City Council

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF SAVANNAH CITY COUNCIL EMERGENCY MEETING March 14, 2015 CITY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL SAVANNAH, GEORGIA March 14, 2015 PRESENT: Mayor Edna Jackson, Presiding Mayor Pro-Tem Van Johnson, II Alderman Mary Osborne, Vice-Chairman of Council Alderman Tony Thomas, Chairman of Council Aldermen Carol Bell, Mary Ellen Sprague, John Hall, Tom Bordeaux, Estella Shabazz City Manager Stephanie Cutter Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Herman Mayor Jackson called the meeting to order. She stated staff was continuously on the phone with the Capitol. They had the opportunity to work with the Legislators, Senators and Representatives in an attempt to get the Bill signed. She complimented the City’s Legislative Liaison Jim Burgess for all the work he did to see what needed to be done. She also thanked the Downtown Business Association, Tourism, and the Chamber of Commerce all of which who worked diligently to ensure the Bill was signed by Governor Deal. Mayor Jackson stated Governor Deal called her, sending well wishes to the Council and City of Savannah for a safe St. Patrick’s Day. Alderman Sprague asked will Council have to go back to the Legislature again next year when a similar situation occurs. Mayor Jackson replied no, this will not happen because the Bill that was in the House did not pass which would have given the City of Savannah Festival days. This one includes one Sunday a year across the State which states alcohol beverage sales can occur. Alderman Osborne asked if it is ongoing. Mayor Jackson replied yes, and in case it isn’t used for St. Patrick’s Day it can be used for another holiday. Alderman Bell asked who initiated the one Sunday per year across the State. Mayor Jackson replied the Senate. Mayor Jackson stated she sent a letter to the Legislative Delegation on behalf of Council thanking them for signing the Bill. Approved upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Sprague and unanimously carried. Alderman Bordeaux asked that the motion be amended to make spelling corrections and other grammatical areas. City Manager Cutter stated the corrections will be made to clarify the dates and times. Alderman Johnson accepted and restated the motion to include the amendments. Mayor Jackson asked if everything will be closed down at 10:00 p.m. on March 17th. Marty Johnston stated that only applies to the Festival Control Zone and does not include individual business owners, for them it will be business as usual. Alderman Shabazz asked what the usual business hours for bars are. Ms. Johnston replied bars are allowed to stay open until 3:00 a.m. 1  OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF SAVANNAH CITY COUNCIL EMERGENCY MEETING March 14, 2015 RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE MARCH 14TH THROUGH MARCH 17TH AS THE FESTIVAL DAYS FOR THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL 2015; AND TO DESIGNATE THE AREA BOUNDED BY EAST BROAD STREET ON THE EAST, THE SAVANNAH RIVER ON THE NORTH, MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BOULEVARD ON THE WEST, AND BROUGHTON LANE FROM MARTIN LUTHER KING BOULEVARD TO THE EAST SIDE OF DRAYTON STREET TO BAY LANE TO EAST BROAD STREET AS THE FESTIVAL CONTROL ZONE. WHEREAS: the Festival Ordinance of 2013, Section 6-2423, provides that on the recommendation of the City Manager, the Mayor, and Aldermen may designate and name certain community festival days, including the "St. Patrick's Day Festival" and during such festival days authorize cultural and entertainment events and initiate the regulatory provision of the ordinance within the festival area; and WHEREAS: the Festival Ordinance of 2013, Section 6-2425, provides that upon recommendation of the City Manager, the Mayor and Aldermen may designate one or more Control Zones within the Festival Area, and may authorize the City Manager to implement regulations and controls which will be specific for each designated Control Zone and the Mayor and Aldermen may designate and authorize a non-profit tax-exempt organization or similar entity to organize and manage festival activities within the Control Zone; and WHEREAS: the Festival Ordinance of 2013, Section 6-2425 (b) provides that the recommendation of the City Manager, the Mayor and Alderman may prohibit persons entering the control zone with beverage coolers, pets, excluding residents who live in the Control Zone, exotic animals, skates, bicycles, fireworks, sparklers, bang snaps (snaps and pops), smoke balls (smoke bombs), and other items which may be dangerous, disruptive, or inconvenient in crowded conditions, and prohibits entry by persons appearing to be intoxicated; and WHEREAS: Mayor and Council may designate that bars within the city limits may open during the Festival but would subject to compliance of State Law; and WHEREAS: SB 103 was approved by the Governor of the State of Georgia authorizing an amendment to the resolution adopted by the City of Savannah on February 19, 2015 establishing the St. Patrick’s Day Festival Period and Control Zone. This amendment authorizes the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises from 12:30 P.M. until Midnight on Sunday, March 15, 2015; and WHEREAS: the City Manager has recommended designation of the St. Patrick's Day Festival 2015 and designation of a Festival Control Zone. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that March 14th through March 17th are designated as the festival days for the St. Patrick's Day Festival 2015 and that the Savannah Waterfront Association is designated and authorized to organize and manage festival activities within the Control Zone. 2  OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF SAVANNAH CITY COUNCIL EMERGENCY MEETING March 14, 2015 AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Control Zone area bounded by East Broad Street on the east, the Savannah River on the north, Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard on the west, and Broughton Lane from Martin Luther King Boulevard to the east side of Drayton Street to Bay Lane to East Broad Street as the Festival Control Zone, and that the City Manager is authorized to implement regulations and controls for the Festival Control Zone and that the fee for patrons wishing to consume alcohol within the Control Zone is $5 as authorized by Section 6- 2425. Hours of Festival operations are:  Saturday, March 14th, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.  Sunday, March 15th, 12:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.  Monday, March 16th, 11:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.  Tuesday, March 17th, 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. ADOPTED AND APPROVED: MARCH 14, 2015 There being no further business, Mayor Jackson declared this meeting of Council adjourned. Dyanne C. Reese, MMC Clerk of Council 3