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, II, Tony Thomas, John Hall and Estella E. Shabazz

Rob Hernandez, City Manager

Bret Bell, Assistant to the City Manager

Brooks Stillwell, City Attorney

William Shearouse, Assistant City Attorney

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. 

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 25th day of October, 2018 the Council entered into a closed session for the purpose of discussing Personnel. At the close of the discussions upon this subject, the Council reentered into open session and herewith takes the following action in open session:

1. The actions of Council and the discussions of the same regarding the matter set forth for the closed session purposes are hereby ratified;
2. 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;
3. 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
4. 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: OCTOBER 25, 2018 upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried. Mayor DeLoach and Alderman Durrence were not present for the vote.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried. Mayor DeLoach and Alderman Durrence were not present for the vote.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried. Mayor DeLoach and Alderman Durrence were not present for the vote.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried. Mayor DeLoach and Alderman Durrence were not present for the vote.

Bishop Odum and members of the Temple of Glory Community Church congregation came forward to receive a proclamation declaring October 25, 2018 Bishop Matthew M. Odum, Sr. Day in Savannah. Alderman Johnson thanked Bishop Odum for over thirty-three years of service in Savannah and wished him many more years of success. Mayor DeLoach congratulated Bishop Odum and thanked him for his service. Bishop Odum thanked the Mayor and Council for this recognition for which he was humbled by and stated he was thankful for the privilege of serving people.

Alderman Johnson read the following proclamation:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS:  In January of 1985, Bishop Matthew M. Odum, Sr. was installed as the third Pastor of Garvin Temple Baptist Church, which in 2000, became the Temple of Glory Community Church.  He has led this congregation for more than 33 years; and

WHEREAS:  Under Bishop Odum’s stellar leadership, Temple of Glory Community Church has experienced exponential growth in membership and has become a staple in the greater Savannah community; and

WHEREAS: Bishop Matthew M. Odum has been a consummate leader in the City of Savannah, having served on numerous boards and committees; and

WHEREAS:  Bishop Odum became affiliated with Global United Fellowship shortly after its inception. His professionalism and spiritual leadership contributed to his appointment to several offices, including State Bishop of Georgia and subsequently, Chairman of the Coalition of Bishops; and

WHEREAS:  On Tuesday, October 9, 2018, Bishop Matthew M. Odum, Sr., Senior Pastor of the Temple of Glory Community Church, was officially installed as Vice Presider of Global United Fellowship.

THEREFORE I, Eddie W. DeLoach, Mayor of the City of Savannah, do hereby proclaim Thursday, October 25, 2018 as:

“BISHOP MATTHEW M. ODUM, SR. DAY”

in Savannah and urge local citizens to join me in recognizing, honoring and congratulating Bishop Matthew M. Odum, Sr. for 33 plus years of service to the Savannah community.

Flau’Jae Johnson and her mother, Kia Jones, came forward to receive a proclamation declaring November 5, 2018 Flau’Jae Johnson Day in Savannah. Mayor Pro-Tem Bell recounted Flau’Jae’s accomplishments and determination to start her career.  Flau’Jae thanked the City and the community for supporting her through her ups and downs and discussed what is next in her career.

Mayor Pro-Tem Bell read the following proclamation:

WHEREAS: Flau’Jae Johnson, a native Savannahian and an America’s Got Talent contestant, is a gifted rising Hip-Hop artist; and  

WHEREAS: Flau’Jae Johnson, the daughter of the late great Hip-Hop artist, Jason “Camouflage” Johnson, overcame tragedy and struggles to pursue her own dreams as a Hip-Hop performer. With a goal driven mindset and unwavering commitment, Flau’Jae has proven that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing dreams; and 

WHEREAS: In 2013, at the age of nine, Flau’Jae Johnson released her first album, “Y’all Know Flau’Jae.”  By the age of 12, Flau’Jae  had toured with Mindless Behavior and the OMG Girlz, done over 200 performances, and was a top contender on Season 3 of the Reality Series “The Rap Game”; and

WHEREAS: Flau’Jae Johnson was a nominee and winner of the “Youth Achiever of the Year” 2018 Rice Awards in Atlanta, Georgia, and became the first teenager to earn a Key to the City of Savannah, Georgia, in June 2018; and

WHEREAS: Flau’Jae Johnson is a philanthropist who has served as a coach and mentor at the Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club and devotes her spare time to feeding the hungry in her community. She is a highly recruited AAU elite basketball star who led her team to several tournament championships; and

WHEREAS: Flau’Jae Johnson represented the City of Savannah in the 13^th Season of America’s Got Talent which premiered on May, 29, 2018. She competed against a field of contestants vying for the win and the chance to move on to a national competition and made it to the quarterfinals; and

WHEREAS: The City of Savannah is proud to recognize and honor Flau’Jae Johnson for her admirable accomplishments and determination to overcome insurmountable odds to start a promising rap and music career

NOW, THEREFORE, I Eddie W. DeLoach, Mayor of the City of Savannah, do hereby proclaim Monday, November 5, 2018 as:

“FLAU’JAE JOHNSON DAY”

in Savannah and urge local citizens to join me in congratulating Flau’Jae Johnson and wishing her many more years of success.

Israel Small, Memorial Health Board of Directors member, Shayne George, Memorial Health CEO, and representatives appeared to present the City of Savannah with a donation of $30,000 for the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund. Mr. George stated Memorial Health looks forward to continuing to be a great community partner.

Terri O’Neil, Executive Director of the Savannah Philharmonic, and Gena Taylor, Executive Director of Greenbriar Children’s Center, invited the community to attend the Philharmonic in the Streetz on November 18 at the Greenbriar Children’s Center. This is the second year the event will be held at the Greenbriar and it is a great opportunity for the community to come together.

Manny Dominguez, Director of the Office of Business Opportunity, appeared to announce Small Business Saturday which will be the Saturday immediately after Black Friday (November 24, 2018). He stated it is an opportunity to support the local business community. Ammie Dover, from Shop Local, stated 68 cents of every dollar spent locally will stay local which is why it is incredibly important to support local businesses. This is the third year for the Small Business Saturday event and they will be providing free marketing for businesses, many of which have very tight budgets. She continued stating there will be a hub in Ellis Square with shopping bags and coupons, and Old Savannah Tours will be providing a special tour of shops. Alderwoman Shabazz read the proclamation declaring November 24, 2018 Small Business Saturday stressing the importance of small businesses to the economy of Savannah and encouraging citizens to participate by supporting local businesses.

Alderwoman Shabazz read the following proclamation:

Proclamation Declaring November 24, 2018, Small Business Saturday in Savannah

WHEREAS:  The City of Savannah recognizes the value and importance of small businesses to the local, regional and national economy; and

WHEREAS:  According to the United States Small Business Administration, there are currently 28.8 million small businesses in the United States representing 99.7 percent of all businesses with employees in the United States; and

WHEREAS:  Small businesses are responsible for 63 percent of net new jobs created over the past two decades; and

WHEREAS:  Small businesses employ more than half of the city’s private sector work force and are critical to the growth of our local economy as they continue to drive significant job creation and innovation; and

WHEREAS:  The City of Savannah supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy and preserve our communities; and

WHEREAS:  The City of Savannah celebrates our local small businesses and the contributions they make to our local economy and community.

NOW, THEREFORE I, Eddie W. DeLoach, Mayor of the City of Savannah, do hereby proclaim November 24, 2018, as “SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY” in Savannah, and encourage local citizens to participate in Small Business Saturday by supporting local stores, businesses, restaurants and other independent merchants throughout the Savannah community.

Doug Andrews and members of the Veterans Council of Chatham County appeared to introduce the Veteran of the Year, Sergeant First Class Nathaniel Howard, Jr., who was selected by the twenty-seven member organization. Mr. Andrews also announced that the 2018 Parade Grand Marshal will be Retired Fire Chief G. John Parker and Mike Brady will be the Veterans Day Parade Adjutant. The parade will be Monday, November 12, 2018 and will be the largest since its inception in 1946 with 110 units to include 15 bands and 15 Doberman pinchers. Mr. Andrews concluded by recognizing all veterans in the room. 

Upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Thomas, and unanimously carried, approval was given by Council to grant the 2018 Veterans Day Parade permit to the Veterans Council.

Mayor Pro-Tem Bell read a proclamation in honor of those who served and sacrificed in World War I and called upon organizations across Savannah to ring their bells on November 11, 2018 at 11:00 am in honor of the Armistice that ended World War I in 1918. 

Mayor Pro-Tem Bell read the following resolution:

WHEREAS: A century ago 4.7 million American families sent their sons and daughters off to World War I; and

WHEREAS: Men and women from Savannah, Georgia served selflessly and honorably in World War I; and

WHEREAS: 116,516 Americans, including at least 125 from Chatham County, gave their lives in the war, and more than 200,000 Americans were wounded; and 

WHEREAS: The tolling of bells is a traditional expression of honor and remembrance; and

WHEREAS: In November 2018 the world will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the fighting in World War I at 11:00 a.m., November 11, 1918 -- the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month; and 

WHEREAS: On April 6, 2018, the United States World War I Centennial Commission called upon all Americans across the nation to toll bells in remembrance of those who served in World War I on Armistice Day, November 11, 2018.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah do hereby call upon organizations across Savannah to join the City in tolling their bells in remembrance of those who served in World War I at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 2018 and call upon our citizens to pause at that time for a moment of reflection.

Luciana Spracher, Director of the Municipal Archives, announced that City Hall’s bells would ring on November 11^th at 11:00 am in honor of Savannahians who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Doug Andrews announced that at the same time a series of 21 buglers would be playing taps staged between City Hall and the World War I Memorial at Daffin Park.

City Manager Hernandez: Mr. Mayor, this particular item is also related to item number 26 where you will be approving a resolution adopting the City’s One Year Action Plan. If there are no comments from the public…

Alderman Miller: Mr. Mayor, before we do that, I'd like to mention that this is an impressive amount of money that we're putting towards this. I would like to point out that in the future I would hope we could try to taper this in some way to address lower income housing than what we're doing now. We have a lot of marketplace housing and we have a lot of workforce housing that’s underway. We have some low income housing, but we have a lot of people who are having a hard time getting low income housing. While I applaud what we're doing here, I would hope in the future we try to look at those people who do need help. We have a lot of homeless people here who can afford housing, but at a much lower rate.

Alderman Johnson: Mr. City Manager, obviously we kind of do this every year in terms of correlating and submitting this action plan. I'm really very interested in the terms of a cumulative effort. Obviously it is helpful where we can, but I think ultimately it has to be not only policy action, but also a fiduciary action on behalf of the elected body to help make some of the changes that we have to make locally, not only just on the federal level. So, if you have any types of historical data in terms of presentation of these plans and then how that work is actually manifested I'd be interested in knowing. Do you understand what I'm saying?

City Manager Hernandez: Yes, do you want us to cover that here, now?

Alderman Johnson: No, I think it's helpful for Council. And again, I think ultimately we do these plans every year, but we have to be able to show if the things that we're doing are working and how do we do that in a way that's quantifiable and measurable. If it's not then ultimately we have to do something else or something different or something from this body to help aid that process.

City Manager Hernandez: I see what you’re asking for, and I think last year we did that. I do recall us having a presentation last year on this very same issue and giving you a performance report on the number of units that were either purchased or rehabilitated and so forth. So, we will do that again going forward.

Alderman Johnson: And I think the other part of that is because in between the plans there are actions that we've taken both in zoning and land use and development that dramatically affects the plan from one year to another. So, I think the impact of what we've done on the plans I think will be helpful for Council.

City Manager Hernandez: You're absolutely correct because what the plan basically does is just identify for the federal government how we plan to expend the federal grants that we receive and what you're asking for it in fact paints a broader picture of that.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Foster and unanimously carried.

Alderman Johnson: Obviously I don't have problems with issuing general obligation bonds for the Downtown Streetscape Improvements but I'm sure all of the district aldermen would definitely agree there are opportunities within our respective communities where we also have the opportunity to utilize that to address pressing needs and I hope we'll do the same at that time.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried. 

Marcus Lotson, Metropolitan Planning Commission: This item before you is a request to amend the existing approved special uses for the property at 5715 Skidaway Road, this is the Cohen’s Retreat property. Over the recent years this body has approved a number of uses on this property including a restaurant, banquet hall, catering business, office space, as well as art galleries and studios. Currently, under the current zoning any new development or uses proposed here have to come before the Mayor and Aldermen for approval. One thing that they are requesting today is approval of a new outdoor pavilion, a 20 by 30 building that will be designed to house a section of the Blarney Stone, which I'm not going to try to explain to you all, I think the applicant can probably do a better job of that than me. But essentially it is an outdoor building that will be located roughly at the corner of Skidaway Road and Bacon Park Drive on their property. Because it is a new building on the property it is required to be approved by this body. In the MPC’s review of the proposal they found no adverse impacts and are recommending approval.

Alderman Miller: Our information on this keeps referring to signage, but as I understand there is no signage on this.

Mr. Lotson: That's right Alderman Miller, in their original petition they did include a request to amend their currently approved signage. They did withdraw that portion of the approval. So, that is not a part of what you'd be voting on today.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.

Marcus Lotson, Metropolitan Planning Commission: Mr. Mayor, this property before you at 1602 Bull Street is a corner lot at Bull between 32^nd and 33^rd. The petitioner is requesting that the property be rezoned from the current TN-2 classification, that’s a traditional neighborhood classification in the Mid-City District, to the TC-1 classification. This is one of the few properties along Bull Street in terms of corner lots that is not zoned TC-1. In review of the zoning, staff and the Planning Commission did find that the TC-1 district based on the adjoining properties is appropriate and we're recommending approval to rezone the property to the TC-1 classification.

Alderman Miller: Do you know what the intentions are for the property?

Mr. Lotson: The applicant is the adjoining property owner that has a successful restaurant at that location. So, they have not given us specific details as to the potential expansion of their business.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.

Alderman Johnson: Is Counsel for this property here?

Harold Yellin, Agent for the Petitioner: There are no specific plans yet. We do want to expand at some point into some form of commercial operation, but we don't have specifics yet. As Mr. Lotson mentioned we’re for some reason the only lot anywhere up and down the street zoned this way. So, we felt it best to go ahead and do it now and then we will come back with plans in the future.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.

Marcus Lotson, Metropolitan Planning Commission: Mr. Mayor, this property is amongst a series of strip commercial properties on Hodgson Memorial Drive between Stephenson Avenue and Eisenhower. The petitioner has requested to rezone the property from the current institutional and professional classification to the B-C classification. Apparently the property owner had a tenant who wanted to move into the property and establish a tattoo studio on the property. However, it is not permitted within the institutional professional zoning classification. So, they had requested the B-C zoning classification. The Planning Commission found that the development pattern in this area, specifically in this block, although there were some commercial uses, really constituted a number of office uses and sort of lower intensity commercial uses. They also found that the uses that are permitted in the B-C zoning designation, including service stations, car washes, fuel stations, and drive thru restaurants were not consistent with the development pattern at this location and are recommending denial.

Alderman Miller: As I understand it, there’s not enough parking, there’s like seven parking spaces?

Mr. Lotson: Yes, the current center is under parked, so a more intense use permitted there could impact the parking.

Hearing closed upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Foster, and unanimously carried.

Denial approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Foster, and unanimously carried.

Neil Dawson, Architect [District 2 resident]: You're passing around a special flood map that has been adopted through one of the engineering studies that's referenced in the Stormwater Ordinance that you're doing the first reading on. This map was adopted in August 2016 by staff. Under the ordinance they're allowed to do engineering studies that predict where flooding may occur. Much to my surprise as both an architect and a homeowner in this area, this is the Landmark District and the Victorian District, about half of that is now in a special flood zone, a City designated special flood zone. The impact, I guess my concerns on this first reading are that there was no public notice given. Second, the engineering study was not subject to any kind of formal review by any other engineering firms. And third is it's adverse impact on historic properties. For example, we applied for a permit on Broughton Street and had we spent more than 50 percent on the value of that building, we would have been denied a permit because we'd have to flood proof a building on Broughton Street, which typically I wasn't aware of any kind of flooding in that area. So, I have concerns over the stormwater management and the way that staff is able to adopt this without public comment. I would request that you send this back for some additional revisions.

Mayor DeLoach: This is the first reading on this stormwater management ordinance so, we got two weeks…

City Manager Hernandez: Mr. Mayor, I may be the one that's confused here. But at our last workshop we gave a presentation that covered the specific subjects that are affected by this proposed amendment to the ordinance and specifically we were looking at basically four areas from what I remember. Number one, that we were going to explicitly state that the City is not responsible for maintaining any culverts that are part of driveways and walkways; that we needed to have a recorded legal right of entry to go into privately owned properties in order to maintain facilities related to stormwater; that the City would not be maintaining any of the natural tidal streams; and that lastly, and this is related to the other one about a right of entry, that the City will not maintain private or nonpublic stormwater structures. So, what I heard here today is different from what we're trying to do in terms of amending the ordinance as part of this first hearing. So, either I'm confused or Mr. Dawson is confused in terms of what we're trying to do with…

Mayor DeLoach: Do you understand what we did the other day?

Mr. Dawson: I do, if in my reading of the ordinance it does include in addition to those four comments that the City Manager mentioned, the ability for staff to do engineering studies and apply special flood districts that is my concern. My second concern is the provision for exemptions does not include a reference or anything having to do with existing historic properties. So, I would just wish that those two would be considered as part of the revisions.

City Manager Hernandez: So, what we'll do is, those are excellent points we'll take that into consideration. We'll have staff review those issues and then when we come back for the second public hearing we’ll address those issues.

Mayor DeLoach: Hey Neil, two weeks. The twentieth as a matter of fact.

Alderman Durrence: I have a question about this map based on some conversations I've had a few months ago about some issues. Is this the map the City is using in terms of mitigation necessary for new construction?

[City Manager Hernandez asked Heath Lloyd, Chief Infrastructure and Development Officer, to come to the podium.]

Mr. Lloyd: I have not seen this map. It doesn't, I can't find anything on it that's going to give me any information. There's no date on it. So, without taking an opportunity to study it, I can't respond to that. I can look into it and provide you some feedback.

Mayor DeLoach: Everything I see on it is blue, it’s not good.

Mr. Lloyd: Mr. Mayor, what I can say is, again, what I'm really looking for is a date. Obviously this is a flood map with a specific date, the flood maps change. In fact they recently changed. So, I need to sit down and talk to Mr. Dawson to reference exactly where this information came from so I can give you a response because this is the first I've seen it.

Alderman Durrence: More broadly, the issue that came up in some meetings Brian and I were at a while back was about the mitigation requirement. It’s relatively new mitigation requirements we had, I assume based on if not this map some map, and I'd just like to find out a little bit more about that. What we're using if someone's asking for new construction permits, what we're using to determine what kind of mitigation they have to do.

Mr. Lloyd: Fair enough, I can bring that back to you at a later date. I do believe we're going through a process to update not only this part of our Stormwater Ordinance, but there's a second part too. But I can bring you some information back.

Alderwoman Shabazz: Mr. City Manager, in reference to what our person who spoke today is talking about, a certain area in the City of Savannah. In reference to two of the items that's not covered on what we're dealing with now with the stormwater management language, when you come back with the information, can it be not just for this area but for the entire City? It may be too large, maybe we can break it down to certain phases on the concerns that was addressed in here outside of what we have on our agenda, but I would like if we can, not just for this particular area but for the entire City.

City Manager Hernandez: We're happy to provide you that information.

No Action Required.

No Action Required.

No Action Required.

No Action Required.

Alderman Durrence: It's just a clarification, in reading the description of this the introduction says that this is to allow the operation to close at 10:00 instead of 9:00. But in looking at the recommendation, it indicates a closing time of 9:00 p.m. So, I just, I don't care, I would just like a clarification about what we're voting for.

City Manager Hernandez: And that was my question. I do recall at our last meeting somebody mentioned 10:00 p.m. and I thought it was Alderman Foster, so we just need to clarify is it 10:00 or is it 9:00 p.m.

Alderman Durrence: This document was the same at the last meeting.

Alderwoman Bell: I thought the petitioner said 10:00 p.m.?

Mayor DeLoach: Let's pass it with the idea of 10:00 p.m., nothing's going to close down at 9:00.

Ordinance read for the first time in Council November 5, 2018, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and carried with the following voting in favor: Mayor DeLoach, Aldermen Bell, Miller, Foster, Durrence, Johnson, Thomas, Shabazz. Alderman Hall voted against the motion.

Attorney Stillwell: And that's with the language modified to a 10:00 p.m. closing, correct?

Alderman Miller: Yes.

AN ORDINANCE

To Be Entitled

AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW AN ASSEMBLY HALL AS SPECIAL USE WITH CERTAIN CONDITIONS LOCATED ON CERTAIN PROPERTY WITHIN A PUD-IS-B (PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT-INSTITUTIONAL-BUSINESS) ZONING DISTRICT; TO REPEAL ALL OTHER ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, in a regular meeting of Council assembled and pursuant to lawful authority thereof:

SECTION 1:  That pursuant to and subject to conditions of Section 8-3040 of the Zoning Ordinance, Special Uses, the following uses: Antique Store, Restaurant, and Assembly Hall are hereby established within the following described PUD-IS-B Zoning District at 1650 E Victory Dr.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION

Commencing from a point [X: 994671.234372 & Y: 745528.894193] located at the approximate intersection of the centerline of the right-of-way for East Victory Drive & the centerline of the roadway for Wicklow Street,

Thence proceeding in a SE direction along the approximate centerline of the right-of-way for East Victory Drive for an estimated distance of 38.5 ft. to a point, [X: 994702.976976 & Y: 745528.894193], said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING

Thence proceeding in a NE direction [N 15-29-15 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 254.0 ft. to a point

Thence proceeding in a SE direction [S 73-39-6 E] along a line for an estimated distance of 165.0 ft. to a point,

Thence proceeding in a SW direction [S 15-28-57 W] along a line for an estimated distance of 258.7 ft. to a point, said point being located along the approximate centerline of the right-of-way for East Victory Drive,

Thence proceeding in a NW direction along the approximate centerline of the right-of-way for East Victory Drive for an estimated distance of 165.1 ft. to a point, [X: 994702.976976 & Y: 745528.894193] said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING

The property is further identified by the Property Identification Number (PIN) as follows:

PIN: 2-0078-01-026.

SECTION 2: The special uses are approved upon recommendation of the Metropolitan Planning Commission and after a public hearing and findings in accordance with Section 8-3163(b) of the Zoning Ordinance subject to the following conditions:

1. The restaurant and assembly hall use shall be accessory to the existing antique store.  A restaurant or an assembly hall as principal uses shall not be permitted.
2. Any building addition established for the restaurant and assembly hall use shall not exceed 1,000 square feet.
3. The restaurant shall have a maximum of 49 seats.
4. The assembly hall use shall have a maximum number of 156 occupants.  However, if the number of parking spaces is increased, after review by the City, the parking calculation shall be one (1) parking space for every four (4) occupants.
5. The hours of operation of the antique store, restaurant, and assembly hall shall not precede 9:00 a.m. or exceed 10:00 p.m.
6. The restaurant shall not include a drive-thru.
7. The assembly hall use may include the use of any outdoor area onsite and any kitchen facilities that are associated with such use, including a mobile food service unit.
8. The restaurant and assembly hall uses may sell, serve, or allow the provision of alcoholic beverages.
9. The assembly hall and/or restaurant shall not operate until a site plan has been reviewed and approved through the City’s Site Development Permit Review Process exhibiting that all development standards including setbacks, buffers, and required parking have been met.
10. This Ordinance incorporates the relevant conditions that were approved under MPC File No. 98-12106-S on July 2, 1998 and File No. 15-003655-ZA on March 15, 2016.

Said conditions shall not be amended unless approved by the Mayor and Aldermen.

SECTION 3:  That the requirements of Section 8-3182(f) of said Code and the law in such cases made and provided has been satisfied.  An opportunity for a public hearing was afforded anyone having an interest or property right which may have been affected by this zoning amendment, said notice being published in the Savannah Morning News, on the 5^th day of September, 2018, a copy of said notice being attached hereto and made a part hereof.

SECTION 4: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This ordinance shall be effective as of the date hereof.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: NOVEMBER 5, 2018

Alderman Thomas: Can someone explain what Article K is?

[City Manager Hernandez asked Marcus Lotson to come to the podium.]

Mr. Lotson: Alderman Thomas, Article K is a section of the zoning ordinance that refers to the Mid-City Historic District. So, that's a section of the zoning ordinance.

Alderman Thomas: So, it just allows for development of college facilities. Can you define what college facilities mean?

Mr. Lotson: Yes, this is related to the item that came before you for the properties that are on the south side of Victory Drive between Bull Street and Montgomery related to SCAD and their property that they've acquired or are in the process of acquiring to establish residential dormitories on that property.

Alderman Thomas: Is this specific to just that property?

Mr. Lotson: It is specific to that property?

Alderwoman Shabazz: It's also, Alderman Thomas, where 1 West Victory is and, going across Barnard Street, the extension down from Barnard to Montgomery, just that strip.

City Manager Hernandez: Just so you know, this item is also related to item number 24.

Ordinance read for the first time in Council November 5, 2018, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried.

Ordinance read for the first time in Council November 5, 2018, then by unanimous consent of Council read a second time, placed upon its passage, adopted and approved upon a motion by Alderwoman Shabazz, seconded by Alderwoman Bell, and unanimously carried.

AN ORDINANCE

To Be Entitled

AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE CERTAIN PROPERTY FROM THE RESIDENTIAL BUSINESS (R-B); LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (I-L); NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS (B-N); COMMUNITY BUSINESS (B-C); PLANNED RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY SPECIAL USE OR APPROVED SITE PLAN (P-RIP-B*) ZONING DISTRICTS  TO THE TRADITIONAL COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR (TC-2) ZONING DISTRICT; TO REPEAL ALL OTHER ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, in a regular meeting of Council assembled and pursuant to lawful authority thereof:

SECTION 1:  The following described property, 1, 203, 221, 227, 301, & 303 West Victory Drive; 202, 208, 210, 212, 214, & 322 West 44th Street; & 2714 Montgomery Street, be rezoned from its present R-B; I-L; B-N; B-C and P-RIP-B* Zoning Districts to the TC-2 Zoning District:

Beginning at a point [X: 984725.203963 & Y: 748443.699799], located at the approximate intersection of Montgomery Street & West Victory Drive, said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING

Thence proceeding in a SE direction along the approximate centerline of West Victory Drive for an estimated distance of 1,310.8 ft. to a point along the centerline of the existing rail road right-of-way corridor,

Thence proceeding in a SW direction [S 57-27-29 W] along the said centerline of the existing rail road right-of-way corridor for an estimated distance of 292.6 ft. to a point, said point being located on the approximate intersection of the centerline of the existing rail road right-of-way corridor and the approximate centerline of West 44^th Street,

Thence proceeding in a NW direction along the approximate centerline of West 44^th Street for an estimated distance of 923.2 ft. to a point,

Thence continuing in a NW direction along the approximate centerline of West 44^th Street for an estimated distance of 198.4 ft. to a point [X: 984661.065416 & Y: 748236.082899], located along the approximate centerline of Montgomery Street,

Thence proceeding in a NE direction along the approximate centerline of Montgomery Street for an estimated distance of 217.2 ft. to a point, [X: 984725.203963 & Y: 748443.699799], located at the approximate intersection of Montgomery Street & West Victory Drive, said point being, THE POINT OF BEGINNING.

The property is further identified by the Property Identification Number (PIN) as follows:

PIN(s): 2-0074-27-021, 2-0074 -26-006, 2-0074 -27-004, 2-0074 -27-016, 2-0074 -27-005, 2-0074 -27-007, 2-0074 -27-015, 2-0074 -27-014, 2-0074 -27-013, 2-0074 -27-012, 2-0074 -27-011, 2-0074 -27-010, 2-0074 -27-009, 2-0074 -27-008.

SECTION 2: That the requirement of Section 8-3182(f) of said Code and the law in such cases made and provided has been satisfied.  That an opportunity for a public hearing was afforded anyone having an interest or property right which may have been affected by this zoning amendment, said notice being published in the Savannah Morning News on the 13^th day of October, 2018, a copy of said notice being attached hereto and made a part hereof.

            SECTION 3:  Upon the effective date of the ordinance all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: NOVEMBER 5, 2018

Alderman Johnson: Mr. Mayor, this is the end of the very vestiges of the fire services fee. As you all are aware, the Charter was changed to allow Council to impose that. Although the fire fee was eliminated, there was still the ability of Council through its Charter to allow the collection of a fire fee. So, this second reading, we had the first one two weeks ago, will just eliminate that language totally from our Charter.

Alderman Durrence: Correct me, but I thought the language and the change in the Charter just allowed the City to do a fee. It wasn't specific to the fire fee, was it? The language and the change in the City Charter was just to allow us to charge a fee, it wasn't…

Attorney Stillwell: It’s to charge a fee for fire protection and other services. But what we did is adopt some language that the GMA had written for model charters. What the amendment does is it prohibits the City from charging a fire fee for services inside the City. It doesn't apply if you should have an intergovernmental agreement, let's say to charge somebody outside the City or something like that.

Alderman Durrence: There was another fee, not the fire fee, but some other fee…

Attorney Stillwell: It doesn’t apply to the other fees, it’s just the fire fee.

Alderman Johnson: So, Mr. Attorney, if I’m correct, now the Charter is the way it was prior to us changing it to allow...

Attorney Stillwell: No, we’ve got the GMA’s model language now, not what we had before except that it prohibits the fire fee inside the City.

Alderman Johnson: But to institute that again, it will require a Charter change again?

Attorney Stillwell: Correct.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Thomas, and carried with the following voting in favor: Mayor DeLoach, Aldermen Bell, Miller, Foster, Johnson, Thomas, Hall, Shabazz. Alderman Durrence voted against the motion.

AN ORDINANCE

To Be Entitled

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY

OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA PURSUANT TO THE PROCEDURES

FOR HOME RULE CHARTER AMENDMENT TO ELIMINATE

IMPOSITION OF A FIRE FEE WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS

OF THE CITY; TO PROVIDE FOR EFFECTIVE DATES; TO

REPEAL CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; 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 Section 5-203 entitled “Fire Services”, of Chapter 2, Garbage and Sewerage Charges, of Article 5, Finance & Taxation, which currently reads:

The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah is authorized and empowered to provide fire fighting, fire prevention and fire protection services within and without the corporate limits of the City of Savannah and to establish and impose rates, fees and charges for such services on all real and personal properties receiving the benefit thereof.

shall be deleted in its entirety and a new Section 5-203 entitled “Fire Services” be inserted in lieu thereof as follows:

The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah is authorized and empowered to provide fire fighting, fire prevention and fire protection services outside the corporate limits of the City of Savannah and to establish and impose rates, fees and charges for such services on all real and personal properties receiving the benefit thereof.

SECTION 2: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

SECTION 3: Section 5-203 shall become effective upon the Mayor affixing his signature below.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED: NOVEMBER 5, 2018 

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the City of Savannah, Georgia expects to receive a total of $4,202,737 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in the form of Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant, and HOME Investment Partnerships funds for fiscal year 2019; and

WHEREAS, it is a condition for receipt of such funding that the City submit to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development a comprehensive multi-year  Housing and Community Development Plan, including a One Year Action Plan for fiscal year 2019; and

WHEREAS, the City has developed a 2018-2022 Housing and Community Development Plan which includes a 2019 One Year Action Plan that have been published and made available online for public comment for a period of 30 days, and two public hearings have been held on May 8, 2018 and November 5, 2018, to discuss and receive comments on the plans; and

WHEREAS, the City of Savannah seeks to support agencies that can successfully provide services to assist low-to-moderate income persons and carry out projects to improve housing, economic development and other eligible activities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah authorize Rob Hernandez, City Manager, to submit to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development the City’s 2018-2022 Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan and the One-Year Action Plan for 2019 and to enter into grant agreements with the subrecipients named therein.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: November 5, 2018 upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Foster and unanimously carried. 

RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION

BY THE CITY OF SAVANNAH CITY COUNCIL

WHEREAS, Mr. Shayne George, CEO, Memorial Health, presented a $30,000 donation to the Mayor and Aldermen for deposit into the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF); and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Aldermen have determined that there is a need for local investment to address local workforce and affordable housing needs and opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Aldermen 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 needs and opportunities; and

WHEREAS, none of the donations or investments in the SAHF are used 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 $30,000 from Memorial Health for deposit in the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund. 

ADOPTED AND APPROVED: November 5, 2018 upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried.

City Manager Hernandez: Mr. Mayor, again I just want to point out as we've been doing in the past just recognizing the fact that this is a SPLOST funded project to enhance the facilities over at the Savannah Children's Museum, that’s part of Tricentennial Park.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Hall, seconded by Alderwoman Bell, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation. Alderman Johnson was not present for the vote.

Alderman Durrence: Mr. Mayor, item 29, motion to procure bicycle lane painting services from Angco, Inc. I have a question about this. Mr. City Manager, in the description it said that the bike lane would be maintained on the left side of the street. One of the complications we've had with that in the past is at the Liberty intersection where the bike lane comes along the left side of the street. We routinely have obstruction from people stopping at St. Vincent's to pick up students. One of the reasons that it was suggested that we move it to the right side of the street was because of those vehicles blocking the bike lane. My first question is, is that going to be addressed somehow if we're going to stay on the left? The second question is where it is on the left side of Lincoln Street right now, there are places where it is so narrow, going around the tree in particular, but several other places where it’s so narrow that you really can't stay in the bike lane, is the bike lane being widened to address that?

[City Manager Hernandez referred to Sean Brandon, Mobility & Parking Services Director, to address the questions. Mr. Brandon went to the podium.]

Mr. Brandon: Good afternoon. That point at Liberty Street where St. Vincent’s is, we've always had in our minds that we were probably going to have to jog the bike lane over at the end because of the issues that we've had in the past with that. So, I think the bike lane ends roughly half a block from Liberty Street. We would instruct bicyclists to then jog over to the right side, which is actually the safer side approaching that intersection because the bike lane ends there and they should be assuming a right position. There are two or three points where you are correct, there's a tree that comes out at one of those sections, we would jog around the tree to try to maintain the width of the bike lane at all times.

Alderman Miller: I have a question while you're up there. I ride that bicycle path quite a bit and it's in pretty rough shape. In fact, it's got some pretty wide gaps in it that can on a narrow bicycle tire it can snag it. We've already had one fatal accident where something like that happened on another street, painting it is not going to help that. What addresses do we have for how rough that…

Mr. Brandon: Our intention is as we're painting it to address those gaps. The worst part probably is going to be Gwinnett to about Jones, where you get to the Kroger. Yes, there are some gaps there…

Alderman Miller:  There are some just north of the railroad tracks.

Mr. Brandon: Yes, and our intention is as we move along painting we’ll actually address those cracks because this is our chance to actually just create a true bike lane that is actually smooth and easy to use.

Alderman Miller: Lincoln is actually one lane, most of that area that path could be widened quite a bit and it would address some of the things that Mr. Durrence is talking about as well.

Mr. Brandon: It will actually be widened in a sense. They're still going to maintain a six foot wide bike lane, but there's also going to be buffer markings to further separate the bike lane from the travel lane.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Alderman Durrence: Mr. City Manager, I just had a clarification question here. This does not include the senior circulator at this point, is that right?

City Manager Hernandez: The scope of work does include seniors…

Mr. Brandon: For the pilot program, we are not including the senior circulator. The senior circulator will still operate as it currently does.

Alderman Durrence: And then at some point in the future we were looking at incorporating…

Mr. Brandon: We'll look further at it. Honestly, a lot of the feedback we've been getting from those community centers is they don't know if there are folks necessarily ready for ride share service.

Alderman Foster: One more question while Sean's there. I think this is a great alternative plan, pilot to try. Can you comment on the other plans that we’ve tried to put in place. For instance, we had a free parking lot and supposedly it was never used. Can you comment on the others? Were they not successful?

Mr. Brandon: So, some of it's been successful, some of it's not and we knew going in that a lot of this was going to be an experiment. So, for nighttime workers we offer monthly cars inside any garage because we have capacity at night for $35 a month. I would say that's largely been successful. We have a number of people…

Alderman Thomas: What time?

Mr. Brandon: It starts at 2:30 in the afternoon and now extends to 5:00 a.m.

Alderman Thomas: So, from 2:30 to 5:00 a.m. they can get a $35 a month pass?

Mr. Brandon: Correct. So, that's been very successful and we've had a number of businesses push their employees to that. We did have an alternative lot located at Whitaker and Henry, which was not successful. We didn't have anybody biting on that and actually we've just been told that that lot has been sold. So, we're actually about to lose use of that lot.

Alderman Thomas: If I can follow up on what John asked. Mr. Brandon, the 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. pass for $35 a month. Is that seven days a week?

Mr. Brandon: That is seven days.

Alderman Thomas: Is that all garages?

Mr. Brandon: That is all garages.

Alderman Thomas: Okay, let me tell you, I've talked to many people that work down here and they are not aware of that.

Mr. Branson: So, we have actually gone business to business.

Alderman Thomas: I'll get with you after this, but I can tell you a couple right now that apparently we skipped over because I've been asked that question. I just don't think some people understand that. That's a heck of a deal.

Mr. Brandon: I'm glad to talk to anyone and we have talked…

Mayor DeLoach: And you have, and we have spoken as a City, we have done this. What I can do is ask the employers that’s out there watching this right now that we would like for you to say something to your employees to make it better and easier for them to work downtown. We have done all we can do as a City to let you know about this. We cannot go any further. We are offering all we can offer as a City to make it easier on all the employees and the employers by free service and $35 a month parking.

Alderman Thomas: Let me ask a question Mr. Mayor, I think it’s a great deal. I mean heck, I might even go buy one myself. But have we posted it in the elevators in these different garages because I remember seeing this deal because I was telling folks. At one time wasn't it 5:00 p.m.?

Mr. Brandon: At one time it 3:00. But we got a request from some of the businesses, hey, can you push it any further? We looked at the capacity in our garages and we were able to push it to 2:30.

Alderman Thomas: Do you have any type of advertisement for this in the elevators now, in our garages?

Mr. Brandon: We did at one point. We’re changing the brochure to reflect some new things that we're doing so those are going to go back in. But we have at various points throughout the year had those.

Alderman Thomas: I think it would be very good if you could place them back up as education since we’ve rolled the time back some to let folks know because I think it's a great deal at $35 a month.

Alderman Miller: I’d like to second what the Mayor has done. It's amazing everything we've tried to do. I've actually gone out and met with some of the restaurants staff myself and then gone back three weeks later and found people I had talked to who didn't know we'd done it. Every brochure was it delivered at least once?

Mr. Brandon: Yes.

Alderman Miller: It’s so hard to get this information across. So, I applaud that. The question that keeps coming up to me, there's a lot of misinformation out there. People are saying they're going in and applying for these discounts and they're being told that they have expired, not expired, but they're filled. So, can you address that? One, where do you apply for it, and two, what’s still available and what's not.

Mr. Brandon: So, for the nighttime, it's available in all garages. You just have to go to the garage that you would like to go in and talk to the attendant. What we’ve discovered was happening at first is someone would come in and say, hey, I want to… let’s say Robinson and say I want a card. Well the presumption from the attendant was you want a daily card, we don't have daily capacity for someone to come in, in the morning and leave in the evening in Robinson we’re full in that. We do have it at night. So, we started trying to instruct the attendants, hey, be real clear before you give your answer. Are they talking about daily or night?

Alderman Miller: So, we've done that good. Thank you.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Withdrawn per the City Manager's recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderwoman Bell, seconded by Alderman Durrence, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Alderman Johnson: Mr. Mayor, regarding item number 40, just an editorial comment in the word of warning as I'm familiar with classification and compensation studies. This is an official scientific analysis of compensation and pay across an organization. It essentially confirms scientifically by independent third party that which we already know. My concern always with classification and comp studies are that people get very excited about them and then when it confirms what we already know, the elected body does not have the finances or the wherewithal to be able to fund those things. So, I guess my only concern, and I'm sure the City Manager will agree which would put the onus on him to start working on it is that we already know that our salaries, many of them are out of whack. We know that we have situations in which superiors make less than their subordinates, and this is for a variety of reasons, for a bunch of different reasons, but this is an opportunity to get it right. We know that it’s going to cost a lot to be able to fix it and phasing it in is oftentimes not the best way to do it because everybody needs to be phased in first and sometimes you create more problems. I guess my point, Mr. Mayor to the City Manager, is ultimately knowing the tsunami in this case, to be able to make sure our employees are paid in a way that is in market. We need to be able to start finding that money, general fund money because that's what it is to be able to address those things. So, I'm sure, Mr. City Manager we've talked about this before, so you have an idea about how bad we’re off, but when it's actually said and done, if we don't do anything after a while the report becomes aged and it just goes on the shelf with other compensation studies.

City Manager Hernandez: Correct, Alderman Johnson is absolutely correct. That's why as part of the mid-year budget adjustments when we had the surplus for FY17, we began the process of setting aside funds for this reason. I do expect to come before you, I think probably in December, I've got a little bit of money that was freed up as a result of this. The actual contract came in a little less than we had projected, so I plan to move those dollars back into our wage stabilization reserve and I am going to be proposing as part of the FY19 budget that we set aside some additional funds for that purpose. I'm thinking that the financial impacts are probably going to hit us for fiscal year 2020 rather than fiscal year 19 because it's going to take us a good eight months to really go through all the analysis and so the likely implementation would be a January 1, 2020 date. So, I think we've got a little bit of time but your warning is correct. We've got to start squirreling away some money for this purpose.

Alderman Durrence: I was wondering if we have some kind of date when we expect this to be delivered, when it'll be done?

City Manager Hernandez: These types of studies usually take anywhere between six and eight months.

Alderman Durrence: Well, that’s next year anyway.

City Manager Hernandez: Yeah, it'll be realistically in the fall of next year before we bring back the recommendations.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderwoman Bell, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Alderman Miller: Again, I will renew my request that we do a better job of communicating what we're doing to the people who will end up in these centers. We're kind of catching our toe on that that one.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderwoman Shabazz, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

City Manager Hernandez: Mr. Mayor, I just wanted to make a comment if I can. I just wanted to thank St. Joseph's/Candler for allowing us to use their facility once again in the event of a major storm.

Alderman Durrence: Is this temporary during construction, what is the use intended?

City Manager Hernandez: It’s an ongoing use, essentially a revocable license agreement where we're allowing them to use the 37 parking spaces for parking.

Alderman Durrence: As parking?

City Manager Hernandez: Correct, but we do have the option of revoking the agreement at any time.

Attorney Stillwell: And they’re paying for it too.

Alderman Durrence: I just wasn't sure if this was something temporary since they're going to have a garage, they need 37 more spaces?

City Manager Hernandez: No, this isn't well, this is temporary as both parties want it to be. So, if they want it to be long term or short term, it's up to the parties, but they indicated a need for those 37 parking spaces for temporary movement of personnel that are coming in and out of the hotel and I just want to say that we've done these types of agreements in the past. I think about seven months ago we did one for the Harbor Inn at the eastern end of River Street.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Durrence, seconded by Alderman Miller, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

Alderman Thomas: Can you tell us what those are?

City Manager Hernandez: Sure, these are just again, routine budget transfers affecting the capital accounts. In this particular instance, we've got about nine items where we're just transferring money out of the Civic Center holding accounts for some repairs at the Civic Center. Some additional leftover monies going back into capital reserve one with school zone traffic signal updates. We’re transferring some just some de minimis funds to close out projects: sewer line rehab; park, square, median and irrigation improvements to complete a square renovation project; the rest of them are Water and Sewer fund where we have unexpended project dollars that are being transferred back into holding accounts. And there is one SPLOST related item in District Four, about $134,000 that we are transferring from the aldermanic account into a specific project, which is the Atlantic Park Mall improvement project, which involves improvements to lighting, sidewalks and crosswalks, and landscaping at the I think it's the Atlantic Mall, is it at Victory?

Alderman Miller: Atlantic and Victory Drive.

Approved upon motion of Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Foster, and unanimously carried per the City Manager's recommendation.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor DeLoach thanked all the businesses that participated in the job fair at the Civic Center today, including organizations like the U.S. Army, local hospitals, and the Savannah Police Department. He announced that so far about four-hundred people have gone through the job fair which is still going on. 

Alderman Johnson announced the passing of Reverend Dr. Wilson Scott, Jr. of Bethlehem Baptist Church and expressed condolences on behalf of the City. He also encouraged all citizens to exercise their fundamental responsibility as citizens tomorrow and go out and vote.

There being no further business, Mayor DeLoach declared the regular meeting of Council adjourned.

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=F7oGKmHdsViE