Council Agenda - Regular Meeting

~~POST SUMMARY MINUTES~~ Council Chambers June 10, 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 and Councilors John Anker, Travis L. Chambers, Joanne Cogle, Charmaine Crabb, Glenn Davis, R. Walker Garrett, Byron Hickey, Bruce Huff and Toyia Tucker. 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: n/a CALL TO ORDER: Mayor B.H. "Skip" Henderson, III, Presiding INVOCATION: Offered by Dr. Ralph Huling, St. James Missionary Baptist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Skip Henderson MINUTES Mayor’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Approval of minutes for the June 03, 2025, Council Meeting. 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: APPROVED allowing Councilors Crabb and Hickey to recuse themselves; APPROVED request to pull Sections 7 and 19 to be voted on separately; ADOPTED omitting Sections and 19; ADOPTED Sections 7 and 19. 1. 2nd Reading - 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 #2: Vote Result: ADOPTED 2. 2nd 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 #3: Vote Result: ADOPTED 3. 2nd 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 #4: Vote Result: ADOPTED 4. 2nd 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 12 City Attorney’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: ADOPTED 5. 2nd 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 6: Vote Result: ADOPTED 6. 2nd 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 #7: Vote Result: ADOPTED 7. 2nd 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) City Attorney’s Agenda #8: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 8. 1st Reading: REZN-04-25-0678: An Ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, to change certain boundaries of a district located at 1012 31st Street (parcel # 015-008-023) from Residential Multifamily – 2 (RMF2) to Residential Multifamily – 1 (RMF1) Zoning District. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (Councilor Garrett) City Attorney’s Agenda #9: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 9. 1st Reading- REZN-004-25-0706: An Ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, to change certain boundaries of a district located at Schley Road and River Road (part of parcel # 175-001-001, Lots PS20 and PS30) from Residential Estate – 10 (RE10) Zoning District to Residential Estate – 1 (RE1) Zoning District. (Planning Department and Staff recommend approval) (Councilor Davis) City Attorney’s Agenda #10: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 10. 1st Reading: REZN-04-25-0743: An Ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, to change certain boundaries of a district located at 101 23rd Street (parcel # 007-026-0145) from Residential Multifamily – 2 (RMF2) Zoning District to Single Family Residential – 4 (SFR4) Zoning District. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (Councilor Cogle) Page 3 of 12 City Attorney’s Agenda #11: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 11. 1st Reading- An Ordinance providing for the establishment of taxing districts, including a county-wide general services district and three (3) urban services districts and three (3) Business Improvement Districts (BID); providing for the levy, assessment, and collection of taxes for Columbus, Georgia within such districts for the year 2025 as provided under the Charter of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia; providing penalties for violations of the provisions of said ordinance; and for other purposes. (Budget Review Committee) RESOLUTIONS City Attorney’s Agenda #12: Vote Result: APPROVED 12. A Resolution approving a special exception to allow an existing building located at 2510 Wynnton Road that are greater than 5,000 square feet under roof in a Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning district be granted a special exception to lift the 5,000 square feet use limitation. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval) (Councilor Huff) City Attorney’s Agenda #13: Vote Result: APPROVED 13. A Resolution amending and restating Res. No. 127-25 to provide an additional exception to its requirements for situations where a third-party broker has been awarded a contract under the management of the purchasing Division of the Finance Department and that broker in turn is authorized to procure services for the consolidated government. (Mayor Pro-Tem) EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Henderson entertained a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation and personnel as requested by City Attorney Fay. Councilor Crabb made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilor Hickey and carried unanimously by the eight members present, with Councilors Davis and Garrett being absent for the vote, and the time being 10:57 a.m. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 12:31 p.m., at which time, Mayor Henderson announced that the Council did meet in Executive Session to discuss potential litigation and personnel; however, there were no votes taken. Page 4 of 12 PUBLIC AGENDA 1. Ms. Annette Adams, Re: Appreciation and Suggestions for CPD No Action Taken 2. Ms. Radiah Mallard, Re: Observations as a Transplant and Community Advocate. No Action Taken 3. Mr. Antonio Hardge, representing Primetime Barbershop, LLC, Re: Denial of ARP Grant Application. No Action Taken 4. Ms. Theresa El-Amin, Re: City Manager Firing and Pension Plan. No Action Taken 5. Mr. John Michael Watford, Re: Mud Built Up on Roaring Branch Road. Not Present 6. Mr. Lucas Melton, Re: Flat Rock Cleanup and City Personnel Changes. No Action Taken 7. Rev. Johnny Flakes, III, representing IMA, Re: The IMA’s Position on the City Manager’s Termination. No Action Taken 8. Mr. Mark Lawrence, Re: Working Things Out. No Action Taken CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA City Manager’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Marathon First Responder Grant Approval is requested to apply for and accept, if awarded, a grant in the amount of $ 4,652.27 or as otherwise awarded from the Marathon Community Investment Programs for the purchase of a Hemisphere nozzle package to support fire operations and amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the award amount. There are no matching funds required. City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Norfolk Southern Safety-First Grant – Fire/ EMS Approval is requested to apply for and accept, if awarded, a grant in the amount of $15,000.00 or as otherwise awarded from the Norfolk Southern Safety-First grant program to help fund the purchase of a public safety robot – Spot. There are no matching funds required. Page 5 of 12 City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. Columbus Police Department: K-9 Ballistic Vests Donation Approval is requested to accept a donation from Dr. David Horichi and Dr. David Taylor for two (2) new ballistic vests for 2 of the new K-9s recently purchased for the department. 4. PURCHASES City Manager’s Agenda #4 (A-C): Vote Result: APPROVED A. Amendment 8 for Space Planning and Programming and Design Professional Services for Columbus Consolidated Government Center Project – RFQ No. 20-0001 B. Contract Extension for Concessionaire Services for Government Center Complex – RFP No. 19-0013 C. IPlanTables Workstations for the Engineering Department 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, #18-25 Columbus Board of Health, 02.26.25 Columbus Board of Health, 03.26.25 Columbus Board of Health, 04.23.25 Crime Prevention 05.14.25 Hospital Authority of Columbus, Georgia, 04.29.25 Personnel Review Board 05.21.25 Page 6 of 12 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 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 Page 7 of 12  Vacancies: 1 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #2(C): Nomination(s): Mayor Henderson nominated Katie Dodson, Columbus High School to serve on the Youth Advisory Council; Vote Result: CONFIRMED C. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: Mayor’s Nominee: ______________ 3. APPOINTMENTS – NOMINATIONS ARE CONFIRMED BY COUNCIL: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3(A): Nomination(s): Councilor Cogle nominated Morgan Moore to serve as the Trade Center Representative on the Columbus Sports & Entertainment Authority; Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. COLUMBUS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT AUTHORITY: New Member Trade Center’s Nomination (Trade Center Representative) (Confirmed by Council) *Councilor Cogle is nominating Morgan Moore. New Member Fort Benning Garrison Command’s Nomination (Fort Benning Representative) (Confirmed by Council) 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. 4. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS – READY FOR CONFIRMATION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(A): Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. DOWNTOWN DEVELOMENT AUTHORITY: Bruce McPherson was nominated to succeed Ernest Smallman, IV. (Councilor Cogle’s nominee) Term expires: August 15, 2025. *Note: In accordance with established term dates, Mr. McPherson will be listed as eligible for reappointment in July. Page 8 of 12 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(B): Vote Result: CONFIRMED B. RETIREES’ HEALTH BENEFITS COMMITTEE: Cheryl Tate was renominated to serve another term. (Councilor Crabb’s nominee) Term expires: June 30, 2029 5. COUNCIL DISTRICT SEAT APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(A): No Action Taken A. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: __________________ (District 1 – Hickey) Vacant Term Expires: March 27, 2026 The terms for the Mayor’s Appointments are three years and Council’s Appointments are two years. Meets quarterly. Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 9 Senatorial District 29: 2 Vacancies: 2 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(B): Nominations: Councilor Tucker nominated Javis Moore of Shaw High School to represent District 4 and Councilor Hickey nominated Meagan Hatcher of Pacelli High School to represent District 1 on the Youth Advisory Council. Vote Result: CONFIRMED the appointment of Javis Moore (District 4) and Megan Hatcher (District 1). B. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: District 1 Nominee: _____________ District 2 Nominee: _____________ District 3 Nominee: _____________ District 4 Nominee: _____________ District 5 Nominee: District 7 Nominee: ______________ District 9 Nominee: ______________ District 10 Nominee: Page 9 of 12  *Councilor Tucker is nominating Javi Moore, Shaw High School to represent District 4. 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): No Action Taken B. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: __________________ (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. Women: 0 Senatorial District 15: 3 Senatorial District 29: 3 Vacancies: 1 Page 10 of 12 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 Senatorial District 29: 1 Vacancies: 0 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(E): No Action Taken E. RETIREES’ HEALTH BENEFITS COMMITTEE: Thomas Barron Open for Nominations Not Eligible (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: June 30, 2025 Page 11 of 12  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): 2. Ms. Radiah Mallard, Re: Observations as a Transplant and Community Advocate. 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 10, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Councilor Garrett and carried unanimously by the ten members present, with the time being 1:46 p.m. Page 12 of 12