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MARCH 13, 2025 - 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 2:09 p.m., in the SCCPSS Board of Education Room located at the Eli Whitney Administrative Complex, 2 Laura Avenue, Building G. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order, then recognized Ald. Kurtis Purtee who introduced Reverend Claire Marich, Associate Minister of Asbury Memorial Church to offer the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison. For the record, prior to the commencement of the meeting, there a was brief performance by the City of Limerick, Ireland Pipe Band, to include three bagpipers and a drummer.
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 Alderman Kurtis Purtee, District 6 ALSO, PRESENT: City Manager Jay Melder Chief of Staff Daphanie Williams City Attorney Bates Lovett Clerk of Council Mark Massey Assistant to Clerk of Council Renee Osborne |
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| APPROVAL OF AGENDA | |
| 1. Adoption of the Regular Meeting Agenda for March 13, 2025. | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to adopt/approve agenda item #1 as amended to include a special presentation (Savannah High School Boys Basketball Team) as requested by Mayor Johnson, seconded by Ald. Leggett and Ald. Purtee. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
| 2. Approval of the Minutes for the Work Session and City Manager's Briefing Held on February 27, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. | |
| Agenda Plus - WS DRAFT MINUTES_February 27, 2025 City Council Workshop.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #2, #3, #4, and #5, seconded by Ald. Palumbo, Ald. Wilder-Bryan, and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 3. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular Meeting Held on February 27, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. | |
| Agenda Plus - RM DRAFT MINUTES_February 27, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #2, #3, #4, and #5, seconded by Ald. Palumbo, Ald. Wilder-Bryan, and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 4. Approval of the Minutes for the Special Called Meeting (Homestead Opt Out) Held on February 27, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. | |
| Agenda Plus - SCM DRAFT_February 27, 2025 City Council Special Call Meeting @4_30 pm.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #2, #3, #4, and #5, seconded by Ald. Palumbo, Ald. Wilder-Bryan, and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 5. Approval of the Minutes for the Special Called Meeting (Homestead Opt Out) Held on February 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. | |
| Agenda Plus - SCM DRAFT_February 27, 2025 City Council Special Call Meeting @6_00 pm.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #2, #3, #4, and #5, seconded by Ald. Palumbo, Ald. Wilder-Bryan, and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.
Mayor Johnson entertained a motion that an executive session was held earlier, following the work session on March 13, 2025, for which no action was taken and authorizing the Mayor to sign the related affidavit and resolution. Mayor Johnson/Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz/Ald. Wilder-Bryan moved to approve as stated above, seconded by Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.
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| PRESENTATIONS | |
| 6. Presentation of the 2025 St. Patrick's Day Parade Permit to Members of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee. | |
*Prior to the St. Patrick's Day Parade presentation, Mayor Johnson recognized the Savannah High School Cheerleaders who performed a cheer, followed by a special presentation/proclamation by Mayor Johnson to the Savannah High School Blue Jackets Basketball Team for winning the GHSA Class A Division II Championship. Mayor Johnson recognized School Board President Roger Moss, former coach Tim Jordan, Coach George Brown and other coaches, and the players.
Mayor Johnson asked the members of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee to join him at the podium for agenda item #6. He recognized General Chairman Tim Mahoney, Parade Grand Marshal Jay Burke, and other executive committee members, whereupon they requested a parade permit. Ald. Palumbo moved to approve issuance of the parade permit, seconded by Ald. Purtee, Ald. Leggett, and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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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 C (Liquor, Beer, Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to Sandeep M. Tamrakar for The Silk Route, a Restaurant Located At 401 Mall Boulevard Unit 102C. The Establishment Is Located Between Hodgson Memorial Drive and Waters Avenue in Aldermanic District 4. | |
| Exhibit 1: Checklist - The Silk Route | |
| Exhibit 2: Density Map - The Silk Route | |
| Exhibit 3: Alcohol Reports - The Silk Route | |
| Exhibit 4: Measurement Report - The Silk Route | |
| Exhibit 5: Security Plan - The Silk Route | |
Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol license hearings open for agenda items #7, #8, and #9. a. Ald. Leggett moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #7, #8, and #9, seconded by Ald. Lanier and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. b. Ald. Palumbo moved to approve agenda item #7, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 8. Approval to Add a Class C (Beer, Liquor) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sale to the Existing Class C (Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sale to Christopher Emerick for Two Cracked Eggs Cafe, a Restaurant Located at 301 West River Street. The Establishment is Located Between Montgomery Street and Barnard Street Ramp in Aldermanic District 2. | |
| Exhibit 1: Checklist - Two Cracked Eggs Cafe (River Street) | |
| Exhibit 2: Density Map - Two Cracked Eggs Cafe (River Street) | |
| Exhibit 3: Alcohol Reports - Two Cracked Eggs Cafe (River Street) | |
| Exhibit 4: Measurement Report - Two Cracked Eggs Cafe (River Street) | |
| Exhibit 5: Security Plan - Two Cracked Eggs Cafe (River Street) | |
Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol license hearings open for agenda items #7, #8, and #9. a. Ald. Leggett moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #7, #8, and #9, seconded by Ald. Lanier and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. b. Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #8, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan, Ald. Palumbo, and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 9. Approval to Add a Class C (Liquor) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to the Existing Class C (Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sale to Christopher Emerick for Two Cracked Eggs Cafe, a Restaurant Located at 202 East Bay Street. The Establishment is located between Abercorn Street Ramp and Lincoln Street Ramp in Aldermanic District 2. | |
| Exhibit 1: Checklist - Two Cracked Eggs Cafe (Bay Street) | |
| Exhibit 2: Density Map - Two Cracked Eggs Cafe (Bay Street) | |
| Exhibit 3: Alcohol Reports - Two Cracked Eggs Cafe (Bay Street) | |
| Exhibit 4: Measurement Report - Two Cracked Eggs Cafe (Bay Street) | |
| Exhibit 5: Security Plan - Two Cracked Eggs Cafe (Bay Street) | |
Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol license hearings open for agenda items #7, #8, and #9. a. Ald. Leggett moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #7, #8, and #9, seconded by Ald. Lanier and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. b. Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #9, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| ZONING HEARINGS | |
| 10. Petition of Yvonne Pryor of the Inner City Night Shelter, Inc. on behalf of Georgia Gale Coolidge for a Special Use Permit for the expansion of an existing Emergency Shelter currently located at 124 Arnold Street onto two adjoining parcels at 116 and 0 Arnold Street (20005 21009 and 20005 21008) in Aldermanic District 2 (File No. 25-000377-ZA). | |
| Exhibit 1: MPC Recommendation Packet for Arnold Street (File No. 25-000377-ZA).pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Maps for Arnold Street (File No. 25-000377-ZA).pdf | |
Mayor Johnson declared the hearing open for agenda item #10. Speaker(s):
Ald. Bell asked Mr. McDonald to clarify the concerns he expressed. Following his comments, she stated that she is telling people that the expansion can provide day shelters for persons across the city, and she doesn't understand why people would think that this particular facility will have a negative impact especially when a huge facility is coming on the other side of town. Mr. McDonald clarified that the DNA's concern is enforcement of vagrancy not homelessness. Mayor Johnson identified concerns that people don't normally migrate far from where they were. The City Manager will be bringing to us a couple of things as it relates to those matters as we discussed two weeks ago. There is a very fine line between homelessness and vagrancy, and we won't criminalize homelessness. Criminal acts have to be addressed. Certain penalities do not impact homeless persons the same way, and there are sometimes repeat offenders that have to be addressed working with the City Manager and the Police Department. Ald. Miller Blakely asked Mr. McDonald about the DNA's concern, given that the Union Mission is on the west side. She encouraged him to have a conversation with the Union Mission and Inner City Night Shelter together. Mayor Johnson asked the City Manager to include ICH (Interagency Council on Homelessness) with this group. Ald. Lanier stated that the DNA is asking to be heard and to postpone this request which she supports. Pertaining to the two people who voted against this matter at the MPC, she asked for the reason behind their opposition. The City Manager answered the changing nature of the development in those areas, and an expanded shelter did not fit those new development patterns. Mr. Morrow added new development is bringing revitalization in that area. The expansion will bring different people into that area who might not otherwise be in that area, but for the services being provided there. Ald. Lanier stated that they are planning to do a recombination to become one parcel of land, along with some construction. Mr. Morrow responded yes. Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz thanked Ms. Yvonne Pryor for her work and others who are working on behalf of the homeless, including this expansion and more services. We need more wrap-around services for our homelessness citizens. Ald. Miller Blakely asked Mr. Morrow about the people on MPC who were against this proposal, and she reminded everyone that the shelter was there before anybody. a. Ald. Palumbo moved to close the hearing, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. Ald. Wilder-Bryan thanked Ms. Pryor for the amazing job she does with the funding they have. She stated we need day shelters in every district and two if it was possible. We cannot eradicate homelessness and these are human lives. People say they want to do something about homelessness, but they don't want them in their backyards. Union Mission was there before all the other things popped up. People who voted against it likely thought it could be used for a different purpose, based on what they want for the city. She is tired of people downtown complaining about homeless persons being at their doorsteps and the squares, but when the city does something about it they are against it without conversation. For her and all the people who say they want to do something about the problems, we are going to continue to support the agencies who are doing something about it to change the quality of life for everybody. Ald. Leggett asked Mr. Morrow if he heard any issues about the building of this facility (No). He stated he knows the churches are in support. He asked to be included in the meeting, if one is called. Mayor Johnson stated he does not believe Mr. McDonald's request is unreasonable. His speaker's card says they are in favor of it, but they want to have a conversation regarding expansion and to mitigate any impacts. Ald. Wilder-Bryan stated Mr. McDonald does a great job representing his people. Standing on her platform, they have been here since 1983. They can do better with their conversations. b. Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #10 (special use permit), seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. Mayor Johnson asked Ms. Pryor about the timeline for completing the project. She stated they are scheduled for closing on the property on the 28th of this month. They are going to demolish the building on that property and clean it up. Depending on how they raise funds, they may begin work within the next six to eight months. Ald. Wilder-Bryan asked when will the work be complete. Ms. Pryor stated they are not closing down Inner City Night Shelter, and later she stated she is looking at a two-year timeframe. Ald. Bell asked Ms. Pryor if she needed a decision from Council by the 28th? Ms. Pryor stated no, she is going to buy the property anyway. Ald. Miller Blakely asked Ms. Pryor about how a person would donate financially. She responded www.SavannahNightShelter.org, PayPal, check, or stop by the office. Then she discussed the capital fundraising campaign and the Divine 9 organization spearheading it. Mayor Johnson and members of Council thanked her. |
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| ORDINANCES - SECOND READING - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE) | |
| 11. A Joint Petition of Bridget Lidy on Behalf of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia and Brianna Paxton for a Zoning Text Amendment to Sections 3.12 Special Exceptions, 3.21 Variances, 5.4 Principal Use Table, 5.9 Traditional Residential Districts, 5.12 Traditional Neighborhood Districts, 5.13 Traditional Districts, 8.1 Residential Use Standards for Limited and Special Uses (File No. 24-004284-ZA). (Postpone to the March 27, 2025 City Council Meeting.) | |
| Exhibit 1: MPC Recommendation Packet (File No. 24-004284-ZA).pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: City Council Housing Savannah Action Plan Update.pdf | |
| Exhibit 3: Final Proposed Revisions 10092024 (File No. 24-004284-ZA).pdf | |
| Exhibit 4: Draft Ordinance (File No. 24-004284-ZA).pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to postpone/continue agenda item #11, seconded by Ald. Leggett. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. Written comment(s):
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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. 2 for Aluminum Sulfate with Chemtrade Chemicals USA, LLC, (LOCAL) in An Amount Not to Exceed $1,089,936. This modification will ensure an adequate supply of Aluminum Sulfate is maintained because it's an integral part for the sludge treatment process. (Public Works) | |
| Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Aluminum Sulfate Contract Modification No. 2.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Aluminum Sulfate Contract Modification No. 2.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #12, #13, and #14, seconded by Ald. Lanier and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 13. Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Amendment No. 1 with Smith Aquatics, Inc. in the Amount of $49,942. This amendment is necessary to increase the concrete decking size to align with the expanded fenced area around the pool for the Daffin Park Pool Project. | |
| Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Pool Resurfacing.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Purchasing Note - Pool Resurfacing.pdf | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #12, #13, and #14, seconded by Ald. Lanier and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| 14. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract Modification No. 2 for City-Wide HVAC maintenance and repairs to Boaen Mechanical (LOCAL) in the amount not to exceed $500,000. The contract will be used to replace existing chiller rental, overall repairs and replace dated HVAC units at Community Centers. (Real Estate) | |
| Exhibit 1: Funding Verification- Modification City Wide HVAC | |
| Exhibit 2: Purchasing Note - City Wide HVAC | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #12, #13, and #14, seconded by Ald. Lanier and Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| BOARD APPOINTMENTS | |
| 15. Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Authorities. | |
The following appointments were made:
Mayor Johnson encouraged residents to go to the City of Savannah's website, www.SavannahGA.gov, then to the Clerk of Council's page to apply for one of the various 35 City boards, commissions, and authorities. |
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| AGREEMENTS | |
| 16. Recommend Adoption of the Chatham County Emergency Operations Plan. | |
| 2025 EOP Base Document.pdf | |
| 2025 EOP ESF Annexes.pdf | |
Ald. Wilder-Bryan moved to approve agenda item #16, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS | |
| 17. Settlement #1 | |
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to authorize the City Attorney's Office to settle the claims of Kevin Robinson for $32,500.00, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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| MISCELLANEOUS | |
| 18. Petition of Lachlan McIntosh from the Chapter National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for a Historic Marker Sign inside Tricentennial Park located at 315 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (PIN 20031 46003) in Aldermanic District 2 (24-006170-HM). | |
| Exhibit 1: Submittal Packet - National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for the America 250! Patriot Maker.pdf | |
| Exhibit 2: Final Decision for America 250! Patriot Marker.pdf | |
Ald. Palumbo moved to approve agenda item #18, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0. |
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Following various announcements made by the Mayor and Aldermen, Mayor Johnson adjourned the regular meeting at 3:43 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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