Agenda Plus - May 28, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting

MAY 28, 2026 - 2:00 p.m. - CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

CITY GOVERNMENT

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

The regular meeting of the City Council was held at 2:03 p.m., in Council Chambers. Mayor Van R. Johnson, II called the meeting to order. He then recognized Ald. Kurtis Purtee, who introduced Overseer Jerry Bartley, pastor of Sanctuary C.L.G. Stillmore, to offer the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States 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, 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

Assistant City Manager Taffanye Young

Chief of Staff Daphanie Williams

City Attorney Bates Lovett

Clerk of Council Mark Massey

Deputy Clerk of Council Gwendolyn Jones

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

1. Adoption of the Regular Meeting Agenda for May 28, 2026.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to adopt/approve item #1, seconded by Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

2. Approval of the Minutes for the Work Session and City Manager's Briefing Held on May 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Agenda Plus - WS DRAFT MINUTES_May 14, 2026 City Council Workshop- watermark.pdf

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #2 and #3, seconded by Ald. Wilder and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

3. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular Meeting Held on May 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Agenda Plus - RM DRAFT MINUTES_ May 14, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting-watermark.pdf

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #2 and #3, seconded by Ald. Wilder and Ald. Miller Blakely. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Johnson acknowledged Savannah-Chatham County Public School System's Board President, Roger Moss, who was in attendance. Mayor Johnson also recognized the City of St. Louis' 47th and former mayor Tishaura Jones who offered greetings.

ALCOHOL LICENSE HEARINGS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)

4. Approval of a Class B (Liquor, Wine) (By Manufacturing) Alcohol License to Victor Olshansky for ZIAMI Distillery at 224 Bourne Boulevard, Suite 100. The Establishment is Located between Bamford Boulevard and Bourne Boulevard in Aldermanic District 1. The Applicant Plans to Operate as a Manufacturer. (New Applicant/New Business)

Exhibit 1 - Checklist - Ziami Distillery

Exhibit 2 - Density Map - Ziami Distillery

Exhibit 3 - Alcohol Reports - Ziami Distillery

Exhibit 4 - Measurement Report - Ziami Distillery

Exhibit 5 - Safety Plan - Ziami Distillery

Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol hearings open for agenda items #4, #5, #6, and #7.

No speaker(s).

a. Ald. Lanier moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #4, #5, #6 and #7, seconded by Ald. Wilder and Ald. Leggett. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

b. Ald. Lanier moved to approve agenda item #4, seconded by Ald. Miller Blakely and Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

5. Approval of a Class E (Beer, Wine) (By the Package) Alcohol License to Jay Patel for Unique Food and Pharmacy at 634 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Establishment is Located between West Gaston Street and West Hall Street in Aldermanic District 2. The Applicant Plans to Continue to Operate as a Convenience Store. (New Applicant/Existing Business)

Exhibit 1 - Checklist - Unique Food and Pharmacy

Exhibit 2 - Density Map - Unique Food and Pharmacy

Exhibit 3 - Alcohol Reports - Unique Food and Pharmacy

Exhibit 4 - Measurement Report - Unique Food and Pharmacy

Exhibit 5 - Safety Plan - Unique Food and Pharmacy

Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol hearings open for agenda items #4, #5, #6, and #7.

No speaker(s).

a. Ald. Lanier moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #4, #5, #6 and #7, seconded by Ald. Wilder and Ald. Leggett. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

b. Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #5, seconded by Ald. Wilder, Ald. Miller Blakely, and Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

6. Approval of a Class E (Beer, Wine) (By the Package) Alcohol License to Vinaybhai D. Patel for Avni Farms at 802 Montgomery Street. The establishment is located between West Gwinnett Street and West Bolton Street in Aldermanic District 2. The applicant plans to operate a Convenience Store. (New Applicant/Existing Business)

EXHIBIT 1 - CHECKLIST AVNI FARMS

EXHIBIT 2 - DENSITY MAP AVNI FARMS

EXHIBIT 3 - ALCOHOL REPORTS AVNI FARMS

EXHIBIT 4 - MEASUREMENT REPORT AVNI FARMS

EXHIBIT 5 - SAFETY PLAN AVNI FARMS

Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol hearings open for agenda items #4, #5, #6 and #7.

No speaker(s).

a. Ald. Lanier moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #4, #5, #6, and #7, seconded by Ald. Wilder and Ald. Leggett. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

b. Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #6, seconded by Ald. Miller Blakely and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

7. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Beer, Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to Marvin D. Godley for Lester's, a Restaurant at 18 East Oglethorpe Ave. The Establishment is Located between Drayton Street and Abercorn Street in Aldermanic District 2. The Applicant Plans to Operate a Restaurant. (New Applicant/New Request)

Exhibit 1 - Checklist - Lester's

Exhibit 2 - Density Map - Lester's

Exhibit 3 - Alcohol Reports - Lester's

Exhibit 4 - Measurement Report - Lester's

Exhibit 5 - Safety Plan - Lester's

Mayor Johnson declared the alcohol hearings open for agenda items #4, #5, #6 and #7.

No speaker(s).

a. Ald. Lanier moved to close the alcohol license hearings for agenda items #4, #5, #6, and #7, seconded by Ald. Wilder and Ald. Leggett. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

b. Ald. Leggett moved to approve agenda item #7, seconded by Ald. Miller Blakely and Ald. Palumbo. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

ORDINANCES - FIRST AND SECOND READING - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)

8. Approval of an Amendment to the Stopping, Standing, and Parking Prohibited Ordinance. (Clerk of Council)

Exhibit 1: ORD REPEAL MAUPAS ssp prohibition jnh 05192026.docx

Ald. Miller Blakely moved (to approve agenda item #8) that the first reading be considered the second and the ordinance placed upon its passage and passed, seconded by Ald. Purtee and Ald. Lanier. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Johnson stated that before council considered this item, he wanted to make sure that council understood the methodology for why this was recommended to council for approval in the first place. City Manager Melder explained.

Ald. Miller Blakely stated the City did not give the business (Autoworks) that was there for 38 years any notification that something like this was going to take place. Ald. Miller Blakely explained that the business does not utilize the actual street itself, but has been utilizing spaces when he does business. She stated it was no different than what they do with the business, exactly like this one that is right around the corner on Habersham. Ald. Miller Blakely stated that this was a historically black-owned business in Savannah, and the way it happened made it look as if this particular business was being targeted. She further expressed that there were other businesses, nightclubs, located on Bull Street, and those businesses need areas to park at night. Ald. Miller Blakely asked why we are putting prohibited parking in that particular area.

Mayor Johnson asked, Ald. Miller Blakely, a series of questions regarding the business and the parking restrictions on the street. Mayor Johnson stated that, after hearing all of this, he wanted to make sure we are making decisions based on some methodology. He referred to Ald. Miller Blakely's point that if there is a similar circumstance on an adjacent street, then maybe both of them should be no stopping, standing, or parking. He stated he wanted to know the City Manager's thoughts. City Manager Melder stated that there will still be an issue with that business and others if they improperly store cars there. Mayor Johnson replied that if the code was an issue, then we need to enforce the code, and we need to make sure that it hurts. He expressed that he wanted to make sure that the decision to do this was based on the need for the street and not to address the business.

Ald. Lanier asked the City Manager to explain the reason why we placed the yellow line there and whether it was because of the code violations. City Manager Melder responded. Ald. Lanier expressed that she has a persistent issue in the 1st District about businesses whose operations are exceeding the size of their lot causing them to conduct business on the right-of-way. Ald. Lanier stated that she does not think we could solve that issue with this ordinance, and would not want to target this business because of that. She further stated that she does not see the consistency of how we are applying some type of measure to use this ordinance on this particular business. Ald. Lanier stated she did not want to use this to try to solve another kind of problem.

Ald. Leggett stated that we have to be very careful about how we proceed. He stated the business owner should be made aware of what may happen or could happen once this is passed. Ald. Leggett stated that once we open the street for parking on that side of the street, it means that anyone is able to park on that side of the street, and you cannot store vehicles there overnight. He asked that the City place a wide turn stripe there to give large vehicles the opportunity to turn onto Maupus Street.

Ald. Miller Blakely stated that the City Manager mentioned there were several accidents there (on Maupus Street) and she asked to receive a copy of the accident reports.

ORDINANCES - SECOND READING - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)

9. Approval of an Ordinance Amendment to the City of Savannah's Existing Small Wireless Facilities and Antennas Ordinance and Other Related Codes (Real Estate Services)

Exhibit 1 - SWFAA Ordinance Amendment.pdf

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

Ald. Palumbo thanked our community partners for stepping up to the plate and for joining that day, including Mr. Sanchez (AT&T Regional Director, Southeast GA). He stated that we had conferred before this meeting and welcomed good community partners to help us make the process better.

Mayor Johnson acknowledged receipt of Mr. Sanchez's letter, which was recorded as a public written comment.

PURCHASING ITEMS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)

10. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Construction Contract to the Polote Corporation for Interior Facility Upgrades and Roof Replacement at the Woodville Community Center in the Amount of $400,000. (Capital Projects)

Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Woodville Community Center Upgrades and Roof Replacement.pdf

Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Woodville Community Center Upgrades and Roof Replacement.pdf

Ald. Lanier moved to approve item #10, seconded by Ald. Miller Blakely and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Ald. Lanier stated she wanted to bring attention to this item for the people of Woodville, who have been advocating to have some renovations done to the center for quite some time, and to the property with the flooding issue in the rear. Ald. Lanier wanted the people in Woodville to know that the Council was voting on it.

11. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract for Facility Master Plan to McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture (MPS) in the Amount Not to Exceed $250,000. (Real Estate Services)

Exhibit 1: Funding Verification-Facilities Masterplan

Exhibit 2: Purchasing Note - Facilities Masterplan

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #11 through #15, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

12. Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Modification No. 1 for Sludge Pond Dredging in Wilshire Pond with Water Solve in an Amount Not to Exceed $800,000. (Water Reclamation Department)

Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Contract Modification No.1 to Sludge Pond Dredging Contract.pdf

Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Contract Modification No.1 to Sludge Pond Dredging Contract.pdf

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #11 through #15, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

13. Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Annual Maintenance Agreement for the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) with Emerson Process Management in an Amount Not to Exceed $106,521.59. (Water Supply & Treatment Department)

Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Annual Maintenance Agreement for SCADA with Emerson Process Management.pdf

Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Annual Maintenance Agreement for SCADA with Emerson Process Management.pdf

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #11 through #15, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

14. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract for the Reconstruction of the Forsyth Park Tennis Courts with Edwards Construction Group, LLC in an Amount Not to Exceed $363,081. (Recreation and Leisure Services)

Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Reconstruction of Tennis Courts.pdf

Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Reconstruction of Tennis Courts.pdf

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #11 through #15, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

15. Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Modification No. 2 for the DeLesseps Avenue Improvement Project with APAC-Atlantic, Inc. in the Amount of $400,000. (Capital Projects)

Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Delesseps Avenue Improvement Project.pdf

Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Delesseps Avenue Improvement Project.pdf

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to approve items #11 through #15, seconded by Ald. Palumbo and Ald. Wilder. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.

Mayor Johnson asked the City Manager when Delesseps Ave. was going to be finished. City Manager Melder stated it would be late this summer.

Ald. Wilder expressed that her constituents in the 3rd District had several questions. She also stated that the project looked really good, and the people are enjoying the sidewalks. Ald. Wilder stated she wanted us to move more quickly on our capital budgeting things because our people are hungry for success and this is a success.

SAVANNAH AIRPORT COMMISSION

16. Approval to Execute a Contract with Aviation Construction & Electric for the Runway 1 Localizer Project, in the Amount of $1,960,000.