Council Agenda - Regular Meeting

~~POST SUMMARY MINUTES~~ Council Chambers August 22, 2023 C. E. “Red” McDaniel City Services Center- Second Floor 5:30 PM 3111 Citizens Way, Columbus, GA 31906 Regular Meeting M A Y O R’ S A G E N D A PRESENT: Presiding Officer - Councilor Judy W. Thomas and Councilors Jerry “Pops” Barnes (arrived at 5:37 p.m.), Tyson Begly, Joanne Cogle, Charmaine Crabb, Glenn Davis, R. Walker Garrett, Bruce Huff, Judy W. Thomas, and Toyia Tucker. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, Assistant City Attorney Lucy Sheftall, Clerk of Council Sandra T. Davis, and Deputy Clerk of Council Lindsey G. McLemore were present. ABSENT: Mayor B. H. “Skip” Henderson, III, Mayor Pro Tem R. Gary Allen and City Attorney Clifton Fay were absent from the meeting. CALL TO ORDER: Councilor Judy Thomas, Presiding INVOCATION: Offered by Reverend B. A. Hart - St. James AME Church of Columbus, Georgia PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Councilor Thomas Presiding Officer: Vote Result: APPROVED authorizing Councilor Judy W. Thomas to preside over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Henderson and Mayor Pro Tem Allen. MINUTES Mayor’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Approval of minutes for the August 8, 2023 Council Meeting and Executive Session. PRESENTATION: Mayor’s Agenda #2: DELAYED 2. Reducing the number of vacant and abandoned properties in Columbus. (Presented by Councilor Tyson Begly – District 10 At Large) CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA ORDINANCES City Attorney’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: ADOPTED 1. 2nd Reading- REZN-05-23-0974: An ordinance amending the text of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for Columbus, Georgia to revise Chapter 3 to add an additional Special Exception use in the UPT (Uptown) zoning district. (Planning Department and PAC Recommend approval.) (Mayor Pro-Tem) City Attorney’s Agenda #2: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 2. 1st Reading- REZN-06-23-0160: An Ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, to change certain boundaries of a district located at 3610 and 3744 Woodruff Road (parcel # 187-001-021) from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) Zoning District to General Commercial (GC) Zoning District. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (1st Reading delayed from 8-8-23) (Councilor Garrett) RESOLUTION City Attorney’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. EXCP-05-23-1008 resolution approving a Special Exception to allow for a Tattoo and Body Piercing Shop in the existing building located at 221 9th Street located in the Uptown (UPT) zoning district. Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (Councilor Cogle) Page 2 of 14 PUBLIC AGENDA Public Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED to extend the Dial-A-Ride fixed route by one and half miles radius. 1. Mr. Ronaldo Morrison, Re: A solution to the transportation coverage issues with the Dial-A- Ride Program. 2. Mr. Kirk Holcombe, Re: The concerns with the accessibility of the Dial-A-Ride Program for his employee. No Action Taken 3. Mr. Marvin Broadwater, Sr., Re: Public Official vs Private Citizen. No Action Taken CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA City Manager’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Variance for Sidewalk Installation at 1301 Victory Drive Approval is requested for granting a variance to Section 7.10.1-Required Sidewalk of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), excusing the requirement to install sidewalks in all residential, commercial and industrial developments. City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Fy24 Public Defender Contract Approval is requested to enter into an agreement between the Circuit Public Defender Office of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit and Muscogee County for Indigent Defense Services in the amount of $2,426,743 and to authorize monthly payments to the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council (GPDSC) for said services in the amount of $142,330.81 per month. The monthly amount is included in the total contract amount of $2,426,743 and it covers the cost of personnel services as well as a 5% administrative fee. City Manager’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. Amend Council Resolution 287-22 and the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Page 3 of 14 Approval is requested to amend Council Resolution #287-22 and the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant to change the Action Plan from South Lumpkin Road to a City-Wide Action Plan. The City is required to pay a 20% local match. TSPLOST Discretionary funds will be used for the local match. City Manager’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: APPROVED 4. U.S. Department of Justice FY23 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, is seeking applications for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program FY 2023 Local Solicitation. The Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible to apply for up to $119,951in funding. City Manager’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: APPROVED 5. FY2025 5303 Grant Application for Planning Assistance Approval is requested to authorize the Department of Transportation/METRA to apply to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for a capital, planning and operating grant in the amount of $155,999.00 or otherwise awarded. Approval is also requested to authorize the City Manager to accept the grant, if awarded, and execute any contracts with the Federal Transit Administration and/or the Georgia Department of Transportation relating to the grant. City Manager’s Agenda #6: Vote Result: APPROVED 6. Columbus Police Department: Sponsorship Donations ($2,000) Approval is requested to accept donations totaling $2,000 for sponsorship of the Columbus Police Department’s first annual Family Fun Day and other employee activities. City Manager’s Agenda #7: Vote Result: APPROVED 7. Columbus Police Department: Sponsorship Donations ($19,000) Approval is requested to accept donations totaling $19,000 for sponsorship of the Columbus Police Department’s first annual Family Fun Day and other employee activities. City Manager’s Agenda #8: Vote Result: APPROVED 8. Columbus Police Department: Expenditure of Donations Approval is requested to allow the Police Department to expend funds specifically donated for the CPD Family Fund Day event. Page 4 of 14 City Manager’s Agenda #9(A-G): Vote Result: APPROVED 9. PURCHASES A. Change Order 3 for Columbus Dragonfly Trail – Riverwalk to Martin Luther King, Jr. Connector – RFP No. 22-0017 B. Patches and Emblems (Annual Contract) – RFB No. 23-0015 C. Confiscated Firearms for Credit or Swap II for Police Department – RFB No. 23-0039 D. Office Supplies (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 23-0019 E. Onsite Process Training for the Tax Commissioner’s Office F. Cybersecurity Software Renewal for Information Technology – Sourcewell Cooperative Purchase G. Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – RFP No. 23-0039 10. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS A. 2023 Comp Plan Update - Will Johnson, Director, Planning. No Action Taken B. ARP Update - Pam Hodge, Deputy City Manager, Finance, Planning & Development. No Action Taken BID ADVERTISEMENT DATE: August 22, 2023 August 25, 2023 1. Consultant for Grant Application & Construction Project Management Services – RFI No. 24-0001 Scope of RFI Columbus Consolidated Government (the City) is soliciting information about the feasibility of acquiring the services of a consultant (the “Vendor”) to develop an application for the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) 5339(b) Discretionary – Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program (or other available DOT/FTA competitive infrastructure grants for transit projects) on behalf of METRA Transit System (METRA). In the event that this competitive grant is awarded to METRA, the Vendor will then serve in the role of Page 5 of 14  construction management consultant for the proposed project. The intention is for a single consultant, if feasible, to guide METRA through the entire construction process. Please be advised that this may be a two-step process. Should METRA decide to proceed with a solicitation based on the responses to this Request for Information (RFI), then phase two will be a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) to be administered in accordance with the procurement ordinance of the City and procurement procedures compliant with FTA C. 4220.1F and other applicable federal regulations. August 30, 2023 1. Recreation Centers Roof Project – RFB No. 24-0001 Scope of Bid Provide all labor, equipment, and materials for the roofing project at Frank D. Chester Recreation Center, Northside Recreation Center, Psalmond Recreation Center, and Shirley Winston Recreation Center. This RFB will be awarded by location or in total; whichever is in the best interest of Columbus Consolidated Government (the City). The City will be the sole judge of the factors and will award the project accordingly. 2. Williams Road at Fortson Road Roundabout – RFB No. 24-0007 Scope of Bid The Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia is requesting bids for the construction of a roundabout at Williams Road and Fortson Road. The project includes roadway construction, drainage, signing & marking, erosion control, landscaping & irrigation, and utility relocation. September 6, 2023 1. Trophies and Other Miscellaneous Awards – RFB No. 24-0004 Scope of Bid Provide trophies, plaques, hats, resin figures, medal trophy display cases, tombstone trophies and acrylics, t-shirts and golf shirts on an “as needed” basis. The term of the contract shall be for two (2) years, with the option to renew for three (3) additional twelve-month periods. REFERRALS: Referrals 8.8.2023 ENCLOSURES- INFORMATION ONLY: The 16th Annual Hometown Connection/Legislative Agenda will be held on October 12, 2023 from 11:30am – 1:30pm. Attached you will find the 2023 Legislative Agenda items. If you have Page 6 of 14 any carry over items you wish to include from the previous year or any new items, please let me know no later than Friday, September 15th in an effort for us to provide the items for your review at the September 26th council meeting. On Tuesday, October 10th the final Legislative Agenda items will be placed on the City Manager’s agenda as individual items for your consideration and approval. Those approved items will be presented to our Legislative Delegation during the October 12th Hometown Connection/Legislative Agenda Meeting. CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA ENCLOSURES - ACTION REQUESTED Clerk of Council’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. RESOLUTION - A resolution excusing Mayor Pro Tem R. Gary Allen from the August 22, 2023 Council Meeting. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: CONFIRMED appointment of Dr. Woodrow M. McWilliams, III to the Medical Center Hospital Authority. 2. MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL AUTHORITY: Letter from Tina Etheridge, Assistant Secretary, Board of Trustees, advising of the selection of Dr. Woodrow M. McWilliams, III to fill the expired term of Mr. Rodney Mahone that ended December 31, 2022. (Council confirms the appointment.) Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: RECEIVED 3. Minutes of the following boards: Airport Commission, January 25. February 22, March 22, April 26, and May 22, 2023 Board of Tax Assessors, #26-23 Board of Water Commissioners, June 19, 2023 Land Bank Authority, February 27, August 6, October 1, and December 3, 2020; February 4, April 1, and July 1, 2021 The Medical Center Hospital Authority, June 27, and October 26, 2022; January 25 and April 26, 2022 Page 7 of 14 BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED 4. COUNCIL APPOINTMENT- READY FOR CONFIRMATION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(A): Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION: Ms. Avianca Dowdell was nominated to succeed Dr. Kar’retta Venable. (Councilor Huff’s nominee) Term expires: June 30, 2026 5. COUNCIL’S DISTRICT SEAT APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(A): Nomination: Councilor Davis nominated Daniel Woodward to fill the expired term of Spencer Cantrell as the District 2 Representative; Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD: Danielle Edwards (Council District 1- Barnes) Seat declared vacant Term Expires: March 2, 2025 Spencer Cantrell (Council District 2- Davis) Resigned Term Expired: March 2, 2022 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(B): Nomination(s): Councilor Davis renominated Chris Poirer as the District 2 Representative, Councilor Tucker renominated Belvin Millner as the District 4 Representative, Councilor Garrett renominated David Rohwedder as the District 8 Representative, and Councilor Begly nominated Sarah Maglione as the District 10 Representative to succeed Mr. Alexander King; Vote Result: CONFIRMED the appointment of Chris Poirer, Belvin Millner, David Rohwedder, and Sarah Maglione. B. PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION: Chris Poirer (Council District 2- Davis) Page 8 of 14  Eligible to succeed Term Expires: October 31, 2023 Belvin Millner (Council District 4- Tucker) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: October 31, 2023 David Rohwedder (Council District 8- Garrett) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: October 31, 2023 Alexander King (Council District 10- Begly) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: October 31, 2023 6. COUNCIL NOMINATIONS- THREE NOMINEES ARE SENT TO THE AUTHORITY FOR SELECTION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(A): No Action Taken A. HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: Jennings Chester Open for Nominations Rotating off the authority (Council’s Nomination) Term Expires: November 14, 2023 *The Council submits three (3) nominees to the Hospital Authority for each seat and the Hospital Authority selects the successor for Council’s confirmation. The term is three years. Board meets monthly. Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 7 Senatorial District 29: 2 7. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS WOULD BE LISTED FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(A): Nomination(s): Clerk of Council Davis stated the Veterinary Association is renominating Dr. Scott McDermott as their representative. Vote Result: Page 9 of 14 CONFIRMED the reappointment of Dr. Scott McDermott to serve another term as the Veterinary Association’s Representative. Councilor Davis renominated Lori Turner. A. ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD: Dr. Scott McDermott Veterinary Assoc. Selection (Veterinary Association Rep.) (Council’s Confirmation) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: October 15, 2023 Lori Turner Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: October 15, 2023 Jayne Dunn Open for Nominations Not Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: October 15, 2023 These are two-year terms. Board meets as needed. Women: 6 Senatorial District 15: 3 Senatorial District 29: 5 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(B): Nomination: Councilor Huff renominated David Ebron to serve another term. B. BOARD OF HONOR: David Ebron Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: October 31, 2023 Bob Hydrick Open for Nominations (passed away) (Council’s Appointment) Term Expired: October 31, 2022 All of the members serving on this board must be former elected officials of Muscogee County. This is a four-year term. Board meets as needed. Page 10 of 14  Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 4 Senatorial District 29: 2 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(C): Nomination: Councilor Tucker nominated Erika Cottingham to fill the unexpired term of the late Patricia Flora as the Senatorial District 29 Representative. C. CRIME PREVENTION BOARD: Patricia Flora Open for Nominations Senatorial District 29 Rep. (Council’s Appointment) (passed away) Term Expires: March 31, 2025 The term is a three-year term. Board meets every February, April, July and November. Women: 2 Senatorial District 15: 2 Senatorial District 29: 4 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(D): Nomination: Councilor Begly nominated Austin Auten for the vacant seat formerly held by Lauren Chambers. D. LAND BANK AUTHORITY: Lance Hemmings Open for Nominations Not Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: October 31, 2023 Lauren Chambers Open for Nominations Seat declared vacant (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: October 31, 2026 The term is four years. Board meets monthly. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 4 Senatorial District 29: 2 Page 11 of 14 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(E): Nomination(s): Councilor Crabb nominated Gloria Strode, Councilor Begly nominated Arreasha Z. Lawrence, Clerk of Council Davis stated Mayor Pro Tem Allen is nominating Cletus Richardson, Councilor Barnes nominated Carolyn Star-Ross, Councilor Tucker nominated Terrance Flowers, Councilor Huff nominated Fernado Verdree to serve as the Certified Public Accountant Representative, and Clerk of Council Davis stated the Civic Center is nominating Arsburn “Oz” Roberts. E. LIBERTY THEATRE & CULTURAL ARTS CENTER ADVISORY BOARD: New Member Open for Nominations Term Expires: August 14, 2025 (Council’s Appointment) New Member Open for Nominations Term Expires: August 14, 2025 (Council’s Appointment) New Member Open for Nominations Term Expires: August 14, 2025 (Council’s Appointment) New Member Open for Nominations Term Expires: August 14, 2027 (Council’s Appointment) New Member Open for Nominations Term Expires: August 14, 2027 (Council’s Appointment) New Member Open for Nominations Term Expires: August 14, 2027 (Council’s Appointment) New Member Open for Nominations (Certified Public Accountant Rep) (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: August 14, 2027 New Member Civic Center Dir. Rec Term Expires: August 14, 2027 (Council’s Confirmation) New Member Civic Center Dir. Rec Term Expires: August 14, 2027 (Council’s Confirmation) The terms are four-years after the initial terms. Page 12 of 14 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(F): No Action Taken F. UPTOWN FACADE BOARD: Cesar Bautista Open for Nominations (Uptown Business Improvement Dist. Rep) (Council’s Appointment) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: October 31, 2023 Robert Battle Open for Nominations (Uptown Business Improvement Dist. Rep) (Council’s Appointment) Not Eligible to succeed Term Expires: October 31, 2023 Wayne Bond Open for Nominations (Historic Columbus Foundation Rep) (Council’s Appointment) Not Eligible to succeed Term Expires: October 31, 2023 Ramon Brown Open for Nominations (Uptown Columbus Inc. Rep) (Council’s Appointment) Not Eligible to succeed Term Expires: October 31, 2023 NOTE: Nominations received from the respective organizations may be confirmed on meeting date presented. The terms are three years. Board meets monthly. Women: 5 Senatorial District 15: 6 Senatorial District 29: 3 Page 13 of 14 BOARD HEARING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda Board Hearing: Vote Result: APPROVED request to declare the seat of Stephanie Callahan as vacant on the Columbus Golf Course Authority. A letter from the Columbus Golf Course Authority requesting that the seat of Ms. Stephanie Callahan be declared vacant for cause. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Councilor Thomas entertained a motion to go into executive session to discuss matters of litigation as requested earlier in the meeting by Assistant City Attorney Sheftall. Councilor Crabb made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilor Davis and carried unanimously by the nine members present, with Mayor Pro Tem Allen being absent from the meeting, and the time being 7:23 p.m. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 7:32 p.m., at which time, Councilor Thomas announced that the Council did meet in executive session to discuss matters of litigation; however, there were no votes taken. ADD-ON RESOLUTION: City Attorney’s Agenda Add-On Resolution: Vote Result: APPROVED A resolution authorizing the payment of $45,000 to settle all damage claims of Tyrone Smith stemming from the incident which occurred on May 11, 2021. With there being no further business to discuss, Councilor Thomas entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion by Councilor Tucker to adjourn the August 22, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Councilor Barnes and carried unanimously by the eight members present, with Councilor Garrett being absent for the vote, Mayor Pro Tem Allen being absent from the meeting, and the time being 7:34 p.m. Page 14 of 14