Council Agenda - Regular Meeting

~~POST SUMMARY MINUTES~~ Council Chambers February 27, 2024 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 (arrived at 5:34 p.m.) and Councilors Jerry “Pops” Barnes (via teleconference), Tyson Begly, Joanne Cogle (via Microsoft Teams), Charmaine Crabb, Glenn Davis (arrived at 5:39 p.m.), 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 Sherryl Sneed, Peters Chapel AME Church of Columbus, Georgia PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Henderson MINUTES Mayor’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Approval of minutes for the February 13, 2024 Council Meeting and Executive Session. PROCLAMATION: Mayor’s Agenda #2: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Begly) 2. Proclamation: National School Breakfast Week Receiving: Jada Bone, Nutrition Specialist, School Nutrition Department, Muscogee Country School District PRESENTATION: Mayor’s Agenda #3: No Action Taken 3. River Valley Regional Commission Update (Presented by Jim Livingston, River Valley Regional Commission) CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA ORDINANCES City Attorney’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: ADOPTED 1. 2nd Reading- REZN-11-23-2304: An ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia to change certain boundaries of a district located at 1323 Munro Avenue (parcel # 185-029-006) from Single Family Residential -2 (SFR2) Zoning District to Residential Multifamily - 1 (RMF1) Zoning District. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (Councilor Garrett) City Attorney’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: ADOPTED 2. 2nd Reading- REZN-12-23-2400: An ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia to change certain boundaries of a district located at 7505 Veterans Parkway (parcel # 073-029-001) from Light Manufacturing/Industrial (LMI) Zoning District to General Commercial (GC) Zoning District. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval) (Councilor Davis) City Attorney’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: ADOPTED 3. 2nd Reading- REZN-01-24-0063: An ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) of the Columbus Code to revise the text of Section 9.3.4 to provide for representation of the Liberty Theatre & Cultural Arts Center Advisory Board on the Board of Historical and Architectural Review. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval) (Mayor Pro-Tem) City Attorney’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: ADOPTED Page 2 of 10 4. 2nd Reading- An ordinance to revise and clarify certain provisions of Chapter 2 of the Columbus Code which provide for meeting dates and procedures for the Columbus Council and for other purposes. (Councilor Thomas) City Attorney’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: ADOPTED 5. 2nd Reading- 23 FINAL BUDGET AMENDMENT: An ordinance amending the budgets for the Fiscal Year 2023 by appropriating amounts in each fund for various operational activities. (Budget Review Committee) City Attorney’s Agenda #6: PUBLIC HEARING HELD; Vote Result: Bring back on April 30, 2024 Work Session Agenda 6. 1st Reading- An ordinance to revise and clarify certain provisions of the Columbus Code which provide for the foreclosure of liens on property for which funds are due and owing to the consolidated government; and for other purposes. (continued on 1st Reading from 2-13- 24) (Councilor Begly) City Attorney’s Agenda #7: PUBLIC HEARING HELD; Vote Result: CONTINUED on 1st Reading; Vote Result: Bring back on April 30, 2024 Work Session Agenda 7. 1st Reading- An ordinance to provide for a levy of increase on ad valorem taxes for blighted property; to provide for identification of blighted property; to provide for remediation; to provide for a decrease on ad valorem taxes on property; and for other purposes. (continued of 1st Reading from 1-13-24) (Councilor Begly) RESOLUTION City Attorney’s Agenda #8: Vote Result: APPROVED 8. A Resolution concerning the Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia’s issuance of bonds to finance a residential housing project to be located at 1200 Warren Williams Road in Columbus, Georgia (Request of Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia) PUBLIC AGENDA 1. Mr. Mick Etchison, representing Revolution Project, Re: The Muscogee County Jail. No Action Taken 2. Mr. Jackson Turner, Re: Permit to Picket. No Action Taken 3. Mrs. Claire Thomas, representing Animal Advocacy, Re: Columbus Animal Control and Care Center rabies vaccination protocols. No Action Taken Page 3 of 10 4. Mr. Marvin Broadwater, Sr., Re: A request for City Council to attend more diversified Cultural Events. No Action Taken 5. Mr. Paul Olson, Re: (1) Baseball Stadium, (2) Property Tax Mill Rollback to finance Stadium, (3) Property Tax Relief and (4) Referendum. No Action Taken 6. Ms. Allie Johnson, representing Columbus Animal Allies, Re: Animal welfare, veterinary care and animal shelter operations. No Action Taken 7. Mrs. Mimi Steger, representing Columbus Animal Allies, Re: Columbus Animal Control and Care Center with rescues, adoptions and reunions. No Action Taken 8. Ms. Theresa El-Amin, representing Southern Anti-Racism Network, Re: The 2028 Bicentennial and Municipal Court staffing. No Action Taken 9. Mrs. Kathy Tanner, Re: Columbus Animal Control and Care Center. No Action Taken 10. Rev. Johnny Flakes, III, representing Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA), Re: Baseball Park Initiative. No Action Taken 11. Rev. Ralph Huling, representing St. James Baptist Church, Re: Support of the baseball team and the economic impact that it will bring to South Columbus. No Action Taken 12. Mr. Melvin Tanner, representing the NAACP Columbus Branch, Re: Support of the expansion baseball team and the economic impact that it will bring to South Columbus. No Action Taken 13. Mr. Jerome Williams, representing A Call to Talk-A Community to Take Action, Re: Economic development on the Southside of Columbus with the expansion of the baseball team and improvement of A. J. McClung Stadium. No Action Taken 14. Mrs. Sandy Gunnels, Re: The dangers of not deworming puppies appropriately. Not Present 15. Ms. Anna-Claire Daniels, representing Animal SOS, Re: Columbus Animal Care and Control. No Action Taken 16. Mrs. Sherry Jones, Re: Medical Care at Columbus Animal Control. No Action Taken CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA City Manager’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Dragonfly Connection Approval is requested to authorize the next Columbus Dragonfly Trails connector within Midtown that will connect Lakebottom Park from 13th Street to Garrard Street along Cherokee Avenue. Page 4 of 10 City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Riverwalk Public Art Addition – (11th Street to 12th Street) Approval is requested to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Dragonfly Trails, Inc. for an addition to the public art mural located on the Riverwalk between 11th Street and 12th Street. City Manager’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. Integrated Waste One-Time Cart Fee Approval is requested to charge a one-time cart fee of $55.00 or current purchase price plus applicable local sale taxes per additional cart for customers who request an additional cart for household garbage and yard waste. City Manager’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: APPROVED 4. FY2025 Family Connection Grant Approval is requested to continue to serve as fiscal agent and to submit an application and, if approved, accept a grant for $52,500, or as otherwise awarded, from the Georgia Department of Human Services with no local match required. Approval is also requested to amend the Family Connection Partnership Fund (Fund 0985) by the amount of the award. City Manager’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: APPROVED 5. Georgia County Internship Program (GCIP) Grant Approval is requested to apply for and accept a grant in the amount of $3,259.50, or as otherwise awarded, from the ACCG Civic Affairs Foundation to promote a community-based “Risk and Safety Day” by the amount awarded with no match from the city. City Manager’s Agenda #6: Vote Result: APPROVED 6. Family Drug Court State Grant Request Approval is requested to submit a grant application and if awarded, accept funds from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the operation of the Muscogee County Family Drug Court up to $100,000.00, or as otherwise awarded, and amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the grant award. The grant period is from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Page 5 of 10 City Manager’s Agenda #7: Vote Result: APPROVED 7. Juvenile Drug Court State Grant Request Approval is requested to submit a grant application and if awarded, accept funds from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the operation of the Muscogee County Juvenile Drug Court up to $170,000.00, or as otherwise awarded, and amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the grant award. The grant period is from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. City Manager’s Agenda #8(A-G): Vote Result: APPROVED 8. PURCHASES A. Bulk Mailing Services for Various Departments (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 23-0012 B. Commercial Electric Food Cutter and Commercial Convection Oven for Muscogee County Jail – BuyBoard Cooperative Purchase C. Five-Year Service Agreement for Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Security Camera System D. Design and Construction Services for Golden Park Improvements – RFP No. 24-0019 E. Columbus Targeted Housing Market Needs Assessment F. Declaration of Surplus and Donation of Four Crown Victoria Vehicles for the Police Department G. Amendment 16 for Construction Manager as General Contractor Services for Columbus Government Center Complex – RFQ No. 20-0002 9. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS A. Best Ranger Competition - COL Christopher C. Hammonds and MAJ Phillip B. Clark. No Action Taken B. State of Tourism Update - Peter Bowden, President-CEO, VisitColumbus. No Action Taken C. Fiscal Conditions Update - Angelica Alexander, Director, Finance. DELAYED D. Comprehensive Camera Update - Lisa Goodwin, Deputy City Manager, Current Operations. DELAYED Page 6 of 10  BID ADVERTISEMENT DATE: February 27, 2024 March 1, 2024 1. Temporary Staffing for the Columbus Consolidated Government (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 24-0006 Scope of RFP The Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia (the City) invites proposal submissions from qualified vendors to provide temporary staffing for various positions within the Columbus Consolidated Government on an “as needed” basis. The contract period will be for two (2) years with the option to renew for three (3) additional twelve-month periods. March 6, 2024 1. Stage Curtains – RFB No. 24-0026 Scope of Bid The Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia (the City) is requesting bids for a total of twenty-three (23) stage curtains, consisting of fourteen (14) side curtains and nine (9) middle stage curtains for the Columbus Civic Center arena. The curtains will be used as backdrops, to keep out sunlight, and to block backstage activity during shows. The curtains must meet or exceed specifications for DD 9919 Nirvana B.O.B. REFERRALS: Referrals 2.27.24 CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA ENCLOSURES - ACTION REQUESTED Clerk of Council’s Agenda #1: Withdrawn by Clerk of Council Davis 1. RESOLUTION - A resolution excusing Councilor Jerry “Pops” Barnes from the February 27, 2024 Council Meeting. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #2: Withdrawn by Clerk of Council Davis 2. RESOLUTION - A resolution excusing Councilor Joanne Cogle from the February 27, 2024 Council Meeting. (Add-On) Page 7 of 10 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: RECEIVED 3. Minutes of the following boards: Board of Elections & Registration, December 7, 2023 Board of Tax Assessors, #04-23 Commission on International Relations & Cultural Liaison Encounter (CIRCLE) February 20, 2024 Columbus Iron Works Convention & Trade Center Authority, October 19, 2023 Housing Authority of Columbus, December 13, 2023 Land Bank Authority, January 10, 2024 Retirees’ Health Benefits Committee, August 16, 2023 BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED 4. COUNCIL APPOINTMENT- READY FOR CONFIRMATION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(A): Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. HISTORIC & ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD: Mr. Michael Moore was nominated as the Historic District Resident to succeed Ms. Libby Smith. (Councilor Cogle’s nominee) Term expires: January 31, 2027 5. COUNCIL’S DISTRICT SEAT APPOINTMENT- ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(A): No Action Taken A. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: Mary B. Garcia (Council District 7- Cogle) Ineligible (city employee) Term Expires: March 27, 2024 VACANT (Council District 2- Davis) Term Expires: March 27, 2024 Page 8 of 10  Virginia Dickerson (Council District 3- Huff) Not Eligible to succeed Term Expires: March 27, 2024 Members appointed by Council shall serve for two-year terms and members appointed by Mayor shall serve for three-year terms. Board Meets quarterly. 6. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS WOULD BE LISTED FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(A): Nomination: Councilor Begly nominated Inna Russell to succeed Alia Teetshorn. A. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & CULTURAL LIAISON ENCOUNTERS (CIRCLE): Alia Teetshorn Open for Nominations Not Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: March 1, 2024 The terms are four years. Meets monthly. Women: 2 Senatorial District 15: 1 Senatorial District 29: 4 UPCOMING BOARD APPOINTMENT: A. Animal Control Advisory Board (Council Appointments & 2 Representative Seats) PUBLIC AGENDA (continued): 2. Mr. Jackson Turner, Re: Permit to Picket. No Action Taken Page 9 of 10 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Henderson entertained a motion to go into executive session to discuss matters of potential litigation and litigation as requested by City Attorney Fay earlier in the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Allen made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilor Tucker and carried unanimously by the ten members of Council, with the time being 10:15 p.m. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 10:52 p.m., at which time, Mayor Henderson announced that the Council did meet in executive session to discuss matters of potential litigation and litigation; however, there were no votes taken. ADD-ON RESOLUTIONS: City Attorney Add-On Resolution: Vote Result: APPROVED A resolution repealing and replacing paragraph 5 of Resolution No. 206-21, with all other provisions remaining in full force and effect. City Attorney Add-On Resolution: Vote Result: APPROVED A resolution authorizing the Mayor to file a notice of appeal to contest the revised collection order issued by the Department of Revenue to the Board of Tax Assessors and the Tax Commissioners dated January 24, 2024, and received February 5, 2024, in accordance with the steps outlined in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 418-5-349.2. With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Henderson entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion by Councilor Tucker to adjourn the February 27, 2024, Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Allen and carried unanimously by the nine members present, with Councilor Thomas being absent for the vote, and the time being 10:53 p.m. Page 10 of 10