Council Agenda - Regular Meeting 02/25/2025 05:30 PM C. E. “Red” McDaniel City Services Center- Second Floor

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

INVOCATION: Offered by Karen Connally- Tri City Prayer Initiative

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Skip Henderson

MINUTES

• 1.Approval of minutes for the February 11, 2025, Council Meeting and Executive Session.

PRESENTATIONS

• 2.Office of Crime Prevention Update – Seth Brown, Director of Crime Prevention and Natre’L Payne, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor

• 3.Introduction of Ashley Woitena, CEO of VisitColumbusGA – Pace Halter, Board Chair

• 4.Muskogee Project Presentation – Paul Pierce, Springer Opera House

• 5.Introduction of Normae Beecham, Deputy Warden of Administration – Warden Herbert Walker, III, Muscogee County Prison

CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA

ORDINANCES

• 1.2nd Reading- REZN-12-24-2485: An Ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, to change certain boundaries of a district located at 3114 6th Avenue (parcel # 014-032-005) from Residential Multifamily – 2 (RMF2) Zoning District to Residential Multifamily – 1 (RMF1) Zoning District with conditions. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (Councilor Garrett)

• 2.2nd Reading- REZN-12-24-2514: An Ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, to change certain boundaries of a district located at 1641 3rd Avenue (parcel # 005-006-001) from General Commercial (GC) Zoning District to Uptown (UPT) Zoning District with conditions. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval with conditions.) (Councilor Cogle)

• 3.1st Reading- An ordinance adopting a new Article XXIII of Chapter 2 of the Columbus Code to create a Sports & Entertainment facilities Authority; and for other purposes. (Continued on 1st Reading from 10-8-24.)(Councilors Cogle, Davis, and Garrett)

RESOLUTIONS

• 4.A Resolution approving the issuance of the applicable portion of the Educational Facilities Finance Authority Bonds issued by the Public Finance Authority solely for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of Section 147(f) of the Code, for the applicable portion of the Bonds to finance the portion of a project located in Columbus, Georgia, specifically the purchase of Miller Motte College by Lindenwood Educational System. (Request of Public Finance Authority) 

PUBLIC AGENDA

• 1.Mrs. Glendora Dvine, representing Dvine Systems GA, Re: Increasing Mental Health Awareness in the City.  

• 2.Mr. Nathan Smith, Re: The Latest Audit, Grant Funds, and the Charter.

• 3.Ms. Denise Cambridge, Re: CCG Citizens Government Academy.

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA

• 1.Pinegrove MSW Landfill 

  Approval is requested to authorize the funding of the construction cost to open Phase 5/Cell 5A-5C within the Pinegrove MSW Landfill with an estimated construction cost of $8,134,830, which will be obtained by a loan received through/from the General Fund Reserve.

• 2.FY26 Holiday Schedule

  Approval is requested to approve the Holiday Schedule for the FY26 Budget Year.  It is recommended that Friday, December 26, 2025 be designated as the floating holiday.

• 3.Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Grant – Accountability Courts

  Approval is requested to submit an application, and if approved, accept $647,499 or as otherwise awarded from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the operation of the Superior Court Accountability Courts, from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 and to amend the Multi-governmental Fund by $647,499 or as otherwise awarded. The City is required to provide a 15% cash matching funds ($110,000) to participate in this grant program. This cash match is satisfied in the salary and benefits of the current Director of Accountability Courts.

PURCHASES

• A.Multi-Purpose Dog Handler Packages (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 24-0018

• B.Software License Renewal for EVOQ Software for Information Technology

• C.Parking Lot Striping Services for the Civic Center

• D.Contract Amendment and Extension for Inmate Food Management Services for Muscogee County Prison (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 20-0005

EMERGENCY PURCHASES

• 1.Information Only: Exigent “Off the Lot” Vehicle Purchases – Resolution No. 354-24

UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS

• A.Integrated Waste/Landfill Space and Funding Options for Cell #5 Update - Drale Short, Director, Public Works & Angelica Alexander, Director, Finance

BID ADVERTISEMENT

CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA

ENCLOSURES - INFORMATION ONLY

• 1.Board Update – The Liberty Theatre & Cultural Arts Center Advisory Board

ENCLOSURES - ACTION REQUESTED

• 2.RESOLUTION – A resolution appointing Doug Jefcoat to the Board of Tax Assessors.

• 3.RESOLUTION - A resolution excusing Councilor Byron Hickey from the February 25, 2025 Council Meeting. 

• 4.RESOLUTION - A resolution excusing Councilor Judy Thomas from the February 25, 2025 Council Meeting. 

• 5.Honorary Designation Application for Facilities – A request submitted by Superior Court Judge Bobby Peters to name the new Judicial Center in honor of the late Honorable John D. Allen.

• 6.The Land Bank Authority is nominating Sherrie Aaron, Stephen Anthony and Michelle Williams to serve another term. (The Land Bank Authority nominates three of the seven members to this authority with confirmation from the Council.)

• 7.Minutes of the following boards:

  Board of Family & Children Services, January 18 & September 14, 2024

  Board of Tax Assessors, #04-25 & #05-25

  Board of Water Commissioners, January 13, 2025

  Community Development Advisory Council, September 8 & December 8, 2022; June 8, September 14 & December 14, 2023; December 12, 2024

  Golf Course Authority of Columbus, January 14, 2025

  Hospital Authority of Columbus, October 29, 2024

  Liberty Theatre & Cultural Arts Center Advisory Board, July 19, October 16 & November 20, 2024

  Recreation Advisory Board, March 22, May 24 & July 26, 2023

  Uptown Façade Board, April 15, May 20, July 23, August 19, September 16, October 21 & November 18, 2024; January 17, 2025

BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED

• .MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS – ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING:

  BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS:

  Renee Sturkie – Not Interested in serving                        Open for Nominations

  Eligible to succeed                                                (Mayor’s Appointment)

  Term Expires: March 24, 2025

  The terms are two years. Meets as needed.

  Women:  2

          Senatorial District 15:   2

          Senatorial District 29:   3

  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:

  Anthony Montgomery – Interested in serving                (Mayor’s Appointment)

  Eligible to succeed                                                

  Term Expires: March 27, 2025

  Denise M. Cambridge – Interested in serving                 (Mayor’s Appointment)

  Eligible to succeed                                                        

  Term Expires: March 27, 2025

  Benjamin Link – Seat vacant                                (Mayor’s Appointment)

  Resigned                                                        

  Term Expires: March 27, 2025

  Mayor Henderson is renominating Anthony Montgomery and Denise Cambridge to serve another term.

  The terms are three years. Meets quarterly.

  Women:  5

          Senatorial District 15:   21

          Senatorial District 29:   3

  
  
  

  CRIME PREVENTION BOARD:

  Dr. Angela Vickers                                                (Mayor’s Appointment)

  (Education Community)

  Not Eligible to succeed                                                        

  Term Expires: March 31, 2025

  Mayor Henderson is nominating Dr. Michael Forte to succeed Dr. Angela Vickers as a Representative of the Education Community.

  These terms are three years; Law Enforcement Rep. is two years. Meets quarterly.

  Women:  3

          Senatorial District 15:   2

          Senatorial District 29:   4

  BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED

  COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS- READY FOR CONFIRMATION:

  BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS: Johnny W. Byrd, III was nominated to serve another term. (Councilor Huff’s nominee) Term expires: March 24, 2027

  CRIME PREVENTION BOARD: Ericka N. Cottingham was nominated to serve another term as the Senatorial District 29 Representative. (Councilor Crabb’s nominee) Term expires: March 31, 2028

  COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CULTURAL LIAISON ENCOUNTERS (CIRCLE): Natasha Banks was nominated to serve another term. (Councilor Huff’s nominee) Term expires: March 1, 2027

  COUNCIL’S APPOINTMENTS – ANY NOMINATIONS MAY BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS MEETING:

  CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY BOARD:

  Charles E. Huff, Jr.        – Interested in serving                                (District 1 – Hickey)

  Eligible to succeed                                                                

  Term Expires: March 1, 2025

  
  
  

  Daniel T. Woodward         – Interested in serving                 (District 2 – Davis)

  Eligible to succeed                                                                

  Term Expires: March 1, 2025

  Gregory Blue        – Interested in serving                                (District 3 – Huff)

  Eligible to succeed                                                                

  Term Expires: March 1, 2025

  Romeo Byll – Interested in serving                                (District 7 – Cogle)

  Eligible to succeed                                                                

  Term Expires: March 1, 2025

  Johnson Trawick – Not interested in serving                (District 8 – Garrett)

  Eligible to succeed                                                                

  Term Expires: March 1, 2025

  The terms are two years. Meets quarterly.

  Women:  3

          Senatorial District 15:   8

          Senatorial District 29:   4

  RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD:

  Sherisse Malone – Interested in serving                        Open for Nominations              

  Eligible to succeed                                                (Council District 5- Crabb)

  Term Expired: December 31, 2024

  David Miles – Interested in serving                                Open for Nominations              

  Eligible to succeed                                                (Council District 6- Allen)

  Term Expired: December 31, 2024

  VACANT                                                        (Council District 2- Davis)

  Term Expires: December 31, 2027       

  VACANT                                                         (Council District 3- Huff)

  Term Expires: December 31, 2028       

  VACANT                                                          (Council District 9- Thomas)

  Term Expires: December 31, 2028       

  These are five-year terms. Board meets monthly.        

  Women:  4

          Senatorial District 15:   4

          Senatorial District 29:   4

  COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS- ANY NOMINATIONS WOULD BE LISTED FOR THE NEXT MEETING:

  BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS:

  Shaun Roberts – Interested in serving                        Open for Nominations

  Eligible to succeed                                                (Council’s Appointment)

  Term Expires: March 31, 2025

  Doug Jefcoat                                                        Open for Nominations

  Resigned                                                        (Council’s Appointment)

  Term Expires: March 31, 2027

  Councilor Crabb is nominating Ernie Smallman to fill the unexpired term of Doug Jefcoat.

  Councilor Huff is nominating Zarome Lakey to fill the unexpired term of Doug Jefcoat.

  Nominees will be listed for a vote tabulation for the March 11, 2025, Council Meeting.

  The terms are three years. Meets monthly.

  Women:  2

          Senatorial District 15:   1

          Senatorial District 29:   4

  BUILDING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS:

  Tyler R. Martindill – Interested in serving                        Open for Nominations

  Eligible to succeed                                                (Council’s Appointment)

  Term Expires: March 24, 2025

  The terms are two years. Meets as needed.

  Women:  2

          Senatorial District 15:   2

          Senatorial District 29:   3

  COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CULTURAL LIAISON ENCOUNTERS (CIRCLE):

  Samantha Wooden                                                Open for Nominations

  Eligible to succeed                                                (Council’s Appointment)

  Term Expires: March 1, 2025

  The terms are two years. Meets as needed.

  Women:  7

          Senatorial District 15:   5

          Senatorial District 29:   5

  CRIME PREVENTION BOARD:

  Marcus Gibson                                                Open for Nominations

  (Senatorial District 15)                                        (Council’s Appointment)

  Not Eligible to succeed                                                

  Term Expires: March 31, 2025

  Lane Jimmerson                                                Open for Nominations

  (At-Large)                                                        (Council’s Appointment)

  Not Eligible to succeed                                                

  Term Expires: March 31, 2025

  These terms are three years; Law Enforcement Rep. is two years. Meets quarterly.

  Women:  3

          Senatorial District 15:   2

          Senatorial District 29:   4

  PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION:

  Dr. Xavier McCaskey                                         Open for Nominations              

  Not Eligible to succeed                                        (Council’s Appointment)

  Term Expires: March 31, 2025

   

  Ralph King                                                         Open for Nominations              

  Not Eligible to succeed                                        (Council’s Appointment)

  Term Expires: March 31, 2025

  Larry Derby                                                         Open for Nominations              

  Not Eligible to succeed                                        (Council’s Appointment)

  Term Expires: March 31, 2025

  The term is three years.  Meets twice a month.

  Women:  2

          Senatorial District 15:   7

          Senatorial District 29:   2

  UPTOWN FACADE BOARD:

  James Lewis                                                         Open for Nominations              

  (Uptown Business Improvement Dist. Rep)                (Council’s Appointment)

  Not Eligible to succeed

  Term Expires: October 31, 2024

  Hannah Israel                                                 Open for Nominations              

  (Uptown Business Improvement Dist. Rep)                (Council’s Appointment)

  Not Eligible to succeed

  Term Expires: October 31, 2024

  The terms are three years.  Board meets monthly.

  Women:  5

  Senatorial District 15:   5

  Senatorial District 29:   4        

ADD-ONS