Council Agenda - Regular Meeting

~~POST SUMMARY MINUTES~~ Council Chambers October 8, 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 and Councilors Travis L. Chambers, Joanne Cogle, Charmaine Crabb, R. Walker Garrett (via teleconference), Byron Hickey, 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. ABSENT: Councilor Glenn Davis was absent. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor B. H. “Skip” Henderson, III, Presiding INVOCATION: Offered by Colleen Cook – Pastor of New Hope Presbyterian 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 September 24, 2024 Council Meeting and Executive Session. PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor’s Agenda #2: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Tucker) 2. Proclamation: Big Brothers Big Sisters Month Receiving: Erin D. Griffin, Regional Program Manager Mayor’s Agenda #3: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Crabb) 3. Proclamation: Day of Atonement Receiving: Michael Muhammed Mayor’s Agenda #4: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Chambers) 4. Proclamation: Paint the Town Pink Week Receiving: Cheryl Johnson Mayor’s Agenda #5: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Mayor Pro Tem Allen) 5. Proclamation: Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission Receiving: Lisa Thomas-Cutts, KCBC Director Mayor’s Agenda #6: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Hickey) 6. Proclamation: National School Lunch Week Receiving: Marian Clark PRESENTATION: 7. Mobile Command Vehicle - (Presented by Mr. Chance Corbett- Director of Emergency Management & Homeland Security). No Action Taken Page 2 of 14 CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA ORDINANCES City Attorney’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: AMENDED to replace the word “classification” in Section 1 of the proposed ordinance with the word “use”; Vote Result: ADOPTED AS AMENDED 1. 2nd Reading- An ordinance amending Section 5-42 of the Columbus Code, to amend certain restrictions on the keeping of fowl; and for other purposes. (Councilor Crabb) City Attorney’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: ADOPTED 2. 2nd Reading- An ordinance adding a new Section 2-3.08 of the Columbus Code, to establish a uniform policy for the acceptance of donations made to the consolidated government, and for other purposes. (Councilor Tucker) City Attorney’s Agenda #3: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 3. 1st Reading- REZN-08-24-1826: An ordinance amending Chapter 3 of the Unified Development Ordinance of the Columbus Code to allow Tattoo and Body Piercing Shops as a special exception use in the Central Riverfront District. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval) (Councilor Cogle) City Attorney’s Agenda #4: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 4. 1st Reading- REZN-9-24-1941: An ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for Columbus, Georgia to provide definitions and conditions for various uses. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (Mayor Pro-Tem) City Attorney’s Agenda #5: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 5. 1st Reading- An ordinance adopting changes to the Evergreen Solutions recommended classification and pay plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024; and for other purposes. (Mayor Pro-Tem) City Attorney’s Agenda #6: PUBLIC HEARING HELD; Vote Result: DELAYED up to 60-days 6. 1st Reading- An ordinance adopting a new Article XXIII of Chapter 2 of the Columbus Code to create a Sports & Entertainment facilities Authority; and for other purposes. (Councilors Cogle, Davis, and Garrett) Page 3 of 14 City Attorney’s Agenda #7: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 7. 1st Reading- An ordinance amending Chapter 17 of the Columbus Code so as to revise certain provisions relating to the organizational structure and authorized positions for the Columbus Police Department; and for other purposes. (Mayor Pro-Tem) 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 project located in Columbus, Georgia. (Request of Columbus Housing Authority) PUBLIC AGENDA 1. Mr. Paul Olson, Re: 1. $50 Million Baseball Stadium, Naming rights of Columbus Clingstones/Synovus Park 2. Partnerships with W.C. Bradley/Uptown Columbus Inc. 3. Tax Allocation District #8 4. Proposed Gambling Casino. No Action Taken 2. Ms. Veronica Lawrence, Re: Trash pickup. Not Present 3. Mr. David Young, Re: Speed cameras in school zones. Not Present 4. Ms. Theresa El-Amin, representing Southern Anti-Racism Network, Re: CACC scandal. No Action Taken 5. Mr. Nathan Smith, Re: Future Direction of CACC. No Action Taken 6. Ms. Allie Johnson, Re: Why citizens must be involved in major changes and initiatives undertaken by the city. No Action Taken 7. Mrs. Ashleigh Annecchiaro, Re: First Amendment rights. Not Present 8. Ms. Debbie Mayhew, Re: Why CACC should be removed from under Public Works. No Action Taken 9. Mrs. Sandy Gunnels, Re: Plan for CACC. No Action Taken 10. Mr. Andy Gunnels, Re: 90 day Plan for CACC. Not Present 11. Ms. Lisa Love, Re: Columbus Animal Care and Control Center. No Action Taken 12. Ms. Pamela Forrester, Re: CACC. Cancelled 13. Ms. Robina Forrand, Re: Animal Welfare. No Action Taken Page 4 of 14 14. Miss Victoria Way, Re: Columbus Animal Care and Control Center. Not Present 15. Mrs. Sara Decker-Lund, representing Columbus Animal Allies, Re: Move CACC from under Public Works. No Action Taken 16. Ms. Jennifer LeDenney, Re: Disability Awareness Month. No Action Taken CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA City Manager’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED AS AMENDED to authorize the City Manager and the Chief of Police to negotiate a contract with Paws Humane, Inc. for animal care and control services. 1. Resolution to Negotiate with PAWS Humane, Inc. A Resolution authorizing the negotiation of a contract with the PAWS animal services division of PAWS Humane, Inc. (Columbus, GA) for animal care and control services. City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Subrecipient Agreement Amendment with the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley Approval is requested to execute an amendment to Exhibit B-Program Budget of the subrecipient agreement with the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley to fund the Poverty Reduction Initiative for an award amount of up to $400,000 to address the poverty rate in Columbus. City Manager’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. FY2026 5303 Grant Application for Planning Assistance - METRA Approval is requested to submit an application and accept, if awarded, a capital, planning, and operating grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) in the amount of $165,801.00 or otherwise awarded, with a ten percent match required from the City. Approval is then requested to execute any contracts with the Federal Transit Administration and/or the Georgia Department of Transportation relating to the grant. City Manager’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: APPROVED 4. U.S. Department of Justice FY24 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Approval is requested to submit an application and accept, if awarded, an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) grant for the Federal Fiscal Year 2024 solicitation in the amount of Page 5 of 14 $53,407, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match requirement, to be used for eligible law enforcement, prosecution, and courts projects as defined in the grant, and to amend the Multi- Governmental Fund by the amount of the award. City Manager’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: APPROVED 5. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Justice Assistance (JAG) Grant - Juvenile Court Approval is requested to submit a grant application and if awarded, accept funds up to $650,000 from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, with no local match required, for the operation of the Muscogee County Juvenile Court and amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the grant award and enter into a memorandum of agreement with Evidence-Based Associates, LLC. The grant period is from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025. City Manager’s Agenda #6: Vote Result: APPROVED 6. 2024/2025 Aflac Community Giving Grant - Liberty Theatre Cultural Arts Center Approval is requested to submit an application and accept, if awarded, a 2024/2025 Aflac Community Giving grant up to $200,000.00, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match requirement, to be used in support of the Liberty Theatre Cultural Arts Center, and to amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount awarded. City Manager’s Agenda #7(A-G): Vote Result: APPROVED 7. PURCHASES A. One (1) John Deere 5075E Tractor for Public Works Department – Georgia Statewide Contract Cooperative Purchase B. Liberty Theater Re-Roofing Project – RFB No. 25-0003 C. One (1) Caterpillar Mini Excavator – Sourcewell Cooperative Contract Purchase D. First-In Alerting Smart Station System for Fire & EMS – Sourcewell Cooperative Contract Purchase E. Declaration of Surplus and Donation of Two (2) Vehicles F. Contract Extension for Alcohol Management Services for Columbus Civic Center Locations (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 18-0020 G. Contract Extension for Inmate Medical & Pharmacy Services for Muscogee County Prison (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 18-0022 Page 6 of 14  EMERGENCY PURCHASES 1. Information Only: Emergency Purchase On August 30, 2024, Warden Walker notified the City Manager of an urgent need to replace kitchen equipment at the Muscogee County Prison. The Warden explained that the food service equipment at the Muscogee County Prison has been deemed unserviceable. The prison’s food service equipment technicians have identified the following three current pieces of equipment, utilized to prepare bulk meals for the inmate population on a daily basis: -Two (2) Convection Steamers: The facility is experiencing problem with its two convection steamers. These steamers currently do not work at all. Within the past two years, these steamers have been repaired multiple times and each time the repairs are short lived. The steamers are more than 15 years old. -Two (2) Pass-through Warmers: The two pass-through warmers, used to keep food warm at the appropriate temperature until it is served, are more than 25 years old. -One (1) Kitchen Grill: The kitchen grill was brought over from the old MCP location over 26 years ago. The equipment will be purchased from Mobile Fixture & Equipment (Columbus, GA) by Cooperative Purchase, via Federal GSA Contract #07F-0154V. Muscogee County Prison was approved $183,000.00 in the FY25 budget to replace kitchen equipment. The City Manager approved the emergency purchase on August 30, 2024. 8. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS A. Trade Center Update - Hayley Tillery, Executive Director, Columbus Convention and Trade Center. No Action Taken City Manager’s Agenda #8(B): Vote Result: APPROVED request for $345,000 for the Sheriff’s Office and $54,121.56 for Recorder’s Court from General Fund Reserve for furniture and other expenses related to the Sheriff’s Office Administration Building Project. B. Project Update - Ryan Pruett, Director, Inspections & Code Enforcement. City Manager’s Agenda #8(C): Vote Result: APPROVED move Columbus Animal Care & Control under the Columbus Police Department for the enforcement and to provide oversight of the whole RFP process. Page 7 of 14  C. Columbus Animal Care Control Facilities Operation Update, Drale Short, Director, Public Works. BID ADVERTISEMENT DATE: October 8, 2024 SUBJECT: Advertised Bids/RFPs/RFQs October 11, 2024 1. Comprehensive Inmate Healthcare Services for Muscogee County Jail (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 25-0005 Scope of RFP Columbus Consolidated Government, on behalf of the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, is seeking proposals for the provision of healthcare services for offenders incarcerated at the Muscogee County Jail. The requested services consist of medical, dental, and mental health, as well as healthcare personnel. Medical services include but are not limited to x- ray, laboratory, and prescription drug services for a rated capacity of 1069 inmates. The term of this contract will be for two (2) years, with the option to renew for three (3) additional twelve-month periods. October 18, 2024 1. Consultant Services for Comprehensive Transit Study for METRA – RFP No. 25- 0011 Scope of RFP Columbus Consolidated Government (the “City”) is soliciting proposals for acquiring the services of a Transit Consultant (the “Consultant”) to conduct a comprehensive study on METRA’s behalf. The Consultant will be responsible for conducting a full assessment of METRA’s fixed route bus service, including potential route service to Brookstone Centre, and an assessment of METRA’s Dial-A-Ride ADA complementary paratransit service. In addition, a comprehensive study determining the costs, materials, personnel, and other resources needed for METRA to implement a micro-transit and or on-demand service within the boundaries of Muscogee County, Georgia shall be performed. REFERRALS: Page 8 of 14 CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA ENCLOSURES - ACTION REQUESTED Clerk of Council’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED AS AMENDED to include excusing Councilor Davis from the October 8, 2024 Council Meeting. 1. RESOLUTION - A resolution excusing Councilor Glenn Davis from the September 24, 2024 Council Meeting. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. RESOLUTION - A Resolution changing the regularly scheduled Council Meetings for the month of November 2024. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. RESOLUTION - A Resolution changing the regularly scheduled Council Meetings for the month of December 2024. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: RECEIVED 4. Minutes of the following boards: Board of Elections and Registration, August 20, 2024 Board of Tax Assessors, #31-24, #32-24 & #33-24 Board of Water Commissioners, September 9, 2024 Columbus Golf Course Authority, September 23, 2024 Convention & Visitors Board of Commissioners, August 21, 2024 Land Bank Authority, August 14, 2024 Planning Advisory Commission, August 21, 2024 River Valley Regional Commission, August 28, 2024 BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED 5. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Page 9 of 14 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(A): No Action Taken A. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: Armando Fernendez (Mayor’s Appointment) Seat declared vacant Term Expires: March 27, 2025 Tamika McKenzie (Mayor’s Appointment) Seat declared vacant Term Expires: March 27, 2025 The terms are three years. Board meets quarterly. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(B): Nomination: Mayor Henderson nominated Jay Pitts to fill the vacant seat formerly held by Craig Burgess on the Columbus Ironworks Convention & Trade Center Authority; Vote Result: CONFIRMED appointment of Jay Pitts. B. COLUMBUS IRONWORKS CONVENTION & TRADE CENTER AUTHORITY: Craig Burgess (Mayor’s Appointment) Seat declared vacant Term Expires: October 24, 2025 Mayor Henderson is nominating Jay Pitts to fill the unexpired term of Craig Burgess. The terms are three years. Board meets bi-monthly. Women: 1 Senatorial District 15: 1 Senatorial District 29: 4 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(C): Nomination: Mayor Henderson renominated Tiffany Stacy to serve another term as the Resident Member on the Housing Authority of Columbus; Vote Result: CONFIRMED reappointment of Tiffany Stacy. Page 10 of 14  C. HOUSING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: Tiffany Stacy (Mayor’s Appointment) (Resident Member seat) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: November 16, 2024 This is a one-year term. Board meets monthly. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 4 Senatorial District 29: 3 6. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS- READY FOR CONFIRMATION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(A): Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS: Mr. Oz Roberts was nominated to succeed Mr. Rodney Close. (Councilor Thomas nominated Mr. Roberts on August 27, 2024.) Term expires: December 31, 2028 7. COUNCIL NOMINATIONS- THREE NOMINEES ARE SENT TO THE AUTHORITY FOR SELECTION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(A): Nomination(s): Councilor Thomas renominated Ernest Smallman, IV and Mike Welch to serve another term on the Hospital Authority of Columbus; Councilor Hickey nominated Kelsea Garrett to succeed John Kingsbury; Vote Result(s): APPROVED Councilor Garrett’s request to recuse from voting on this item; APPROVED the submission of Ernest Smallman, IV, Mike Welch and Kelsea Garrett for selection from the Hospital Authority of Columbus for the seats of Ernest Smallman, IV, Mike Welch and John Kingsbury. A. HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: Ernest Smallman, IV Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Nomination) Term Expires: November 14, 2024 Page 11 of 14  Mike Welch Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Nomination) Term Expires: November 14, 2024 John Kingsbury Open for Nominations Rotating off the authority (Council’s Nomination) Term Expires: November 14, 2024 Councilor Thomas is nominating Ernest Smallman, IV and Mike Welch to serve another term. Councilor Hickey is nominating Kelsea Garrett for a seat on the Hospital Authority. *The Council submits three (3) nominees to the Hospital Authority for each seat and the Hospital Authority selects the successor for Council’s confirmation and the recommendations are as follows: For the seat of Ernest Smallman, IV: Ernest Smallman, IV, Mike Welch and Kelsea Garrett For the seat of Mike Welch: Ernest Smallman, IV, Mike Welch and Kelsea Garrett For the seat of John Kingsbury: Kelsea Garrett, Ernest Smallman, IV and Mike Welch The terms are three years. Board meets monthly. Women: 1 Senatorial District 15: 5 Senatorial District 29: 4 8. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS WOULD BE LISTED FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #8(A): Nomination: Councilor Huff nominated Roz Hall for the vacant seat formerly held by Beautie Moore on the Tree Board. A. TREE BOARD: Jeremy Cummings Open for Nominations (Public Utility Representative) (Council’s Appointment) Resigned Term Expires: July 1, 2025 Page 12 of 14  Beautie Moore Open for Nominations (At-Large Seat) (Council’s Appointment) Seat declared vacant Term Expires: July 1, 2025 Frank Tommey Open for Nominations (Residential Development Seat) (Council’s Appointment) Not eligible to succeed Term Expires: December 31, 2026 Robert Hecht Open for Nominations (Commercial or Industrial Development Seat) (Council’s Appointment) Seat declared vacant Term Expires: December 31, 2026 Farah Dewsbury Open for Nominations (At-Large Seat) (Council’s Appointment) Seat declared vacant Term Expires: December 31, 2026 These are four-year terms. Meets as needed. Women: 5 Senatorial District 15: 5 Senatorial District 29: 6 PUBLIC AGENDA (continued): 4. Ms. Theresa El-Amin, representing Southern Anti-Racism Network, Re: CACC scandal. No Action Taken Page 13 of 14 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Henderson entertained a motion to go into executive session to discuss matters of litigation as requested by City Attorney Fay earlier in the meeting. Councilor Huff made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilor Crabb and carried unanimously by the eight members present, with Councilor Tucker being absent for the vote, Councilor Davis being absent from the meeting, and the time being 3:08 p.m. (Clerk of Council Davis confirmed and announced the affirmative vote of Councilor Garrett.) The Regular Meeting reconvened at 3:20 p.m., at which time, Mayor Henderson announced that the Council did meet in executive session to discuss matters of litigation; however, there were no votes taken. 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 8, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Councilor Hickey and carried unanimously by the seven members of Council, with Councilors Garrett and Tucker being absent for the vote, Councilor Davis being absent from the meeting, and the time being 3:20 p.m. Page 14 of 14