OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS

OF THE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

The work session and City Manager’s briefing was held at 4:33 p.m. Mayor Johnson recognized Alderman Purtee to offer a prayer.

PRESENT: Mayor Van R. Johnson, II, Presiding

Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter, 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

Alderman Nick Palumbo, District 4, Vice-Chairman

Alderwoman Dr. Estella Edwards Shabazz, District 5, Mayor Pro-Tem

Alderman Kurtis Purtee, District 6

ALSO, PRESENT:

City Manager Joseph A. Melder

Kahntilida Coleman, Assistant to the City Manager

City Attorney Bates Lovett

Deputy Clerk of Council Margaret Fox

Workshop Agenda Items

1. Capital Projects

Exhibit 1: Capital Projects Update.pdf

Mayor Johnson introduced City Manager Melder for information concerning capital projects. Mr. Melder introduced Assistant City Manager Heath Lloyd who gave a brief overview of the presentation and informed Council 1.) not all capital projects are listed; and 2.) SPLOST projects are included. Mr. Lloyd introduced Director of Capital Projects Cristy Lawrence for a portion of the presentation and Mr. Lloyd completed the presentation. Upon completion of the PowerPoint presentation Mr. Lloyd asked the Capital Projects Management team to stand for recognition.

Following the presentation, there was discussion and questions from Council as it relates to the information received:

Alderwoman Miller Blakely has concerns about the small size of the Southside Community Center and when the Center will be completed (City Manager Melder explained the Center was approved in the FY2022 Budget on city-owned property). In reference to the $6 million children's museum, Alderwoman Miller Blakely asked if the funds were still available (Ms. Lawrence stated the $6 million was SPLOST funds and currently being used for roof and other repairs). She asked how long will the repairs take at Joe Tribble park (no date, but will get information to Council - Mr. Lloyd). Alderwoman Miller Blakely asked where the lighting upgrade was in SPLOST V (Mr. Lloyd will get information back to Council. Mr. Melder indicated additional information was provided in the Tuesday Night Memo to Council).
Mayor Johnson indicated the staff is working with Georgia Power on citywide lighting audit/update. The program was recently started so improved lighting will be implemented soon. He also indicated there is a Shared Facilities Agreement on the agenda which includes the Southside.
Mayor Pro-Tem Dr. Shabazz asked Ms. Lawrence about the 55 project managers. What projects are included in the $197 million (storm, water, sewer and drainage projects). Mayor Pro-Tem Dr. Shabazz was grateful the presenters showed how additional costs are incurred during project development. She thanked Assistant City Manager Lloyd for explaining the repairs at Joe Tribble Park and advised/asked the public not to enter the Park due to the sink holes/tunnels. This is a public safety concern. She asked City Manager Melder for breakdown percentages of DBE's & local contractors for the capital projects (Mr. Melder will provide Council with the information). Additionally, Mayor Pro-Tem Dr. Shabazz asked Mr. Melder for updated information on Springfield Drainage Project SPLOST IV, SPLOST V & SPLOST 6, traffic calming devices, wheel chair access ramps, Project DeRenne Avenue widening project, Victory Drive corridor improvements, recreation reimagined, and the joint public safety facilities.
Mayor Johnson requested City Manager Melder to provide Council Members with an updated breakdown of all SPLOST VI projects.
Alderwoman Wilder-Bryan asked Ms. Lawrence to explain the definition of value engineering (an on-going project that is reanalyzed to decreased the scope or cost in order to meet the budget limitations); and in design (architects are in planning & actively working on project design documents). For the SPLOST IV, she asked what does interconnect mean (Mr. Lloyd stated it means to connect traffic signals in order to get emergency vehicles through traffic). Alderwoman Wilder-Bryan stated, the 3rd District needs more projects, and the District only received $450,000. She asked if there were any dates of completion on FEMA projects (Ms. Lawrence stated staff is still awaiting approval from FEMA, the project is out of the city's control).
Mayor Johnson explained to Alderwoman Wilder-Bryan that the prior administrations gave the 3rd District numerous projects when other Districts did not get any projects. He requested City Manager Melder provide Council with the SPLOST projects by District.
Alderman Purtee thanked City Manager Melder for moving projects forward in the 6th District and for the Joe Tribble Park repairs. He thanked Assistant City Manager Lloyd for the explanation of the Park repairs.
Alderwoman Lanier stated that many years have passed and the projects for SPLOST IV and V are still active. Will SPLOST VI projects take this long for completion, is there a way staff can fast-track SPLOST VI projects? She discussed the citywide parks in need of immediate attention and the need for equity. Mr. Lloyd explained SPLOST IV had large scale infrastructure projects that take time; he indicated SPLOST funding does not come-in all at one time it could take multiple years.
Alderwoman Gibson-Carter asked for the budget balances on the SPLOST projects and if any of the SPLOST funds were in interest bearing accounts. She asked for a full assessment of SPLOST funds remaining for each District, and a comparison of the capital improvement budget vs. SPLOST budget. She also asked if there are any policies on allocations of the capital project budget. Assistant City Manager Lloyd will get the information to Council Members.
Alderman Palumbo asked for an update on the SPLOST III, Casey Canal South Drainage Project. Assistant City Manager Lloyd stated this project currently has a $37 million budget and has been bid out numerous times, but always comes back higher than the city can afford. Staff is currently looking at using alternative new technology that is within the city's budget.
Mayor Johnson asked Mr. Lloyd could the incremental approach be used for Casey Canal South Drainage Projects (yes). He asked City Manager Melder to look at how utilizing project management could move projects along faster.

City Manager Melder will follow-up on providing Council with information concerning all their questions and requests. He announced the promotion of Gene Prevatt as the new Government Operations Chief.

Mayor Johnson thanked the presenters for all the information and updates and the capital projects team for their outstanding work for the City.

The PowerPoint presentation is available and on file in the Clerk of Council's office.

Mayor Johnson adjourned the Workshop at 6:02 p.m.

A video recording of the workshop can be found by copying and inserting the link below in your url:

https://savannahgovtv.viebit.com/player.php?hash=IO1vUPp8CIzD

Mark Massey, Clerk of Council

Date Minutes Approved: June 9, 2022

Signature: MM