CITY GOVERNMENT
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

The regular meeting of Council was held this date at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison followed by the Invocation by Dyanne Reese, Clerk of Council.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.

Item was deleted and will be placed on a future agenda

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Thomas, and unanimously carried.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Hall, and unanimously carried.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Hall, and unanimously carried.

Judee Jones, Revenue Department

Curtis Bellmont

Sgt. Shinita Young

Chief Lumpkin, SCMPD

Virginia Mobley

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.

Marcus Lotson, Metropolitan Planning Commission briefly described the petitioners request.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.

Marcus Lotson, Metropolitan Planning Commission briefly described the petitioners request

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Bell, and unanimously carried.

Marcus Lotson, Metropolitan Planning Commission briefly described the petitioners request.

City Manager Hernandez stated staff is not ready to bring back the proposed program at this point therefore, this request would have to be voluntary at this point. 

Attorney Harold Yellin stated the changes recommended are acceptable although they are not what was originally requested. The petitioner is willing to speak with the City Manager but what makes this different is the petitioner will be purchasing property form the City of Savannah

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.

Marcus Lotson, Metropolitan Planning Commission briefly described the petitioners request

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Bell, and unanimously carried.

Marcus Lotson, Metropolitan Planning Commission briefly described the petitioners request

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Bell, and unanimously carried.

Marcus Lotson, Metropolitan Planning Commission briefly described the petitioners request

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.

City Manager Hernandez stated the petitioner will do a subsequent traffic study after school has started to determine if the existing turn lane needs to be extended.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried..

Ordinance read for the first time in Council June 8, 2017, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried.

Ordinance read for the first time in Council June 8, 2017, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Bell, and unanimously carried.

Alderman Durrence read the following letter: 

POSITION STATEMENT:
Short-Term Vacation Rentals in Historic Districts and Neighborhoods
All over the country, historic neighborhoods and districts are experiencing a renaissance as more and more Americans look to visit and enjoy authentic, distinctive, and character-rich historic places. From New Orleans’ French Quarter to Seattle’s Pike Place Market, and Miami’s Art Deco District to Savannah’s Landmark District, historic downtowns and neighborhoods are often among the top tourist draws in any given state.

But this welcome success has created new complications. The management of Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVR) is becoming a growing issue in many cities across the country. As travel increases, STVRs are moving beyond traditional rental by a property owner of an extra room or backyard cottage. In fact, STVRs are now a $25 billion industry in the United States, comprised of large commercial enterprises with multiple non-owner occupied properties.

Given that so many STVRs are located in historic downtown and neighborhood districts, their management is an important issue for preservationists and others who care about the quality of life in our communities. Many cities are now experiencing negative effects of poorly regulated STVRs, often in historic districts. As such, communities are working to create stronger regulations to ensure the rights of residents in these historic neighborhoods and to manage the explosive growth of the STVR industry.

Our research shows that historic neighborhoods thrive best when they remain active communities, not just empty theme parks for heritage travelers. As such, the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports and encourages cities as they seek to develop reasonable regulations that will recognize the rights and needs of residents in important historic places and balance those with the economic benefits brought by visitors who stay at STVRs.

Mike Jarrett, Downtown Resident appeared stating he owns and operates 11 short term vacation rental properties as a result of the economic downfall of 2008 and they saved him from bankruptcy. They have allowed him to build a thriving business and he has three more that are currently being built. He stated the proposed changes to the STVR Ordinance has created an issue for one of the properties he was in the process of selling, he stated the proposed changes are not good for the city or property owners.

Jean Glover, 113 East Jones Street appeared stating as a resident she feels she is trapped in a theme park surrounded by individuals that don't have the same interests as she does. She expressed her concerns about the noise that is made by STVR guest and the impact they feel from the guest when they are behaving inappropriately. 

HISTORIC DISTRICT BOARD OF REVIEW (HDBR)

3 (three) terms available for appointment

• David Altschiller
• Melissa Memory
• Nan Taylor

METROPOLITAN PLANNING COMMISSION (MPC)

2 (two) terms available for appointment

• Tanya Milton
• Lacy Manigault

Savannah Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)

2 (two) terms available for appointment

• Michael Brown
• Willie James

Savannah/Chatham Historic Sites and Monuments Commission (HS&M)

2 (two) terms available for appointment

• Thomas Gensheimer
• Alicia Blakely

City Manager Hernandez explained the purpose of the proposed Savannah Business Opportunity (SBO) program policy.

Alderman Shabazz asked that the proposed program be divided into two parts

1. Move forward to approve the Savannah Business Enterprises (SBE) component of the policy effective January 1, 2018 for a two year trial or pilot basis; and

2. Continue what we presently are calling or have titled presently the DBE portion of the program for 90 days so that staff may continue outreach to the business community and other interested persons

Alderman Johnson asked if under this proposal will current City of Savannah certified businesses lose their certification. City Manager Hernandez replied under the current program as he understands they will continue the current M/WBE program. However, the Savannah Business enterprise program will be instituted and evaluations will have to be done to determine if they meet the threshold requirements to also be considered an SBE. 

Alderman Johnson asked is this being done as a companion. City Manager Hernandez stated as of right now it will be done as a companion and that approach is common in many cities. Alderman Johnson expressed his concerns with the process and made reference to the Disparity Study that was conducted prior to Mr. Hernandez becoming the City Manager. He stated from that study came a set of recommendations that staff and Council have not moved on. He concluded stating universal approaches to address specific issues have uneven impacts. 

Mayor DeLoach stated since he has been in office Alderman Shabazz has worked tirelessly on the M/WBE and he feels Council should stand with her in support of the project.

John Voner, Urban Savannah Chamber of Commerce President appeared stating there are some serious disparities occurring. He stated people of color that own businesses need to be the focus. He stated in speaking with many people throughout the community people are leery of it because they don't understand it.  He concluded stating if this is a solution more engagement with the businesses need to take place. He suggested talking more with the community and asked that businesses be considered more.

City Manager Hernandez explained the prupose of the Living Wage Provision policy.

Alderman Johnson thanked the City Manager and staff for their diligence with this process. 

Mayor DeLoach stated he doesn't want the City to do the minimum and asked that the amount be increased to 3% above the hourly rate established by  the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Continued to the meeting of June 22, 2017 to determine the financial implications of increasing to 3% above the hourly rate established by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).