City of Savannah


City Council Regular Meeting


AGENDA


Thursday, January 22, 2026 - 2:00 p.m.


City Hall
2 East Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31401
www.savannahga.gov
SAVANNAH CITY COUNCIL

Van R. Johnson, II, Mayor
Carol Bell, Post 1, At-large
Alicia Miller Blakely, Post 2, At-large
Bernetta B. Lanier, District 1
Detric Leggett, District 2
Linda Wilder-Bryan, District 3, Vice-Chairman
Nick Palumbo, District 4, Chairman
Dr. Estella Edwards Shabazz, District 5, Mayor Pro Tem
Kurtis Purtee, District 6
Joseph A. Melder, City Manager
Mark Massey, City Clerk
R. Bates Lovett, City Attorney

NOTE TO AUDIENCE

Meeting will begin at 2:00 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE NOW ACCEPTED ONLY FOR HEARINGS

(Alcohol, Public, Zoning, and Budget)

Please limit comments to 2 minutes.

"Savannah will be a safe, environmentally healthy, and economically thriving community for all."

 
January 22, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER
INVOCATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
1. Adoption of the Regular Meeting Agenda for January 22, 2026.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. Approval of the Minutes for the Work Session and City Manager's Briefing Held on January 8, 2026, at 12:30 p.m.
Agenda Plus_WS DRAFT MINUTES January 8, 2026 City Council Workshop_watermark.pdf
3. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular Meeting Held on January 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Agenda Plus_RM DRAFT MINUTES_January 8, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting_watermark.pdf
ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS
PRESENTATIONS
4. Appearance and Recognition by Savannah Book Festival
5. Appearance and Recognition by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) in Recognition of the Authority's 100th Anniversary, including the Presentation of an Official Proclamation
6. Appearance and Recognition by WSAV-TV in Recognition of the Station's 70th Anniversary, including the Presentation of an Official Proclamation.
7. Appearance and Recognition by the Savannah Interagency Diversity Council (SIDC) to formally Announce Traffick Jam 2026, to be held January 23-24, 2026, at The Savannah State University, Highlighting its Mission to Raise Awareness and Prevent Human Trafficking
ALCOHOL LICENSE HEARINGS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
8. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Beer, Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to Mark Lehman for Foley House at 14 West Hull Street. A Hotel Located Between Whitaker Street and Bull Street in Aldermanic District 2. (New Applicant/ Existing Business)
Exhibit 1- Checklist: Foley House Inn
Exhibit 2- Density Map: Foley House Inn
Exhibit 3- Alcohol Reports: Foley House Inn
Exhibit 4- Measurement Report: Foley House Inn
Exhibit 5- Safety Plan: Foley House Inn
9. Approval of a Class A (Liquor, Beer, Wine), (Caterer) Class C (Liquor, Beer, Wine) (By the Drink) with Sunday Sales and Class E (Beer and Wine) (By the Package) Alcohol License to Mark Lehmen for J.W. Marriott at 300-500 West River Street. A Hotel Located Between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Barnard Street Ramp in Aldermanic District 2. (New Applicant/ Existing Business)
Exhibit 1- Checklist : JW Marriott Hotel
Exhibit 2- Density Map: JW Marriott Hotel
Exhibit 3- Alcohol Report: JW Marriott Hotel
Exhibit 4- Measurement Report: JW Marriott Hotel
Exhibit 5- Safety Plan: JW Marriott Hotel
10. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Beer, Wine) (By the Drink) with Sunday Sales Alcohol License to Mark Lehman for JW Marriott Hotel Pavilion 1 at 300-500 West River Street. A Restaurant Located Between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Barnard Street Ramp in Aldermanic District 2. The Applicant Plans to Continue to Operate as a Restaurant. (New Applicant/ Existing Business)
Exhibit 1- Checklist JW Marriott Pavilion 1
Exhibit 2- Density Map: JW Marriott Pavilion 1
Exhibit 3- Alcohol Report: JW Marriott Pavilion 1
Exhibit 4- Measurement Report: JW Marriott Pavilion 1
Exhibit 5- Safety Plan: JW Marriott Pavilion 1
11. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Beer, Wine) (By the Drink) with Sunday Sales Alcohol License to Mark Lehman for JW Marriott Pavilion 2, at 300-500 West River Street. A Restaurant Located Between Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Barnard Street Ramp in Aldermanic District 2. The Applicant Plans to Operate as a Restaurant. (New Applicant/ Existing Business)
Exhibit 1-Checklist: JW Marriott Pavilion 2
Exhibit 2- Density Map: JW Marriott Pavilion 2
Exhibit 3- Alcohol Report: JW Marriott Pavilion 2
Exhibit 4- Measurement Report: JW Marriott Pavilion 2
Exhibit 5- Safety Plan: JW Marriott Pavilion 2
12. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Beer, Wine) (By the Drink) with Sunday Sale Alcohol License to Mark Lehman for JW Marriott Pavilion 3 at 300-500 West River Street. A Restaurant Located Between Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Barnard Street Ramp in Aldermanic District 2. The Applicant Plans to Continue to Operate as a Restaurant. (New Applicant/ Existing Business)
Exhibit 1- Checklist: JW Marriott Pavilion 3
Exhibit 2- Density Map: JW Marriott Pavilion 3
Exhibit 3- Alcohol Reports: JW Marriott Pavilion 3
Exhibit 4- Measurement Report: JW Marriott Pavilion 3
Exhibit 5- Safety Plan - JW Marriott Pavilion 3
13. Approval of Class C (Beer, Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to Sunzhu Ye for Sushi Kingdom at 7804 Abercorn Street. Suite. 63A. A Restaurant Located Between Mall Boulevard and East Fairmont Avenue in Aldermanic District 4. (New Applicant/ New Request).
Exhibit 1- Checklist: Sushi Kingdom
Exhibit 2- Density Map: Sushi Kingdom
Exhibit 3- Alcohol Reports: Sushi Kingdom
Exhibit 4- Measurement Report: Sushi Kingdom
Exhibit 5- Safety Plan: Sushi Kingdom
14. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Beer, Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to Stacy Ritchie for J. Christopher's, at 122 East Liberty Street. A Restaurant Located Between Floyd Street and Abercorn Street in Aldermanic District 2. The Applicant Plans to Continue to Operate as a Restaurant. (New Applicant/ Existing Business)
Exhibit 1- Checklist: J. Christophers
Exhibit 2- Density Map: J. Christophers
Exhibit 3- Alcohol Reports: J. Christophers
Exhibit 4- Measurement Report: J. Christophers
Exhibit 5- Safety Plan: J. Christophers
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ZONING HEARINGS
15. A Petition of Tom Bolton on behalf of Vintage Home Builders, LLC for a Special Use Permit to Establish a Hotel in TC-1 (Traditional Commercial-1) Zoning District with Conditions on 0.32 acres at 2512 Habersham Street (20075 21007) in Aldermanic District 2 (25-005273-ZA).
Exhibit 1: MPC Recommendation Packet for 2512 Habersham Special Use Permit (25-005273-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 2: Maps for 2512 Habersham (25-005273-ZA).pdf
16. Petition of Josh Yellin on behalf of EJ McLean with First City Brewing, LLC for Midtown Savannah Property Investments, LLC for a Special Use Permit to Establish a Microbrewery with Conditions in the TC-1 (Traditional Commercial - 1) Zoning District on 0.57 acres at 1722 Habersham Street (20064 09015) in Aldermanic District 2 (25-005686-ZA).
Exhibit 1: MPC Recommendation Packet for 1722 Habersham Special Use Permit (25-005686-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 2: Maps for 1722 Habersham (25-005686-ZA).pdf
17. Petition of Jack Parker of Catalyst Design Group for Todd Maxwell of Savannah Health Services, LLC for a Map Amendment to Rezone 92.92 acres at 4700 Waters Avenue (PINs listed in Description) from PD (Planned Development) to PD (Planned Development) for Uses Allowable in OI (Office and Institutional) and OI-E (Office and Institutional-Expanded) in Aldermanic District 3 (25-005241-ZA).
Exhibit 1: MPC Recommendation Packet for the Memorial Health PD (25-005241-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 2: Maps for 4700 Waters Avenue (25-005241-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 3: Memorial Health PD Master Plan.pdf
Exhibit 4: Memorial Health PD Text.pdf
18. Petition of Bridget Lidy on behalf of The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia for a Future Land Use Map Amendment from Residential-Single Family, Industry-Light and Commercial-Neighborhood to Planned Development for 9.99 acres along Dawes Avenue (PINs listed in Description) in Aldermanic District 5 (25-005810-ZA). (Planning and Urban Design)
Exhibit 1: MPC Recommendation Packet for Dawes Avenue FLUM (25-005810-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 2: Dawes Avenue FLUM (25-005810-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 3: Draft Ordinance for Dawes Avenue FLUM (25-005810-ZA).pdf
19. Petition of Bridget Lidy on behalf of The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia for a Zoning Map Amendment from RSF-5 (Residential Single Family-5), C-P (Conservation Park), and (Light Industrial) Zoning Districts to Planned Development for 9.99 acres along Dawes Avenue (PINs listed in Description) to permit the construction of 32 single family homes in Aldermanic District 5 (25-005811-ZA). (Planning and Urban Design)
Exhibit 1: MPC Recommendation Packet for Dawes Avenue Rezoning (25-005811-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 2: Dawes Avenue Zoning Map (25-005811-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 3: Dawes Avenue PD Master Plan.pdf
Exhibit 4: Dawes Avenue PD Text.pdf
Exhibit 5: Draft Ordinance for Dawes Avenue PD (25-005811-ZA).pdf
PETITIONS
ORDINANCES - FIRST AND SECOND READING - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
20. Petition of Jack Parker of Catalyst Design Group for Todd Maxwell of Savannah Health Services, LLC for a Map Amendment to Rezone 92.92 acres at 4700 Waters Avenue (PINs listed in Description) from PD (Planned Development) to PD (Planned Development) for Uses Allowable in OI (Office and Institutional) and OI-E (Office and Institutional-Expanded) Zoning Districts in Aldermanic District 3 (25-005241-ZA). (Planning and Urban Design)
Exhibit 1: MPC Recommendation Packet for the Memorial Health PD (25-005241-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 2: Maps for 4700 Waters Avenue (25-005241-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 3: Memorial Health PD Master Plan.pdf
Exhibit 4: Memorial Health PD Text.pdf
21. Petition of Bridget Lidy on behalf of The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia for a Future Land Use Map Amendment from Residential-Single Family, Industry-Light and Commercial-Neighborhood to Planned Development for 9.99 acres along Dawes Avenue (PINs listed in Description) in Aldermanic District 5 (25-005810-ZA). (Planning and Urban Design)
Exhibit 1: MPC Recommendation Packet for Dawes Avenue FLUM (25-005810-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 2: Dawes Avenue FLUM (25-005810-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 3: Draft Ordinance for Dawes Avenue FLUM (25-005810-ZA).pdf
22. Petition of Bridget Lidy on behalf of The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia for a Zoning Map Amendment from RSF-5 (Residential Single Family-5), C-P (Conservation Park), and (Light Industrial) Zoning Districts to Planned Development for 9.99 acres along Dawes Avenue (PINs listed in Description) in Aldermanic District 5 (25-005811-ZA). (Planning and Urban Design)
Exhibit 1: MPC Recommendation Packet for Dawes Avenue Rezoning (25-005811-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 2: Dawes Avenue Zoning Map (25-005811-ZA).pdf
Exhibit 3: Dawes Avenue PD Master Plan.pdf
Exhibit 4: Dawes Avenue PD Text.pdf
Exhibit 5: Draft Ordinance for Dawes Avenue PD (25-005811-ZA).pdf
ORDINANCES - FIRST READING
ORDINANCES - SECOND READING - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
23. Adoption of The Amendment to the 2026 Revenue Ordinance to Establish a Stormwater Utility Rate Ordinance Within the City of Savannah Code of Ordinances (FY 2026 Revenue Ordinance). (Water Resources Department).
Exhibit 3_savannah_stormwater_utility_project_memo_11_18_2025_es_1_1.pdf
Exhibit 2_MEMO_Revenue Ord Amendment_SW Utility Rate Ord_111825_revised 011526.docx
Exhibit 1_ORD REV Stormwater Utility Fees_rev012226_Draft-Final.docx
CONSENT AGENDA - (This section shall include all routine items for which it is anticipated there will be no debate or requests for public input. Any Alderman can remove consent items for discussion or separate consideration.)
PURCHASING ITEMS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
24. Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Modification No. 1 of the Awarded Primary Vendor for Section A- Concrete Work and the Secondary Vendor for Section B- Brick Work of Sidewalk, Curb, and Cobblestone Repair Contract. (Transportation Services)
25. Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Modification No. 2 for Illegal Dump Clearing with Samjay Services, Inc in an Amount Not to Exceed $115,000. (Park and Tree)
Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Illegal Dump Clearing.pdf
Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Illegal Dump Clearing.pdf
26. Authorize the City Manager to Award a Construction Contract to Dabbs-Williams Contractors, LLC for the Construction of a New Columbarium at Greenwich Cemetery in the Amount of $1,327,544. (Capital Projects)
Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Greenwich Cemetery Columbarium.pdf
Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Greenwich Cemetery Columbarium.pdf
27. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Construction Contract with Lynn Construction Company for Roof and Lighting Repairs at the Southside Fleet Maintenance Facility - Shop 1 Located at 6900 Sallie Mood Drive in the Amount of $294,909. (Capital Projects)
Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Sallie Mood Maintenance Facility Roof Repairs.pdf
Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Sallie Mood Maintenance Facility Roof Repairs.pdf
28. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract with Metro Elevator for the Modernization of the City Hall Elevator in the Amount of $1,000,000. (Capital Projects)
Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - City Hall Elevator Modernization.pdf
Exhibit 2: Event No. 12060 PN City Hall Elevator Modernization.pdf
SAVANNAH AIRPORT COMMISSION
29. Approval of Change Order No. 4 with Iugis Construction, Inc. for the Terminal Concourse Expansion Project, in the Amount of $3,242,738.
30. Approval to Renew Services for the Embross Common Use Passenger Processing System and Common Use Self-Service System from Infax Inc., in the Amount of $40,135.
31. Approval to Purchase Hold Room Seating from Herman Miller, Inc., dba National Office Systems, in the Amount of $774,307.
32. Approval to Renew Contract for Professional Services with Ailevon Pacific Aviation Consulting, in the Amount of $173,250.
33. Approval to Execute a Contract with Marketing and PR Consultant Jo Piani of Luna PR, in the Amount of $55,000.
34. Approval to Award Change Order No. 1 to Arentz General Contracting, Inc., for the Equipment Storage Building Project, in the Amount of $554,190.
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
RESOLUTIONS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
AGREEMENTS
35. Approval of a Water & Sewer Agreement with Cowan Industrial, LLC for Hill Durrence Townhomes in An Amount Not to Exceed $614,800 in Aldermanic District 5. (Water Resources)
Exhibit 1: Water & Sewer Agreement - Hill Durrence Townhomes.pdf
REAL ESTATE ITEMS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
36. Settlement #1
37. Settlement #2
38. Settlement #3
MISCELLANEOUS
39. Authorize the City Manager to Approve a Major Subdivision, The Pines at New Hampstead, Phase 5A in Aldermanic District 5. (Development Services Department).
Exhibit 1: Plat of Major Subdivision, The Pines at New Hampstead, Phase 5A.pdf
Exhibit 2: MPC Approval Decision.pdf
Exhibit 3: Master Plan Exhibits.pdf
40. Authorize the City Manager to Approve a Major Subdivision, Edgewater Phase 2B, New Hampstead neighborhood, in Aldermanic District 5. (Development Services Department).
Exhibit 1: Plat of Major Subdivision, Edgewater Phase 2B New Hampstead.pdf.
Exhibit 2: MPC Approval Decision.pdf
Exhibit 3: Master Approval Plan.pdf
Agenda Plus