OF THE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

The work session and City Manager’s briefing was held at 12:04 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

Chief of Staff Daphanie Williams

City Attorney Bates Lovett

Clerk of Council Mark Massey

Deputy Clerk of Council Margaret Fox

Workshop Agenda Items

1. Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Authorities

FACILITATED by Mayor Johnson, the following Boards, Commissions and Authorities were reviewed for available appointments for nomination:

Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizens Advisory Committee
Cultural Affairs Commission
Downtown Savannah Authority
Ethics Board
Keep Savannah Beautiful
Park and Tree Commission
Pilotage Commission
Savannah Development and Renewal Authority
Savannah Recreation Commission
Savannah Resource Recovery Development Authority

Mayor Johnson indicated no action would be taken today, but Council would revisit the nominations at the first Council Meeting in December 2022.

The public was encouraged to apply for positions on the Boards, Commissions and Authorities.

2. Budget Update

Exhibit 1: Budget Teaser.pdf

PRESENTED by City Manager Melder and Office of Management & Budget Director Melissa Carter.

The 2023 Proposed Budget was distributed to Council Members. There will be an all day Budget Retreat on Monday, November 14, 2022, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Civic Center Ballroom.

Ms. Carter reviewed dates associated with the 2023 Proposed Budget preparation and distributed the FY2023 Council Budget Workshop Agenda for November 14, 2022. The 2023 Proposed Budget can be reviewed on-line at www.savannahga.gov/budget.

3. Impact Fees

Exhibit 1: Impact Fee.pdf

PRESENTED by City Manager Melder and Planning & Urban Design Director Bridget Lidy. City Manager Melder explained impact fees are for new development only, mainly single-family and multi-family development projects. He will be send Council Member a survey to be completed as timely as possible. He also thanked staff for all the hard work in generating information and getting the impact fee presentation ready for Council.

The following questions and comments from members of the City Council were answered/accepted by City Manager Melder and Ms. Lidy:

Mayor Johnson thanked staff for all the work in getting the impact fee information to Council. Impact fees
Alderwoman Miller Blakely asked Ms. Lidy to explain a grandfathered project (this is a project already in development). City Manager Melder explained impact fees are assessed at the time of the building permit, any project pass the permit phase will not have an impact fee.
Alderwoman Lanier asked how the home builders association responded. Ms. Lidy indicated no response received yet. Alderwoman Lanier asked Ms. Lidy if the 3% administrative fee was included in the formula totals presented (not in the Savannah calculations, but in the other cities). Alderwoman Lanier asked about the spike in the formula. Ms. Lidy indicated the Savannah spike is in the parks and recreation category. Alderwoman Lanier asked if the collected funds would go back into that area (the fund is city wide, so the collected funds would be used for city wide priority projects).
Mayor Pro-Tem asked how will capital improvement element be distinguished from the capital improvement project. City Manager Melder explained the difference. Mayor Pro-Tem explained she is not in favor of the impact fee as it puts more burden on residents building a new home.

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

ADD-ON:

4. Review of the Proposed 2023 Meeting Calendar for the Mayor and Aldermen.

PRESENTED by Mayor Johnson and City Manager Melder. The following changes were approved by Council for the 2023 City Council meeting schedule:

Move February 9, 2023 Meeting to February 7, 2023 (Savannah-Chatham Day in Atlanta, GA)
Remove July 13, 2023 Meeting (No Meeting)
Move November 23, 2023 Meeting to November 21, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. (Thanksgiving)
Move December 14, 2023 Meeting to December 7, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. (Holiday Season)
Move December 28, 2023 Meeting to December 19, 2023 (Holiday Season

Mayor Johnson adjourned the Workshop at 1:19 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=jZAxgBg5ibom

Mark Massey, Clerk of Council

Date Minutes Approved: November 22, 2022

Signature: MM