April 27, 2017 City Council Meeting

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.  

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AFFIDAVIT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah as follows:                                                            

At the meeting held on the 27^th day of April, 2017 the Council entered into a closed session for the purpose of discussing Litigation and Real Estate. At the close of the discussions upon this subject, the Council reentered into open session and herewith takes the following action in open session:

1. The actions of Council and the discussions of the same regarding the matter set forth for the closed session purposes are hereby ratified;
2. Each  member  of  this  body  does  hereby  confirms  that  to  the  best  of  his  or  her  knowledge,  the subject  matter  of  the  closed  session  was  devoted  to  matters  within  the  specific  relevant exception(s) as set forth above;
3. The presiding officer is hereby authorized and directed to execute an affidavit, with full support of the Council in order to comply with O.C.G.A. §50-14-4(b); 17
4. The affidavit shall be included and filed with the official minutes of the meeting and shall be in a form as required by the statute.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: APRIL 27, 2017

Bill Lynch, BB&T's Savannah Market President, is presenting a check for $10,000 to the Community Housing Services Agency, Inc. (CHSA) for deposit into the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF). The SAHF, established and supported annually by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, uses local public and private financial resources and partnerships to leverage significant private investment to help address Savannah's affordable and workforce housing needs and opportunities.

To date, the SAHF has issued $2 million in loans and grants that have leveraged an additional $5.3 million investment for the repair, construction and/or sale of housing benefiting 148 modest income Savannah households. The SAHF Advisory Committee, CHSA, and the City's Housing Department are responsible for SAHF administration and implementation.

Alderman Foster stated CHSA is dear to  his heart because he was the first chairman in the 80's. He also stated CHSA have a lot of great plans for affordable housing in the future and he wanted to commend them as well as BB&T on a job well done. He asked other banks to step up to help and support because this is a very important issue in the community. 

The Good Neighbor Award recognizes the ongoing efforts of Savannah residents who are making exceptional contributions to their neighborhoods. The program honors those who make a difference in the community without seeking or receiving recognition for their efforts.

Good Neighbor Awards were presented to Howard Dawson, Sr., a resident of the Liberty City/Summerside/Southover/Richfield neighborhood in District 5, and Thelma Grant, a resident of the Cloverdale neighborhood in District 1.

Upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Johnson, and unanimously carried the agenda item was moved to Presentations.

(SEE RESOLUTIONS)

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

Approved upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Marcus Lotson, Metropolitan Planning Commission appeared briefly to describe the petitioner's request. 

The below citizens appeared to speak in opposition of the request citing issues related to height, increase in traffic, people roaming the area and the potential of an increase in crime. In addition to those reasons it was stated if the storage facility does not prove viable, the rezoned property could become the home to many other unwanted things.

Ardis Wood a resident at 321 E. 55th Street

Rob Hessler a resident at 1414 E. 50th Street 

Cynthia Hopson a resident at 1311 E. 53rd Street

Craig Shatto a resident at 2820 Limerick Street

Julia Sullivan, Smart Growth Savannah

Cherie Frank, 1118 E. 51st Street

Michael Hugh

The below individuals appeared in favor of the request

Patrick All

Attorney Phillip McCorkle

Alderman Miller stated he appreciates both sides but believes Council needs to look at what will happen after the vote. He continued stating the neighbors deserve to be protected as there are other areas near this one that will more than likely be before Council requesting to be rezoned as well. 

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

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

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

Ordinance read for the first time in Council April 27, 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 Miller, and unanimously carried.

Ordinance read for the first time in Council April 27, 2017, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller and unanimously carried. 

Alderman Thomas asked that this be placed on First Reading

Ordinance read for the first time in Council April 27, 2017, then unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Thomas, seconded by Alderman Miller and unanimously carried.  

Ordinace read for the first time in Council April 27, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman, seconded by Alderman and unanimously carried. 

Ordinance read for the first time in Council April 27, 2017, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted upon a motion by Alderman Thomas, seconded by Alderman Johnson and unanimously carried. 

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

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

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

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

Alderman Durrence recognized Carolyn Nealy, Diane Brownfield, Angela Kutz,  Amy Brock and Catherine Atkinson members of the Downtown Garden Club who appeared to present the City with a donation of $11,725 to help beautify Reynolds Square. The City of Savannah’s Park and Tree Department worked with the Garden Club to identify a list of needed improvements to the square that included replacement of benches, repair of brick work, lighting for the John Wesley Monument, plantings around the monument, as well as a new light fixture. The Garden Club then worked with businesses around Reynolds Square to raise funds for the project, which will be implemented by the Park and Tree Department.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Foster, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried. 

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

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

Alderman Thomas asked George Fidler of the Savannah Airport Commission if he would make a public announcement about the new server that will be coming to Savannah. Mr. Fidler stated that Air Canada will start in May and they will host  a reception where Council will be invited to come. They are also working on an International Rival facility to facilitate international services.

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

Margaret Williams appeared to answer questions on this contract. Alderman Johnson asked did this contact  go through a bid process or is it a piggy back on an existing contract. Mrs. Williams stated it went through a RFP process. They had two bidders to come in and a selection team selected the bidder. 

Alderman Bell asked how is this different from last summer's temporary contract. Mrs. Williams stated  automatic payment and  direct deposit will be added to the program. This will help the employees learn about banking and financial management. The temp agency is also responsible for background checks and drug screening. They will also be responsible for managing the youth in the summer 500 program so it will not be the City's responsibility. 

Alderman Thomas asked will most of the money be paid by private employers. Mrs. Williams replied yes. 

The Mayor stated he would like to thank everyone including the local businesses who have signed up to participate in the Summer 500 program. They are still searching for more businesses to be apart of the program. They are looking to change someone's life.

Alderman Bell asked will there be a Workshop soon. Mrs. Williams stated not on the summer youth employment. The second half of that workshop will be on recreation. Alderman Bell stated last summer the program employed an estimate of 308 youth with 112 employers. When the application process closed on March 31st they were told that 868 students had applied that is why they are desperately seeking jobs for the youth. Mrs. Williams stated if there are any businesses that are interested they can go to the City of Savannah's website to sign up to be a participant in the Summer 500 program. 

Alderman Johnson asked are they aggressively seeking opportunities for the younger children. The Mayor stated yes they have some opportunities coming in the future. 

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

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

Announcements

Alderman Bell extended condolences to Kenny Rouché and the Branded Hearts Congregation for the loss of Reverend Maurice Rouché,

Alderman Shabazz announced she will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting for the public on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Savannah Civic Center.

Alderman Durrence announced there will be two Parking Matters drop in sessions for the public to attend from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2017 at Starlandia Café located at 2438 Bull Street and 6 p.m. to 8 pm on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at the Savannah Civic Center.

Alderman Hall announced he will be hosting a District 3 community meeting Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at Johnson High School in the Auditorium, located at 3012 Sunset Blvd. from 6 p.m.to 8 p.m.

Alderman Miller announced he will be hosting a District 4 meeting Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at the Jewish Educational Alliance from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There being no further business, Mayor DeLoach declared this meeting of Council adjourned.