Council Agenda - Regular Meeting 07/14/2026 09:00 AM C. E. “Red” McDaniel City Services Center- Second Floor

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor B.H. "Skip" Henderson, III, Presiding

INVOCATION: Offered by Chaplain Matthew Miller, Fort Benning 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Abigail Logsdon from Double Churches Middle School

OATH OF OFFICE:

• 1.SWEARING-IN CEREMONY: The Oath of Office for Dr. Cathy Cook as the District Nine Councilor for the City of Columbus, Georgia. (Oath of Office administered by Superior Court Judge Benjamin S. Richardson and Probate Court Judge Marc D'Antonio)

MINUTES

• 2.Approval of minutes for the June 16, 2026, Council Meeting and Executive Session.

PRESENTATIONS:

• 3.Department Overview – Chance Corbett, Director of Emergency Management & Homeland Security

• 4.Award Presentation to Director Chance Corbett and Warden Herbert Walker

• 5.General Operational Audit Report for the Columbus Golf Authority – Donna McGinnis, Internal Auditor/Compliance Officer

RESOLUTIONS:

• 6.A Resolution authorizing a transitional audit of the Muscogee County Juvenile Court Office. (Requested by Juvenile Court Judge Amy C. Walters)

CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA

ORDINANCES

• 1.2nd Reading: An Ordinance providing for the levy, assessment, and collection of taxes for the public school system of Columbus, Georgia; and for other purposes. (Proposed Amendment) (Budget Review Committee)

• 2.1st Reading: An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 26-032 which provided the establishment of taxing districts, including a county-wide general services district and three (3) urban services districts and three (3) Business Improvement Districts (BID); providing for the levy, assessment, and collection of taxes for Columbus, Georgia within such districts for the year 2026 as provided under the Charter of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia; providing penalties for violations of the provisions of said ordinance; and for other purposes.  (Budget Review Committee)

• 3.1st Reading:  REZN-04-26-0739: An Ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, to change certain boundaries of a district located at 6909 Buena Vista Road (parcel # 115-008-029) from Single Family Residential – 2 (SFR2) Zoning District to General Commercial (GC) Zoning District. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.)(Delayed 30 days on 1st Reading from 6-9-26.)(Councilor Tucker)

RESOLUTIONS

PUBLIC AGENDA

• 1.Mr. Tim Mason, Re: PAWS Humane.

• 2.Mr. John Fitzpatrick, Re: God Directed.

• 3.Mr. Moody Mitchell, Re: Delay on the flood zone changes for Miller Court.

• 4.Mr. Gregory Foster, Re: Georgetown Subdivision.

• 5.Mr. Bob Hutchison, Re: Tax Commissioner’s Office Wait Time.

• 6.Ms. Theresa El-Amin, representing Southern Anti-Racism Network, Re: Search for new CPD Chief and Participatory-Budgeting.

• 7.Mr. Carey Hall, Re: Zoning Matter.

• 8.Mrs. Kim Hicks, Re: Preserving Rural Life.

• 9.Mr. Robert Greyer, Re: Gallops Senior Center Repair Timeline.

• 10.Ms. Carolyn Weinbaum, Re: Water Pollution.

• 11.Mrs. Laketha Ashe, representing Still Standing Initiatives, Re: Columbus Fashion Weekend.

• 12.Mr. Mike Nash, Re: Proposed Hyperscale Date Center.

• 13.Dr. Natalie Nicole, representing Role Model Academy of Arts, Re: City Executive Leadership & Organizational Performance.

• 14.Ms. Jennifer Le Denney, Re: What Happens in the Absence of an ADA Compliance Officer?

• 15.Mr. Corie Wilson, Re: Community Trust in Elected Leadership. Preserving Rural Life.

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA

• 1.Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Columbus Consolidated Government and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Inc (CRK)

  Approval is requested to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Columbus Consolidated Government and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Inc. (CRK) to install, maintain, and operate trash traps located at various locations for a period of one year with an automatic renewal. This will address the pressing issue of litter runoff into the Chattahoochee River and its lakes and tributaries through a novel, low-cost program operated by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper that deploys devices called “trash traps” to remove floating litter from the Chattahoochee's tributaries.

• 2.Public Art – 11^th Street Viaduct

  Approval is requested to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Dragonfly Trails, Inc. and approve the final design of the mural located at the 11^th Street Viaduct.

• 3.Advanced Air Mobility / eVTOL Funding

  Approval is requested to allocate up to $2.2 million of TSPLOST Discretionary Funds for the construction of an airside electric charging station and a dedicated vertiport for the arrival/departure of electric vertical takeoff and lift (eVTOL) aircraft at the Columbus Airport

• 4.Disposition of Public Alleyway on the West Side of 12th Avenue, East of Southern Street

  Approval is requested to sell city-owned property to adjacent landowner, Freedom Investments LLC, in accordance with section 7-501, paragraph 5, of the Columbus Charter, and to authorize the Mayor or designee to execute all contracts, agreements, and understandings related to the conveyance of City property.

• 5.2026-2030 Consolidated Plan, 2026 Annual Action Plan, Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) Study, and Citizen Participation Plan Submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

  Approval is requested for the filing of the 2026-2030 Consolidated Plan, 2026 Annual Action Plan, NRSA Study and Citizen Participation Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The sources of federal funding and programs are the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program.

• 6.Minor Amendment to FY26 HUD Annual Action Plan Resolution

  Approval is requested to amend the title of the FY26 Annual Action Plan resolution, dated April 8, 2025, to read “A Resolution Authorizing the Filing of the FY26 Annual Action Plan with the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).”

• 7.Hazard Mitigation Grant – Four Emergency Shelters

  Approval is requested to apply for and accept, if awarded, the hazard mitigation grant award from GEMA, in the amount of  $618,000.00, or as otherwise awarded, for the purchase and installation of four emergency shelter generators at four CCG Parks & Recreation Centers, which are assigned for use as emergency shelters, operated by the American Red Cross during times of disasters or large emergencies, and amend the  Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the award. The local match requirement is $154,500.00.

• 8.Firehouse Subs Grant

  Approval is requested to apply for and accept, if awarded, a grant in the amount of $10,014.00, or as otherwise awarded, from the Fire House Subs Public Safety Foundation to fund the purchase of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire safety educational materials. There are no matching funds required.

• 9.FY2026 COPS Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program Grant

  Approval is requested for the Mayor, or their designee to apply for, accept, and expend any awarded funds as per the grant guidelines and City regulations, if awarded, a grant from the FY 2026 COPS Law Enforcement Mental Health And Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program that provides new or enhance existing programs that offer training and services to support deputy’s emotional and mental health, including counseling programs, peer mentoring, suicide prevention, stress reduction, and deputy family services, in the amount of $250,000, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match required, and amend the Multi-governmental Fund budget by the amount of the award.

• 10.DOJ FY 2026 National Integrated Ballistic Information (NIBIN) Modernization Program

  Approval is requested for the Mayor, or their designee to apply for, accept, and expend any awarded funds as per the grant guidelines and City regulations, if awarded, a grant from the DOJ FY 2026 National Integrated Ballistic Information (NIBIN) Modernization Program that provides state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies with funding to acquire modern ballistic imaging equipment and implement crime gun intelligence best practices, in the amount of $300,000, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match required, and amend the Multi-governmental Fund budget by the amount of the award.

• 11.Columbus Police Department:  Family Fun Day Donation Acceptance

  Approval is requested to accept a donation in the amount of $2,500 for sponsorship of the Columbus Police Department’s 4^th Annual Family Fun Day and other employee activities.

• 12.Donation of Vehicles to the Columbus Police Department

  Approval is requested to accept a donation from KIA motors of a vehicle for training purposes. Approval is requested to accept a donation from Griffin & Griffin Towing for use as a bait-car.

• 13.Columbus Police Department: K9 Unit  Donation

  Approval is requested to accept a donation in the amount of $2,708.68 for the CPD K9 Unit to aid in the purchase of additional ballistic vests or medical expenses for the K9S.

PURCHASES

• A.Fuel Purchases for Fiscal Year 2027

• B.Federal and State Mandated Fees for Fiscal Year 2027

• C.Drug and Alcohol Screening:  After-Hours, Weekends and Holidays (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 25-0007

• D.Contract Extension for Tree Removal & Stump Grinding/Removal Services (Re-Bid) (Annual Contract) – RFB No. 20-0051

• E.Contract Extension for Heating & Refrigeration Supplies (Annual Contract) – RFB No. 20-0047

• F.Comprehensive Generator Services (Annual Contract) – RFB No. 26-0023

EMERGENCY PURCHASES

UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS

• A.Juvenile Court FY26 Budget Update - Judge Thomas Tebeau

• B.Dragonfly Trail Update - Becca Zajac, Executive Director of Dragonfly Trail Network 

• C.Infrastructure Update - Will Johnson, Director of Planning, Vance Beck, Director of the Engineering, Ryan Pruett, Director of Inspections & Code

• D.Pension Plan Design Options - Pam Hodge, Deputy City Manager of Finance, Planning & Development

BID ADVERTISEMENT

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CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA

ENCLOSURES - INFORMATION ONLY

• 1.Upcoming Board Appointments: Liberty Theatre & Cultural Arts Center Advisory Board

• 2.Upcoming Board Appointments: Planning Advisory Commission (PAC)

ENCLOSURES - ACTION REQUESTED

• 3.Request for Declaration of Vacancy: Memo from the Clerk of Council requesting that the seat of Taylor Martin, representing Senatorial District 29 (SD-29) on the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission (KCBC), be declared vacant.

• 4.Request for Declaration of Vacancy: Memo from the Clerk of Council requesting the seats for representatives of Council Districts 2, 3, and 4 be declared vacant.

• 5.Resignation: Memo from the Clerk of Council regarding the resignation of Tommy Nobles from his seat on the Columbus Golf Authority.

• 6.Resignation: Correspondence from Kristasia Heath, resigning from her seat as one of the representatives of Senatorial District 29 on the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission (KCBC).

• 7.Resolution: A Resolution excusing Councilor Joanne Cogle from the July 14, 2026, Council Meeting.

• 8.Minutes of the following boards:

  Board of Election and Registration 04-02-26 & 05-07-26

  Board of Tax Assessors #22-26, 23-26 & 24-26

  Board of Zoning Appeals 05-06-26

  Columbus Convention and Visitor Board 03-18-26

  Columbus Golf Authority 04-21-26 & 05-19-26

  Columbus Ironworks Convention & Trade Center Authority 01-22-26 & 02-27-26

  Crime Prevention Board 01-20-26 & 05-20-26

  Development Authority of Columbus 05-14-26

  Employee Benefits Committee 04-22-26

  Hospital Authority of Columbus 05-26-26

  Land Bank Authority 03-11-26

  Liberty Theatre & Cultural Arts Center Advisory Board 01-08-26

  New Horizons Behavioral Health Board 05-11-26

  Personnel Review Board 02-17-26, 03-18-26, 04-15-26, 05-20-26 & 06-17-26

  Planning Advisory Commission 04-15-26 & 05-06-26

  Retirees’ Health Benefits Committee 09-18-25 & 11-17-25

  Retirees’ Health Benefits Committee 05-20-26

  The Medical Center Hospital Authority 01-28-26

BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED

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ADD-ONS