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MARCH 12, 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 2:04 p.m., in Council Chambers. Following the roll call, Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order. He then recognized Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier, who introduced Pastor-Teacher Andre Osborne, First Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, to offer the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was recited in unison. Mayor Johnson spoke in relation to the U.S. and Israel engagement in active, major military operations against Iran. He asked for peace on earth and may it begin with us, and he asked for all those affected to be remembered.
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-Bryan, District 3 - Vice Chair Alderman Nick Palumbo, District 4 - Chairman Alderwoman Dr. Estella Edwards Shabazz, District 5 - Mayor Pro Tem
ABSENT: 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 March 12, 2026. | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to adopt/approve item #1, seconded by Ald. Lanier, Ald. Palumbo, and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
| 2. Approval of the Minutes for the Work Session and City Manager's Briefing Held on February 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. | |
| Agenda Plus - WS DRAFT MINUTES_February 26, 2026 City Council Workshop-watermark.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #2 and #3, seconded by Ald. Palumbo, Ald. Miller Blakely, and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| 3. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular Meeting Held on February 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. | |
| Agenda Plus - RM DRAFT MINUTES_February 26, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting-watermark.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #2 and #3, seconded by Ald. Palumbo, Ald. Miller Blakely, and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| PRESENTATIONS | |
| 4. Proclamation in Honor of the 114th Birthday of the Girl Scouts of America on March 12, 2026 | |
Mayor Johnson presented a proclamation, recognizing and honoring the 114th Birthday of the Girls Scouts of America, to Girls Scouts of Historic Georgia CEO Krystal Crawford, girls scouts, and staff. |
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| 5. Appearance by the Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee Grand Marshall and Aides, and Presentation by Mayor Van R. Johnson II of the 2026 Saint Patrick's Day Parade Permit Commemorating the Parade's 202nd Anniversary. The Parade will be held on March 17, 2026. | |
Mayor Johnson welcomed the Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee. He recognized Parade Committee Chairman J. Patrick Beytagh, Jr., Adjutant Randall W. Fleenor, and Parade Grand Marshall Martin S. (Marty) Hogan, who spoke/presented before the council. Mayor Johnson then entertained a motion to issue a parade permit for March 17, 2026, commemorating the Parade's 202nd Anniversary. Ald. Palumbo moved to approve the issuance of the parade permit, seconded by Ald. Miller Blakely, Ald. Bell, and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. Mayor Johnson and City Manager Melder recognized Team Savannah, consisting of the Savannah Police Force, Savannah Fire Department, 148 dedicated solid waste professionals, and 80 city marshals, for their role in making sure that everybody has a safe and healthy, enjoyable time, not only on parade day but for the festivities. |
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| 6. Appearance by the City of Savannah Procurement and Contracts Division to Recognize March as National Procurement Month. | |
Mayor Johnson and City Manager Melder presented a proclamation, proclaiming the month of March 2026 as Procurement Month in the City of Savannah, to Purchasing Director Johnnie Coker and staff. |
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| ALCOHOL LICENSE HEARINGS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE) | |
| 7. Approval of a Class E (Beer, Wine) (By the Package) Alcohol License to Toby Broxton for Baby Kakez at 1820 Montgomery Street. The Establishment is Located Between West 34th Street and West 35th Street. A Convenience Store in Aldermanic District 2. (New Applicant/Existing Business) | |
| EXHIBIT 1- Checklist - Baby Kakez | |
| EXHIBIT 2- Density Map - Baby Kakez | |
| EXHIBIT 3- Alcohol Reports - Baby Kakez | |
| EXHIBIT 4- Measurement Report - Baby Kakez | |
| EXHIBIT 5- Safety Plan - Baby Kakez | |
Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol hearings open for agenda items #7, #8 and #9. No speaker(s). a. Ald. Leggett moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #7, #8, and #9, seconded by Ald. Lanier, Ald. Palumbo, and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. b. Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #7, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| 8. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Beer, Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to Anthony Debreceny for La Vetta, a Restaurant at 15 West Broughton Street. The Establishment is Located between Whitaker Street and Bull Street in Aldermanic District 2. (New Applicant/New Business) | |
| EXHIBIT 1 - Checklist - La Vetta | |
| EXHIBIT 2 - Density Map - La Vetta | |
| EXHIBIT 3 - Alcohol Reports - La Vetta | |
| EXHIBIT 4 - Measurement Report - La Vetta | |
| EXHIBIT 5 - Safety Plan - La Vetta | |
Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol hearings open for agenda items #7, #8 and #9. No speaker(s). a. Ald. Leggett moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #7, #8, and #9, seconded by Ald. Lanier, Ald. Palumbo, and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. b. Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #8, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| 9. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Beer, Wine) and Class E (Beer, Wine) (By the Package) with Sunday Sales Alcohol License to James Coyle for Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District at 220 East Bay Street, a Hotel Located Between Abercorn Street and Lincoln Street in Aldermanic District 2. (New Applicant/New Business) | |
| EXHIBIT 1-Checklist - Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District | |
| EXHIBIT 2-Density Map - Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District | |
| EXHIBIT 3-Alcohol Report - Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District | |
| EXHIBIT 4-Measurement Report - Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District.pdf | |
| EXHIBIT 5-Safety Plan - Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District.pdf | |
Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol hearings open for agenda items #7, #8 and #9. No speaker(s). a. Ald. Leggett moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #7, #8, and #9, seconded by Ald. Lanier, Ald. Palumbo, and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. b. Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #9, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan, Ald. Miller Blakely, and Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| ZONING HEARINGS | |
| 10. Petition of Bridget Lidy on behalf of The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia for a Text Amendment to Article 2.0 Review Bodies and Administrators, Sections 2.5 Historic Preservation Commission and 2.6 Savannah Downtown Historic District Board of Review and Article 3.0 Application and Review Procedures, Sections 3.12 Special Exceptions, 3.18 Certificate of Appropriateness for Local Historic Districts and Local Historic Properties, 3.19 Certificate of Appropriateness for the Savannah Downtown Historic District, 3.21 Variances, and 3.23 Appeals (26-000035-ZA). | |
| Exhibit 1: MPC Recommendation Packet (26-000026-ZA).pdf | |
Mayor Johnson declared the zoning hearing open for agenda item #10. See related item #11. Speaker(s):
Written Comment(s):
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to close the zoning hearing for agenda item #10, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| ORDINANCES - FIRST AND SECOND READING - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE) | |
| 11. Petition of Bridget Lidy on behalf of The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia for a Text Amendment to Article 2.0 Review Bodies and Administrators, Sections 2.5 Historic Preservation Commission and 2.6 Savannah Downtown Historic District Board of Review and Article 3.0 Application and Review Procedures, Sections 3.12 Special Exceptions, 3.18 Certificate of Appropriateness for Local Historic Districts and Local Historic Properties, 3.19 Certificate of Appropriateness for the Savannah Downtown Historic District, 3.21 Variances, and 3.23 Appeals (26-000035-ZA). | |
| Exhibit 1: Draft Text Amendment Ordinance for Variances and Special Exceptions (26-000035-ZA).pdf | |
Ald. Palumbo moved (to approve agenda item #11) that the first reading be considered the second and the ordinance placed upon its passage and passed, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz, Ald. Miller Blakely, and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. Ald. Lanier asked for clarity regarding the ordinance and if this would only be applied to the downtown district area. Mr. Morrow explained that it is very common for people to build within setbacks or to have something that might require a little bit of additional lot coverage, and these are variances that are commonly observed within those districts that the HDBR (Historic District Board of Review) would now have the ability to grant without having to involve the Zoning Board of Appeals. The HDBR would be the only board that would have the ability to grant these variances. City Manager Melder recognized Edward Morrow for his outstanding job as the Development Services Head at MPC and announced that he will be joining Team Savannah as Assistant Director of the Planning and Urban Design Department. Melanie Wilson, Executive Director/CEO of MPC, also expressed words of thanks for Mr. Morrow's work at MPC, and stated that she thinks he is going to be an incredible addition to the City of Savannah. |
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| PURCHASING ITEMS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE) | |
| 12. Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Modification No. 1 with Garbutt Construction Company for Construction Services for the Waterworks Building Stabilization Project to Establish the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $9,000,000. (Capital Projects Department) | |
| Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Waterworks Stabilization Project.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Waterworks Building Stabilization Project.pdf | |
Ald. Lanier moved to approve item #12, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. Ald. Lanier expressed that she wanted the residents of Savannah to know that when they pass by the Water Works building on the corner of Styles and Gwinnett and see the fencing going up, this was what this item was all about--the stabilization of that facility. She stated that we are moving one step closer to manifesting a long-sought-after vision of having a community market and entrepreneurial center on the west side. |
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| 13. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract for Trailers with K&B Incorporated in an Amount Not to Exceed $78,225. (Fleet Services) | |
| Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Trailers.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Trailers.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #13 and #14, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| 14. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract for the Design, Procurement, and Installation of a Prefabricated Storage Building at Daffin Park with Gordian, Inc., in an Amount Not to Exceed $330,191. (Continued from 2/26) (Recreation and Leisure Services) | |
| Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Daffin Park Prefabricated Building.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Daffin Park Prefabricated Building.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #13 and #14, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. Ald. Miller Blakely asked the City Manager about finding a local business that could do the job. City Manager Melder stated that we went through a public procurement process on this (item), and the recommendation was the result of that public procurement. |
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| BOARD APPOINTMENTS | |
| 15. Boards and Commissions Appointments | |
Pension Board Ald. Wilder-Bryan moved to reappoint Paul W. Mosely, Sr and appoint Spencer M. Wheeler, seconded by Ald. Miller Blakely and Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. Traffic Calming Committee Ald. Lanier moved to appoint Pat Jenkins Spady, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| RESOLUTIONS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE) | |
| 16. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to enact Article B. Major Special Events of Chapter 6, Special Events, of Part 3, Public Safety, of Division II of the Code of the City of Savannah for the Dates of 6pm Friday, March 13, 2026, Saturday, March 14, 2026, Sunday, March 15, 2026, Monday, March 16, 2026, Tuesday, March 17, 2026 and 6am Wednesday, March 18, 2026 (Special Events, Film & Tourism) | |
| Exhibit 1: RES SPD Major Special Event JNH 03082026.docx | |
Ald. Wilder-Bryan moved to approve item #16, seconded by Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| AGREEMENTS | |
| 17. Approval of a Water & Sewer Agreement with WI Land Development LLC for Bull River Bluff Townhomes in Unincorporated Chatham County. (Water & Sewer- Planning and Engineering) | |
| Exhibit 1: Water & Sewer Agreement - Bull River Bluff Townhomes.pdf | |
Ald. Palumbo moved to approve items #17 and #18, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| 18. Approval of a 2nd Amendment to the Original Water & Sewer Agreement with SEDA dated 6/21/18 for the Savannah Chatham Manufacturing Center (SCMC). (Water & Sewer- Planning and Engineering) | |
| Exhibit 1: Water & Sewer Agreement - 2nd Amendment - Chatham Manufacturing Center.pdf | |
Ald. Palumbo moved to approve items #17 and #18, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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| CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS | |
| 19. Settlement #1 | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve Settlement #1, authorizing the City Attorney's Office to settle the claim (worker's compensation matter) of Sheena Street Bowman for $450,000.00, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0. Ald. Purtee was absent. |
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Following additional announcements made by the Mayor and Aldermen, Mayor Johnson adjourned the regular meeting at 3:19 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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