City of Savannah


City Council Regular Meeting


AGENDA


Thursday, September 10, 2026 - 2:00 p.m.


City Hall
2 East Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31401
www.savannahga.gov
SAVANNAH CITY COUNCIL

Van R. Johnson, II, Mayor
Carol Bell, Post 1, At-large
Alicia Miller Blakely, Post 2, At-large
Bernetta B. Lanier, District 1
Detric Leggett, District 2
Linda Wilder, District 3, Vice-Chairman
Nick Palumbo, District 4, Chairman
Dr. Estella Edwards Shabazz, District 5, Mayor Pro Tem
Kurtis Purtee, District 6
Joseph A. Melder, City Manager
Mark Massey, City Clerk
R. Bates Lovett, City Attorney

SEPTEMBER 10, 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 2:15 p.m., in Council Chambers.  Mayor Van R. Johnson, II called the meeting to order.  He then recognized Ald. Linda Wilder, who read an invocation written by Rev. Dr. Joseph B. Ervin of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church. Due to court, Rev. Dr. Ervin was unable to attend.    

 

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

 
September 10, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting
PRESENTATION OF COLORS
1. A.E. Beach High School JROTC
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
2. Adoption of the Regular Meeting Agenda for September 10, 2026.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3. Approval of the Minutes for the Work Session and City Manager's Briefing Held on August 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Agenda Plus - WS DRAFT MINUTES August 27, 2026 City Council Workshop-watermark.pdf
4. Approval of the Minutes and to Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Related Affidavit and Resolution for the August 27, 2026, Executive Session Held Regarding Litigation and Real Estate.
Signed August 27, 2026 Executive Session Affidavit.pdf
Signed August 27, 2026 Executive Session Resolution.pdf
5. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular Meeting Held on August 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Agenda Plus - RM DRAFT MINUTES_August 27, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting-watermark.pdf
PRESENTATIONS
6. An Appearance by Hispanic Outreach Leadership and Advocacy (HOLA) Savannah Task Force Members in Observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15, 2026, Honoring the Contributions of Hispanic Americans Throughout Our Nation’s History and Recognizing Their Continued Service and Impact within the Savannah Community.
7. Recognition of City of Savannah's Procurement and Contracts Division Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Award. (Purchasing Department)
ALCOHOL LICENSE HEARINGS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
8. Approval of a Class E (Beer and Wine) (By the Package) Alcohol License to Yash Patel for Bull Smoke Market at 137 Bull Street. The Establishment is Located between West York Street and West Oglethorpe Ave Located in Aldermanic District 2. The Applicant Plans to Continue to Operate as a Convenience Store. (New Applicant/Existing Business)
Exhibit 1 - Checklist - 38 Rocks LLC.pdf
Exhibit 2 - Density Map - 38 Rocks LLC
Exhibit 3 - Alcohol Reports - 38 Rocks LLC
Exhibit 4 - Measurement Report - 38 Rocks LLC
Exhibit 5 - Safety Plan - 38 Rocks LLC
9. Approval of a Class G (Beer and Wine) (Complimentary) Alcohol License to Joi Walker for Parts of Joi Wellness and Beauty, a Beauty Salon Located at 526 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Establishment is Located between Minis Street and West Huntingdon Street in Aldermanic District 2. The Applicant Plans to Operate as a Beauty Salon. (New Applicant/Existing Business)
Exhibit 1 - Checklist - Parts of Joi Wellness and Beauty
Exhibit 2 - Density Map - Parts of Joi Wellness and Beauty
Exhibit 3 - Alcohol Reports - Parts of Joi Wellness and Beauty
Exhibit 4 - Measurement Report - Parts of Joi Wellness and Beauty
Exhibit 5 - Safety Plan - Parts of Joi Wellness and Beauty
10. Approval of a Class C (Liquor, Berr and Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to Sean Sassano for Olde Harbour Inn at 508 East Factors Walk. The Establishment is Located between East Lincoln Ramp and East Broad Ramp in Aldermanic District 2. The Applicant Plans to Continue to Operate as a Hotel. (New Applicant/Existing Business)
Exhibit 1 - Checklist - Olde Harbour Inn
Exhibit 2 - Density Map - Olde Harbour Inn
Exhibit 3 - Alcohol Reports - Olde Harbour Inn
Exhibit 4 - Measurement Report - Olde Harbour Inn
Exhibit 5 - Safety Plan - Olde Harbour Inn
11. Approval of a Class C (Liquor and Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to Kelly Paslawski for Vicious Biscuit, a Restaurant Located at 7400 Abercorn Street, Suite 521. The Establishment is Located between Eisenhower Drive and Mall Boulevard in Aldermanic District 4. The Applicant Plans to Operate as a Restaurant. (New Applicant/New Business)
Exhibit 1 - Checklist - Vicious Biscuit
Exhibit 2 - Density Map - Vicious Biscuit
Exhibit 3 - Alcohol Reports - Vicious Biscuit
Exhibit 4 - Measurement Report - Vicious Biscuit
Exhibit 5 - Safety Plan - Vicious Biscuit
PUBLIC HEARINGS
12. Public Hearing on Adoption of an Ordinance Imposing a Temporary Moratorium on Development or Conversion Activity Related to Large-scale Data Centers with an Electrical Capacity of (10) Megawatts or Greater and Prohibiting the Conversion of Warehouses and Large Industrial Buildings of 200,000 Square Feet or More to Data Center Use Within the Corporate Limits of The City Of Savannah.
Exhibit 1: Savannah Data Center Moratorium Ordinance .docx
13. Public Hearing on State-Mandated Annual Update to the Community Work Program Portion of the Capital Improvements Element (Adopted by City Council in February 2023) which Amended the Chatham County-Savannah Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2040) and Transmittal to the Coastal Georgia Regional Commission for Regional and State Review
Exihibit 1: FY25 Impact Fee Revenue by Public Service Facility.pdf
Exhibit 2: Draft Five Year Community Work Program 09.03.2026 Redline.pdf
Exhibit 3: Draft Five Year Community Work Program 09.03.2026 .pdf
ORDINANCES - FIRST AND SECOND READING - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
14. Adoption of an Ordinance Imposing a Temporary Moratorium on Development or Conversion Activity Related to Large-scale Data Centers with an Electrical Capacity of 10 Megawatts or Greater and Prohibiting the Conversion of Warehouses and Large Industrial Buildings of 200,000 Square Feet or More to Data Center Use Within the Corporate Limits of the City Of Savannah.
Exhibit 1: Savannah Data Center Moratorium Ordinance .docx
ORDINANCES - FIRST READING
15. Approval to Amend Division II, Part 4, Public Services, Ch 7, International Airport, Article A
Exhibit 1: Sav-Airport Ordinance)Purchasing)proposed revision [5-26] (00027745-2xAB0B1).pdf
16. Approval to Amend the Charter of the City of Savannah, Section 8-415, Rights in Airport Property.
Exhibit 1: Sav-Charter)proposed rev)$1,000 approval remove leases [7-26] (00027746-2xAB0B1).pdf
ORDINANCES - SECOND READING - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
17. Petition on behalf of The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia for a Zoning Text Amendment to Articles 2.0 Review Bodies and Administrators, 3.0 Application and Review Procedures, 6.0 Special 3 Purpose Districts, 7.0 Overlay Districts, 8.0 Use Standards, 9.0 General Site Standards, and 13.0 Abbreviations and Definitions to Facilitate the Transfer of Authority of Application Intake from the City of Savannah to the Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) and to Provide a More Concise Process for the Public in the Processing of Development Applications (26-002369-ZA).
Exhibit 1: Final Ordinance for Text Amendment for Articles 2.0, 3.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 13.0 (26-002369-ZA) 09.09.2026.pdf
18. Petition on behalf of The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia for a Zoning Text Amendment to Add Permitted Use and Associated Development Standards to Articles 5.0 Base Zoning Districts, 8.0 Use Standards, 9.0 General Site Standards, and 13.0 Abbreviations and Definitions, to permit several different housing types in multiple districts (26-002370-ZA).
Exhibit 1: Final Ordinance for Housing Toolkit Text Amendment REVISED 09.03.2026.pdf
PURCHASING ITEMS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
19. Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Modification No. 2 with Garney Companies, Inc. for the I & D Water System Improvement Project's Phase 1C Construction Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in an Amount not to Exceed $65,526,494. (Water Resources Chief's Office)
Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - CMAR I&D Water System Improvements.pdf
Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - CMAR I&D Water System Improvements .pdf
20. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a One-Time Purchase for Grit Removal Equipment from OldCastle Infrastructure, Inc. dba Hydro International in an Amount not to Exceed $1,660,000. (Water Reclamation)
Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Onetime Purchase of Grit Removal Equipment​​.pdf
Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Onetime Purchase of Grit Removal Equipment​​.pdf
21. ​Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Modification No. 1 with Rostan Solutions, LLC in the Amount of $45,000. (I&D Department)
Exhibit 1: Funding Verification - Budget Increase Request for City Stormwater Masterplan.pdf
Exhibit 2: Purchasing Notes - Budget Increase Request for City Stormwater Masterplan.pdf
RESOLUTIONS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
22. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Terminate and Replace Existing City of Savannah Affordable Housing Limited Warranty Deed Restrictions with State of Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Housing Affordability Deed Restrictions Associated with Properties at 1700 Drayton Street and 104 E. 34th Street Located in Aldermanic District 2. (Housing Services)
Exhibit 1: Resolution_Replace Limited Warranty Deed w DCA Requirements 1700 Drayton Street.pdf
23. Resolution to Submit the State-Mandated Annual Update to the Community Work Program Portion of the Capital Improvements Element (Adopted by City Council in February 2023), which Amended the Chatham County-Savannah Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2040). (Planning & Urban Design)
Exhibit 1: Transmittal Resolution 2026.pdf
AGREEMENTS
24. Approval of a Water & Sewer Agreement with Ballantry PMC 30 Adlers LLC for a development consisting of 30 Townhomes in Eastern Wharf/Savannah River Landings Located in Aldermanic District 2. (WR-Planning and Engineering)
Exhibit 1: Upper East River - Water & Sewer Agreement.pdf
25. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a 12-Month Contract to Administer a Stormwater Utility Hardship Assistance Program, with the Option to Renew, with the Economic Opportunity Authority for Savannah Chatham County in the Amount of $100,000. (Water Resources)
Exhibit 1: City Water EOA Contract_ApprovedToForm_08282026 (1).pdf
REAL ESTATE ITEMS - (CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS IN THIS SECTION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
26. Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Sale of a Stormwater Easement on and across City-owned property at 137 Shellbark Way Located in Aldermanic District 1. (Real Estate)
Exhibit 1; Highland Park Stormwater - Map.pdf
Exhibit 2; Highland Park Stormwater - Easement.pdf

Following announcements made by the Mayor and Aldermen, Mayor Johnson adjourned the regular meeting at 3:44 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://savannahgovtv.viebit.com/?folder=ALL.
Agenda Plus