City Council

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF SAVANNAH CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL SAVANNAH, GEORGIA June 2, 2011 The regular meeting of Council was held this date at 2:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The invocation was given by Alderman Jackson, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Minutes of the meeting of May 19, 2011 City Council Meeting and the May 19, 2011 Summary/Final Minutes of the City Council Workshop and City Manager’s Briefing were approved upon motion of Alderman Felser, seconded by Alderman Thomas, and carried. PRESENT: Mayor Otis S. Johnson, Presiding Mayor Pro-Tem Edna B. Jackson Alderman Tony Thomas, Chairman of Council Alderman Aldermen Larry Stuber, Clifton Jones, Jeff Felser, Mary Osborne and Mary Ellen Sprague City Manager Rochelle D. Small-Toney City Attorney James B. Blackburn Asst. City Attorneys William W. Shearouse and Lester B. Johnson, III ABSENT: Alderman Van Johnson (attending National League of Cities Conference) PRESENTATIONS An appearance by Sylvester Formey, Savannah Airport Commission Chairman, Patrick Graham, Executive Director, and John Rauback, Director of Administration and Finance, concerning the issuance of City of Savannah Airport Refunding Revenue Bonds to achieve debt service savings for the Airport Commission. Mr. Graham thanked Finance Director Dick Evans and City Attorney James Blackburn for their assistance. The underwriting team is Seibert, Brandford, Shank, & Co., LLC. Savannah is Ms. Shank’s home town. (See “RESOLUTIONS”.) An appearance by Undine Truedell, Interim Cultural Affairs Director; Jessica Putallaz, Cultural Affairs Marketing Coordinator; Linda Evans, Cultural Affairs Commission Chairwoman and Val Prompalin, Asian Festival Planning Committee member representing the country of Thailand to announce the 16th Savannah Asian Festival at the Savannah Civic Center on June 11, 2011, at 11:00 am. Mayor Johnson stated this will be the first festival he has missed in eight years. He also stated, next to the Black heritage Festival, this is the most attended festival that the City sponsors. Approximately 12, 000 people attended last year. An appearance by Dr. Linda Bleicken, Armstrong Atlantic State University President; Dr. Anne Thompson, Vice President of Academic Affairs; Dr. James Anderson, International Education Director; and Dr. Daniel Liang, Professor of Computer Science to announce the signing of the Exchange Program with Jiujiang University in Jiujiang, China. Dr. Bleicken stated the delegation went to China May 14, 2011. The delegation presented the Mayor a framed photograph of the entrance of the university. The two public universities are now connected. LEGISLATIVE REPORTS ALCOHOL BEVERAGES LICENSE HEARING Jan Nguyen for Jan and Hung LLC d/b/a X & I Nails Studio, requesting a wine (drink) license at 10419 Abercorn Street, which is a new location between Tibet and Magnolia Avenues in District 6. (New location. Continued from May 19, 2011.) Application was withdrawn.) 1 Nital Patel for Trish Corporation d/b/a T&K Liquor, Beer and Wine, requesting a liquor, beer and wine (package) license at 726 W. Oglethorpe Avenue, which had a 2010 liquor, beer and wine (package) license revoked and is located between Fahm Street and Highway 17-A in District 1. (Continued from April 7, 2011.) Recommend authorizing the City Attorney to notify Nital Patel to appear on June 16, 2011 and show-cause why the application should not be denied based on the continued involvement of the former license holder whose license was revoked last November due to underage sales. Upon motion by Alderman Jackson, seconded by Alderman Jones and carried, the license request has been continued until the June 16, 2011 meeting. ZONING HEARINGS Metropolitan Planning Commission (Z-110322-89661-2), recommending an amendment to Section 8-3112(c)(5)e of the Zoning Ordinance to clarify requirements pertaining to digital billboard technology in certain zoning classifications. The recommended amendments clarify some minor language ambiguities, strengthen distance requirements from residential zones, provide that such signs shall not be permitted within the boundaries of any locally designated Historic District or property as well as any Historic District as defined by the National Historic Register, and require that each billboard have an attached placard identifying the owner and the party responsible for its construction and maintenance and the permit number issued by the Zoning Administrator. (Continued from May 5, 2011. MPC requested continuing the hearing to June 16, 2011.) Upon motion by Alderman Jackson, seconded by Alderman Stuber and carried, the request has been continued until the June 16, 2011 meeting. William Searcy and Mark Glidewell, Agents for NLAH, LP, Owner, requesting 68th Street from B-N (Neighborhood Business) and R-6 (One-Family Residential) to B-N. The Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) recommends approval. The proposed zoning is consistent with both the commercial-neighborhood designation depicted on the Tri- Centennial Comprehensive Plan Development Map and with the general development pattern in the area. Though the properties are split zoned, the current uses on the properties have been in existence for many years. It is unlikely that a change in zoning classification would cause development conditions to exceed those which currently exist. Moreover, the properties lie within an area that is likely to transition over time to more service and medical related uses. Upon motion my Alderman Jackson, seconded by Alderman Felser and carried, the request was granted. PETITIONS Stephen F. Greenberg – Petition 13277, requesting a Quit Claim Deed conveying to Lynda B. Norris any interest that the City may have in the property located at 634 E. 52nd Street (PIN 20085-25005) arising from a tax deed. There is a City Marshal’s Deed of record for this property, dated August 25, 1992, and Lynda B. Norris is requesting that a Quit Claim Deed be granted to release the City’s interest and provide clear title. The property is known and designated as Lots Numbered Three Hundred Twenty-Eight (328), Three Hundred Twenty-Nine (329) and Three Hundred Thirty (330), Canty Ward, all lots being contiguous and having a combined frontage on 52nd Street of Ninety (90) feet and rectangular depth in the northerly direction of One Hundred Five (105) feet and being bounded as follows: on the North by a lane; on the East by Lot 327, said Ward; on the South by 52nd Street and on the West by Lot 331, said Ward. All taxes and fees have been paid. (See “RESOLUTIONS”.) Upon motion by Alderman Jackson, seconded by Alderman Thomas and carried, the petition was granted. RESOLUTIONS Airport Refunding Revenue Bonds. A resolution providing for the issuance of City of Savannah Airport Refunding Revenue Bonds Series 2011A and Series 2011B in the combined principal amount of $15,125,000*. Because municipal interest rates are near historic lows, the City’s airport revenue bonds issued in 2001 are candidates for a current refunding at lower interest rates which will achieve debt service savings for the Airport Commission. At the March 24, 2011 meeting of Council, authorization was granted to proceed with the preparation of a refunding bond issue to be sold via negotiation. The 2 Airport Commission issued its request for proposals for underwriting services, and selected an underwriting team consisting of Seibert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC as senior manager and Morgan Keegan as co-manager. This team together with the bond counsel team, the financial advisor team, and the City Attorney have prepared documents for the transaction. Pricing on the bonds is scheduled for June 1, 2011. Market conditions on that day will determine the final size of the issue and the savings achieved. Based on market conditions on May 20, 2011, the size of the issue will be $15,125,000* ($6,865,000* for Series 2011A (non-AMT) and $8,260,000* for Series 2011B Airport Refunding Revenue Bonds. A resolution providing for the issuance of City of Savannah Airport Refunding Revenue Bonds Series 2011A and Series 2011B in the combined principal amount of $15,125,000*. Because municipal interest rates are near historic lows, the City’s airport revenue bonds issued in 2001 are candidates for a current refunding at lower interest rates which will achieve debt service savings for the Airport Commission. At the March 24, 2011 meeting of Council, authorization was granted to proceed with the preparation of a refunding bond issue to be sold via negotiation. The Airport Commission issued its request for proposals for underwriting services, and selected an underwriting team consisting of Seibert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC as senior manager and Morgan Keegan as co-manager. This team together with the bond counsel team, the financial advisor team, and the City Attorney have prepared documents for the transaction. Pricing on the bonds is scheduled for June 1, 2011. Market conditions on that day will determine the final size of the issue and the savings achieved. Based on market conditions on May 20, 2011, the size of the issue will be $15,125,000* ($6,865,000* for Series 2011A (non-AMT) and $8,260,000* for Series 2011B. The bonds are secured solely by resources of the Airport Commission derived from its operation of the Airport. No credit enhancement involving tax revenue or other resources of the City are involved in security for the bonds. It is recommended that the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds be adopted and that the City Manger be authorized to execute a Bond Purchase Agreement with the underwriting team of Seibert Brandford Shank and Morgan Keegan. (*Preliminary amount subject to change based on market conditions on June 1, 2011.) Complete resolution on file in the Clerk of Council’s Office. Upon motion by Alderman Felser, seconded by Alderman Stuber and carried the refunding was granted. Sunday Alcohol Sales Referendum. A resolution authorizing the Clerk of Council to call for the Chatham County Board of Elections to place this question, as provided for by Georgia Law, on the ballot for the General Election on November 8, 2011: “Shall the governing authority of the city of Savannah, Georgia be authorized to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of malt beverages, wine, and distilled spirits on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 P.M. and 11:30 P.M.?” Mayor Johnson pointed out this action is only to call for a referendum; it is not to approve of Sunday sales. SUNDAY ALCOHOL SALES REFERENDUM QUESTION WHEREAS, Governor Nathan Deal signed Senate Bill 10 on April 28, 2011 allowing local authorization and regulation for the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday; and WHEREAS, the Bill requires the governing authority to present a referendum question to its voters, and WHEREAS, in accordance with Senate Bill 10, the referendum question shall read as follows: “( ) YES Shall the governing authority of the City of Savannah, Georgia, be authorized to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of malt beverages, wine, and ( ) NO Distilled spirits on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 P.M. and 11:30 P.M.?” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, authorizes the Clerk of Council to proceed accordingly to present the referendum question to its voters in conjunction with the regularly scheduled General Election on November 8, 2011. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Election Superintendent is authorized to place the referendum question on the election ballot. 3 Adopted this 2nd day of June, 201, Upon motion by Alderman Thomas, seconded by Alderman Felser and carried. Right-of-Way Deed – Georgia Department of Transportation. A resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary right-of-way deed to the Georgia Department of Transportation for improvements at the intersection of Gulfstream Road and Crossgate Road. Upon motion by Alderman Thomas, seconded by Alderman Jackson and carried the resolution was granted. Deed on file in the Clerk of Council’s Office. Quit Claim and Fee Simple Deeds – SAVANNAH, GA, FD, LLC. A resolution to authorize granting a deed to SAVANNAH, GA, FD, LLC, for the unopened portion of Amaranth Street between Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Boulevard and Montgomery Street, together with a triangular remnant lot bounded by MLK Boulevard, Exchange Street, and unopened Amaranth Street. On April 21, 2011, Council declared surplus this unopened portion of Amaranth Street and an adjacent remnant lot located at 0 MLK Boulevard, PIN 2-0091-05-001, in order to offer the properties for sale to the adjacent property owner. Robert Sample, doing business as The Waterfront Company LLC, is under contract to purchase the adjacent property from Bayakopa LLP and develop the site for a Family Dollar Store. He expects to close on this transaction within days of Council’s action. Title to the adjacent property will be transferred into the name of SAVANNAH, GA, FD, LLC, (a limited liability company registered in Georgia) prior to accepting the deeds from the City. At Traffic Engineering’s request, Mr. Samples has agreed to convey additional right-of-way to the City for sidewalks along South Street and for the location of a signal light along Montgomery Street. In addition, the City will retain a 40’ x 40’ x 28.05’ triangle at the intersection of MLK and Exchange as right-of- way for traffic safety purposes. The City will also reserve a 25’ utility easement within unopened Amaranth Street for the operation and At Traffic Engineering’s request, Mr. Samples has agreed to convey additional right-of-way to the City for sidewalks along South Street and for the location of a signal light along Montgomery Street. In addition, the City will retain a 40’ x 40’ x 28.05’ triangle at the intersection of MLK and Exchange as right-of-way for traffic safety purposes. The City will also reserve a 25’ utility easement within unopened Amaranth Street for the operation and maintenance of water and sewer lines within the right-of-way. In response to concerns expressed by MPC, SDRA, and Development Services, Mr. Samples and his contractor/partner, Joe Strickland of Premiere Builders, have agreed to make changes to the exterior of the proposed building. These changes are primarily aesthetic in nature and include adding faux windows to the MLK elevation and covering the metal walls with stucco or other wall cladding systems. Approval of the resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the quit claim deed and fee simple deed transferring the unopened portion of Amaranth Street and the adjacent City-owned remnant lot for $6,662.00. The deed will not be released to SAVANNAH, GA, FD, LLC, until title to the adjacent property is vested in the company. RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE GRANTING OF A DEED TO SAVANNAH, GA, FD, LLC, FOR THE UNOPENED PORTION OF AMARANTH STREET LYING BETWEEN MLK BLVD. ON THE WEST AND MONTGOMERY STREET ON THE EAST, TOGETHER WITH A TRIANGULAR REMNANT LOT BOUNDED BY MLK BLVD. ON THE WEST, EXCHANGE STREET ON THE SOUTH, AND UNOPENED AMARANTH STREET ON THE NORTH. WHEREAS, the within described property was declared surplus to the City’s needs on the 21st day of April, 2011; and WHEREAS, under O.C.G.A.§ 36-37-6(g) and 32-7-4, the City of Savannah may offer such property for sale to the adjacent owners; and WHEREAS, Bayakopa LLP (“Bayakopa”) is the only owner of the property adjacent to the subject portions; and WHEREAS, The Waterfront Company LLC (“Waterfront”) is under contract with Bayakopa to purchase their property and has petitioned the City to acquire the herein described surplus property; and 4 WHEREAS, title to the adjacent property will be transferred into the name of SAVANNAH, GA, FD, LLC, (a limited liability company registered in the state of Georgia) prior to transfer of the City property; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah have approved the conveyance of the property to SAVANNAH, GA, FD, LLC, for fair market value, once said company has acquired the adjacent property from Baykopa; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah in regular meeting of Council assembled, that the City Manager is authorized to execute a Quit Claim Deed and a Fee Simple Deed to SAVANNAH, GA, FD, LLC, to the property described herein, and the Clerk of Council to attest said Deed and affix the City’s seal. Said deed shall be released to SAVANNAH, GA, FD, LLC upon submittal of documentation showing clear title to the adjacent property. EXHIBIT A LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS All that certain lot, tract or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the City of Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, known on a map or plan of said City as that portion of unopened Amaranth Street, a 30’ right-of-way, running between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on the west and Montgomery Street on the east, EXCEPTING any portion of said right-of-way which lies within that 40’ x 40’ x 28.05’ triangle at the intersection of MLK Blvd. and Exchange Street being retained by the City of Savannah, all of which is shown on a plat dated May 6, 2011, made by Carl R. Jackson Land Surveyor, Inc., Registered Land Surveyor No. 2555, and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court records, Chatham County, Georgia. TOGETHER WITH All that certain lot, tract or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the City of Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, known on a map or plan of said City as Lots N and O and a portion of Lot P, Colding Ward, lying east of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (formerly W. Broad Street). Said lot is triangular in nature and is bounded as follows: on the west by MLK Blvd., on the south and east by Exchange Street, and on the north by unopened Amaranth Street, as shown on a plat dated May 6, 2011, made by Carl R. Jackson Land Surveyor, Inc., Registered Land Surveyor No. 2555, and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court records, Chatham County, Georgia, EXCEPTING any portion of said lot which lies within that 40’ x 40’ X28.05’ triangle at the intersection of MLK Blvd. and Exchange Street being retained by the City of Savannah. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 2nd day of June, 2011 upon motion by Alderman Felser, seconded by Alderman Jackson and carried. Quit Claim Deed – Lynda B. Norris. A resolution to authorize the City Manager to sign the Quit Claim Deed conveying to Lynda B. Norris any interest that the City may have in the property at 634 E. 52nd Street (PIN 20085-25005) arising from a City Marshal’s Deed of record dated August 25, 1992. All taxes and fees have been paid A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE GRANTING OF A QUIT CLAIM DEED TO LYNDA B. NORIS TO RELEASE ANY INTEREST WHICH THE CITY MAY HAVE IN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 634 EAST 52ND STREET. WHEREAS, there is a City Marshal’s Deeds of record dated August 25, 1992 for said property; and WHEREAS, Lynda B. Norris, is requesting that the City grant a Quit Claim Deed to release any interest it may have by virtue of said Marshal’s Deed; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah in regular meeting of Council assembled, that the City Manager is authorized to execute a Quit Claim Deed to Lynda B. Norris, to the property described herein, and the Clerk of Council to attest said Deed and affix the City’s seal. 5  All those certain lots, tracts or parcels of land situate, lying and being in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, known and designated as LOTS NUMBERED THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT (328), THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-NINE (329) AND THREE HUNDED THIRTY (330), CANTY WARD, all lots being contiguous and having a combined frontage on 52nd Street of Ninety (90) feet and rectangular depth in the northerly direction of One Hundred Five (105) feet and being bounded as follows: on the North by a lane; on the East by Lot 327, said Ward; on the South by 52nd Street and on the West by Lot 331, said Ward. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 2nd day of June, 2011 upon motion by Alderman Thomas, Seconded by Alderman Jackson and carried. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Radar Permit List of Roadways. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has completed the final review of the combined Savannah and Chatham County Radar Permit List of Roadways, which includes changes and additions to City Code, Appendix I, Section 208 previously approved by City Council. All appropriate speed limit signs on local streets within the Savannah city limits are already in place. Speed limit signs on the state routes will be erected by GDOT, and speed limit signs on unincorporated Chatham County streets will be erected by Chatham County Public Works. It was recommended that the City Manager be authorized to sign the appropriate documents. Upon motion by Alderman Jackson, seconded by Alderman Felser and carried the list was approved. Complete list of roadways are on file in the Clerk of Council’s Office. Final Plat – Willow Point, Phase 4A. Approval of the final plat for Willow Point, Phase 4A, a portion of Tract I, The Highlands at Godley Station, located off of Highlands Boulevard in District 1. Upon motion by Alderman Felser, seconded by Alderman Sprague and carried the plat was approved. ************************************************* Upon motion of Alderman Thomas, seconded by Alderman Stuber and carried, the following bids, contracts and agreements were approved: BIDS, CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS Approval to procure three utility body trucks from Bartow Ford in the amount of $67,458.00. The trucks will be used to replace unit 3606 for Building and Electrical Maintenance, unit 3201 for Storm Water and unit 4842 for President Street Plant. All of the trucks scheduled for replacement are no longer economical to operate or repair. In March 2011, Bartow Ford was awarded Bid No. 11.051 and has offered to hold the bid price for this purchase. Delivery: 90-130 Days. Terms: Net-30 Days. Funds are available in the 2011 Budget, Vehicle Replacement Fund/Vehicle Purchases/Vehicular Equipment (Account No. 613-9230-51515). Whitaker Street Garage Exit Payment Station – Sole Source – Requisition No. 1191658. Approval to procure one exit payment station from Carolina Time Equipment Company in the amount of $57,327.00. The self-service exit payment station will be used at the St. Julian Street exit of the Whitaker Street Garage to alleviate customer backup at the cashier station. The reason for a sole source purchase is that Carolina Time Equipment Company is the regional distributor for the Amano exit system installed during the construction of the garage and this additional equipment must be able to communicate with the existing system. Delivery: As Required. Terms: Net-30 Days. Funds are available in the 2011 Budget, Capital Improvement Fund/Improvement Projects/Other Costs/Whitaker Garage Exit Lane (Account No. 311-9207-52842-PB529.) A Pre-Bid Conference was not conducted as this is a sole source purchase. (D)Indicates non-local non-minority owned business. Landfill Bulldozer Repairs – Emergency Purchase – Requisition No. 11194507. Approval to procure bulldozer track and undercarriage repair services from Yancey Brothers 6 Company in the amount of $29,079.57. In May 2009, Yancey was awarded the contract to procure a bulldozer for use at the Landfill which included a five year maintenance agreement and a guaranteed buy back option. The buyback option required that all repairs made during the five year period be performed by Yancey. This was handled on an emergency basis to prevent excessive equipment rental fees to keep the Landfill operating while the bulldozer was repaired. Delivery: As Required. Terms: Net-30 Days. Funds are available in the 2011 Budget, Internal Service Fund/Vehicle Maintenance/Outside Vehicle Repairs (Account No. 611-1130-51254). Truck Scale for Dean Forest Landfill – RFP No. 11.003. Approval of an additional $30,000.00 to correct the amount approved for payment to Sisson Scale & Equipment Company on May 10, 2011. The truck scale has been installed at the Dean Forest Landfill as part of the construction of the administration building currently underway. Sisson Scale & Equipment Company proposed $72,480.00 but $42,480.00 was shown on the agenda due to a typographical error. The additional $30,000.00 is the difference. (Two other companies submitted proposals in the amounts of $108,366.00 and $128,402.86.) Funds are available in the 2011 Budget, Capital Improvements Fund/Capital Improvements Projects/Other Costs/Dean Forest Landfill Administration Building (Account No. 311-9207-52842-SA500). Robinson Garage – Contract Modification No.1 – Bid No. 10.136 (PB424). Approval of Contract Modification No. 1 in the amount of $107,835.69 with E & D Contracting Services. The modification includes additional work necessary to bring the new stairwell into NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) compliance. The original contract included a redesign of the original plans which increased the number of stairs and brought the handrail on both sides of the stairwell into compliance. During demolition it was discovered that the existing stairwell was not built per the drawings provided to the designer. This included the existing beams not being placed on any type of bearing support. In addition the existing beams were embedded further into the concrete than was anticipated. This required a slab support assembly on the new beam to support the additional concrete. Approval of Contract Modification No. 1 to E & D Contracting Services in the amount of $107,835.69 and an increase of 311 days to the schedule. Funds are available in the 2011 Budget, Capital Improvements Fund/Capital Improvement Projects/Other Costs/Robinson Garage Maintenance (Account No. 311-9207-52842- PB424). Towing of Abandoned Vehicles – Annual Contract – Bid No. 11.105. Awarded an annual contract to procure towing of abandoned vehicles from S & S Towing, Inc. in the estimated revenue amount of $87,230.00. The contract is used by Property Maintenance for the removal and storage of abandoned and derelict vehicles. The contract is also used by Parking Services to remove booted and illegally parked vehicles. This contract provides revenue to the City. The towing companies pay the City a flat fee for each vehicle towed and stored and receive compensation from the owners or through sale of the vehicles. Delivery: As Required. Terms: Net-30 Days. Remittance Processing System – Annual Contract – RFP No. 11.054. Awarded an annual contract to procure a remittance processing system from RT Lawrence in the amount of $47,171.00. The system will be used by the Revenue Department to process payments received by the City for utility and property tax payments. The system scans, encodes and endorses the checks and electronic payment images, creates output files to feed into both the new and old revenue software systems in order to credit payments to the correct account. The system will also provide image retrieval and archiving. The costs include the initial purchase and installation of the system and the first year's licensing fees. The method used for this procurement was the Request for Proposal (RFP) which evaluates criteria in addition to price. The criteria evaluated as part of this RFP were qualifications and experience including support capabilities, technical capabilities, and references in addition to the costs. Delivery: As Needed. Terms: Net-30 Days. Funds are available in the 2011 Budget, Water & Sewer Operating Fund/Water & Sewer Revenue/Computer Hardware/Software (Account No.521-1112-51510). Long Term Disability Benefits – Annual Contract Renewal – RFP No. 11.115. Renewed an annual contract to procure group long term disability benefits from Standard Insurance Company in the amount of $153,504.00. The rates are $.19 per $100 payroll. The insurance plan guarantees that employees with one or more years of service who become permanently or temporarily disabled will receive a monthly benefit of at least 50% of 7 their salary. The benefit is offset by other income benefits such as the pension plan, Social Security and Worker’s Compensation for the employee and any additional benefits received by the family due to the employee's disability. This is the third of four renewal options available. The method used to procure these services was the Request for Proposal (RFP) which evaluates other criteria in addition to price. The criteria evaluated as part of this RFP were completeness of response, comparison of proposed plan with current plan, qualifications, experience and service capabilities, references, industry rating and premium rates. Proposals were received from four proposers and evaluated on the basis of all evaluation criteria. Delivery: As Needed. Terms: Net-30 Days. Funds are available in the 2011 Budget, Risk Management Fund/Risk Management- Disability/Purchased Insurance Premiums (Account No. 621- 9808-52225). Grounds Maintenance for Laurel Grove North Cemetery – Annual Contract Renewal – Bid No. 11.118. Renewed an annual contract to procure grounds maintenance from Basic Cleaning Company in the amount of $57,014.10. The services will be used to maintain the grounds at Laurel Grove Cemetery North. This is the second and final renewal option available for this contract. The reason for not originally selecting the low bidder is that Yard Boys withdrew their bid because it did not reflect the total areas specified in the bid. Delivery: As Needed. Terms: Net-30 Days. Funds are available in the 2011Budget, General Fund/City Cemeteries/Other Contractual Services (Account No. 101-6124-51295. Protective Clothing – Annual Contract Renewal – Bid No. 11.113. Renewed an annual contract to procure 60 complete sets of protective clothing (coats, pants, boots, suspenders, gloves, hoods and helmets) from NAFECO in the amount of $129,922.30. The protective clothing will be used by the Savannah Fire Department and EmergencyServices. The reason for not selecting the low bidder is that Ten-8 Fire & Safety Equipment did not meet the required brand as specified. The brand specified matches existing protective pants and coats to allow for interchangeability. Delivery: As Needed. Terms: Net-30 Days. Funds are available in the 2011 Budget, General Fund/Fire Operations/Clothing & Laundry (Account No. 101-5140-51310). ********************************************************************** Mayor Johnson and the Council expressed their sympathy to the families of John Todd, Ralph Price, and Al Jennings. Mayor Otis Johnson is joining five other U.S. Mayors who are traveling to Germany as part of the Sustainable Planning, Sustainable Cities delegation. The delegation will explore sustainable development practices during tours of projects in Berlin, Hamburg, and Freiburg from June 5-12. Other members of the delegation include the mayors of Cincinnati, Ohio; Portland, Maine; Rochester Hills, Mich.; Greenville, S.C.; and Columbus, Ga. There being no further business, Mayor Johnson declared this meeting of Council adjourned. Dyanne C. Reese Clerk of Council 8