2026-09-10 - City Council

29:24Mr. Clerk, would you please call a role?

29:26>> Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, Mayor Van Johnson,

29:28>> present.

29:29>> Mayor, prom district 5 alderwoman Dr.

29:32Estella Edwards Shabbaz,

29:33>> present.

29:34>> Chairman and District 4 alderman Nick

29:36Palumbo,

29:37>> present. Vice Chair and District Three

29:39Alderwoman Linda Wilder Bryant.

29:41>> I'm always ready. Let's go.

29:42>> Post one alderwoman Carolyn H. Bell

29:45>> present.

29:46>> Post two alderwoman Alicia Miller

29:48Blakeley

29:49>> present.

29:49>> District one alderwoman Bernetta B. Lane

29:51Lenir

29:52>> present.

29:53>> District two alderman Dietrich Leget

29:55>> here.

29:55>> And District 6 alderman Curtis Perti

29:59serves drinking. Uh present.

30:01>> Mr. Mayor, you do have a quorum.

30:03>> Thank you.

30:04All rise.

30:08I call this meeting of the Savannah City

30:10Council to order. Today's date is

30:13Thursday, September the 10th, 2026. The

30:17time is approximately 2:15 p.m. We want

30:19to thank you for joining us uh here in

30:22council and across our various social

30:25media platforms. Uh we are glad that you

30:28are here with us today. Um, and we know

30:31that Savannah will be a safe,

30:34environmentally healthy, and

30:36economically thriving community for all

30:38and for us all means all. Today's

30:42invocator tour will be introduced by

30:44third district alderwoman Linda Wilder

30:46Bryan.

30:47>> How y'all doing?

30:50>> Turn your mic on. Turn your mic on.

30:51>> Is not here. Um, he's in court. It was

30:54Joe Irvin. And so, um, I was just going

30:57to say Jesus wept, but I will read what

31:00he sent.

31:02>> Okay, let us pray.

31:05Gracious and eternal God, we come before

31:08you today with grateful hearts. First,

31:11Lord, we say thank you. Thank you,

31:14Savannah, this historic city and the

31:16people who built it, sacrificed, and

31:18continue to call it home. Lord, because

31:21you have brought us this far, we come

31:23boldly before you with prayers, earnest

31:26prayers. We all have a seat at the

31:28table, but Lord, what good is that seat

31:31if we cannot afford what is on the menu,

31:33Jesus? So today, Lord, we ask for more

31:37than access. Give us ownership. Give us

31:41people, give our people the wisdom to

31:44build businesses, the courage to invest,

31:47the opportunity to create jobs, and the

31:50knowledge to build generational wealth.

31:53Generational wealth. Generational

31:55wealth. Generational wealth.

31:57More

31:59move us from surviving to thriving, from

32:03consumers to owners, and from having a

32:05seat at this awesome table to help to

32:08continue to build more tables. I added

32:10that in Joe. And Lord, as Savannah

32:12grows, let the people of Savannah grow

32:15with it. Let development create

32:18opportunity. Let investment create

32:20ownership. Let prosperity reach every

32:23neighborhood. Every neighborhood. Every

32:26neighborhood. Don't let progress mean

32:28displacement. Don't let growth leave our

32:32people behind. And Lord, bless these

32:35leaders gathered around this table, this

32:38table, this table.

32:41Give them wisdom, give them courage,

32:43give them discernment before every

32:47decision.

32:48Remind them, remind me, Lord, not only

32:52what will this do for Savannah, but also

32:55what will this do for us at the same

32:59time. Finally, Lord, bless our families,

33:02our businesses, our children, and our

33:05neighborhoods at the same time. This is

33:07for Joe Irvin. He is a childhood friend.

33:10He's an attorney. He's in court, and

33:11he's not able to get here in this

33:13traffic. Let the words be a blessing to

33:15each of your souls. Let us continue to

33:17do amazing things at the same time for

33:20each and every one of us. I'm

33:22Pentecostal Catholic, y'all. So, I'm

33:24going to pray a short time or a long

33:25time, but I continue to pray. and y'all

33:27continue to watch God be God in this

33:29awesome day. Thank you.

33:31>> Amen. Thank you. Present the colors,

33:34please.

34:12I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

34:15United States of America and to the

34:18republic for which it stands, one nation

34:21under under God, indivisible, with

34:24liberty and justice for all.

34:27>> It gives me great pleasure to introduce

34:30and welcome to Savannah City Council,

34:34Miss Kate Wright, who is a fourth grader

34:37at Blessed Sacrament School. She loves

34:40performing and spending time at the

34:42Savannah Children's Theater, where she

34:44enjoys both acting and singing. She most

34:48recently had the opportunity to play uh

34:51Michael and Mary Poppins and Dorothy in

34:54a Wizard of Oz. Ladies and gentlemen, I

34:57I predict in her life that she will be a

34:59EGOT winner from Savannah

35:02>> and we are glad that we got to know her

35:04first. So, let's welcome her to sing the

35:06national anthem.

35:11Oh, say can you see

35:15by the dawn

35:18light

35:20what so proudly

35:22we

35:25at the twilight

35:27last gleaming

35:30broad stripes and bright stars [singing]

35:35through the perilous

35:39>> [singing]

35:40>> Or the ramparts we watched

35:45were so gallently

35:48streaming

35:50and the rockets red glare.

35:55The bombs bursting

35:57in air

36:00gave proof through the night

36:04that our flag was still there.

36:10Oh, say does that star spangled

36:15banner yet wave

36:20or the land

36:22of the free

36:25and the home of the brave.

36:31>> All right. [applause and cheering]

36:36[applause]

36:41What a great job. Let's give her another

36:42big round of applause [applause]

36:49>> and a big round of applause for the

36:51Alfred Elely Beach High School junior

36:54ROC.

36:56[applause]

37:01>> You may retire the colors.

37:06Right.

37:34You may be seated.

37:39>> Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor.

37:40>> Good afternoon.

37:41>> Are you ready, sir?

37:42>> Yes. Um, adding a couple of items to the

37:46agenda.

37:47um under

37:51uh presentations September 11th

37:54reflection and Savannah Day

37:58proclamation.

38:00>> Other than that, we can move with the

38:01adoption of the agenda.

38:02>> Yes, sir. I'd like to make a motion for

38:05uh the

38:08approval

38:09>> adoption

38:12>> for the adoption of the regular meeting

38:15for September 10th, 2026 with the

38:18additions as the mayor just stated.

38:20Second motion

38:21>> been properly moved and seconded uh that

38:23we adopt the regular meeting agenda for

38:25September the 10th, 2026. All in favor

38:28of the K by saying I.

38:29>> I oppose. Motion passes. I would like to

38:32make a motion for the approval of the

38:33minutes for the work session and city

38:36manager briefing held on August the

38:3827th, 2026 at 10:00 p.m. and for the

38:42approval of the minutes and to authorize

38:44the mayor to sign a related affidavit

38:47and resolution for the August 27th, 2026

38:52executive session held regarding

38:54litigation and real estate.

38:56>> Second motion probably move to second

38:58that we ma'am sir. Yes.

39:01>> And also number five, for the approval

39:03of the minutes for the regular meeting

39:05held on August the 27th, 2026 at 2:00

39:08p.m.

39:09>> and probably moved and seconded that we

39:11approve the minutes for the work session

39:13uh and city manager briefing held on

39:15August the 27th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Item

39:19number four, approval of the minutes and

39:21authorize me to sign a related affidavit

39:24and resolution for the August 27th, 2026

39:27executive session held regarding

39:29litigation and real estate. Uh and um

39:33approval of the minutes of the regular

39:34meeting held on August the 27th at 2:00

39:37p.m. You've heard the motion. All in

39:39favor indicate by saying I.

39:40>> I.

39:41>> Opposed. Motion passes. I also ask uh

39:44for your approval um to authorize me to

39:47sign a related affidavit related to a

39:50executive session city council held

39:52today um regarding items uh involving

39:56litigation and real estate and that our

39:59uh votes our comments were um limited to

40:02those items and no votes were taken. So

40:04move sir second properly moved and

40:06seconded. All in favor indicate by

40:07saying I opposed. Motion passes.

40:34Ladies and gentlemen, we took a little

40:36extra time this morning, as you noticed,

40:38this afternoon to be a little bit more

40:40deliberate in saluting our country.

40:45On September 11th, 2001, I'm old enough

40:50to remember exactly where I was and what

40:52I was doing. And I spoke with several

40:56groups of young people this week, and it

40:58dawned on me that even through college

41:01age, there are young people who were not

41:04alive um during that time. But I

41:08remember that our nation awoke to what

41:11thought we thought was an ordinary

41:13Tuesday morning. Within a matter of

41:16hours, America and the world as we knew

41:19it was forever changed. 19 terrorists

41:23hijacked four commercial airplanes. in a

41:27coordinated attack against the United

41:29States. At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines

41:33Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the

41:36World Trade Center in New York City. 17

41:39minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., United

41:43Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the

41:46South Tower. At 9:37 a.m., American

41:50Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon

41:53in Arlington, Virginia, attacking the

41:56very heart of our nation's defense. A

42:00fourth aircraft, United Airlines Flight

42:0393, was hijacked, was believed to be

42:06headed toward another target in our

42:08nation's capital. But the passengers and

42:12the crew aboard that flight made a

42:14heroic decision that will become one of

42:17the defining acts of courage that um of

42:21that terrible day. Uh they fought back

42:24and at 10:03 a.m. Flight 93 crashed into

42:28a field near Shanksville,

42:31Pennsylvania. Their sacrifice prevented

42:34the aircraft from being uh used as a

42:38weapon, stopped it from reaching its

42:40intended destination, and undoubtedly

42:43saved many other lives. In New York, the

42:47South Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m. The

42:50North Tower followed at 10:28 p.m. In

42:54less than two hours, nearly 3,000 lives

42:57were taken. These were mothers and

42:59fathers, sons and daughters, husbands

43:02and wives, friends, neighborhoods,

43:05co-workers and loved ones. They came

43:08from every walk of life from communities

43:10around our nation uh and countries

43:13around the world. Among them were

43:15firefighters, police officers,

43:16paramedics, and other first responders

43:19who did exactly what they were trained

43:21to do and called to do. While thousands

43:25were desperately trying to escape the

43:26danger, these courageous men and women

43:29ran directly towards it. They climbed

43:32stairwells knowing the risk. They

43:35carried the injured. They comforted

43:38strangers. They gave their lives so that

43:40others might live. And yet, September

43:4311th did not end on September the 11th.

43:47In the days and weeks that followed,

43:49firefighters, law enforcement officers,

43:52construction workers, medical

43:54professionals, military personnel,

43:56volunteers, and countless others worked

43:59amid the rubble, searching for

44:01survivors, recovering the fallen, and

44:03helping a wounded nation to heal. Many

44:07of those who worked at ground zero as we

44:09knew it and other affected sites later

44:12developed serious illnesses from their

44:14exposure to toxic dusk and debris. Some

44:19survived the attacks only to lose their

44:21lives years later because of what they

44:23encountered while serving others. It's

44:26interesting and important to note that

44:28some bodies were never recovered. So

44:31those families never received any

44:33closure by having someone to lay to

44:37rest. Our armed services also answered

44:40the call. In the years that followed,

44:42generations of American service members

44:45deployed in theaters around the world.

44:47Thousands were wounded and many made the

44:50ultimate sacrifice. Their families

44:52served and sacrificed alongside them. So

44:55when we remember September the 11th, we

44:58must remember not only one morning but

45:01everything that followed. We remember

45:03the lives that were lost. We remember

45:06the families whose empty chairs remain

45:08empty. We remember the firefighters who

45:11climbed when others were coming down. We

45:13remember the police officers,

45:15paramedics, emergency workers who

45:17refused to abandon their post. We

45:20remember the passengers of flight 93 who

45:24decided that even in the face of almost

45:26certain death, they would not surrender

45:29without a fight. We remember our service

45:31members who answered the call to defend

45:33this nation. And we remember the

45:36countless ordinary Americans who did

45:38extraordinary things. September 11th

45:41showed us the terrible consequences of

45:44hatred and extremism. But it also

45:47revealed something that's far more

45:49powerful. The courage, the compassion,

45:53the sacrifice, and the resilience of the

45:55American people. In those difficult

45:58days, Americans stood together and

46:01Sudanians stood with them. We gave

46:05blood. We opened our homes. We prayed

46:08together. We

46:11comforted strangers. We raised our flag.

46:15And for a time, the things that divided

46:18us seemed so far less important than the

46:22things that united us. 25 years later,

46:26that lesson remains just as important.

46:29Remembrance must be more than recalling

46:32where we were or what we saw.

46:35Remembrance is an obligation. It's an

46:38obligation to honor service, to value

46:41sacrifice, to reject hatred in all of

46:44its forms, to protect freedom, and to

46:48care for one another, and to teach

46:51generations who were not yet born on

46:54September the 11th, 2001.

46:57Why this day must never become simply

47:01another date on the calendar. So today

47:05we stand together in solemn solemn

47:08remembrance of those we lost in enduring

47:11gratitude for those who served and in

47:14profound respect for those who continue

47:16to bear the wounds visible and invisible

47:20of September the 11th. May we remember

47:22their names. May we honor their lives.

47:25May we live worthy of their sacrifice.

47:29And may God continue to comfort their

47:31families. Bless our first responders,

47:35members of our armed forces, and bless

47:38the city of Savannah, and bless the

47:40United States of America. May we all

47:43stand, please, for a moment of silence.

48:25Thank you. May we always remember. May

48:27we never forget. And those we lost, may

48:30their lives be a blessing. Thank you.

48:46It's significant to us that this time,

48:49Patriots Day, falls within the

48:51celebration

48:53of the greatest city of on earth. And as

48:56we celebrate Patriots, we also celebrate

49:00our great city. Uh, and I want to ask

49:03the members of our 912 committee to

49:06please come up.

49:10All those folks that are here, come on

49:12up.

49:14And um,

49:19I forgot

49:23the ones who are not working.

49:25Thank you.

49:29It's going to be purple, but I've been

49:30rocking it all week. So,

49:35proclamation reads as follows. Whereas,

49:37Savannah is a city defined by its rich

49:40history, diverse neighborhoods, vibrant

49:42culture, enduring traditions, and most

49:44importantly, the people who proudly call

49:47our community home. And whereas the

49:49numbers 912

49:51represent more than Savannah's area

49:53code, they have become a recognizable

49:56symbol of our shared identity, civic

49:59pride, community spirit, and a unique

50:01sense of place that connects Savannah

50:04and the surrounding region. And whereas

50:07912 day was established by me five years

50:11ago as an opportunity for residents,

50:15businesses, nonprofit organizations,

50:17faith communities, artists, educators,

50:20neighborhood associations, and community

50:22partners to celebrate all that makes

50:24Savannah special while encouraging

50:26service, engagement, collaboration, and

50:30support of our local community. And

50:32whereas the annual observance has grown

50:34into the nine days of 912 held September

50:37the 3rd through September the 12th

50:39creating nine days of excitement,

50:41activities, programs, partnerships,

50:44sponsorships, community celebrations and

50:46opportunities for Savanians to explore,

50:49serve, support and celebrate their city.

50:51And whereas the success and continued

50:54growth of 912 day would not be vis

50:57possible without the vision, dedication,

51:00creativity, volunteerism, and the

51:02collaborative spirit of the 912

51:04committee. These folks right here who

51:06members work throughout the year and

51:09they work to bring together public,

51:11private, nonprofit, civic, neighborhood,

51:14and community partners in celebration of

51:16the greatest city on earth. And whereas

51:18through their collective service, the

51:20members of the 912 day committee

51:23exemplify the very best of Savannah by

51:25demonstrating the meaningful community

51:28building happens when people work

51:30together across neighborhoods and

51:32organizations, backgrounds, and

51:33experiences toward a common purpose. And

51:36whereas 912 day encourages each of us to

51:40rediscover our why. Why we love this

51:43community, support local businesses uh

51:46and organizations, celebrate our history

51:49and culture, strengthen relationships

51:51with our neighbors, and demonstrate

51:53through service and participation that

51:55Savannah belongs to all of us. And

51:59whereas this celebration reflects the

52:00spirit of Savannah strong and reminds us

52:03that our greatest strength is found in

52:05the people who invest their time,

52:08talents, energy, and love in making our

52:11beloved city stronger every single day.

52:14Now therefore, I Vandar Johnson sec of

52:16the second mayor of the city of

52:17Savannah, Georgia, on behalf of the

52:19Savannah City Council to hereby proclaim

52:21September the 3rd through September the

52:2312th, 2026 as the nine days of 912 and

52:28September the 12th, 2026 as 912 day in

52:32the city of Savannah. And I salute and

52:34commend the 912 day committee for his

52:37outstanding work, collaboration,

52:39leadership, and service to our

52:41community. I further encourage all

52:43Savanians to participate in nine days of

52:46912 by celebrating our neighborhoods,

52:50supporting our local businesses, serving

52:53our community, and doing you however you

52:56do you, honoring our shared history, and

52:59showing love for the city that we are

53:02proud to call home. Ladies and

53:04gentlemen, u don't excuse us excuse us

53:08if we just take a couple of days every

53:10year to love on ourselves. Uh we are the

53:13hostess city of the south. We show love

53:15to people all around the world, but 912

53:18and the nine days of 912 creates an

53:21opportunity for us just to love on

53:22ourselves. Uh and this has been a

53:25phenomenal um endeavor that has

53:28continued to grow uh year after year. Uh

53:31it has been an exciting week already. Uh

53:34we started off um several days ago I was

53:37at Brock Elementary School uh with our

53:40friends from our library, for our

53:41friends from E93, our friends at Amazon.

53:44Uh we gave away 600

53:47um books to kids at Otis Brock

53:50Elementary School. [applause] Um

53:54and it fell in line with our read with

53:56the mayor collaborative. Uh tomorrow

53:59we'll be going out uh with Amazon and

54:02House Proud. We will be uh for a second

54:05straight year out renovating um legacy

54:08homeowners helping them get their houses

54:11to where they want them to be. And so

54:13we're excited about that. Um yesterday

54:15we had a wonderful experience with the

54:18Savannah Downtown Business Association

54:20and some really really good food. Um

54:23really highlighting the great

54:25opportunities that we have there. We've

54:27had porch parties. Um, we have the

54:31family reunion going on. Um, Savannah

54:33State will get its first win on

54:35Saturday. Um,

54:37>> so I'm speaking as though it were.

54:39>> That's right. Yes, sir.

54:40>> Mr. City Manager. See, we, you know,

54:42we're all college players over at

54:44Savannah State. I'm just saying.

54:47[laughter]

54:48Uh, but it's just been a wonderful

54:50experience. Uh and we thank the city

54:52council uh also for their leadership and

54:55how you show love throughout your your

54:57districts. Um again, this is our

55:00opportunity to love on us. Um this would

55:02not be possible at all without two

55:05amazing city employees um who have taken

55:08this initiative and they have literally

55:11um flew with it. Ariel Ross and Ariana

55:14Ariana Dorsy. Um [applause]

55:18uh

55:20[applause]

55:22the older I get, the more I realize I'm

55:24not cool anymore. So, you have to find

55:26cool people. Um but it's been Mr.

55:29Manager uh and Mr. Shear House. A

55:31wonderful pleasure working with these uh

55:34two creatives um who just come up with

55:37ideas and just all right, let's try

55:39that. Well, let's try that. All right.

55:40Well, let's try that. and next thing you

55:42know, um, we have a whole bunch of stuff

55:45going on. Um, so I wanted them to to

55:48greet us and then of course we want to

55:51acknowledge our partners for without

55:53them none of this stuff is done. So come

55:55say hello.

55:57>> Hello council mayor. Thank you city

56:00manager. Thank you. Um, I'm Ariana

56:02Dorsy. I serve as a social media

56:05strategist in our office of marketing

56:06and communications and I also serve as

56:08one of the chairs for 912 day.

56:13[applause]

56:15Hey everybody, my name is Ariel Ross and

56:17I have the pleasure of serving as the

56:19strategic communications manager and

56:21also one of the 912 day chairs and I've

56:23been blessed to start 912 day with the

56:26mayor five years ago and helped it grow

56:28to where we are today. Thank you.

56:30[applause]

56:33So, we're bringing up to someone very

56:35special that came up with our theme for

56:37this year, Route 912, Every Road Le's

56:40Home, and she was our former intern.

56:43[applause]

56:46>> Thank you. It's an honor to be here

56:48today. My name is Sydney Jefferson. I am

56:50a spring 26 graduate of the illustrious

56:53Savannah State University.

56:56[applause]

56:56>> Thank you.

56:58>> Thank you for rocking with us, girl.

57:02Good afternoon. My name is Contelita

57:04Coleman and I'm the city manager's

57:06office, neighborhood services manager.

57:08We're looking forward to Proud House.

57:10[applause]

57:14>> Good afternoon. It is an honor to be

57:16here. I am Terita Rogers, Amazon's head

57:19of community affairs for Georgia,

57:20Alabama, and Mississippi. and we are

57:23just so thrilled to be a part of this

57:25community and a part of this celebration

57:27celebrating all of the wonderful things

57:29that Savannah has to offer. Thank you

57:31for allowing us to be a part. [applause]

57:37>> Hello, city council. Thank you so much

57:39for your leadership. Mia Mance,

57:40executive director of the Savannah

57:42Downtown Business Association.

57:44Yesterday, we fed 200 plus Savanians for

57:47$912.

57:49Thank you, Comcast Business. [applause]

57:52Thank you to our restaurant community.

57:53We had restaurants and partners

57:55represented from every single district

57:57that you represent. Thank you for all

57:59that you do for us and for letting us be

58:01a part of this week as well. City of

58:02Savannah.

58:04[applause]

58:09>> That's crazy. [laughter]

58:15>> Hey y'all. I'm Asia Hankerson and I

58:18serve as the manager of the south coast

58:20of Georgia government and community

58:22affairs with Comcast. And let me tell

58:24you what, thank y'all. [applause] We are

58:27so happy. We have had our hands all in

58:30nine days of 912. Thank you Savannah for

58:33loving on Savannah. We have had the

58:35pleasure of course as Mia mentioned to

58:38serve as a title sponsor for the Taste

58:40of 912 where we offered that ticket for

58:43$912 for the community to come and

58:46really get a taste of our amazing

58:47restaurants in 912. And I invite you all

58:50to join us on Saturday 912 day as we

58:55celebrate with our family reunion in

58:57conjunction with E93. Xfinity is serving

59:01as a vendor out there. So come out, have

59:04fun, love on your community because we

59:06love you. Thank you for having us.

59:09[applause]

59:12>> Mayor and Council Joe Sher House, chief

59:14of information and public affairs, and

59:15really appreciate y'all's support of 912

59:18Day. And a special shout out to the

59:20communications team, both Ariel and

59:22Ariana. [applause]

59:25Over a dozen different events, and the

59:28logistics behind the scenes to execute

59:30all these events is tremendous. going

59:32from one place to another while also

59:34live streaming mobile workshops and

59:36getting out press releases and doing the

59:38day-to-day work that doesn't stop for

59:40the two of these individuals or the

59:41department as a whole. So appreciate

59:43their work and y'all's work and it does

59:45a great job of highlighting a lot of

59:47wonderful things that our city has to

59:49offer. Thank you, [applause]

59:52>> Mayor Johnson.

59:53>> Mr. Manager, come up please. Um and and

59:56also I think this has also been a time

59:58for giving. Uh yesterday we had our

1:00:00annual standown for homelessness uh with

1:00:03the VA and the authority for the

1:00:05homeless. Over 200 uh veterans and

1:00:08veteran adjacent individuals were served

1:00:11um at White Bluff United Methodist

1:00:13Church. Uh so as much as we celebrate,

1:00:16we have to also continue to serve. That

1:00:19embodies the spirit of of Savannah. Um

1:00:22and I think that's also important. I

1:00:24also wanted to acknowledge our other

1:00:26partners, some who may be here and some

1:00:28who may not. Amazon who's here been

1:00:30again phenomenal partner over the last

1:00:32couple of years. GFream, Visit Savannah,

1:00:35the Savannah Chamber of Commerce,

1:00:36Savannah Master Calendar, Savannah

1:00:38Downtown Business Association, Xfinity,

1:00:42Comcast Business, Cumulus Media, Live

1:00:45Oak Public Library, Savannah Coca-Cola

1:00:48Bottling Company, Savannah Photo Club,

1:00:50House Proud, Keep Savannah Beautiful.

1:00:53the Savannah State University, Savannah

1:00:56Chattam County Public School System,

1:00:58SCAD Serve, Hunter Army Airfield,

1:01:01Eastern Warf, uh JC Lewis, uh Kalin's

1:01:05Classics, Georgia State Railroad Museum,

1:01:08and Parkers. Let's give them a big round

1:01:10of applause. [applause]

1:01:14I have to also mention that on this past

1:01:16Saturday we had um our um our fourth

1:01:20Patriots run. Patriots 5K run in

1:01:23conjunction with a Hunter Army Hunter

1:01:24Army Airfield for our first responders.

1:01:27The city of Savannah was a sponsor and

1:01:29we it is our largest one yet in the four

1:01:31years. um they ran 5K and um it was an

1:01:35amazing day um again for us to remember

1:01:38our first responders on um also our

1:01:41firefighters um went up uh in the

1:01:44Emarket Arena went up the stairs,

1:01:46climbed the stairs uh in honor of

1:01:48September 11th. Again, uh it's a day of

1:01:51service. This a time of also observance

1:01:54and remembrance as well. Uh this cannot

1:01:56be done without our our our 912 day

1:02:00partners uh throughout the city of

1:02:02Savannah. Mr. City Manager uh Elizabeth

1:02:04Clark and special events, is she here?

1:02:07Uh Teesha Brown, diversity, equity, and

1:02:09inclusion officer. Uh Kelly Zakovic in

1:02:12municipal archives. Madori Carpenter in

1:02:15the civic center. Tanisha Scott in

1:02:18management and budget. Cawn Sear in

1:02:20management and budget. Barry Lewis,

1:02:23Savannah Police. Kelvin Bryant at

1:02:25Savannah Police. Whitney William Smith,

1:02:28Savannah Fire. Leah Scott Perry, solid

1:02:32waste refuge. Kama Flynn Knight, human

1:02:35services. Yvon Roberts, Planning and

1:02:38Economic Development. Miranda Lumpin,

1:02:40Latson, economic development. And Jerry

1:02:43Plet, recreation and leisure services.

1:02:45Let's give them all a big round of

1:02:47applause. [applause]

1:02:52And finally, um, I'm going to put the

1:02:55city manager on the spot because today

1:02:58is his fifth year anniversary of being a

1:03:01part of team Savannah. [applause]

1:03:06>> And so,

1:03:08>> I I I want him to tell us why he loves

1:03:11Savannah.

1:03:14>> You do you and the 912, mayor. You know

1:03:17that. Um, no. Uh, great to celebrate 912

1:03:22day. I think it's really, you know,

1:03:23great that it also, um, coincides with

1:03:26all of the celebrations and service

1:03:28along with our commemoration of, um,

1:03:31911. It's a great time to celebrate the

1:03:33city and this region. It's a great time

1:03:34to celebrate service. Um, and it's a

1:03:36great time to celebrate this incredible

1:03:38nation. Um, that we all have the honor

1:03:40of moving forward together. Um and uh

1:03:43five years of being city manager, five

1:03:46years of 912 day. Um and let's keep it

1:03:49going.

1:03:51[applause]

1:03:54>> And and just a reminder, we have a 912

1:03:56block beautifification day tomorrow. I

1:04:00need more volunteers.

1:04:02Um Mr. manager. If we have city

1:04:04employees and across our community, we

1:04:06need more volunteers to join us tomorrow

1:04:08as we beautify four homes in the

1:04:10community. To sign up, you can visit our

1:04:13Instagram bio to register as a

1:04:15volunteer. We are meeting tomorrow in

1:04:18Market Arena at 8:30 a.m. So, if you can

1:04:20help out, meet us at 8:30 a.m. Um, come

1:04:23ready to work. Also, our office of

1:04:26management and budget. Um, we are in

1:04:28budget time and this is our opportunity

1:04:30to get input on the FY2027

1:04:33budget. You can visit savannah.gov

1:04:36uh in the management and budget area to

1:04:39complete the 2027 budget priority for

1:04:42your voice to be heard. Let's give a big

1:04:44round of applause for the greatest city

1:04:46on earth, Savannah, Georgia. [applause]

1:04:54>> [applause]

1:04:56>> Sherekica's here, right? Is Shar Sharica

1:04:58Snowen our brand ambassador?

1:05:00>> Stand up. Sherekica, she's our brand

1:05:03ambassador for 912. [applause]

1:05:06Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank

1:05:07you,

1:05:08>> Mr. Mayor.

1:05:08>> So, go off, do something great, but we

1:05:11want you to celebrate. Have a toast. Do

1:05:14whatever it is you do. Um, but we get

1:05:17the blessing to live in this amazing

1:05:20city. And for those of us that travel

1:05:21and go around to other cities, uh I love

1:05:24other places I visit, but I love coming

1:05:26home.

1:05:27>> Oh, yeah.

1:05:27>> So, somebody has something.

1:05:30>> Yes, ma'am.

1:05:30>> I'm sorry.

1:05:32>> Oh. Um, where is the family reunion

1:05:34going to take place?

1:05:35>> Forsight Park.

1:05:36>> Foresight Park and the Legacy Homes. You

1:05:38said meet at Mark Arena at 8:30 in the

1:05:42morning. Okay. Thank you.

1:05:44>> I was just going to add Sherekica's Tik

1:05:46Toks are just really nice.

1:05:48>> All right. Thank you. We appreciate

1:05:49that, Madam Brand Ambassador. We

1:05:51appreciate it. Again, let's Yes, ma'am.

1:05:53>> What time does the family reunion start?

1:05:56>> 1 to 5.

1:05:57>> From 1 to 5.

1:05:58>> 1 to 5.

1:05:58>> Thank you.

1:05:59>> And if you want to come see Savannah

1:06:00State whoop whoop up on um Fort Valley

1:06:03State at that game is what time?

1:06:04>> Albony State. We'll whoop up on both of

1:06:06them. What time?

1:06:08>> Six o'clock.

1:06:09>> Six o'clock on.

1:06:09>> Yes. You can come and see us take out

1:06:11our frustration on some poor

1:06:13unsuspecting school. So, thank you all

1:06:15so much. Thank you.

1:06:21Ola.

1:06:24Yeah.

1:06:26Vineachos.

1:06:28>> Come on. [applause]

1:06:31Vente. Vinei. Vinei.

1:06:33>> Kalente. Kalente. Hot. Hot. Yeah.

1:06:37>> Yes. [applause]

1:06:39Come on around. Come on. Come on around.

1:06:41Come on around. Come on around. Come on

1:06:43around.

1:06:45My llama folks are here. Yes. Yes.

1:06:56Whereas each year from September the

1:06:5815th to October 15th, our nation

1:07:01observes Hispanic Heritage Month,

1:07:03celebrating the rich histories,

1:07:05cultures, traditions, achievements, and

1:07:07contributions of Hispanic and Latino

1:07:10Americans whose influence has

1:07:12strengthened the fabric of the United

1:07:13States. And whereas throughout our

1:07:15nation's history, Hispanic Americans

1:07:18have served with distinction as

1:07:20educators, entrepreneurs, artists,

1:07:22scientists, members of the armed forces,

1:07:24public servants, faith leaders, health

1:07:26care professionals, and community

1:07:28advocates, as well as civic leaders,

1:07:31contributing immeasurably to the

1:07:33economic, cultural, social, and

1:07:35democratic life of our country. And

1:07:37whereas the Hispanic and Latina

1:07:39community represents a vibrant and

1:07:41growing part of Savannah and the greater

1:07:44Coastal Georgia region, enriching our

1:07:46community through entrepreneurship,

1:07:49education, faith, family, culture,

1:07:51public service, and a strong commitment

1:07:53to building a better future for

1:07:55generations to come. And whereas

1:07:57Hispanic residents throughout Savannah

1:07:59continue to strengthen our

1:08:01neighborhoods, businesses, schools,

1:08:03houses of worship, nonprofit

1:08:05organizations, and institutions while

1:08:07sharing a proud heritage that reflects

1:08:09the extraordinary diversity of nations,

1:08:12cultures, languages, and traditions

1:08:14found throughout Latin America, the

1:08:16Caribbean, Spain, and beyond.

1:08:19And whereas the city of Savannah

1:08:21recognizes the importance of ensuring

1:08:23that all residents have a voice in the

1:08:26civic life of our community and that

1:08:28language, cultural and other barriers

1:08:30should never prevent any person from

1:08:33assessing opportunity, services,

1:08:35information or participation in their

1:08:38local government. And whereas the

1:08:40Hispanic Outreach Leadership and

1:08:42Advocacy Savannah Task Force has

1:08:44demonstrated an important commitment to

1:08:47strengthening relationships, expanding

1:08:49engagement, advocating for the needs and

1:08:51interests of Hispanic residents, and

1:08:53building bridges of understanding and

1:08:56collaboration throughout the community.

1:08:58And whereas National uh Hispanic

1:09:00Heritage Month provides an opportunity

1:09:02for all Savanians to learn more about

1:09:04the history and experiences of Hispanic

1:09:07Americans, uh celebrate their many

1:09:09accomplishments, honored their continued

1:09:11service, and recognize the indispensable

1:09:14role they play in the continued growth,

1:09:16strength, and success of our city and

1:09:19nation. Now therefore, I banner Johnson

1:09:21II, mayor of the city of Savannah,

1:09:23Georgia, do hereby proclaim September

1:09:26the 15th through October the 15, 2026 as

1:09:30National Hispanic Heritage Month in the

1:09:33city of Savannah and encourage all

1:09:35residents to celebrate the rich

1:09:37heritage, culture, history,

1:09:39achievements, and continuing

1:09:41contributions of Hispanic Americans uh

1:09:44to our country and to our nation. What I

1:09:47love about this city is that you could

1:09:49be 100% Hispanic and 100% um Savanian at

1:09:55the same time. Hola Savannah.

1:09:57>> Hola Savannah.

1:09:58>> So, ola Savannah.

1:10:00>> Hola.

1:10:01>> We celebrate everybody here. So,

1:10:02congratulations.

1:10:04[applause]

1:10:10>> Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. um as

1:10:13I've done in the past, I will do it in

1:10:15English first and then in Spanish. So,

1:10:18thank you, Mayor. Oh, let me start off

1:10:20by saying I'm Miriam Baker, executive

1:10:22assistant to the chief of information

1:10:24and public affairs, and I've been with

1:10:26the city 15 years.

1:10:28[cheering and applause]

1:10:33>> So, again, thank you, mayor and council,

1:10:35for the opportunity to stand before you

1:10:37today in recognition of Hispanic

1:10:39Heritage Month. As many of you may be

1:10:42aware, in October 2020, the mayor

1:10:45created the Hispanic Outreach Leadership

1:10:48and Advocacy Task Force, also known as

1:10:50Ola Savana. It is an honor and humbling

1:10:53privilege, and I'm grateful for the

1:10:55opportunity to serve as part of the task

1:10:57force that provides an opportunity for

1:10:59Hispanics to come to the city's table.

1:11:01Since its creation, members of the group

1:11:03have been able to effect change by

1:11:06enabling Spanish speaking residents to

1:11:08receive important information, health

1:11:10care services, gain access to resources,

1:11:13and increased knowledge to be better

1:11:15engaged with the community. We are from

1:11:1821 different Spanish-sp speakaking

1:11:20countries and have diverse cultural

1:11:22tradition and some lingo variations, but

1:11:26we share a love of family, good food,

1:11:28music, and dancing.

1:11:30We are, you know, now being here uh five

1:11:34years later later after the first

1:11:36proclamation, we are still here in

1:11:37Savannah building just that growing uh

1:11:40in number and contributing to the

1:11:42community a great and better life for

1:11:46ourselves.

1:11:47We call this city, this beautiful

1:11:50historic city, our home. We work here,

1:11:52we live here, we play here, and we are

1:11:55here to stay. Five years later, we're

1:11:57still here. So, thank you for the

1:11:59recognition of our presence in Savannah

1:12:02and the contributions we make as

1:12:03residents of this community.

1:12:42particip. Fore

1:12:55information

1:13:12linguist.

1:13:22No. Okay, I lost my place. Sorry.

1:13:49Let me slow down a minute.

1:14:12>> [applause and cheering]

1:14:16>> Thank you. Dada.

1:14:18Ah, see been working on it. Let's go.

1:14:21Let's go quickly. We just guess give you

1:14:23a name and what what country of what you

1:14:26represent or what country is your home?

1:14:30>> Yes. Yes.

1:14:32>> Hi, my name is Christine Puritin. I was

1:14:34born here in the United States. My

1:14:35mother is from Guatemala and my father

1:14:37is from Israel.

1:14:39>> All right.

1:14:39>> Happy to be here.

1:14:40>> All right.

1:15:02Motorcycle Latin Americas.

1:15:18Yes. So, our n our international

1:15:22president of my motorcycle group, um the

1:15:25Latin American Motorcycle Association,

1:15:27Llama.

1:15:27>> Yes.

1:15:28>> So, I am the only member that I'm not

1:15:30Latin and I don't have a motorcycle, but

1:15:32I'm a member.

1:15:34>> We have we have Afroamericans,

1:15:37uh Arabics, uh Germans, we're all over

1:15:41the world. But anyway, my name is Mario

1:15:43Neves and [clears throat] I was a farm

1:15:45boy born in Puerto Rico on a farm. And

1:15:47when I was nine, I came to live in

1:15:48Chicago.

1:15:50I must [clears throat] say I'm very

1:15:51impressed with this city. I was here

1:15:54last year for our uh Llama National

1:15:57Monitor Training Championships uh for

1:15:59USA and I was very impressed and I also

1:16:02[clears throat] got to meet the mayor

1:16:03which was really a a really good part of

1:16:05it. But riding around because we tour

1:16:08wherever we go and then coming now more

1:16:11laidback without the big crowd and being

1:16:13able to enjoy it. You guys have an

1:16:14incredible city. So, I I've been here a

1:16:17couple of days and I've been able to I I

1:16:19met with the uh chief of police. Wow.

1:16:22Very impressive man. Uh I met with the

1:16:25uh director of tourism and the director

1:16:27of the uh um

1:16:30>> the chamber of commerce. But today I

1:16:33come here and just listening to you all.

1:16:36Uh you have an incredible city. Okay.

1:16:39Our organization is really about we have

1:16:41several missions. One is promoting

1:16:43peace, love, harmony, and nonviolence

1:16:45worldwide. That's what we do. Our second

1:16:48mission is we promote tourism. Why? Yes,

1:16:51we have a sport called motor touring,

1:16:53which is a little separate, but we ride

1:16:55in the open air. We ride in storms,

1:16:58rain, we ride mountains, we we we spend

1:17:00our times enjoying the natural,

1:17:03breathtaking scenery everywhere in the

1:17:06Americas, all over the world. So, we

1:17:08know more about tourism than most

1:17:09people. And so we decided that each one

1:17:11of our of us will be a tourism promoter

1:17:15in our respective cities and nations.

1:17:18And

1:17:19>> and part of the reason for that is that

1:17:20we have a lot [clears throat] of people

1:17:21in the third world. They don't have the

1:17:24huge budget that the US and Europe has

1:17:26to promote tourism. Uh so in Africa, in

1:17:30Egypt, uh Nigeria, uh Philippines, all

1:17:33over the Americas, but also here in the

1:17:35USA because each one of us uh promotes

1:17:37tourism in our country. We promote

1:17:40tourism and people have started taking

1:17:41us serious and they respect us because

1:17:44when we come to a place and we take

1:17:46pictures, those pictures are seen in

1:17:47over 45 nations. We today we started a

1:17:51half a century ago. We're going to

1:17:52celebrate our 50th anniversary next

1:17:54year. And we now have 263 chapters in

1:17:58263 cities of 26 nations that include

1:18:02Turkey, Nigeria, Philippines, Germany,

1:18:05Spain, uh all the Americas, etc. And so

1:18:08we're very well known and basically uh

1:18:11we are dedicated to the sport of moto

1:18:13touring. We hold regionals which we just

1:18:15had in Alabama uh national

1:18:17championships, continental championships

1:18:20and a world championship that we hold in

1:18:21a distinct nation every year. So that's

1:18:24another responsibility. But most of us

1:18:27our responsibility is to demonstrate we

1:18:30we got we want to set a good example and

1:18:32uh we don't have political power. We

1:18:35don't have military power. But we got

1:18:37the most powerful power in the world,

1:18:41love.

1:18:42>> And we want to prove, and we do it all

1:18:45the time, that an African, an Asian, a

1:18:49Latin American, a European, an American

1:18:52can all join together, have a great meal

1:18:55at the Texas Roadhouse,

1:18:57and then go out and ride all

1:18:59[clears throat] weekend. And Monday, we

1:19:01all go to our distinctive jobs cuz we

1:19:03all have to work. You can't be in our

1:19:05club if you don't have a job. And and we

1:19:09don't have to kill each other. We do not

1:19:10have to kill each other. That we can get

1:19:12along fine. That's what we're proving.

1:19:15But it's such an honor to be here. It's

1:19:16an honor to be here with you with all of

1:19:19you. Very impressive. And you have a

1:19:20great talent. I'm not from Savannah, but

1:19:24we're working on starting a museum here

1:19:26in which the mayor has been a big

1:19:28supporter of the idea and some of the

1:19:29people we spoke with. So hopefully I

1:19:31will be one of your citizens, too.

1:19:33>> Thank you.

1:19:34>> [applause]

1:19:38>> Hi, good evening everyone. My name is

1:19:40Marta. They call me Martita because I

1:19:42still haven't grow up. That's a little

1:19:44Marta. I am very, very humbled to be

1:19:47here with you guys. I actually run this

1:19:49morning at 4:00 in the morning from

1:19:51Florida because I am not from Savannah,

1:19:54but there is a piece of Savannah here, a

1:19:56piece of me here in Savannah. And I am

1:19:59my own rider. So, I ride my own

1:20:01motorcycle for 25 years plus. I've been

1:20:03writing and going and spreading, you

1:20:05know, the love. Like Mr. Mario said, I

1:20:08am Latino. I am from Puerto Rico, raised

1:20:10uh born in Puerto Rico.

1:20:15Yeah. I was raised in Brooklyn, New

1:20:16York.

1:20:18>> Yes. And now I end up in Florida. Um I'm

1:20:22a professor. I also work with the

1:20:24Hillsboro County Sheriff's Office. So I

1:20:26represent everything that who I am.

1:20:28Thank you so much, sir. I met you a year

1:20:30ago

1:20:31>> and we're going to be talking a lot

1:20:36>> all that. But I am very humble like I

1:20:38always said I mean for me Savannah I

1:20:41have brought my son here who's he is um

1:20:44I I say he's an old soul of a jazz since

1:20:47he's a little kid. So I've been coming

1:20:49here back and forth back and forth. At

1:20:50the end we are a big family. There's no

1:20:53such thing of last names in the Bible.

1:20:55So that mean it's only one big family.

1:20:57>> That's right.

1:20:57>> If anybody thought about it. So um yeah

1:21:01there's not no not even one single if

1:21:03you get me one let's let's see each

1:21:05other outside but anyway welcome I am

1:21:07working to the right hand of Mr. Mario

1:21:10to do this museum and the museum is

1:21:12going to bring not only um motorcycle

1:21:14history also education. I'm an educator.

1:21:17I know you are as well sir and we want

1:21:20to make sure that everybody know about

1:21:21history but safety place fa safety is

1:21:24the first thing uh for the riders of the

1:21:26motorcycle and also for the pedestrian

1:21:28and everybody else that is around us.

1:21:30Thank you so much and hopefully I will

1:21:32go home this afternoon.

1:21:35>> Thank you.

1:21:36>> Thank you. [applause]

1:21:39Hola. My name is Daisy Hernandez and I

1:21:42am a transplant of 23 years here in

1:21:44Savannah and I'm from Puerto Rico.

1:21:53>> Yes. Yes. Uh good afternoon. Uh thank

1:21:55you, mayor and council. My name is Eddie

1:21:58with Migrant Equity Southeast. Uh we're

1:21:59a nonprofit organization based here in

1:22:01Savannah. Just want to thank the city

1:22:03for uh taking leadership in this space.

1:22:06a lot of other cities, we have to kind

1:22:08of work with them, you know, make sure

1:22:09that they have everything they need to

1:22:11to do similar things throughout this

1:22:12whole month. Um, we never have to do

1:22:14that for Savannah. So, thank you all so

1:22:16much. We also, you know, just want to

1:22:17highlight that uh right now is a time in

1:22:20our community where there is a lot of

1:22:22grief, a lot of separation. And we uh

1:22:25think it's important that things like

1:22:27this uh are opportunities for our

1:22:29community to see that as much as they

1:22:31contribute to the hostess city and all

1:22:33the industries that they work with, it's

1:22:35so important that they feel welcomed in

1:22:37the hostess city as well. So, thank you

1:22:39all.

1:22:40>> Thank you. [applause]

1:22:44>> Hello everyone. Thank you, mayor. This

1:22:47is an special opportunity, especially on

1:22:50these times. Um, I wrote something that

1:22:53I want to read and is we the people, we

1:22:56work hard, we dream big, we build from

1:22:59the ground up. We strengthened our

1:23:02communities and we are proud to

1:23:04contribute this country. We are the

1:23:06people.

1:23:07>> Thank you. [applause]

1:23:13I'mdalia Vargas. I'm from Puerto Rico.

1:23:15Borika also. And my husband William. Go

1:23:20ahead. Maro. Maro.

1:23:24>> Okay. Good afternoon everybody. My name

1:23:26is uh William Vargas. Uh born in New

1:23:28York but family from uh Puerto Rico. Uh

1:23:32joined the military. Now I retired in

1:23:34this uh great uh place, Savannah. This

1:23:36is uh what I call my home now. I've been

1:23:39uh around this place like nine years and

1:23:41it seems like uh

1:23:44probably safe for the rest of my life in

1:23:46here. So a beautiful place. Thank you,

1:23:48mayor.

1:23:49>> Thank you. Thank you.

1:23:52>> Yes. My name my name is Alonso Riot,

1:23:57>> president of [applause] the Hispanic

1:23:58Chamber of Commerce, 12 years and going.

1:24:01Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for the

1:24:02declaration. Um, and that's one of the

1:24:04things that I would like to see in every

1:24:07city in this county and beyond that they

1:24:10do the same things that you guys are

1:24:12doing. Proclamation of Hispanic Heritage

1:24:14Month so that all the Hispanics and

1:24:16non-Hispanics can celebrate. And we have

1:24:19uh we gave out a um calendar. We have a

1:24:23breakfast this uh Saturday and we have a

1:24:27festival downtown Eastern Warf. I want

1:24:30to invite all of you to celebrate.

1:24:32Here's my wife,

1:24:33>> Susanna.

1:24:34[applause]

1:24:37Susanna,

1:24:40thank you very much, mayor, and thank

1:24:42you very much everybody for open your

1:24:45arms for and especially for the Hispanic

1:24:47the Spanish

1:24:49the chamber Spanish commerce is

1:24:53is say thank you very much. Sorry, my my

1:24:56first language is a Spanish. My English

1:24:59is not very good, but it's I love you

1:25:01everybody. Thank you.

1:25:05[applause]

1:25:09>> Good afternoon. My name is Adriana

1:25:11Ramirez. I'm from the Joseph Stefan Law

1:25:13Office. So, we offering immigration

1:25:16lawyer now for the community and we

1:25:20support the Hispanic people. Thank you.

1:25:23[applause]

1:25:31Hey, I have been I have been working for

1:25:33the city of Savannah for anosto

1:25:38>> 20 almost. You almost got it.

1:25:41>> I'm a geographer here. We do GIS and uh

1:25:45my family is from Cuba. I was born in

1:25:47Miami.

1:25:48>> Thank you guys for having me.

1:25:50>> All right. [applause and cheering]

1:25:53Thank you all so much. We look forward

1:25:55to the celebration and in Savannah all

1:25:58means all. So hola. Thank you. Thank

1:26:02you. Thank you. [applause]

1:26:04>> I will definitely see you again.

1:26:05>> All right.

1:26:06>> Look at the land. So very good.

1:26:09>> Thank you.

1:26:10Don't know.

1:26:11>> I I'll try.

1:26:12>> I try.

1:26:14>> Um All right. And finally, uh under and

1:26:18we're just taking a little time. Um we

1:26:20have to show some love to ourselves. I

1:26:22need our procurement and contracts

1:26:24division to come up.

1:26:28This is how we get stuff done.

1:26:31Johnny Coker is around. Is he here? Come

1:26:34on up.

1:26:37They say Chicago city manager is here.

1:26:40Um we have to celebrate some hardwood.

1:26:46There's nothing like hardwood. Ladies

1:26:48and gentlemen, look at this.

1:26:53Ah

1:26:56>> this is from the national procurement

1:27:00institutes achievement of excellence in

1:27:04procurement and this is given to the

1:27:07procurement and contracts division for

1:27:10the city of Savannah

1:27:13>> manager. [applause] So,

1:27:18so I'mma do like they do when we win

1:27:21champion. I'm going to pass it to city

1:27:22manager and then you can pass to the

1:27:24team.

1:27:25>> Thank you.

1:27:26>> Uh this is really goes to the team to to

1:27:29everybody that's here and Johnny. This

1:27:30is a welldeserved award. This team has

1:27:33been working hard. everything that comes

1:27:35before council on the purchasing uh and

1:27:38much more is done by this small but

1:27:41mighty team uh making sure that we're

1:27:43procuring the goods and services we need

1:27:46to keep us moving in the right

1:27:48direction. So Johnny thank you

1:27:50congratulations and you and the team

1:27:52talk a little bit about what this means

1:27:54for us and our department.

1:27:58Uh this recognition reflects the

1:28:00dedication, professionalism, and hard

1:28:02work of our procurement and contracts

1:28:04team and warehouse um and city staff who

1:28:08support responsible and effective

1:28:10purchasing. We're proud of this

1:28:13achievement and grateful for the

1:28:14recognition. Um I I believe there was

1:28:17265 applications this year for this, but

1:28:21um within the state of Georgia, there

1:28:23was only five government agencies that

1:28:26received this award, and we were the

1:28:28only city within the [applause] state of

1:28:30Georgia that received this. Thank you.

1:28:36>> Anybody know how many cities there are

1:28:38in Georgia?

1:28:40>> 537.

1:28:42And say that again. We were the only

1:28:44city within the state of Georgia

1:28:46>> to receive that [applause]

1:28:52>> and and it's it's a lot it was a lot of

1:28:55hard work. I want to thank mayor

1:28:58alderman otter women city manager chief

1:29:02carile uh Mr. David Maxwell for

1:29:05supporting us in our endeavors and and

1:29:08it really it's it's a reflection of the

1:29:10team and the the ethical practice that

1:29:13the city has when it comes to

1:29:15procurement and I thank you. My name is

1:29:17Johnny Kilker. I don't know if I told

1:29:19y'all but if everybody else wants to

1:29:22introduce themselves or

1:29:24>> if y'all want to do that

1:29:24>> position and how long you've been with

1:29:26us?

1:29:26>> Tiffany Daniels, five years.

1:29:30>> [applause]

1:29:31>> Katrina Hagen, assistant director, 15

1:29:33months.

1:29:35[applause]

1:29:37>> Bernell Mitchell, 20 years.

1:29:40[applause]

1:29:41>> Leverne Allen, 30 plus.

1:29:46>> Andrew Clay, four months. [applause]

1:29:51>> Daryl Arnold, a year and a half.

1:29:55>> Levi Emanuel, nine months. [applause]

1:29:59Anife Jones purchasing four months.

1:30:04>> Ladies and gentlemen, to be absolutely

1:30:06honest with you, they're the reason that

1:30:08we don't end up in prison.

1:30:10>> That's right.

1:30:12>> And they're the reason that we win

1:30:14lawsuits.

1:30:16>> Because we have policies uh enacted uh

1:30:19by professionals. We have a process uh

1:30:22that is legally defensible, Mr.

1:30:24Attorney. Um, and the fact of the matter

1:30:26is we do things above board and these

1:30:30are the gatekeepers. Uh, and so I want

1:30:32to thank y'all keeping me out of prison.

1:30:35I say I don't know nothing about that.

1:30:37Y'all call purchasing and procurement

1:30:39because the reality is uh this helps us

1:30:42to remain above board and I'm serious

1:30:44about that. Mr. Manager, thank you for

1:30:46your leadership. Obviously, this is a

1:30:48very important way. We expend a lot of

1:30:50money in business and so it is good when

1:30:53other folks recognize the things that we

1:30:55already know that the greatest city on

1:30:57earth has the greatest purchasing and

1:30:59procurement uh division on earth and

1:31:01again we're so proud of you Miss Koka

1:31:03team congratulations and we appreciate

1:31:08>> [applause]

1:31:22>> All right, y'all. Let's get to it. Um,

1:31:27we'll go ahead and just

1:31:30power through. Um,

1:31:34why don't we go to our alcohol license

1:31:38hearings? Um, there are

1:31:41four of them. Um, are there any

1:31:44pullouts?

1:31:46Okay. Then item number eight is approval

1:31:48of a class E beer and wine by the

1:31:50package.

1:31:52>> Pull number nine.

1:31:53>> Number nine. Okay. Uh,

1:31:56I'll call Well, item E, I'm sorry. Uh

1:32:01item eight, I'm sorry, is approval of a

1:32:03class E beer and wine by the package I

1:32:05call license to Yash Patel for Bull

1:32:07Smoke Market at 137 Bull Street uh

1:32:10between West York and West Arkansas

1:32:12Avenue in Almat District 2. Item number

1:32:1510 is approval of a class C liquor,

1:32:17beer, and wine by the drink alcohol

1:32:19license of Sunday sales to Shaun Sasano

1:32:22for Old Harbor End at 508 East Factors

1:32:25Walk between East Lincoln and ramp and

1:32:28East Broad ramp in Automatist 2. Uh item

1:32:32number 11, approval of a class C beer a

1:32:35liquor and wine by the drink alcohol

1:32:37license Sunday sales to Kelly Pasawasi

1:32:41for vicious biscuit. Um, yeah, that

1:32:44sounds interesting. Vicious Biscuit. Um,

1:32:47a restaurant located at 7,400 Abacorn

1:32:49Street, Sweet 521, uh, between

1:32:52Eisenhower Drive and Mall Boulevard and

1:32:53Alat District 4. This is a public

1:32:56hearing that I'm declaring open. Does

1:32:58anyone have anything against any of

1:32:59these licenses? Going once,

1:33:04going twice.

1:33:06Speak now if I ever hold your peace,

1:33:08>> Mr. Mayor.

1:33:09>> Yes, sir.

1:33:09>> Close the hearing. Second

1:33:10>> and probably move the second that we

1:33:12close the hearings for items number 8,

1:33:1410, and 11. All in favor indicate by

1:33:15saying I.

1:33:16>> Opposed. Motion passes. Item number

1:33:19eight, approval of a class E beer and

1:33:22wine by the package alcohol license for

1:33:24Bull Smoke Market. Alderman Leot.

1:33:26>> Yes. Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, I move that we

1:33:28approve the class E beer and wine by the

1:33:31package alcohol license to Y Patel for

1:33:34Bull Smoke Market.

1:33:35>> Second.

1:33:36>> Probably moved and seconded. All in

1:33:37favor indicate by saying I.

1:33:39>> I. Opposed.

1:33:40>> Opposed.

1:33:40>> All right. Motion passes 8 to one. Item

1:33:43number 10. Uh approval of a class C

1:33:45liquor, beer, and wine by the drink

1:33:46alcohol license with Sunday sales to Old

1:33:50Harbor in in all district 2. Alderman

1:33:52Leget.

1:33:52>> Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, I move that we

1:33:54approve the class C liquor.

1:33:57Liquor Burr [laughter]

1:34:00>> liquor burr.

1:34:01>> Burr.

1:34:04[laughter]

1:34:05>> Liquor Burr.

1:34:08>> It's a typo. Typo

1:34:09>> by the drink alcohol license for Sunday

1:34:11sales to Sean Sono for Old Harbor in 508

1:34:16East Factory.

1:34:17>> Second properly moved and seconded. All

1:34:19in favor in the by saying I

1:34:21>> opposed.

1:34:21>> Oppos.

1:34:22>> All right. Motion passes 8 to1. Go by

1:34:24the old harbor in and have some burr.

1:34:27Item number 11, class C, liquor, beer,

1:34:30and wine by drink alcohol license Sunday

1:34:32sales to Kelly Pas Lowski.

1:34:36>> Uh, for vicious biscuit 7,400 Abocorn

1:34:39Street, Alderman Palumbo.

1:34:41>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move for the

1:34:42approval of a class C liquor and wine by

1:34:44the drink alcohol license with Sunday

1:34:46sales to Kelly Pasloski for vicious

1:34:49biscuit.

1:34:49>> Second.

1:34:51>> Probably moved and seconded. All in

1:34:52favor of the Kate by saying I

1:34:54>> opposed.

1:34:55>> Opposed. Motion passes 8 to one. Going

1:34:57back to item number nine is approval of

1:34:58a class G beer and wine complimentary

1:35:01alcohol license to for Joy Walker for

1:35:04parts of joy wellness and beauty a

1:35:06beauty salon located at 526 Martin King

1:35:09Jr. Boulevard in automatic district 2.

1:35:12Uh this is a public hearing I am now

1:35:14declaring open. I have been to this

1:35:16business. It is an excellent business.

1:35:18Anyone have anything against this

1:35:20license?

1:35:22Going once.

1:35:24Going twice.

1:35:26Speak now if ever hold your peace.

1:35:27>> Mr. Mayor.

1:35:28>> Yes, sir.

1:35:29>> That we close the hearing. Second.

1:35:30>> Been properly moved and second. All in

1:35:32favor indicate by saying I.

1:35:33>> Opposed. Motion passes. Alderman Leget.

1:35:36>> Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, I move that we

1:35:38approve the class G beer and wine

1:35:41complimentary alcohol license to Joy

1:35:43Walker for parts of joy, wellness, and

1:35:46beauty.

1:35:46>> Second.

1:35:47>> Properly moved and seconded. All in

1:35:48favor by saying I.

1:35:50>> I.

1:35:50>> Opposed. Motion passes. Item number 12

1:35:54is a public hearing of an adoption of an

1:35:56ordinance imposing a temporary moratorum

1:35:59on development of conversion activity

1:36:01related to large-scale data centers with

1:36:03an electrical capacity of 10 megawatts

1:36:06or greater and prohibiting the

1:36:07conversion of warehouses and large

1:36:09industrial buildings of 200,000 square

1:36:12feet or more to data center use within

1:36:15the corporate limits of the city of

1:36:17Savannah. If you remember, we held this

1:36:19hearing before. We are making sure um

1:36:23that we are um within compliance with

1:36:26the law. So, this is a public hearing

1:36:28that I am now declaring open. Does

1:36:30anyone have anything to say regarding

1:36:32this item? We have not received any

1:36:34cards regarding this. Mr. Clerk, is

1:36:36there a motion to close?

1:36:38>> Mr. Mayor,

1:36:39>> second.

1:36:39>> Probably moved and seconded. All in

1:36:41favor indicate by saying I.

1:36:43>> I.

1:36:43>> Opposed. Motion passes.

1:36:45>> Mr. Mayor.

1:36:46>> Yes, sir. Move that the first reading be

1:36:47considered the second the ordinance

1:36:49placed upon its passage and pass.

1:36:50Second.

1:36:51>> All right. Perie on item number 14.

1:36:53We're moving that the first reading be

1:36:55considered the second and this ordinance

1:36:57placed upon it passage and pass. All in

1:36:59favor indicate by saying I.

1:37:01>> I.

1:37:01>> Opposed.

1:37:02>> Motion passes. Item number 13 is a

1:37:04public hearing on statemandated annual

1:37:07update to the community work program

1:37:09portion of the capital improvements

1:37:10element which was adopted by council in

1:37:13February 2023 which amended the Chattam

1:37:16County Savannah comprehensive plan 20

1:37:19240 and transmitt to the coastal Georgia

1:37:22regional commission for regional and

1:37:24state review. Uh this is a public

1:37:26hearing that I've now declared open. Are

1:37:29there any comments regarding this?

1:37:32Going once,

1:37:34going twice.

1:37:36Speak now. Forever hold your peace.

1:37:38>> Yes.

1:37:39>> Second motion

1:37:40>> been properly moved and seconded. All in

1:37:42favor indicate by saying I.

1:37:43>> I.

1:37:43>> Opposed. Motion passes. Mr. Yellen. Mr.

1:37:46Yellen. You started moving its way.

1:37:48>> You good.

1:37:49>> Okay,

1:37:49>> Mr. Mayor.

1:37:50>> Yes.

1:37:50>> I'd like to make a motion to approve

1:37:52item number 23.

1:37:54>> Okay. Resol resolution to submit a state

1:37:57mandate annual update to the community

1:38:00work program portion of capital

1:38:02improvement element. Second

1:38:04>> then probably moved and seconded. All in

1:38:06favor of the Kate by saying I

1:38:07>> opposed. A motion passes under first

1:38:10readers is the approval to amend

1:38:12division 2 part 4 public services uh

1:38:16under the international airport article

1:38:18A. Uh so we'll leave that uh as a first

1:38:22reader. uh as well as the approval to

1:38:24amend the charter of the city of

1:38:25Savannah section 8-415

1:38:28rights and airport property. This is

1:38:31again strictly related to the city's

1:38:32relationship to the airport. Um so these

1:38:35are first readers and we'll leave those

1:38:37there. Uh under um

1:38:40>> item number 17. Are you all ready to

1:38:42move forward on this?

1:38:43>> Mr. Mayor,

1:38:44>> yes. I would like to um make a a motion

1:38:48or a a substitute motion, whichever is

1:38:52in order.

1:38:53>> Well, I'm my question is are we prepared

1:38:55to move forward, Mr. Manager?

1:38:56>> No, sir.

1:38:57>> All right, then we'll just we'll leave

1:38:58it alone.

1:39:00>> Um we'll we'll we'll wait until council

1:39:02is ready.

1:39:02>> Thank you, sir.

1:39:03>> Um item number 18. Uh this is also on

1:39:06second reading uh regarding permit ad

1:39:09permitted use and associate development

1:39:11standards to articles 5.0 know based

1:39:13zoning districts use standards, general

1:39:15site standards, abbreviations and

1:39:17definitions. Are we ready to move

1:39:18forward with this regarding housing?

1:39:20>> No, sir. Mr. Mayor.

1:39:21>> Yes. One one moment. Yes, sir.

1:39:24>> Yes, sir.

1:39:24>> I move for the approval of the petition

1:39:26on behalf of the mayor and alderman of

1:39:27the city of Savannah, Georgia for a

1:39:29zoning text amendment to add permitted

1:39:30use and associated development standards

1:39:32to articles five uh.0 base zoning

1:39:35districts, 8.0 U standards, 9.0 general

1:39:39site standards, and 13.0 abbreviations.

1:39:42and definitions to permit several

1:39:43different housing types in multiple

1:39:46districts.

1:39:46>> Mr. Mayor properly moved and seconded.

1:39:48All in favor indicate by saying I.

1:39:51>> I.

1:39:51>> Mr. Mayor,

1:39:53>> opposed.

1:39:54All right. Let let me just go to the

1:39:56board.

1:39:56>> Yes.

1:40:04>> Okay. Motion.

1:40:08Oh, we're waiting on All right. Motion

1:40:11fails. All right. All right. Moving on.

1:40:14Item number 19 under purchasing. We're

1:40:16going 19 20 and 21

1:40:19authorizing the city manag to contract

1:40:22modification number two with Garnney

1:40:24Companies Incorporated for the IND water

1:40:26system improvement project phase 1C

1:40:29construction guaranteed maximum price uh

1:40:32in an amount not to exceed 65,526,494.

1:40:38Um

1:40:40item number 20 authorize city magic

1:40:42execute a one-time uh purchase for grit

1:40:45removal equipment from Old Castle

1:40:47Infrastructure DBA Hydro International

1:40:50and the amount not to exceed 1,660,000.

1:40:55Item number 21 um authorize city manager

1:40:58to execute contract modification number

1:41:00one with Rostand Solutions in the amount

1:41:02of $45,000.

1:41:04Is there a motion?

1:41:06>> So move sir.

1:41:06>> Is there a second? properly moved and

1:41:08seconded. All in favor indicate by

1:41:10saying I

1:41:10>> I

1:41:11>> opposed. Motion passes. Item number 22,

1:41:14resolution authorizing city manager to

1:41:16terminate and replace existing city of

1:41:18Savannah affordable housing limited

1:41:20warranty deed restrictions with the

1:41:22state of Georgia Department of Community

1:41:24Affairs lowincome housing tax credit

1:41:27housing affordability deed restrictions

1:41:30associated with properties at 1700

1:41:32Drayton Street and 104 East 34th Street

1:41:35located in automatic district 2. Is

1:41:38there a motion?

1:41:39>> Mr. Mayor.

1:41:40>> Yes, sir. asks that we approve the

1:41:42resolution authorizing the city manager

1:41:44to terminate and replace the existing

1:41:45city of Savannah affordable housing

1:41:47limited war warranty deed restriction

1:41:51>> uh with state of Georgia department of

1:41:52community affairs

1:41:53>> second

1:41:54>> properly moved and seconded all in favor

1:41:56by saying I

1:41:57>> I

1:41:57>> opposed motion passes item numbers 24

1:42:00and 25 approval of a water and sewer

1:42:03agreement with Balentry PMC 30 Adlers

1:42:06LLC for a development consisting of 30

1:42:09town homes in eastern warf Savannah

1:42:11River Landings located alat district 2.

1:42:14Uh item number 25, authorize city manage

1:42:16to execute a 12-month contract to

1:42:19administer a storm water utility

1:42:21hardship assistance program with the

1:42:23option to renew with the economic

1:42:25opportunity authority for Savannah

1:42:27Chattam County in the amount of

1:42:28$100,000. Which one you have a a

1:42:30question with?

1:42:31>> 25.

1:42:31>> All right. Then we'll take item number

1:42:3324. Is there a motion?

1:42:35>> Mr. Mayor.

1:42:36>> Yes.

1:42:36>> Oh, excuse me.

1:42:37>> Alderman Le

1:42:38>> second.

1:42:39>> Then properly moved and seconded. All in

1:42:40favor indicate by saying I

1:42:42>> I

1:42:42>> oppose. Motion passes. Item number 25.

1:42:45Alder woman um Wilder Bryant.

1:42:47>> Yes sir. I have a question.

1:42:48>> Yes.

1:42:49>> Uh okay.

1:42:50>> Our uh revenue in the utilities is a

1:42:53enterprise if I'm not mistaken. And so

1:42:56we are willing to say that this is a new

1:42:59program, this water utility, and whoever

1:43:02has a problem will be able to get some

1:43:06money from this. I'm just wondering why

1:43:08we don't have that for uh water

1:43:11services.

1:43:12Why didn't we offer that for water

1:43:14services? We have a lot of people who

1:43:16are elderly who are having problems with

1:43:19water. Uh and so just a question, sir.

1:43:22I'm

1:43:23>> Mr. Manager. I I think this one was in

1:43:26um direct response to what council asked

1:43:28for when we approved the storm water

1:43:31utility. Um Mr. Manager, that's correct.

1:43:34>> Yes, sir. But but my thing is I've been

1:43:35talking about the water services in the

1:43:37in the uh uh well past uh pandemic when

1:43:41waters was getting disconnected. And so

1:43:44I would like to see something in place

1:43:45for uh utilities for seniors to

1:43:48compensate for the same thing what we're

1:43:51affording to give to people to storm

1:43:52water utilities. Uh we we sit up here

1:43:55and we talk about these things. And so,

1:43:57uh, I I offer, uh, some assistance,

1:44:02needing some assistance to do the same

1:44:03thing for the utility water services for

1:44:06our, um, people who are having problems

1:44:10keeping water. Um, please, sir, if we

1:44:13can address that at a later time and

1:44:15make sure we incorporate that, too.

1:44:17>> Absolutely,

1:44:17>> Mr. Manager, if you would. Uh,

1:44:18>> I'll bring back information on that

1:44:20item. Yes. Thank you.

1:44:21>> Thank you.

1:44:22>> Yes,

1:44:22>> Mr. Mayor. Thank you so much. I would

1:44:24like

1:44:24>> I'm sorry, Alderwoman Bell.

1:44:26>> Okay.

1:44:26>> Um

1:44:28>> just a m maybe we should go on with the

1:44:30vote and then I'll make my comment.

1:44:31>> Okay. So I let me make a statement. Go

1:44:34>> ahead.

1:44:34>> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. On this

1:44:36particular item, I would like uh the

1:44:37city manager. We were talking about this

1:44:39and I am well pleased um with this. Uh

1:44:42Mr. city manager and I know that the

1:44:45Equal Opportunity Authority uh is uh

1:44:48going to be a vital um place where our

1:44:53community and our citizens can can go in

1:44:56order to reap uh this benefit. And Mr.

1:44:59Mayor, city manager, if you would just

1:45:01expound just a little bit because I it's

1:45:03just worth the um the community hearing

1:45:05about what we're doing here.

1:45:07>> I will start. Um

1:45:09>> Yes, sir. We the number one issue that

1:45:12was related by council during our

1:45:14strategy sessions uh and certainly

1:45:17throughout our strategic plan was for us

1:45:20to finally do something about our storm

1:45:23water. Um this continued to be an issue.

1:45:27council raised it as an issue

1:45:28particularly when they expressed

1:45:30dissatisfaction with how um our ability

1:45:35to be able to is address issues of of

1:45:38canals the um drains uh and the fact was

1:45:42we did not have dedicated personnel to

1:45:44be able to handle this at the level um

1:45:46at which we expected it. We asked staff

1:45:49to do a deep dive into this. they did uh

1:45:52for well over a year uh came back to us

1:45:55with a plan uh two years almost and then

1:45:59over 17 public meetings. Um we found a

1:46:02way to be able to do it. We estimated it

1:46:05was about $8 million a year. Um they

1:46:08talked about the reasons why we could do

1:46:10it as a fee as opposed. I think the

1:46:14difference was at the time was that if

1:46:16it was a tax, particularly property tax,

1:46:19only those paying property tax would

1:46:22pay. So there would be some that would

1:46:24be exempt from that. Um to include um

1:46:28nonprofits, to include those that have

1:46:30tax abatements. Uh if we did it as a

1:46:32fee, everyone paid. So the difference is

1:46:34is that you have $8 million that we

1:46:36would generate a year. And the

1:46:38difference was is that homeowners would

1:46:40probably pay about $2 million of that.

1:46:42Um so I think when we voted on it and it

1:46:46did um pass uh in a divided vote, it was

1:46:49not unanimous. Um one of the requests

1:46:51made was that um staff would investigate

1:46:55um a hardship fund uh to be able to

1:46:57address the the the hardships people

1:47:02might come about in paying the

1:47:04additional two to$10

1:47:07uh every two months or so that this uh

1:47:10storm water fee would charge. So staff

1:47:12responded, city manager a put this back

1:47:14on the agenda uh for us to review and so

1:47:18Mr. Manager, Mr. Felder and team, thank

1:47:20you for again doing what council asked

1:47:23you to do.

1:47:25>> Yes.

1:47:27>> Well, do you

1:47:28>> I'm going to go on and speak. Yes. Um

1:47:31>> in addition to um

1:47:35>> u the mayor's res are reciting the

1:47:38history of this particular item. Um, I

1:47:41would also like to point out that uh

1:47:44staff did an excellent job providing

1:47:46information to the public across the

1:47:49city. However, we failed to have

1:47:53initially we failed to meet specifically

1:47:56with the ministers, the faith-based

1:47:58community across the city. And we all

1:48:02know that a lot of information that our

1:48:04citizens receive come from the

1:48:07faith-based community, their pastors and

1:48:11priests and whatever. So, I want to

1:48:13thank the city manager and staff because

1:48:16after meeting with the uh inter

1:48:18interdenomination administeria alliance

1:48:21and realizing they were very very

1:48:24concerned about this feed being a

1:48:27hardship on their parishioners staff did

1:48:30go out and and uh met with them. Oh,

1:48:34there you are. and met with them and um

1:48:37took a deep dive into explaining the

1:48:39process, explaining the need.

1:48:42And we also

1:48:46decided that it would be helpful

1:48:50to um the citizens who could not afford

1:48:54the fee to provide a way for them for

1:48:57their fees to be paid if they would if

1:49:00it was deemed um necessary by a

1:49:03nonprofit. So, thank you, Mr. City

1:49:05Manager and staff for working to uh with

1:49:08EOA and finding a nonprofit who would

1:49:12take on that responsibility

1:49:14of um identifying those citizens in our

1:49:18community who cannot afford the fee. But

1:49:20it's a need and the mayor has elaborated

1:49:22on how desperate the need is and how we

1:49:25were just continuing to kick the ball

1:49:27down the road and we got to the point

1:49:28where we couldn't kick it any further.

1:49:30We had to do something about it. So,

1:49:33thank you for listening to us, us now

1:49:37meeting the ministerial alliance. So,

1:49:40thank you city manager and staff for

1:49:43identifying that nonprofit to take on

1:49:47the responsibility of um for providing a

1:49:51means for those who cannot cannot afford

1:49:53to pay.

1:49:54>> Mr. Mayor,

1:49:54>> yes. Uh I think it was oldwoman uh

1:49:56Miller

1:49:57>> Blakeley

1:49:59talking about this.

1:50:00>> Yes.

1:50:01>> Yes.

1:50:04I wanted to make a motion for

1:50:07>> Okay. So, just let the record reflect

1:50:09that there's 81 vote on 24.

1:50:11>> Mr. Mayor, I just would like to I think

1:50:13it's an awesome program. I just wanted

1:50:15to push it for the water. So, I'd like

1:50:17to make a motion to approve it. Sir,

1:50:18>> I think we

1:50:20we already had a motion. Did we not? We

1:50:23did not. We did not.

1:50:24>> All right. Been properly moved to

1:50:25second. All in favor by saying I

1:50:27>> opposed. Motion passes. Item number 26,

1:50:31authorize city manage to execute the

1:50:33sale of storm water easement on and

1:50:35across city- owned property at 137 Shell

1:50:38Bark Way uh in Almat district 1.

1:50:42>> Mr. Mayor,

1:50:42>> yes.

1:50:43>> I move that we authorize the city

1:50:44manager to execute the sale of a

1:50:47stormwater easement on the cross city

1:50:48owned property at 137 Shell Parkway

1:50:50located in all district one.

1:50:52>> I'm sorry. Second.

1:50:53>> Been properly moved and seconded. All in

1:50:54favor of the case by saying I.

1:50:55>> I.

1:50:56>> Opposed. Motion passes. Ladies and

1:50:58gentlemen, that concludes our agenda.

1:51:00Um, we can move things where we want to

1:51:01move them, right?

1:51:02>> Yes, we can.

1:51:03>> So, uh, um, what side am I starting on?

1:51:08>> I'll start. I don't have anything I'm

1:51:09passing.

1:51:10>> Thank you.

1:51:12>> Happy 912 week.

1:51:13>> Thank you.

1:51:14>> Yesterday was amazing uh, with the um,

1:51:17collaboration of the businesses and 912

1:51:20and uh, can't wait to see what y'all

1:51:23going to be in airplanes or vintage cars

1:51:25or whatever. We're ready.

1:51:28>> Yeah. Yeah.

1:51:29>> Looking forward to the celebration of

1:51:31912, a great initiative in our city.

1:51:33Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

1:51:34>> Yes.

1:51:34>> Also, uh our prayers and thoughts um and

1:51:37coming together uh as we uh move forward

1:51:41into not uh September the 11th. Uh and

1:51:46think about our first responders and and

1:51:48the families here. So, uh, knowing that

1:51:51our city, uh, is with you, standing with

1:51:53you, and praying with you during this

1:51:56time of reflection. Thank you, Mr.

1:51:58Mayor.

1:51:58>> Thank you. Uh, Alman Palumbo,

1:52:01>> happy 912 day.

1:52:02>> Thank you, Alman.

1:52:04>> What time is it? Okay. Um, so just a few

1:52:07minutes.

1:52:08>> Uh, I don't have much to say other than

1:52:11we get to sit up here and decide some

1:52:12things a lot. we vote on stuff, but you

1:52:15know, there's a lot of work that goes

1:52:16behind the scenes and because it is 912

1:52:18week and um I want to show some love for

1:52:21our our city employees, all of team

1:52:24Savannah who work tire tirelessly around

1:52:26the clock, answer calls, answer text

1:52:27messages, emails. Um hear a lot of

1:52:30complaining from, you know, folks that

1:52:32live in the community, even council

1:52:34members, uh call and complain and and

1:52:36sometimes

1:52:38get things done. But these folks work

1:52:40tirelessly and they work in the best

1:52:41interest of the folks here in the

1:52:43community. So I want to extend a

1:52:45heartfelt gratitude for that and

1:52:46everything that you all do. Uh you all

1:52:48are true professionals and it shows. And

1:52:51uh I'll just end by saying that's how we

1:52:53do in the 912. So

1:52:54>> all right.

1:52:56[applause]

1:52:57>> All right.

1:52:59Now you might hear that again.

1:53:01>> This is how we do it.

1:53:03>> Yes.

1:53:03>> All the woman.

1:53:04>> Oh, thank you, Mayor Johnson. Happy 912

1:53:08day to everybody and as many people as

1:53:10possible. Please show up tomorrow 8:30

1:53:13at In Market Arena and Saturday at um

1:53:17from 1 to 5 at Foresights Park. Now I'm

1:53:20going to try to make it to Foresight

1:53:22Park. I don't know about uh in Market

1:53:25Arena at 8:30 in the morning.

1:53:28>> Huh?

1:53:29>> He want us there at 8:30 in the morning.

1:53:32>> What time do you want us there at 1:00?

1:53:35No, I mean just come.

1:53:36>> He said just come.

1:53:37>> Just come anytime between 1 and 5.

1:53:38>> Okay. All right. And I have to say this.

1:53:40I have to say this. Um to our storm

1:53:44water department,

1:53:46Mr. Felda,

1:53:48to uh Anthony, to Laura, to Eric, to

1:53:52Brandon, to Trey. Am I missing anybody?

1:53:57I I to all those individuals that came

1:54:01out, stayed from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

1:54:05giving out those rain barrels. Y'all did

1:54:09a phenomenal phenomenal job. [applause]

1:54:12I'm talking,

1:54:15correct me if I'm wrong, I'm thinking

1:54:17almost 2,000 rain barrels was given out.

1:54:20Am I exaggerating?

1:54:23>> I'm getting close. All right. Now, uh,

1:54:26one place we did not go was at the

1:54:28Highlands, and Anthony told me,

1:54:30Alderwoman Laneir, to make sure I let

1:54:33you and the mayor know that the date is

1:54:35coming. Right.

1:54:36>> This initiative was so awesome that now

1:54:39they want to do it communitywide, Mr.

1:54:42Felner, and um, we're just looking for a

1:54:44location where we can actually do that.

1:54:47Now, um, I want to say a happy happy

1:54:50birthday to my grandbaby, my dream. She

1:54:54turned eight years old. All right. Um on

1:54:57Sunday and I think she the only one in

1:55:00this this month. No, I'm sorry. No, no,

1:55:03no. My daughter my daughter who turned

1:55:0746

1:55:09>> and um a happy uh heavenly birthday to

1:55:14my husband Hollis Mitchell.

1:55:16>> Um and also on the 26th of September.

1:55:21Well, I'll wait till the 24th and y'all

1:55:23could tell me happy birthday. All

1:55:26[laughter] right, M.

1:55:27>> Thank you,

1:55:27>> Mr. Mayor.

1:55:28>> Uh, one old woman's bell.

1:55:30>> Yeah, all woman.

1:55:32>> Alman Bell.

1:55:33>> No.

1:55:34>> Okay,

1:55:34>> Mr. Mayor, I forgot. Uh, we lost in the

1:55:36third district. Well, districtwide,

1:55:38Peggy Noon.

1:55:39>> Peggy Noon.

1:55:40>> Uh, just an awesome person.

1:55:42>> Pegasus.

1:55:43>> Pegasus Academy. We lost her. She did

1:55:46all kind of wonderful things for kids at

1:55:48risk, the military disability. Um she

1:55:51has been a partner of mine for 11 years

1:55:54and I'm going to miss her because she

1:55:56was amazing. Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.

1:55:59Right.

1:55:59>> Yeah. We're we're going to miss

1:56:00>> Yeah. And we want to welcome back

1:56:01Daffany. And since we doing birthdays,

1:56:03my middle girl Lindsay Brian's birthday

1:56:05was August the 30. Happy birthday,

1:56:07little baby. Yes. We uh definitely want

1:56:10to lift up uh the life of Peggy Non who

1:56:12was such a um a gift uh to this city and

1:56:16so we we will certainly miss her. Uh

1:56:19wanted to also lift up the life of Myra

1:56:22Mitchell, Reverend Myra Mitchell

1:56:24>> who was a chaplain for the sheriff's

1:56:26department and uh who passed away and

1:56:29Mr. Cleon Johnson.

1:56:31>> Oh yes.

1:56:32>> That many folks know. Um and we lift up

1:56:35his life as well. I want to congratulate

1:56:38uh uh Chief Manard. Um this week we um

1:56:43brought in 15 new firefighters. Um

1:56:49>> but the difference about this this

1:56:51class, Mr. Manager, was these were 15

1:56:54laterals. So these were 15 firefighters.

1:56:58I won't say that we stole, but we we

1:57:01acquired them from other departments

1:57:04>> through the portal.

1:57:05>> Right. as I as as as we said before and

1:57:08as I said on uh Friday, uh this was not

1:57:11the draft. This was free agency. We went

1:57:13and just took what we wanted because we

1:57:15could. And uh again, the the great news

1:57:18about that was is that um these are

1:57:20already experienced firefighters and

1:57:23they went to work that week, last

1:57:24weekend. So again, uh great job, sir,

1:57:27and let's continue acquiring other folks

1:57:30firefighters. Uh we appreciate that. Uh,

1:57:32and I want to wish a very happy birthday

1:57:35to Miss Demetrius Jackson. DJ Jackson's

1:57:38birthday is today. [cheering] Um,

1:57:42and so

1:57:44>> she's probably not paying any attention

1:57:46to this meeting. Um, so y'all when you

1:57:49De Jackson, so y'all wish her, she you

1:57:54will know it's her birthday because

1:57:55she's walk around a big sash saying it's

1:57:56my birthday. So, um, Mr. Clerk, do you

1:57:59have anything?

1:58:00>> Yes, sir.

1:58:01>> Uh, Mr. Attorney, do you have anything?

1:58:03>> Mr. Manager, you have anything? Yes,

1:58:05sir.

1:58:06>> All right. Well, ladies and gentlemen,

1:58:07thank you all for being here. Happy S

1:58:10city

1:58:12Johnson.

1:58:13>> Um, I just want to tell the city manager

1:58:16and oh, what's her name that did the

1:58:18tour today?

1:58:21>> City manager.

1:58:22>> No, no, the city manager. Um, the

1:58:24assistant city manager and Carrie Reed.

1:58:26>> Terry. Terry Reed. And well everybody

1:58:30the tour was phenomenal and thank you

1:58:32all so very very much. Looking forward

1:58:35to the recreation tour. We are Savannah

1:58:39strong.

```*