Council Agenda - Regular Meeting

~~POST SUMMARY MINUTES~~ Council Chambers June 17, 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 (arrived at 9:10 a.m.), Bruce Huff (arrived at 9:52 a.m.), 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 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 June 10, 2025 Council Meeting and Executive Session. CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA ORDINANCES City Attorney’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: ADOPTED 1. 2nd 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 #2: Vote Result: ADOPTED 2. 2nd 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 #3: Vote Result: ADOPTED 3. 2nd 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) City Attorney’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: ADOPTED 4. 2nd 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) City Attorney’s Agenda #5: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 5. 1st Reading: An Ordinance providing for the levy, assessment, and collection of taxes for the public school system of Columbus, Georgia; and for other purposes. (Budget Review Committee) Page 2 of 11 RESOLUTIONS City Attorney’s Agenda #6: AMEMDED: To add Ernest Lamont Greer (Greenberg Traurig LLP), Gwyn Newsom (Gwyn Newsom LLC), and Maxine Wallace (Maxine Wallace Law Firm) Vote Result: APPROVED AS AMENDED 6. A Resolution authorizing payment of attorney fees which may be incurred for legal services rendered regarding various city issues during fiscal year 2026. (Mayor Pro-Tem) City Attorney’s Agenda #7: Vote Result: APPROVED 7. A Resolution authorizing payment of attorney fees which may be incurred for legal services rendered regarding various city issues during fiscal year 2026. (Mayor Pro-Tem) PUBLIC AGENDA 1. Mr. Robert Nerkowski, Re: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, Public Transportation and Mental Health Treatment for the Homeless. Not Present 2. Mr. Tony Gaskins, Re: City Government. No Action Taken 3. Mr. Timothy Veals, Re: Columbus Property Conditions. No Action Taken 4. Mr. Seda Eugenio, Re: Delayed Permit for Commercial Roof No Action Taken CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA City Manager’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Property Sale - 1545 14th Avenue Approval is requested to authorize the Community Reinvestment Department to sell city-owned property to adjacent landowner, Columbus House Initiative Inc., dba NeighborWorks in accordance with section 7-501 paragraph 5 of the Columbus Charter, and to authorize the Mayor or his designee to execute all contracts, agreements and understandings related to the conveyance of City properties City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Risk Management Legal Services Page 3 of 11 Approval is requested for the legal services rendered regarding Risk Management issues Fiscal Year 2026. City Manager’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety Grant Approval is requested to authorize the Mayor or his designee to apply for and accept, if awarded, a grant in the amount of $250,000.00 or as otherwise awarded from the FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety grant program. There are no matching funds required. City Manager’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: APPROVED 4. FY25 Community Policing Development Microgrants - Officer Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention Grant Application Approval is requested for the Mayor, or his designee to apply for, accept, and expend any awarded funds as per the grant guidelines and City regulations, if awarded, a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) for funds to attract and retain the best law enforcement candidates who represent a variety of backgrounds, knowledge, and experiences using novel or creative methods for recruitment and retention, in the amount of $175,000, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match required, and amend the Multi- governmental Fund budget by the amount of the award. City Manager’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: APPROVED 5. FY25 Community Policing Development Microgrants – Homelessness and Squatting grant application Approval is requested for the Mayor, or his designee to apply for, accept, and expend any awarded funds as per the grant guidelines and City regulations, if awarded, a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) for funds to assist MCSO with the implementation of innovative and collaborative programs for addressing the negative impacts of homelessness and squatting, with an emphasis on enforcement, prevention, and community collaboration, in the amount of $175,000, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match required, and amend the Multi-governmental Fund budget by the amount of the award. City Manager’s Agenda #6: Vote Result: APPROVED 6. FY25 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Grant Application Approval is requested for the Mayor, or his designee to apply for, accept, and expend any awarded funds as per the grant guidelines and City regulations, if awarded, a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) for funds to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for MCSO sworn and civilian staff through the implementation of peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, and Page 4 of 11 other promising practices for wellness programs, in the amount of $200,000, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match required, and amend the Multi-governmental Fund budget by the amount of the award. City Manager’s Agenda #7: Vote Result: APPROVED 7. FY25 Safer Outcomes: Enhancing De-Escalation and Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement – Support for Law Enforcement Agencies Grant Approval is requested for the Mayor, or his designee to apply for, accept, and expend any awarded funds as per the grant guidelines and City regulations, if awarded, a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) that provides funding to law enforcement agencies to promote safe outcomes during police encounters with persons in crisis through relevant training, in the amount of $500,000, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match required, and amend the Multi-governmental Fund budget by the amount of the award. City Manager’s Agenda #8: Vote Result: APPROVED 8. FY25 Community Policing Development Microgrants – Violent Crime Prevention Grant Application Approval is requested for the Mayor, or his designee to apply for, accept, and expend any awarded funds as per the grant guidelines and City regulations, if awarded, a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) for funds to combat pressing issues such as street gang violence, gun violence, enforcement of gun laws, federal law enforcement engagement, child trafficking, and other serious criminal activities, in the amount of $175,000, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match required, and amend the Multi- governmental Fund budget by the amount of the award. City Manager’s Agenda #9: Vote Result: APPROVED 9. Risk Management Donations for Risk and Safety Day Community Event Approval is requested to accept financial donations from businesses and organizations to be used to offset the cost of hosting a full-day Risk and Safety Day Community Event at Lakebottom Park. 10. PURCHASES City Manager’s Agenda #10 (A-B): Vote Result: APPROVED A. Bus Refurbishment Services for METRA – Washington State Transit Bus Cooperative Contract Purchase B. Bid Tabulation for: Hot Asphalt, Micro Surfacing & General Road Repair Services (Annual Contract) – RFB No. 25-0004 Page 5 of 11 City Manager’s Agenda #10 (A-B): Vote Result: DENIED C. Traffic Incident Management Services and Towing Services (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 25-0001 11. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS City Manager’s Agenda #11(A): Vote Result: APPROVED request for additional appropriation in the FY25 Budget for Juvenile Court in the amount of $90,000. A. FY25 Juvenile Court Update - Judge Warner Kennon, Samantha Cannon Juvenile Court is requesting an estimated additional $90,000 to cover FY25 expenses. City Manager’s Agenda #11(B): Vote Result: APPROVED request for additional appropriation in the FY25 Budget for Probate Court in the amount of $18,249. B. FY25 Probate Court Update - Judge Marc D'Antonio Requested amount pending from Probate Court. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Henderson entertained a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss property acquisition and disposal, potential litigation and personnel as requested by City Attorney Fay. Councilor Cogle made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilor Garrett and carried unanimously by the nine members present, with Councilor Davis being absent for the vote, and the time being 11:07 a.m. The Regular Meeting was reconvened at 11:39 a.m., at which time, Mayor Henderson announced that the Council did meet in Executive Session to discuss property acquisition and disposal, potential litigation and personnel; however, there were no votes taken. CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA ENCLOSURES - ACTION REQUESTED Clerk of Council’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: RECEIVED 1. Minutes of the following boards: Page 6 of 11  Development Authority of Columbus, Georgia 04.03.25 Development Authority of Columbus, Georgia 05.01 Clerk of Council’s Agenda (Add-On): Vote Result: RECEIVED ADD-ON: Resignation of Robert L. Wadkins, Jr. from his seat on the Civic Center Advisory Board to accept his appointment as the Corporate/Employment Attorney on the Columbus Sports & Entertainment Authority. 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 7 of 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 Vacancies: 1 3. COUNCIL DISTRICT SEAT APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3(A): No Action Taken A. CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD: Johnson Trawick – Not interested in serving (District 8 – Garrett) Eligible to succeed Term Expired: March 1, 2025 The terms are two years. Meets quarterly. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 8 Senatorial District 29: 4 Vacancies: 0 Page 8 of 11 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3(B): No Action Taken B. 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 #3(C): Nomination(s): Councilor Cogle nominated Ava McPherson, St. Luke to represent District 7on the Youth Advisory Council. Vote result: CONFIRMED C. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: District 2 Nominee: _____________ District 3 Nominee: _____________ District 5 Nominee: District 7 Nominee: ______________ District 9 Nominee: ______________ District 10 Nominee: 4. APPOINTMENTS – NOMINATIONS ARE CONFIRMED BY COUNCIL: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(A): Nomination: Charles Auer was nominated by Councilor Cogle on behalf of the Fort Benning Garrison Command; Vote Result: CONFIRMED Charles Auer. A. COLUMBUS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT AUTHORITY: New Member Fort Benning Garrison Command’s Nomination (Fort Benning Representative) (Confirmed by Council) Page 9 of 11  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. 5. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS – ANY NOMINATIONS WOULD BE LISTED FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(A): No Action Taken A. 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 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(B): No Action Taken B. 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 Page 10 of 11 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(C): No Action Taken C. 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 #5(D): No Action Taken D. RETIREES’ HEALTH BENEFITS COMMITTEE: 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 With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Henderson entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion by Councilor Garrett to adjourn the June 17, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Councilor Tucker and carried unanimously by the ten members present, with the time being 1:46 p.m. Page 11 of 11