornados were supposed to hit here
in Columbus; all glory goes to God. She said we thank God and praise him for
all the favor that he has rendered in this City and he will continue with his
will and purpose and plan going forth. He rules and reigns and she is going to
be obedient to him. She said she loves all of the Council members more than she
has ever loved you.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh then asked if there was anyone else that wanted
to be heard. There were none.
At 11:00 A.M. the regular session was adjourned to allow the Council to go
into an executive session.
At 12:12 P.M. the meeting was called back to order at which time Mayor Pro
Tem Turner Pugh pointed out that the Council met in an executive session to
discuss litigation, personnel and real estate matters, but there were no votes
taken during this executive session.
She said once again she would like to remind the public that the Mayor is
out of town today in Atlanta with the Chamber of Commerce on city business.
*** *** ***
With there being no other business to come before this Council, Councilor
McDaniel then made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Henderson and
carried unanimously seven members of Council present at the time, with
Councilors Allen & Baker having left during the executive session and Councilor
Anthony being absent from the meeting with the time being 12:13 P.M.
Tiny B. Washington, CMC
Clerk of Council
Council of Columbus, Georgia
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