Council Agenda - Regular Meeting

~~POST SUMMARY MINUTES~~ Council Chambers May 14, 2024 C. E. “Red” McDaniel City Services Center- Second Floor 9:00 AM 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 (Councilor District 1 Seat – Vacant) and Councilors Tyson Begly (arrived at 9:02 a.m.), Joanne Cogle, Charmaine Crabb, Glenn Davis, R. Walker Garrett, Judy W. Thomas and Toyia Tucker. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Sandra T. Davis, Deputy Clerk of Council Lindsey G. McLemore, and Deputy Clerk Pro Tem Tameka Colbert were present. ABSENT: Councilor Bruce Huff was absent. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor B. H. “Skip” Henderson, III, Presiding INVOCATION: Offered by Mayor Pro Tem R. Gary Allen PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Henderson MINUTES Mayor’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Approval of minutes for the April 30, 2024 Consent Agenda / Work Session and Executive Session. PROCLAMATION: Mayor’s Agenda #2: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Tucker) 2. Proclamation: National Correctional Officers Week Receiving: Warden Herbert Walker PRESENTATION: Mayor’s Agenda #3: Delayed 3. Police Department / Public Safety Briefing (Presented by Police Chief Stoney Mathis) CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA ORDINANCES City Attorney’s Agenda #1: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 1. 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 2-27- 24) (Councilor Begly) City Attorney’s Agenda #2: PUBLIC HEARING HELD; Vote Result: DELAYED INDEFINITELY 2. 1st Reading- An ordinance adopting a new Article XXIII to Chapter 2 of the Columbus Code to create a Civic Center and Ice Rink Authority; repealing Ordinance No. 01-72; and for other purposes. (Councilor Begly) City Attorney’s Agenda #3: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 3. 1st Reading- Adoption of an ordinance listing the roadways approved for use of speed detection devices (radar) on all GDOT Routes and non-GDOT Routes in Columbus-Muscogee County. (Mayor Pro-Tem) Page 2 of 12 PUBLIC AGENDA 1. Ms. LaKaren Rickman, representing New Horizons Behavioral Health, Re: The results from recent Community Mental Health Needs Assessment. No Action Taken 2. Mrs. Claire Thomas, representing Animal Advocacy, Re: CACC Veterinary Vaccine Protocols and Practices & Microchips. No Action Taken 3. Ms. Theresa El-Amin, Re: East Wynnton neighborhood blight and speeding. No Action Taken 4. Mrs. Sue Goldman, representing Columbus Regional Tennis Association, Inc., Re: Tennis courts at Benning Park / Frank Chester Recreation Center. No Action Taken 5. Mrs. Katrina Long, representing Reese Road Leadership Academy, Re: An update by the Students at Reese Road Leadership Academy on the Carver Park STEAM Project Based Learning Initiative. No Action Taken Mayor’s Agenda ADD-ON: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Mayor Pro Tem Allen) Proclamation: Mental Health Awareness Month Receiving: Dr. Pamela Shaw, New Horizons CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA City Manager’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Payment of Attorney Fees for the Sheriff’s Office Approval is requested to authorize payment of attorney fees to Balch Law Group (Atlanta, GA) in the amount of $19,777.30, and approve payment of future legal fees for the provision of legal services for the Sheriff’s Office. City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Georgia Emergency Management Agency/ Homeland Security State of Georgia Gang Activity Prosecution Grant Page 3 of 12 Approval is requested to apply for and accept a grant in the amount of $60,433, or as otherwise awarded, from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/ Homeland Security State of Georgia Gang Activity Prosecution Grant, with no local match required, and amend the Multi-Government Fund by the award amount. City Manager’s Agenda #3(A-I): Vote Result: APPROVED 3. PURCHASES A. Confiscated Firearms for Credit or Swap II for Police Department – RFB No. 23-0039 B. Contract Extension for Auditing Services (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 13-0021 C. Professional Surveying Services for Finance Department/Revenue Division and Engineering Department (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 24-0002 D. Ambulance Billing and Collection Services for Columbus Fire & EMS Department (Annual Contract) – RFB No. 24-0004 E. Thermal Imagers with Feature Pack for Fire & EMS Department – North Carolina Sheriffs Association Cooperative Contract Purchase F. Household Garbage Carts for Public Works – Sourcewell Cooperative Contract Purchase G. Declaration of Surplus and Donation of the Scotty Fire Safety House Trailer for Fire & EMS H. Surplus Vehicles I. On-Call Project Management Services for Capital Improvement Projects (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 24-0023 EMERGENCY PURCHASES 1. Information Only: Six (6) Pursuit Vehicles for Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office SIX (6) PURSUIT VEHICLES FOR MUSCOGEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: On April 23, 2024, the Muscogee County Sheriff’s office notified the City Manager of the need to purchase six (6) pursuit vehicles required to carry out the functions of the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff cited the vehicles were desperately needed because of a lack of patrol vehicles for new hires. Six (6) vehicles were purchased from Carville Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM (Greenville, TN): one (1) 2023 Dodge Challenger at a unit price of $48,515.00, one (1) Dodge Challenger at a unit price of $50,735.00, and four (4) Dodge Durango pursuit vehicles at a unit price of $46,500.00 each, for Page 4 of 12 a grand total price of $285,250.00. The Sheriff’s Office located these vehicles that were available on the vendor’s lot. The City Manager approved the emergency request on April 24, 2024. Funds are budgeted in the FY24 Budget: 2021 Sales Tax Project Fund – 2021 SPLOST – 21 SPLOST Public Safety – Light Trucks - Heavy Equipment/Vehicles Public Works; 0567 – 696 – 3111 – STPS – 7722 – 54153 – 20240. 4. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS A. Golden Park Update - Wes Kelley, Division Manager, Brassfield & Gorie. No Action Taken B. Jail Update - Drale Short, Director, Public Works. No Action Taken MOTION: To amend the funding source approved during the April 23, 2024 Council Meeting from the Uptown TAD of $250,000 to the General Fund Reserve for the splashpad and playground at Woodruff Park: Vote Result: APPROVED AMENDED MOTION: The funding source was amended from the General Fund Reserve to grant funding for the splashpad and playground at Woodruff Park: Vote Result: APPROVED BID ADVERTISEMENT DATE: May 14, 2024 May 15, 2024 1. Baker Center Driveway Project – RFB No. 24-0039 Scope of Bid Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia (the City) is requesting bids for the Baker Center Driveway project. The Community Reinvestment Department is requesting the services on behalf of Girls, Inc. of Columbus & Phenix-Russell. No later than five (5) business days before the bid due date, bidders desiring to do so may schedule a site visit by contacting Danita Lloyd at dlloyd@girlsinc-columbus.org or 706- 683-0809. Attendance is not required, but bidders are strongly encouraged to visit the site. Questions/concerns resulting from the Site Visit must be submitted in writing to the Purchasing Division, as specified on pages 9 and 10 of the RFB document. The project location is 3535 Levy Road, Columbus, GA 31903. Page 5 of 12  2. Public Safety Uniforms (Annual Contract) – RFB No. 24-0023 Scope of Bid Provide uniforms for Columbus Consolidated Government Public Safety Departments 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. May 29, 2024 1. PI 0011436 Muscogee County Buena Vista Road Improvements at Spiderweb Phase II (Re-Bid) – RFB No. 24-0029 Scope of Bid Phase II of the Buena Vista Road Improvements at the Spiderweb includes the construction of two (2) bridges, one (1) of which requires Norfolk Southern permitting; construction of a roundabout at Illges Road and Aceway Drive; construction of Buena Vista Road east of the intersection with Annette Avenue, Martin Luther King Boulevard north of Brewer Elementary School, Illges Road, Lindsay Drive, Andrews Road, Morris Road and Ace Way Drive, as well as the installation of traffic signals. This Re-Bid includes an alternative for maintaining traffic throughout construction and an alternative for complete closure. Utilities were relocated in Phase I of the project. The Annette Ave. roundabout at MLK and Annette Ave. were constructed in Phase I. REFERRALS: CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA ENCLOSURES – ACTION REQUESTED Clerk of Council’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. RESOLUTION – A resolution changing the meeting schedule for the month of June 2024. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. RESOLUTION – A resolution to change the meeting location for the May 21, 2024 Budget Review Committee Meeting, as well as, the regularly scheduled Council Meetings on July 23, 2024 and the July 30, 2024 Work Session to the Muscogee County School Board Chambers. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED declaring the seat of Saundra Ellison as vacant and allowing Daniel Street to continue serving on the Public Safety Advisory Board. Page 6 of 12 3. Email Correspondence from Dr. Walter Taylor, Chairperson, recommending the seats of Ms. Saundra Ellison (District 3 Rep) and Mr. Daniel Street (District 5 Rep) on the Public Safety Advisory Commission be declared vacant due to a lack of attendance. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: CONFIRMED 4. Email Correspondence from Attorney Jack Schley, Board Secretary, submitting the selection from the Hospital Authority of Columbus for Mr. Darrell “Tony” Floyd to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Cynthia Williams Jordan. (Council would confirm the selection.) Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: RECEIVED 5. Email Correspondence from Attorney Jack Schley, Board Secretary, forwarding the resignation of Ms. Betty Tatum from her seat on the Hospital Authority of Columbus. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6: Vote Result: RECEIVED 6. Minutes of the following boards: Airport Commission, March 27, 2024 Board of Health, September 27, October 25 and November 29, 2023; February 28 and March 27, 2024 Board of Tax Assessors, # 13-24, and # 14-24 Columbus Golf Course Authority, March 26, 2024 Planning Advisory Commission, April 17, 2024 BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED 7. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(A): No Action Taken A. PENSION FUND, EMPLOYEES’ BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Crystal Shahid (Mayor’s Appointment) (Business Community) Does not desire reappointment Term Expires: June 30, 2024 This is a four-year term. Board meets monthly. Page 7 of 12 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(B): Vote Result: CONFIRMED appointment of Kona Cogle for the Youth Advisory Council. B. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: Mayor’s Nominee: Kona Cogle 8. COUNCIL’S DISTRICT SEAT APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #8(A): Vote Result: CONFIRMED the appointment of Lauren Robinson (District 6), Kael LeDenney (District 7), and Bryce Knight (District 10) on the Youth Advisory Council. A. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: District 2 Nominee: _____________ District 7 Nominee: Kael LeDenney District 3 Nominee: _____________ District 8 Nominee: ______________ District 4 Nominee: _____________ District 9 Nominee: ______________ District 5 Nominee: District 10 Nominee: Bryce Knight District 6 Nominee: Lauren Robinson 9. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS WOULD BE LISTED FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #9(A): Nomination: Councilor Tucker nominated Jennifer Melvin to serve another term on the Board of Family & Children Services. A. BOARD OF FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES: Jennifer Melvin Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 In accordance with O.C.G.A. 49-3-2 (Amended via 2015 SB 138) the governing authority (Local County Board of Commissioners) shall ensure that all appointments made on or after July 1, 2015, are made from the following categories (1) Emergency responders Page 8 of 12  (active or retired); (2) Law enforcement personnel (active or retired); (3) Private child welfare service providers (active or retired); (4) Alumni of the child welfare system and (5) Former foster parents. (Provided are the remaining five (5) categories.) This is a five-year term. Board meets monthly. Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 4 Senatorial District 29: 1 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #9(B): Nomination: Councilor Crabb nominated Donald Wayne Hoffman to serve another term on the Columbus Aquatics Commission. B. COLUMBUS AQUATICS COMMISSION: Timothy Crabb Open for Nominations Does not desire reappointment (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 Jensen Melton Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 Donald Wayne Hoffman- Interested in serving Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 Richard Leary Open for Nominations Cols. Hurricane Rep. (Council’s Appointment) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: June 30, 2024 Janet Bussey Open for Nominations Not Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 Bruce Samuels Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expired: June 30, 2022 These are two-year terms. Board meets quarterly. Page 9 of 12  Women: 1 Senatorial District 15: 5 Senatorial District 29: 2 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #9(C): Nomination(s): Councilor Crabb nominated Stephanie Leohr and Mayor Pro Tem Allen nominated Karen Stewart to succeed Richard Wright on the Columbus Golf Course Authority. C. COLUMBUS GOLF COURSE AUTHORITY: Richard Mahone Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 James Houston, Jr. Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 Richard Wright Open for Nominations Not Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 These are four-year terms. Board meets monthly. *Note: There are no women currently serving on this board. Women: 0 Senatorial District 15: 3 Senatorial District 29: 6 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #9(D): No Action Taken D. KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION: David Houser Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) (SD-15 Representative) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 Page 10 of 12  Pamela Green Thomas Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) (At-Large Member) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 Tracy Walton-King Open for Nominations Not Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) (At-Large Member) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 Eddie Florence Open for Nominations (Resigned) (Council’s Appointment) (SD-15 Representative) Term Expires: June 30, 2026 VACANT Open for Nominations (SD-29 Representative) (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2026 These are three-year terms. Meets every even month. Women: 6 Senatorial District 15: 6 Senatorial District 29: 3 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #9(E): Nomination(s): Mayor Pro Tem Allen nominated Marianne Young and Christopher Smith to serve another term of office on the Region 6 Regional Advisory Council for Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. E. REGION 6 REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: Marianne Young Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 Christopher Smith Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2024 Page 11 of 12  These are three-year terms. Meets every other month beginning in January. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 2 Senatorial District 29: 2 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Henderson entertained a motion to go into executive session to discuss matters of potential litigation and property acquisition and disposal as requested by City Attorney Fay earlier in the meeting. Councilor Tucker made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Allen and carried unanimously by the eight members present, with Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting, and the time being 12:27 p.m. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 1:48 p.m., at which time, Mayor Henderson announced that the Council did meet in executive session to discuss matters of potential litigation and property acquisition and disposal; however, there were no votes taken. ADD-ON RESOLUTION: City Attorney’s Agenda Add-On Item: Vote Result: APPROVED A resolution authorizing a payment of $195,000 to settle all damage claims of Claimant Cheryl Flowers stemming from an incident which occurred on December 11, 2020. ADD-ON RESOLUTION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda Add-On Item: Vote Result: APPROVED RESOLUTION - A resolution excusing Councilor Bruce Huff from the May 14, 2024 Council Meeting. With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Henderson entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Allen to adjourn the May 14, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Councilor Garrett and carried unanimously by the seven members present, with Councilor Begly being absent for the vote, Councilor Huff being absent from the meeting, and the time being 1:49 p.m. Page 12 of 12