Council Agenda - Regular Meeting

~~POST SUMMARY MINUTES~~ Council Chambers March 11, 2025 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 9 Seat – Vacant) and Councilors Travis L. Chambers, Joanne Cogle, Charmaine Crabb, Glenn Davis, R. Walker Garrett, Byron Hickey, Bruce Huff and Toyia Tucker. City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Clerk of Council Lindsey G. McLemore and Deputy Clerk of Council Tameka Colbert. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor B.H. "Skip" Henderson, III, Presiding INVOCATION: Offered by Pastor Jimmy Elder, First Baptist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Skip Henderson MINUTES Mayor’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Approval of minutes for February 25, 2025, Council Meeting and Executive Session. PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor’s Agenda #2: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Crabb) 2. Proclamation: PIE Week Receiving: Ashley Becker, Columbus Chamber of Commerce Mayor’s Agenda #3: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Huff) 3. Proclamation: Let’s Read Muscogee Receiving: Brandy Tolbert, Literacy Alliance Mayor’s Agenda #4: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Hickey) 4. Proclamation: Intellectual and Development Disabilities Awareness Receiving: Chloe Landreth, New Horizons Mayor’s Agenda #5: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Mayor Pro Tem Allen) 5. Proclamation: Catherine Biggers Trotter Day Receiving: Catherine Trotter Mayor’s Agenda #6: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Tucker) 6. Proclamation: Women’s History Month Receiving: Councilor Toyia Tucker RESOLUTIONS: Mayor’s Agenda #7: Vote Result: APPROVED the appointment of Lindsey G. McLemore as Clerk of Council. 7. A resolution appointing the Clerk of Council for Columbus, Georgia for the remainder of a two-year term. Mayor’s Agenda #8: Vote Result: APPROVED the appointment of Tameka Colbert as the Deputy Clerk of Council. 8. A resolution appointing the Deputy Clerk of Council for Columbus, Georgia for the remainder of a two-year term. Page 2 of 13 PRESENTATIONS 9. Programming and Services Update – Warden Herbert Walker, III, Muscogee County Prison. No Action Taken CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA ORDINANCES City Attorney’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: AMENDED to add a hockey representative to serve as a non-voting member on the Sports & Entertainment Authority. 1. 2nd Reading- REZN-12-24-2485: An ordinance adopting a new Article XXIII of Chapter 2 of the Columbus Code to create a Sports & Entertainment Authority; and for other purposes. (Councilors Cogle, Davis, and Garrett) City Attorney’s Agenda #2: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 2. 1st Reading- REZN-01-25-0079: An ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for Columbus, Georgia to add certain property development regulations for single family detached homes in the Uptown (UPT) zoning district City Attorney’s Agenda #3: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 3. 1st Reading- An Ordinance adopting amendments to Article II of Chapter 4 of the Columbus Code pertaining to the Recreation Advisory Board; repealing Article IV of Chapter 4 of the Columbus Code pertaining to the Columbus Aquatics Commission; and for other purposes. (Mayor Pro-Tem) PUBLIC AGENDA 1. Ms. Laura Lowe, Re: Book Dedication to the City of Columbus No Action Taken 2. Mrs. Audrey Holston-Palmore, Re: Update from January 7, 2025, on Heir Property Located in East Wynnton/Midtown No Action Taken 3. Mr. John Shinkle, Re: City Government No Action Taken 4. Ms. Madeline Burns, Re: City Management No Action Taken 5. Mrs. Karen Gaskins, Re: City Management No Action Taken 6. Mrs. Nancy Karnotski, Re: City Management No Action Taken Page 3 of 13 7. Ms. Theresa El-Amin, representing Southern Anti-Racism Network, Re: Juvenile Crime & Murder Count No Action Taken 8. Mr. John Anker, Re: Implementing Positive Change No Action Taken 9. Mr. Wane Hailes, representing The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper, Re: City Management No Action Taken 10. Rev. Johnny Flakes, III, Re: Perspective on City Management No Action Taken 11. Mr. Danny Arencibia, Re: Perspective on the Management of the City No Action Taken CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA City Manager’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Lease Agreement – 1148 Broadway– Synovus Bank ATM Site Approval is requested to enter into a lease agreement at a rate of $200.00 per month with Synovus Bank to lease the ATM site at 1148 Broadway, Columbus, Georgia 31901 City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Safe Neighborhoods Program Grant Approval is requested for submission and acceptance, if awarded of a grant from the Middle District of Georgia’s U.S. Attorney’s Office Project Safe Neighborhoods program to assist with dismantling gangs and disrupting violent crime in the amount of $79,586.00, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match required, and amend the Multi-governmental Fund budget by the amount of the award. ADD-ON RESOLUTIONS: City Manager’s Agenda Add-On Resolution: Vote Result: APPROVED Approval is requested to accept a grant in the amount of $37,752.00 or as otherwise awarded, from the Homeland Security Grant Program with amendment made to the Multi-Government Fund by the like amount with no matching funds required. Funding will be used for new Hazmat equipment City Manager’s Agenda Add-On Resolution: Vote Result: APPROVED Approval is requested to accept a grant in the amount of $63,462.00 or as otherwise awarded, from the Homeland Security Grant Program with an amendment made to the Multi-Government Page 4 of 13 Fund by the like amount with no matching funds required. Funds will be used for new Rescue equipment and training. 3. PURCHASES City Manager’s Agenda #3 (A-I): Vote Result: APPROVED A. A-1 One (1) Caterpillar D2 LGPAC Bulldozer for Public Works Department – Sourcewell Cooperative Purchase / A-2 GMA Lease for One (1) Caterpillar D2 LGPAC Bulldozer for Public Works Department B. B-1 Two (2) Genesis Recycler Combination Sewer Cleaners for Public Works Department – Sourcewell Cooperative Purchase / B-2 GMA Lease for Two (2) Genesis Recycler Combination Sewer Cleaners for Public Works Department C. C-1 One (1) 12-Yard Combination Sewer Cleaner for Public Works Department – Sourcewell Cooperative Contract / C-2 GMA Lease for One (1) 12-Yard Combination Sewer Cleaner for Public Works Department D. D-1 Three (3) Petersen TL-3 Grapple 30-Yard Trucks for Public Works Department – Sourcewell Cooperative Contract Purchase / D-2 GMA Lease for Three (3) Petersen TL- 3 Grapple 30-Yard Trucks for Public Works Department E. E-1 Two (2) Petersen TL-3 Grapple 40-Yard Trucks for Public Works Department / E-2 GMA Lease for Two (2) Petersen TL-3 Grapple 40-Yard Trucks for Public Works Department Additional Action Taken on Item #3 (F-2): Vote Result: APPROVED contingent on completing the form to check the box indicating that there is an appropriation in the city’s current operating budget sufficient to pay the rentals and the Termination Payment during the Starting Term F. F-1 One (1) 11-Yard Viper Rear Load Refuse Truck for Public Works Department – Sourcewell Cooperative Contract/ F-2 GMA Lease for One (1) 11-Yard Viper Rear Load Refuse Truck for Public Works Department G. Muscogee County Jail Roof Project – RFB No. 25-0006 H. Amendment 8 for Space Planning and Programming and Design Professional Services for Columbus Consolidated Government Center Project – RFQ No. 20-0001 I. Various Equipment for the Civic Center – Annual Contract Purchase EMERGENCY PURCHASES 1. Information Only: Exigent “Off the Lot” Vehicle Purchases – Resolution No. 354-24 Page 5 of 13 4. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS A. Trade Center Parking Garage Update - Hayley Tillery, Executive Director, Columbus Convention & Trade Center, Scott P. Holmes, AIA, Principal, Hecht Burdeshaw Architect. No Action Taken City Manager’s Agenda #4(B): Vote Result: APPROVED to install a trail to connect the 14th Street Connector to the Linwood Connector on the east side of 5th Avenue. B. 5th Avenue Trail Connector Update - Mitchell Greenway, Stantec City Manager’s Agenda #4(C): Vote Result: APPROVED to increase the wages of Aquatic Personnel by $177,070.79. C. Pool Update - Holli Browder, Director, Parks & Recreation D. Infrastructure Update - Ryan Pruett, Director, Inspections & Code, Will Johnson, Director, Planning, and Vance Beck, Director, Engineering. No Action Taken CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA ENCLOSURES - INFORMATION ONLY 1. Upcoming Board Appointment(s) – Employees Benefits Committee (Council Appointments; Selection by Public Safety Employees; Selection by General Government Employees) No Action Taken 2. Upcoming Board Appointment(s) – Housing Authority of Columbus (Mayor’s Appointment) No Action Taken ENCLOSURES - ACTION REQUESTED Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. RESOLUTION – A resolution approving an Honorary Designation request to rename the Public Safety Building in honor of Former Mayor and Columbus Police Chief William “Jim” Wetherington, Sr. (The Board of Honor met on March 6, 2025, to ratify Council’s action to approve on January 28, 2025.) Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: APPROVED 4. RESOLUTION – A resolution approving an Honorary Designation request to name the future Judicial Center in honor of the Honorable John D. Allen. (The Board of Honor met on March 6, 2025, and recommends approval.) Page 6 of 13 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: APPROVED 5. RESOLUTION – A resolution approving an Honorary Street Designation Application requesting signage to be placed at the intersecting streets of St. Mary’s Road and Longwood Lane in honor of Angiela “Angie” Tanzie. (The Board of Honor met on March 6, 2025, to ratify Council’s action to approve on February 25, 2025.) Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6: Withdrawn by Clerk of Council McLemore 6. RESOLUTION - A resolution excusing Councilor Judy Thomas from March 11, 2025, Council Meeting. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7: Vote Result: CONFIRMED 7. Letter from the Medical Center Hospital Authority advising that the authority has selected James Allen McMullen to fill the unexpired term of Rick McKnight. (The Council may confirm this selection.) Clerk of Council’s Agenda #8: Vote Result: RECEIVED 8. Minutes of the following boards: Audit Committee, February 5, 2025 Board of Tax Assessors, #06-25 Convention & Visitors Board of Commissioners, January 15, 2025 BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED 9. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS – ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #9(A): No Action Taken A. BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: Renee Sturkie – Not Interested in serving Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Mayor’s Appointment) Term Expires: March 24, 2025 The terms are two years. Meets as needed. Page 7 of 13  Women: 2 Senatorial District 15: 2 Senatorial District 29: 3 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #9(B): No Action Taken B. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: Benjamin Link – Seat vacant (Mayor’s Appointment) Resigned Term Expires: March 27, 2025 The terms are three years. Meets quarterly. Women: 5 Senatorial District 15: 21 Senatorial District 29: 3 BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED 10. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS- READY FOR CONFIRMATION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #10(A): Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS: Shaun Roberts was nominated to serve another term. (Mayor Pro Tem Allen’s nominee) Term expires: March 31, 2028 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #10(B): Vote Result: CONFIRMED B. BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: Tyler R. Martindill was nominated to serve another term. (Mayor Pro Tem Allen’s nominee) Term expires: March 24, 2027 11. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS – VOTE TABULATION MAY BE DETERMINED: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #11(A): Vote Tabulation: Ernie Smallman received 7 votes and Zarome Lakey received 2 votes; Vote Result: CONFIRMED the appointment of Ernie Smallman to fill the unexpired term of Doug Jefcoat. Page 8 of 13  A. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS: Doug Jefcoat Open for Nominations Resigned (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: March 31, 2027 - Ernie Smallman to fill the unexpired term of Doug Jefcoat. (Councilor Crabb’s nominee) - Zarome Lakey to fill the unexpired term of Doug Jefcoat. (Councilor Huff’s nominee) The terms are three years. Meets monthly. Women: 2 Senatorial District 15: 1 Senatorial District 29: 4 12. COUNCIL’S APPOINTMENTS – ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #12(A): Nomination(s): Councilor Hickey renominated Charles E. Huff, Jr. and Councilor Huff renominated Gregory Blue to serve another term; Vote Result: CONFIRMED the reappointment of Charles E. Huff and Gregory Blue. A. CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD: Charles E. Huff, Jr. – Interested in serving (District 1 – Hickey) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: March 1, 2025 Gregory Blue – Interested in serving (District 3 – Huff) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: March 1, 2025 Johnson Trawick – Not interested in serving (District 8 – Garrett) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: March 1, 2025 The terms are two years. Meets quarterly. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 8 Senatorial District 29: 4 Page 9 of 13 13. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS WOULD BE LISTED FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #13(A): No Action Taken A. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CULTURAL LIAISON ENCOUNTERS (CIRCLE): Samantha Wooden Open for Nominations Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: March 1, 2025 The terms are two years. Meets as needed. Women: 7 Senatorial District 15: 5 Senatorial District 29: 5 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #13(B): Nomination(s): Mayor Pro Tem Allen nominated Richard Kelly to succeed Lane Jimmerson. B. CRIME PREVENTION BOARD: Marcus Gibson Open for Nominations (Senatorial District 15) (Council’s Appointment) Not Eligible to succeed Term Expires: March 31, 2025 Lane Jimmerson Open for Nominations (At-Large) (Council’s Appointment) Not Eligible to succeed Term Expires: March 31, 2025 These terms are three years; Law Enforcement Rep. is two years. Meets quarterly. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 2 Senatorial District 29: 4 Page 10 of 13 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #13(C): Nomination(s): Councilor Huff nominated Zarome Lakey to succeed Dr. Xavier McCaskey. C. PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION: Dr. Xavier McCaskey Open for Nominations Not Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: March 31, 2025 Ralph King Open for Nominations Not Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: March 31, 2025 Larry Derby Open for Nominations Not Eligible to succeed (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: March 31, 2025 The term is three years. Meets twice a month. Women: 2 Senatorial District 15: 7 Senatorial District 29: 2 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #13(D): No Action Taken D. UPTOWN FACADE BOARD: James Lewis Open for Nominations (Uptown Business Improvement Dist. Rep) (Council’s Appointment) Not Eligible to succeed Term Expires: October 31, 2024 Hannah Israel Open for Nominations (Uptown Business Improvement Dist. Rep) (Council’s Appointment) Not Eligible to succeed Term Expires: October 31, 2024 The terms are three years. Board meets monthly. Women: 5 Senatorial District 15: 5 Senatorial District 29: 4 Page 11 of 13 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #13(E): Nomination(s): Councilor Crabb nominated Ben Moser to fill the unexpired term of Monte Galbraith. E. VALLEY PARTNERSHIP JOINT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Monte Galbraith Open for Nominations Resigned (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2026 Councilor Crabb is nominating Ben Moser to fill the unexpired term of Monte Galbraith. The term is four years. Meets every other month beginning in February. Women: 0 Senatorial District 15: 2 Senatorial District 29: 1 PUBLIC AGENDA (continued): 2. Mrs. Audrey Holston-Palmore, Re: Update from January 7, 2025, on Heir Property Located in East Wynnton/Midtown No Action Taken 4. Ms. Madeline Burns, Re: City Management No Action Taken 10. Rev. Johnny Flakes, III, Re: Perspective on City Management No Action Taken CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9 (AT-LARGE) APPOINTMENT: Councilor Hickey made a motion to appoint John Anker to fill the vacant seat for Council District 9 (At-Large), seconded by Councilor Crabb and carried by a six-to-three vote, with Councilors Cogle, Crabb, Davis, Garrett, Hickey, and Tucker voting in favor, and Mayor Pro Tem Allen and Councilors Chambers and Huff voting in opposition. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Henderson entertained a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss real estate acquisition and litigation as requested by City Attorney Fay earlier in the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Page 12 of 13 Allen made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilor Huff and carried unanimously by the nine members present, with the time being 2:29 p.m. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 3:02 p.m., at which time, Mayor Henderson announced that the Council did meet in Executive Session to discuss real estate acquisition and litigation; however, there were no votes taken. ADD-ON RESOLUTIONS: City Attorney Add-On Resolution: Vote Result: APPROVED A resolution authorizing a settlement payment of $50,000 to settle all damage claims of Angel King stemming from the incident which occurred on March 27, 2023, and to execute all appropriate settlement documents to this effect. City Attorney Add-On Resolution: Vote Result: APPROVED A resolution Authorizing a settlement payment of $100,000 to settle all damage claims of Janie Murray stemming from the incident which occurred on September 7, 2022, and to execute all appropriate settlement documents to this effect. With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro Tem Allen entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion by Councilor Garrett to adjourn the March 11, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Councilor Hickey and carried unanimously by the eight members present, with Councilor Chamber being absent for the vote, and the time being 3:10 p.m. Page 13 of 13