Council Agenda - Regular Meeting

~~POST SUMMARY MINUTES~~ Council Chambers September 16, 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 Travis L. Chambers, Joanne Cogle, Charmaine Crabb, Glenn Davis, R. Walker Garrett (virtual), Byron Hickey and Bruce Huff (arrived at 9:02 a.m.). Deputy City Manager Pam Hodge, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Assistant City Attorney Lucy Sheftall, Clerk of Council Lindsey G. McLemore and Assistant Deputy Clerk Brittney Jones. ABSENT: Councilors John Anker and Toyia Tucker were absent. Deputy Clerk of Council Tameka Colbert was also absent. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor B.H. "Skip" Henderson, III, Presiding INVOCATION: Offered by Dr. Tim Jones, Pastor of Columbus Baptist Association PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Skip Henderson MINUTES: Mayor’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Approval of minutes for the August 26, 2025, Council Meeting and Executive Session. PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor’s Agenda #2: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Hickey) 2. Proclamation: Public Safety Week Receiving: Pastor Wayne Anthony Mayor’s Agenda #3: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Councilor Chambers) 3. Proclamation: Big Brothers Big Sisters Month Receiving: President & CEO Kwame Johnson Mayor’s Agenda #4: No Action Taken (Proclamation read into the record by Mayor Pro Tem Allen) 4. Proclamation: Constitution Week Receiving: Ms. Marsha Newer RESOLUTIONS: Mayor’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: APPROVED 5. Resolution - A resolution authorizing an audit by the Internal Auditor of the Office of Crime Prevention. (Requested by Councilor Cogle) CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA ORDINANCES City Attorney’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: ADOPTED 1. 2nd Reading- REZN-06-25-1179: An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 11-11 to provide a density change as it pertains to property located at 9101 Macon Road. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (Mayor Pro-Tem) City Attorney’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: ADOPTED 2. 2nd Reading- An Ordinance amending the “Official Street Map, City of Columbus, Georgia”, by changing the official name of the public roadway designated as “Debutana Drive” to Page 2 of 15  "Debutante Drive; authorizing the street name change; and for other purposes. (Mayor Pro- Tem) City Attorney’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: ADOPTED 3. 2nd Reading- An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 15-35, Section 2, Columbus Police Department Pay Reform and Restructure Plan, as set forth in Administrative Policy No. 220- 1002, to revise Court Pay, and for other purposes. (Budget Review Committee) City Attorney’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: DELAYED 1st Reading (Applicant Not Present) 4. 1st Reading- REZN-06-25-1190: An ordinance rezoning property located at 2506 Riverside Drive from Residential Multifamily– 2 (RMF2) zoning district to Residential Multifamily – 1 (RMF1) zoning district with conditions. (Planning Department and PAC recommended Approval.) (Councilor Garrett) City Attorney’s Agenda #5: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 5. 1st Reading- REZN-07-25-1262: An Ordinance rezoning property located at 109 23rd Street from Residential Multifamily – 2 (RMF2) Single Family Residential 4 (SFR4). (The Planning Department and PAC recommended Approval.) (Councilor Cogle) City Attorney’s Agenda #6: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 6. 1st Reading- REZN-07-25-1264: An ordinance rezoning property located at 5350 Veterans Parkway from Single Family Residential 3 (SFR3) zoning district to General Commercial (GC) zoning district. (The Planning Department and PAC recommend Approval.) (Councilor Garrett) City Attorney’s Agenda #7: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 7. 1st Reading - REZN-07-25-1303: An ordinance rezoning property located at 2210 Wynnton Road from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning district to General Commercial (GC) zoning district. (The Planning Department and PAC recommended Approval.) (Councilor Huff) City Attorney’s Agenda #8: PUBLIC HEARING HELD 8. 1st Reading- An Ordinance amending the Columbus Code Section 8-14.1. to provide permitting and inspection fees for solar panel work; and for other purposes. (Mayor Pro-Tem) City Attorney’s Agenda #9: PUBLIC HEARING HELD; Vote Result: APPROVED the letter of intent requirement for the self-funded demolition of property located at 3407 Victory Drive 9. 1st Reading: An ordinance providing for the demolition of various structures located at: Page 3 of 15  1) 3407 Victory Drive (Ricky Johnson, Owner) 2) 1209 Carmel Court (Latasha Burns, Owner) 3) 1553 Holland Avenue (Holmer Jenkins Jr., Owner) 4) 225 21st Avenue (Marcelo Ramirez, Owner) 5) 517 Chesterfield Avenue (Tawana Mckelvey, Owner) 6) 2614 Jones Avenue (Alice Butler, Owner) 7) 4212 7th Avenue (Winston Marchan Jr., Owner) 8) 2928 10th Street (Audrey Palmore & Robert Holston, Owner) and for demolition services for the Inspections and Code Department in accordance with the Tabulation of Bid sheet attached as Exhibit A; and for other purposes. (Mayor Pro Tem) RESOLUTIONS City Attorney’s Agenda #10: Vote Result: APPROVED 10. A Resolution granting a Special Exception Use for property located at 7701 River Road in the RE1 (Residential Estate 1) zoning district with conditions. The proposed use is to allow Places of Worship, 250 or more seats in the RE1 (Residential Estate 1) zoning district. (The Planning Department and PAC recommended Approval.) (Councilor Davis) City Attorney’s Agenda #11: Vote Result: APPROVED 11. A Resolution authorizing the execution of Federal Aviation Administration Grant Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grant No. 3-13-0035-063-2025. (Request of Columbus Airport Commission.) PUBLIC AGENDA 1. Dr. Natalie Nicole, representing Role Model Academy, Re: Requesting measurable accountability to ensure residents receive reliable results for money invested in neighborhoods. No Action Taken 2. Reverend James Clements, representing IMA, Re: It's Not a Crime to be Without. No Action Taken 3. Ms. Theresa El-Amin, representing Southern Anti-Racism Network, Re: Do we need a mega jail? Strategies for housing the unhoused. No Action Taken Page 4 of 15 4. Mr. Val McGowan, Re: Section 8 Housing. No Action Taken CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA City Manager’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: DELAYED for further discussion until the October 14, 2025 Council Meeting 1. Contract Extension with Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau (CCVB) Approval is requested to extend the intergovernmental agreement between the Columbus Consolidated Government (CCG) and the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau (CCVB) for an additional five-year period as originally authorized in Resolution No. 294-09 and subsequent extensions per Resolution No. 282-15 and Resolution No. 337-20. City Manager’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Temporary Use for Astible Acres, LLC Approval is requested to authorize a temporary use at 1009 Bay Avenue for a fall market operated by Astible Acres, LLC in partnership with Uptown Columbus, Inc from September 19, 2025 to October 31, 2025. City Manager’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: APPROVED 3. 2025 TRANSCAER Hazmat Response Fund Grant Approval is requested to apply for and accept a grant in the amount of $1,567.35 or as otherwise awarded, from the Transcaer Hazmat Team Response Fund for the purchase of equipment used for the Columbus Fire & EMS regional hazmat team, with no matching funds required. And amend the Multi-Government fund by the amount of the award. City Manager’s Agenda #4: Vote Result: APPROVED 4. The Sleep Center Mattress Donation Approval is requested to accept a donation of 28 Tempur-Pedic Mattresses valued at $2,499.00 each for a total donation of $70,000.00 from The Sleep Center to the Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Service to support the health, rest, and recovery of Fire and EMS personnel, enabling them to perform at their best during emergency responses. There are no matching funds required. Page 5 of 15 City Manager’s Agenda #5: Vote Result: APPROVED 5. Columbus Police Department: Donation Approval is requested to accept a generous donation from the Columbus Kennel Club, Inc. in the amount of $5,000.00 to directly assist in providing the necessary equipment, supplies, and ongoing training for the K-9s and their handlers, ensuring they are well-prepared to serve and protect our community. City Manager’s Agenda #6: Vote Result: APPROVED 6. International Paper Grant Approval is requested to apply for and accept, if awarded, a grant in the amount of $50,000.00 or as otherwise awarded by International Paper to help fund the purchase of a public safety robot – Spot and amend the multi-government fund by the amount of the award. There is no matching funds required. City Manager’s Agenda #7(A-C): Vote Result: APPROVED 7. PURCHASES A. Fire Hoses and Nozzles for Fire & EMS Department – GSA Cooperative Contract Purchase B. Contract Extension for Course Instructors for the Department of Human Resources/The Learning Center (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 19-0003 C. Contract Extension for Banking Services (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 19-0002 8. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS A. Inspections and Code Update – Ryan Pruett, Inspections & Code, Director. No Action Taken BID ADVERTISEMENT DATE: September 9, 2025 TO: Mayor and Councilors FROM: Finance Department SUBJECT: Advertised Bids/RFPs/RFQs Page 6 of 15  September 24, 2025 2. Double Churches Pool Repairs – RFB No. 26-0006 Scope of Bid Provide all labor, equipment and materials to repair the pool at Double Churches Park. A mandatory site visit is scheduled at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA ENCLOSURES - ACTION REQUESTED Clerk of Council’s Agenda #1: Vote Result: APPROVED 1. Resolution – A resolution changing the regularly scheduled Council meetings for the month of September 2025. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #2: Vote Result: APPROVED 2. Resolution – A resolution excusing the absence of Councilor Toyia Tucker from the September 16, 2025, Council Meeting. Clerk of Council’s Agenda #3: Vote Result: RECEIVED 3. Minutes of the following boards Board of Historic & Architectural Review 04-14-25 Board of Historic & Architectural Review 05-12-25 Board of Tax Assessors #28-25 Building Authority of Columbus 03-27-24 Convention and Visitors Board of Commissioners 06-11-25 Employee Benefits Committee 04-07-25 Retirees' Health Benefits Committee 05-21-25 ADD-ON RESOLUTION: Clerk of Council (Add-on Resolution): Vote Result: APPROVED A resolution excusing Councilor John Anker from the September 16, 2025, Council Meeting. Page 7 of 15 BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED 4. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS – ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(A): No Action Taken A. BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: _______________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Mayor’s Appointment) Term Expired: March 24, 2025 Terms are two years. Meets as needed. Women: 1 Senatorial District 15: 0 Senatorial District 29: 3 Vacancies: 2 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(B): No Action Taken B. CONVENTION & VISITORS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS (CVB): Lauren Becker Open for Nominations Not Eligible (Mayor’s Appointment) Term Expires: December 31, 2025 Miles Greathouse Open for Nominations Not Eligible (Mayor’s Appointment) (Restaurant/Retail Trade) Term Expires: December 31, 2025 NOTE: These appointments are to be in July of each year prior to the expiration of the term with the new appointment term beginning in January. Terms are three years. Meets monthly. Page 8 of 15  Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 5 Senatorial District 29: 4 Vacancies: 0 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(C): Nomination: Mayor Henderson nominated William Burgin to fill the vacant seat on the Housing Authority of Columbus; Vote Result: CONFIRMED C. HOUSING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: ____________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Mayor’s Appointment) Term Expired: April 30, 2025 *The Housing Authority is recommending William Burgin. The terms five years. Meets monthly. Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 3 Senatorial District 29: 3 Vacancies: 1 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #4(D): No Action Taken D. 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 Page 9 of 15 5. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS – READY FOR CONFIRMATION: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(A): Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. BOARD OF HONOR: Beth Harris was nominated to serve another term. (Councilor Crabb’s nominee) Term expires: October 31, 2029 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(B): Vote Result: CONFIRMED B. LIBERTY THEATRE & CULTURAL ARTS CENTER ADVISORY BOARD: Cleteus D. Richardson was nominated to serve another term. (Mayor Pro Tem Allen’s nominee) Term expires: August 14, 2029 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #5(C): Vote Result: CONFIRMED C. LIBERTY THEATRE & CULTURAL ARTS CENTER ADVISORY BOARD: Arreasha Z. Lawrence Bryant was nominated to serve another term. (Councilor Chambers’s nominee) Term expires: August 14, 2029 6. COUNCIL DISTRICT SEAT APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(A): Nomination: Councilor Garrett nominated James Jordan to fill the vacant seat for the District 8 Representative on the Civic Center Advisory Board; Vote Result: CONFIRMED A. CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD: __________________ (District 8 – Garrett) Vacant Term Expired: March 1, 2025 *Councilor Garrett is nominating James Jordan. The terms are two years. Meets quarterly. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 8 Senatorial District 29: 4 Vacancies: 0 Page 10 of 15 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(B): No Action Taken B. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (District 2 – Davis) Term Expires: March 27, 2026 __________________ 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 #6(C): Nomination(s): Councilor Hickey renominated Abdel Hernandez (District 1), Councilor Huff renominated Tracy Walton-Kin (District 3), and Councilor Cogle renominated Walter Taylor (District 7) on the Public Safety Advisory Commission; Vote Result: CONFIRMED C. PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION: Abdel Hernandez Open for Nominations Eligible (District 1 – Hickey) Term Expires: October 31, 2025 *Interested in serving another term. Tracy Walton-King Open for Nominations Eligible (District 3 – Huff) Term Expires: October 31, 2025 Page 11 of 15  *Interested in serving another term. Paul T. Berry, III Open for Nominations Eligible (District 5 – Crabb) Term Expires: October 31, 2025 *Not interested in serving another term. Walter Taylor Open for Nominations Eligible (District 7 – Cogle) Term Expires: October 31, 2025 *Interested in serving another term. Scott Taft Open for Nominations Not Eligible (District 9 – Anker) Term Expires: October 31, 2025 The terms are three years. Meets monthly. Women: 3 Senatorial District 15: 4 Senatorial District 29: 3 Vacancies: 0 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #6(D): No Action Taken D. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: District 9 Nominee: ______________ District 10 Nominee: 7. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS – ANY NOMINATIONS WOULD BE LISTED FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(A): Nomination: Councilor Crabb nominated Dr. Jo April Brown for the Animal Control Advisory Board A. ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD: __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Council’s Appointment) (Georgia Licensed Veterinarian) Term Expires: October 15, 2026 Page 12 of 15  *Councilor Crabb is nominating Dr. Jo April Brown. The terms are two years. Meet as needed. Women: 7 Senatorial District 15: 3 Senatorial District 29: 4 Vacancies: 5 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(B): No Action Taken B. KEEP COLUMBUS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION: __________________ Open for Nominations Vacant (Council’s Appointment) (Senatorial District 29) Term Expires: June 30, 2026 The terms are three years. Meets every other month. Women: 4 Senatorial District 15: 5 Senatorial District 29: 3 Vacancies: 1 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(C): No Action Taken C. LIBERTY THEATRE & CULTURAL ARTS CENTER ADVISORY BOARD: VACANT Open for Nominations Eligible (Council’s Appointment) Term Expired: August 14, 2025 VACANT Open for Nominations Eligible (Council’s Appointment) Term Expired: August 14, 2026 The terms are four years. Meets every other month. Women: 5 Senatorial District 15: 7 Page 13 of 15  Senatorial District 29: 4 Vacancies: 2 Clerk of Council’s Agenda #7(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 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 PUBLIC AGENDA (continued): 3. Ms. Theresa El-Amin, representing Southern Anti-Racism Network, Re: Do we need a mega jail? Strategies for housing the unhoused. No Action Taken EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Henderson entertained a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation as requested by City Attorney Fay. Mayor Pro Tem Allen made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilor Hickey and carried unanimously by the six members present, with Councilors Crabb and Davis being absent for the vote, Councilors Anker and Tucker being absent from the meeting, and the time being 11:50 a.m. The Regular Meeting was reconvened at 12:07 p.m., at which time, Mayor Henderson announced that the Council did meet in Executive Session to discuss litigation; however, there were no votes taken. Page 14 of 15 ADD-ON RESOLUTION: City Attorney (Add-on Resolution): Vote Result: APPROVED A resolution authorizing a payment of $17,500 to settle claims filed by Linda Kathleen Borum, employee of the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office. With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Henderson entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Allen to adjourn the September 16, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Councilor Garrett and carried unanimously by the eight members present, with Councilors Anker and Tucker being absent from the meeting, and the time being 12:08 p.m. Page 15 of 15