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JUNE 11, 2026 - 2:00 p.m. - CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CITY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
The regular meeting of the City Council was held at 2:05 p.m., in Council Chambers. Mayor Van R. Johnson, II called the meeting to order. He then introduced Reverend Dr. Da'Henri R. Thurmond, Sr, Senior Pastor of St. Paul CME Church, to offer the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was recited in unison.
PRESENT: Mayor Van R. Johnson, II Alderwoman Carolyn H. Bell, At-Large, Post 1 Alderwoman Alicia Miller Blakely, At-Large, Post 2 Alderwoman Bernetta B. Lanier, District 1 Alderman Detric Leggett, District 2 Alderwoman Linda Wilder, District 3 - Vice Chair Alderman Nick Palumbo, District 4 - Chairman Alderwoman Dr. Estella Edwards Shabazz, District 5 - Mayor Pro Tem Alderman Kurtis Purtee, District 6
ALSO, PRESENT: City Manager Jay Melder Assistant City Manager Taffanye Young Chief of Staff Daphanie Williams City Attorney Bates Lovett Clerk of Council Mark Massey Deputy Clerk of Council Gwendolyn Jones |
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| APPROVAL OF AGENDA | |
| 1. Adoption of the Regular Meeting Agenda for June 11, 2026. | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to adopt/approve item #1, as amended thereby adding a special presentation as requested by the Mayor, seconded by Ald. Purtee and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Miller Blakely was away from the dais during the vote. |
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| APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
| 2. Approval of the Minutes for the Work Session and City Manager's Briefing Held on May 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. | |
| Agenda Plus -WS DRAFT MINUTES_May 28, 2026 City Council Workshop-watermark.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #2 and #3, seconded by Ald. Lanier and Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Miller Blakely was away from dais during the vote. |
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| 3. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular Meeting Held on May 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. | |
| Agenda Plus -RM DRAFT MINUTES_ May 28, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting-watermark.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #2 and #3, seconded by Ald. Lanier and Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Miller Blakely was away from dais during the vote. *Mayor Johnson entertained a motion that an executive session regarding litigation and real estate was held earlier, following the work session presentation for which no action was taken. All members were present for the executive session. Also in attendence were the City Manager, the City Attorney, and Clerk of Council. Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a related affidavit and resolution, seconded by Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Miller Blakely was away from the dais during the vote. *Mayor Johnson recognized the 66th Mayor Eddie DeLoach who attended the meeting. |
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| PRESENTATIONS | |
| 4. Appearance and Recognition by Cape Coast African Delegation | |
*Mayor Johnson recognized City Manager Jay Melder for his years of service and presented him with his five (5) year pin. Mayor Johnson recognized Chief Dr. Joseph Silver and the Greater Savannah Ghana Alliance to present special guests from Ghana, Ms. Linda Yaa Kwabia and Kenneth Yaoh Ketor. |
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| 5. Appearance and Recognition by the PROUD Savannah Taskforce to Receive a Proclamation to Declare June 2026 as Pride Month in Savannah | |
Mayor Johnson presented an official proclamation proclaiming June 2026 as Pride Month in Savannah to Pam Miller, Ald. Purtee, and members of PROUD Savannah Taskforce. |
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| 6. Proclamation Proclaiming June 19, 2026 as JUNETEENTH Day in the City of Savannah | |
Mayor Johnson and Ald. Lanier presented an official proclamation proclaiming June 19, 2026, as JUNETEENTH Day in the City of Savannah. |
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| 7. Appearance by the Tau Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. to Announce and Highlight Activities Associated with their 5th Annual Brotherhood Month Celebration | |
Mayor Johnson recognized the appearance of the Tau Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Chapter First Vice President and SPD's Police Administrator Kelvin Bryant along with Chapter President Deion Williams announced and highlighted the activities associated with their 5th Annual Brotherhood Month Celebration. |
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| 8. Appearance and Recognition of City of Savannah 2026 GRPA Class A Track Meet Youth Athlete Champions (Recreation & Leisure Services Department) | |
Mayor Johnson and Recreation & Leisure Services Assistant Director Ricky Allison presented the City of Savannah 2026 GRPA Class A Track Meet Youth Athlete Champions. |
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| ALCOHOL LICENSE HEARINGS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE) | |
| 9. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Beer, and Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to Mark Johnson for Four Points by Sheraton Savannah Airport at 110 Stephen S. Green Drive. The Establishment is Located between Airways Ave and Bourne Ave in Aldermanic District 1. The Applicant plans to Operate as a Hotel. (New Applicant/New Business) | |
| Exhibit 1 - Checklist: Four Points by Sheraton Savannah Airport | |
| Exhibit 2 - Density Map: Four Points by Sheraton Savannah Airport | |
| Exhibit 3 - Alcohol Report: Four Points by Sheraton Savannah Airport | |
| Exhibit 4 - Measurement Report: Four Points by Sheraton Savannah Airport | |
| Exhibit 5 - Safety Plan: Four Points by Sheraton Savannah Airport | |
Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol hearings open for agenda items #9, #10, and #11. No speaker(s). a. Ald. Leggett moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #9, #10, and #11, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. b. Ald. Lanier moved to approve agenda item #9, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Leggett. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 10. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Beer, and Wine) (By the Drink) and Class D (Beer and Wine) (By the Package) with Sunday Sales Alcohol License to Dhaval Patel for Broughton Reserve, a Restaurant, at 107 West Broughton Street. The Establishment is Located between Barnard Street and Whitaker Street in Aldermanic District 2. The Applicant Plans to Operate as a Restaurant. (New Applicant/New Business) | |
| Exhibit 1 - Checklist: Broughton Reserve | |
| Exhibit 2 - Density Map: Broughton Reserve | |
| Exhibit 3 - Alcohol Report: Broughton Reserve | |
| Exhibit 4 - Measurement Report: Broughton Reserve | |
| Exhibit 5 - Safety Plan: Broughton Reserve | |
Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol hearings open for agenda items #9, #10, and #11. No speaker(s). a. Ald. Leggett moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #9, #10, and #11, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. b. Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #10, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 11. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Beer, and Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to Tobey Vu for Pho 5Spices, a Restaurant, at 114 East Broughton Street. The Establishment is Located between Drayton Street and Abercorn Street in Aldermanic District 2. The Applicant Plans to Operate as a Restaurant. (New Applicant/New Business) | |
| Exhibit 1 - Checklist: Pho 5Spices | |
| Exhibit 2 - Density Map: Pho 5Spices | |
| Exhibit 3 - Alcohol Report: Pho 5Spices | |
| Exhibit 4 - Measurement Report: Pho 5Spices | |
| Exhibit 5 - Safety Plan: Pho 5Spices | |
Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol hearings open for agenda items #9, #10, and #11. No speaker(s). a. Ald. Leggett moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #9, #10, and #11, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. b. Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #11, seconded by Ald. Wilder and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| ORDINANCES - FIRST READING | |
| 12. Amendment to Sunday Alcohol Sales Requirements for Museums. (Revenue Department) | |
| Exhibit 1: ORD ABO Museum Sunday Sales.docx | |
HEARD FOR FIRST READING ONLY. |
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| PURCHASING ITEMS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE) | |
| 13. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Construction Contract for the Repair of Bridges at the Bacon Park Golf Course with The Polote Corporation in the Amount of $319,256.85. (Capital Projects) | |
| Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Bacon Park Golf Course Bridge Repairs.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Bacon Park Golf Course Bridge Repairs.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #13 through #16, seconded by Ald. Wilder and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 14. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract for a Quantitative Workload Assessment Study with CERTUS in an Amount Not to Exceed $100,000. (SPD) | |
| Exhbit 1: Funding Verification - SPD Quantitative Workload Assessment.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - SPD Quantitative Workload Assessment.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #13 through #16, seconded by Ald. Wilder and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 15. Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Modification No. 1 for One Ton Chlorine Cylinders with JCI Chemicals in an Amount of $80,000. (Water Reclamation Department) | |
| Exhibt 1: Funding Verification - Contract Modification No. 1 for One Ton Chlorine Cylinders with JCI Chemicals.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Contract Modification No. 1 for One Ton Chlorine Cylinders with JCI Chemicals.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #13 through #16, seconded by Ald. Wilder and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 16. Authorize the City Manager to Execute Purchase of Dell IT Equipment for SCADA Modernization with Dell Technologies in the Amount of $99,724.69. (Water Supply & Treatment Department) | |
| Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Purchase of Dell IT Equipment for SCADA Modernization.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Purchase of Dell IT Equipment for SCADA Modernization.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #13 through #16, seconded by Ald. Wilder and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| RESOLUTIONS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE) | |
| 17. Resolution Accepting a Donation from the Bonaventure Historical Society in the Amount of $24,435. (Park & Tree Department) | |
| Exhibit 1: BHS Sign Donation Proclamation May 2026 - DRAFT.docx | |
Ald. Palumbo moved to approve item #17, seconded by Ald. Leggett. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. Mr. Bob Alhouse with the Bonaventure Historical Society presented Park & Tree Sr. Director Gordon Denney with a check. |
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| 18. Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds Over the Next Three Years in an Amount Not to Exceed $357,500,000. (Financial Services Department) | |
| Exhibit 1: 2026 thru 2030 Water and Sewer Forecast Memo.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Preliminary Not to Exceed 2026 Bond Numbers | |
| Exhibit 3: Master Bond Res (Savannah W&S) (v3) 06-01-26.pdf | |
Ald. Wilder moved to approve item #18, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz and Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 19. Approval of a Resolution to Adopt the Public Art Master Plan (Cultural Resources) | |
| Exhibit 1: Public Art Master Plan_Resolution_June 11 2026.pdf | |
Ald. Palumbo moved to approve item #19, seconded by Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 20. Authorize the Use of Judicial In Rem Tax Foreclosure Procedures (City Attorney's Office) | |
Ald. Palumbo moved to approve item #17, seconded by Ald. Lanier and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| AGREEMENTS | |
| 21. Approval of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Rotary Club of Savannah, Rotary Club of Metropolitan Savannah, and the City of Savannah for creation of the ‘Herb Traub Gathering Space’ in Forsyth Park Located in Aldermanic District 2. (Park and Tree Department) | |
| Exhibit 1: Herb Traub Project Forsyth MOU_Final.pdf | |
Ald. Leggett moved to approve item #21, adding that the Rotary Club and the City of Savannah continue to work together to address the issues that the public had regarding the furniture, seconded by Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. Ald. Leggett stated that we recognized some of the issues that the community had and worked through those isses by allowing the Rotary Club along with the City of Savannah to partner up to figure out the issues that they had with the furniture. Mayor Johnson noted that a supportive letter from the Downtown Neighborhood Assocation was received. He then invited former mayor, Eddie DeLoach, to the podium to give remarks. |
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| REAL ESTATE ITEMS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE) | |
| 22. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Five-Year Lease Amendment at an Annual Rate of $34,500 for the Facility to Support the Project DeRenne Relocation Assistance Program (RAP) Located at 5521 Abercorn Street in Aldermanic District 4. (Real Estate Services Department) | |
| Exhibit 1; Map - 5521 Abercorn Street (1).pdf | |
| Exhibit 2; Original Lease - 5521 Abercorn St - Exe (1).pdf | |
| Exhibit 3; Map - Project DeRenne (1).pdf | |
| Exhibit 4; 1st Amendment to Lease - 5521 Abercorn Street (1).pdf | |
Ald. Wilder moved to adopt/approve item #22, seconded by Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz asked City Manager Melder to provide a brief summary about the project. City Manager Melder responded.
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| CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS | |
| 23. Settlement #1 | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve item # 23, authorizing the City Attorney's Office to settle the claim of Pearlie Mae Williams Cutter for $500,000, seconded by Ald. Lanier and Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.
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| MISCELLANEOUS | |
| 24. First Reading of the Downtown Savannah Authority Bond Application for Approximately $31 Million in Bond Funding to Construct a Parking Garage at Eastern Wharf Located in Aldermanic District 2. (This is an announcement only. No action is required.) (Financial Services Department) | |
| Exhibit 1: City Request For Assistance.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Preliminary Numbers (5.15 Rates).pdf | |
| Exhibit 3: City SRL development agreement.pdf | |
| Exhibit 4: DSA Application to the City.pdf | |
HEARD FOR FIRST READING ONLY. Mayor Johnson stated that it has been explained that this is an announcement only. No action is required and this is consistent with the development plan that the council has already approved. Mayor Johnson read the letter from the Downtown Savannah Authority into the record. |
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| 25. Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Modification No. 1 with McKnight Construction Company for the Guaranteed Maximum Price for the Construction of the Community Center at Windsor Forest in the Amount of $9,800,000. (Capital Projects) | |
| Exhibit 1: Funding Verification- Community Center at Windsor Forest.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Event No. 11731 - PN Community Center at Windsor Forest.pdf | |
Ald. Purtee moved to approve item #25, seconded by Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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Following additional announcements made by the Mayor and Aldermen, Mayor Johnson adjourned the regular meeting at 3:41 p.m.
Mark Massey, Clerk of Council Date Minutes Approved: ______________________ Signature: The video recording of the meeting can be found by copying and inserting the link below in your URL: |
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