Council Agenda - Regular Meeting

~~POST SUMMARY MINUTES~~ Council Chambers August 12, 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 (arrived at 9:18 a.m.), Walker Garrett, Byron Hickey, Bruce Huff, and Toyia Tucker (via teleconference). Deputy City Manager Pam Hodge, 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 Jimmy Elder, First Baptist Church 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 July 29, 2025, Consent Agenda / Work Session. RECOGNITION Warden Herbert Walker III and his team were recognized for their excellent service to the community and their dedicated efforts in patrolling the city’s parks. No Action Taken RESOLUTIONS Mayor’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign on behalf of the City of Columbus, Georgia, a Covenant of Friendship between Columbus and Jinju, Republic of Korea, formally establishing a sister city relationship to enhance the cultural and educational life of both cities. (Councilors Anker and Cogle) PRESENTATIONS Mayor’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED an oral resolution supporting the creation of a Homeless Task Force. 3. Strategic Steps to Implementation of the Annual Action Plan – Pat Frey, Vice President of United Way CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA ORDINANCES City Attorney’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: AMENDED to read in subsection (e) to read "The Columbus Police Department must provide a written or oral notification of violation of subsection (b) of this code section and the violator(s) shall be given eight calendar days to vacate the property" and the last line of subsection (f) to read "A minimum of eight calendar days shall be allotted prior to such removal and transport of such property"; Vote Result: ADOPTED as Amended 1. 2nd Reading: An Ordinance amending the Columbus Code to repeal and replace Section 14- 13. with a new code section that prohibits camping on public property within Columbus, Georgia, and for other purposes. (Proposed Substitute) (Councilor Crabb) City Attorney’s Agenda #2: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 2. 1st Reading - An Ordinance amending the Columbus Code Section 2-1. to revise term limits for Columbus boards, commissions, and authorities, and for other purposes. (Councilor Tucker) City Attorney’s Agenda #3: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 3. 1st Reading- An Ordinance rezoning of 4389 Weems Road, parcel # 082-018-026 from Single Family Residential 2 (SFR2) zoning district to Residential Multifamily 1 (RMF1) Page 2 of 17  zoning district. The proposed use is Multifamily Residential Development. (Planning Department and PAC recommended Denial.) (Councilor Crabb) City Attorney’s Agenda #4: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 4. 1st Reading- REZN-05-25-1001: An Ordinance rezoning 2112 11th Avenue, parcel # 028- 023-010 from General Commercial zoning district to Residential Multifamily 1 (RFM1) zoning district. (Planning Department and PAC recommend Approval.)(Councilor Cogle) City Attorney’s Agenda #5: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 5. 1st Reading- REZN-05-25-1002: An Ordinance rezoning of 4306 3rd Avenue, parcel # 013- 001-031 from Light Industrial/ Manufacturing (LMI) zoning district to Residential Multifamily 1 (RMF1) zoning district with conditions. (Planning Department and PAC recommended Approval.) (Councilor Garrett) City Attorney’s Agenda #6: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 6. 1st Reading- REZN-05-25-0928: An Ordinance rezoning 5674 Whittlesey Boulevard, parcel # 072-016-002 from Planned Unit Development (PUD) and General Commercial (GC) zoning district to Residential Office (RO) zoning district. (The Planning Department and PAC recommended Approval.)(Councilor Garrett) City Attorney’s Agenda #7: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 7. 1st Reading - REZN-05-25-0929: An Ordinance rezoning of 5674 Whittlesey Boulevard, parcel # 072-016-002 from Planned Unit Development (PUD) and General Commercial (GC) zoning district to General Commercial (GC) zoning district. Planning Department and PAC recommended Approval. (Councilor Garrett) City Attorney’s Agenda #8: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 8. 1st Reading- REZN-06-25-1133: An ordinance rezoning 3564 Forrest Road, parcel # 067- 018-012 / 067-018-006 from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Single Family Residential 2 (SFR2) zoning district to Single Family Residential 2 (SFR2) zoning district. (The Planning Department and PAC recommended Approval.)(Councilor Hickey) City Attorney’s Agenda #9: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 9. 1st Reading- REZN-06-25-1135: An ordinance rezoning of 0 Cusseta Road, parcel # 024- 022-002 / 024-022-001 from Light Manufacturing/ Industrial (LMI) zoning district to Residential Multifamily 2 (RMF2) zoning district. (The Planning Department and PAC recommended Approval.)(Councilor Cogle) Page 3 of 17 PUBLIC AGENDA Last Application Received: August 8, 2025, at 10:06 a.m. 1. Dr. Marvin Broadwater, Sr., Re: Gentleman’s Agreement for Appointed Councilors No Action Taken 2. Ms. Annette Adams, Re: Ralston Towers No Action Taken 3. Mr. Jerome Lawson, Re: “Hopelessness” Ordinance and Natural Vegetation Proposal Not Present 4. Ms. Theresa El-Amin, representing Southern Anti-Racism Network, Re: Moral Corruption in CCG Operations No Action Taken 5. Mr. Mark Lawrence, Re: We Can Make a Difference Not Present 6. Pastor Valerie Thompson, Re: Unhoused Homeless No Action Taken 7. Mr. James Clements, representing IMA, Re: Housing No Action Taken 8. Reverend Dr. Johnny Flakes, III, representing IMA, Re: Compassion for the Unhoused No Action Taken 9. Dr. Natalie Nicole, representing Role Model Academy of Arts, Re: Violations of Columbus Code Section 13-113 No Action Taken 10. Mr. Patrick Rogers, Re: Opposition to Proposed Ordinance No Action Taken 11. Ms. Amy Borton, Re: Proposed Ordinance Amendments No Action Taken 12. Reverend Dr. Michael Sherman, representing Wynnton Hill Baptist Church, Re: Homeless Response No Action Taken 13. Ms. Simi Barnes, Re: Proposed Ordinance for the Unhoused No Action Taken CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA City Manager’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. FFY2021/FY2022 HUD Annual Action Plan – Updated Allocation Approval is requested for the acceptance of the additional $5,355.00 allocation, and amendment of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan to reflect the total award of $3,579,410.00 to be filed through the FFY2021/FY2022 HUD Annual Action Plan. Page 4 of 17 City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Borrowing Limit Increase for Purchasing Card Transactions Approval is requested to submit a request to Synovus Bank to increase the monthly borrowing limit from $600,000 to $800,000 for city purchasing card transactions. City Manager’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund Grant Request Approval is requested to apply for and accept, if awarded, a grant in the amount of $3,000.00 or as otherwise awarded from the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund grant program and amending the multi– governmental fund by the award amount to go towards the purchase of a public safety robot. There are no matching funds required. City Manager’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: APPROVED 4. Atlanta United Youth Funding Grant Approval is requested to allow Parks and Recreation to apply for a grant available through the Atlanta United Community Fund and Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) and, if awarded, accept the grant valued at $1308.00 to help provide essential equipment needed to support the soccer programs at Woodruff Farm Soccer Complex. ADD-ON: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) City Manager’s Agenda ADD-ON: Vote Result: APPROVED Approval is requested for the mayor, or his designee, to apply for and accept a Hazard Mitigation Grant through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) in the amount of $102,396.75 for our Fiscal Year 2026, with a 25% local match in the amount of $25,599.19 or as otherwise awarded, and amend the Multi-governmental Fund by the amount awarded. A pre-application was submitted to GEMA, and that was advanced to an invitation to apply for the grant funds. 5. PURCHASES City Manager’s Agenda #5(A-H): Vote Result: APPROVED A. Contract Extension for Inmate Medical & Pharmacy Services for Muscogee County Prison (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 18-0022 B. Auctioneer Services (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 22-0006 Page 5 of 17  C. Medical Evaluation Services for Columbus Fire and EMS Department (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 25-0014 D. Change Order 4 – Design Services for Fire Station #4 Renovation – RFQ No. 23-0001 E. Change Order 5 – Design Services for Fire Station #8 Renovation – RFQ No. 23-0001 F. Declaration of Surplus and Donation of Two (2) Vehicles G. NiCE Digital Evidence Tracking Software for District Attorney and Police Department H. Preventative Maintenance Service Agreement for Lifepak 15 Monitor Defibrillators, Stretchers and Stair Chairs for Fire and EMS – Sourcewell Cooperative Purchase 6. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS A. County Jail Maintenance Update – Drale Short, Director, Public Works No Action Taken B. Jail Site Plan Update - Ryan Pruett, Director, Inspections & Code, Doug Kleppin, Principal, and Shane Clark, Associate Principal, SLAM Collaborative, and Henry Painter, Project Executive, Gilbane Building Company No Action Taken BID ADVERTISEMENT DATE: August 12, 2025 TO: Mayor and Councilors FROM: Finance Department SUBJECT: Advertised Bids/RFPs/RFQs August 15, 2025 2. Design and Construction Services for Columbus Pickleball Facility – RFP No. 26-0006 Scope of RFP Columbus Consolidated Government (the City) is requesting proposals from qualified contractors to engage a Design-Builder to design and construct the new Columbus Pickleball Facility. The facility will be located at 1641 3rd Avenue and be compromised of twenty-seven (27) pickleball courts, including sixteen (16) covered courts. The facility will also include bathroom and concession facilities. Approximately one-hundred four (104) parking spaces will be constructed to support the facility within the existing rights of way of 3rd Avenue and 17th Street. The estimated budget for this project is $7,000,000. The selected Design-Builder will be responsible for all aspects of the design and construction. Page 6 of 17 CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA ENCLOSURES - ACTION REQUESTED Clerk of Council’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: RECEIVED 1. Resignation of Katie Franklin from the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Honorary Designation Application – A request submitted seeking authorization to install a commemorative plaque at Pop Austin Recreation Center in honor of the late Angie Shehane. (Action Needed: Forward application to the Board of Honor for review) Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. Honorary Designation Application – A request submitted seeking authorization to install an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Station at Lakebottom Park in honor of the late Anthony Bonner. (Action Needed: Forward application to the Board of Honor for review) (ADD-ON) Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: APPROVED 4. Travel Authorization – Request for Councilor Toyia Tucker to attend the 2025 ACCG Legislative Leadership Conference in Jekyll Island, GA. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5: Removed by the Clerk of Council due to Councilor Hickey being in attendance. 5. A resolution excusing the absence of Councilor Byron Hickey from the August 12, 2025, Council Meeting. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6: Vote Result: RECEIVED 6. Minutes of the following boards: Board of Historic & Architectural Review 01-13-25 Board of Historic & Architectural Review 11-12-24 Board of Tax Assessors #24-25 Columbus Golf Authority 03-25-25 Crime Prevention Bd. 06-04-25 Page 7 of 17  Crime Prevention Bd. 07-24-25 Development Authority of Columbus 06-05-25 Development Authority of Columbus 06-17-25 Hospital Authority 05-27-25 Hospital Authority 06-23-25 Personnel Review Board 07-16-25 BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED 7. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS – ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(A): Clerk of Council McLemore announced the following nominations to the Audit Committee: Mayor Henderson renominated Mike Baker to serve another term and nominated Tyson Begly to fill the vacant seat; Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. AUDIT COMMITTEE: Mike Baker Open for Nominations Eligible to serve another term (Mayor’s Appointment) (Finance/Accounting or Governmental Rep.) Term expired: June 30, 2025 _____________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Mayor’s Appointment) (Finance/Accounting or Governmental Rep.) Term expired: June 30, 2025 The terms are three years. Meets quarterly. Women: 1 Senatorial District 15: n/a Senatorial District 29: n/a Vacancies: 1 Page 8 of 17 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(B): No Action Taken B. BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: _______________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Mayor’s Appointment) Term Expired: March 24, 2025 Terms are two years. Meet as needed. Women: 1 Senatorial District 15: 0 Senatorial District 29: 3 Vacancies: 2 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(C): Clerk of Council McLemore announced the following nomination to the Columbus Sports & Entertainment Authority: Mayor Henderson nominated Will Taylor to serve as the Certified Public Accountant. Vote Result: CONFIRMED C. COLUMBUS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT AUTHORITY: New Member Open for Nominations (Certified Public Accountant) (Mayor’s Appointment) 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: 1 Page 9 of 17 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(D): Clerk of Council McLemore announced the following recommendation to the Community Development Advisory Board: Mayor Henderson nominated Travis Anderson to fill the vacant seat. Vote Result: CONFIRMED D. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Mayor’s Appointment) Term Expires: March 27, 2027 The terms for the Mayor’s Appointments are three years and Council’s Appointments are two years. Meets quarterly. Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 7 Senatorial District 29: 1 Vacancies: 4 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(E): No Action Taken E. HOUSING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: John Greenman Open for Nominations Eligible (Mayor’s Appointment) Term Expired: April 30, 2025 The terms five years. Meets once a month. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 4 Senatorial District 29: 3 Vacancies: 0 Page 10 of 17 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(F): No Action Taken F. 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 8. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS – READY FOR CONFIRMATION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #8(A): Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: Anthony Johnson was nominated to succeed the late Johnny W. Byrd, II. (Councilor Huff’s nominee) Term expires: March 24, 2027 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #8(B): Vote Result: CONFIRMED B. HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: Sharen Kelly was selected by the Hospital Authority to fill a vacant seat. (Three nominees were sent to the Hospital Authority for selection – May 27, 2025, Council Meeting) Term expires: November 14, 2027 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #8(C): Vote Result: CONFIRMED C. HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: Janice Linn Storey was selected by the Hospital Authority to fill a vacant seat. (Three nominees were sent to the Hospital Authority for selection – May 27, 2025, Council Meeting) Term expires: November 14, 2027 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #8(D): Vote Result: CONFIRMED D. PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION: Anthony Smith was nominated to succeed Ralph King. (Councilor Chambers’s nominee) Term expires: March 31, 2028 Page 11 of 17 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #8(E): Vote Result: CONFIRMED E. PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION: Haley Lyman was nominated to succeed Larry Derby. (Councilor Cogle’s nominee) Term expires: March 31, 2028 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #8(F): Vote Result: CONFIRMED F. RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD: Kendall Mills was selected as the new Athletic Director for the Muscogee County School District and will succeed Jeffrey Battles. (MCSD) Term expires: n/a 9. COUNCIL DISTRICT SEAT APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #9(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 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #9(B): No Action Taken B. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (District 2 – Davis) Term Expires: March 27, 2026 Page 12 of 17  __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (District 6 – Allen) Term Expires: March 27, 2026 __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (District 8 – Garrett) 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: 7 Senatorial District 29: 1 Vacancies: 4 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #9(C): Clerk of Council McLemore announced that Mayor Pro Tem Allen’s previous nominee is unable to serve, and he is nominating Harmony Staley, 8th Grade at Aaron Cohn Middle School is being nominated; Vote Result: CONFIRMED C. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: District 5 Nominee: District 6 Nominee: District 9 Nominee: ______________ District 10 Nominee: *Mayor Pro Tem Allen’s previous nominee is unable to serve. Harmony Staley, 8th Grade at Aaron Cohn Middle School is being nominated. 10. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS – ANY NOMINATIONS WOULD BE LISTED FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #10(A): Nomination(s): Councilor Hickey renominated Bruce McPherson and Karl Douglass to serve another term on the Downtown Development Authority. Clerk of Council McLemore announced Councilor Crabb is nominating Sherri Carmack to fill the vacant seat on the Downtown Development Authority. Page 13 of 17  A. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Bruce McPherson - Interested in serving another term (Council’s Appointment) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: August 15, 2025 Karl Douglass- Interested in serving another term (Council’s Appointment) Eligible to succeed Term Expires: August 15, 2025 __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Council’s Appointment) Term Expires: August 15, 2027 *Councilor Crabb is nominating Sherri Carmack 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: 4 Vacancies: 1 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #10(B): Nomination(s): Clerk of Council McLemore announced the following recommendations for the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission: Councilor Hickey nominated Anthony Johnson and Devon Maury to fill the vacant seats. B. KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION: __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Council’s Appointment) (Senatorial District 15) Term Expires: June 30, 2027 __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Council’s Appointment) (Senatorial District 15) Term Expires: June 30, 2027 Page 14 of 17  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 #10(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 Expired: 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 #10(D): Nomination(s): Clerk of Council McLemore announced that Councilor Crabb is nominating Ricky Weeks to succeed Thomas Barron on the Retirees’ Health Benefits Committee. D. RETIREES’ HEALTH BENEFITS COMMITTEE: Thomas Barron Open for Nominations Not Eligible (Council’s Appointment) Term Expired: June 30, 2025 *Councilor Crabb is nominating Ricky Weeks. The term of the Mayor’s appointee is two years. The terms of Council’s appointees are four years. Meets once a month. Page 15 of 17  Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: n/a Senatorial District 29: n/a Vacancies: 0 UPCOMING BOARD APPOINTMENTS: A. Board of Honor (Council’s Appointment) B. Columbus Ironworks Convention & Trade Center Authority (Mayor’s Appointment) C. Convention & Visitors Board of Commissioners (Mayor’s Appointment) D. Liberty Theatre & Cultural Arts Center Advisory Board (Council’s Appointment) E. Public Safety Advisory Commission (Mayor/Council’s Appointment) PUBLIC AGENDA (continued) 1. Dr. Marvin Broadwater, Sr., Re: Gentleman’s Agreement for Appointed Councilors No Action Taken 4. Ms. Theresa El-Amin, representing Southern Anti-Racism Network, Re: Moral Corruption in CCG Operations No Action Taken 11. Ms. Amy Borton, Re: Proposed Ordinance Amendments No Action Taken EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Henderson entertained a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation and property acquisition and disposal as requested by City Attorney Fay. Councilor Davis made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilor Cogle and carried unanimously by the eight members present, with Mayor Pro Tem Allen and Councilor Anker being absent for the vote and the time being 2:05 p.m. The Regular Meeting was reconvened at 2:20 p.m., at which time, Mayor Henderson announced that the Council did meet in Executive Session to discuss litigation and property acquisition and disposal; however, there were no votes taken. Page 16 of 17 ADD-ON RESOLUTIONS: City Attorney Add-On Resolution: Vote Result: APPROVED A resolution authorizing a settlement payment of $45,000 to settle all damage claims of Leslie Pinkerton stemming from the incident which occurred on April 12, 2023, and to execute all appropriate settlement documents to this effect. With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Henderson entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion by Councilor Huff to adjourn the August 12, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Councilor Crabb and carried unanimously by the nine members present, with Councilor Garrett being absent for the vote, and the time being 2:21 p.m. Page 17 of 17