 |
CITY GOVERNMENT
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
PRESENT: Mayor Eddie W. DeLoach, Presiding
Aldermen Carol Bell, Julian Miller, Brian Foster, Bill Durrence, Van Johnson, Tony Thomas, John Hall, Estella E. Shabazz
Rob Hernandez, City Manager
Brooks Stillwell, City Attorney
William Shearouse, Assistant City Attorney
Jennifer Herman, Deputy City Attorney
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 Pastor Lolita L. Hickman, Trinity Baptist Church.
Alderman Bell: Today, Council held an Executive Session for the purposes of discussing Litigation, Real Estate and Personnel where no votes were taken. I move that we authorize the Mayor to sign a Resolution and an Affidavit to that effect.
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 14th day of February, 2018 the Council entered into a closed session for the purpose of discussing Real Estate, Personnel and Litigation. At the close of the discussions upon this subject, the Council reentered into open session and herewith takes the following action in open session:
- The actions of Council and the discussions of the same regarding the matter set forth for the closed session purposes are hereby ratified;
- 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;
- 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
- 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: FEBRUARY 14, 2018 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.
Alderman Shabazz: Mr. Mayor, I just have one comment. On the minutes there was something that was left out of the minutes that I read over. It just needs to be amended and add in the comments that were made by Ms. Linda Bryan. I second the motion.
Mayor DeLoach: We got a second. All in favor? Y’all excited?
Alderman Shabazz: It was just a little sentence that was left out of the minutes.
Alderman Johnson: Was it added?
Alderman Shabazz: How do I add it?
Alderman Johnson: Just read it into…
Luciana Spracher: She would like to add back in comments made by Ms. Linda Wilder-Bryan, and I believe you are referring to comments Ms. Bryan made on the outside of the railing.
Mayor DeLoach: No ma’am.
Luciana Spracher: So, I need direction from you, if you would like to add it back in. So, Ms. Bryan did not come inside of the railing.
Alderman Shabazz: Is that a law?
Luciana Spracher: So, I reviewed after that happened, I reviewed the Rules of Council and also sought guidance and there’s no state law regarding public comment. So, the Mayor had moved on to the next item and Ms. Bryan asked to come inside to go back to that item and the Mayor stated he had moved on.
Alderman Miller: I see no need for such an addition.
Mayor DeLoach: Okay, we have a motion and second without the comments, is that correct? All in favor? Opposed? It carries.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.
A public hearing was held. No persons came forward to speak either for or against the item.
Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Bell, and unanimously carried.
A public hearing was held. No persons came forward to speak either for or against the item.
Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Bell, and unanimously carried.
A public hearing was held. No persons came forward to speak either for or against the item.
Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Bell, and unanimously carried.
A public hearing was held. No persons came forward to speak either for or against the item.
Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Bell, and unanimously carried.
A public hearing was held. No persons came forward to speak either for or against the item.
Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Bell, and unanimously carried.
City Manager Hernandez: Staff respectfully requests a 60 day continuance until April 12th to allow the MPC and City staff to obtain additional stakeholder input.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimoulsy carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Alderman Miller: Mr. Mayor on the motion to rename Brinkman Park. That park is a tiny plot of land at the corner of 49th Street and Waters. Most people didn't even know it was a park until the Parkside Neighborhood Association started working with it. We think it was named for Henry Christian Brinkman who was a City Council member at one time. We're not sure why it was named for him. The Neighborhood Association has asked that we add the name DeLorme to honor John DeLorme, who helped develop the park, took care of it for years, led the neighborhood through many, many years of revitalizing itself. They've gone through an extensive procedure to get this done, it's been approved by all the other various committees that need to approve it and now it just waits on us.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Hall, and unanimoulsy carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Alderman Shabazz: Mr. Mayor for items number 11 and 12, I will take them together. For item number 11, the First Reading to amend Section 2-4061(7) of the Purchasing Ordinance to Address the Local Preference Threshold for Purchases over $25,000.00, and item 12, the First Reading to amend Section 2-4063(5) of the Purchasing Ordinance to Address the Local Preference Threshold for Purchases under $25,000.00. These two First Reading amendments are in reference to our new programs that we started in January, on January 1, 2018, from our M/WBE and as we are dealing with our new programs now for the SBO and the SBE programs.
Mayor DeLoach: Did you also get item number 13?
Alderman Shabazz: And also item number 13 is the First Reading to amend to Section 2-4042(21) of the Purchasing Ordinance to Address the Definition of Local Vendor.
No Action Necessary
No Action Necessary
No Action Necessary
No Action Necessary
Alderman Durrence: Mr. Mayor for item number 15, motion to amend the Zoning Ordinance regarding the Hotel Development Overlay District and Lodging Establishments, and item number 16, motion to amend the Zoning Map regarding the Hotel Development Overlay District. Are you going to object to this Tony?
Alderman Thomas: For First and Second Reading, yes.
Alderman Durrence: I don't know if there is a protocol that we need to go through, but this will just have to be First Reading.
City Attorney Stillwell: You don’t need a motion you just need to enter them in the record as First Reading.
Mayor DeLoach: I have somebody here that has signed up to speak on that. Should we let him speak since they’re here?
Jeff Notrica: Yes, Mr. Mayor I think my concerns have been addressed. I think they're going to separate the First and Second Reading and give an interim period of 30 days to get additional comment and input, which I'm very happy with.
Mayor DeLoach: Is that your understanding? Thirty days or next reading would be…
City Attorney Stillwell: It would just be two weeks unless Council chooses to extend it.
Jeff Notrica: That should be sufficient.
Mayor DeLoach: Okay, alright. Thank you.
Frist Reading. No Action Necessary
First Reading. No Action Necessary.
Alderman Shabazz: Yes sir. These two line items are in reference to the project of the property where the old Sam's and where Planet Fitness is located. And I want to make a motion to approve the annexation of 2.34 Acres on Ogeechee Road near the Lynes Parkway that is item number 17. And number 18, to make a motion to amend the zoning ordinance to provide the zoning designation of these acreage.
Ordinance read for the first time in Council February 14, 2018, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Johnson, and unanimously carried.
AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX TO THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH PROPERTY LYING CONTIGUOUS TO THE EXISTING CORPORATE LIMITS AND BEING THE TERRITORY DESCRIBED IN THE SURVEY ENTITLED “A MINOR SUBDIVISION OF LOT 1 WAL-MART SUBDIVISION OF A PORTION OF TREMONT PLANTATION PARCEL 1 AND 2” PREPARED BY MOCK SURVEYING, INC.; TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, Promover Georgia LLC. the owner of a certain tract of land contiguous to the corporate limits of the City has submitted a petition requesting annexation to the City; and
WHEREAS, the provisions of Chapter 36 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A. 36-36-20 et seq.) have been complied with;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, in regular meeting of Council assembled and pursuant to lawful authority thereof:
SECTION 1: The following tract being contiguous to the City of Savannah and described as:
Property Description.
ALL those certain lots, tracts or parcels of land situate, lying and being in the 7th G.M. District, Chatham County, Georgia, known as parcel 1 and 2 of a portion of the Tremont Plantation. Said property containing an aggregate of two and thirty four hundredth (2.34) acres of land, lying contiguous, and, as one body of land, being more fully described as follows:
Commencing at an iron rebar found 5/8” bent, located at the intersection of the southern right-of-way of U.S. Highway 17 – Ogeechee Road and the western right of way of William F. Lynes Parkway (Interstate 516), thence running along the western right-of-way line of William F. Lynes Parkway S42°03’36”E for a distance of 80.28’ to a concrete monument found; thence S10°18’54”W for a distance of 266.53’ to an iron rebar set; thence leaving the western right of way of William F. Lynes Parkway S79°34’16”W for a distance of 255.10’ to an P.K. nail; then N15°57’59”W for a distance of 289.62’ to an iron rebar set; thence N19°31’13”E for a distance of 25.11’ to an iron rebar set; thence running along the southern right-of-way of U.S. Highway 17 – Ogeechee Road N74°08’19”E for a distance of 81.26’ to an concrete monument found; thence N79°36’02”E for a distance of 241.91’ to the point of beginning having an area of 2.34acres, more or less.
is hereby annexed into the City of Savannah and made a part of said City.
SECTION 2. The Clerk of Council is hereby authorized and directed to file a report on this annexation with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and with Chatham County as provided by O.C.G.A. 36-36-3.
SECTION 3. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby appealed.
ADOPTED and APPROVED: FEBRUARY 14, 2018
Ordinance read for the first time in Council February 14, 2018, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Johnson, and unanimously carried.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE A ZONING DESIGNATION FOR THE PROPERTY PETITIONED TO BE ANNEXED OWNED BY PROMOVER GEORGIA LLC TO THE CITY OF SAVANNAH BY ORDINANCE ADOPTED AND APPROVED FEBRUARY 14, 2018; TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, by ordinance adopted and approved February 14, 2018, the property identified as PIN 1-0706 -01-015 located at 3603 Ogeechee Road, more fully described in that ordinance, a copy of which is hereto attached and made a part hereof, was annexed into the City; and
WHEREAS, the annexed property is zoned as designated “B-CO” on the zoning map of Chatham County, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, the City has adopted within its zoning code all County zoning classifications so that the City has a set of zoning classifications in common with the County zoning classifications;
NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah that:
SECTION 1: The area annexed to the City described above is hereby added to the zoning map of the City, and the zoning classification designated for the property shall be the City zoning classification which is common with the zoning classification as designated by the County zoning map.
SECTION 2: This ordinance shall be effective upon the effective date of the annexation of said property in the City of Savannah pursuant to O.C.G.A. 36-66-4 (e) and the law in such cases made and provided.
SECTION 3: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
ADOPTED and APPROVED: FEBRUARY 14, 2018
Alderman Shabazz: Yes sir, item number 19. Item number 19 is in reference to our Alcohol Beverage Ordinance that we had a First Reading on in our last Council meeting. And at this time I'm going to ask our City Attorney if he would interject at this time, right at this point, then I'll come back.
City Attorney Stillwell: Alderman Shabazz, at the last meeting you put on First Reading an amendment to the Alcohol Ordinance to include exemptions from the distance requirements in state law certain exemptions that have been in the City's zoning ordinance or in the City’s Alcohol Ordinance for several years. The state law allows cities to create their own exemptions on that and they were inadvertently left out of the new Alcohol Ordinance when we passed it two or three years ago. And so, it's our recommendation that they be put back in. Dr. Shabazz pointed out to us that we had added one use to the exempt list in our draft that's on First Reading and that use is event venues. The reason that was added in was that use didn't exist until the last couple of years as part of new definitions that were drafted and we felt that was compatible with the other things that are exempted. Dr. Shabazz has asked that, that be taken out of this amendment since this amendment is just going to address things that are cleaned up that were in the prior ordinance and has asked that, that change be considered as part of the other new changes to the Alcohol Ordinance, including the bar cards, issues that are going to be addressed in the next couple of months. So, I recommend that we follow that recommendation. She's going to make a motion on it.
Alderman Shabazz: Thank you so much Mr. City Attorney. I move that Section 6-1207(C)(1)(VI) be amended by deleting the reference to event venues and events. And I would like the reason why I'm saying this and making this particular motion is that I would like to have public meetings to have the opportunity for the public to have sessions. We will reach out to them so that they can be heard on the impact of the event venues on places such as places of worship. So I thank you all so much. Attorney Herman and Bridget Lidy have been working extensively with me and I thank you so much City Attorney in reference to all the work. At this time, Mr. Mayor if you don't mind if I ask the Deputy Attorney to come forward. I would like for her to read into the record a part of this motion. This provision that I'm asking to be deleted out right now so that we can hear from our public and we will be having a public hearing, so I’m asking the public, as you're listening now when the call is made to come out in reference to distances of event venues, especially when we're talking about our places of worship that I'm asking you to come forward so we can hear your comments and then amend this alcohol ordinance. It's specifically in this particular section. Thank you
Jennifer Herman, Deputy City Attorney: Thank you Alderwoman Shabazz. I'm Jennifer Herman, Deputy City Attorney for the record. Alderwoman Shabazz’s motion would change the language to read as follows: For businesses classified as banquet or reception halls, whose dominant business activity and related gross sales receipts are from the rental facilities and catering of food for banquets and receptions, there shall be no distance requirements for businesses within the Historic District when the premises are zoned to allow such use and such businesses or otherwise determined eligible for an alcohol license for consumption on premises.
Alderman Shabazz: Now, I just need a second on that if I can from my colleagues.
AN ORDINANCE
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND PART 6, LICENSING AND REGULATION,
CHAPTER 1, BUSINESS AND OCCUPANTIONS,
ARTICLE H. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES,
OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA;
TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
BE IT ORDAINED by Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savanah, Georgia, in regular meeting of Council assembled and pursuant to lawful authority thereof:
SECTION 1: That Section 6-1207(c) be deleted in its entirety and a new section 6-1207(c) be inserted in lieu thereof as follows:
(c) No license shall be issued under this Article to a person where the premises for which a license is sought does not meet the requirements of all state, county and city laws, ordinances and regulations which apply to said premises, including, but not limited to building, zoning, fire, and sanitation codes.
- Exceptions to State Distance Requirements. Georgia Code (O.C.G.A. § 3-3-21(b)(3) and § 3-4-47) grants municipalities the power to regulate the distance requirement for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises and the manufacture, distribution, and package sales of alcohol as it relates to churches, schools, and colleges. Nothing contained in this Section shall prohibit the licensing of the sale of alcoholic beverages by:
- Hotels of 50 rooms or more which have been in continuous operation for a period of at least five years preceding July 1, 1981;
- Hotels of less than 50 rooms for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages solely to occupants of the hotel and their guests by the drink for consumption only on premises;
- Private social clubs which are open only to their members and their guests and not to the general public, which do not advertise for or solicit patrons, which have an operating dining room as an integral part of its facilities, which dispense alcoholic beverages solely to club members or their guests by the drink and for consumption only on the premises;
- Restaurants that sell alcoholic beverages as a part of the meal or to restaurant patrons waiting for a table to be served a meal in a public place, licensed as a restaurant, and kept, maintained, advertised, and held out to the public as a place where meals are actually and regularly served, such place being provided with an adequate and sanitary kitchen and dining room equipment and seating capacity of at least 40 people, having employed therein a sufficient number and kind of employees to prepare, cook, and serve suitable food for its guests with the serving of alcoholic beverages to be consumed on premises as only incidental thereto;
- No distance requirement shall apply to colleges within the Historic or Victorian Districts when the premises are zoned to allow such use.
- For businesses classified as banquet or reception halls whose dominant business activity and related gross sales receipts are from the rental of facilities and catering of food for banquets and receptions there shall be no distance requirements for businesses within the Historic District when the premises are zoned to allow such use and such businesses are otherwise determined eligible for a beverage alcohol license for consumption on premises.
SECTION 2: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3: This ordinance shall become effective when signed by the Mayor.
ADOPTED and APPROVED: FEBRUARY 14, 2018 upon motion of Alderman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carred.
Alderman Shabazz: Yes sir, I would like to make a motion to adopt the resolution for the City's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise annual percentage goal at 18 percent. From the last item City Manager I don't want to leave you out. Thank you so much, sir, for allowing Ms. Lidy to work with us on that last item.
This particular item Mr. City Manager, if you can, before we move forward because this is also a part of the legislation that has, that is new to us and this is a new goal that we're setting and adding a part of the ordinance of the City of Savannah.
City Manager Hernandez: So, members of City Council, as you know, beginning January 1st of this year, we implemented the City's new program related to increase the participation of Savannah Business Enterprises and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises with respect to their being able to do more business with City government. This particular item establishes an organization wide goal that we would aspire to meet of 18 percent for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and this applies to procurements at or above $100,000 in value. Eighteen percent is a number that we think we can get to. We are currently enjoying 16 percent participation under our M/WBE Program and so we certainly think that there's always room for improvement and this is something that we could aspire to and achieve.
Alderman Shabazz: Thank you so much
Alderman Johnson: Obviously, I have stated concerns that were made known to the City Manager about this. I'll be in a position to wait and see. Thanks. Six month report, correct?
City Manager Hernandez: Yes sir.
RESOLUTION SETTING THE CITY'S DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE ANNUAL PARTICIPATION GOAL AT 18%
WHEREAS, the Savannah City Council adopted the Savannah Business Opportunity (SBO) policy in 2017 that is aimed at increasing opportunities for local small and disadvantaged businesses.
WHEREAS, the SBO policy establishes a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, which replaces the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) program, effective January 1, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the policy states that, for eligible City contracts above $100,000.00, this initiative establishes a cumulative annual participation goal for DBEs; and
WHEREAS, the annual DBE goal is determined through guidelines established by the Department of Transportation (DOT); and
WHEREAS, in establishing an annual DBE goal, City staff has reviewed the following data sources recommended by DOT in 49 C.F.R. §26.45: Georgia DOT Contractor Directory, Georgia DOT Unified Certification Program Directory, recent City of Savannah M/WBE participation, DOT national goal of 10%, and the City of Savannah 2016 Disparity Study.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Savannah City Council adopts an annual DBE goal of 18% for eligible City contracts above $100,000.00 for 2018. Be it further resolved that City Council directs the City Manager to maximize DBE participation goals during this period.
ADOPTED and APPROVED: FEBRUARY 14, 2018 upon motion of Alderman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Hall, and unanimously carred.
City Manager Hernandez: Mr. Mayor we have our Chief Operating Officer, Marty Johnston.
Mayor DeLoach: We also have George Beckett here to speak concerning it also.
City Manager Hernandez: Would you like the public to address Council first? Or would you like Ms. Johnston to address you first?
Marty Johnston, Chief Operating Officer: Just as a reminder to everybody, we brought this up two weeks ago. What's before you today is a resolution to enact the Festival Ordinance. We do this every year once we set the parameters of what the dates for the festival or going to be. The dates this year are March 16th and 17th. As in the past, we are asking to enact the portion of the Festival Ordinance that discusses wristbands. So we will, with your approval be selling wristbands for those two days in the festival area, which means if you're on the street with an alcoholic beverage in the festival zone, you're required to have a wristband. We work with our three non-profits, the Downtown Business Association, the Waterfront Association, and City Market, to help us take care of wristbands and obviously our police forces are down there along with others to make sure that that is upheld. What I would certainly like to clarify is somehow I think, not exactly sure how all this happened, but there has been a lot of banter back and forth about the City's intention to take over the parade. I don't, I think in our presentation two weeks ago it was very clear that the economic study that you all heard about in no way, shape, or form included the parade. As a matter of fact, the economist stated that in the beginning. Having done this for 10 years, I can tell you, y'all don't want to take over the parade even if there was some kind of hey let's do something. Y'all don't want to take over the parade. We have worked very closely with the Parade Committee over the years, we're proud to be partners with them. We have no say so, nor do we want say so in the parade, other than to make sure we take care of public safety. I hope we do that for the next hundred years. The City at this point in the game, it’s not, not their responsibility to do parades. We don't want to get in the parade business. I'm not sure how this got misinterpreted and was put out on Facebook and everywhere else, but I just want to assure that we have a good, good, good relationship with the Parade Committee. They do their thing, and we do our thing on parade day and certainly that evening the festival was not something that we created and hired the bands and put the stages out there and all of that. We're responsible for maintaining order during that time. One has nothing to do with the other and I just wanted to clarify that, because it's really important we value our partnership with the Parade Committee and hope it continues.
Mayor DeLoach: Okay, sounds good. Thank you.
George Beckett: Mr. Mayor, thank you for inviting me. And we did finally have an opportunity to speak and I'm not speaking for the Parade Committee or any other Irish organization that I belong to, I’m just speaking for the Irish Catholic community. Our disappointment was that we were not reached out to before some decisions were made. After speaking with you and having an opportunity to speak with you, I think we can come to a resolution on some of these things. And I do appreciate Marty working with the Parade Committee and we have, this is our 194th parade that we’ve put on, we have a long history. Our concerns were only that some things were done and taken away without communication and now at this festival, using the name of St. Patrick and they in no way support the parade, the Irish community, or St. Patrick at all, and that was our only concern and we'll talk about that and see what changes we can make going forward. And I do appreciate the City working and talking with us.
Alderman Thomas: I want a point of clarification. Mr. Beckett there were things that were taken away from the parade? Is that what you're saying? I’m just trying to understand…
George Beckett: There were things taken away from the Irish community, being Tera Feis mainly. Without opening up to the Irish community in, at large, Ms. Winters, wonderful woman, she's been doing that for the city. She belongs to no organization and never applied for anything. So, and I'm not speaking for her, she can speak for herself, you know, that's the main issue that we have.
Alderman Thomas: I appreciate that. A month ago, maybe six weeks ago, I asked the City Manager at the time about Tara Feis and I was told that, and I think this whole Council was told that, they were not, that they didn't apply for any help as they did in the past.
George Beckett: And that's not a complete truth. Speaking with Ms. Winters she once received a letter in October that things have changed, now you're going to have to apply. She sent a letter to the Mayor and the City Councilmen, didn't hear anything back. In December, called the Mayor, called City Councilmen, didn't hear anything back. By that time it was put out to the public that the Irish community did not support the event and did not collect funds and did not apply. So, really we weren’t given the opportunity and no one spoke to any of the Irish organizations that I belong to. So, that's where we ended up with that.
Alderman Thomas: Well that is disturbing and I think that we need to talk about that as a Council and with our City Manager as well. I don’t think that’s the answer we were given back.
George Beckett: The Mayor’s been wonderful and he wants to meet with us and we decided this is not the forum to do that meeting right now and we will be glad to sit down.
Mayor DeLoach: Sure, we'll get there.
Alderman Johnson: I just wanted to thank you for coming. I share Tony's concerns. We've supported Tara Feis for years.
George Beckett: 26
Alderman Johnson: It is a staple of our community, because it was the celebration of authentic Irish culture.
George Beckett: For the children, for the families.
Alderman Johnson: It was that family friendly type of event and you know, ultimately things change, processes change, and then obviously decisions were made by either action or inaction. I'm extremely disappointed that Tara Feis is not a part, because obviously again a very small investment, but it was leveraging such a huge celebration. And you know, I apologize for, at least my part in that. I think that's certainly just a part of what we do here. I'm just disappointed that it rolled out like that.
George Beckett: I appreciate it. Thank you. And we'll talk about this more.
Alderman Miller: So, have we left this at the City Manager's going to look into it and tell us how this happened?
City Manager Hernandez: Well Mr. Mayor, members of Council
Mayor DeLoach: We're going to talk about it at a later date. That's what we've been talking about.
City Manager Hernandez: I don't have anything new to add. What we've said in the past is you know information that staff has provided me. And my understanding is those are the facts as we know it.
Alderman Hall: I think the City Manager laid out the reasons why no funding was there in a nice letter to the editor and the citizens of Savannah read it, I'm sure. But there is nothing we can do about this year. Nothing we can do about this year. We will do everything we can to accommodate Tara Feis next year provided everybody do what they supposed to. Thank you sir.
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE 2018 ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL
A resolution to designate March 16 and March 17 as the festival days for the St. Patrick’s Day Festival 2018; and to designate the area bounded by East Broad Street on the east, the Savannah River on the north, Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard on the west, and Broughton Lane from Martin Luther King Boulevard to the east side of Drayton Street to Bay Lane to East Broad Street as the Festival Control Zone.
WHEREAS, the Festival Ordinance of 2013, Section 6-2423, provides that on the recommendation of the City Manager, the Mayor and Aldermen may designate and name certain community festival days, including the “St. Patrick’s Day Festival,” and during such festival days authorize cultural and entertainment events and initiate the regulatory provision of the ordinance within the festival area; and
WHEREAS, the Festival Ordinance of 2013, Section 6-2425, provides that upon recommendation of the City Manager, the Mayor and Aldermen may designate one or more Control Zones within the Festival Area, and may authorize the City Manager to implement regulations and controls that will be specific for each designated Control Zone, and the Mayor and Aldermen may designate and authorize a non-profit taxexempt organization or similar entity to organize and manage festival activities within the Control Zone; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended designation of the St. Patrick’s Day Festival 2018 and designation of a Festival Control Zone.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that March 16 and March 17 are designated as the festival days for the St. Patrick’s Day Festival 2018 and that the Savannah Waterfront Association is designated and authorized to organize and manage festival activities within the Control Zone.
ADOPTED and APPROVED: FEBRUARY 14, 2018 upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carred.
Mayor DeLoach: We're moving item 22 up before number 3.
Mayor DeLoach read the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION
BY THE CITY OF SAVANNAH COUNCIL
Whereas, Parker’s Emergency & Trauma Center at Memorial Health University Medical Center donated 518 bleed control kits to the Savannah Police Department and 40 additional kits to Savannah Fire; and
Whereas, an bleed control kit is used to stop or slow bleeding that has occurred following an injury; and
Whereas, the kits contain packing material, tourniquets and other materials used to stanch the flow of blood; and
Whereas, if care is not given immediately, a person can bleed out and die in less than five minutes; and
Whereas, officers and firefighters are often the first on scene of traumatic injuries and have the ability to assist in saving lives if equipped with bleed control kits; and
Whereas, the trauma team has provided training for officers and firefighters on how to properly use the kits; and
Whereas, the 558 kits are valued at $28,800;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the City of Savannah Council does hereby accept the 558 donated bleed control kits from the Parker’s Emergency & Trauma Center at Memorial Health University Medical Center to help provide life-saving aid to our first responders and citizens.
Adopted this 14th day of February, 2018 upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried.
Michelle Gavin, Director of Public Communications: Good afternoon, I am Michelle Gavin, Director of Public Communications for the City of Savannah, and it's my pleasure to welcome our guests. With us today we have Stephanie Gendron, the Regional Trauma Advisory Committee Coordinator for Memorial University Medical Center. Also Amanda Ramirez and Kate Bailey from the Trauma Services Team at Memorial, and Dr. Heather McNew, Trauma Surgeon from Memorial. Also accepting the donations, Savannah Fire Assistant Chief William Handy and Captain Michael Vandercook, and from Savannah Police, Assistant Chief Robert Gavin. I believe a couple of the ladies from Memorial would like to say a few words about this very generous donation.
Amanda Ramirez: Hello and thank you for having us. It is our pleasure to be able to donate these kits to both police and fire officers here in our City. This will certainly help to improve the care that we can render when we first arrive on the scene. Oftentimes during accidents, the fire and police are the first to arrive before EMS providers. And so this training and these kits will allow them to be able to render care to them, possibly saving their lives before EMS providers can arrive. So we are very excited as a trauma team to be able to improve the care that our citizens here in Savannah will receive.
Assistant Chief Gavin: Again, not to reiterate too much. This is a tool in our tool kit that allows our officers to help save lives. And you know, in the guardian mindset, that's what we want to do. We want to be there to help. And not only did we get the kits, but their staff, Memorial staff has been out there doing round robin training throughout the day, multiple times during the day, so that they can get officers coming off midnight shift, daytime, and then early evening shifts. So, they've done a great job of helping us, helping the department, and overall helping the community.
Mayor DeLoach: We must congratulate them. Thank y'all.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.
Jack Wray: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I have no problems with what's in the paper this morning. I have a concern that is missing whether or not this is the right time to address that or at least mention it. It needs some consideration and should I proceed or put this to somebody.
Mayor DeLoach: You need to say what you think, that’s what I would do. Just go with it.
Jack Wray: What I am concerned about and I have fought this for 16 years in the tourism industry, as a walking tour guide, is a lot of inaccurate history being peddled by tour guides. I have heard it over and over again. I've had many conversations with people like Cynthia Pelote and others, and Bridget Lidy. I am also, when I started and I took my test, we don't even do that anymore and there's a weakness here and some kind of an oversight that could be developed about what is being sold as accurate history which is not, which in my book is fraud.
Mayor DeLoach: Can you give me one second for our Attorney to address you about your concerns.
City Manager Hernandez: Actually Mr. Mayor, members of Council, I do have a response. That's one of the recommendations contained in the report and that is to encourage tour companies to certify tour guides through the Tourism Leadership Council. And my understanding is that there would be an official curriculum developed by the TLC to certify tour guides. We can't be in the business of regulating content, but through a voluntary program with our partner at the Tourism Leadership Council, we would try to do that.
Jack Wray: Okay clarification, certifying them gets them permitted to go out on the streets and sell and do tours. Is that right?
City Manager Hernandez: I can't speak for the TLC, but my understanding is that it would be a voluntary program and it would also address the accuracy of the information being provided.
Mayor DeLoach: If I'm not mistaken.
City Attorney Stillwell: If I can clarify that. They would receive, you can be permitted even if you're not certified. The certification is a marketing tool. It would be very possible for a hotel, restaurant, B and B, to say we only recommend tourist to tour guides who are certified. We are not in the business of regulating the content of what a tour guide says. So, if you had somebody telling a ghost tour, for example, we're not going to get into whether that's true or not, and I recognize the issue and are very sympathetic to you, but unfortunately we have issues to resolve with First Amendment on that.
Alderman Miller: Mr. City Attorney, it seems that we had some legal questions on this in the past. Can you elaborate on that?
City Attorney Stillwell: Well, we had a lawsuit about it and we elected rather than to try the lawsuit and take it up to the Supreme Court to amend the ordinance and to work out a voluntary compliance deal with the tourism industry and that's where the certification program came in.
Jack Wray: All of that is familiar to me. My picture is that you pass those two qualifications to go out and start touring that's the end of it for the tour guide. My question is going after that point where there could be some type and I believe it's possible to have some oversight to protect tourists from being given something that is not even accurate or true.
Mayor DeLoach: I understand and we agree with you on this but we are limited in that issue. Michael’s out there with the tour group he can talk on it a little bit. Our hands are tied on this issue even though we want something done.
Michael Owens, President, CEO Tourism Leadership Council: Your Honorable members of Council, I’m Michael Owens, President and CEO of the Tourism Leadership Council. The City did in fact approach us well over a year ago and asking if we would undertake a voluntary certification program. We believe that we have done so. We have hundreds of folks who have gone through that voluntary certification at a cost less expensive than that, that used to exist to the City. We feel a better overall product, especially as it's industry pushed. We have several partners who do require that certification. We have some companies, for instance, that require 100% certification of all of their guides. Both major trolley companies require 100% certification of their folks. It's working to the best as it's going to work, as it is a voluntary program. What we recognize is, is that we can have a more stringent requirements than the City may under law, and we do have more stringent requirements than what used to exist to obtain certification. At the same time, we recognize that the City is in no legal capacity to punish those who could simply just be mistaken. There's outright lies, there's also a mistake or a slip of the tongue, and a wrong date. I'm certainly, who we recognize that no one's in a position to prosecute those folks who have made a mistake. The program has been successful to date. We appreciate the support from Bridget Lidy and from the City Attorney in creating that program, but it is in fact working now as we speak.
Jack Wray: Okay, I appreciate those comments. I have made mistakes too and acknowledge them and apologized and so forth. All of that I realize is true. Oversight that I was talking or not oversight, but something like spot checking, not to arrest somebody, nothing that rigid, but spot checking to help tour guides recheck their information that’s all. That’s one minor step that could help tourists.
Mayor DeLoach: My deal is the City doesn’t need to be in business of checking tour guides. We need to leave that to TLC and those folk that do that business. And the less you can have us in your business, the better off you are. Don't forget that. Thank you.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Bell, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Foster, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Hall, and unanimously carried.
Alderman Miller: There are some points that are in this recommendation of the Confederate Memorial Task Force that we're not sure are legal. And I think it is important that we make sure we're on legal standing that has to do with actually moving monuments. I have no affinity for the monuments, but I do have an affinity for following the law. So, I would ask that the City Attorney look in to see and look into assuring that what we're doing is legal and if any portion of this is deemed, illegal, that we delete it.
Jack Wray: I just had a question about the status of the survey that went around. That was overwhelming well, the majority stating to not do anything with the monuments, and then the next time I read the paper that had been changed significantly to make it possible to reintroduce that question and I'm a little confused on how that happened.
Mayor DeLoach: We take the recommendations of the group that we had formed and those recommendations were listed and we voted on those recommendations or we're voting on those recommendations that came from the group that actually did the study.
Jack Wray: And I believe what it is, the recommendations now are adverse to what the survey results were, that’s what I'm concerned about why the divide there, why there wasn’t more in compliance with the survey results.
City Manager Hernandez: So Mr. Mayor, if I may. The Task Force that was put together by City Council considered the comments that were submitted during the survey as part of their deliberations and ultimately came to their own conclusions and made a recommendation that those two particular busts be relocated. So, to answer your question, they were considered, but in formulating a recommendation, but ultimately it was not the same as the public comments.
Jack Wray: Okay, that’s the two busts?
City Manager Hernandez: Yes.
Jack Wray: Okay, that’s not a problem for me. I was reading more into it that the monuments were under consideration, the monument to be removed.
Mayor DeLoach: No it is not being moved.
Jack Wray: Good. Thank you.
Alderman Miller: Getting back to my comment, Mr. City Attorney. Should that be in the form of an amendment?
City Attorney Stillwell: I don't think you need to do that. Your resolution is just to adopt those findings and the implementation will be up to the City Manager and I'm sure he'll consult with me about how we do that.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Alderman Shabazz: Thank you Mr. Mayor. Item 38 is a motion to approve Contract Modification No. 2 for the neighborhood entrance sign construction contract to Sign D’Sign. This particular contract modification is for the Summerside Neighborhood entrance sign. I've been having a lot of conversation and interest from that community and I just want to let them know that this particular item will move along the renovations of the sign that we put in. It's just the planter of that sign that we had to go back in and demolish. And now with this money that we're putting in for this contract modification will start the construction back for the sign and soon you will have a completed sign and planter. I move that we approve Contract Modification No. 2 for the sign.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Hall, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Alderman Shabazz: It’s the Contract Modification No. 3 for the Sylvan Terrace Park walking trail. We are adding a rubberized walking trail to next to the concrete walking path or trail that’s out there now. So, this contract modification moves along the construction of the walking trail. I make a motion Mr. Mayor that we approve these two contract modifications.
City Manager Hernandez: And if I may Mr. Mayor make a plug for SPLOST. That is a SPLOST funded project.
Alderman Shabazz: Absolutely.
Mayor DeLoach: Dr. Shabazz put her money in, that's what I'm talking about.
Alderman Shabazz: Yes sir.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Hall, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
There being no further business, Mayor DeLoach declared this meeting of Council adjourned.
The video recording of the Council meeting can be found by copying and pasting the below link in your url:
https://savannahgovtv.viebit.com/player.php?hash=cdk6kJP8Uvwg
