Council Agenda - Regular Meeting

~~POST SUMMARY MINUTES~~ Council Chambers October 24, 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: Mayor B. H. “Skip” Henderson, III and Mayor Pro Tem R. Gary Allen and Councilors Jerry “Pops” Barnes, Tyson Begly, Joanne Cogle, Charmaine Crabb, Glenn Davis, R. Walker Garrett, Bruce Huff, Judy W. Thomas and Toyia Tucker. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Sandra T. Davis, and Deputy Clerk of Council Lindsey G. McLemore were present. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor B. H. "Skip" Henderson, III, Presiding INVOCATION: Offered by Pastor Vince Allen, Faith Nation of Columbus, Georgia PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Henderson MINUTES Mayor’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: AMENDED the minutes to remove the wording that reflects that Item #17 on the Legislative Agenda was a carryover item Vote Result: APPROVED the minutes as amended. 1. Approval of minutes for the October 10, 2023, Council Meeting and Executive Session. Vote Result: APPROVE reconsideration of the vote on Item (2) #17 (Resolution 373-23) on the Legislative Agenda from the October 10, 2023 Meeting; Vote Result: APPROVED rescinding Resolution 373-23. PRESENTATIONS Mayor’s Agenda #2: No Action Taken 2. Water and Sewer Rate Study (Presented by Steve Davis, President Columbus Water Works) CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA ORDINANCES City Attorney’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: DENIED 1. 2nd Reading- REZN-06-23-0111: An ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia to change certain boundaries of a district located at 119 Bascom Court (parcel # 073-027-003) from Residential Office (RO) Zoning District to General Commercial (GC) Zoning District with conditions. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (continued on 1st Reading from 9-12-23) (as amended 10- 10-23) (Councilor Davis) City Attorney’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: ADOPTED 2. 2nd Reading- REZN-09-23-0017: An ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) of the Columbus Code to revise the text of a definition in Chapter 13. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (Mayor Pro-Tem) City Attorney’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: ADOPTED 3. 2nd Reading- REZN-08-23-0159: An ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, to change certain boundaries of a district located at 3617 2nd Avenue (parcel # 008-009-010) from Residential Office (RO) Zoning District to Single Family Residential - 4 (SFR4) Zoning District. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (Councilor Garrett) City Attorney’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: ADOPTED 4. 2nd Reading- REZN-04-23-0630: An ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia to change certain boundaries of a district located at 910 Talbotton Road (parcel# 016- 027-016) from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) Zoning District to Residential Office (RO) Zoning District. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (Councilor Cogle) City Attorney’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: ADOPTED Page 2 of 13 5. 2nd Reading- An ordinance providing for the demolition of various structures located at: 1) 923 39th Street (Douglas & M Elliott, Owner); 2) 353 Marlboro Avenue (Wallace Biggers, Owner); 3) 815 Hardegree Drive (Valencia Melvin, Owner); 4) 529 Chesterfield Avenue (Hiawatha Covington, Owner); 5) 318 24th Street (Leonard III & Lorenzo Brown, Owner);6) 1544 11th Avenue (Jean Rodgers, Owner); and 7) 2015 5th Avenue (Lewis P. Green Jr., Owner) and for demolition services for the Inspections and Code Department in accordance with the attached Tabulation of Bid sheet. (as amended) (Mayor Pro-Tem) City Attorney’s Agenda #6: Vote Result: ADOPTED 6. 2nd Reading- An ordinance amending Section 2-296 of the Columbus Code to add two members to the Liberty Theatre & Cultural Arts Center Advisory Board; and for other purposes. (Councilor Cogle) City Attorney’s Agenda #7: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 7. 1st Reading- An ordinance suspending the enforcement of penalties and interest on business and occupational tax due and owing for years 2023 and prior through December 31, 2023; and for other purposes. (Councilors Cogle, Crabb, Davis and Garrett) RESOLUTION City Attorney’s Agenda #8: Vote Result: APPROVED 8. A resolution approving the employment of two temporary non-classified employees to serve as the Project Manager and Quality Assurance Manager (Mayor Pro-Tem) PUBLIC AGENDA 1. Mr. Timothy Veals, Re: Cleanup of the neighborhood. No Action Taken 2. Mr. Norman Easterbrook, representing River Center for the Performing Arts, Re: Plans for the new Judicial Building. No Action Taken 3. Mr. Jose V. Ruiz, Re: A request to reduce / eliminate mandatory parking minimums. Cancelled 4. Mr. Marvin Broadwater, Sr., Re: Vetting citizens’ presentations appearing before City Council. No Action Taken 5. Mr. Paul Pierce, representing Springer Opera House, Re: Judicial Center Design. No Action Taken Page 3 of 13 6. Mr. Trinidad Villegas, representing Outdoor Solutions, Re: The Purchasing Division. No Action Taken 7. Mr. Jack Rosenhammer, representing Columbus Street Hockey, Re: Proposal for a ball hockey rink to be built at Frank Chester Recreation Center. No Action Taken 8. Mrs. Audrey Holston Palmore, Re: Vacant housing- demolitions providing information concerning heir property in the city. No Action Taken CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA City Manager’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Transit Trust Fund Program (TTFP) grant request for electric bus charging and maintenance equipment at METRA’s campus located at 814 Linwood Blvd. Approval is requested to apply for and accept, if awarded, funds made available to METRA by the State Fiscal Year 2024 (SFY24) Transit Trust Fund Program (TTFP) to be used for the installation of electric bus charging and electric bus maintenance equipment at the METRA campus in the amount up to $277,958, or as otherwise awarded, and amend the Transportation Fund by the amount of the grant award. City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. 2023 Brownfield Assessment Grant Re-Write Approval is requested to apply and accept if awarded and amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount awarded up to $300,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The grant funding will be utilized to conduct Brownfield Assessments of properties and cleanup activities within the south and midtown areas of Columbus. City Manager’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. BOOST Grant 2023 YEAR 3 Approval is requested to apply for a grant and, if awarded, accept a grant valued at approximately $200,000.00 or the amount awarded with no local match from the city. The funds provide assistance to the City in administering programs to keep youth productively engaged and off the streets. Page 4 of 13 City Manager’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: APPROVED 4. Maximus, Inc. for Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) Program of the Bright from the Start Program. Approval is requested to apply for funding and, if awarded, accept a reimbursement amount valued up to approximately $27,218.00. The funds provide an opportunity to offer expanded and improved support for all students in the Before and After School Programs. City Manager’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: APPROVED 5. Bright from the Start – Snack Grant Approval is requested to apply for and accept a grant in the amount of $67,989.00, or as otherwise awarded, from the Georgia Department of Early Childcare and Learning, Bright from the Start to continue the Child and Adult Care Food Program and amend the Multi-Government Grant Funds by the amount awarded. The grant will cross over 2023 and 2024 Fiscal Years. City Manager’s Agenda #6: Vote Result: APPROVED 6. Georgia Department of Natural Resources Grant, Recreational Trails Program Approval is requested to submit an application for a Georgia Department of Natural Resources Grant, and if approved, accept funds from the Recreational Trails Program for the Dragonfly Trails. City Manager’s Agenda #7: Vote Result: APPROVED 7. Donation of Supplies – Columbus Police Department Approval is requested to accept donations of building materials from The Home Depot for the construction of K-9 Training Aids at no cost to the city. City Manager’s Agenda #8: Vote Result: APPROVED 8. Bingo Machine Donation Approval is requested to accept a Bingo Blower Professional Table Top with a five-foot long flashboard to be donated to the Frank D Chester Senior Center of the Parks and Recreation Department by the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office. The total value of the bingo machine is $3,495.00 at no cost to the city. City Manager’s Agenda #9(A-D): Vote Result: APPROVED Page 5 of 13 9. PURCHASES A. Retail Space for Park & Ride on Manchester Expressway (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 24-0003 B. Grounds Maintenance Services II (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 24-0008 C. Mental Health Services for Muscogee County Prison D. Repair of Compactor for Public Works Department 10. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS A. Trade Center Update – Hayley Tillery, Executive Director, Columbus Convention & Trade Center. No Action Taken City Manager’s Agenda #10(B): Vote Result: APPROVED adding to the new Sheriff’s Office Administration Building plans (1) garage for storage of equipment and processing of vehicles for evidence, (2) fitness center including locker room and showers, (3) canopy to provide covered parking, (4) IBIS Room, (5) enhanced AV Systems for Situation Room and Media Room, (6) perimeter fencing to provide secure parking for a portion of the parking lot, and (7) courtroom. B. Sheriff’s Office Administration Building Update – Ryan Pruett, Director, Inspections & Code BID ADVERTISEMENT DATE: October 24, 2023 November 8, 2023 1. 1st Avenue Sidewalk Improvement Project – RFB No. 24-0014 Scope of Bid The scope of work includes clearing, excavation and removal, earthwork and grading, pavement and miscellaneous site improvements, soil erosion control measures, landscaping and tree planting. This is a U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funded project, which utilizes Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The awarded contractor shall adhere to all HUD and CDBG project requirements, including Section 3. The requirements are listed on pages 15 - 35 of the Request for Bids (RFB) document. November 17, 2023 1. Ambulance Billing and Collection Services for Columbus Fire & EMS Department (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 24-0004 Page 6 of 13  Scope of RFP Columbus Consolidated Government (the City) invites qualified vendors to provide ambulance billing and collection services for the Columbus Fire & EMS Department. The services are required to enhance and develop an internal revenue cycle and will be procured on an as-needed basis. The initial term of the contract will be for two years, with the option to renew for three additional twelve-month periods. Contract renewal shall be contingent upon the mutual agreement of the City and the Contractor. REFERRALS: Referrals: 10.10.23 CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA ENCLOSURES - ACTION REQUESTED Clerk of Council’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: RECEIVED 1. Minutes of the following boards: Board of Elections & Registration, July 6, and August 3, 2023 Board of Tax Assessors, #34-23 Civic Center Advisory Board, September 21, 2023 Land Bank Authority, August 9, and September 13, 2023 Pension Fund, Employees’ Board of Trustees, April 12, May 10, and June 21, 2023 River Valley Regional Commission, August 23, 2023 Tree Board, October 24, 2022 and February 9, 2023 BOARD APPOINTMENTS- ACTION REQUESTED: 2. COUNCIL APPOINTMENT- READY FOR CONFIRMATION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #2(A): Vote Result: CONFIRMED reappointment of Todd Hammons to the Board of Tax Assessors Page 7 of 13  A. BOARD OF TAX ASSESSORS: Mr. Todd Hammons was nominated to serve another term of office. (Councilor Crabb’s nominee) Term expires: December 31, 2029 3. COUNCIL APPOINTMENT: NOMINATION FROM THE COMMISSION AND MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3(A): Vote Result: CONFIRMED reappointment of James Barker to the Airport Commission A. AIRPORT COMMISSION: James Barker (Council’s Confirmation) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: December 31, 2023 *The Columbus Airport Commission has submitted its nominee of James Barker to serve another term of office. These are five-year terms. Board meets monthly. Women: 2 Senatorial District 15: 2 Senatorial District 29: 3 4. COUNCIL NOMINATIONS- THREE NOMINEES ARE SENT TO THE AUTHORITY FOR SELECTION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(A): Vote Result: APPROVED the submission of John Bucholtz, Tracy L. Sayers and Murray Solomon for the seat of John Bucholtz; and Fredrick McKnight, Tracy L. Sayers and Murray Solomon for the seat of Fredrick McKnight to the Medical Center Hospital Authority for selection. A. THE MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: John Bucholtz Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Nomination) Term Expires: December 31, 2023 Page 8 of 13  Fredrick McKnight Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Nomination) Term Expires: December 31, 2023 *The Council submits three (3) nominees to the Medical Center Hospital Authority for each seat and the Medical Center Hospital Authority selects the successor for Council’s confirmation and the recommendations are as follows: For the seat of John Bucholtz: John Bucholtz, Tracy L. Sayers and Murray Solomon For the seat of Fredrick McKnight: Fredrick McKnight, Tracy L. Sayers and Murray Solomon The terms are five years. Board meets quarterly. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 3 Senatorial District 29: 6 5. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS WOULD BE LISTED FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(A): Nomination(s): Councilor Crabb renominated Edwin Roldan and Diane Scrimpshire to serve another term, and Councilor Tucker nominated Annette Williams to succeed Margaret Jenkins on the Board of Elections & Registration. A. BOARD OF ELECTIONS & REGISTRATION: Edwin Roldan Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: December 31, 2023 Margaret Jenkins Open for Nominations Rotating off the board (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: December 31, 2023 Diane Scrimpshire Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: December 31, 2023 Councilor Tucker is nominating Annette Williams for the seat of Margaret Jenkins. Page 9 of 13  These are four-year terms. Board meets monthly. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 2 Senatorial District 29: 3 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(B): Nomination(s): Councilor Huff renominated Sylvester McRae to serve another term on the Board of Health. B. BOARD OF HEALTH: Sylvester McRae- Interested in serving another term Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: December 31, 2023 James Lopez Open for Nominations Not Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: December 31, 2023 These are five-year terms. Board meets monthly. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 1 Senatorial District 29: 4 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(C): Nomination(s): Councilor Thomas nominated Nick Smith to succeed Clint W. Cox on the Board of Water Commissioners. C. BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS: Clint W. Cox Open for Nominations No longer a resident of Muscogee County (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: December 31, 2026 Councilor Thomas is nominating Nick Smith for the seat of Clint W. Cox. This is a four-year term. Board meets monthly. Page 10 of 13  Women: 1 Senatorial District 15: 2 Senatorial District 29: 2 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(D): No Action Taken D. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ADVISORY BOARD: Lawanna Williams Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: December 31, 2023 VACANT Open for Nominations Term Expires: December 31, 2028 (Council’s Appointment) The terms are six years. Meets quarterly. Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 2 Senatorial District 29: 2 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(E): Nomination(s): Councilor Begly nominated Carson Cummings, Jr. to succeed Chris Phillips on the Land Bank Authority. E. LAND BANK AUTHORITY: Chris Phillips Open for Nominations No longer a resident of Muscogee County (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: October 31, 2026 The term is four years. Board meets monthly. Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 4 Senatorial District 29: 2 Page 11 of 13 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(F): Nomination(s): Councilor Crabb renominated Farah Dewsbury and Robert Hecht to serve another term, and Councilor Cogle nominated Amy Spencer to serve in one of the other available seats on the Tree Board. F. TREE BOARD: Farah Dewsbury Open for Nominations At-Large Member (Council’s Appointment) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: December 31, 2023 Robert Hecht Open for Nominations Commercial or Industrial Dev. Seat (Council’s Appointment) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: December 31, 2023 Chris Henson Open for Nominations Environmental Advocacy Representative (Council’s Appointment) Does not desire reappointment Term Expired: July 1, 2022 Troy Keller Open for Nominations Educator Seat (Council’s Appointment) Not eligible to succeed Term Expired: December 31, 2020 Frank Tommey Open for Nominations Residential Development Seat (Council’s Appointment) Not eligible to succeed Term Expired: December 31, 2020 These are four-year terms. Meets as needed. Women: 7 Senatorial District 15: 5 Senatorial District 29: 6 Page 12 of 13 PUBLIC AGENDA (continued) 3 Additional Minutes: 4. Mr. Marvin Broadwater, Sr., Re: Vetting citizens’ presentations appearing before City Council. No Action Taken 6. Mr. Trinidad Villegas, representing Outdoor Solutions, Re: The Purchasing Division. No Action Taken 8. Mrs. Audrey Holston Palmore, Re: Vacant housing- demolitions providing information concerning heir property in the city. No Action Taken EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Henderson entertained a motion to go into executive session to discuss matters of litigation, personnel, and real estate acquisition and disposal as requested earlier in the meeting by City Attorney Fay. Mayor Pro Tem Allen made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilor Crabb and carried unanimously by the ten members of Council, with the time being 9:26 p.m. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 10:16 p.m., at which time, Mayor Henderson announced that the Council did meet in executive session to discuss matters of litigation, personnel, and property acquisition and disposal; however, there were no votes taken. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REQUEST: Vote Result: APPROVED Motion as per Code Section 4-307(5) of the Charter requesting the City Manager to personally provide a three-to-five-page executive summary on what is going on in the Finance Department/Occupational Taxes/Business License Department, their status, the management failures and systemic problems that have occurred and are reoccurring, the practices and authorizations of citations and/or delinquency notices directed at businesses, who issued and authorized those notices, why businesses who were not delinquent were contacted, why we are delayed in collections, and the report should be finished and provided in writing no later than the close of business on October 30, 2023. With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Henderson entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Allen to adjourn the October 24, 2023, Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Councilor Tucker and carried unanimously by the ten members of Council, with the time being 10:22 p.m. Page 13 of 13