Council Agenda - Regular Meeting

~~POST SUMMARY MINUTES~~ Council Chambers June 3, 2025 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 Travis L. Chambers, Joanne Cogle (via teleconference), Charmaine Crabb, Glenn Davis (arrived at 5:33), R. Walker Garrett, Byron Hickey, Bruce Huff and Toyia Tucker (via teleconference). Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Assistant City Attorney Lucy Sheftall, Clerk of Council Lindsey G. McLemore and Deputy Clerk of Council Tameka Colbert. ABSENT: Councilor John Anker was absent. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor B.H. "Skip" Henderson, III, Presiding INVOCATION: Offered by Pastor Wayne Anthony, St. Peter UMC of Columbus, Georgia PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Skip Henderson MINUTES Mayor’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Approval of minutes for the May 27, 2025 Council Meeting and Executive Session. PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor’s Agenda #2: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 2. TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS PUBLIC HEARING: 6:00 p.m. The budget tentatively adopted by the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, requires a millage rate  higher than the rollback millage rate. Therefore, before the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, may finalize the tentative budget and set a final millage rate, Georgia Law requires that three public hearings be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on this increase. CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA ORDINANCES City Attorney’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: ADOPTED 1. 2nd Reading- An Ordinance amending Section 11-17.15 of the Columbus Code to revise the definition of division chief positions in the Columbus Department of Fire and Medical Emergency Services; and for other purposes. (Mayor Pro-Tem) City Attorney’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 2. 1st Reading and Public Hearing- An ordinance adopting an operating and capital improvement budget for the Fiscal Year 2026 beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026, for certain funds of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, and appropriating the amounts shown in each budget; and for other purposes. (Budget Review Committee City Attorney’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 3. 1st Reading- An Ordinance adopting non-operating budgets for the fiscal year 2026 beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026, for certain funds of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, and appropriating the amounts shown in each budget. (Budget Review Committee) City Attorney’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 4. 1st Reading- An Ordinance providing for contributions to the Columbus, Georgia General Government Employees’ Pension Plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026. (Budget Review Committee) City Attorney’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 5. 1st Reading- An Ordinance providing for the governmental contributions to the Columbus, Georgia Pension Plan for employees of the Department of Public Safety for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026. (Budget Review Committee) Page 2 of 10 City Attorney’s Agenda #6: Vote Result: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 6. 1st Reading- An Ordinance providing for Government funding of a Major Disability Income Plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026. (Budget Review Committee) City Attorney’s Agenda 7: Vote Result: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 7. 1st Reading- An Ordinance providing for Government funding of a Death Benefit Escrow for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026. (Budget Review Committee) City Attorney’s Agenda #8: Vote Result: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 8. 1st Reading- An Ordinance amending Article VII of Chapter 13 of the Columbus Code Solid Waste Collection and Disposal to update the landfill, residential and commercial waste disposal fees, to update the guidelines for an offset to the residential rate for low-income households; and for other purposes (Budget Review Committee) PUBLIC AGENDA 1. Mr. Marvin Broadwater, Sr., Re: Termination of City Manager Isaiah Hugley No Action Taken 2. Mr. John Fitzpatrick, Jr., Re: What Now? No Action Taken 3. Miss. Alazjah Bonner, Re: Columbus City Matters. Not Present CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA City Manager’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Memorandum of Agreement- Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Inc. Approval is requested to execute a Memorandum of Agreement between the Columbus Consolidated Government and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Inc. to install, maintain, and operate trash traps located at Cooper Creek Park and Dinglewood Park to remove floating litter from tributaries of Chattahoochee River for a period of one year. Page 3 of 10  City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Adoption of the 2025 Liberty District Master Plan Approval is requested to approve the 2025 Liberty District Master Plan as submitted by Neil Clark of Hecht Burdeshaw, Inc. 3. PURCHASES City Manager’s Agenda #3 (A-C): Vote Result: APPROVED A. Muscogee County Jail Roof Project – RFB NO. 25-0006 B. Alcohol Management Services for Columbus Civic Center Locations (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 24-0005 C. Traffic Incident Management Services and Towing Services (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 25-0001 BID ADVERTISEMENT DATE: June 3, 2025 TO: Mayor and Councilors FROM: Finance Department SUBJECT: Advertised Bids/RFPs/RFQs June 6, 2025 1. Grant Writing Services (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 25-0020 Scope of RFP Columbus Consolidated Government (the City) is seeking qualified, experienced individuals, groups, or firms to provide Grant Writing Services. The Successful Proposer will secure grant funding through the preparation and submittal of grant proposals to federal, state agencies, and any other applicable entities. The contract term shall be for three (3) years, with the option to renew for two (2) additional twelve-month periods. Page 4 of 10 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 Tax Assessors, #17-25 BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED 2. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS – ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #2(A): No Action Taken A. COLUMBUS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT AUTHORITY: New Member Open for Nominations (Certified Public Accountant) (Mayor’s Appointment) Term Expires: New Member Open for Nominations (Law Enforcement Representative) (Mayor’s Appointment) Ex Officio/Non-Voting Member The terms are three years, with the terms beginning July 1, 2025, and the term expiration of the first appointments being staggered pursuant to Ordinance 25-011. Women: 1 Senatorial District 15: 1 Senatorial District 29: 3 Vacancies: 11 Page 5 of 10 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #2(B): No Action Taken B. PENSION FUND, EMPLOYEES’ BOARD OF TRUSTEES: __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Mayor’s Appointment) (Business Community) Term Expires: June 30, 2026 The terms are four years. Meets monthly. Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 9 Senatorial District 29: 2 Vacancies: 1 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #2(C): No Action Taken C. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: Mayor’s Nominee: ______________ 3. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS – READY FOR CONFIRMATION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3(A): Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. 457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION BOARD: Rhonda T. Davis was nominated to serve another term. (Councilor Crabb’s nominee) Term expires: May 31, 2028 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3(B): Vote Result: CONFIRMED B. AUDIT COMMITTEE: Michael Bruder was nominated to serve another term. (Councilor Davis’s nominee) Term expires: June 30, 2027 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3(C): Vote Result: CONFIRMED C. BOARD OF FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES: Chandler Padgett was nominated to serve another term. (Councilor Crabb’s nominee) Term Expires: June 30, 2028 Page 6 of 10 4. COUNCIL DISTRICT SEAT APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(A): Nomination(s): No Action Taken A. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: __________________ (District 1 – Hickey) Vacant Term Expires: March 27, 2026 Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 9 Senatorial District 29: 2 Vacancies: 3 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(B): Nomination(s): Clerk of Council McLemore stated Councilor Garrett is nominating Kalel Le Denney, Jordan High School to represent District 8 on the Youth Advisory Council; Vote Result: CONFIRMED B. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: District 1 Nominee: _____________ District 6 Nominee: ______________ District 2 Nominee: _____________ District 7 Nominee: ______________ District 3 Nominee: _____________ District 8 Nominee: ______________ District 4 Nominee: _____________ District 9 Nominee: ______________ District 5 Nominee: District 10 Nominee: *Councilor Garrett (District 8) is nominating Kalel Le Denney, Jordan High School. 5. APPOINTMENTS – NOMINATIONS ARE CONFIRMED BY COUNCIL: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(A): Nomination(s): Clerk of Council McLemore stated Councilor Cogle has nominated Jim Rutland to serve as the RiverCenter Representative on the Columbus Sports & Entertainment Authority; Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. COLUMBUS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT AUTHORITY: Page 7 of 10  New Member RiverCenter’s Nomination (RiverCenter Representative) (Confirmed by Council) *Councilor Cogle is nominating Jim Rutland The terms are three years, with the terms beginning July 1, 2025, and the term expiration of the first appointments being staggered pursuant to Ordinance 25-011. 6. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS – ANY NOMINATIONS WOULD BE LISTED FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(A): No Action Taken A. COLUMBUS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT AUTHORITY: New Member Open for Nominations (Promotional Entity – Professional Hockey) (Council’s Appointment) Ex Officio/Non-Voting Member *The previous appointment resided outside Muscogee County. The terms are three years, with the terms beginning July 1, 2025, and the term expiration of the first appointments being staggered pursuant to Ordinance 25-011. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(B): Nomination(s): Clerk of Council McLemore stated Councilor Cogle is nominating Bruce McPherson to succeed Ernest Smallman, IV on the Downtown Development Authority. B. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Ernest Smallman, IV (Council’s Appointment) Not Eligible to succeed – Currently serves on Board of Zoning Appeals Term Expired: August 15, 2023 *Councilor Cogle is nominating Bruce McPherson __________________ (Council’s Appointment) Vacant Term Expired: August 15, 2023 The terms are four years. Ordinance No. 11-23 removes the limitation of two full consecutive terms for this authority. Page 8 of 10  Women: 0 Senatorial District 15: 3 Senatorial District 29: 3 Vacancies: 1 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(C): No Action Taken C. KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION: __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Council’s Appointment) (Senatorial District 15) Term Expires: June 30, 2027 The terms are three years. Meets every other month. Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 5 Senatorial District 29: 3 Vacancies: 2 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(D): No Action Taken D. NEW HORIZONS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH – MENTAL HEALTH, ADDICTIVE DISEASES AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES- COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD: Judge David Ranieri Open for Nominations Does not desire reappointment (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2025 The terms are three years. Meets every other month. Women: 2 Senatorial District 15: 3 Page 9 of 10  Senatorial District 29: 1 Vacancies: 0 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(E): Nomination(s): Councilor Crabb renominated Cheryl B. Tate to serve another term on the Retirees’ Benefits Committee. E. RETIREES’ HEALTH BENEFITS COMMITTEE: Cheryl B. Tate– Interested in serving another term Open for Nominations Eligible to serve another term (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2025 Thomas Barron Open for Nominations Not Eligible (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2025 The term of the Mayor’s appointee is two years. The terms of Council’s appointees are four years. Meets once a month. Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: n/a Senatorial District 29: n/a Vacancies: 0 PUBLIC AGENDA (continued): 1. Mr. Marvin Broadwater, Sr., Re: Termination of City Manager Isaiah Hugley No Action Taken With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Henderson entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion by Councilor Huff to adjourn the June 3, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Councilor Garrett and carried unanimously by the nine members present, with Councilor Anker being absent from the meeting, with the time being 6:56 p.m. (Clerk of Council McLemore confirmed and announced the affirmative vote of Councilors Cogle and Tucker.) Page 10 of 10