MAY 22, 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 2:12 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. Detric Legget who introduced Pastor James King Sr. of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church (911 Atlantic Avenue) to offer the invocation.  The Pledge of Allegiance 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-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

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to adopt/approve agenda item #1, as amended to include agenda item #48, a settlement from the City Attorney's Office, seconded by Ald. Palumbo.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda item #2, seconded by Ald. Palumbo.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda item #3, as amended by Ald. Miller Blakely (see below), seconded by Ald. Palumbo.  The motion passed, 8-1-0.  Ald. Lanier voted no.

For purposes of the record, Ald. Miller Blakely and Ald. Lanier explained/asked for a notation to be placed into the record acknowledging what she found following the vote to approve the alcohol license for B.NiCole's Bistro, contingent on dropping their lawsuit against the City of Savannah during the May 8, 2022 City Council Meeting.  The owners were not in agreement nor privy to that information, even though the Alderwomen were told that they had agreed to those terms.

Mayor Johnson summarized that the City Attorney relayed what their authorized legal counsel shared with him.

Mayor Johnson entertained a motion that an executive session regarding personnel and litigation was held earlier, following the work session presentation for which no action was taken.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz and Ald. Wilder-Bryan moved to authorize the Mayor to sign an affidavit/resolution limited to those items (personnel and litigation) and no action was taken, seconded by Ald. Palumbo.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Johnson stated the City Council knows why.  Agenda item #4 was TABLED/POSTPONED to the next City Council Meeting to be held on June 12, 2025.

Mayor Johnson congratulated Clerk of Council Mark Massey again for being inducted into the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) board of directors, serving as the Region III Director.

Ald. Leggett moved to continue/postpone agenda item #5 to the June 26, 2025 City Council Meeting, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Ald. Leggett moved to continue/postpone agenda item #6 to the June 12, 2025 City Council Meeting, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol license hearings open for agenda items #7, #8, #9, #10, and #11.

No speaker(s).

a.  Ald. Purtee moved to close the hearings for agenda items #7, #8, #9, #10, and #11, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

b.  Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #7, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol license hearings open for agenda items #7, #8, #9, #10, and #11.

No speaker(s).

a.  Ald. Purtee moved to close the hearings for agenda items #7, #8, #9, #10, and #11, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan 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 and Ald. Palumbo.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol license hearings open for agenda items #7, #8, #9, #10, and #11.

No speaker(s).

a.  Ald. Purtee moved to close the hearings for agenda items #7, #8, #9, #10, and #11, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan 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.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol license hearings open for agenda items #7, #8, #9, #10, and #11.

No speaker(s).

a.  Ald. Purtee moved to close the hearings for agenda items #7, #8, #9, #10, and #11, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

b.  Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda item #10, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol license hearings open for agenda items #7, #8, #9, #10, and #11.

No speaker(s).

a.  Ald. Purtee moved to close the hearings for agenda items #7, #8, #9, #10, and #11, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

b.  Ald. Lanier moved to approve agenda item #11, seconded by Ald. Miller Blakely and Ald. Palumbo.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Ald. Lanier stated Mr. Amin has been working with the community for years, and he has put a lot of work into it.  She congratulated him for working with the Community Development Corporation and West Bay Street Business Association.  

Mayor Johnson declared the zoning hearings open for agenda items #12 and #13.  See related agenda items #16, #17 and #18.

Speaker(s):

• Edward Morrow, MPC Representative
• Ben Kirsch, legal director with Ogeechee Riverkeeper - OPPOSED
• Harold Yellin, representing the petitioner
• Jim Collins, civil engineer from Thomas & Hutton

Written comment(s):

• Kerrie Bieber - OPPOSED

Ald. Wilder-Bryan moved to close the zoning hearings for agenda items #12 and #13, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz asked the City Manager if there were any outstanding questions (no).  Dr. Shabazz detailed contents of Ms. Bieber's letter of concerns.  From the engineering and flooding point of view, Dr. Shabazz asked Mr. Yellin and Mr. Collins to provide additional details.  Dr. Shabazz provided more details regarding certain areas within her district that have experienced flooding and impacts from climate change.

Ald. Miller Blakely asked Mr. Morrow about the developers requirement to inform residents who will be impacted once the work begins by noise, dust, smoke, etc.  Mr. Morrow stated the jurisdiction will likely have to notify the residents and he detailed that he expects mostly/primarily apartments to be placed in this area.  Mr. Yellin responded.  Ald. Miller Blakely asked Mr. Kirsch about what happens when the river floods.  Mr. Kirsch responded.

Mayor Johnson pointed out that most of our areas are located in a flood plain, whereby Mr. Kirsch responded.

Ald. Lanier commented about growing pains we are experiencing and their impacts.  Our infrastructure is behind the growth, and the people who live there are negatively impacted.  At the same time, we need housing.  The more supply of housing we have the lower the prices, and when the supply is low we have exponential prices which are not as affordable.  Then she discussed inclusionary zoning and looking at other policies that can have or make an impact.  Ald. Lanier asked Mr. Morrow about the map, specifically the entrance to the manufacturing center.  Then she mentioned experiences and concerns with climate change, sporadic weather conditions, drainage, and flooding.

Mayor Johnson reminded Council of our responsibility to help grow our base, and we do that through annexation.  Growth pays for itself.  New opportunities and new land expands our map to help us do and be who we are.

Mayor Johnson declared the zoning hearings open for agenda items #12 and #13.  See related agenda items #16, #17 and #18.

Speaker(s):

• Edward Morrow, MPC Representative
• Ben Kirsch, legal director with Ogeechee Riverkeeper - OPPOSED
• Harold Yellin, representing the petitioner
• Jim Collins, civil engineer from Thomas & Hutton

Written comment(s):

• Kerrie Bieber - OPPOSED

Ald. Wilder-Bryan moved to close the zoning hearings for agenda items #12 and #13, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz asked the City Manager if there were any outstanding questions (no).  Dr. Shabazz detailed contents of Ms. Bieber's letter of concerns.  From the engineering and flooding point of view, Dr. Shabazz asked Mr. Yellin and Mr. Collins to provide additional details.  Dr. Shabazz provided more details regarding certain areas within her district that have experienced flooding and impacts from climate change.

Ald. Miller Blakely asked Mr. Morrow about the developers requirement to inform residents who will be impacted once the work begins by noise, dust, smoke, etc.  Mr. Morrow stated the jurisdiction will likely have to notify the residents and he detailed that he expects mostly/primarily apartments to be placed in this area.  Mr. Yellin responded.  Ald. Miller Blakely asked Mr. Kirsch about what happens when the river floods.  Mr. Kirsch responded.

Mayor Johnson pointed out that most of our areas are located in a flood plain, whereby Mr. Kirsch responded.

Ald. Lanier commented about growing pains we are experiencing and their impacts.  Our infrastructure is behind the growth, and the people who live there are negatively impacted.  At the same time, we need housing.  The more supply of housing we have the lower the prices, and when the supply is low we have exponential prices which are not as affordable.  Then she discussed inclusionary zoning and looking at other policies that can have or make an impact.  Ald. Lanier asked Mr. Morrow about the map, specifically the entrance to the manufacturing center.  Then she mentioned experiences and concerns with climate change, sporadic weather conditions, drainage, and flooding.

Mayor Johnson reminded Council of our responsibility to help grow our base, and we do that through annexation.  Growth pays for itself.  New opportunities and new land expands our map to help us do and be who we are.

Mayor Johnson declared the zoning hearings open for agenda item #14.  See related agenda item #15.

Speaker(s):

• Edward Morrow, MPC Representative

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to close the public hearing for agenda item #14, seconded by Ald. Lanier and Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved (to approve #15) that the first reading be considered the second and the ordinance placed upon its passage and passed, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

HEARD for First Reading Only.

HEARD for First Reading Only.

HEARD for First Reading Only.

Mayor Johnson stated he had not seen this ordinance in the initial stages, it was not shared with him.  He further stated that this city will not be a city who criminalizes homelessness.  We pride ourselves in being the Hostess City of the South. We have to be welcoming for all.  We have significant issues sometimes with our homeless neighbors, some on the criminal side.  He discussed this matter with the City Manager, philosophically.  We must strike a balance in treating people with dignity they deserve and inherit.  Also, how do we protect the city and provide reasonable liveability.

The City Manager provided a summary.

Mayor Johnson asked the City Manager if the ordinance criminalizes homelessness (no).  He asked if homeless people are forcefully removed from being in a public park, laying on a park bench, sitting on the ground, or sleeping.  The City Manager responded.

Speaker(s):

• Miranda Brawner - OPPOSED
• Chase Rosen - OPPOSED
• Quinn McHugh Fluet - OPPOSED
• Stephanie Kaple, representing Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) - IN SUPPORT

Ald. Leggett stated this is a very sensitive subject in the 2nd District.  Businesses and hotels suffer with a quality of life issue, as do the residents.  There are also people who are asking for help who are homeless and roofless.  He discussed how homeless people are dropped off in the city and how efforts are being taken to help send some homeless people back to their original homes.  He stated we should do everything that we can to not criminalize homelessness during these readings.  He encouraged support services and policies to address the root causes of homelessness.  We are definitely going to support our businesses, and give a helping hand to those who need help.

Ald. Purtee stated this is a very complex and difficult conversation to have.  He has worked to help homeless individuals for 25 years.  He sits on the Homeless Authority, volunteers with different groups and nonprofits, and he has been out there feeding the homeless.  Five years ago he was one of the Council members to push for the pedestrian safety ordinance to keep pedestrians out of the medians and sides of the roadways.  At that time, people thought we were trying to criminalize homelessness, when in fact it was just another tool to help keep people safe and connected to the right services.  Working in west Savannah and the southside, there are a lot of homeless persons.  We have done some phenomenal work with the ICH.  We used money from the CARES funding for homelessness in Savannah.  What we can do is never enough.  He is not advocating for or against this initiative.  There are some huge issues and contraints that the police officers have in dealing with homeless folks in the City of Savannah, like getting them connected to the right services, using a tool when they have committed an illegal activity and getting them removed from a place.  He told the story of a homeless community moving into a newly renovated park which costed more than $2 million.  Then he spoke of homeless persons with mental health issues and holding people accountable for criminal actions.  Sometimes criminal acts get overlooked when committed by homeless people.  He told another story of a lady being beaten up by a homeless person living in a park, and they could not get that person moved out of the park.  It gets very frustrating, and he is one of the biggest advocates for homeless persons and he talks/works on these matters everyday.  Churches are working in this area, the Dive, Family Promise, the City.  We are trying to get homeless people connected to their families.  And we don't have the money to get housing for all homeless people.  He doesn't think that people should get arrested for sleeping in a park, and he doesn't think people should be able to put up a tent city in the park either and terrorize people.  He sees the property crime increasing, so how do we hold people accountable for that.  Whatever we do next, he wants to be able to use it as a tool.  Police officers have discretion, but they also have one of the hardest jobs in the city.  As a city ordinance we can have discretion or another tool in our tool bag, whether we move forward with it or not.  Ald. Purtee does not believe that anybody wants to criminalize homelessness, he does not.  We have to get beyond what has not worked and what is not working.  We have to find out what works.

Ald. Bell thanked Ald. Purtee who said a lot of what she wanted to say.  This ordinance is not intended to be a violation of anybody's civil rights and not intended to criminalize homelessness.  She listened to speeches and statistics at the Homeless Authority breakfast meeting on yesteday.  From talking to the Director, what we are seeing and experiencing is the result of about 20 or 30 bad actors.  We will not criminalize a group of people based on the status of their living situation, but the ordinance will help to criminalize behavior.  This is just one tool, as the City Manager stated in his opening comments.  She feels proud to be a part of an organization that has led with compassion.  We have tried to connect people with services when they found themselves to be unsheltered, especially by partnering with the other agencies, churches and other individuals.  It gives the police the opportunity to deal with people who need to be dealt with.  Ald. Bell spoke about doing something about the situation and she has started working with a group on individuals (Housing Navigators) to help in this area of homelessness and affordable housing.  She is in support of this initiative because she believes the policemen need it.  This gives them a tool when they need it.

Mayor Johnson stated police officers have that tool already to address criminality by local ordinance and state law.

Ald. Miller Blakely has mentioned to the City Manager in the past that our streets/city are not clean and pristine like it used to be.  She called out some of the homeless individuals who stand in the medians and on the corners leaving trash in those areas.  She questioned what Charleston, SC and St. Mary's is doing that the City of Savannah is not doing, namely to erradicate homelessness so it is not so visible.  She stated this ordinance is a tool to help with those 30 individuals, and this is that something that we can do.  She stated she is going to support it and any other steps to connect them with services.

Mayor Johnson stated the record will show that Charleston SC moved their homeless persons to somewhere else, like Savannah and North Charleston SC.

Ald. Purtee asked if the City Attorney has reviewed this ordinance.  Mayor Johnson said yes, but he did not review it because it was not shared with him.

Ald. Lanier stated we are having this discussion because we have a problem and must do something.  We are trying to move the bad actors from the public spaces, but what they are going to do is move to private spaces.  She stated she knows west Savannah like the back of her hand, every nook and cranny over 66 years.  Her family has been there for seven (7) generations.  We haven't had a homelessness problem until lately.  People are now here that are not from the area and they are camping.  The problems are escalating, especially since they were moved from President's Street.  Ald. Lanier told a story about a lady who had to leave her house in the middle of the night for safety reasons with an infant and a toddler.  She asked City Manager Melder if the lady would have received a ticket (City Manager responded no, and he provided a detailed answer).  Ald. Lanier stated we want to show compassion, and if we had an incident we would want police officers to have extra training in order to deal with these matters.  City Manager Melder responded regarding the HOPE Unit in the Police Department.

Mayor Johnson spoke about the mentioning of the NW Precinct which is primarily downtown, but we have homelessness throughout our city.  He asked how do we make sure that the entire force has the training and the opportunity to utilize judgement and discretion, as it relates to people experiencing homelessness, and he wants to discuss that with the City Manager offline/later.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz thanked the executive directors of the Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) and Chatham-Savannah Homeless Authority (CSHA) for the hard work they do everyday.  She also thanked her Council colleagues who have put in the time over the years to do the work and bring ordinances like this in front of us, so we can better serve our citizens.  Since the encampment downtown on President's Street had to move, even places like off of DeRenne Avenue between White Bluff and Montgomery Street properties are being vandalized and trash.  Mayor Johnson responded that is criminal behavior that has to be addressed.

Ald. Wilder-Bryan read a passage from the Constitution.  She stated she serves on the Homeless Authority and she gets saddened by the things going on there.  From 2002-2019, the Homelessness Center said there has been an increase in ordinances against the homelessness by 92%.  Most people speaking against this (proposal) live downtown.  She has been working in the area of homelessness for many years, and we have to come up with solutions like those done in the Mighty Third District, 120 housing units.  We also have a mental health crisis, in addition to a homelessness crisis.  She has collected food for dogs and cats, because they help keep the rats and rodents away.  We are criminalizing that.  When we go to D.C. and Atlanta, they don't tell Governor Kemp to do that to all the people who are housed around his place.  Everyone is saying it is going to change the quality of your life, without thinking or caring about the people who have less than, or the mental capacity to keep a job.  We are overtaxing the police department.  There are over 32 camps, last count.  We can never erradicate homelessness or crime.  She does not support taking peoples property and personal identification/items which is horrible.  The ordinance does not offer solutions.  How about offering a better hourly wage, so people can have a place to live.  Katrina Bostick is getting single women out of the hotels into houses for two years, in order to get their lives together, get educated, and take care of their families.  Council members voted against the Salvation Army who helps to put families back together.  This is a negative thing towards homelessness.  Homeless people buy things and pay taxes.  Regardless of the words being used, this is criminalizing.  When we were on President's Street, things/services being offered were not wanted due to mental health issues.  Let's do something to change the dynamics/engagement of people who live in our community.  Some looking for housing have to deal with slumlords with mold, mildew, and other things due to messed up credit or a criminal record.  Let's not criminalize it and make it illegal to lay underneath the stars, and rest in areas y'all call home.  Let's do better and protect people that y'all don't wanna see.  Some people who are homeless want to be in the public because they are safe.  When we say good government, we want the same things.  Do an ordinance, but do not criminalize people who are trying to survive.  Savannah is no different than anywhere else, like D.C., where all of these laws are written.  Next in line will be that you don't want to see people because they are gay, old, or don't look like me.  We gotta do better because of humanity to help everybody.

Mayor Johnson stated he will reserve his comments until later, again he had not seen it (the proposal) until recently.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #20 through #26, #28, and #29, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #20 through #26, #28, and #29, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #20 through #26, #28, and #29, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #20 through #26, #28, and #29, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #20 through #26, #28, and #29, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #20 through #26, #28, and #29, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #20 through #26, #28, and #29, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Ald. Lanier moved to approve agenda item #27, seconded by Ald. Miller Blakely and Ald. Palumbo.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Ald. Lanier stated that refurbishing the fountain has been a highlight in the media lately.  This is one of the most outstanding assets that we have here.  It graces post cards and movies because of the type of investment we made in it.  During the workshop, we talked about investing in our assets.  When we take care of our assets, our assets take care of us.

Mayor Johnson added there is no right time to do this, it needs to be done proactively before the fountain breaks.  August 31st is the estimated completion date.  We have cleared the calendar for the rest of the year for public events.  Our best times are fall and spring, not the summer.

Ald. Leggett added there are only a certain amount of people on the east coast that are able to work on our type of fountain, same as the statute at the corner of Bull and Park Avenue, which was hit earlier in the year that had to be taken down and recast.  He thanked the Mayor Johnson, the City Manager and staff.  And we are doing everything we need to do in order to stay ahead and get the work done in the park.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #20 through #26, #28, and #29, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #20 through #26, #28, and #29, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

a.  Mayor Johnson moved to approve agenda item #30, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed, 6-3-0.  Ald. Miller Blakely, Ald. Lanier and Ald. Palumbo voted no.

b.  Ald. Lanier offered a substitute motion to go with Option 2 (vegetative cap), seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion failed, 3-6-0.  Ald. Miller Blakely, Ald. Lanier, and Ald. Palumbo voted yea.  Mayor Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz, Ald. Bell, Ald. Leggett, Ald. Wilder-Bryan, and Ald. Purtee voted no.

Ald. Palumbo thanked Team Savannah and his colleagues on Council for having a workshop on this matter where we gained a better understanding of the cost overruns.  He stated $8 million more for a parking lot, we might as well pave paradise and put up --, you get the idea.  When he walks through our neighborhoods, people don't stop him and ask for more parking.  It did not appear in our strategic plan as any of the priorities.  They asked for safer streets, affordable housing, flood protection, and to be good stewards of their dollars.  Today's agenda asked for an additional $8 million, but he noted another agenda item asks later for $11 million.  So he guessed that we are being asked for a total of $23 million for a project that was originally estimated at $7.5 million for a surface parking lot.  To him, that is not a cost overrun but fiscal malpractice.  The mobility crowd was thrown a bone with a multimodal component, which he appreciated, but that is not exclusive to a parking lot.  We can build a sidewalk, we can build a bike lane, without building a parking lot.  Troubling to him, they failed to provide Council with actual designs, explain how they are going to navigate a flood plain, contaminated site, and a railroad crossing for this new street.  Those details do matter.  He wants to make sure that we are not back here again asking for more money for an expanded project at a more difficult site.  All of this is for a site that cost us $14 million last week, $8 million this week, and now adds an additional street into the project.  Staff recommends utilizing the same contractors for a third time that did not remediate the site correctly, up until now.  That's why the cost has ballooned to triple the original estimate.  He appreciated that we do have options, up (just a parking lot) or down (get sued).  There is one other option to plant the flag and say we cleaned up the site, we did our best, and we preserved open space in an area that is increasingly losing it.  We can achieve this without paving it over.  We avoid creating a heat island, avoid the effect of creating a treeless site, and avoid dumping massive amounts of impervious surface into a flood plain adjacent to a drainage canal.  And we can preserve a large piece of open space right in the heart of our city.  Our constituents did not send us here to spend their money on asphalt, they sent us here to build a better future, one house, one sidewalk at a time.  He urged his colleagues to utilize these funds to clean up/remediate the site, and cap it off.  And live on to fight another day.

Mayor Johnson told the City Manager this deserves a response from him.  The City Manager responded with his recommended proposal.

Ald. Wilder-Bryan agreed that we are fiduciary members, and in this summary it said that the primary cause of cost overruns to date was determined to be for the excavation and hauling of soil based upon visual cues rather than iterative sampling.  She finds that to be very alarming.  We have to do better because that is our money.  When we said we did our due diligence, she thought that we took samples.  She is still worried about the aquifer.  The City Manager responded.  Ald. Wilder-Bryan reminded this Council that some people who sat here four years ago are sitting here now, and costs ran over because of the pandemic and nobody fussed about that when we had to increase costs for those contractors.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #31 through #38, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #31 through #38, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #31 through #38, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #31 through #38, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #31 through #38, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #31 through #38, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #31 through #38, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #31 through #38, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan and Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Johnson asked members of the public to avoid using Gulfstream Road from 6:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., during construction of the new runway requiring extensive road work in the area.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #39 through 43, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Lanier.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #39 through 43, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Lanier.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #39 through 43, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Lanier.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #39 through 43, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Lanier.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve agenda items #39 through 43, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Lanier.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Ald. Wilder-Bryan moved to approve agenda items #44 and #46, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Ald. Lanier moved to approve agenda item #45, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Ald. Lanier advised the City Manager that she has been hearing from some residents on Hutchinson Island in reference to some problems regarding drainage issues and fire apparatus issues.  She has not heard anything from this petitioner to get a good understanding of the request, other than what she has read.  She continues to advocate.  Where are we with inclusionary zoning because we're missing so many opportunities to have affordable housing with all of the apartments that we are approving?  The City Manager responded (three or four months out).  She responded she knows that there is not a legal requirement, but when developers come to an area they might want to know who the Alderperson is for that area and have a conversation with them.  Being overlooked with all the activities going on in the area is not gonna be acceptable, even if she needs to postpone this (agenda item) until she can find out some more about it.

Mayor Johnson asked the City Manager if this was time sensitive.  The City Manager explained details of his vetting of the project.

Ald. Lanier demanded she be respected in the position and stated they need to come back before us (Council) again for design work and whatever else.  She asked the City Manager to have a conversation with them.

Mayor Johnson asked Mr. McCorkle if he represented these folks and why he was excluding the Alderwoman.  Mr. McCorkle responded that this is a drainage project, he explained what is being done, and costs experienced by the developer.

Ald. Wilder-Bryan moved to approve agenda items #44 and #46, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #47, seconded by Ald. Wilder-Bryan.  The motion passed, 6-3-0.  Ald. Miller Blakely, Ald. Lanier and Ald. Palumbo voted no.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved (to approve agenda item #48) authorizing the City Attorney's Office to settle the claim of Genice Grant (a car wreck matter) in the amount of $40,000.00, seconded by Ald. Palumbo.  The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Following various announcements made by the Mayor and Aldermen, Mayor Johnson adjourned the regular meeting at 4:42 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:

https://www.youtube.com/@cityofsavannah/videos.