Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2020 – 6:00 PM COLUMBUS CITY HALL Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the City has adopted practices to reduce the number of people gathering at one time, and facilitate social distancing. Residents wishing to comment are encouraged to email The Mayor, their Alderperson(s) or the City Clerk prior to the meeting to keep in-person attendance at a safe number. Email correspondence to the City Clerk will be made part of the record. The use of masks that cover the nose and mouth is highly encouraged for all in attendance. Because of the social distancing requirement the seating configuration of the Council Chambers has limited seats available for the public during this meeting. If the seating capacity is not sufficient to handle all of those wishing to speak, there will be a designated area to line up just outside of the Council Chambers. Excess participants will be allowed into the Chambers to make comments, but if there are no vacant seats when they conclude their comments, they will need to leave the Chambers so the next citizen can have their opportunity to comment. This meeting, like our regular meetings, is broadcast live on Spectrum Channel 980, and will be available for online viewing. 1. Roll Call: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Council President Ryan. Present: Gray, McCabe, Pyfferoen, Reid, Ryan, Thom; City Administrator Ellefson, City Attorney Johnson, City Clerk Goebel, interested citizens and the media. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted. 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Pyfferoen, second by Reid to approve the agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Discuss and Approve Procedure for Meeting: Those who wish to speak, and have signed up will be allowed 3 minutes to speak; those who wish to speak and have not signed up will be allowed 2 minutes to speak. City Attorney Johnson updated the Council on the history of the statue. The City acquired the statue in 2012; it was a gift from the Quincentennial Committee who had purchased the statue, and the land where it sits was donated by Dan Amato. The City accepted the statue in 2012 with no strings attached. In 2015 during the street project, it was determined the statue sits in the DOT's right-of-way. The DOT does not want the statue in their right-of-way, but has not asked the City to move it. In 2017, there was talk of possibly moving the statue to a new location, but it's heavy, large, and would be expensive to move. The City Council is not required to take any action on the petition, but there are a three choices: forward to Regular council meeting for action, table for further COW meetings and more information, or do nothing. 5. Public Comments Regarding the Abbi Adams Petition: Eleven people spoke for and against the status of the statue. Mayor Thom read the names of fifteen city residents who submitted comments via email. Public comment closed at 6:40 pm. 6. Further Discussion Regarding the Petition: Discussion and consensus to move forward to Regular meeting July 7. 7. Adjourn: Motion by Gray, second by Pyfferoen to adjourn at 7:05 pm. Carried voice vote. Submitted by: Pat Goebel, City Clerk