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, II, Tony Thomas, John Hall and Estella E. Shabazz

Rob Hernandez, City Manager

Glenn Hull, Special Projects Coordinator

Jennifer Herman, Interim City Attorney

William Shearouse, Assistant 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 Mayor Pro-Tem Carol Bell.

Mayor DeLoach acknowledged the passing of Dr. Abigail Jordan on January 9, 2019. Dr. Jordan was instrumental in getting the African American Family Monument erected on River Street. Her memorial service will be held on January 26^th at St. Philip AME Church at 1:00 p.m. Upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried approval was given to pass a resolution recognizing the significant accomplishments of Dr. Abigail Jordan to the Savannah community. Alderman Johnson also expressed his desire to find some way to acknowledge her role in the African American Monument through the installation of a plaque of some sort.

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 17^th day of January, 2019 the Council entered into a closed session for the purpose of discussing Litigation and Personnel. 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: JANUARY 17, 2019 upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.

Upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried the agenda was amended to add item 37, City Attorney Settlements; and item 38, Personnel regarding the appointment of the Clerk of Council. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

City Manager Hernandez: So, while we wait for Mr. Lotson to approach the podium, Mr. Mayor at the last City Council meeting staff was asked to look into the possibility of suggesting distance requirements or including distance requirements for these types of establishments. The record shows that we provided you a memo that includes that language. However, with the recommendation that we not include that suggestion in this particular item.

Alderman Durrence: I had asked for that and I'm withdrawing that request.

Bob Rosenwald, Downtown Neighborhood Association: I was here two weeks ago when this was discussed. We certainly support the notion of 24/7 management, that’s a very good thing. We also support the need for distance between inns. I think it was mentioned at the last Council hearing that there were two that were trying to be built side by side on Huntingdon that failed for other reasons. Even if it has onsite management the way this current one will be passed, if you pass it, is that they can still be built side by side even if they have 24/7 management. That really ends up being for the neighborhood a small hotel, two side by side with traffic, parking, people and fewer neighbors. You passed the hotel overlay, which I think is a good thing and there are no hotels in the residential areas. This is a fairly thinly disguised approval of those kinds of hotels in my view. So, I would strongly urge that you pass this, but consider amending it in the future so that there is some sort of distance requirement, whether it's 1,000 feet or something else. Thank you.

Alderman Foster: I think one of the things that we discussed in workshop was that we needed to have some more discussions on what the appropriate distance is and get more feedback from the community and people it would impact because we really didn't have that opportunity. I just wanted to point that out and let you know that we'll discuss it some more in the future.

Alderman Thomas: I'd like to ask the City Manager if Bridget Lidy could come forward. I would like to ask Ms. Lidy what kind of notifications and public meetings were held regarding any changes to ordinances regarding inns.

Bridget Lidy, Director of Planning and Urban Design: This definition was something that was brought to our attention by the Downtown Neighborhood Association as we were updating the short term vacation rental regulations. As part of that, their concern came about by the possibility of individuals going around the STVR regulations and using the inn as the vehicle to go ahead and allow for rentals at their property. In working with the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA), we also were fortunate enough with the Chamber of Commerce through our NewZo process to meet with stakeholders that represented the industry. During that timeframe, we discussed many lodging accommodations, definitions and standards, and one of the items that did come up was the inn definition. They were comfortable with the revisions that we had made. I followed up specifically with the Downtown Neighborhood Association as well as with the Tourism Leadership Council (TLC) to make sure everything was tight with the definition. TLC actually had some additional modifications to it. Following the drafting of the language we worked with MPC to have a public hearing on December 11^th and then from there it came to you all.

Alderman Thomas: One question, Ms. Lidy. When you said we worked with some stakeholders, did you reach out to everyone who was in the inn business and did you have them participate in this?

Ms. Lidy: In the initial meetings that we had with the Chamber of Commerce, there was a separate group that dealt specifically with lodging accommodations. Within that group we had individuals who facilitated that. Michael Owens reached out to many different inn and lodging accommodation individuals. So, there are probably about ten individuals at that meeting that we had.

Alderman Thomas: I'm just concerned that with a change like this, that folks that are engaged in that business be notified and be made a part of any discussions that could affect their income, livelihoods and their business itself. Although I respect the Chamber and TLC, I don't know if they represent everyone that needs to be at the table. So, my question again is, were there efforts made to reach out to people that were not in that room making these decisions?

Ms. Lidy: Other than the public meeting or the public hearing that was held at MPC. But I will say with the change in the definition, it will only impact new inns that come into the marketplace, it will not impact existing inns.

Alderman Thomas: You are aware that there are some businesses and developments right now that are working to try to open inns before all of this was changed?

Ms. Lidy: If they are in the pipeline with permitting and all that stuff, they should be good to go without the definition affecting them.

Alderman Hall: Ms. Lidy, how long did we advertise the meeting?

Ms. Lidy: So, the standard advertising processes is in the newspaper and that's for a period of two days.

Alderman Hall: And was there print and electronic media?

Ms. Lidy: I believe with the MPC website that would include the electronic media as well as our processes here.

Alderman Johnson: Two questions, when you did your survey, how many inns actually fell in that category?

Ms. Lidy: So, with the definition that we have in the area that we were looking at with those distance requirements there are about 19. A total in looking at the numbers outside of the hotel overlay for that distance requirement we have about 40. Keep in mind when we counted them, there are several inns that are out there that have inn in their name, but in actuality they have 16 or more rooms so those were not included in that.

Alderman Johnson: I guess, to answer Alderman Hall’s question you said the legal requirement for advertising a hearing is like two days?

Ms. Lidy: Two days in the paper, yes.

Alderman Johnson: I think although we can do what’s legal, we need to do what’s practical. Most people can't change their lives in a two day period to attend a meeting, although they might want to come. So, although Mr. City Manager two days is what’s legally required, we might want to adopt a longer notification period. If we really want people to come then we need to make sure that they know in enough time to be able to come.

Mayor DeLoach: Let's put that down that we need to bring that up in the next meeting about changing the date. Do we have to do that?

Ms. Lidy: Yes, we do. We're actually in the process of revising NewZo so we can look at that.

Mayor DeLoach: Plug that in and think about extending that from two days to whatever y'all feel is comfortable.

Ms. Lidy: It has to do with the State Zoning Procedures Law.

Alderman Johnson: But I think, you know, the State sometimes they're not dealing with people in their everyday life.

Ms. Lidy: And Marcus just reminded me that although it's in the paper for two days, it's advertised 15 days before the meeting.

Alderman Johnson: Well then I go back to how we advertise. Obviously the City has a variety of things, does the MPC still, I mean do they send out press releases and those types of things, or do they just stick a sign in the ground saying this date.

Ms. Lidy: It's the responsibility of the petitioner to actually do the signage. Since we are the City of Savannah as the petitioner, we did not have to do the signage.

Alderwoman Bell: So, like Alderman Thomas, I’m also concerned that there may be, well, I know obviously there are some developers who felt that they were affected by this and did not, I don't know whether they were a part of TLC or part of the Chamber’s group, but were not included in the discussion. And I'm very concerned and you know, again, we're talking people's livelihood. I know one, we were talking in workshop, one particular developer I understand would not be affected since we're removing the 1,000 feet distance requirement, but there's another developer who has been writing, and I can't get my computer up so I'm having problems there. But, I just want to make sure that all stakeholders and until I'm assured of that, I'm a little bit reluctant to even vote on it without the 1,000 feet.

Ms. Lidy: Well keep in mind this is the second public hearing we've had on the subject. So, you do have…

Mayor DeLoach: Everybody knows about it, so let's move on.

Alderman Miller: To that end, if I'm not mistaken, the hearing that we first discussed this thing was December 11^th.

Ms. Lidy: And that was at the Metropolitan Planning Commission, yes sir.

Alderman Miller: And since then we've discussed it here. There's been no shortage of people who found out about it, who contacted me. It seems to me that the word has gotten out. If I'm not mistaken basically what we're doing here is solidifying something and we kind of expected to be all along and that be 24 hour, seven day a week on-site staff. So, it's not really changing anything. We're just clarifying that, hey, by the way, you can't just put 15 rooms out there and call it an inn. You have to have management.

Ms. Lidy: You're correct, and I think building on your point, the main reason why we're bringing this forward to you is because there are people who are getting around the short term vacation rental regulations and establishing inns with no presence and going up to your point.

Alderman Miller: To that end I see no reason to delay this. I would make the motion that we pass it.

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

Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Hall, and carried with the following voting in favor: Mayor DeLoach, Aldermen Miller, Foster, Hall and Durrence. Aldermen Bell, Thomas, Johnson and Shabazz voted against the motion.

City Manager Hernandez: Before you move on to the next item, can I just have some clarification from members of City Council with regard to the distance requirement. Last time we were told you wanted us to look at 1,000 feet, that was withdrawn. Do you still want us to look at that issue, of establishing a distance requirement, and bring something back or is that completely withdrawn?

Alderman Durrence: The issue was less about 1,000 feet or 500 feet, but about circumventing the rules we have in place for short term vacation rentals and small hotels. The complication we've got in this situation that came up recently was two inns building next door to each in a place where hotels are not allowed. So, what I would like to see is some exploration of how we might prevent circumventing the hotel overlay, whether that's a distance requirement or some other way of doing that. The staffing issue may add a cost that might inhibit that. In some cases it still doesn't prevent just like Alderman Miller was saying, it doesn't prevent having two or three or four inns all operating independently, but right next to each other essentially creating a hotel as far as residents in a residential neighborhood are concerned.

Alderman Miller:  Bill, a point of clarification. You're asking that the staff look at that in the future, but that's not affecting today.

Alderman Durrence: No, we move forward with, I mean we've already approved this. But moving forward, look for some mechanism we might use to… I mean the staffing was used to distinguish the inn from vacation rentals. What we need is some way of distinguishing a cluster of inns from a hotel.

City Manager Hernandez: Okay, so we will work with appropriate stakeholders to bring you back something at some point.

Alderman Durrence: If no one else wants to speak about it, I will say that the various parties involved, the developer and representatives, preservation, and residents with an interest, all sat down with the Planning Commission folks and came up with a good compromise on how we can allow the Landmark District density and parking options that they wanted to use and at the same time have some design review standards. So, they have come up with a plan that everyone agreed to and I think it's something we need to move forward with to allow this to happen.

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

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

Withdrawn per the petitioner's request

Marcus Lotson, Metropolitan Planning Commission: Mr. Mayor and members of Council, per our last presentation two meetings ago on this item, as I understood it at the time, the applicant needed to meet with City staff and the manager wanted to discuss some things with the City Attorney's Office regarding this petition and its back before you now for action. But I'm happy to answer any questions regarding it.

Alderwoman Shabazz: I just wanted to bring the public up to date on it. I wanted to do this because this is an area that is going to be in my district, that is a new and up and coming development, but it's not so new. Back in December 2004, the City annexed approximately 6,561 acres into the City and this was a part of the annexation. Back on November 20, 2018, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval for the request of rezoning in conjunction with a required general development plan or site plan. In that area there are general developments like site plans, which are part of the first works that happens when development wants to come forward in the City of Savannah along with planned unit developments and even though there are still woods, and even though there's not too much movement out in that area, there's infrastructure that has been laid down by the City of Savannah. When I was first got into office I really didn’t know exactly what was going on, but I'm very clear now. With those development units that progress is coming forward and this is a part of the progress along with Hampstead that we talked about at our last, the new Hampstead Planned Unit Development, all of this is in the same area. So, if you go riding out west and I call it the northwest of my district, I want everyone to know that it is definitely the up and coming housing area for our entire city. This is a part of a unit of approximately 151 acres that is going to be used as a mining site or a borrow pit that contractors will be using or this petitioner wants to use the dirt out of this particular area for developments or whatever the use is. There were some concerns of mine, which were made clear to me because over a three year period there's going to be 58,910 approximately dump truck trips that's going to be going back and forth on Fort Argyle Road. Fort Argyle Road is a part of the maintenance for DOT and this too is for those residents out there who have not been in the spotlight. All of the existence of their land are now being catapulted into the spotlight. So, I want them to know that even though it’s in the City, a part of this road use is a part of the State and Georgia DOT. So, we all are going to have our eyes on this. When all the movement starts, all the trucks, and all of the dust starts to happen we, along with the State and our City Manager's Office, will definitely have our eyes on things. But I think it's a good thing that's happening with this, a part of the new movement out in the northwest part of the district. So, with all that being said, Mr. Mayor, I would like to close the hearing if that is appropriate at that time.

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

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

Ordinance read for the first time in Council January 17, 2019, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.

Ordinance in its entirety on file in the Office of the Clerk of Council.

Ordinance read for the first time in Council January 17, 2019, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried.

City Manager Hernandez: Mr. Mayor, I just want to point out that item number 12 is also related to item number 15, which is the adoption of an ordinance rezoning that property.

AN ORDINANCE

To Be Entitled

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORY FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL - GENERAL TO COMMERCIAL - NEIGHBORHOOD; TO REPEAL ALL OTHER ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, in a regular meeting of Council assembled and pursuant to lawful authority thereof:

SECTION 1:  The Future Land Use Category for the following described property, 1932 East Montgomery Cross Road, be changed from its present Residential - General to Commercial - Neighborhood:

Commencing from at a point [X: 992783.146941 & Y: 725440.07042], located at the approximate intersection of the right-of-way centerline of Montgomery Cross Road & the roadway centerline of Varnedoe Drive,

Thence proceeding in a NE direction [N 2-21-47 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 55.3 ft. to a point [ X: 992785.430025 & Y: 725495.39788], said point being located along the shared municipal boundary of Unincorporated Chatham County & The City of Savannah, said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING

Thence continuing in a NE direction along the approximate centerline of Varnedoe Drive for an estimated distance of 418.6 ft. to a point [X: 992810.050993 Y: 725912.656961],

Thence proceeding in a SE direction [S 57-41-45 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 449.5 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a SW direction [S 25-19-41 W] along a line for an estimated distance of 216.6 ft. to a point, said point being located along the shared municipal boundary of Unincorporated Chatham County & The City of Savannah,

Thence proceeding in a NW direction [N 86-32-49 W] along the shared municipal boundary of Unincorporated Chatham County & The City of Savannah, for an estimated distance of 312.4 ft. to a point [ X: 992785.430025 & Y: 725495.39788], said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING

The property is further identified by the Property Identification Numbers (PINs) as follows:

PINs: 2-0429 -01-011.

SECTION 2:  That the requirements of Section 8-3182(f) of said Code and the law in such cases made and provided has been satisfied.  An opportunity for a public hearing was afforded anyone having an interest or property right which may have been affected by this zoning amendment, said notice being published in the Savannah Morning News, on the 19^th day of December, 2018, a copy of said notice being attached hereto and made a part hereof.

SECTION 3: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This ordinance shall be effective as of the date hereof.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: JANUARY 17, 2019

Ordinance read for the first time in Council January 17, 2019, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.

AN ORDINANCE

To Be Entitled

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY FROM TRADITIONAL COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL - GENERAL; TO REPEAL ALL OTHER ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, in a regular meeting of Council assembled and pursuant to lawful authority thereof:

SECTION 1:  The Future Land Use Category for the following described property, 1220, 1222, and 1224 Wheaton Street, be changed from its present Traditional Commercial to Residential - General:

Beginning at a point [X: 994274.034051 & Y: 751619.084335], located at the approximate intersection of the centerlines of Wheaton Street & Adair Street, said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING

Thence proceeding in a NW direction along the approximate centerline of Wheaton Street for an estimated distance of 225.6 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a NE direction [N 18-2-37 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 676.7 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a NE direction [N 71-10-10 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 74.9 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a NE direction [N 17-59-31 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 128.2 ft. to a point, said point being located along the approximate centerline of the right-of-way for the Harry S. Truman Parkway,

Thence proceeding in a SE direction along the approximate centerline of the right-of-way for the Harry S. Truman Parkway, for an estimated distance of 44.4 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a SW direction [S 18-17-31 W] along a line for an estimated distance of 701.9 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a SE direction [S 71-50-55 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 127.3 ft. to a point, said point being located along the approximate centerline of Adair Street,

Thence proceeding in a SW direction along the approximate centerline of Adair Street for an estimated distance of 120.2 ft. to a point [X: 994274.034051 & Y: 751619.084335], said point being located along the approximate centerline of the right-of-way for Wheaton Street, said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING

The property is further identified by the Property Identification Numbers (PINs) as follows:

PINs: 2-0035 -03-010, 2-0041 -27-003, 2-0041 -08-006.

SECTION 2:  That the requirements of Section 8-3182(f) of said Code and the law in such cases made and provided has been satisfied.  An opportunity for a public hearing was afforded anyone having an interest or property right which may have been affected by this zoning amendment, said notice being published in the Savannah Morning News, on the 19^th day of December 2018, a copy of said notice being attached hereto and made a part hereof.

SECTION 3: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This ordinance shall be effective as of the date hereof.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: JANUARY 17, 2019

Ordinance read for the first time in Council January 17, 2019, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.

City Manager Hernandez: Mr. Mayor, I just want to point out that item number 14 is also related to item number 36, which is the adoption of an ordinance rezoning that property.

Ordinance in its entirety on file in the Office of the Clerk of Council.

Ordinance read for the first time in Council January 17, 2019, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried.

AN ORDINANCE

To Be Entitled

AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE CERTAIN PROPERTY FROM A PLANNED MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL (P-RM-25) ZONING DISTRICT TO A NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS (B-N) ZONING DISTRCT; TO REPEAL ALL OTHER ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, in a regular meeting of Council assembled and pursuant to lawful authority thereof:

SECTION 1:  The following described property, 1932 East Montgomery Cross Road, be rezoned from its present P-RM-25 Zoning District to a B-N Zoning District:

Commencing from at a point [X: 992783.146941 & Y: 725440.07042], located at the approximate intersection of the right-of-way centerline of Montgomery Cross Road & the roadway centerline of Varnedoe Drive,

Thence proceeding in a NE direction [N 2-21-47 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 55.3 ft. to a point [ X: 992785.430025 & Y: 725495.39788], said point being located along the shared municipal boundary of Unincorporated Chatham County & The City of Savannah, said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING

Thence continuing in a NE direction along the approximate centerline of Varnedoe Drive for an estimated distance of 418.6 ft. to a point [X: 992810.050993 Y: 725912.656961],

Thence proceeding in a SE direction [S 57-41-45 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 449.5 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a SW direction [S 25-19-41 W] along a line for an estimated distance of 216.6 ft. to a point, said point being located along the shared municipal boundary of Unincorporated Chatham County & The City of Savannah,

Thence proceeding in a NW direction [N 86-32-49 W] along the shared municipal boundary of Unincorporated Chatham County & The City of Savannah, for an estimated distance of 312.4 ft. to a point [ X: 992785.430025 & Y: 725495.39788], said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING

The property is further identified by the Property Identification Numbers (PINs) as follows:

PINs: 2-0429 -01-011.

SECTION 2:  That the subject parcel be rezoned on the condition that the Planning Commission approves any General Development Plan submitted for the subject property.

SECTION 3:  That the requirements of Section 8-3182(f) of said Code and the law in such cases made and provided has been satisfied.  An opportunity for a public hearing was afforded anyone having an interest or property right which may have been affected by this zoning amendment, said notice being published in the Savannah Morning News, on the 19^th day of December, 2018, a copy of said notice being attached hereto and made a part hereof.

SECTION 4: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This ordinance shall be effective as of the date hereof.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: JANUARY 17, 2019

Ordinance read for the first time in Council January 17, 2019, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.

AN ORDINANCE

To Be Entitled

AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE CERTAIN PROPERTY FROM THE I-L (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL) AND R-M-25 (MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL, 25 UNITS/ACRE) ZONING DISTRICTS TO THE R-M-40 (MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL, 40 UNITS/ACRE) ZONING DISTRCT; TO REPEAL ALL OTHER ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, in a regular meeting of Council assembled and pursuant to lawful authority thereof:

SECTION 1:  The following described property, 1220, 1222, and 1224 Wheaton Street, be rezoned from its present I-L and R-M-25 Zoning Districts to an R-M-40 Zoning District:

Beginning at a point [X: 994274.034051 & Y: 751619.084335], located at the approximate intersection of the centerlines of Wheaton Street & Adair Street, said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING

Thence proceeding in a NW direction along the approximate centerline of Wheaton Street for an estimated distance of 225.6 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a NE direction [N 18-2-37 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 676.7 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a NE direction [N 71-10-10 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 74.9 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a NE direction [N 17-59-31 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 128.2 ft. to a point, said point being located along the approximate centerline of the right-of-way for the Harry S. Truman Parkway,

Thence proceeding in a SE direction along the approximate centerline of the right-of-way for the Harry S. Truman Parkway, for an estimated distance of 44.4 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a SW direction [S 18-17-31 W] along a line for an estimated distance of 701.9 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a SE direction [S 71-50-55 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 127.3 ft. to a point, said point being located along the approximate centerline of Adair Street,

Thence proceeding in a SW direction along the approximate centerline of Adair Street for an estimated distance of 120.2 ft. to a point [X: 994274.034051 & Y: 751619.084335], said point being located along the approximate centerline of the right-of-way for Wheaton Street, said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING

The property is further identified by the Property Identification Numbers (PINs) as follows:

PINs: 2-0035 -03-010, 2-0041 -27-003, 2-0041 -08-006.

SECTION 2:  That the subject parcel be rezoned on the condition that the Planning Commission approves any General Development Plan submitted for the subject property.

SECTION 3:  That the requirements of Section 8-3182(f) of said Code and the law in such cases made and provided has been satisfied.  An opportunity for a public hearing was afforded anyone having an interest or property right which may have been affected by this zoning amendment, said notice being published in the Savannah Morning News, on the 19^th day of December, 2018, a copy of said notice being attached hereto and made a part hereof.

SECTION 4: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This ordinance shall be effective as of the date hereof.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: JANUARY 17, 2019

Alderman Johnson: Mr. City Manager, just a little commentary on that please for the public's benefit.

City Manager Hernandez: Currently your ordinance allows us to work with other governmental entities on the front end whenever we need to procure a service or a commodity. It doesn't allow us, with the exception of purchasing off of the State contract, to purchase off of an existing contract that we may not have been part of at the very beginning. What this does is it allows us to look at what other jurisdictions have done and if there is an existing contract that is in effect and it's a commodity or service that meets the specifications that we want, it will give us the opportunity, as long as that was competitively bid, it allows us the opportunity to essentially piggyback off of that contract assuming all else is equal and then enter into our own separate contract with that vendor.

Alderman Johnson: A couple of questions again, just for the public's knowledge. Is there a geographical, when we say governmental agencies, is there a geographical boundary or could it be any government agency.

City Manager Hernandez: Well, the way it's written, they will allow us to piggyback off of any public contract that is out there. Typically what we do is we look at the State contract but this would also allow us to buy off of the County contract or if another jurisdiction nearby like Garden City or whatever has that same type of commodity or service that we want because typically you've got to factor in the nuances of the market that you are located in. But there might be some things, and I'm going to give you an example of one in which we participate in on the front end. We participate in a national consortium to purchase playground equipment. So, that one I think it's the City of Charlotte that is the contract administrator for that one. It's not in our region, but it is a national contract that we purchase from because that has a national scope. I think those types of agreements/procurements are few and far between, but there might be opportunities for us to piggyback off of the County or Pooler or what have you.

Alderman Johnson: So, more often than not they're more local contracts.

City Manager Hernandez: That's the intent. Typically what we do, just so you know, when we develop specifications for a commodity or service, typically we look at what our other adjacent jurisdictions are doing because we're all pretty much buying the same thing. So, if we have an opportunity to buy off of somebody's existing contract rather than doing the long drawn out procurement process on our own, this is just another tool in our toolbox. This is not to say that we won't be doing our own solicitations, but in the event that we do come across one that is more advantageous for us to piggyback off this gives us the opportunity to do that.

Alderman Johnson: My concern is, and I think I might've stated it to you before, and obviously a local procurement creates opportunities for local dollars to be spent locally. So therefore not only our local but our minority and women business enterprises. Obviously if we're piggybacking off of someone else's contract then that may lessen the opportunities for the money to remain local. So, that needs to be addressed in that.

City Manager Hernandez: So, actually it is and if you notice the language that we are proposing, it does state that our DBE and SBE and local hire programs will apply. This just gives us the opportunity, the ability to go to that vendor or that contractor and say, hey listen, we'd like to purchase off of this contract that you have, let's say with Chatham County, but you will still need to meet our DBE, SBE, and local hire requirements. Are you okay with that? If they say yes, then we continue down that path. If they say no, then we put it out for bid.

Alderman Johnson: I think I would like for maybe a couple of months to go by and then you report back to us about how that's working. I just think we have to keep our eyes on it as well.

City Manager Hernandez: And there is one, just so you know, that I am working on right now and it actually deals with service delivery in New Hampstead. There was an opportunity for us, because we now know that we have I think seven families that are moving into that area and I don't have the ability right now to provide them with municipal services. So, I needed to do something right away so those folks can have certain services that they expect from the City and this will give me the opportunity to piggyback off of a community that's providing that service already.

Alderwoman Bell: Another question, is it a reciprocal relationship? Can the other municipalities take advantage of contracts that we currently have? If they so choose?

City Manager Hernandez: Well that would be a restriction that's placed on them by their governing body. What this is doing is just basically establishing the same rules for purchasing from other governmental entities as you currently allow us to do from the State.

Alderwoman Shabazz: I just want to make a comment for the public’s purpose. It states in our documentation which is a part of this that such contracts shall include requirements for participation of small, local, and disadvantaged business enterprises and local workforce utilization under the Hire Savannah Program. So, the language is in this ordinance.

AN ORDINANCE

TO BE ENTITLED

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE E, PROCUREMENT, OF CHAPTER 4, FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION, OF PART 2, GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION, OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA (2003) TO ALLOW FOR USE OF CONTRACTS COMPETITIVELY PROCURED BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES; TO PROVIDE FOR EFFECTIVE DATES; TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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: That Part 2, Government and Administration, Chapter 4, Financial Administration, Article E, Procurement, Division 10, Cooperative Purchasing, of the Code of the City of Savannah, Georgia (2003) be amended by deleting Section 2-4154 in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof a new Section 2-4154, entitled “Use of contracts from other governmental agencies” as follows:

Sec. 2-4154. – Use of contracts from other governmental agencies.

The City may purchase goods or services by accessing a bid or contract awarded by any federal, state, county or municipal government or any other government entity in lieu of the City’s competitive bidding procedures set forth in this Chapter; provided, however, that the bid or contract for goods or services procured by another governmental entity was competitively solicited. Purchases made under this section may occur without public advertisement or competitive bidding as long as the contract was originally competitively bid and the original bid or contract is current and in effect. The City shall not become a signatory to the original contract; instead, it shall negotiate a new contract with the vendor based on the initial governmental agency’s contract award. Such contracts shall include requirements for participation of small, local and disadvantaged business enterprises and local workforce utilization (“Hire Savannah Program”).

SECTION 2: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

SECTION 3: This Section shall become effective when the Mayor affixes his signature below.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: JANUARY 17, 2019 upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: JANUARY 17, 2019, upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried. 

Approved upon motion of Alderman Thomas, seconded by Alderwoman Bell, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Hall, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

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

Alderwoman Shabazz: Mr. City Manager, on the lease for the YouthBuild Savannah Program, can you tell me what goes on in that space?

City Manager Hernandez: Actually, I'm going to defer that question to Ms. Taffayne Young to give you the specifics as to what occurs in that location. But just in general, YouthBuild provides a variety of services to the public, especially those related to job training, GED preparation, workforce preparation, and those kinds of things.

Alderwoman Shabazz: Chief Young, on item number 33 I just want you to let the public know exactly some of the things that are happening in the building with the YouthBuild Program.

Taffayne Young, Chief Community Services Officer: The YouthBuild Program works with young people to help them get their GED. They also work with our Housing Department, which partners with YouthBuild and WIOA [Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act] to build construction skills. They build a house generally every year within that program. We’ve had a couple of houses built I think over in the Savanna Gardens area. The recent recruitment we had was last year in Edgemere/Sackville, you may remember that we were recruiting and they were building there. So, it's an excellent program that gives an opportunity for young people who may have run into some challenges in high school or our young adults to participate in a program where it's very structured and they get job skills that lead to good paying jobs.

Alderwoman Shabazz: That's what I wanted to highlight so that our public also knows that we have this program. It's there and that the location in which we are approving this lease is real. It's there and our young people can come in along with some parents, parents come in and find out what you can do to help support your children.

Alderman Foster: Isn’t this grant money?

Chief Young:  Yes, it is.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Hall, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Hall, and unanimously carried per the City Manager’s recommendation.

Alderman Thomas: Mr. City Manager, can you tell us what this is?

City Manager Hernandez: This is a short term lease to use the fifth floor of the Gamble Building through February 28^th. Typically, we get requests from production companies as they're filming in Savannah to use City property or even City office space because office space is lacking in this community. So, what we've got here is they actually want to use the space for some office purposes, but they also want to do some filming inside the Gamble Building. So, this is a short term lease that actually shouldn't even be on the agenda because the Manager is authorized to execute those.

Alderman Johnson: What’s the amount?

City Manager Hernandez: The amount is $7,000 a month.

Alderman Johnson: For how many months?

City Manager Hernandez: Two months, with a one month extension.

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

Alderman Durrence: Although it sounds in language, similar motion to rezone certain properties in the Mid-City Zoning Districts. What this item does is now that we have incorporated that section within the Mid-City Zoning Districts, this assigns the zoning classifications to the properties in that district.

Ordinance read for the first time in Council January 17, 2019, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.

AN ORDINANCE

To Be Entitled

AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE CERTAIN PROPERTY FROM  THE COMMERCIAL BUSINESS (B-C), FOUR-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-4), GENERAL BUSINESS (B-G), NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS (B-N), RESIDENTIAL BUSINESS (R-B), RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONAL PROFESSIONAL (RIP),  AND RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY (RIP-B) ZONING DISTRICTS TO THE MID-CITY DISTRICT’S  TRADITIONAL COMMERCIAL - NEIGHBORHOOD (TC-1), TRADITIONAL COMMERCIAL – CORRIDOR (TC-2), AND TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD (TN-2) ZONING DISTRICTS; TO REPEAL ALL OTHER ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, in a regular meeting of Council assembled and pursuant to lawful authority thereof:

SECTION 1:  The following described property be rezoned to the Mid-City District’s Traditional Commercial - Neighborhood (TC-1) Zoning District:

• AREA 1A:  Beginning at a point at the intersection of the centerlines of West 32^nd Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Martin Luther, King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the northern right-of-way of West 33^rd Street; thence in a easterly direction along the northern right-of-way of West 33^rd Street until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street; thence in a northerly direction along the centerline of Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 32^nd Street; thence along the centerline of West 32^nd Street for a distance of approximately 111 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 31^st Lane;  thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 31^st Lane until its intersection with the centerline of Jefferson Street; thence along the centerline of Jefferson Street for a distance of approximately 74.08 feet to a point; thence in a westerly direction along a line parallel to West 31^st Street for a distance of approximately 147 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Jefferson Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 31^st Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 31^st Street until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 32^nd Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 32^nd Street until its intersection with the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, being the point of beginning.
  • The properties are further identified by the PINs as follows:
    • From their present Community Business (B-C) Zoning District:

• AREA 1B:  Beginning at a point located at the intersection of the centerlines of West 34^th Street extended and Montgomery Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 34^th Street extended until its intersection with the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West 35^th Lane; thence in an easterly direction for a distance of approximately 197 feet to a point; thence in a southerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 36^th Street; thence in a westerly direction for a distance of approximately 59 feet to a point; thence in a southerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 36^th Lane; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 36^th Lane until its intersection with the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West 37^th Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 37^th Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 38^th Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 38^th Street for a distance of approximately 127 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with West 37^th Lane; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 37^th Lane for a distance of approximately 51 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 37^th Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 37^th Street for a distance of approximately 75 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 36^th Lane; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 36^th Lane for a distance of 20 feet; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 36^th Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 36^th Street for a distance of approximately 15 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 35^th Lane; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 35^th Lane for a distance of approximately 62 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 35^th Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 35^th Street for a distance of approximately 54 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 34^th Lane; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 34^th Lane for a distance of approximately 21 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 34^th Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 34^th Street until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street, being the point of beginning.
  • The properties are further identified by the PINs as follows:
    • From their present Community Business (B-C) Zoning District:

• • • From their present Residential Business (R-B) Zoning District:

• • • From their present Residential Institutional Professional (RIP) Zoning District:

• AREA 1C:  Beginning at a point located at the intersection of the centerlines of West 39^th Street and Montgomery Street; thence in a northerly direction along the centerline of Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 38^th Lane; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 38^th Lane for a distance of approximately 127 feet to a point; thence in a southerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 39^th Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 39^th Street until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street, being the point of beginning.
  • The property is further identified by the PINs as follows:
    • From its present Residential Business (R-B) Zoning District:

• AREA 1D:  Beginning at a point located at the intersection of the centerlines of West 39^th Street and Montgomery Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 39^th Street until its intersection with the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West 40^th Lane; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 40^th Lane until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 41^st Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 41^st Street for a distance of approximately 140 feet to a point; thence in a southerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 42^nd Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 42^nd Street until its intersection with the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West Victory Drive; thence in a southerly and southeasterly direction along the centerline of West Victory Drive until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street; thence continuing in an easterly direction along the centerline of West Victory Drive for a distance of approximately 160 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street for a distance of approximately 120 feet to a point; thence in a westerly direction along a line parallel to West Victory Drive for a distance of approximately 50 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 43^rd Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 43^rd Street for a distance of approximately 10 feet to point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 42^nd Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 42^nd Street for a distance of approximately 17 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 41^st Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 41^st Street for a distance of approximately 14 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 40^th Lane; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 40^th Lane for a distance of approximately 1.7 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 40^th Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 40^th Street for a distance of approximately 29.3 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 39^th Lane; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 39^th Lane until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street; thence in a northerly direction along the centerline of Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 39^th Street, being the point of beginning.
  • The properties are further identified by the PINs as follows:
    • From their present Community Business (B-C) Zoning District:

• • • From its present Neighborhood Business (B-N) Zoning District:

• • • From their present Residential Business (R-B) Zoning District:

SECTION 2:  The following described property be rezoned to the Mid-City District’s Traditional Commercial - Corridor (TC-2) Zoning District:

• AREA 2A:  Beginning at a point at the intersection of the centerlines of Montgomery Street and West Anderson Lane; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West Anderson Lane extended for a distance of approximately 158.5 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street for a distance of approximately 21 feet to a point; thence in a westerly direction along a line parallel to West Anderson Street extended until its intersection with the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West 31^st Street, thence continuing in a southerly direction along the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard for a distance of approximately 94.5 feet to a point; thence easterly along a line parallel to West 31^st Street for a distance of approximately 103.3 feet to a point; thence northerly along a line parallel to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West 31^st Street, thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 31^st Street until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street; thence in a northerly direction along the centerline of Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West Anderson Lane, being the point of beginning.
  • The properties are further identified by the PINs as follows:
    • From its present Community Business (B-C) Zoning District:

• • • From their present General Business (B-G) Zoning District:

SECTION 3:  The following described property be rezoned to the Mid-City District’s Traditional Neighborhood-2 (TN-2) Zoning District:

• AREA 3A:  Beginning at a point located at the intersection of the centerlines of West 33^rd Street and Montgomery Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 33^rd Street until its intersection with the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard thence in a southerly direction along the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West 34^th Street extended; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 34^th Street extended until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street; continuing in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 34^th Street for a distance of approximately 97 feet to a point; thence in a southerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 34^th Lane; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 34^th Lane for a distance of approximately 21 feet to a point; thence in a southerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until it intersection with the centerline of West 35^th Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 35^th Street for a distance of approximately 54 feet to a point; thence in a southerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 35^th Lane; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 35^th Lane for a distance of approximately 62 feet to a point; thence in a southerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 36^th Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 36^th Street for a distance of approximately 105 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 35^th Lane; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 35^th Lane for a distance of approximately 32 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 35^th Street; thence in a westerly direction for a distance of approximately 46 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 34^th Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 34^th Street for a distance of approximately 30 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with West 33^rd Lane; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 33^rd Lane for a distance of approximately 65 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 33^rd Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 33^rd Street for a distance of approximately 35 feet; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 32^nd Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 32^nd Street for a distance of approximately 25 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 31^st Lane; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 31^st Lane for a distance of approximately 80 feet; thence in a southerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 32^nd Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 32^nd Street until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Montgomery Street until its intersection with the northern right-of-way of West 33^rd Street, being the point of beginning.
  • The properties are further identified by the PINs as follows:
    • From their present Community Business (B-C) Zoning District:

• • • From its present Residential, Medium Density (RIP-B) Zoning District:

• AREA 3B:  Beginning at a point located at the intersection of the centerlines of West 35^th Lane and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West 36^th Lane; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 36^th Lane for a distance of approximately 185 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West 36^th Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 36^th Street for a distance of approximately 59 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West 35^th Lane; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 35^th Lane until its intersection with the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, being the point of beginning.
  • The properties are further identified by the PINs as follows:
    • From their present Residential Business (R-B) Zoning District:

• AREA 3C:  Beginning at a point located at the intersection of the centerlines of West 37^th Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West 39^th Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 39^th Street until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street; thence in a northerly direction along the centerline of Montgomery Street until its intersection with West 38^th Lane; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 38^th Lane until its intersection with the centerline of Jefferson Street; thence in a northerly direction along the centerline of Jefferson Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 38^th Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 38^th Street until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street; thence in a northerly direction along the centerline of Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 37^th Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 37^th Street until its intersection with Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, being the point of beginning.
  • The properties are further identified by the PINs as follows:
    • From their present Residential Business (R-B) Zoning District:

• • • From its present Residential Institutional Professional (RIP) Zoning District:

• AREA 3D:  Beginning at a point located at the intersection of the centerlines of West 39^th Street and Montgomery Street; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 39^th Lane; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 39^th Lane for a distance of approximately 97 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with the centerline of West 39^th Street; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 39^th Street until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street, being the point of beginning.
  • The properties are further identified by the PINs as follows:
    • From their present Community Business (B-C) Zoning District:

• AREA 3E:  Beginning at a point located at the intersection of the centerlines of West 40^th Lane and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; thence in a southerly direction along the centerline of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard until its intersection with the centerline of West 42^nd Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 42^nd Street for a distance of approximately 185 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction along a line parallel to Montgomery Street until its intersection with West 41^st Street; thence in an easterly direction along the centerline of West 41^st Street until its intersection with the centerline of Montgomery Street; thence in a northerly direction along the centerline of Montgomery Street until its intersection with West 40^th Lane; thence in a westerly direction along the centerline of West 40^th Lane until its intersection with Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, being the point of beginning.
  • The properties are further identified by the PINs as follows:
    • From their present Community Business (B-C) Zoning District:

• • • From their present Four Family Residential (R-4) Zoning District:

SECTION 4:  That the requirements of Section 8-3182(f)(2) of said Code and the law in such cases made and provided has been satisfied.  An opportunity for a public hearing was afforded anyone having an interest or property right which may have been affected by this zoning amendment, said notice being published in the Savannah Morning News, on the 19^th day of December, 2018, a copy of said notice being attached hereto and made a part hereof.

SECTION 5: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This ordinance shall be effective as of the date hereof.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: JANUARY 17, 2019

City Attorney Settlements

Jen Herman, Interim City Attorney: We have three settlements today.

Settlement of a personal injuries claim for Lester Seabrook. Lester Seabrook's vehicle was struck by a SCMPD Officer in April 2014 who failed to yield the right away. He amassed some $27,000 in medical expenses. We are recommending a settlement of $45,000 in full and final settlement of that claim.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Foster, and unanimously carried per the City Attorney’s recommendation.

Settlement of a workers' compensation claim for Nathaniel Bowles. Mr. Bowles was a Water Operations Maintenance employee. He was initially injured in January 2010 when a dump truck backed into his vehicle. He sustained neck, low back and other injuries in 2012. He had another on the job injury that was to his right shoulder. He's had a series of surgeries and is approaching eligibility for catastrophic designation which would open up liability for income and medical benefits, which we estimate at least on the income portion would be some $320,000 of potential exposure. We've agreed, subject to the Council's approval, to settle this claim in full and final form for $175,000. $140,000 of that would be City money. The remaining $35,000 would be the excess policy that we have with Safety National. So, we recommend full and final settlement at $175,000.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Attorney’s recommendation.

Settlement of a claim by Memorial Hospital. Memorial Hospital petitioned the Zoning Board of Appeals for two variances related to the size and messaging on a particular sign. The ZBA granted the approval of the variance with respect to the size, but did not approve the request for rotation of the sign to reflect emergency room wait times. So, they appealed to the Superior Court. We've reached a tentative settlement to allow the sign to change no more than once every 25 minutes to advise the public of wait times for the emergency room at Memorial.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Foster, and unanimously carried per the City Attorney’s recommendation.

Motion to hire Mark Massey as Clerk of Council for the City of Savannah.

Alderwoman Bell: So, this is an employment offer to Mark Massey for the position of Clerk of Council with the City of Savannah with the following terms of employment:

• Annual salary of $95,000
• Retirement benefits consistent with retirement benefits currently provided to other department directors for the City
• We accepted his offer to voluntarily decline the City of Savannah’s medical benefits and remain on his current retirement medical benefits as a result of his last employment
• He would have the support to interview, release, and/or select existing or new staff members for the Clerk of Council’s Office
• He will be reimbursed relocation expenses, house hunting and/or temporary living not to exceed $5,000
• Awarded a starting balance of 40 hours of incentive leave
• If his employment is terminated by the City of Savannah on a no cause basis the City agrees to pay a lump sum severance payment equal to six months’ salary

Alderman Johnson: Mr. Mayor, members of Council, I'm going to be voting against this. I have no problems with Mr. Massey, I've known him personally for almost 20 years. I don't have an issue with the person, I have an issue with the process of how this came about. My issue is very clear and not getting into names, but the process was that ultimately an employment contract had been extended before the Council members were aware of the terms of the contract. That is not how business should be conducted. Obviously Council members should have the opportunity to weigh in on the terms of a contract regarding their employee prior to an employment offer being extended. There were some terms to which I definitely had some issues with and would have loved the opportunity as we were promised to be able to discuss as a Council. So, in my mind that's not the best way for us to be able to go. I certainly cannot support this particular employment agreement in this way. The other issue that I have is that of course some of the terms within there are not things that are consistent to department directors within the City. I certainly hope that Mr. Hernandez to your five chiefs that you also extend six months of leave to them. If this is something that we're starting a new wave on. I believe that people need to feel secure in their jobs and if that's going to be a recruitment tool then let's do that for everybody and not just for a few. Thank you.

Alderwoman Shabazz: I just want to make a statement that when we were in Executive Session and we had deep conversation in reference to this employment. I made my statements known then about how the process is handled in reference to bringing information back to the Council as the Mayor was doing the negotiations. As I stated that in my experience in being on Council that any negotiations that takes place, it's brought back to the entire Council to approve. But I'm going to vote for this employment. Every administration is different and I am seeing that. I liked the way that things were being done when I first came on Council. So, my whole statement in all of this is that we must do better and as we move forward in doing things let's just include everybody when making decision. Thank you.

Alderman Thomas: I want to concur with the comments made by my colleagues Alderman Van Johnson and Alderman Estella Shabazz. I've been here a long time and I just feel that Mr. Massey is an excellent choice and candidate, but I do not believe that the process was carried out in the way it should have been. I'm going to vote no on this strictly out of the principle of the process as I stated in my comments in the Executive Session.

Alderman Hall: Mayor and Council, this is the first time that we have chosen a Clerk of Council in over thirty years, maybe forty years. The City Attorney went the same way, the City Administrator went the same way, if some mistakes were made they were made from the head not the heart. So, I have no problems with your conditions that you made with Mr. Massey.

Mayor DeLoach: I do appreciate each one of you stating the fact that Mr. Massey is an excellent choice. If the process was wrong I do apologize for that, but I do want to make sure everybody understands that we did get probably the best that we will ever have in that position. I feel like long-term he's going to do us a wonderful job and I'm excited about him coming and doing that job. So, thank you all for being there and I apologize again anybody who feels wronged by it. I’m right here to say I apologize and we’ll do a better job next time.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and carried with the following voting in favor: Mayor DeLoach, Aldermen Bell, Miller, Foster, Durrence, Hall, and Shabazz. Aldermen Johnson and Thomas voted against the motion.

Announcements

Alderwoman Bell discussed the Multi-Agency Resource Center (The Front Porch), of which the City of Savannah is one of several agencies collaborating together to serve juveniles. The City provided the facility on the corner of Abercorn and 34^th streets. They had their first board meeting this week and to date the MARC has served over seventy young people through referrals and walk-ins at The Front Porch. This means that seventy plus people are not engaged in the criminal justice system. She thanked Chief Gavin and Chief Minter for their help. The referral process with the Savannah Police Department will start soon. They are developing protocols and procedures and will start with Precinct 3, before going City-wide. She expressed that this is good news and a game changer for the community. Alderwoman Bell stated that she had never seen this many agencies working together under one roof. The Annie Casey Foundation is using the MARC as a model of best practices.

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=LbAaS147EB4L