Council Agenda - Regular Meeting 03/24/2026 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 Offered by Reverend Daniel Potter, Minister to Students – First Baptist Church

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Skip Henderson

MINUTES

• 1.Approval of minutes for the March 10, 2026, Council Meeting and Executive Session.  

• 20260310.COUNCIL.pdf (0.11 MB)

PROCLAMATIONS

• 2.Proclamation:     Let’s Grow STEAMx

  Receiving:      Robbie Branscomb, CEO of Let’s Grow STEAMx, and STEAMx Community Members

• 3.Proclamation:     National Community Development Week

  Receiving:      Robert Scott, Director of Community Reinvestment

• 4.Proclamation:     Jordyn Hunter Appreciation

  Receiving:      Jordyn Hunter

CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA

ORDINANCES

• 1.2nd Reading-  REZN-11-25-2091: An Ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, to change certain boundaries of a district located at 2055 Old Guard Road (parcel # 074-001-008) from Residential Estate – 1 (RE1) Zoning District to Single Family Residential – 4 (SFR4) Zoning District. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.) (Councilor Davis)

• REZN-11-25-2091 Ordinance 1st Reading 3-10-26.pdf (0.02 MB)
• REZN-11-25-2091 Council Staff Report.pdf (2.29 MB)

• 2.2nd Reading-REZN-02-26-0208: An Ordinance amending the Zoning Atlas of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia, to change certain boundaries of a district located at 2045 Old Guard Road (parcel # 079-001-045) from SFR4 (Single Family Residential 4) Zoning District with conditions to SFR4 (Single Family Residential 4) Zoning District with amended conditions. (Planning Department and PAC recommend approval.)(As amended on 1st Reading)(Councilor Davis)

• REZN-02-26-0208 Council Staff Report.pdf (2.94 MB)
• REZN-02-26-0208 Ordinance (as amended on 1st Reading) 2nd Reading March 24, 2026.pdf (0.02 MB)
• REZN-02-26-0208 Attachment Site and Landscape Plan.pdf (3.53 MB)

• 3.2nd Reading: An ordinance amending Article I of Chapter 4 of the Columbus Code to insert a new code section which defines nonprofit community handmade and artisan events sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation; to clarify applicable permit requirements; to provide for a fee waiver; and for other lawful purposes. (Councilors Cogle and Garrett)

• Ordinance Nonprofit Vendor Parks Rec 1st Reading 3-10-26 docx.pdf (0.02 MB)

• 4.1st Reading: An ordinance amending Section 2-3.02. of the Columbus Code to insert a new paragraph (c) which provides that members of the Columbus Airport Commission may be residents of Muscogee County or any adjacent county; and for other lawful purposes. (Councilors Davis and Crabb)

• Ordinance Airport Commission Residency 1st Reading 3-24-26 docx.pdf (0.02 MB)

RESOLUTIONS

• 5.A Resolution of the Council of Columbus, Georgia (the “Council”), authorizing the issuance of $__________ Columbus Georgia, Water and Sewerage Revenue Bonds, Series 2026; to authorize the Mayor and other officials of Columbus to take such further actions as are necessary to provide for the sale, issuance and delivery of such bonds for the purpose of refunding certain Series 2014A bonds and Series 2016 bonds as defined herein; to ratify the execution and delivery of a bond purchase agreement relating to the sale of such bonds; and for other purposes. (Request of the Columbus Board of Water Commissioners)

• CWW 2026 - Supplemental Resolution of the Issuer 3-24-26.pdf (0.10 MB)

PUBLIC AGENDA

• 1.Miss. Emily Downs, Re: Chattahoochee Dam Alarm Notification on Riverwalk (Rescheduled from 03-10-2026)

• 2.Ms. Tracy Doughty, Re: Concerns regarding Project Ruby and the introduction of data centers within Muscogee County.

• 3.Mrs. Jessica Warchal, Re: Quality of Life Concerns

• 4.Ms. Liz Elliott, Re: The Presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents in Columbus.

• 5.Mrs. Leslie Landi, Re: Questions on Layfield Road Potential Project.

• 6.Dr. Marvin Broadwater, Sr., Re: Silencing Certain Constituents.

• 7.Mr. Ernest Washington, Re: Hyperscale Data Center Proposal

• 8.Mr. Mick Etchison, Re: Economic Viability of Project Ruby

• 9.Mr. Paul Olson, Re: Data Center

• 10.Mr. George McDowell, Re: The State of Our City.

• 11.Ms. Amy Borton, Re: Reducing the Impact of Data Centers.

• 12.Mrs. Darlene Laird, Re: The Dangers of Data Centers to Communities. (Rescheduled from 03-10-2026)

• 13.Mr. Eric Kuhlenberg, Re: Data Center.

• 14.Dr. Natalie Nicole, representing Role Model Academy of Arts, Re: Enhancing Transparency and Public Trust.

• 15.Mrs. Sandra Turner, Re: Moratorium on Project Ruby.

• 16.Mr. Ric Rivera, Re: Hyperscale Data Center.

• 17.Mr. Gregory Foster, Re: Reminding Council that Columbus has Bills to Pay. 

• 18.Ms. Amy Spencer, Re: Opposition to Hyperscale Data Centers in Muscogee County.

• 19.Rev. Mark Lawrence, representing IMA, Re: Finding Solution for the Future.

• 20.Mr. Richard Parker, Re: Data Center Opposition.

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA

• 1.Three Chances LLC, Parking License Agreement

  Approval is requested to authorize the Mayor to execute a parking license agreement with Three Chances LLC, for the purpose of leasing 16 parking spaces located at 18 W 11th St, Columbus, GA 31901. 

• Agenda and Resolution for Three Chances LLC Parking Spaces.pdf (0.04 MB)

• 2.FY27 Sec. 5307 Application for Renovation and Expansion of the METRA Transfer Center

  Approval is requested to submit a grant application and, if awarded, accept funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s Title 49 U.S.C. Section 5307 Formula Grant Program for Capital Assistance in an amount up to $5,254,230, or as otherwise awarded, and amend the Transportation Fund by the amount of the grant award. Funding will be used for the construction, renovation, and expansion of METRA’s Transfer Center (located at 814 Linwood Blvd).

• METRA_FY27_5307_Construction_Grant_Application.pdf (0.04 MB)

• 3.U.S. Department of Justice FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant

  Approval is requested to submit an application and accept, if awarded, an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) grant for the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 solicitation in the amount of $58,653, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match requirement, to be used for eligible law enforcement, prosecution, and courts projects as defined in the grant, and to amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the award.

• JAG Resolution.pdf (0.02 MB)

PURCHASES

• A.Four (4) Chevrolet Tahoes for Sheriff’s Office – Georgia Statewide Contract Cooperative Purchase

• A. Four Chevrolet Tahoes for Sherrifs Office.pdf (0.02 MB)

• B.Two (2) Ford Broncos for Sheriff’s Office – Georgia Statewide Contract Cooperative Purchase

• B. Two Ford Broncos for Sheriffs Office.pdf (0.02 MB)

• C.Household Recycling Carts for Public Works – Sourcewell Cooperative Contract Purchase

• C. Household Recycling Carts for Public Works.pdf (0.03 MB)

• D.Contract Extension for Elevator Maintenance Services (Annual Contract) – RFB No. 19-0025

• D. Contract Extension for Elevator Maintenance Services.pdf (0.03 MB)

• E.Contract Extension for Public Employee Retirement System Pension and Benefit Trust (“The Pension Fund”) Investment Consultant Services (Annual Contract) – RFP No. 20-0007

• E. Contract Extension for Public Employee Retirement System Pension and Benefit Trust.pdf (0.03 MB)

• F.Annual Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Licensing Subscription Renewal for Information Technology – Federal GSA Cooperative Purchase

• F. Annual Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Licensing Subscription Renewal for Information Technology.pdf (0.03 MB)

EMERGENCY PURCHASES

UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS

• A.FY26  Budget Update – Judge Marc D’Antonio, Probate Court 

• B.Finance Update - Angelica Alexander, Director, Finance

• FY26 Monthly Budget Snapshot February 2026.pdf (0.33 MB)

BID ADVERTISEMENT

• Bid Advertisements

• BID ADVERTISEMENTS.pdf (0.03 MB)

CLERK OF COUNCIL’S AGENDA

ENCLOSURES - INFORMATION ONLY

ENCLOSURES - ACTION REQUESTED

• 1.Travel Authorization Request: Approval is requested for Councilor Toyia Tucker to attend the 2026 NACo Annual Conference for July 16–21, 2026.

• COC - Travel Authorization Form. Tucker.pdf (0.08 MB)

• 2.Minutes of the following boards:

  Board of Election and Registration 02-02-22, 03-17-22

  Board of Election and Registration 03-02-23, 05-04-23, 06-20-23

  Board of Elections and Registration 02-05-26

  Board of Tax Assessors #08-26, #09-26

  Board of Zoning Appeals 01-07-26, 02-04-26

  Convention & Visitors Board 04-16-25

  Development Authority of Columbus 07-07-22

  Development Authority of Columbus 01-09-25, 02-06-25,

  Employee Benefits Committee 12-25-24

  Employee Benefits Committee 03-19-25, 06-25-25

  Land Bank Authority 09-18-24

  Land Bank Authority 07-09-25, 09-10-25

  Pension Board 04-13-22, 05-11-22, 06-08-22

  Planning Advisory Commission 01-07-26, 02-18-26

  The Medical Center Hospital Authority 01-22-2020, 04-22-20, 07-22-20, 10-28-20

  The Medical Center Hospital Authority 01-27-21, 04-28-21, 07-28-21,10-27-21

  The Medical Center Hospital Authority Minutes 07-24-24, 10-23-24

  The Medical Center Hospital Authority Minutes 01-22-25, 04-23-25, 07-23-25

• Board of Election and Registration 02-2-22.pdf (0.03 MB)
• Board of Election and Registration February-March 2022.pdf (0.09 MB)
• Board of Election and Registration 03-02-23.pdf (0.03 MB)
• Board of Election and Registration 05-04-23.pdf (0.06 MB)
• Board of Election and Registration 06-20-23.pdf (0.06 MB)
• Board of Elections and Registration 02-05-26.pdf (0.09 MB)
• Board of Tax Assesors #08-26.pdf (0.10 MB)
• Board of Tax Assessors #09-26.pdf (0.10 MB)
• Board of Zoning Appeals 01-07-26.pdf (0.02 MB)
• Board of Zoning Appeals 02-04-26.pdf (0.02 MB)
• Convention & Visitors Board 04-16-25.pdf (0.07 MB)
• Development Authority of Columbus 07-07-22.pdf (0.07 MB)
• Development Authority of Columbus 02-06-25.pdf (0.15 MB)
• Development Authority of Columbus 01-09-25.pdf (0.15 MB)
• Employee Benefits Committee 12-25-24.pdf (0.11 MB)
• Employee Benefits Committee 03-19-25.pdf (0.11 MB)
• Employee Benefits Committee 06-25-25.pdf (0.15 MB)
• Land Bank Authority 09-18-24.pdf (0.02 MB)
• Land Bank Authority 07-09-25.pdf (0.02 MB)
• Land Bank Authority 09-10-25.pdf (0.02 MB)
• Pension Board 04-13-22.pdf (0.17 MB)
• Pension Board 05-11-22.pdf (0.17 MB)
• Pension Board 06-08-22.pdf (0.16 MB)
• Pension Board 02-11-26.pdf (0.05 MB)
• Planning Advisory Commission 01-07-26.pdf (0.16 MB)
• Planning Advisory Commission 02-18-26.pdf (0.13 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority Minutes 01-22-2020.pdf (1.80 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority Minutes 04-22-2020.pdf (2.07 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority Minutes 07-22-2020.pdf (2.01 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority Minutes 10-28-2020.pdf (2.76 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority 01-27-21.pdf (1.68 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority 04-28-21.pdf (1.93 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority 07-28-21.pdf (2.14 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority 10-27-21.pdf (2.62 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority 07-24-24.pdf (0.30 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority 10-23-24.pdf (2.32 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority 01-22-25.pdf (1.16 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority 04-23-25.pdf (2.09 MB)
• The Medical Center Hospital Authority 07-23-25.pdf (0.97 MB)

BOARD APPOINTMENTS - ACTION REQUESTED

• Board Appointments..pdf (0.03 MB)

COUNCIL HEARINGS:

• Request for Waiver of Penalty and Interest on property tax as submitted by Mr. Andrew Ruh, Executive Director of Columbus Botanical Garden, for property located in Columbus, Georgia.

• COC - Waiver for Cols. Botanical Gardens.pdf (0.29 MB)