2026-09-24 - City Council

19:52Mr. Clerk, if you please call a role.

19:56>> Sir, Mr. Mayor, Mayor Van Johnson,

19:58>> present. Mayor Pro and District 5

20:01Alderwoman Stella Edward

20:04>> present.

20:05>> Chairman and District 4 Alderman Nick

20:07Palumbo

20:08>> present.

20:08>> Vice Chair and District 3 alderwoman

20:11Linda Wilder.

20:12>> Let's go.

20:13>> Post one alderwoman Carolyn H. Bell

20:16>> present.

20:16>> Post two alderwoman Alicia Miller

20:19Blakeley

20:19>> present.

20:20>> District one alderwoman Bernetta B.

20:23Laneir

20:23>> present. District Alderman Dietrich Le

20:26>> here

20:27>> and District 6 Alderman Curtis

20:30>> present.

20:30>> Mayor, you have a quum.

20:32>> Thank you. All rise.

20:38>> I call this meeting of the Savannah City

20:40Council to order. Today is Thursday,

20:43September the 24th, 2026 in the greatest

20:46city on earth in which we say that

20:49Savannah will be a safe, environmentally

20:52healthy and economically thriving

20:54community for all. And for us, all means

20:57what?

20:57>> All.

20:59>> Uh we are very honored today to have

21:01with us uh as uh to give our invocation

21:05Elder D. Rucker who serves as the pastor

21:08of the United House of Prayer Savannah.

21:12Uh he is the assistant state chairman of

21:15Georgia. Um and I met him

21:19when he was in Duvall

21:21Jacksonville

21:23and I told him be careful because you

21:26never know where you might end up.

21:29He was born in right here in Chattam

21:31County in Savannah and now he serves us

21:34here. uh and he's a great leader and

21:36we're glad to have you with us.

21:38>> So, please give us an invocation.

21:43>> At this time, let us pray.

21:46All wise, eternal God, our heavenly

21:48father, great creator of heaven and

21:50earth. Father God, before we ask you for

21:52anything, we want to say thank you.

21:54>> Thank you, Lord.

21:55>> Thank you for this day and this day's

21:56journey. Father, we thank you for your

21:58dawn and son, Jesus Christ. We thank you

22:00for the leader of the house of prayer,

22:01sweet precious Daddy Cunningham. Thank

22:03you for waking us up this morning,

22:05starting us on our way. We ask you to

22:06bless this meeting. Bless this session.

22:09Bless those that's in charge. Bless the

22:11those that have rule. Bless them be able

22:13to do for the people and for the

22:14people's sake. Keep us together. Keep us

22:16one. This prayer we name Jesus Christ

22:19through his holy man servant. We pray.

22:21Amen.

22:21>> Amen.

22:23>> Let us honor our country. I pledge

22:25allegiance to the flag of the United

22:28States of America and to the

22:32stands. One nation under God,

22:36indivisible with liberty and justice for

22:39all.

22:40>> Thank you. You may be seated.

22:46Looking at our council agenda, item

22:48number one is adoption of the regular

22:51meeting agenda for September the 24th,

22:532026. I'll entertain a motion, Mr.

22:56Mayor, to adopt the motion. Is there a

22:57second?

22:58>> Second.

22:58>> Been properly moved and seconded. All in

23:00favor indicate by saying I.

23:01>> I.

23:02>> Opposed. Motion passes. Item number two

23:05and three. Mr. Mayor,

23:06>> is there Yes, ma'am. I would like to

23:07make a motion for the approval of the

23:09minutes for the mobile tour workshop and

23:12sen city managers briefing held on

23:15September the 10th uh 2026 at 9:00 p.m.

23:20And item number three, the approval of

23:23the minutes for the regular meeting held

23:25on September 10th at 2:00 p.m. So move

23:28>> been properly moved and seconded that we

23:30approve the minutes of the mobile tour

23:32workshop and city managers briefing held

23:34on September the 10th, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

23:38and approval of the minutes for the

23:39regular meeting held on September the

23:4110th, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. You've heard the

23:45motion. All in favor indicate by saying

23:46I

23:47>> oppose. Motion passes. Also today the

23:50council have an executive session

23:52dealing with issues of real estate and

23:53litigation. I asked for a motion that I

23:56be authorized to sign the affidavit that

23:58our discussion was limited to those

23:59items and that no votes were taken

24:01during

24:01>> so move sir

24:02>> second there second

24:05>> second

24:05>> second properly move second all in favor

24:09>> I

24:25It it gives me great pleasure to do

24:28something in a historic city that I

24:29don't think has ever happened before.

24:33And you know, in Savannah, we'd like to

24:34make history.

24:36I'm going to ask the Honorable Bishop Ad

24:38Cunningham, the presiding pre-late of

24:41the United House of Prayer for all

24:43people, uh, to come up and and certainly

24:46to the army of folks he brought with

24:48him.

24:50Y'all can come closer as well.

25:02So we all know of the impact of the

25:05United House of Prayer for all people.

25:07Um certainly their impact here in

25:09Savannah which I know are the best

25:11houses in the kingdom. Uh I say that

25:14quite often. I say it seriously

25:18um in Savannah [laughter]

25:21and I have this proclamation uh that

25:24reads as follows. Whereas the United

25:25House of Prayer for all people of the

25:28church on the rock of the apostolic

25:29faith was founded in 1919 by the late

25:32Bishop CM Sweet Daddy Grace upon the

25:36teachings and the principles of Jesus

25:37Christ and with the mission to

25:39establish, maintain and perpetuate the

25:41Christian faith among all people. And

25:44whereas for more than a century, the

25:45United House of Prayer for all people

25:48has provided a spiritual home where

25:50people may gather in worship, prayer,

25:52fellowship, and service, embracing the

25:54biblical declaration, for my house shall

25:57be called a house of prayer for all

26:00people. And whereas throughout its

26:02history, the United House of Prayer has

26:03grown from its humble beginnings into a

26:06national faith community with

26:08congregations throughout the United

26:09States and the District of Columbia

26:12touching generations of families through

26:14worship, evangelism, music, Christian

26:17education, community service, and

26:20fellowship. And whereas the United House

26:22of Prayer for All People is presently

26:24under the spiritual leadership of the

26:26Honorable Bishop Ad Cunningham, the

26:28fifth leader in the distinguished

26:29history of this great religious

26:31institution, who continues his

26:33long-standing tradition of faith, unity,

26:36service, and spiritual leadership. And

26:38whereas the holy convocation has been a

26:41cherished and defining tradition of the

26:43United House of Prayer, bringing

26:45together members, families, clergy, me,

26:48musicians, choirs, bands, and visitors

26:50from across the nation for worship,

26:52renewal, fellowship, celebration, and

26:54the strengthening of their shared faith.

26:57Whereas the year 2026 represents an

27:00extraordinary milestone as the members

27:03of the United House of Prayer for all

27:05people gather for their 100th annual

27:08holy convocation representing a century

27:11of praise, preaching, prayer,

27:13fellowship, and steadfast devotion to

27:16God. And whereas the city of Savannah is

27:18honored to once again welcome Bishop

27:20Cunningham and the members of the United

27:22House of Prayer family from near and far

27:25to our great city for the Savannah stop

27:27on this historic Centennial Holy

27:30Convocation September the 20th through

27:32September 2027

27:342026. And whereas the Savannah

27:37congregation of the United House of

27:39Prayer has long been an important part

27:42of the spiritual and cultural fabric of

27:44this community, demonstrating through

27:46its worship, witness, fellowship, and

27:48service the enduring power of faith to

27:51strengthen families and communities. And

27:53y'all have the best food.

27:56Did I just say that the food is amazing?

27:59And whereas the centennial gathering

28:01provides a special opportunity to honor

28:03those faithful saints who laid the

28:05foundation, celebrate those who continue

28:07to work today and inspire future

28:09generations to carry forward the legacy

28:12of faith established more than a century

28:14ago. And therefore, I, Vander Johnson,

28:16the second, mayor of the city of

28:17Savannah, Georgia, do hereby proclaim

28:20September the 20th through 27th as the

28:22United House of Prayer for all people

28:25100th annual Holy Convocation Week in

28:28the city of Savannah, and congratulate

28:30the Honorable Bishop Ed Cunningham, the

28:33clergy, officers, members, families, and

28:35friends of the United House of Prayer

28:37for all people upon this historic

28:39centennial milestone. And I further

28:42extend the warmest greetings of the

28:43Savannah City Council, the citizens of

28:45Savannah, and to all who have traveled

28:47to our city for this sacred occasion.

28:50May this 100th annual holy convocation

28:53honor the faith and sacrifice of those

28:55who came before, strengthen the

28:57fellowship of those gathered today, and

28:59inspire generations uh yet to come. Um

29:02we are blessed to learn to live in this

29:04time uh certainly when you reach 100.

29:07And we are glad that you are here. Uh we

29:10we have a special connection uh to this

29:12great man. You all remember um he had

29:15just um been appointed and ascended and

29:20on our inauguration, he came to see us

29:24at the civic center. Uh literally uh

29:28less than an hour before uh we were to

29:31be sworn in. I had asked him, I said,

29:33"You want me to come see you?" He said,

29:34"No, I'll come see you." Uh and again

29:37that has shown uh the type of man that

29:39he is. So we're glad to have him uh here

29:41in our city and again congratulations to

29:44you and the house of prayer people. The

29:46house of prayer is a big part of our

29:47city. Uh folks look forward uh to being

29:51with you throughout this week. Uh

29:53brother Antoine, come up. I see you down

29:54there hiding. Antoine Muhammad a great

29:57member of our team here as well.

30:01Congratulations. May God [applause]

30:08>> [applause]

30:19>> Is it all right for me to say you may be

30:21seated?

30:22>> Yes, sir. [laughter]

30:24>> We can. Yes, sir.

30:28>> To the honorable Mayor

30:30Van R. Johnson II

30:33to Mayor Pro Tim Dr. Estella Edwards

30:39Shabbaz

30:40and to the city council chairman Nick

30:44Mr. Nick Alumbo

30:47and the vice chair Mrs. Linda Wilder

30:50Bryan

30:52and to all of the city all the men and

30:55all the women.

30:57Peace and grace from God the Father and

31:01our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

31:07Honorable Mayor Johnson, you have been a

31:10friend to the House of Prayer for many

31:13years and we are grateful for that

31:16friendship.

31:18I wouldn't be here today though if it

31:21wasn't for the giants whose shoulders I

31:25stand upon.

31:28Bishop CM Grace, the founder of the

31:31United House of Prayer for all people

31:34and those that succeeded him, Bishop W.

31:37McCulla,

31:39Bishop SC Madison,

31:42and Bishop CM Bailey.

31:45All of these great men served as our

31:48fathers in the gospel and we

31:51affectionately know them as daddy.

31:57Honorable Mayor Johnson, I remember

32:00one service my predecessor,

32:03Bishop CM Bailey, what he said about you

32:06and to you and you have become the same

32:09to me.

32:11To the city council, I understand that

32:14this proclamation is from the mayor, but

32:16I am grateful that you are here today.

32:20We are humbled that this body has taken

32:24time out of your session, your

32:27legislative session to honor the United

32:30House of Prayer in its 100th annual holy

32:35convocation. [applause]

32:44what you have done here today to the

32:46honorable mayor in the city council. You

32:50have brought Savannah and the United

32:52House of Prayer even closer.

32:56We are thankful for the contributions

33:00we get to make to this community. Places

33:03of worship, affordable housing, and a

33:07youth ministry that put our young people

33:10on the right path toward God.

33:14And now today, just as you did

33:17when you named part of the Oichi Road

33:19after Bishop Bailey in 2024,

33:23you honor the United House of Prayer and

33:26give us another reason to praise the

33:29name of the Lord. on behalf of the 137

33:34congregations throughout the United

33:36States in the 29 states that we

33:39presently are in. I wish to say thank

33:43you.

33:45[applause]

33:50Yes.

33:52And all are invited to come praise,

33:55worship, and sacrifice with us this

33:58weekend as we celebrate the 100th annual

34:01Holy Convocation.

34:04[applause]

34:24Thank you. Thank you. We'll see you this

34:25week. Looking forward to it. Thank you.

34:28Thank you.

34:29>> Thank you.

34:33[laughter]

34:35>> Thank you again.

34:36>> Oh. Uh

34:38old woman.

34:41>> There you go. to to thank you and your

34:42congregation for keeping me fat during

34:45the pandemic. [laughter] Is awesome. I

34:47feel like I'm a member of your church. I

34:49see some of your your people in the

34:51church are here. Just thank y'all. Cook

34:54and Alfreda. They're just amazing. Thank

34:56y'all for what y'all do. Keep doing it.

34:58Thank you, sir.

34:59>> Yes, ma'am. God bless.

35:01>> Bishop and everyone who was here from

35:05the house of prayer. I didn't exactly

35:08know who the gentlemen were outside of

35:10the mayor's office and I saw the mayor

35:14come out so I said oh these are the men

35:16of Alpha um with the mayor but then when

35:20he said uh about the anniversary of the

35:24United House of Prayer my whole being

35:27just just started bubbling. I have not

35:31missed. I am 66 years old

35:36and for all of my years in the city of

35:40Savannah,

35:41home homegrown,

35:44I'm proud to say I haven't missed the

35:47anniversary.

35:49I haven't missed the parade.

35:51I haven't missed walking into the

35:53sanctuary. I haven't missed the bands.

35:56My classmate is here making I stay on

36:00tap with everything. I am just

36:03overwhelmed. So Savannah, hear me now.

36:05We are GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE 100

36:08YEARS.

36:10[cheering]

36:11[applause]

36:18[applause]

36:19And I I do want to lift this because I

36:21think it's important. Uh wherever you

36:24see uh members of the United House of

36:26Prayer, you also see good citizens.

36:29>> You see them contributing because that

36:31is what the church mandates them to do,

36:33to be involved and get involved. And

36:35that's why I lifted up brother uh

36:37Muhammad who works with us. Um and as

36:40you see, he's always on point. And so we

36:43appreciate his service. But we know he

36:45works hard there too, but he also works

36:47hard here. But thank you all so much.

36:49We're looking forward to seeing you uh

36:51this week uh the parade, the baptism,

36:55the um the softball game, and all of

36:58that.

36:59>> All of that. So, thank you. God bless.

37:01Thank you. [applause]

37:15>> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank

37:18you. Thank you. Bless you.

37:20>> Thank you.

37:23>> And as much as we celebrate milestones,

37:27uh I want to ask city manager to join

37:29me,

37:31members of the go team

37:35and one Francis Jean Pvat.

37:51Don't come up there.

37:56>> So, as mayor of the city, I'm saying

38:01you got to give us another 10 years.

38:05>> So, you might have come up here for one

38:06thing. We telling you you can't leave.

38:10>> Officer, hold him in here.

38:14We want the opportunity to recognize

38:16this great public servant, civil

38:19servant. And the proclamation reads as

38:22follows. Whereas the city of Savannah

38:23takes great pride in recognizing

38:26dedicated civil servants whose

38:28commitment,

38:30leadership, and contributions helped

38:32advance the city's mission and improve

38:34the quality of life for its residents.

38:36That person that embodies that character

38:39is F Jean Pvat. And whereas Francis Jean

38:44Pvat began his distinguished career with

38:47the city of Savannah on January the

38:4911th, 1982 before I was born.

39:00Bishop gone. Oh, another bishop is over

39:02there, too. All right. Oh, I I was I was

39:05a little boy

39:07when he was hired as a labor resources

39:10technician under the leadership of city

39:12manager Arthur A. Mandanza and Mayor

39:15John Reyus, marking the beginning of an

39:18extraordinary 44year career in municipal

39:22service. And whereas through his

39:24dedication, professional growth, and

39:25commitment to excellence, Gan advanced

39:28through numerous positions of increasing

39:29responsibility, including field

39:31maintenance supervisor, management

39:34analyst, resource uh management

39:36administrator, refuge disposal director,

39:39sanitation bureau chief, senior director

39:41of solid waste, and ultimately chief

39:44officer of governmental services and

39:47governmental operations. And whereas

39:49during his tenure as a sanitation bureau

39:52chief, his major initiatives focused

39:54heavily on modernization, structural

39:57infrastructure expansion, and massive

39:59crisis recovery operations. And whereas

40:02major accomplishments include directing

40:04the design and development of the

40:06resource recovery facility. This

40:08facility is one of the most economically

40:10and environmentally sound solid waste

40:13disposal facilities in the world. In

40:161988, the city launched the Get and

40:19Strive with Community Pride Project,

40:22which included cleanups, the loan aol

40:24program, bus tours, and neighborhood

40:26meetings. The city of Savannah received

40:29a national service award from the Keep

40:32America Beautiful program. And whereas

40:35under his leadership, the Dean Forest

40:37Road landfill expansion was approved by

40:39the state of Georgia Environmental

40:42Protection Division and has expanded the

40:44dumping capacity for an additional 15 to

40:4820 years. And whereas through his

40:50remarkable throughout his remarkable

40:51tenure, Gan has demonstrated exceptional

40:54leadership, institutional knowledge, and

40:56a steadfast commitment to public

40:58service, contributing to the effective

41:01management of city operations, and the

41:03delivery of essential services to the

41:05citizens of Savannah. And whereas Jean's

41:0844 years of service represents a legacy

41:10of dedication, professionalism, and

41:13leadership spanning generations of

41:15municipal employees, city

41:17administrations, and community progress.

41:20His knowledge, experience, and

41:21contributions have made a lasting impact

41:24on the organization and many colleagues

41:26who have had the privilege of working

41:28alongside him. And that's why we can't

41:30let you leave. [laughter]

41:33Whereas as Francis Gene Pvat prepares to

41:36retire from the city of Savannah, we

41:38extend our sincere appreciation for his

41:40extraordinary comm care career, his

41:43unwavering commitment to public service,

41:45and the meaningful contributions he has

41:47made to our city over more than four

41:50decades. Now, therefore, I, Van R.

41:52Johnson the second mayor of the city of

41:53Savannah on behalf of the Savannah City

41:55Council to hereby recognize and honor

41:57Francis Jean Pvette for 44 years of

42:00distinguished and dedicated service to

42:02the city of Savannah. We commend him for

42:05his outstanding career and enduring

42:07commitment to the citizens of Savannah.

42:09We extend our best wishes for his

42:12continued happiness, good health, health

42:14health, and fulfillment in the days

42:16ahead. And I'm sure that the true queen

42:18has a good goal list for you to do when

42:21you get to the house. So in witness

42:23where I've set my hand and caused the

42:25seal of the city of Savannah to be

42:27affixed. Sir, we thank you so much

42:30>> for your service. We wish you nothing

42:32but the best and thank you for being an

42:35outstanding example of good city

42:37service. Thank you. [applause]

42:43>> [applause]

42:52[applause]

42:56>> Woohoo! Woohoo!

43:02[applause]

43:09>> [cheering]

43:13[applause]

43:24>> Um, I know Jean is a a man of great

43:27faith and I was reminded

43:31um yesterday

43:33um of a passage in Romans that said Um

43:38uh all things done together um are done

43:41for good for those who believe. Um and

43:44for 44 years um Gan has done the work of

43:49good for this community um and for his

43:51colleagues and for the great residents

43:54of this city that he served for more

43:55than four decades.

43:57Um you know we say that great public

44:01service starts with great public

44:04servants. Um and for 44 years, Jean and

44:09his public service

44:12um

44:14his public service has not only been a

44:16benefit to this city, but his example

44:17for other public servants um have grown

44:21that capacity of public service not only

44:23in the city of Savannah but elsewhere

44:26across the region. um and with our

44:28partners for where he is known and

44:30beloved as a trustworthy

44:33um and skillful public servant.

44:37Um, Gene, when I got here five years

44:39ago,

44:41um, you committed one year to me.

44:46Um, and I'm so very thankful that um,

44:50that was extended five-fold.

44:53um what you've done for this team, for

44:55me personally, for our entire executive

44:57leadership team, for the government

44:59operations service center that you

45:01created, um for the leaders who stand

45:03behind you um who you've mentored um and

45:07if you have allowed to lead in their

45:10ways, um and begin to make their mark on

45:13the city as you did, um your legacy um

45:16will forever live on in their service

45:18and the service of others who come

45:20behind you and come behind and those who

45:23you've mentored. Um yesterday our

45:27executive team met at our solid waste

45:31headquarters, which is also our

45:32government operations service

45:33headquarters, Jean's office. And um I

45:36don't have much authority as city

45:39manager, but I do have one ability and

45:42um that's to honor great public servants

45:46um uh by naming conference rooms

45:49and uh forever wherever the department

45:53of solid waste will be um the executive

45:57conference room is uh now and forever

46:00will be um the Francis Eugene PVAT

46:05executive conference room. [applause]

46:16[applause]

46:17And when council's ready, I know a

46:19little road called Landfill Road that

46:21[laughter]

46:22I'd also need to be considered for a

46:25renaming at sometime soon. Um, Jean, I

46:28want to present um this plaque to you

46:30for your incredible years of service and

46:32dedication to this city, to your

46:34colleagues, and for those of you who

46:35served. You are a great public servant.

46:38Um, and I know I speak for everyone on

46:41the team. Uh, we have a great admiration

46:44for you, respect for you. Um, and your

46:48works and legacy will help us move

46:50forward and do the work that we need to

46:51do for at least 44 years to come.

46:56>> [applause]

47:01[applause]

47:05>> Kathy's gonna say

47:10>> I just wanted to make sure that we

47:12pointed out another very important

47:14person standing to Jean's right.

47:17[laughter]

47:19We know that when you're working as a

47:22public servant, you give up a lot of

47:23time. And it's not always when you're

47:26physically out, but even when you're at

47:28home, your mind is still there. And it

47:31requires a lot of support from family

47:33for us to be effective at our jobs. And

47:36so, we just wanted to recognize you and

47:38thank you for letting us borrow him for

47:41so many years. Thank you. And we'd like

47:43to present you with some flowers that we

47:45have for you.

47:46>> [applause]

47:47>> Thank you so much.

47:55>> And we're giving him back to you.

47:58[laughter]

48:00He might come back.

48:03Jean.

48:08>> Yes. Gail may have some adjusting to do,

48:11but

48:12thank you, Mr. Mayor.

48:14>> Thank you. Um, members of council,

48:19uh, it's been my privilege to serve

48:23under the guidance and authority of

48:26seven city managers,

48:30eight mayors,

48:33and 44 city councils.

48:37Um, I won't write you a book on early

48:39history, but my original intent Oh,

48:42well, my first time in this chamber was

48:46in 1973

48:48on something called Youth and Government

48:50Day, and they brought uh rising juniors

48:53from area high schools. There was three

48:55from mine. There's probably several

48:57dozen totally. But we were here in this

49:00room and I had no idea that nine years

49:04later I would return.

49:07Um,

49:10a lot of things uh happened and uh but I

49:15came in January of ' 82, but by uh July

49:20of 1983,

49:22I was able to finally get a job as a

49:24management analyst and it was in the

49:26sanitation department and it was like

49:29putting a duck on a pond.

49:32uh

49:35sanitation goes out and does things.

49:38It's not easy work. It's not desirable

49:40work in a lot of respects, but our

49:43people show up every day,

49:47rain or shine, and they go and get the

49:50work done. Some of them work all night

49:53long, every night to get the work done.

49:58One of my lasting impressions, I can

50:01still see it even now. It was in the

50:05winter of 1985

50:07is a coldest day on record in Savannah

50:11and I was at a stop sign and a rear

50:14loader went by with two men hanging off

50:16the back of the truck as we did back in

50:18the day with towels over their face so

50:20they wouldn't get frostbite.

50:22Sanitation shows up every day.

50:29I'm not going to hit all these details

50:30in here, but those are my people. I am

50:34one of them. I am a worker among

50:36workers.

50:38But it's not just the sanitation

50:39department, those sanitation workers.

50:42And you see them, they come in, some

50:45drive, some walk, some ride bicycles,

50:47but they show up every day. They go out,

50:50they get the job done. And I can tell

50:52you this for a fact, in 44 years,

50:56we never went out and failed to find

50:59something to pick up.

51:03There is a full load every day.

51:08So my people

51:10are the sanitation workers,

51:13the code officers, the clerks, the

51:16administrative assistants,

51:18the customer service representatives,

51:22the maintenance workers,

51:24police officers and firefighters,

51:27neighborhood liaison,

51:30all of the great public service servants

51:34that make up team Savannah.

51:38They say if you love what you do, you

51:40never work a day. I beg to differ.

51:48Uh because all of those people work.

51:52We work. I liken it more correctly to a

51:57labor of love. And you you go out and

52:00you pour your life into the city and you

52:02don't do it for this long unless it is

52:05out of love.

52:08I want to say some specific thanks

52:11particularly to Gail

52:14uh who has very patiently allowed me to

52:17be a member of team Savannah. I've never

52:20heard a complaint. Uh there have been

52:23some disappointments but not a real

52:24complaint. And she has always supported

52:26me, always welcomed me home. I've had to

52:29evacuate her for storms but only to come

52:31back and leave her with family somewhere

52:34else.

52:35Uh, like to thank my family. They're

52:37standing back here. Y'all stand up.

52:41Oh, come on up. [applause]

52:48[applause]

52:50They've not always known exactly what I

52:52was doing, but they always knew I was at

52:53work and I was at the city.

53:06Some specific people I'd like to thank

53:08also

53:09would be Renee Higgins, Martha Davidson,

53:13and Cynthia Anfield. Uh, Saints, who

53:17have had to put up with me on a day

53:19basis

53:20for many years, and they've always been

53:22very faithful and, uh, good helpers.

53:26all of the government operations team,

53:30particularly the leaders. Uh Cynthia

53:33Knight, where's Cynthia?

53:36>> Yes. Uh Cynthia, very interesting. Uh

53:41some of you might be shocked to find out

53:43that code compliance is not always a

53:45very uh loved department.

53:51>> Every now and then we'll hear a little

53:52discouraged word, but um and About the

53:56time we were forming government

53:58operations, the management

54:00team over there collapsed. We lost a

54:03senior director and two managers in the

54:06same week.

54:08And uh it was interesting. I was meeting

54:11with the city manager with Taffany Young

54:14with Heath Lloyd and uh Brett Bell and

54:18they Jay asked the question, well who

54:21are we going to put put in an interim

54:23basis? And three people, not me, I was

54:25thinking it, but I hadn't said it yet.

54:27Those three said in the same breath,

54:31Cynthia Knight.

54:33And so, ladies and gentlemen, Cynthia

54:35Knight went from a supervisor

54:38to an acting manager to a permanent

54:41manager. And then she beat all the

54:42competition in a nationwide search to

54:44claim the senior director of CO

54:47compliance. [applause]

54:56I'd like

54:58>> I'd like to recognize Q Andrews who came

55:02over to us as a management projects

55:04coordinator. I tell this story

55:07sometimes. This first week was a budget

55:09retreat and we went from the last day of

55:12the budget retreat to the landfill where

55:14there was an ongoing compost fire and

55:16the only two people to get on it were Q

55:17and Jean and [laughter] we went after

55:19it. And so Q has been with us for well

55:22over a decade. He's been my right arm.

55:25He eventually replaced me as director of

55:28solid waste. Used to be called

55:29sanitation.

55:31Like to recognize Gordon Denny. We talk

55:33about having the most beautiful city on

55:35earth. And Gordon is one of the

55:38fundamental uh people responsible for

55:41that. He has the best run department in

55:44the city. I believe he is uh they just

55:48keep everything up. You never know

55:49anybody's working there most of the time

55:51and if there's a problem they address it

55:53quickly. And then Kevin Xley who was

55:57shortly with us in our commercial refuge

55:59division. He left us for a time and he

56:01came back as our senior director of

56:03fleet maintenance. Kevin has taken a

56:07truly dysfunctional department that has

56:09struggled for decades and has turned it

56:12around and made it the high-erforming

56:14organization that it should be. So thank

56:17you Kevin.

56:17>> Thank you sir.

56:19>> [applause]

56:24>> I'd like to thank our blight fighters

56:25team. They're interspersed throughout

56:27all the city. They don't have that as a

56:28job title, but they're the ones who are

56:30out on the front line day in and day out

56:32confronting blight in this city. We have

56:35a team we meet. They are instrumental in

56:37keeping this city running. I want to

56:39thank the executive leadership team. Uh

56:42I've heard of dream teams and now I

56:44finally was on one. um

56:48such

56:49competence and professionalism and just

56:53sheer talent is breathtaking and I very

56:56grateful to have been counted in their

56:58numbers. I want to thank Jay Meltter

57:02Jay uh Jay's first week maybe his first

57:06or second day he had to sign off on a

57:10press release that recycling routes were

57:12not going to be met this week.

57:16and he wanted to know what in the world

57:18is going on. So, uh, usually it takes

57:21three to six months to get to the

57:23sanitation department. Second week I was

57:26making presentation and I went through

57:28in great detail showed him how that

57:31particular program was about 50% under

57:34strength and there was no way they could

57:36meet that schedule.

57:38He listened. I had made requests for a

57:40decade and had fallen on deaf ears.

57:45Jay brought those to you all and in the

57:48first back to basics those resources

57:50went to sanitation and within we were

57:55meeting less than 70% of the schedule in

57:57department by the end of the year we

57:59closed that gap to 2%.

58:02And it's gotten better. [applause]

58:09I want to thank God

58:11for all the good works he prepared for

58:13me and for all the good servants that he

58:15put in my path along the way.

58:18And by God I mean father, son, and holy

58:20spirit who I understand

58:22>> to be Jesus Christ. I am not ashamed of

58:25the gospel for which I believe.

58:31>> [applause]

58:34>> He is the one who by his life, death,

58:39resurrection and ascended ascension

58:43made a path for all of us to be

58:45reconciled to God and thus one to

58:47another. So I am grateful for that

58:52and I will just say the Bible says

58:55unless the Lord builds the house the

58:57builders labor in vain. And I would add

59:00to it, how much more is city? So,

59:06I think that's uh pretty much all I had

59:10to say. I know you've got to go to work,

59:13but uh in closing, from the bottom of my

59:16heart, let me just say to you, to team

59:19Savannah, and to the people you

59:21represent, thank you for my service.

59:25[applause]

59:29Thank you, sir. [applause] Oh, and I am

59:32available if you have a board or

59:33something you need.

59:34>> Oh, we have plenty of boards.

59:35>> Okay. [laughter]

59:36>> Thank you so much.

59:39>> Let's give him another round of

59:40applause.

59:42[applause]

59:51I'm going to exercise a little mayoral

59:53privilege here. I'm going to ask um

59:56Aldwoman Carol Bell to join me here and

59:59I'm going to ask Bishop James G. Rogers,

1:00:02Dr. Phyllis Rogers

1:00:07to come up

1:00:10and join me

1:00:15for the purposes of making a motion.

1:00:34Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

1:00:36Um,

1:00:38with all the church folk here today with

1:00:40the House of Prayer here and the church

1:00:43on the on my left now, I feel like we

1:00:46could have just gone on and had a

1:00:47worship service of sorts. In fact, Mayor

1:00:51Alicia Miller Blakeley was sitting up

1:00:53there. Oh, it feels good in the chambers

1:00:55today. Feels good. I like this. I come

1:00:59before you to skip down uh colleagues to

1:01:02item number 49.

1:01:08And I am before I make the motion for

1:01:13approval of this item, I would like to

1:01:16give you an excerpt

1:01:19on the man that we are celebrating

1:01:22today.

1:01:24Bishop James Gregory Rogers

1:01:28is a vibrant, bold, energetic, and

1:01:32captivating minister of the 21st

1:01:35century.

1:01:37He is the pastor of Jonesville Baptist

1:01:40Church formerly, but now it's the

1:01:44>> transformation center church.

1:01:48His ministry has blessed others as he

1:01:51travels nationally and internationally.

1:01:56His broadcast ministry, Jonesville

1:01:59Reema Ministries, is aired weekly in

1:02:03Savannah, Georgia.

1:02:06Pastor Rogers has blended Jones uh the

1:02:09transformation center into a

1:02:11multicultural

1:02:13worship experience

1:02:16since becoming pastor

1:02:19in 1988.

1:02:21The membership has grown

1:02:24and he has been responsible under his

1:02:27leadership

1:02:29to erect a sanctuary and purchase other

1:02:33properties on Montgomery Street.

1:02:37Through his leadership,

1:02:40we have a few of the projects or annual

1:02:45programs initiatives that have been uh

1:02:48initiated in the community. We have done

1:02:51an annual Christmas toy drive, sponsored

1:02:55a scholarship program, an annual

1:02:57Thanksgiving dinner for one of the local

1:03:00shelters,

1:03:01a monthly grocery giveaway for senior

1:03:05citizens, and one that is near and dear

1:03:08to my heart and I know to my colleagues

1:03:10as well. The transformation si center,

1:03:14formerly Jonesville, has remained a

1:03:17longstanding

1:03:19polling location for the Tatumville

1:03:22community, and it's probably one of the

1:03:26few faith-based institutions in this

1:03:29community that has done done so. I

1:03:32didn't say the only one, but one of the

1:03:34few. Along with pastoring

1:03:37the transformation center in Savannah,

1:03:41Bishop Rogers serves as senior leader of

1:03:44full gospel apostolic church in

1:03:48Indianola, Mississippi. I said it right.

1:03:51And the das bishop of the mountain

1:03:54states district council since February

1:03:57of 2023.

1:03:59Pastor Rogers has obtained a bachelor's

1:04:01degree in industrial technology from

1:04:03Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley

1:04:06State University, and he holds a

1:04:09master's of arts degree in biblical

1:04:11studies from Trinity College of the

1:04:14Bible in Theological Seminary.

1:04:17Pastor Rogers and his wife, Phyllis

1:04:21Frasier Rogers, have been married for 38

1:04:24years. They have four children and I

1:04:27think all of them are here today. So you

1:04:30might raise your hand because I know

1:04:32some of them had to travel to get here.

1:04:35Uh

1:04:37oh, they want you to stand. Just stand.

1:04:40Come on and show the audience who his

1:04:42children are. Adult children. Okay, we

1:04:45got you.

1:04:47Therefore,

1:04:50I am a proud parishioner of the

1:04:52transformation center. I guess you all

1:04:54already knew that. And I am honored to

1:04:57be the sponsoring council member for

1:05:00item number 49. And Mr. There it reads,

1:05:03I move for the approval of a street

1:05:06renaming

1:05:08for a portion of Montgomery Street

1:05:11between Staley Avenue and 5207

1:05:13Montgomery Street, which is Berkeley

1:05:15Place to, and y'all can stand on this

1:05:19one, to the Bishop James G. Rogers

1:05:25Interchange 26-003772

1:05:30[applause]

1:05:32second. [cheering]

1:05:36[applause]

1:05:38[cheering]

1:05:41[applause]

1:05:44>> Second.

1:05:44>> Y'all y'all clapping. We haven't done

1:05:46anything yet.

1:05:48>> I second it. Mayor Johnson.

1:05:51>> So So y'all can keep standing though.

1:05:54Y'all, y'all can stand. It's all right.

1:05:55Y'all Y'all get ready to shout in a

1:05:57minute.

1:06:01>> Y'all get ready to shout in a minute.

1:06:02So, um uh before I take this motion, let

1:06:05me tell you what a awesome uh man uh and

1:06:10team this is. Um that serves our

1:06:13families, serves our community. Whenever

1:06:15the city of Savannah has needed, uh

1:06:18Jonesville now transformation. Um they

1:06:21have been there. They've opened their

1:06:22doors. They fed folks. They visited

1:06:25folks. Uh they've lived out the

1:06:27commandments of Christ as it relates to

1:06:30our community. Uh I usually would run

1:06:33into Bishop on an airplane

1:06:37and the word had it that the folks in

1:06:40some western region somewhere and I had

1:06:43to be really clear with the folks in the

1:06:46western region of wherever it was you

1:06:48were. I said, "You're not going nowhere,

1:06:51are you?"

1:06:52and they said no, he'll be here in

1:06:53Savannah. So, I was all right with that.

1:06:56Um, but we we we want to be able to take

1:06:58the opportunity to recognize um good

1:07:01people who do good work.

1:07:02>> That's right.

1:07:03>> Uh and certainly those that have been on

1:07:06the battlefield. So, there has been a

1:07:08motion, there has been a second that

1:07:10this council uh will approve a street

1:07:13renaming a portion of McGomery Street

1:07:15between Staley Avenue and 5207 McGomery

1:07:18Street, Berkeley Place to be Bishop

1:07:21James G. Rogers interchange located

1:07:25district 5. All in favor indicate by

1:07:27saying I

1:07:29>> opposed.

1:07:30Motion passes. Y'all can shout right

1:07:32now.

1:07:35>> [applause and cheering]

1:07:50[laughter]

1:07:51>> Well, certainly I want to give God the

1:07:53thanks for his kindness and his grace to

1:07:55Mayor Johnson, the members of the city

1:07:58council, and the citizens of Savannah.

1:08:01Thank you for this tremendous honor.

1:08:04I'm very deeply humbled that the city

1:08:08would recognize my years of ministry and

1:08:11service by naming Bishop James G. Rod's

1:08:15interchange in my honor.

1:08:18No one serves a community alone.

1:08:22I share this moment with my wife,

1:08:26the heart of the heart and the leader of

1:08:28our family.

1:08:31And I'm just so grateful that I got the

1:08:34best Georgia piece that ever had.

1:08:39>> All righty. Now,

1:08:44>> I say that in in in truth because I'm

1:08:47originally from Mississippi.

1:08:50No one served the community alone. I

1:08:53share this moment also with my children.

1:08:55My family who made great sacrifice. My

1:08:58children are here. My oldest son is

1:09:01James.

1:09:04And my youngest is Joshua and uh Jordan

1:09:09and Johanna Caitlyn. And I'm just so

1:09:13glad to have them. And my grandson,

1:09:18Reverend Adonis James.

1:09:20>> [laughter]

1:09:21>> Emmanuel.

1:09:24And I'm so happy to have my church here.

1:09:28We recently changed our name from

1:09:31Jonesville Baptist Church to

1:09:34Transformation Center Church because we

1:09:36want to be more inclusive to anybody who

1:09:40wants who's looking for a church home.

1:09:43So, we are just so grateful. I'm so

1:09:44grateful and honored that they're here

1:09:46today. And if you can see them there,

1:09:48probably all over this place. [laughter]

1:09:54[applause]

1:09:56>> And I want to also thank uh Dr. Carolyn

1:10:00Bell, our one of our wonderful members

1:10:04that we think so much about and we are

1:10:07grateful for her. and to uh Minister

1:10:11Dixon who was a part of bringing this

1:10:14[clears throat] desire to pass. So we

1:10:17really want to thank God for him.

1:10:19[applause]

1:10:23So if I can say anything that I write

1:10:27off the script, to God be the glory and

1:10:29the praise because nothing can be done

1:10:32by anybody but the goodness of God. And

1:10:36thank you so much. God bless you,

1:10:38>> Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor,

1:10:41[applause and cheering]

1:10:44>> yes, ma'am.

1:10:45>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want to to

1:10:48say to Bishop Rogers, to Dr. Rogers,

1:10:51ma'am, and to all of the congregants of

1:10:57the transformational

1:10:59center church. I am Dr. Stella Chavez

1:11:03and I've been your representative in the

1:11:06fifth district for over 15 and a half

1:11:08years. It has been a pleasure for me and

1:11:12not just serving on city council.

1:11:15I grew up in Liberty City just the

1:11:19neighborhood over from from Tatumville.

1:11:22I have watched Bishop Rogers before he

1:11:25became a bishop when he was a reverend

1:11:28in the beginning steps and his wife and

1:11:32the small church that's within the

1:11:36streets of Tatumville.

1:11:38I have watched the movement for all of

1:11:41my life and how you have moved from

1:11:44there to where you are now. But the most

1:11:48phenomenal thing that I want to say is

1:11:51that we are so grateful

1:11:54in Tatumville in the fifth district that

1:11:58you did not leave us that you grew right

1:12:02in the streets and the neighborhood of

1:12:06Tatumville.

1:12:07That is phenomenal. And then you took

1:12:10the land. You took the land that you

1:12:13know we were little and it was a

1:12:15drive-in theater.

1:12:18Lord have mercy.

1:12:21It started going down and it became an

1:12:24unsightly place. But I knew in the

1:12:28midnights of midnight, Bishop, that God

1:12:31gave you a vision TO GO AND TAKE THAT

1:12:34derelic land that was beginning to be

1:12:37filled with trash AND EVERYTHING AND TO

1:12:39BUILD THE monuments that you all have

1:12:43[applause]

1:12:45to build the monument.

1:12:47So, we are so thankful for what uh

1:12:50Alderwoman Bell and uh the parishioner

1:12:54from uh the church, how you all came

1:12:57together to make sure the paperwork and

1:12:59everything was correct so that we can

1:13:01get to this point. And we are so

1:13:03thankful and we just honor you

1:13:06continuously. My prayers continue to go

1:13:09out to you. I show up a lot uh in the

1:13:12church and I am so thankful that I

1:13:15represent you. God bless you.

1:13:17>> Thank you. [applause]

1:13:20>> Alderwoman Wild.

1:13:23>> Yes, sir. Bishop, I would just like to

1:13:26thank your church on behalf of the

1:13:29mothers when their sons could not have

1:13:32Christian burials. You open your church

1:13:34and they are going to remember that

1:13:36forever. I know I will. have come and

1:13:38stood and spoke and Alicia has too.

1:13:42Thank you for opening your church for

1:13:44those mothers who were not connected to

1:13:47churches, but you open your church and I

1:13:49take pictures all the time and so y'all

1:13:50need to come on and stand behind them so

1:13:52we can get this really good picture as y

1:13:53>> we ain't going to be a fit all

1:13:56listen. Okay, so even if I go over there

1:13:59when they leave it's going to clear it

1:14:00out anyway so I can get them when y'all

1:14:02going out. But I appreciate it from my

1:14:03mother's sincerely for y'all opening

1:14:06y'all church. Yes.

1:14:08>> And allowing those mothers to come and

1:14:11have their children

1:14:13>> have a Christian burial. Thank you, sir.

1:14:15That means a whole bunch. Thank you,

1:14:16>> Mayor John.

1:14:17>> Yes. All All the women Blakeley.

1:14:21>> Oh my goodness. What a time. What a

1:14:23time. Lord, me and Bishop Rogers go all

1:14:27the way back to St. Pious Family

1:14:30Resource Center when the church would

1:14:32come over there and play basketball with

1:14:35those young men. And let me tell you

1:14:37something. Because of what you did, the

1:14:39crime rate in the city of Savannah went

1:14:41down during that particular time. And I

1:14:45want to tell you all and I want to tell

1:14:47you all I'm so happy to see all y'all in

1:14:52this a in this place today. It don't

1:14:55normally look like this

1:14:59in this chamber, but today

1:15:02I'm happy as I know what to see. all

1:15:06y'all up in here. And let me say this

1:15:08right here. Don't let this be the last

1:15:11time that you all come and grace us with

1:15:14your presence. When you need something

1:15:16in your communities, you got to show up.

1:15:19It's strengthen numbers. Don't let it

1:15:21just be a celebration. Let it be because

1:15:25you want what you want and need in your

1:15:27communities. Show up and show out cuz

1:15:30y'all did that today. Thank y'all so

1:15:33much.

1:15:35>> [cheering and applause]

1:15:35>> And and hold on, hold on. I want to

1:15:38present this to Are you Dixon?

1:15:43I I I I need to give you this because

1:15:45when I read through this, I said, "Oh my

1:15:48goodness, they need to have every step

1:15:52that took place in order for you all to

1:15:54get to where you at today.

1:15:56Congratulations."

1:15:58>> All right.

1:15:58>> And God bless y'all. What we're going to

1:16:01do,

1:16:02[applause] y'all keep standing. As we're

1:16:05transitioning, we're going to go over

1:16:06there and we're going to get a big

1:16:08picture. And so all of you make sure

1:16:10you're in the picture. Okay? We I'm sure

1:16:12we'll be having an actual ceremony and

1:16:13we'll coordinate all that. Make sure the

1:16:15community knows. So, let's slide over

1:16:17here. Y'all come over here. I'll be

1:16:18right back. Okay.

1:17:18There you go.

1:17:31>> [applause]

1:17:53>> Now, brethren and sisterin,

1:17:56if y'all want to stay for the rest of

1:17:58our meeting, you can stay.

1:18:01You You don't You don't leave council

1:18:03meeting without the benediction. So,

1:18:05where y'all going?

1:18:08Y'all getting out of here quick, huh?

1:18:20We're going to let some of them clear

1:18:21out.

1:18:25>> It's taking y'all longer to get out of

1:18:27here than our meeting.

1:18:31>> They brought everybody.

1:18:41Yeah, I heard.

1:18:43>> All right.

1:18:44>> Campina 101. I am

1:18:49Come on.

1:18:51>> We done cleared out real quick, didn't

1:18:53we?

1:18:57>> Can y'all just leave five people over

1:18:59there to kind of seats over there? Just

1:19:01five.

1:19:06I mean

1:19:08they are posied up.

1:19:10>> Mr. Mayor,

1:19:12>> hey Mr. Mayor,

1:19:14>> you should have took up a offering.

1:19:16>> I know

1:19:22>> you for real. Ain't nobody

1:19:32>> Yep. Y'all showed up and showed out.

1:19:43>> Ladies and gentlemen, uh I I will tell

1:19:46you and thank you for your

1:19:47consideration. Uh this is also very

1:19:50important to me because as much as I

1:19:52love being a public servant, um I think

1:19:56my life's calling is that of a human

1:19:58resources professional. Um I'm now over

1:20:0230 years uh in the human resources field

1:20:06uh as a tric national and international

1:20:11certified human resources professional

1:20:13and I will tell you that uh human

1:20:16resources professionals get the job

1:20:19done. They are often individuals u

1:20:22within departments, within governments,

1:20:24within businesses. Um that is really the

1:20:27connective tissue um in organizations.

1:20:30And so every now and then we want to

1:20:33bring our human resources professionals

1:20:36uh to you for you to see them, know who

1:20:38they are, uh and certainly as we

1:20:41recognize human resources professionals

1:20:43day. So, uh, we'll have Jeff Grant, our

1:20:46human resources director, to come up,

1:20:48uh, and then we will introduce these

1:20:50wonderful servants, public servants,

1:20:52great public servants, Mr. Melda. And,

1:20:55um, please

1:21:00Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. Uh,

1:21:02Jeffrey Grant, uh, senior director of

1:21:03human resources, and, uh, it's it's

1:21:06definitely a privilege to be here uh,

1:21:08this afternoon um, with our team. Um,

1:21:11and I'll say I'll say this that you know

1:21:13people don't care how much you know

1:21:17until they know how much you care.

1:21:19>> Oh no.

1:21:20>> And when I think about HR professionals

1:21:22day which started back in 2013

1:21:25um recognizing HR professionals it's

1:21:28tough work

1:21:31and being able to work with team members

1:21:33across the organization to to keep

1:21:35positive energy to deal with challenges

1:21:38every day. Um, these are the individuals

1:21:41that are behind the scenes doing the

1:21:44work, the things that matter to you all

1:21:47the most. And we know that it matters to

1:21:48you all. And um, just want to honor our

1:21:52team members today for all the work that

1:21:53they do for team Savannah, many of the

1:21:56things that we do not see. And I'm just

1:21:58going to share some stats real quick

1:21:59because I think I think data is says a

1:22:02whole story. But this year, uh, this

1:22:04team has processed over 12,000, nearly

1:22:0713,000 job applications.

1:22:10They've hired over 355

1:22:13people to Team Savannah. The year's not

1:22:16over yet.

1:22:18Over 6,000 training hours, person

1:22:21training hours, in-person total training

1:22:23hours, 20,000 over 20,000 training

1:22:26hours.

1:22:27We've had five on-site health

1:22:29screenings. That's huge. Over 600

1:22:32employees have taken their health

1:22:34screenings uh for their health and their

1:22:36well-being on site here at Team

1:22:38Savannah.

1:22:41And so far, we've had over 3,000

1:22:44personnel actions. Some of those actions

1:22:46are you all getting paid, right? Um many

1:22:49of those things. But I I don't even

1:22:51think those that that data really speaks

1:22:53to the volume of the work um of this

1:22:55team. And I'm I'm honored. Um this team

1:22:58cares. They care about Team Savannah and

1:23:00they're great public servants. And uh

1:23:02I'm gonna introduce them real quick and

1:23:04let everybody come up and introduce

1:23:05themselves.

1:23:12>> Come on, Brendon. Come on, Miss Brenda.

1:23:13Come on.

1:23:14>> Good afternoon, everyone.

1:23:17>> All right, that's it. That's it. That's

1:23:19the voice you'll hear when you call

1:23:21human resources. Good afternoon,

1:23:23everyone. And thank you for calling

1:23:25human resources. How may I direct your

1:23:28call? Lamisha.

1:23:33>> Okay, you just got to know my name. It's

1:23:35Brenda Holmes, and I've been working for

1:23:37the C for the city for one year.

1:23:39>> Wow.

1:23:42[applause]

1:23:45>> Good afternoon, mayor, council, guest.

1:23:47I'm Cadetra Ortiz. I'm the recruitment

1:23:49coordinator here at the city of

1:23:50Savannah. I've been serving team

1:23:52Savannah since 2017. Come on, Cadra.

1:23:56Carolyn Ellis's daughter.

1:23:58>> Good afternoon everyone. I'm Lamisha

1:23:59Estelle. I'm your human resources

1:24:01business partner for government

1:24:02operations. All right. And I just

1:24:06completed my five years. So I invested

1:24:09with the city.

1:24:11[cheering and applause]

1:24:13>> Good afternoon. I'm Lynette Major. I'm

1:24:15the senior administrative assistant for

1:24:16the dream team which is HR.

1:24:22>> Two years in August feels like 20, but

1:24:24thank you Lord.

1:24:27Good afternoon everyone. I'm Stephanie

1:24:29Levert. I am human resources special.

1:24:32>> Come on. Come on.

1:24:34>> Homegrown.

1:24:35>> Um but I've been with the city uh for

1:24:38four years.

1:24:39>> Yeah.

1:24:40>> Miss Sharon's daughter. Woohoo.

1:24:44>> Good afternoon everyone. My name is

1:24:46Shantavia Pervvis. I am a human

1:24:47resources technician and I just finished

1:24:49my six months probationary period TWO

1:24:51WEEKS AGO.

1:24:57GOOD afternoon everyone. My name is

1:24:58Tammy Hines. I'm an HR technician. Been

1:25:01with the organization for three years as

1:25:03of August and I am the technician for

1:25:06government operations.

1:25:09[applause]

1:25:12>> Good afternoon everyone. My name is

1:25:14Bridget Hammond. I'm a done new learning

1:25:16coordinator. 71 days in.

1:25:21[applause]

1:25:25Good afternoon everyone. I'm Yaman

1:25:26Atkins. I'm the employment relations

1:25:28manager here and I joined happy to join

1:25:31the city's uh dream team here in um

1:25:34April of this year. So just six months.

1:25:37[applause]

1:25:40>> Good afternoon, mayor, council, and

1:25:41guests. My name is Britney Norman. I

1:25:43serve the city of Savannah as human

1:25:45resource manager for the learning and

1:25:47development division. 20,000 hours of

1:25:49training, y'all, so far this year. Happy

1:25:51to serve. Thank you.

1:25:53>> Good [applause and cheering] job,

1:25:53Britney.

1:26:02[cheering]

1:26:03>> Hey, as well as you know, I'm Barbara

1:26:05Vak, benefits coordinator. I did try to

1:26:09get Jean to stay, but didn't help. Um,

1:26:13I've been here 19 and A HALF YEARS.

1:26:15[cheering]

1:26:17>> [applause]

1:26:18>> YOU'RE NOT finished clapping for Miss

1:26:19Barbie yet.

1:26:22>> Good afternoon. My name is Hillilary

1:26:24Rimes. I am the new employee health and

1:26:27wellness coordinator and I am in my

1:26:28forever honeymoon of a month and a half

1:26:31serving here at the city of Savannah.

1:26:34[applause]

1:26:37>> Good afternoon everyone. I'm Tanya

1:26:38Jones, the benefits manager, and I have

1:26:40just hit my 21 and a HALF YEARS.

1:26:44[cheering and applause]

1:26:47YOU GOT all y'all?

1:26:50>> One more thing. One more thing. One more

1:26:51thing. Um, there were a few individuals

1:26:53that are not here and I do want to

1:26:54recognize them. I I'd be remiss. Uh,

1:26:57Tiffany Martin, our our assistant

1:26:59director, as well as Lana Chatova, our

1:27:02talent manager, Katherine Height, our

1:27:04project manager. Haley Everett, who

1:27:06handles our compensation and data. Um,

1:27:09Dr. Porter, many of you all Dr. Porter.

1:27:11Yes. Yes. Um and then uh Tanisha Perry

1:27:15and Angela Bryant. They are working

1:27:17across the city for you all right now in

1:27:20meetings all across team Savannah. Yes.

1:27:24>> Oh, and Lkesha Boyce. Yes.

1:27:28>> Let us give a big round of applause to

1:27:30these amazing professionals. [applause]

1:27:33We we thank you for your service. I

1:27:35certainly know how hard your work is.

1:27:37Uh, thank you for loving us, caring for

1:27:39us, training us, teaching us, onboarding

1:27:41us, and making sure we get paid on time.

1:27:45>> It'll be a problem. So, thank you all so

1:27:47much. We appreciate you.

1:27:49>> Thank you, [applause]

1:27:51>> Mayor Johnson.

1:27:53Mayor Johnson,

1:27:55>> I just want to say to the human

1:27:57resources department, you all are

1:27:59phenomenal, energetic group of

1:28:02individuals. Please keep it. I know it's

1:28:04rough, but make sure y'all keep that

1:28:06energy. Okay. [laughter]

1:28:10>> I know

1:28:10>> D want to know where the men at. I'm

1:28:12telling them that's WHY Y'ALL DO SUCH A

1:28:13GOOD JOB.

1:28:15>> They working

1:28:18Mr. Grant. Mr. Grant, uh, council has a

1:28:22question for you.

1:28:24>> Yes.

1:28:26>> Where where the men where the brothers?

1:28:28We don't

1:28:28>> Oh, the brothers keep Haley is not here

1:28:31today. um he is he is out across the

1:28:33organization working. So we we are too

1:28:35strong. So yes,

1:28:37>> we we appreci we appreciate the numbers.

1:28:39Keep it going. Thank you very much.

1:28:41>> All right, ladies and gentlemen. Again,

1:28:42uh as I'm fond of saying, um we don't

1:28:46make excuses for praising our own pond.

1:28:49Uh we want to make sure we recognize uh

1:28:51those that help us do what we do. Uh

1:28:54let's get down to our business and I'm

1:28:56going to do some expediting if you don't

1:28:59mind.

1:28:59>> Yes, sir. Uh, so work with me on it. I

1:29:02want to go first to items 37 through 45

1:29:05on the airport agenda.

1:29:07>> Mr. Mayor,

1:29:07>> uh, yes,

1:29:09>> I'd like to make a motion for the

1:29:10approval of items number 37 through 45.

1:29:14>> Second a motion.

1:29:15>> Second.

1:29:15>> Been properly moved and seconded. Uh

1:29:17item 37 is approval to participate in

1:29:19the 2027, 2028, and 2029 Hilton Head

1:29:24Concords, the Elegance, and Motoring

1:29:26Festival as the award stage sponsor in

1:29:29the amount of $105,000.

1:29:31Item number 38, approval to fund an

1:29:33additional year of the professional

1:29:35services agreement with Peace Tree

1:29:36Government Relations in the amount of

1:29:38$60,000.

1:29:40Item number 39,

1:29:43um, approval to procure redesign

1:29:47services for the credentiing office from

1:29:48National Office Systems in the amount of

1:29:51$56,430.

1:29:54Item number 40, approval of amendment

1:29:56number one to the American Aviation

1:29:58Administration reimburseable Agreement

1:30:00for the Runway One Localizer project in

1:30:03the amount of $158,750.

1:30:07Item number 41, approval to execute a

1:30:10contract with the Atlanta gas light for

1:30:12construction services associated with

1:30:14the demo air cargo phase 2 project in

1:30:16the amount not to exceed $135,000.

1:30:20Item number 42, approval to award a

1:30:23contract to Bella Mulch for furnish and

1:30:25install mulch in the amount of $311,500.

1:30:30Item number 43, approval to replace the

1:30:32concourse exterior fire sprinkler dry

1:30:35system piping with B andJ fire

1:30:38protection in the amount of $127,000.

1:30:40Item number 44, approval to award an on

1:30:43call contract to Superior Welding

1:30:45Service and Fabrication SWS for fence

1:30:49removal and installation services in the

1:30:51amount of $65,000.

1:30:53And item number 45, approval to procure

1:30:56one custom trailer mounted softwash

1:30:59pressure washing system from actually

1:31:02Holdings uh LLC DBA 3R sales and service

1:31:06in the amount of $46,391.

1:31:09All in favor indicate by saying I

1:31:10>> I

1:31:11>> opposed. Motion passes. Do we have any

1:31:14pullouts on purchasing? Uh if we don't,

1:31:17we'll take it. If not, we'll come back

1:31:19to 36. You have

1:31:21>> 36

1:31:2230 and

1:31:2536 30.

1:31:32>> We have more than one.

1:31:33>> Three.

1:31:34>> Okay, we'll go back. We'll come back to

1:31:35it.

1:31:37>> Um, yes.

1:31:38>> No, ma'am. No, we're coming back to it.

1:31:41>> Yeah, we're coming back to Yes, ma'am.

1:31:43>> All right. Uh, we'll go now to alcohol

1:31:47license hearings.

1:31:52And uh there are items 7 through 11 on

1:31:55your agenda. Um are there any pull outs

1:31:58before I begin?

1:32:00>> Which is that Mr. Mayor? I'm sorry.

1:32:02>> 7 through 11.

1:32:04>> Okay.

1:32:05>> Oh, number um Mr. Mayor.

1:32:09>> Number 10.

1:32:12>> You're pulling these out?

1:32:13>> Yes, sir.

1:32:13>> Okay. All right. They're looking seven,

1:32:15eight, and nine.

1:32:17Mr. Mayor, so I need to pull all of

1:32:22them.

1:32:24>> Pardon?

1:32:25>> 8 n 10.

1:32:27>> You're pulling eight, nine.

1:32:28>> Yes.

1:32:29>> Okay.

1:32:32>> All right. And then we'll Right. Item

1:32:34number seven is approval of class C beer

1:32:36and wine by the drink alcohol license

1:32:38with Sunday sales to D Hotel Patel for

1:32:40Pritchette and Co. a restaurant located

1:32:43207 West Broton Street in Almad District

1:32:462. This is a public hearing. Does anyone

1:32:49have anything against uh this hearing?

1:32:52Anything against this license?

1:32:55Going once.

1:32:57Going twice.

1:33:01Speak now. Forever. Hold your peace.

1:33:03>> Mr. Mayor.

1:33:04>> Yes.

1:33:04>> Ask that we close the hearing, please.

1:33:05>> Second.

1:33:06>> Second.

1:33:06>> Been properly moved and seconded. All in

1:33:08favor indicate by saying I

1:33:10>> opposed. Motion passes. Item number

1:33:12eight is applica approval of class G

1:33:16beer and wine body drink complimentary

1:33:18alcohol license to Michelle Hagen for

1:33:21Hey Honey Blooms and Borg LLC, a

1:33:24specialty shop located at 125 West Duffy

1:33:26Street in Automatic District 2. Uh this

1:33:29applicant plans to operate as a

1:33:31specialty shop. Uh this is a public

1:33:33hearing. I've now declared open. Does

1:33:35anyone have anything against this

1:33:36license?

1:33:38Going once.

1:33:40going twice.

1:33:42Speak now if ever hold your peace.

1:33:45>> Move for a move to close.

1:33:47>> Mr. Mayor,

1:33:47>> yes.

1:33:48>> Ask that we close the hearing. Second

1:33:49>> and properly move the second. All in

1:33:51favor indicate by saying I.

1:33:52>> I.

1:33:53>> Opposed. Motion passes. Alman Leget.

1:33:56>> Yes, sir. Ask that we approve the class

1:33:59C liquor, beer, and wine by the drink

1:34:01alcohol license with Sunday sales to

1:34:03Conor Scoffield for the for the

1:34:05Montgomery at a restaurant located in

1:34:08106 East Broad Street. No, we're talking

1:34:10about No, I'm talking about item number

1:34:11eight.

1:34:12>> Item number eight, the approval of a

1:34:13class G beer and wine by the drink

1:34:17complimentary alcohol license to

1:34:19Michelle Hagen for Hey Bunny Bloom and

1:34:21Board LLC.

1:34:23>> Second

1:34:23>> properly moved in second. All in favor

1:34:25by saying I

1:34:26>> I

1:34:26>> opposed.

1:34:27>> Opposed.

1:34:27>> Motion passes 8 to one. Um item number

1:34:31nine is approve of a class C liquor

1:34:33beer.

1:34:33>> H

1:34:36>> I haven't approved seven. I thought I

1:34:38did. Uh item um alderman leg. Let's do

1:34:40item number seven, please.

1:34:41>> Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, ask that we approve

1:34:43the class C beer and wine by the drink

1:34:46alcohol license when Sunday sales to

1:34:48Deep Patel for Pritchard and Company, a

1:34:50restaurant located at 207 West Broad

1:34:53Street. Sir

1:34:54>> second. Probably moved and seconded. All

1:34:56in favor indicate by saying I

1:34:58>> opposed. Opposed.

1:34:59>> Motion passes 81. Item number nine,

1:35:01approval um of a class C liquor beer and

1:35:04wine by the drink alcohol license with

1:35:06Sunday sales to Conor Chafield for the

1:35:08Montgomery a restaurant located at 10:06

1:35:11East Broad Street between East Warberg

1:35:14Street and East Park Avenue in all of

1:35:16District 2. Um this is a public hearing.

1:35:19I've now declared it open all of anyone

1:35:22have anyone anything to say against this

1:35:23license? Going once. Going twice.

1:35:28Is there a motion to close? Yes sir. I

1:35:30ask we close the hearing sir. Second

1:35:32>> properly moved and second it. All in

1:35:34favor indicate by saying I.

1:35:35>> I.

1:35:36>> Opposed. Motion passes. Alderman Lean.

1:35:38>> Mr. Mayor ask that we approve the class

1:35:40C liquor, beer, and wine by the drink

1:35:42alcohol license with Sunday sales to

1:35:44Connor Scoffield for the Montgomery a

1:35:46restaurant located at 106 East Broad

1:35:48Street.

1:35:49>> Second.

1:35:49>> Been properly moved and seconded. All in

1:35:51favor of the K by saying I

1:35:52>> opposed.

1:35:53>> Opposed.

1:35:54>> Motion passes 81. Item number 10 two uh

1:35:5710 approval of a class C beer by the

1:36:00drink alcohol license with Sunday sales

1:36:02to Rayana Lopez uh Guadilio at El Kumal

1:36:09Chippy Pano I'm messing it up I know a

1:36:13restaurant located at 2208 Easter Ren

1:36:16Avenue sweet D. Um this establishment is

1:36:19located between Skidaway Road and

1:36:20Athenia Drive in Aldist district 3. Um

1:36:23this is a public hearing. I am now

1:36:24declared open. Does anyone have anything

1:36:27against this license? Going once,

1:36:30>> Mr. Mayor.

1:36:31>> Going twice. There motion to close.

1:36:34>> Please close the hearing.

1:36:35>> Second.

1:36:35>> Been properly moved and second we close

1:36:37this hearing. All in favor by saying I

1:36:39may.

1:36:40>> No. One moment.

1:36:41>> Uh point of order, please. Mr. Mayor, uh

1:36:43the petitioners are not in the facility.

1:36:46U we have further discussions. Uh have

1:36:49not been able to talk to them. Would you

1:36:51please put them on the schedule, Mr.

1:36:53city manager for the next meeting.

1:36:55>> That that would be that would be in

1:36:57perview of council. So,

1:36:58>> yes.

1:36:58>> So, we we had a public hearing, but

1:37:01you're saying that the the um petitioner

1:37:04is not here.

1:37:05>> Yes, sir. They left. We didn't have

1:37:07discussion about this particular

1:37:08building and it's been I it's been my I

1:37:11want to be consistent having not able to

1:37:13talk to them and didn't know this was

1:37:14going to be on the agenda. Okay.

1:37:16>> Mr. Bartley has since talked to them.

1:37:18They left. They're in agreement. Um, I

1:37:21would ask the council to put this back

1:37:23on the next weeks. Give us an

1:37:24opportunity to talk.

1:37:25>> Do that as a form of emotion, please.

1:37:27>> Yes, sir. Uh, Mr. Mayor and council,

1:37:29city manager. Uh, I wish to place this

1:37:32item number 10 for the petitioners Lopez

1:37:36Cordillio and El KL

1:37:39Chia Pine. Um, for the next council,

1:37:42please sir.

1:37:43>> That's two weeks date, sir.

1:37:44>> Two weeks. Yes.

1:37:45>> I'll be October 8th.

1:37:46>> Yes, sir.

1:37:47>> Okay. Uh, is there a second? Second

1:37:50second probably move and second that we

1:37:52continue this hearing until October the

1:37:548th. All in favor indicate by saying I

1:37:57>> opposed. Motion passes. Item number 11.

1:38:00No problem. Approval of a class C liquor

1:38:02beer and wine by the drink alcohol

1:38:04license of Sunday sales to Larry O.

1:38:06Jackson for whiskey tango fox Trop

1:38:08Barbecue and Grill located at 5509

1:38:11Montgomery Street between Birchfield

1:38:13Drive and Hamstead Avenue in automatic

1:38:16district 5. Um, this is a public hearing

1:38:19that I'm now declaring open.

1:38:22Going once, going twice.

1:38:25>> Mr. Mayor,

1:38:25>> speak now forever. Hold your peace.

1:38:27>> Mr. Mayor,

1:38:28>> yes ma'am.

1:38:28>> Close the hearing.

1:38:29>> Second

1:38:30>> and properly moved and seconded. All in

1:38:31favor indicate by saying I

1:38:33>> I

1:38:33>> oppose. Motion passes. All the woman

1:38:36should pass.

1:38:36>> Mr. Mayor.

1:38:37>> Yes.

1:38:37>> In reference to uh

1:38:39>> Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don't clap yet. We We

1:38:41ain't done nothing yet. Hold on.

1:38:44In reference to this item,

1:38:46uh there are some questions I need to uh

1:38:49just put on the table for the hearing of

1:38:52our public. We did get one um opposed

1:38:57letter uh from Dr. Patricia Harris of uh

1:39:02she's the president of Popular Place

1:39:05Neighborhood Association. And uh because

1:39:07we all have this letter and it's in the

1:39:09records, there was a qu couple of

1:39:11questions and I just to put this on the

1:39:13table and ask if you don't mind, Mr.

1:39:15Mayor, the city manager to to help us

1:39:18out here. Um, Dr. Harris, she met with

1:39:23uh the American Legion Post uh 536

1:39:30and she was unaware at the time that

1:39:33there was a uh doing business as

1:39:36attached to this particular application

1:39:39um from the original name. Uh she stated

1:39:41that the gentleman never mentioned that

1:39:44they would uh become a bar and grill and

1:39:48uh she uh have concerns uh that's number

1:39:52one the number one concern on uh the

1:39:56American Legion Post 536

1:39:59and in reference to the the name uh the

1:40:04Whiskey Tango Fox Trot Barbecue and

1:40:08Grill. So can you uh give some

1:40:10explanation to the DBEES and with the

1:40:13American Legions names and numbers

1:40:15attached?

1:40:17>> Um certainly we there are many um

1:40:21businesses that have business license

1:40:23that do business as um other names. Uh

1:40:27so the this is the um American Legion um

1:40:32500

1:40:34um location and their their application

1:40:37is to have a bar and grill that's able

1:40:40to serve alcohol. The name of that bar

1:40:42and grill is Whiskey Tango Fox Trot um

1:40:46bar and grill. So that's what they'd be

1:40:48doing business as. Um uh as for the

1:40:51application, you know, for for city

1:40:53staff, this is an administrative

1:40:55process. to make sure that they um uh

1:40:58that we're that they meet the

1:41:00eligibility for an alcohol license um

1:41:02including the requisite business

1:41:04licenses, the requisite distances from

1:41:07um other locations unless they're

1:41:10exempted, etc. Um this business has met

1:41:13all of those administrative um items and

1:41:17is eligible to receive an alcohol

1:41:20license from city council um if city

1:41:22council deems it. We have many instances

1:41:24where um we have what's uh businesses

1:41:29doing business as another name.

1:41:31>> In reference to um the practice here in

1:41:34the city of Savannah when it comes to

1:41:36the American Legion, do we have any

1:41:38other examples in Savannah where uh

1:41:41something like this exists already?

1:41:43>> Street.

1:41:44>> Yes, ma'am. Uh

1:41:46the one that uh comes to mind is the

1:41:48American Legion on Bull Street just

1:41:50south of the park where

1:41:52>> um uh that is American Legion Post.

1:41:55>> I can't remember the number but they do

1:41:58business as Betty Bombers American Eery

1:42:02um is the name of that

1:42:05>> 135 American Legion 135. Um they

1:42:10>> American Legion American Legion Post 135

1:42:13on Bull Street South Foresight Park.

1:42:16They have an alcohol license. They have

1:42:18an establishment that does business as

1:42:20Betty Bombers's American Eery. Um and

1:42:23that's uh what their alcohol license is

1:42:26attached to um for that American Legion

1:42:28post. All right.

1:42:29>> There's also an American Legion in

1:42:31Thunderbolt. Of course, it's not within

1:42:32the city of Savannah, but they also have

1:42:34a similar setup to the one um on Bull

1:42:38Street and for the one being proposed,

1:42:40>> George G, the fifth district.

1:42:42>> Okay. So, that's not a new practice for

1:42:44the city of Savannah.

1:42:46>> So, um another thing I'm still talking

1:42:48here asking some questions for the city

1:42:50manager. She also stated that uh in this

1:42:53very same building

1:42:55um desiring this license is the Nation's

1:43:00Christian Fellowship

1:43:02Church of Savannah.

1:43:05And a few feet away across the entrance

1:43:08of the uh University Place neighborhood

1:43:11is another church called Church of

1:43:14Christ.

1:43:16So, I know that um in our ordinances

1:43:19that we have a stipulation

1:43:22um of distances of schools and churches

1:43:25when it comes to us um approving alcohol

1:43:29licenses. Can you explain or and let us

1:43:32know are is this uh applicant in

1:43:35compliance with our our laws?

1:43:38>> Yes, ma'am. And the application is in

1:43:40compliance with our laws. I I'll point

1:43:42you in reference if anyone wants to look

1:43:45um to page 104 in your binder um which

1:43:50is the really the second page of an

1:43:53alcohol beverage license measurement

1:43:55report that begins on the previous page

1:43:57103. Um, and I'll I'll I'll call you to

1:44:01the top of that page where our staff is

1:44:04measuring the distance from Nation's

1:44:07Christian Fellowship Savannah at 5515

1:44:11Montgomery Street. The minimum distance

1:44:14um required um without it without an

1:44:17exception exemption um applied is 100

1:44:21yards. Um uh Dr. Harris is correct that

1:44:25uh that this church is nearer to the

1:44:27establishment than 100 yards. In fact,

1:44:29it is 38.47

1:44:31yards away. But then I would uh draw you

1:44:34down to the bottom of the page where you

1:44:37see the list of exemptions. Um and it

1:44:40says no distance requirements apply for

1:44:43churches for beer, wine by the drink for

1:44:45consumption um on premises. No distance

1:44:49requirements for liquor, beer, or wine

1:44:50sold by the drink for consumption on

1:44:52premises apply to the following. Um, and

1:44:55I would draw you to number four, uh,

1:44:57which is a restaurant that sells alcohol

1:44:59beverages as a part of a meal, um, or to

1:45:02restaurant patrons waiting for a table

1:45:03to be served, um, a meal in public

1:45:06spaces, etc., etc. It goes on for

1:45:08several sentences. It's exempting a

1:45:10restaurant use um, from that distance

1:45:13requirement from a church. Um, I'd also

1:45:16draw you to exemption number three,

1:45:18which is a private social club, which is

1:45:21open only to its members and their

1:45:22guest. Um, which often American Legions

1:45:25operate as a member onlyly club um with

1:45:28guest. Um,

1:45:30though their their guest policies are

1:45:32are fairly lenient. Um, but both of

1:45:36those would meet the exemptions here. Um

1:45:38but I would look at number four as maybe

1:45:40the main exemption to apply which is the

1:45:43the restaurant use. So therefore um the

1:45:47applicant is in compliance because that

1:45:51uh distance requirement is exempted in

1:45:53this case. I just want to say that for

1:45:56the over 8,386

1:46:01veterans uh that exists in the city of

1:46:04Savannah and drone it down even more

1:46:07with the amount of veterans in the fifth

1:46:10district which is approximately 1,200

1:46:13to,500 veterans that's living in the

1:46:16fifth district. you know, I had to

1:46:20weigh this uh situation here and I know

1:46:24I I stand always for the safety of and

1:46:28and the safety of our citizens uh and

1:46:32our our communities and our

1:46:34neighborhoods. And I I do believe that

1:46:38uh

1:46:40this location

1:46:42I I know I don't think because it is uh

1:46:46a part of the American Legion uh 500

1:46:49more specifically and and they've been

1:46:52working hard to uh to get this done and

1:46:55uh number 36

1:46:58American Legion Post that that business

1:47:03um that we may think that there's a club

1:47:06or a nightclub and people are hanging

1:47:08out and um and disruption through

1:47:12through the community. I just don't

1:47:13believe that that is going to happen um

1:47:17at this location. So with looking at

1:47:20that this business who um with the

1:47:24American Legions attached to it us as

1:47:28you stated today that this is not any

1:47:30new type of uh format that the city of

1:47:34Savannah is doing. Uh I just have to um

1:47:38just stand with and then and then Hunter

1:47:41then Hunter Army Airfield is uh this

1:47:44location is just I see is somewhat ideal

1:47:48for uh those service men and women uh

1:47:52who can uh legitimately step out of the

1:47:55gate and and have someplace to go if

1:47:58especially they're new don't have any

1:47:59transportation. It's just right there.

1:48:01So, right now, uh, I see that it's going

1:48:04to to be all right and and I will be the

1:48:07first to to come back and and if if it's

1:48:10out of order and and the neighborhood,

1:48:13uh, see that that things are not going

1:48:15well and and things are out of order and

1:48:18I'll be the first to come uh back here

1:48:21uh to to talk about this alcohol license

1:48:24a little different. But, as it stands

1:48:25right now, uh, I just want to make a

1:48:27motion for the approval.

1:48:29>> Second. Second of the

1:48:32of a class C license for liquor, beer,

1:48:36and wine by the drink alcohol license

1:48:38for Sunday sale to Larry's Jackson for

1:48:42whiskey tango box trot barbecue and

1:48:45grill located at 5509 Montgomery Street.

1:48:48>> Second

1:48:50>> and promptly moved and seconded as an

1:48:51editorial comment.

1:48:52>> Yes. Um, I've been affiliated and with

1:48:55the uh post 500. I would have recused

1:48:58myself, but I just realized I hadn't

1:49:00paid my dues in about two years. So,

1:49:04so they don't they don't kicked me out.

1:49:06So, I don't feel any kicked out.

1:49:09>> I I'm Yeah, I I think I'm kicked out cuz

1:49:11I had paid my dues in two years. So, pay

1:49:13your dues.

1:49:13>> Um, but I will tell you that they're

1:49:16they have operated even when they were

1:49:18on McGomery Street responsibly.

1:49:20>> That's right. Um they don't take

1:49:22foolishness in their establishments

1:49:25>> um for for obvious reasons. Not only

1:49:28because they are uh recreating but also

1:49:31because um these are individuals who

1:49:33come from a standard of excellence,

1:49:36>> a standard of community responsibility

1:49:38and they have worked too long to get to

1:49:41this spot to mess it all up. Now

1:49:43>> that's right. You know, this has been a

1:49:46long struggle and so um it's properly

1:49:49moved and seconded that we approve this

1:49:52um class C liquor, beer, and wine by the

1:49:55drink alcohol license with Sunday sales.

1:49:57Uh and I hope to pay my dues soon. All

1:50:00in favor indicate by saying I

1:50:02>> I

1:50:03motion passes.

1:50:04>> M I'd just like to quickly say

1:50:06>> y'all can clap now.

1:50:09>> Mr. Mayor,

1:50:10>> yes.

1:50:11>> Uh

1:50:12>> yes,

1:50:12>> James Putney.

1:50:13>> Yes. tried to get this done. He stood in

1:50:16front of us as a marshall for the

1:50:18veterans parade. He carried that

1:50:21>> oxygen all over this city. We have

1:50:24>> We just want y'all to make the same

1:50:26drinks that they make at Betty Bombers.

1:50:27Please and thank you. [laughter]

1:50:30>> All right. Um

1:50:31>> Thank you, James Putney. Thank you.

1:50:33>> Thank you.

1:50:34>> Thank y'all.

1:50:34>> Um I want to skip to 14. I'll go back.

1:50:3614 and 15 are just second readers from

1:50:39the airport um commission uh amending

1:50:43division two part four public services

1:50:46uh chapter 7 international airport

1:50:48article A and 15 uh to amend the chart

1:50:51of the city of Savannah regarding rights

1:50:54and airport property.

1:50:56>> So Mr. Mayor I'd like to make a motion

1:50:59approval of these items as it's written

1:51:00on the agenda

1:51:02>> properly moved and seconded. All in

1:51:04favor indicate by saying I. I was going

1:51:06to get

1:51:06>> opposed. Motion passes. Going back now

1:51:10to our zoning hearings um which are

1:51:15related. Yes, sir.

1:51:16>> Um I think 12 um precipitates 13. Uh a

1:51:22petition of Ellen Harris for K Heritage

1:51:25agent for Maisiel LLC on behalf of Heath

1:51:28Shelton agent for the 912 Savannah LLC

1:51:33for special use permit to allow a hall

1:51:36banquet or recreation use with

1:51:38conditions on 0.54 acres at 2018

1:51:41Habashim Street unit C1 in the TC1

1:51:45zoning district at automatic district 2.

1:51:49>> Hello.

1:51:49>> Hello.

1:51:52is yours number 12.

1:51:55>> No, she has to make presentation.

1:51:59>> Good afternoon. I'm Ashley Cton. I'm a

1:52:01planner with MPC. Um, and today I will

1:52:06be presenting to you um two separate

1:52:09items for special use permits for the

1:52:13property located at 2018 Habersshim

1:52:16Street, uh, unit C1. And the first um

1:52:21special use permit is going to be for

1:52:24allowing for a banquet and reception

1:52:26hall use in the TC1 um district. And

1:52:30then the second SU would be to allow for

1:52:34retail consumption of alcohol on

1:52:36premises. And again, these are two

1:52:39separate items um and special use

1:52:41permits for the same property address.

1:52:45Um, and moving forward, I'm going to

1:52:48present these items concurrently, but

1:52:50you will be voting on each item

1:52:52separately.

1:53:04So, this property is located in the

1:53:07street car historic district and this um

1:53:12the SUP for the restaurant um and the

1:53:16banquet hall is going to be located at

1:53:19that third uh building and it's on the

1:53:21bottom floor of the existing structure.

1:53:24The petitioner plans to operate a

1:53:27daytime coffee shop and gluten-free cafe

1:53:30from Monday through Saturday from the

1:53:33hours of 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. And this

1:53:39um existing building is approximately

1:53:421,334

1:53:44square ft.

1:53:53For the um the second special use

1:53:56permit, the petitioner is proposing to

1:53:59use the same space to use um for a

1:54:03private event and banquet venue for

1:54:05catered events. That's generally going

1:54:07to be from 300 p.m. to 9 or to 900 pm.

1:54:12So, this is not going to be available

1:54:13during the restaurant hours and it's

1:54:16only going to be um proposed on select

1:54:18evenings by reservation only. So, these

1:54:21are going to be both separate.

1:54:30So going back to the first item and

1:54:33again we will you will be voting on

1:54:35these separately for the first special

1:54:38use permit for the um venue and the

1:54:41event space for the um MPC action and

1:54:46staff recommendation both recommends

1:54:49approval of the petitioner special use

1:54:52permit for the banquet hall and

1:54:54reception use located at 28 8 Habsham

1:54:57Street and the following conditions are

1:55:00as follows. The special use permit shall

1:55:03be non-transferable.

1:55:05Next, the approved use shall be limited

1:55:08to the approximately 1,334

1:55:12square foot tenant space identified as

1:55:14building C1

1:55:16and any substantial expansion of the

1:55:18venue use or modification of the

1:55:21operational characteristics.

1:55:23reviewed hearing shall require review

1:55:25and approval by the city of Savannah.

1:55:28And that concludes the first special use

1:55:30permit.

1:55:31>> Okay, this is a special use that this is

1:55:33a public hearing um that I've now

1:55:35declared open. Uh does any we have any

1:55:38cards? Okay. Is anyone here to have

1:55:41anything regarding this particular item?

1:55:44Going once,

1:55:46going twice.

1:55:48Speak now forever. Hold your peace. Your

1:55:51motion to close. Yes sir.

1:55:54>> Second.

1:55:55>> Probably moved and seconded. All in

1:55:56favor indicate by saying I

1:55:58>> oppose. Motion passes. Is there a

1:56:01motion? Alderman Leget regarding this

1:56:02item.

1:56:04>> All right.

1:56:05>> Okay. Uh yes. We we'll we'll start with

1:56:07Aldwoman Laneir then alderman Leget.

1:56:09>> Can you tell me about the parking

1:56:11requirements for the

1:56:13>> for this building period especially with

1:56:15the event space?

1:56:17>> Sure. So, the Thomas Square in the

1:56:20Street Card neighborhood predates the

1:56:21zoning ordinance. So, the requirement

1:56:24for the um spots were

1:56:26>> I'm sorry, could you repeat what you

1:56:27just said?

1:56:28>> So, the Thomas Square in the street car

1:56:31neighborhood predates the zoning

1:56:33ordinance. So, the required spaces um

1:56:35for this building and I can go back.

1:56:38>> So, this is a new building, but it's

1:56:39still

1:56:41>> the for the the actual area itself

1:56:43because it's in the historic it's

1:56:44located within the historic district. So

1:56:46there are different regulations

1:56:48when it comes to parking

1:56:51>> and and finish what you were saying.

1:56:53>> So the requirement would be 10 spots and

1:56:56it would it's you can see it right here

1:56:58on the um or on your screen on the site

1:57:00plan. So um

1:57:03we are aware that there are parking

1:57:05concerns within this area and I believe

1:57:08that's why the petitioner presented for

1:57:10the it vent space. It's only by request

1:57:12only and it's not going to be operated

1:57:15at the same time as the cafe. So, it's

1:57:17more for just special special events

1:57:19depending on if someone asks.

1:57:21>> Thank you. Just being familiar with that

1:57:23site because I think most of us has

1:57:25frequented the restaurant right across

1:57:27the street for years

1:57:29>> and the parking just for the restaurant

1:57:32was horrible and it's so close to the

1:57:3637th Street that that corner is very

1:57:40congested. Uh, and then there's an some

1:57:42apartments in the next block and a fire

1:57:44hydrant. I'm just unless they plan to

1:57:47walk a long way. I I just don't see

1:57:50where they're going to be able to

1:57:51accommodate the parking. That's just my

1:57:53comment about this.

1:57:57>> Alder Leot.

1:57:58>> Yes, sir. Um, thank you for your

1:58:00presentation. Um,

1:58:02Mr. Mayor, it almost this this almost

1:58:04resembles like the bait and switch

1:58:06because you got two different things

1:58:08that's going to happen here. It start

1:58:09off as a retail space and then it's

1:58:11going to uh mimic or or morph into a

1:58:14banquet reception space. And I and I

1:58:17also agree with Alderwoman Laneir that

1:58:20there is no parking there. Um this

1:58:22picture may have been taken at 6:30 in

1:58:24the morning. That might be the only time

1:58:26you'll see some type of parking relief.

1:58:29But now we still also have slow fire

1:58:31barbecue that's going to be on the

1:58:33opposite side of that building who is

1:58:34already having challenges with parking

1:58:37and also on the opposite side of that we

1:58:39have a church. So all three of those

1:58:42instances being that that is a railroad

1:58:44there. Um even if there is an event

1:58:47space and we pass this today, we still

1:58:50have the challenges of a a a senior

1:58:52facility that's right across the street

1:58:54from this. So, all of these different

1:58:56factors in place, I'm not even sure how

1:58:58I even got this far. I just see

1:59:00approval, approval, approval, but um on

1:59:04on behalf of the uh community itself,

1:59:06some of this stuff just really need to

1:59:07be um see some revisited or have some

1:59:11type of push back to it. Uh Mr. city

1:59:13manager. I was just looking at it

1:59:15because

1:59:16just the the the building itself, the

1:59:19way that uh is designed, I don't think I

1:59:22mean just the the the

1:59:25employees parking there and then being

1:59:27that it's a apartment building on the

1:59:29top of it. Um what's going to happen

1:59:30when when they start renting out those

1:59:33space?

1:59:34>> Certainly understand the concern. Um, I

1:59:36do want to bring in like a a more fuller

1:59:38picture that the the the zoning for this

1:59:42building

1:59:44um is set and there are many many uses

1:59:49um which would also that are by right

1:59:52that you you might also think that the

1:59:55the parking is not adequate. the um so

2:00:00um whether or not the special uses are

2:00:03granted doesn't mean that businesses and

2:00:07commercial activity is not going to

2:00:08happen on site because uh that's by

2:00:11right and certainly we hope that

2:00:12commercial activity um or some type of

2:00:15use does happen um and it's a productive

2:00:17use. It's a beautiful building. The the

2:00:20other thing that I'll mention is that in

2:00:23our uh uh street car districts and in

2:00:27other urbanized districts, our parking

2:00:30requirements are very limited. Um and

2:00:34and there are a few reasons why the

2:00:36zoning code limits those parking

2:00:38restrictions for urbanized areas is

2:00:41because otherwise you would see a lot of

2:00:44surface parking versus actual building

2:00:48development like the city was when these

2:00:52um uh when these districts were created

2:00:55um years and years ago. So, um, just to

2:00:58point you to those, um, the finer points

2:01:01in the that zoning code, if we want to

2:01:04think about parking in in some of our,

2:01:07um, urban districts, we should have that

2:01:10discussion about the parking uh,

2:01:12requirements and reductions that exist

2:01:14in our zoning code. Um, but uh it might

2:01:18be what I'm saying is it it it might not

2:01:21make a difference whether or not you

2:01:23approve or disapprove of these two

2:01:25special uses in regards to parking in

2:01:28this area because the building um is

2:01:31approved by right for for many different

2:01:33types of uses um and and likely those

2:01:36uses would you know um there the parking

2:01:40need that's there is is met. So I just

2:01:42want to give that perspective.

2:01:43>> Mr. city manager. Did the petitioner

2:01:46even think about if it's going to be a u

2:01:49a banquet hall then they can apply for

2:01:52an individual

2:01:54u liquor license?

2:01:56>> Alleged the petitioner is here.

2:01:58>> Oh

2:01:58>> yeah.

2:01:58>> Yeah. So they did we even think about

2:02:01having a uh

2:02:02>> um Miss Harris if you would

2:02:05>> a liquor license. Uh

2:02:06>> could you identify yourself for the

2:02:07record please?

2:02:09>> It's not on it's not on.

2:02:12>> Good afternoon. Um, Mr. Mayor, uh,

2:02:14alderman, um, thank you for having me.

2:02:16My name is Ellen Harrison. I'm with

2:02:17Ethos Preservation. Uh, yes, sir. The

2:02:19the petitioner, um, is in the process

2:02:21for applying for a liquor license, and

2:02:22that will come before you again as a as

2:02:24a

2:02:25>> My question is, uh, did they think about

2:02:27having a liquor license per event? So,

2:02:30they they have to have a liquor license,

2:02:32just a flatout liquor license. They said

2:02:33they may not have an event for four or

2:02:36five months, but if they have someone

2:02:38that want to rent the space, they can go

2:02:40and apply for a temporary temporary like

2:02:42liquor license.

2:02:43>> I I I think that's a good suggestion. I

2:02:45think their thought for a business plan

2:02:47was that they would already have it in

2:02:48place so there wouldn't be a delay in

2:02:50applying for it. But I mean, if that's

2:02:52if that's a recommendation from council,

2:02:53that's

2:02:54>> I'm just I'm just trying to find a way

2:02:56out because again, um by me walking this

2:03:01area, you you still have across the

2:03:02street there's a scad uh school across

2:03:05the street who use a lot of bus traffic.

2:03:08Also, there's two, if I'm mistaken,

2:03:11there's two senior living facilities who

2:03:13have people there who are using

2:03:15motorized wheelchairs. Um it is a school

2:03:19route. Uh there's a there's a train line

2:03:22there and also there's a where street

2:03:25also there. So, but I'm I'm just a

2:03:27little I'm pushing back a little bit

2:03:30because the way that that building is

2:03:31designed, I don't see any parking going

2:03:35anywhere in that area. I mean I and the

2:03:37rest of my colleagues you guys may see

2:03:39it in

2:03:39>> well I think I think what the point is

2:03:41is that even though you may not see the

2:03:43parking there are uses now um that

2:03:48doesn't require that parking one way or

2:03:49another. So I think what the city

2:03:51manager was saying is that even whether

2:03:52we approve it or not um these uses can

2:03:55still be there without the parking the

2:03:58the use of the parking or the inclusion

2:04:00of it or exclusion is a different

2:04:03conversation. I don't think it

2:04:04necessarily relates to this right right

2:04:08here in terms of parking. Right.

2:04:10>> But that's correct.

2:04:10>> Yeah. I think that the the parking is a

2:04:12good discussion, but the what I what I

2:04:15would recommend is that city council

2:04:17have that discussion about parking at

2:04:20large because this entire district has

2:04:23the same type of parking restrictions

2:04:25and parking allowances. What the special

2:04:28use is asking you to do is determine

2:04:31whether or not you think it's a that

2:04:33this location is appropriate to have an

2:04:37event space uh for an event use or and

2:04:42is appropriate for um on premise

2:04:45consumption of alcohol. So that's really

2:04:47what the special use is asking city

2:04:50council to determine. the parking

2:04:52restrictions and parking requirements um

2:04:55are already included in the zoning

2:04:57that's there. Um and the for the

2:05:00specific question for council is around

2:05:02those two uses.

2:05:03>> I got you. The way it's designed, I can

2:05:05understand it being a retail space

2:05:07because if someone's going in there to

2:05:08use something, get something, retail as

2:05:10a coffee shop, get and go.

2:05:12>> Yeah. But to have it as a event space

2:05:15that will cause a hardship on the

2:05:17community, especially on 36th Street

2:05:20where there are senior living uh

2:05:22facility across the street and

2:05:23generational houses on the other side of

2:05:25Havsham Street that caused issue. But

2:05:28I'm comfortable with it being a retail

2:05:30space, but I'm just a little uh taken

2:05:32back by a uh a by it being a a a banquet

2:05:37hall. And that's exactly why these uses

2:05:39are determined as special use so that

2:05:41they have um an an extra set of

2:05:45requirements to come before city council

2:05:46to understand their appropriateness.

2:05:49>> Yes, ma'am.

2:05:50>> Mr. City, Mr. Mayor,

2:05:58>> these old businesses or new businesses

2:06:02can say that. I just want to know what

2:06:04is your proposed occupancy? How many

2:06:06people Can this place hold?

2:06:10>> Um, that's an excellent question,

2:06:11Alderman Roman. Um, Wilder. Um, the

2:06:15space itself is a relatively small

2:06:17space. It's only 1300 square feet. So,

2:06:20we are not anticipating more than 30 or

2:06:2235 people in the space at any any given

2:06:25time. And I also wanted to mention that

2:06:27there are off- streetet parking spaces

2:06:29as a part of this development. Here at

2:06:31the rear, there are 10 off- streetet

2:06:33parking spaces to help accommodate that.

2:06:35So, what I found since sitting out here

2:06:38for six years, these new businesses are

2:06:40out parking the people who live there.

2:06:43And so where the other 20 people going

2:06:45to park in this area where their houses?

2:06:47And wait a minute. I want I want y'all

2:06:49to understand this right here when y'all

2:06:51send us these summaries because we are

2:06:53reading. It says, "While staff

2:06:55acknowledges that parking availability

2:06:57in the surrounding area can be

2:06:59constrained,

2:07:00right?

2:07:02Y'all y'all y'all want us to anticipate

2:07:05uh if it's a special event, but in the

2:07:07next sentence it says, "Nevertheless,

2:07:09limited parking supply remains a factor

2:07:12that supports maintaining the venue as a

2:07:14smallcale neighborhood serving event."

2:07:16And then in the next sentence, it says

2:07:19there are an additional parking

2:07:21opportunities. When right up the street,

2:07:23he had a problem with, you know, the

2:07:26people in that area saying there's no

2:07:27parking. I don't understand how y'all

2:07:28can present us stuff. Said there's

2:07:30parking. go by the old predated um

2:07:33information that you have. But what

2:07:35other 20 people gonna walk

2:07:37in this neighborhood that's already

2:07:38struggling with parking? Mr. City

2:07:40Manager, we gonna have to do something

2:07:42about this predated 10. So that all of

2:07:44these people who come there, I'm for pro

2:07:47businesses, but when it's disrupting

2:07:50the quality of life for neighbors who

2:07:53can't even park in front of their doors.

2:07:55So what? They gonna have to y'all gonna

2:07:56give them a schedule so they can park

2:07:58there before y'all have events? It's

2:07:59unfair to the scope of things in the

2:08:02community because y'all want new

2:08:04businesses. We want to still protect

2:08:06businesses, but we want to protect the

2:08:07quality of life of people who actually

2:08:09live there. When y'all said there's an

2:08:10additional parking, there is no

2:08:12additional parking. There's not. We

2:08:14can't keep letting y'all say there's an

2:08:15additional parking when y'all hadn't

2:08:16showed us. And all you have to do is

2:08:18have 10 spaces.

2:08:20>> Yes, ma'am.

2:08:21>> Uh I I was just going to say,

2:08:23>> introduce yourself.

2:08:24>> Sorry. Melanie Wilson, executive

2:08:25director, CEO of the Metropolitan

2:08:27Planning Commission. One of the

2:08:28challenges that we face with regards to

2:08:30the way the ordinance is currently

2:08:31written is that in this particular

2:08:33district, if you're dealing with 3,000

2:08:35square feet or less, you usually do not

2:08:38have parking requirements. And that's

2:08:40where the challenge is that you are

2:08:42starting to see is that a lot of these

2:08:44businesses coming in are either 2500

2:08:46square feet or less or they're just shy

2:08:49of 3,000 square feet and they don't have

2:08:51parking requirements. So, that's one

2:08:53challenge. And you're right, the

2:08:54ordinance needs to be amended, but

2:08:56that's not something that we would do.

2:08:58That's something you as an an elected

2:09:00body would ask staff to look at those

2:09:04parking requirements in that particular

2:09:05area. The second piece of this is that

2:09:08this building does have some additional

2:09:11um off-site parking requirements for the

2:09:13apartments. Now whether they share that

2:09:16with the people that rent there is a

2:09:19different conversation but they do have

2:09:21those requirements because we asked and

2:09:22inquired about them. What you're asked

2:09:24for today is two requests. One is for

2:09:27the additional use. The second one is

2:09:30whether it should be considered as a

2:09:32banquet venue. Uh you could deny one and

2:09:35approve one. Uh that's up to you, but

2:09:38there two two requests that you've got

2:09:40before you today.

2:09:41>> So how long it took you guys to build

2:09:42this

2:09:44How long was did it take you guys once

2:09:46you found out that they wanted to put a

2:09:48venue and a retail space there? How long

2:09:50did it take you guys to build this and

2:09:51go to NPC?

2:09:55>> Uh I I think the owner of the building

2:09:57has been working on this. I mean they

2:09:59well they've constructed the building.

2:10:00So that certainly took years and then

2:10:02this particular project at least it went

2:10:05to city staff and we're just not hearing

2:10:07about it now. And that's why I was

2:10:08talking about that the last meeting. We

2:10:10need to be in ahead of this so we can

2:10:12have a conversation with your client so

2:10:14your client don't have to pay that

2:10:16astronomical fee

2:10:18>> and then come to city council. So we

2:10:19need to have a a mechanism or something

2:10:22that gives us a opportunity to get ahead

2:10:24of this thing so we don't have to hash

2:10:27it out right now in the city

2:10:28>> council meeting.

2:10:29>> Well, so [clears throat] miss uh

2:10:31alderman I think that all good points.

2:10:34Um I would also point out that the tough

2:10:36stuff comes to council, right? And so

2:10:39these the property owners and the

2:10:42developers built this building. Um they

2:10:45built it um with the correct zoning and

2:10:48all of the approvals that they needed to

2:10:50build the building. Um right

2:10:52>> if they if you don't grant them these

2:10:54special uses that's fine. They they

2:10:57won't you they won't have a um they

2:10:59won't do the event space or they won't

2:11:01>> that's not that's not what I'm saying.

2:11:02What I'm saying I mean that building's

2:11:03been there for three years empty. But

2:11:05what I'm saying the uh

2:11:06>> Yeah. They're trying to lease the space.

2:11:08trying to lease the space now. But what

2:11:10I'm asking is before it came to you guys

2:11:12at NPC, we as city council would like to

2:11:15be on the front end of it say I mean

2:11:17some some of this is coming. You started

2:11:19giving us a little bit of uh information

2:11:21that something's coming on the radar for

2:11:23city council. I mean for NPC that we

2:11:25need to be aware of. But some of this

2:11:28stuff, we could have had conversations

2:11:29with

2:11:30>> this young lady and or her client to to

2:11:33uh prevent them from getting all the way

2:11:35here or if it was some push back from

2:11:37not only myself but council or the

2:11:40neighborhood about u even renting this

2:11:43space. Um we just need to be on the

2:11:45front end of a lot of this stuff before

2:11:47it even get to us.

2:11:48>> Gotcha. And I think that for for that to

2:11:51happen as well, um, you know, our

2:11:55processes are defined in our zoning

2:11:57ordinances. It's something that we

2:11:58discussed several weeks ago when we

2:12:01talked about the the front door and the

2:12:02application intake that city council

2:12:04tabled. Um, if you if you if you're

2:12:07looking for city council engagement on

2:12:10the front end, then that needs to be an

2:12:13expectation that's built into the

2:12:15ordinance for property owners to be able

2:12:18to understand that that's the

2:12:20expectation.

2:12:21>> So, what I'm asking is who who built

2:12:22this? Uh, what what department built

2:12:24this to take it to s to MPC? Where did

2:12:28it come from? From

2:12:30>> what are you saying? Who who built this?

2:12:32>> Who built this? Uh, who who worked this

2:12:34up? Who's responsible for uh putting all

2:12:37of this together?

2:12:37>> So the the property owner who the agent

2:12:40for the property owner is standing

2:12:41before you

2:12:42>> from city staff who

2:12:43>> so they well as we've discussed in the

2:12:46previous ordinance amendments that have

2:12:48been tabled applications for zoning

2:12:52requests including special use requests

2:12:55come to the city. They are then given to

2:12:58MPC who takes those requests. NPC staff

2:13:04um provided a review of the request,

2:13:07provided a recommendation to the

2:13:08Metropolitan Planning Commission. The

2:13:10Metropolitan Planning Commission noticed

2:13:12a public hearing. Those hearings were

2:13:14held. The Metropolitan Planning

2:13:16Commission heard from their staff, heard

2:13:18from any members of the public. Um in

2:13:21this case, the Metropolitan Planning

2:13:22Commission um voted to recommend

2:13:24approval of these items which then come

2:13:26to city. Um and then we notice uh that

2:13:31city council will hear these public

2:13:33hearings um as a special use. So that's

2:13:35the process um that it goes through to

2:13:39that. I'm sorry. In addition to that, we

2:13:41have a joint meeting with the applicant.

2:13:43So we jointly with the city staff and

2:13:46the MPC staff talk about what you know

2:13:49what the applicant

2:13:50>> we just want to be, hey guys, it's on

2:13:52your radar in your district. We just

2:13:54want it on your radar. Uh the other

2:13:56thing too that happens just so that you

2:13:58know is that uh we also encourage the

2:14:01applicant to meet with the neighborhood

2:14:02association and usually they are

2:14:04contacted before the application is

2:14:06submitted to MPC.

2:14:08>> Hey guys, man. I would like to know I

2:14:11mean don't you we got city staff, we got

2:14:13planners, we got people who uh are

2:14:15putting this stuff together. I'm just

2:14:17saying you just said it. They speak with

2:14:19the neighborhood association. So they

2:14:21working all the way around the person

2:14:22who has to make the vote. Council makes

2:14:25a vote.

2:14:28Uh, Alderman Palumbo, that's Alderwoman

2:14:30Laneir.

2:14:31>> Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I just

2:14:33wanted to thank you for bringing this

2:14:34application forward, engaging on the

2:14:36process. Uh, questions that we have

2:14:38here, many of them pertain to the

2:14:40special use permit at hand. Uh, many of

2:14:42them were decided a long time ago. Um,

2:14:45help me understand what are what is

2:14:48being utilized and activated in the

2:14:49space today.

2:14:52base is currently vacant and has has

2:14:54been

2:14:55>> Yeah. Uh the this space is vacant. How

2:14:57long has been vacant for?

2:14:59>> It's it was constructed approximately

2:15:00three years ago and it has been vacant

2:15:02for that long. It has not been occupied.

2:15:04>> Well, ladies and gentlemen, before us

2:15:06today, we have an entrepreneur who is

2:15:08trying to activate a vacant space. I am

2:15:10sure that they've gone through the

2:15:12litany and laundry list of all available

2:15:14uses uh to avail them. What kind of

2:15:17message do we send? Are we so unwilling

2:15:19to be flexible to even hear them out for

2:15:21their request and appeal for a 1300

2:15:25square foot space for 30 people to meet?

2:15:29What kind of council have we become? If

2:15:32we are not willing to even entertain or

2:15:34study the agenda ahead of us today of a

2:15:371300 square foot space that we dare say

2:15:40no you cannot meet because you don't

2:15:44have what I want of a building that's

2:15:46already constructed that has a litany of

2:15:49uses that could already be utilized that

2:15:51I'm sure that many of them would express

2:15:53much more parking than an event space

2:15:55that's held infrequently trying to

2:15:57activate a corridor and bring investment

2:15:59to our city. But I'll tell you this to

2:16:02the applicant. Come and bring it to my

2:16:04district, please. You don't have to call

2:16:06me ahead of time. I'll review the

2:16:08agenda. Thank you.

2:16:09>> Wait a minute.

2:16:11>> Aldwoman Lenir,

2:16:13>> thank you, Mr. Mayor. The conversation

2:16:16we need to have is larger than whether

2:16:18they have the appropriate parking right

2:16:21there. We need to be discussing where

2:16:23we're going to allow alcohol, which is a

2:16:27economic driver. We just talked about

2:16:29the post and we gave them took them

2:16:33through a litany of of things and they

2:16:34have the parking and everything it

2:16:36takes. We got vintage over there. We

2:16:38have parking galore, a wonderful

2:16:40establishment, nowhere near residences

2:16:42and we're saying no here, but we saying

2:16:44yes right here on this little wedge of a

2:16:46corner. It's a lovely building. It was

2:16:48well built. I sat there and watched them

2:16:49build it daily. Watch them construct it

2:16:52from nothing up to what it is now. But

2:16:54it's a very odd little shaped corner. I

2:16:56don't see they should have took that

2:16:57into consideration. They're going to

2:16:59dump it on us to make the decision when

2:17:01they made bad choices all along. It's a

2:17:03horrible place to have an event space.

2:17:05It's a horrible place to be trying to

2:17:06sell alcohol and say it's only going to

2:17:08be 30 people or whatever. Now, it may we

2:17:11may not they may not need us to vote

2:17:13today for the special use and it could

2:17:15be whatever it can be. Well, let it be

2:17:16that because I do not want to be a part

2:17:18of voting for something that we know

2:17:20we're sitting here and we know it's

2:17:21going to create a problem.

2:17:23>> It is a problem. That's a tight little

2:17:25corner. You could hardly get anything

2:17:26else in there other than what comes

2:17:27there every day. And for us to sit here

2:17:29and vote on this because it's in the

2:17:31code and no, that's wrong. Wrong is

2:17:34wrong. Go back and fix the code. But

2:17:35right now, I don't want to cast a vote

2:17:37for a situation that I know is going to

2:17:40be a problem because of what? Take it to

2:17:42another district. Take it somewhere

2:17:45else. It probably will fit better

2:17:46because this is a awful fit right here

2:17:48and it's not our fault up here, but it

2:17:50is our fault to make sure that the

2:17:52community is protected from this type of

2:17:53thing. Thank you. The the issue, let me

2:17:57remind council, the issue in front of us

2:17:58right now is not about alcohol. The

2:18:00issue in front of us is whether we issue

2:18:03a special use permit to allow for a

2:18:05hall, banquet, or reception use with

2:18:07conditions. That's the item that's in

2:18:09front of us. Alderwoman Wilder Bryant.

2:18:11>> Uh Mr. Mayor, uh everybody can be on a

2:18:14soap box. My only concern, Miss Harris,

2:18:18is that I am tired of developers coming

2:18:21in front of us and don't have all the

2:18:23information. You put a lot of time

2:18:24energy of this. I appreciate this. You

2:18:28can come to my district, too, where it's

2:18:30safe and we have parking. There are

2:18:31empty spaces, but on 37th Street, we

2:18:33have been talking about you can pull the

2:18:35accidents up there, ma'am. It's right

2:18:37by, you know, why would we vote for

2:18:39something that we know is going to

2:18:41create a problem. And right down the

2:18:42street, not even three blocks over, the

2:18:45parking is just horrendous. And so, it's

2:18:47about everything. And so, this isn't in

2:18:50an overlay, so we're not talking about

2:18:52that. We're we're talking about the

2:18:54quality of life for people who actually

2:18:56live there. And Mr. City Manager, I I

2:18:59would I I'll get five votes to do

2:19:01something about this predated uh just

2:19:03because it's in that area. The only

2:19:06parking space that is required is 10

2:19:08parkers. I'm agreement with uh the uh

2:19:11the alderman from the first district

2:19:14just because uh we we shouldn't be a

2:19:18part of your business plan right now. We

2:19:19are part of your business plan. When you

2:19:21come before us, all those things should

2:19:23be in place. Whether you're going to

2:19:24have a liquor license, the parking and

2:19:27everything. And the liquor license is

2:19:29still all day long a privilege. A

2:19:32privilege. And so my heart goes out to

2:19:34anybody who comes uh into our community

2:19:38and stand in front of us and we have to

2:19:40make a decision. That's really hard to

2:19:42make because my decision is always going

2:19:44to be for the people in the community.

2:19:46We're talking about parking all the

2:19:48time. Ma'am, I I sympathize with you,

2:19:50but the community, the quality of life,

2:19:53having being able to park in front of

2:19:55your door means more than 20 other

2:19:58people saying they're going to walk or

2:19:59ride or whatever. And it's unfair for

2:20:01people to say that we don't want

2:20:03businesses to thrive. That's not true.

2:20:06So, stop twisting stuff.

2:20:09>> Aldwoman Shabbass.

2:20:10>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh there is u the

2:20:15situation and organization and structure

2:20:18of this this deis which um there's a

2:20:22mayor there council men and women that

2:20:25sit up here and in my years of of

2:20:30serving

2:20:32I've always asked that it's whatever is

2:20:35going on uh in my district I would like

2:20:38to know what's going on. So I don't want

2:20:41a a statement going out to the public

2:20:45that you can go in anybody's district.

2:20:49That's the reason why the people vote

2:20:51for all the persons to represent them on

2:20:54city council that people of interest who

2:20:58want to do business or whatever you want

2:21:00to do in districts uh here and then have

2:21:03to come to city council to get approval

2:21:06on anything that they get in contact

2:21:09with the older person out of respect and

2:21:12just out of doing good business. So that

2:21:15is the type of council mayor and counsel

2:21:18that we are running here public. Thank

2:21:21you Mr. Mayor.

2:21:22>> Thank you. Please tell me your what's

2:21:23your pleasure? We do we need a motion to

2:21:25vote to something.

2:21:26>> Um Mr. Mayor.

2:21:27>> Yes ma'am.

2:21:27>> Just one last comment. I live in the

2:21:30district and I haven't been contacted by

2:21:33uh citizens regarding this one. As a

2:21:36citizen of the second district a block

2:21:38and a half from sight park. I would tell

2:21:41you otherwoman Brian it would be great

2:21:43to park in front of my door every day

2:21:45but with foresight park being a block

2:21:47and a half away their activities but I

2:21:50knew that when I 40 some years ago I

2:21:53didn't know you know the extent of it

2:21:55but um that's one of the let's say you

2:22:01you adapt to the situation of times

2:22:05unless it's um a long ongoing kind of

2:22:09longterm thing but you know for an event

2:22:12it's just not a real issue for me and I

2:22:15have not heard from my constituents

2:22:17that's the other thing so usually if

2:22:19there's an issue that my constitu

2:22:22constituents are concerned about uh and

2:22:25want to contact me they did so

2:22:29>> Miss Harris

2:22:31>> Mr. Mayor um um alderman uh I'd I'd like

2:22:35to ask for a continuence so that we can

2:22:38reach out to you all and get you the

2:22:39information that you need so that you

2:22:41can make the best decision that you can.

2:22:42>> How long how long would you like?

2:22:44>> We'd like till next meeting date certain

2:22:46if that's possible. Two weeks

2:22:47>> you want two weeks or four weeks two

2:22:50>> I'd like to have two weeks if that's

2:22:51possible.

2:22:52>> Okay. I'm I'm going to go ahead and move

2:22:53for continuence for two weeks. Is there

2:22:55a second? Probably moved and seconded

2:22:57that we continue this item. Would you

2:22:58like to do the same for the other one?

2:23:01Yes, sir.

2:23:02>> All right. Um, all in favor? Yes.

2:23:04>> I would like to do a uh um alternate

2:23:07motion for 13 because if it's a retail,

2:23:10>> hold on. Let me carry 12. All in favor

2:23:12of the by saying I

2:23:14>> opposed. Motion passes. Item number 13.

2:23:16There's a continuous request. Alleged.

2:23:19>> Uh I have a alternate um motion for or

2:23:22for or for um number 13.

2:23:25>> Um I make the motion that the petition

2:23:27for Ellen Harris for K. heritage a K

2:23:30heritage agent for uh

2:23:33>> continue the hearing

2:23:34>> maziah she's continuing but I want to

2:23:36vote on that today because it's a uh she

2:23:38want to continue it but we want to pass

2:23:39that today I don't have a problem with

2:23:4113

2:23:42>> well I think I think it has to be 12 I

2:23:44think 12 has to happen before it becomes

2:23:4613

2:23:46>> but those two different separate items

2:23:49>> from what I understand

2:23:51uh and and the petitioner and NPC can

2:23:55confirm that the the the the con on

2:23:59premise consumption of alcohol that that

2:24:02ability is in conjunction with its

2:24:04ability to to host events. So they don't

2:24:07they don't necessarily want the special

2:24:11use for alcohol. Maybe they do if you're

2:24:13willing to approve it, but that the the

2:24:15plan was to be able to sell alcohol when

2:24:18it hosts an event. And both of those

2:24:21uses are special uses which require city

2:24:24council consideration.

2:24:25>> That's cool. I I just wanted to make

2:24:26sure that u when we have a conversation

2:24:28we can also have on the table with your

2:24:31client or you that uh that that once the

2:24:34banquet receptions part or the retail

2:24:36part that it can be a per event liquor

2:24:41license if they need be

2:24:43>> happy to have that conversation.

2:24:44>> I do believe that that might be in the

2:24:46conditions already. Is that true? Is

2:24:49that

2:24:50>> I had a Well, we

2:24:52>> we have to look at it because I think

2:24:53there's also a limited number of

2:24:54temporaries that can be granted.

2:24:56>> But let's just come back in two weeks.

2:24:57I'll get with you and we have a

2:24:58conversation. I'll report.

2:24:59>> All right. So, I'm moving that we um

2:25:02>> we continue item number 13 for two weeks

2:25:04as well. Dates are in October the 8th.

2:25:07All in favor indicate by saying I

2:25:09oppose. Motion passes. Miss Harris,

2:25:11y'all work it out.

2:25:12>> Thank you very much.

2:25:13>> Thank you.

2:25:13>> Thank you, Miss Harris.

2:25:14>> Thank you, Miss Harris. All right,

2:25:17let us go to purchasing again 16 through

2:25:2036. Sorry, I know there was some pull

2:25:22outs,

2:25:22>> Mr. Mayor.

2:25:24>> Yes,

2:25:25>> let's do this.

2:25:27>> Any pullout?

2:25:27>> Let's make any pull outs.

2:25:28>> One moment.

2:25:30>> 20 24

2:25:31>> 20

2:25:32>> 24 and 3

2:25:34>> 20

2:25:35>> 24

2:25:36>> 30 and 36.

2:25:38>> 30 and 36.

2:25:39>> Yes, sir.

2:25:40>> 30 and 36.

2:25:43>> Okay. Any others?

2:25:47Okay.

2:25:49All right. Mr. Mayor,

2:25:50>> yes.

2:25:51>> I'd like to make a motion for the

2:25:52approval

2:25:53>> of items purchasing items number 16

2:25:57>> through 19

2:25:5921 through

2:26:02>> 28

2:26:02>> 23

2:26:03>> 23.

2:26:05>> Mhm.

2:26:05>> Okay. 25 through

2:26:08>> 29

2:26:08>> 29

2:26:09>> 31

2:26:10>> and 31

2:26:11>> 35

2:26:13>> 35

2:26:14>> 35

2:26:15>> second

2:26:15>> properly moved and seconded that we

2:26:17approve item number 16 of authorized

2:26:19city manage to execute a contract for

2:26:21voluntary employee vision insurance

2:26:23renewal with the standard insurance

2:26:24company amount not to exceed $216,1001

2:26:29item number 17 authorized city managed

2:26:31executed contract for the other post

2:26:34employee benefits Medicare advant manage

2:26:36plan with part D renewal with United

2:26:39Healthcare in the amount not to exceed

2:26:412,26,366

2:26:4656 cents. Item number 18, authorize city

2:26:48manager exceed a contract for voluntary

2:26:51dental insurance renewal with the

2:26:52Standard Insurance Company in the amount

2:26:54not to exceed $2,52,796.

2:26:59Item number 19. Authorize city manage

2:27:01and execute a contract for two TL3

2:27:04towable trailer attun attenuators from

2:27:08crop crash solutions care of traffic

2:27:12solutions traffic devices in the amount

2:27:14of $85,80.

2:27:16Item number 21, authorize city manager

2:27:19to execute a contract for four chassis

2:27:23for rear loading garage trucks for

2:27:25associated fuel systems car battle

2:27:27motors in the amount of $778,300.

2:27:31Item number 22,

2:27:34authorize city manager exceed a contract

2:27:36for the street reservicing project with

2:27:39ADPAC Atlantic Incorporated in the

2:27:41amount not to exceed 7,367,449.

2:27:46Item number 23, authorize city manage

2:27:48and execute a contract for Remote Tech

2:27:51Andros F6B bomb squad robot upgrade for

2:27:56remote tech in the amount of $50,730.

2:27:59Item number 25. Authorize city manager

2:28:02to execute a contract with life

2:28:03insurance services with Symmetra in the

2:28:06amount of $1,696,736.

2:28:10Item number 26, authorize city manager

2:28:12execute a contract for long-term

2:28:14disability insurance services with

2:28:16Symmetra in the amount of $24,700.

2:28:20Item number 27, authorize city manager

2:28:22to execute a contract amendment and

2:28:24renewal for self-funded third-party

2:28:26administration services with Brighton in

2:28:29the amount of $530,344.

2:28:32Item number 28, authorize city manager

2:28:35to execute a final contract modification

2:28:37for the city hall restoration project

2:28:40phase three design and construction

2:28:42administration services for ethos

2:28:44preservation LLC in the amount of

2:28:46$50,000. Item number 29,

2:28:50authorized city manager executed a

2:28:52construction contract with road

2:28:53construction for the Liberty City

2:28:55Community Center interior refresh in the

2:28:57amount of $289,42540.

2:29:03Item number 31, authorize city manage

2:29:06execute contract modification number one

2:29:08to automated speed enforcement agreement

2:29:10with Blue Line Solutions. 932 authorized

2:29:14city manage to execute an emergency

2:29:16procurement of variable frequency drives

2:29:18from go forth Williamson in amount of

2:29:20$97,485.

2:29:24Item number 33 authorize city manager

2:29:26execute a soul source design contract

2:29:28for Casey South drainage improvements

2:29:30for EMC Engineering Services in the

2:29:33amount of $571,100.

2:29:37I am 34 authorized city manager to

2:29:40execute uh contract modification number

2:29:43one for the pump station control

2:29:44upgrades with control instruments in the

2:29:46amount of 198,2

2:29:50uh8351

2:29:53and item number 35 authorized city

2:29:55manager execute a contract for one

2:29:57tractor with 25 foot boom mower from

2:30:00Atlantic and Southern Equipment LLC in

2:30:02amount of $239,86483.

2:30:06three cents. You've heard the motion.

2:30:08All in favor indicate by saying I.

2:30:10>> I.

2:30:11>> Opposed? Motion passes. Item number 20,

2:30:15authorized city magic execute contract

2:30:17for four 25 cubic year rear loading

2:30:21garbage truck bodies from Samsung

2:30:24Equipment Company Care of New Way uh in

2:30:29the amount of $687,1914.

2:30:34Uh who pulled this? I did.

2:30:37>> All right. Alderman Leget.

2:30:41>> Alman Leot.

2:30:43>> I did.

2:30:43>> Alman,

2:30:44>> I'm trying to see the summary of it.

2:30:46Now, there was one question that I had.

2:30:48>> This is for the replacement of four

2:30:50garbage trucks. Um, this was budgeted

2:30:53under our vehicle um replacement um for

2:30:56this year.

2:30:57>> That's not the one I was going to.

2:30:59>> Okay. All in favor? Uh, is there a

2:31:00motion?

2:31:01>> Yes, sir. I make a motion that we

2:31:02approve this recommendation. Is there a

2:31:04second?

2:31:05>> Probably moved and seconded. All in

2:31:06favor indicate by saying I.

2:31:08>> I.

2:31:08>> Opposed. Motion passes. Item number 24.

2:31:11Authorize the city manager execute

2:31:13contract modification number two for

2:31:15installation of field lights to include

2:31:17directional boring with Musco Sports

2:31:19Lighting LLC in the amount not to exceed

2:31:21$17,154.

2:31:24Who pulled this?

2:31:25>> I pulled that.

2:31:26>> All right. pick.

2:31:38>> Uh, no sir. These are for the the

2:31:41directional billing drilling to hook up

2:31:44the three um lights that were installed

2:31:48in Daffhen Park in the interior for

2:31:51practice lighting for um youth sports

2:31:54activity in the fall. Um so we needed uh

2:31:57to uh increase the contract so that we

2:32:00could directionally bore and connect

2:32:01those conduits to power um as well as

2:32:05some material storage costs that

2:32:06occurred um over the life of the

2:32:08project.

2:32:09>> So all of those right now that project

2:32:14>> the light the lights themselves have

2:32:16been installed. You can drive by Daffen

2:32:18Park um and and this contract will allow

2:32:20us to connect that um to the power

2:32:23source.

2:32:24Wildman.

2:32:25>> Mr. Mayor, I pull this for

2:32:27clarification. The description says

2:32:30Daffen Park. Just want to make sure we

2:32:32spent a lot of money on lighting and

2:32:33then uh neighboring uh citizens oppose

2:32:37that. But the question that I have is

2:32:40the description in the summary. I'm I'm

2:32:43asking about this. It says athletic

2:32:45facilities wreck improve is funding by

2:32:50contraband firm general fund. And then

2:32:53it says the remaining has a remaining

2:32:55balance of 00 as of August 28. Project

2:33:00RE0720

2:33:02Fernwood Neighborhood Park is funded by

2:33:04Splash 6. Can you explain why that's in

2:33:06the um summary notes attached to this

2:33:10particular item, sir?

2:33:17Um the

2:33:25>> that was in the words.

2:33:27>> I'm reading it. Just give me a second to

2:33:29answer your question.

2:33:30>> Um so the

2:33:34the we are borrowing from that that line

2:33:38item to pay for that funding. Is that

2:33:41correct Melissa? capital projects.

2:33:46>> I want y'all to borrow it and put it

2:33:48right back in Fernwood's account because

2:33:49we need some lights over there, too.

2:33:51>> Yes, we will. We just need the the

2:33:53funding certification and we have to

2:33:54have the money. So, we take we sometimes

2:33:57take from projects um and then replace

2:33:59that back.

2:34:00>> I understand. I just wanted to clarify

2:34:01that, sir. Okay. Thank you so much, Mr.

2:34:03Mayor.

2:34:04>> Okay.

2:34:04>> I make a motion that we approve that

2:34:06line item, sir.

2:34:08>> Properly moved and seconded. Uh all in

2:34:10favor by saying I. I

2:34:12>> opposed. A motion passes. Item number

2:34:1530. Authorize city manager execute a

2:34:17contract for landfill cover material

2:34:19with SAB the McGraley Company and ED

2:34:23Trucking LLC in the amount not to exceed

2:34:25$1,350,000.

2:34:27Who pulled this one?

2:34:28>> I pulled that one, sir.

2:34:29>> All right. Go ahead.

2:34:30>> Okay. My my question now is uh it's not

2:34:34the applicants, it's the process, right,

2:34:37sir? And so I'd like to pull that and so

2:34:40that I could get some more um

2:34:41information on this particular item.

2:34:43Please sir.

2:34:45>> Okay. What's What is the um what is the

2:34:49will of council?

2:34:51>> I'd like to continue to sir. At least

2:34:53give us two weeks on that. We should

2:34:54have some agreement where we get some

2:34:57information of how these contracts work.

2:34:59Um if we go in saying that um what theou

2:35:03is for that we don't change it.

2:35:06>> Second.

2:35:08Is Mr. Manager, is this a is this a

2:35:11pressing matter before us?

2:35:14>> Um I I think that we can um continue it

2:35:19for two weeks um if we can uh and I've

2:35:22spoken with Alderwoman um Wilder Bryant

2:35:24on this as well. Happy to continue to

2:35:26have those conversations um so that we

2:35:30can um answer any questions, get

2:35:33feedback and respond if we should. So,

2:35:35I'm fine with with continuing for two

2:35:37weeks, but I would would like um

2:35:39Aldwoman Wilder if we can meet soon on

2:35:41this because we do need to have the

2:35:43landfill cover.

2:35:44>> Okay. Yes, sir.

2:35:44>> All right. So, this is uh it doesn't

2:35:47require a motion that we just reagendize

2:35:48it, I believe. Right. Doesn't require

2:35:51>> uh that we just won't approve any

2:35:53reagend it. Okay.

2:35:55>> I will request that we remove this to

2:35:57October 8th. Thank you so much.

2:35:59>> Thank you. Item number 36. Authorize

2:36:01city manager execute a construction

2:36:02contract with structural repairs at the

2:36:04historic Grayson Stadium for road

2:36:06construction in the amount of $686,000.

2:36:09Who pulled this one?

2:36:10>> I pulled that one.

2:36:10>> Yes, ma'am.

2:36:11>> Okay. Uh, Mr. Mayor.

2:36:13>> Yes.

2:36:14>> Uh, th this this thing is just leaving a

2:36:18really bad taste in my mouth. Um, I know

2:36:21this is funded 36 by squash, but we are

2:36:25in agreement with Savannah Bananas and

2:36:27anybody negotiate them having to pay

2:36:29some of this, whether we got the money

2:36:30or not, they utilize this place, this

2:36:33structure, whatever needs to be taken

2:36:35care of, did anybody try to negotiate

2:36:36them assisting and paying for this? You

2:36:40we they I think uh Mr. City Manager, can

2:36:42you tell them

2:36:43>> Yes, ma'am. A year

2:36:45>> uh

2:36:45>> to rent our space.

2:36:47>> Uh their rent is $25,000.

2:36:50um annually for Grayson Stadium. That's

2:36:52>> but

2:36:52>> that's been their agreement. Um

2:36:56>> the but there the however is that they

2:36:59have included and and pro provided a lot

2:37:02of capital improvements to Grayson

2:37:04Stadium um on their own. Um this is

2:37:08coming from a Splast 7 project which is

2:37:11about structural um improvements that we

2:37:15need to make to the stadium itself. Um,

2:37:18and this is a continuation of the

2:37:20project that's been ongoing. This

2:37:22specific work is for some um structural

2:37:25repairs needed um to the um to the under

2:37:29the the bottom of the bleachers in the

2:37:31historic part of the stadium. Um so it's

2:37:34in compliance with the Splas 7 project.

2:37:36Um I will in followup to this meeting um

2:37:40uh council provide you with a list of

2:37:43all of the capital projects that the

2:37:45city has undertaken in Grayson Stadium

2:37:47um as well as those capital projects

2:37:50that have gone on by the bananas. I

2:37:52would just point out that the bananas

2:37:54recently constructed what I think is

2:37:56valued at close to $3 million facility

2:38:00um behind uh Center Field

2:38:03>> that the city owns

2:38:04>> that is that is part of the city complex

2:38:07um and as part and as a city asset. So

2:38:10there have been considerable

2:38:12um capital construction investments by

2:38:14the bananas um themselves. And I I um

2:38:17but I'll provide all of that information

2:38:19to council and follow up to that

2:38:20question. But Mr. City Manager, if if

2:38:22you're asking me if 3003 million is

2:38:27enough, it's never going to be enough if

2:38:29they're going to be utilizing and the

2:38:30main people who use that. We had a

2:38:32contract that came before I sat on this

2:38:34council. I would have never said that

2:38:36$25,000 would be enough. They sit mostly

2:38:39in the third district. And so, uh, $3

2:38:42million to help them, uh, help us. I

2:38:46don't think that's a big stretch. and

2:38:48anything that we need that's going on

2:38:50with the uh Savannah Bananas, they bring

2:38:53us things that complement what they're

2:38:55doing. I want them to bring us something

2:38:57that complements the money that we spend

2:39:00out so that and I know the definition

2:39:02you told me about how we can spend

2:39:04certain money on splash things and it

2:39:06can't go that way. But when we talking

2:39:08about freeing up money, that will free

2:39:10up some money to go somewhere else. And

2:39:12if the if the Savannah Bananas want to

2:39:14continue to be a viable partner with us,

2:39:17uh $25,000 a year is never going to be

2:39:19enough. And whatever we need annually

2:39:22and whatever we need to make it a part

2:39:24that they want to utilize and people can

2:39:26see them on CNN, then they need to help

2:39:29us spend us some more money. Thank you

2:39:30so much. All right, let me I want to

2:39:32just add some context because I was

2:39:34there um when we had a stadium that was

2:39:37100 years old in huge disrepair and

2:39:42>> and no one no one was in it. Um we now

2:39:47have a tenant uh we now have a park that

2:39:51is been significantly

2:39:54improved.

2:39:56um fields, grandstands, buildings behind

2:39:59it. Um we have a tenant that now helps

2:40:05us take responsibility for this building

2:40:09that we love so much. On the other end

2:40:12of it, uh it's akin to a landlord and

2:40:14the tenant. The landlord is responsible

2:40:16for some things. The tenant is

2:40:17responsible for some things. We use um

2:40:21splass to help what the landlord's

2:40:23responsibility of this asset, whether

2:40:26they're in it or it's empty, we're still

2:40:28responsible for. Um and so I, you know,

2:40:31I'm sure y'all will work out whatever

2:40:33you need to work out. But um you know,

2:40:35obviously we have a building now that is

2:40:38in well use and it is significantly

2:40:40better than it was in 2016. Um and maybe

2:40:44one day on one of our mobile tours uh as

2:40:47we did some time ago we take council to

2:40:50Grayson Stadium and walk them through um

2:40:53the improvements that has been done not

2:40:55only by the bananas but also for the

2:40:57city uh taking care of our I think that

2:41:00might be a great idea that they can see

2:41:03uh even to include the now all turf

2:41:06field um that we did not pay for but we

2:41:09own now. So

2:41:10>> I think that's a good idea Mr. The mayor

2:41:12wasn't privy to that information. Sure.

2:41:14Could you also include

2:41:15>> what our part was in that negotiation of

2:41:18that contract, please, sir?

2:41:20>> Sure.

2:41:20>> I think you were going to add that.

2:41:21>> Sure.

2:41:22>> Yes, I'll provide all that information.

2:41:23Paul,

2:41:23>> thank you so much.

2:41:24>> All right. Is there a motion,

2:41:25>> Mr. Mayor? I make a motion that uh

2:41:28>> second probably moved in second. All in

2:41:31favor indicate by saying I

2:41:32>> I oppose. Motion passes. Mr. Imagine why

2:41:35don't you when we do that why don't we

2:41:37you know you know put a a a line down a

2:41:40sheet of paper what we've done what they

2:41:42have done uh and title that I think that

2:41:44would help council kind of understand uh

2:41:47the symmetry uh of the landlord tenant

2:41:49relationship um for the building that

2:41:52the city of Savannah owns I think that

2:41:53would be helpful

2:41:54>> Mr. Mayor yes

2:41:55>> Mr. Mayor.

2:41:56>> Yes.

2:41:56>> In reference to an item that we've

2:41:58already approved, but there was over a4

2:42:00million dollars um that is going to be

2:42:04spent and we've worked real hard on item

2:42:08number 29 uh for the Liberty City uh

2:42:11community center. And I just wanted just

2:42:13to let uh everybody know that this item

2:42:16we just approved is going to be

2:42:18refreshing the interior of the Liberty

2:42:22City uh community center. We are and

2:42:25I've worked real hard with the city

2:42:26manager and staff and and to bring this

2:42:29over um a quarter of a million dollars

2:42:33which is most specifically $289,42540

2:42:40uh to the fifth district most

2:42:42specifically at the Liberty City

2:42:44Community Center. And this money, this

2:42:46project uh will address needed interior

2:42:50improvements to the facility including

2:42:54uh more windows uh more the repair of

2:42:57windows, painting and electrical

2:43:00upgrading. Uh the ceiling in the

2:43:02building uh has been deteriorating. Uh

2:43:05this is a part of the improvements for

2:43:07the deterior deteriorating ceiling walls

2:43:11and the floor finishings will be uh

2:43:13replaced by more durable uh materials

2:43:16and the outdated bathrooms. Lord have

2:43:18mercy. And kitchen, it's coming. It's

2:43:22coming y'all. Is going to be um fixed

2:43:24along with more fixtures. uh the

2:43:27fixtures uh in those locations will be

2:43:30replaced to improve the facility and

2:43:33reduce the ongoing maintenance that's

2:43:36needed. So I just wanted to bring that

2:43:37point. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

2:43:38>> Thank you. Moving the boards,

2:43:39commissions, and authorities uh under

2:43:41the aging uh services advisory council.

2:43:45Uh we have Charlotte D. Grant Cobb

2:43:50under cultural affairs commission. I

2:43:52think we have to vote that one out. So

2:43:54I'll come back to that.

2:43:56Under the Historic Preservation

2:43:58Commission, we have Dr. Elizabeth B.

2:44:01Cully.

2:44:05Under Keep Savannah Beautiful, we have

2:44:08David Shambbley and Robert Dixon.

2:44:12Under Park and Tree, we have Nancy Maya.

2:44:17Under the Savannah Recreation

2:44:19Commission, we have uh Tiara Turner and

2:44:24GG Kelly Reg. Help me.

2:44:27>> Regularizio.

2:44:28>> Regulizio. Thank you.

2:44:31>> Oh, that's right. It's only one. We'll

2:44:33come back to that one. Uh so let those

2:44:36are the nominations. Uh is there a

2:44:39motion to accept them?

2:44:40>> So move, Mr.

2:44:41>> There. Second. Second.

2:44:42>> Properly moved and seconded. All in

2:44:44favor indicate by saying I

2:44:45>> oppose. Motion passes. Now we're going

2:44:48to the Cultural Arts Commission. We have

2:44:50six vacancies. We have seven

2:44:52uh seven. So um

2:44:56um I'm I'm lifting the name of Brie

2:44:58Morgan.

2:44:59Is anyone else?

2:45:05>> Patrick Kelsey. That's two.

2:45:07>> Yes.

2:45:08>> Apollo Johnson.

2:45:09>> Apollo Johnson is three.

2:45:14Joanne Morton Dietrich Leot is four.

2:45:22>> Huh?

2:45:25>> Thank you. Geronda

2:45:27>> Solomon is five.

2:45:31>> Who?

2:45:33>> Jissia

2:45:35Vinian. All right. Is six.

2:45:39>> No, she wasn't nominated.

2:45:41Mr. Mayor.

2:45:42>> Yes.

2:45:43>> I make a motion we stand on those six

2:45:44names, please. Sir,

2:45:45>> been properly moved. Is there a second?

2:45:47>> Second.

2:45:48>> Probably moved and seconded. All in

2:45:49favor of the K by saying I

2:45:51>> opposed. Motion passes. Item number uh

2:45:57keep Savannah beautiful. Um we have one

2:46:00vacancy. Oh, we have No, actually we

2:46:03we're good on that. Okay. Park and tree.

2:46:06No, recreation commission. We have two

2:46:09names that we've lifted. Kiierra Turner

2:46:11and Gigi Kelly help me.

2:46:15>> Reggie Lizzio,

2:46:17>> I want to meet I want to meet her one

2:46:18day. Um

2:46:21neighbor.

2:46:21>> So let's go ahead. I I need to obtain a

2:46:22motion and um mayor move for for Gi

2:46:27Regul.

2:46:28>> All right. I heard GG Kelly regul

2:46:32regulio who has a a background in

2:46:35recreation um was a recreation

2:46:38professional.

2:46:38>> Right. Is there a second?

2:46:40>> Second.

2:46:41>> Properly remove the second. All favor

2:46:42indicate by saying I

2:46:44>> opposed.

2:46:45>> Oppose.

2:46:46>> All right. She motion passes. GG Kelly.

2:46:50>> Regalizio.

2:46:51>> Regulizio.

2:46:52>> Regularizio. Okay.

2:46:53>> All right. Thank you for your board's

2:46:54commissions and authorities. I think

2:46:56that completes that.

2:46:58>> Huh?

2:47:00>> Agent services. Uh we we put uh

2:47:03Charlotte Grant Cop. Yep. Thank you. All

2:47:08right, moving on to resolutions. Uh,

2:47:13this is approval of a resolution

2:47:14establishing a committee to advise on

2:47:16the future of the Bacon Park Golf Course

2:47:19located in automatic uh district 3 and

2:47:214. As you know, we are celebrating the

2:47:24100th anniversary of Bacon Park Golf

2:47:27Course. Quick commercial on October the

2:47:292nd. Uh, next Friday from 5:00 to 8,

2:47:31we're having a big celebration with food

2:47:34trucks and fireworks and live music and

2:47:37Jay Melddera doing a um um Tootsie Roll.

2:47:41>> Doing the Tootsie Roll. Okay, fine.

2:47:43>> All right. Is there a motion?

2:47:45>> Yeah. Make a motion, sir.

2:47:46>> Is there a second? Probably moved and

2:47:48second it.

2:47:50>> All in say I.

2:47:52>> I.

2:47:52>> Oppos. U Mrs. Mel. The part of the

2:47:55motion you have to do the Tootsie Roll.

2:47:57>> See me in my office afterwards. Sweet as

2:47:59gold.

2:47:59>> I'll I'll show you how it's going.

2:48:01[laughter]

2:48:02>> All right. Under settlements, uh, item

2:48:04number 48.

2:48:05>> Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor.

2:48:06>> Yes.

2:48:07>> I move to authorize the city attorney's

2:48:08office to settle the claim of Savannah

2:48:11Smoke and Beverage LLC for 61,27255.

2:48:19>> Second. and properly moved and second

2:48:21that we authorize the city attorney's

2:48:23office to settle the claim of Savannah

2:48:25Smok and Beverage LLC for $61,27255

2:48:29cents. Mr. Attorney, thank you. I know

2:48:32this was a particularly challenging one.

2:48:34All in favor indicate by saying I.

2:48:36>> I opposed. Motion passes. Ladies and

2:48:39gentlemen, that concludes our printed

2:48:41agenda. I will start from my left,

2:48:43Alderman Leget to see if he has anything

2:48:47he wants to offer.

2:48:48>> Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, I just want to uh

2:48:50thank everybody for coming out. Um if

2:48:52you really want to do something this

2:48:54week, this is my birthday weekend, so

2:48:55you can celebrate all over the city in

2:48:57the second district where everything

2:48:58happens. And uh and make sure you

2:49:01support your local transit and catch a

2:49:03cat.

2:49:04>> Right. Thank you, uh Alderwoman Wild

2:49:06Brian.

2:49:07>> Three things, Mr. Mayor. Uh we want to

2:49:10make sure we will not be Oh, I just want

2:49:14to say honoring Mayor Edna Jackson. That

2:49:17is on October the 2nd. They're naming

2:49:19part of the uh Truman Parkway for her.

2:49:22October the 2nd. On Sunday, we will be

2:49:25honoring celebrating Second Honor Pastor

2:49:28Richard Hall in the mighty third

2:49:29district. His 32nd year of being a

2:49:32minister there. And Christ memorial on

2:49:34Gwynette Street will be excuse me.

2:49:40>> We always fight about him. But Christ

2:49:42Community Church, sir. Yes. Their um

2:49:45anniversary to here on Gwynet Street

2:49:47starts at 10:30.

2:49:48>> Okay. Thank you.

2:49:49>> Thank you, sir.

2:49:50>> All right. Alder Maz.

2:49:51>> Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, um the Westland the

2:49:54uh Westland choir alumni of Savannah

2:49:58State uh college or university.

2:50:01>> That's right. The Savannah State

2:50:03University. Um, we will be honoring and

2:50:07celebrating uh former mayor Edna Branch

2:50:11Jackson and our house of representative

2:50:15uh at a service or a celebration

2:50:19located it will be located um at the St.

2:50:22Phillip AM church on uh MLK. It is it's

2:50:28going to be on Friday, October and I

2:50:31don't know the date,

2:50:32>> October the 2nd. October the 2nd um

2:50:35starting at 11 o'clock I believe. Um so

2:50:40we are asking everyone to please come

2:50:42out and especially the uh the alumni

2:50:46anybody who was a part of the Wesleyan

2:50:49choir. We're going to have rehearsal

2:50:51that morning at 9:30 uh to get ready for

2:50:55the celebration. So, let us all come

2:50:57together and honor our our true standing

2:51:01advisor. It is our time to honor her.

2:51:04So, I just wanted to mention that, Mr.

2:51:06Mayor.

2:51:06>> Thank you. Uh that evening, um Mayor

2:51:09Jackson will be honored by the National

2:51:11Forum for Black Public Administrators.

2:51:13Uh it's a national organization that

2:51:15will be here in Savannah um on Friday

2:51:18night with their leadership awards

2:51:20dinners. Um, and so Mayor Jackson will

2:51:23be honored uh along with Mayor Brandon

2:51:25Scott of uh Baltimore, uh the mayor of

2:51:30Miami Dade County, as well as the five

2:51:34uh metro Atlanta chairwomen of their

2:51:37county commission. So um Savannah is

2:51:40proud to be able to host that event.

2:51:42Also, we lost Don Cole. Um Don Cole um

2:51:47was the founder of the Savannah African

2:51:49Art Museum and was chairman emeritus of

2:51:52the um Georgia Historical Society. I

2:51:56believe his graveside was today um was

2:51:59early well at 2 o'clock and we were here

2:52:02but we sent out our condolences. Uh

2:52:04we've lost a giant.

2:52:05>> Yes, sir. We have.

2:52:06>> Alman Palumbo.

2:52:08>> Oh, thank you Mr. Mayor. I look forward

2:52:09to seeing you all on the 10th for a

2:52:11centennial of service. a Donald Ross

2:52:14Golf Course. Uh I'll see you guys out

2:52:17there uh for the celebration.

2:52:19>> Yes.

2:52:19>> Thank you. All been pretty standard,

2:52:21please.

2:52:21>> I'm saying it. I'm sorry. I'm my back is

2:52:23killing me. Um [clears throat]

2:52:26Saturday,

2:52:27>> we have splash pad.

2:52:28>> Splash pad. Windsor forest 10 o'clock in

2:52:30the morning. Um we're excited. We're

2:52:32going to do it on a Saturday so kids can

2:52:34get out there and enjoy. Uh hopefully we

2:52:36get a little bit warmer weather. We got

2:52:38a little fall spell today. Uh so we got

2:52:40that. And then uh keep my family in your

2:52:42thoughts and prayers. I've got to head

2:52:44out of town. We got a family member in

2:52:46hospice. So we're dealing with that.

2:52:49>> Thinking about you. And for those you

2:52:51don't know, um I've made a rule that

2:52:53there is no splash pad that can

2:52:55officially open until myself and the

2:52:57city manager walk through it. Uh fully

2:53:00clothed. So

2:53:01>> person too, but you

2:53:02>> Well, you ain't walked through all of

2:53:03them. We walked through all of them, but

2:53:05um fully closed. So, uh, I'm praying it

2:53:08will be I'm praying that it will be

2:53:10warm. I'm praying. Aldwoman Bell,

2:53:13>> nothing.

2:53:14>> Huh?

2:53:15>> Mr. M, I forgot one thing, please. On

2:53:18October the 3rd, we be we will be

2:53:21celebrating the fourth annual purple

2:53:23royalty event where we uh celebrate 130

2:53:27people from out of this community,

2:53:29judges, law enforcement, elected

2:53:31officials, nonprofits. Um, it's a

2:53:34wonderful thing to have all those people

2:53:35in the room who move what's going on in

2:53:37Savannah. Thank you very much for that.

2:53:40>> Thank you. Mr. Clerk, do you have

2:53:41anything?

2:53:42>> Mr. Attorney, you have anything? Mr.

2:53:44Manager, do you have anything?

2:53:52>> Awesome.

2:53:57>> Next agenda.

2:54:09Thank you,

2:54:09>> Mr. Manager. I I appreciate you hearing

2:54:12council and that sir. That is a direct

2:54:14response into uh the things that council

2:54:16was asking for. So, uh you're providing

2:54:18it. So, now we know.

2:54:20>> Yes, sir. I appreciate now. All you got

2:54:22to do is to roll. Thank you, sir.

2:54:23>> Thank you.

2:54:26>> All right. Anything else for the good of

2:54:27the audience?

2:54:28>> No, sir. Thank you, sir.

2:54:29>> All right. God bless. We're ajourned.

2:54:38>> Hey