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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, Tony Thomas, John Hall, Estella E. Shabazz
Heath Lloyd, Chief Infrastructure and Development Officer (Acting City Manager)
Brooks Stillwell, City Attorney
William Shearouse, Assistant City Attorney
Jennifer Herman, Deputy City Attorney
ABSENT: Rob Hernandez, City Manager
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.
Alderman Bell: Today, Council held an Executive Session for the purposes of discussing Litigation where no votes were taken. I move that we authorize the Mayor to sign a Resolution and an Affidavit to that effect.
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 15th day of March, 2018 the Council entered into a closed session for the purpose of discussing Litigation. At the close of the discussions upon this subject, the Council reentered into open session and herewith takes the following action in open session:
- The actions of Council and the discussions of the same regarding the matter set forth for the closed session purposes are hereby ratified;
- 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;
- 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
- 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: MARCH 15, 2018 upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.
Stratton Leopold, owner of Leopold's Ice Cream, appeared thanking the Mayor and Aldermen for allowing the students to present their poems at the Council meeting. He stated this is the 8th annual contest, and there were over 200 entries this year for the “Libraries Rock” themed contest.
The winners are:
K-2
Winner: “Reading to Guy” by Ford Rogers, St. Andrews School.
Finalists: “Libraries Rock” by Sami Newton, Homeschooled, and “Untitled” by Samantha Dostal, Coastal Empire Montessori School.
3-5
Winner: “Libraries Rock” by Caroline Lee, Saint Francis Cabrini Catholic School.
Finalists: “My Library Rocks” by Hannah Cox, Homeschooled, and “My Home” by Porter Stromberg.
6-8
Winner: “A Librarian’s Rhapsody” by Kylan Campbell, Oglethorpe Charter School.
Finalists: “Libraries Rock” by Bridget Mainor, Saint Peter the Apostle School, and “Libraries Rock” by Kaleigh Sicilia (not present), Coastal Middle School.
9-12
Winner: “Libraries Rock!... And Here’s Why” by Madeline Holt, Savannah Arts Academy.
Finalists: “Library in Haiku” by Krystell Sanchez Romero, Johnson High School, and “Untitled” by Naomi Barnes, Woodville Tompkins School.
Winners read their entries and were photographed with Mayor DeLoach.
Alderman Miller: Before you leave, we would like to thank you for year in, year out, you do this. You'll never know how many lives you've touched sponsoring this. Thank you very much.
Alderman Johnson: Mr. Leopold, I echo Julian’s comments. I think that this is proof positive of a good corporate neighbor. You don't have to do it, but yet here it is, with a very successful business you still continue to invest in our young people, and ice cream helps too. Here’s something that everyone should know, the library now has the Pines System. That means they have books from all over the State that you can get and vice versa. So the old library cards don’t work anymore. Go get your new Pines card, I have mine.
Mayor DeLoach: I want to thank all the moms and dads too. Nothing happens without moms and dads.
Eula Parker, Community Development Officer for the State of Georgia with South State Bank, appeared with Holden Hayes, Regional President, thanking the Mayor and Aldermen for the hard work they do in the City of Savannah and making it a beautiful place to live. Ms. Parker stated they appreciate the efforts shown towards affordable housing and wanted to show their support by presenting a check for $10,000 to the Community Housing Services for the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund.
Alderman Shabazz: You all have been here a few months ago. Am I correct? So we're just so thankful for what your bank is doing for this community in reference to affordable housing in Savannah and I want to put up the challenge to the rest of the banks in our region. I think it's been the last quarter since when you all came. So banks, you don't have to wait annually to bring these checks. You can do just like South State Bank does and bring them very, very often. Thank you all so much.
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 Durence, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Johnson, 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 Hall, and unanimously carried.
Attorney Stillwell: The stipulation that you agreed to in the earlier session is that this would be limited to one portion of the space of approximately 3,000 square feet.
Approved with amendments upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Johnson, 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 Hall, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Johnson, 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 Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Johnson, 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 Durrence, seconded by Alderman Johnson, and unanimously carried.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Johnson, 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 Durrence, seconded by Alderman Johnson, and unanimously carried.
Alderman Thomas: Can we get some clarity on what this is for?
Chief Lloyd: Mr. Mayor and Aldermen, this is an increase to the revenue ordinance, specifically the water and sewer connection fees as it relates to the President Street Plant. It is a function of the construction that we're doing now at the President Street plant. We refer to it as a bio-solids project. It is where we're increasing our sludge handling. I think it was in 2016 we had to get rid of the incinerator and so this is now how we have to recoup some of those funds from that capital investment.
Alderman Thomas: Is this, was this discussed in the budget retreat?
Chief Lloyd: Yes sir. I do believe this was discussed in the budget retreat. Somehow in the amending of the revenue ordinance it was left out.
Alderman Thomas: Do we have to take this on the first and second today? Can we just do it on the first reading in order to gather more information to read a little bit more about this?
Chief Lloyd: I don't see why you couldn't Alderman.
Mayor DeLoach: Okay, let's just make it a first reading and we’ll bring it back up. Talk to Tony about it in between or talking to everybody.
Alderman Johnson: Mr. Mayor, in addition to that, since obviously we did provide some public exposure about what was going on, maybe have some type of way of actually explaining to the public in the ensuing two weeks about what we're doing and why this is necessary. Obviously, to agree with Alderman Thomas, we approved a revenue change with the budgets and now we're doing it again three months later. So, if we could just have some way of explaining that to the public, making that information available.
Chief Lloyd: Yeah, we could do that. I do want to make one point of clarification, the water and sewer connection fees are for new customers only and it does not impact existing customers.
Alderman Johnson: We need to be able to say that.
Chief Lloyd: But we can certainly provide you with more information.
Mayor DeLoach: That sounds good.
No Action Necessary. Placed on First Reading only.
AN ORDINANCE
To Be Entitled
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND APPENDIX I, SECTION 211 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA (2003) PERTAINING TO SECTION 7-1027 OF SAID CODE TO PROVIDE THAT THE STREETS NAMED HEREIN SHALL BE DESIGNATED ONE-WAY; 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 Appendix I, Section 211 of the Code of the City of Savannah, Georgia (2003), pertaining to Section 7-1027 of said Code be amended as follows:
ENACT
NAME OF STREET FROM TO DIRECTION OFTRAFFIC MOVEMENT
Liberty Lane Price Street East Broad Street East
SECTION 2: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED: MARCH 15, 2018 upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.
RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION
BY THE CITY OF SAVANNAH CITY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, South State Bank’s Regional President, Holden Hayes, and Community Development Officer, Eula J. Parker, presented a $10,000 donation to the Mayor and Aldermen for deposit into the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF); and
WHEREAS, this is the third consecutive year that South State Bank has made a donation to the Mayor and Aldermen for deposit into the SAHF; and
WHEAREAS, the Mayor and Aldermen have determined that there is a need for local investment to address local workforce and affordable housing needs and have encouraged banks, businesses, non-profits and other private entities to invest in the SAHF along with the City of Savannah; and
WHEREAS, the SAHF helps leverage private investment to address local workforce and affordable housing without using the SAHF to pay administrative costs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Savannah Housing & Neighborhood Services Department and the Community Housing Services Agency, Inc. oversee administration of the SAHF.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah do hereby accept a donation of $10,000 from South State Bank for deposit in the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund.
Adopted this 15th day of March, 2018 upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Shabazz, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Chief Lloyd: Mayor and Council, what I would like to do is ask Nick Deffley to come to the podium so he can give kind of an overview of the City of Savannah’s portion of this project.
Nick Deffley: Good afternoon Mayor and Council. My name is Nick Deffley, with the Sustainability Office. I'm the Project Manager for the project. The Truman Trail Phase 2 is actually comprised of two parts. The first phase built and constructed by the County, and then the second phase by the City. The first phase goes from Lake Mayer up to the north side of DeRenne Avenue, and the second goes from the north side of DeRenne Avenue and the City takes on this portion up to Bee Road and 52nd Street, where it kind of bisects into Kerry Street. Currently, this is a GDOT project. We have Federal funds in place to complete design. We currently have a budget of $1.4 million that will get us through the contract for design here and start in on the construction. The design should take about 12 to 14 months and during that time we will be working with the MPC. We are now eligible for additional Federal funds for that project to complete the construction budget.
Paula Kreissler, Healthy Savannah: Mayor and Aldermen, so, the short version of what I want to say is how cool is this? You know, we really, I want to thank you. I'm from Healthy Savannah, representing Healthy Savannah today, and just thanks for being a champion for our kids by approving this today. So, just real quick here, Healthy Savannah and many of our partners that you see with us have been working side by side with the City of Savannah and Chatham County to encourage construction of the Truman Linear Park Trail. These partners, besides the City, include, but are not limited to, and many are standing behind me, Savannah Bicycle Campaign, Chatham County Health Department, YMCA of Coastal Georgia, Georgia Bikes, Georgia Safe Routes to School, Savannah Chatham County Public School System, Savannah State University, East Coast Greenway Alliance, both hospital systems and many more. Reactivating the Truman Linear Park Trail project was one of two major outcomes that Healthy Savannah outlined in our application for a three year healthcare Georgia Foundation Grant. Healthy Savannah received this grant to affect policy systems and environmental change to improve health outcomes in underserved neighborhoods specifically for our children. We know that increasing opportunities for physical activity for our youth sets them up to be more active. They do better in school, their mental health improves, and all of this increases their opportunities for solid employment later in life and contributes to strengthening the social fabric of our community. As you know, once built, the Truman Linear Park Trail will connect Lake Mayer with Daffin Park and while there have been road blocks along the way, collectively we have worked through every one of them. The six mile long path over 18 neighborhoods and 13 schools are within a half mile of this project and once built the probability, based on current research, is that the value of all the property along the trail will increase. In addition, those in attendance at the Savannah Forward meetings last May spoke out, you listened, and the construction of this trail supports nearly every goal in the neighborhood revitalization section of the strategic plan. Healthy Savannah and our partners know this trail will positively affect health outcomes in our community for years to come. So, I close by saying, how cool is that? Thanks again for being a champion for our kids.
Joe Steffen: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm Joe Steffen. I'm on the Savannah Bicycle Campaign. I have a really quick story. When I moved here from Blacksburg, Virginia 19 years ago, I found Savannah to be a far superior city in almost every way except for one. Our bicycle trails have been a problem for a long time. I got involved with this effort when my daughter was born 13 years ago in the hopes that they would have a safe place to ride between our home and the other park. A safe place to take the kids out and learn to cycle and learn to safely cycle. My daughter is now 12, my son's 8. We're not very. So, I would urge on behalf of the Bicycle Campaign to keep vigilant on this. Keep it moving forward. It's a really important project. And thank you for what you're doing today.
Alderman Johnson: Mr. Mayor, on behalf of bicycle riders everywhere which I'm one um, sometimes. Particularly myself and Alderman Durrence every year we are at the Memorial Ride that's sponsored by the Bicycle Campaign. And each year we commit that Savannah will do better and this certainly puts us a long way going towards that. We need to create places, safe places, for people to ride, and we need to take advantage of our natural resources and this does both in the absolute sense.
Alderman Shabazz: Mr. Mayor and members of City Council, we vote on a lot of issues and have a lot of serious conversations up here, but today I see amongst our citizens here one person that is almost absent most of the times when we're talking and that is a young person who is standing here in reference to this issue and I just want to commend you for being here and representing your peers on this particular issue. I don't know if you wanted to say anything or not.
Damien Sampson: I'm Damien Sampson from the 2nd district. This is my first time coming to City Hall. But I am starting college this fall and I plan to go into public policy. So, I just wanted to come and see how our, how we do it in Savannah with our politics here. So, this is a very enjoyable experience. Thanks for recognizing me. But I also am for the bike path between the parks. I think that biking is a big thing in Savannah, especially with SCAD and the students, even in our public schools. We need to have a safe route, an alternative route to be able to get to school. Some students can't get to school because their parents don't have vehicles and the bus systems are sometimes late, you know, so we just have to have an alternative and a safe alternative. I think that this a great thing.
Alderman Miller: I just want to point something out, this is an important step forward. There are a lot of issues here. First of all, the Truman Linear Trail I think is going to be the impetus to seeing an awful lot of bicycle trails that'll be tied in this. Some of the groups standing in front of you have already been working on this and I applaud that. It's also the City working with the County on something and that doesn't happen an awful lot and it's going very, very well. It's going to do wonders for the neighborhood and it's going to do wonders for this community and I'm excited to see it, but I'm even more excited to see this group up here that took its time to come here and support this. Thank you very much.
Alderman Bell: I just wanted to say thank you to Paula for all that you do health related, whether it's Healthy Savannah, Invest Health and all the activities.
Mayor DeLoach: I want to thank our staff too.
Alderman Bell: And Nick Deffley, you know you’re my hero.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Alderman Shabazz: This particular item is a motion to award seasonal contracts for summer lunch programs to Savannah Chatham Board of Education. And I want to just thank you Mr. Mayor for just allowing me to just speak briefly on this particular item. One of our strategic priorities on this particular Council is economic strength and poverty reduction. And as I was going through the agenda and our staff has done such a fantastic job in carrying out the strategic priorities of our Council. Our Mayor has been making an extremely strong effort along with the entire City Council to help to eradicate poverty in our City. And this particular program with the summer lunches is one of those things. We have approximately, well one of the points in our City and County is that in the City of Savannah, Chatham County we have the largest school district in the State of Georgia with over 38,000 students in it. But this particular contract and moving forward with it is for over 90,000 meals to be served during the summer months to start on May the 29th through July 20, 2018. And the cost that is coming from this particular contract is a cost of $3.45 per lunch for each student. There is a dollar amount, but this contract of $310,500. This is an effort and I just want to do this so that the citizens in the City can see what we as the City Council, along with our Mayor, are working extremely hard to help in this effort of helping to eradicate poverty in our City by helping to feed. We just don't know how difficult it is for some families. They go hungry when school is not in and this is talking about the summer months. So, I would like to make a recommendation coming from our staff to approve the award of this seasonal contract to provide meals for the summer lunch program to the Savannah Chatham Board of Education in the amount of $310,500. Another thing too, this is a grant that is coming from the US Department of Agriculture for this to happen, for our community.
Alderman Johnson: Comment. Mr. Mayor not to belabor Dr. Shabazz’s point about this. For some people this is the only meal they might get in the day and that's a shame. But it dawned on me recently that we provide basketball for young people during the course of the year, but we do not offer a summer league. And so, that kind of bothers me because obviously we're talking about having young people engaged and involved. We know that basketball, with basketball comes cheerleading, and we know that that keeps young people engaged and involved. I would like to ask the City Manager Acting to investigate a) how much it would cost to run a summer league and b) to see if maybe we can do a proposal to run one over this summer. You know, it's one thing to talk about young people not having anything to do, but yet we have a golden opportunity, we have the infrastructure, we have the neighborhoods, we have the facilities either between us or the school system that we can have these young people engaged in a very big way. Obviously if they're engaged in athletics they’re too tired to do much else. It also provides more opportunity to utilize those school sites for the USDA lunch. So, I just wanted to add that on and I know Mr. Lloyd is taking my comments, but I would like to really know how much it would cost for us to do that. I don't think it would be too much and I think it will make a huge difference if we have young people engaged over the summer.
Chief Lloyd: Aldermen and Council we will look into that and see if we can provide you some feedback. What are you thinking two weeks, just to give you some idea of the feasibility of it?
Alderman Johnson: Yes.
Alderman Bell: I would like to thank the staff, I don’t know how far this dates back. I know that we've been providing and engaged in the summer lunch program for probably at least 30 or 40 years. So, the public needs to know that we've been doing this, this is not a new thing.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Johnson, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Alderman Johnson: Quick question, wanted to know I notice the word there exchange. What are we exchanging with, with who, and for what?
Chief Lloyd: What this agenda item it’s going to be a property exchange. We're actually going to exchange some existing City property that's approximately .29 acres and what they're going to give us are three pieces. They're going to give us an almost equivalent piece of property that’s almost .26 acres, I think that one's along Abbott Street. Then they're also going to give us about .89 acres also and I think that one's along Stratford Street. And then they're also going to give us a 15 foot utility easement. So, what this is, is those pieces they're going to give to us is to help us straighten out Stratford and Abbott Streets. This was caused basically because of the redevelopment of Brock Elementary School. When they redeveloped Brock Elementary they actually redeveloped it in portions of the City right-of-way and so we're just going to clear that up.
Alderman Johnson: Without talking to us first?
Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Johnson, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Alderman Shabazz: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This item is for a motion to approve the short term license for the fairgrounds for 2018 Coastal Empire Fair. The City is in the process of continuing working to come up with a master plan for the fairgrounds property. But in the meantime, we hopefully approve this motion for the Savannah Exchange Club Association, Inc. better known as the Coastal Empire Fair. They're requesting a short term license and that license is going to cost $32,500, which would include the electrical charges, and they are going to assume all liabilities and indemnifications for the use of the property. The fair is going to also have the necessary insurance certifications that they're going to need for the use of that property and also will post s $5,000 refundable deposit on the repairs of the property, to repair it in the condition in which they are going to find it. So, again the fair is coming back to the City of Savannah and will be on the former fairgrounds property, which is now City owned property.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Shabazz, seconded by Alderman Bell, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Alderman Durrence: Mr. Mayor, Item number 40 is about approving the installation of a historic marker in Chatham Square, honoring Louis B. Toomer. Mr. Toomer was an African American leader, bank founder, and realtor in Savannah, born in 1897. He established the Georgia Savings and Realty Corporation in 1927. And during segregation, this company provided banking investment and insurance services for blacks who were not always allowed access to white banking establishments. In 1947, the corporation changed to the Carver Savings Bank, and was converted to a State supervised savings bank. In 1962, it became Carver State Bank which is still operating in the same general vicinity where it was established. A staunch Republican, Mr. Toomer served as a delegate at three GOP conventions and was appointed Register of the Treasury from 1953 to 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mr. Toomer died in 1961, and at this point there is a bronze sundial erected in his honor in Chatham Square in 1964, but the placement of this historic marker is long past due.
Alderman Shabazz: What I want to make note of this particular, wonderful and a great day in the City of Savannah in approving this marker is that I do believe that this is the first historical marker in honoring an African American in the Historic District of our City. Thank you.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Johnson, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.
Mayor DeLoach: I've got two people to appoint, Thomas Henry and Ron Scalf to the Housing Authority Savannah.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Foster, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.
Bernadette Oliver, Sol C. Johnson High School Principal, appeared along with the Johnson High School Girls Basketball Team to be recognized for winning the Class AAA State Championship. Ms. Oliver briefly introduced Brandon Lindsey, Head Coach, who thanked the Mayor and Aldermen on behalf of Sol. C. Johnson High School and the community of Thunderbolt, Georgia for the recognition. Mr. Lindsey also thanked and recognized Connie Hall, District 3 and Larry Lower, District 6 School Board representatives.
Mayor DeLoach asked Coach Lindsey to introduce the team.
Mr. Lindsey: Jaelan Phillips, J’mya Cutter, De’Narrieah Spencer, Ja’Kayla Kent, Tianna Williams, Jasmine Thompson, Alana Boone, Checobia Hugie, Giana Copeland, Demondria Hendrix, and Jordyn Quarterman. Mr. Lindsey also introduced the Assistant Coaches for the team.
Alderman Hall: This year we've made history, the girls made history. Exactly 50 years from this year, 50 years ago the Atomsmashers Boys Basketball team won the State Championship. So congratulations, y’all represented us well.
Alderman Johnson: Mr. Mayor, I think it needs to be stated, a couple of things. First of all, I believe also the Savannah Chatham County Teacher of the Year also came from Johnson High School, correct? And if you go to a school that is led by Bernadette Ball-Oliver, you're going to have great grades. So these young ladies are also scholars in the classroom, so I think that's the most important thing. So thank you all. Thank you so much. Congratulations.
Bakari Bryant, H.V. Jenkins High School Head Coach, appeared along with the Jenkins High School Boys Basketball Team to be recognized for its Runner-up finish in the Class AAA State Championship. Mr. Bryant thanked the Mayor and Aldermen on behalf of Jenkins High School and the community for the recognition. He stated he is humbled by the hard work the boys exemplified during the season.
Mr. Bryant introduced the players. Javonte Middleton is also the Quarterback on the football team. He will be attending Citadel College on a football scholarship. Tyrone Scott is also a football player who received a scholarship to attend Central Michigan as a wide receiver. Ahmad O’Neal who is a member of the Chatham County Youth Commission and a baseball player for Jenkins. Additionally, he is a very bright student, doing a dual-enrollment, upon graduation he will be in his second year of college. Sai Fisher, one of the top leaders on the team. He transferred from Louisiana to Savannah to live with his mom so she could see his senior year of basketball. He has received offers from South Carolina State and has been looked at by Tulane University. Nijajuan Youmans is a freshman and the future of Jenkins High School. Tre’ Mays received an offer from Fort Valley University and currently holds a 3.8 GPA. He led in scoring and was the offensive player of the year.
Alderman Hall: Coach Bryant we wish you well in your new assignment and new job in Atlanta. We hate to see you go, but go you must. You said it all when you said it’s finances and you owe your family. So, congratulations.
Attorney Stillwell: As to the claims, we have a worker's comp claim to settle today. This is a worker’s compensation claim by Agnes Knox-Jack. Ms. Knox-Jack was a Sanitation employee. She sustained injuries to her right shoulder and back in connection with her duties. She is represented by Counsel as is the City. We've settled the claim for $35,000, subject to approval.
Approved upon motion of Alderman Bell, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Attorney’s recommendation.
There being no further business, Mayor DeLoach declared this meeting of Council adjourned.
Announcements
Alderman Johnson encouraged Savannah’s citizens to know what was going on this weekend in regards to St. Patrick’s Day and the Vice President’s visit so that they could be prepared. Chief Infrastructure and Development Officer Health Lloyd discussed the City’s public communications and planning efforts, including the Savannah Police Department, Office of Public Communications, and 311 Call Center. He encouraged citizens with questions or concerns to call 311, as they have an FAQ sheet available.
Alderman Miller asked Mr. Lloyd to express Council’s appreciation to all City staff for their efforts as they continue to work on recovery from the malware virus, St. Patrick’s Day and now the Vice President’s visit.
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=OmYagct90bSf
