City Council - Regular Meeting

Yes, sir.

Mr. Clerk, if you please call the role. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor. Mayor Dan Johnson, present. Mayor Prom and District 5 alderwoman Dr. Estella Edward Shebass present. Chairman and District 4 Alderman Nick Palumbo present. Vice Chair and District 3 alderwoman Linda Wilder Bryant. Ready? Let's er post one Alderwoman Carolyn H. Bell present. Post two alderwoman Alicia Miller Blakeley present. District 1 alderwoman Bernetta B. Lane Lenir present. District 2 Alderman Dietrich Leget here

and District 6 Alderman Curtis Pertie is out of town for mandatory training. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Mayor, you have a quorum.

Thank you. All right. I call this meeting of Savannah City Council to order. Today is Thursday, March the 12th, 2026. The time is approximately 2:04 p.m. We want to thank all of you for joining us uh today u in the greatest city on earth uh where we say that Savannah will be a safe, environmentally healthy and economically thriving community for all and for us all means all. Uh today's MK tour will be introduced by first district alderwoman um Linda no I'm sorry Betta Laneir I'm sorry. already. It was an ice cream.

Good afternoon. Oser Andre at a young age by the doctor. That's right. University of to the lovely proud parent

all things together. Mr. Mayor, the esteemed council, it is a privilege to be here on such a wonderful day to offer prayers in the city of Savannah, as our mayor has deemed it the greatest city uh in our nation and the greatest city on planet earth. What a great day to celebrate. And as we commence this moment of celebration to ask for God's help and God's guidance, we always remember the encouragement of God's word to us from Esther chapter 4 and verse number 14. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this. A reminder from Mori to Esther and consequently to all of us that whenever God raises us up, we are not just called to a position. We are positioned for a purpose. We are not just to stand by, but we are to speak up. And the question must always be asked, when is the right time and who is the right person? But if not you, who? and if not now when. So I encourage you counsel today as I pray for you and certainly as I've lifted up prayers uh personally today I stand before you to echo those prayers that God would give you wisdom and grace to lead for he has indeed positioned you for such a time as this. You're the

right people for the right time to meet the challenges of our day. May God use you for his glory and may God use you to make a difference on behalf of the people that you are blessed to serve. Let us pray. Gracious God, we thank you. We come to you in moments like these when our hearts are overwhelmed. Lead us to the rock. You are the steady thing in a shifting world. And Lord, even though days and seasons change, you remain the same. You are the same. yesterday, today, and forever. Thank you for your steadfast love that never ceases, your mercies that never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. It is because of your mercies that we are not consumed. And we thank you today. We thank you, Lord God, for the opportunity to stand in this sacred space because we know, Lord God, that you've not only sanctioned sanctuaries to be places of safety, but you, Lord God, have consecrated government to be your instigators of good, to be your agents of good, to be your agents of peace. We hear the words in Romans 13 that the government does not bear the sword in vain. You have positioned them for such a time as this. Would you give them wisdom and grace to take action? Would you give them courage to stand with boldness? Would you help them, Lord God, to be wrapped up in your arms of love, the kind of love that helps us to be compassionate to our fellow man. I pray today Lord that you would surround them giving them the wisdom of Solomon and of Daniel. I pray Lord God in the name of your son that you would help them. I lift them up before you Lord. You know the challenges

that they face and I ask Lord that you would give them the help that they stand in need of. Your grace is more than enough. Your word says that your grace is sufficient and your strength is perfect in our weakness. Lord, today we not only lift them up, but we lift up our city and those who serve it. From our police to our firefighters and all those who work alongside government and provide services to our citizens. And we lift up, Lord God, those Lord who celebrate the city of Savannah as their home of residents. I pray God that you would lift up the city of Savannah to be a city on a hill and a jewel and a light to the world. Lord, help us today. You know the challenges of our day and we ask you for your help and thank you Lord because if we ask you for help that you're willing and able to help. Thank you that you're a very present help in our times of trouble. Be with us and bless us today we ask in the name that is above every name at the name at which every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Amen. Thank you. Let us honor our country. I pledge aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you so much uh Pastor Osborne. Thank you sir for joining us today. We appreciate your time here today and we appreciate uh your service uh in our community. Uh I will just lift that as he prayed my mind went to the fact that our country is involved in some sort of military issue uh in which not only American lives have been lost but also lives uh across other countries. And so I ask that um may there be peace on earth and may it begin with us. And let us remember those that right now are running from bombs that are being burst above their heads. Um, individuals that are not soldiers, but they are individuals right now uh that need solace. And so I ask that you will remember them as well. Let's move to our agenda uh to the adoption of the regular meeting agenda for March 12th, 2026.

Mr. Mayor. Yes. Good afternoon, sir. Good afternoon. I'd like to make a motion for the adoption of the regular meeting agenda for March 12th, 2026. Second. Been properly moved and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes.

I'd like to make a motion for the next two items on our agenda. Item number two, the approval of the minutes for the work session and city manager briefing held on February the 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. and item number three for the approval of the minutes for the regular meeting held on February the 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Been properly moved and seconded that we approve the minutes for the work session and city manager briefing held on February the 26, 2026 and approval of the minutes for the regular meeting held on the same day. Heard the motion. All in favor by saying I. I. Opposed.

All right. Motion passes. Um, so I'm going to move some things for expediency. Can our Girl Scouts please stand? Hold on. Hold on. Wait. Wait. Wait. No. No. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Because I need to ask them a favor. Do you mind if I let these older guys go first? All right. Because see, they're older and they've been standing for a while. So, would you mind if I if I if I go with them first since they're right here? Wave them by. You sure? Yes. All right. All in favor say I.

I. I see one. Who says no? Any of you said no? Okay, thank you very much. I'm go ahead and y'all give them a round of applause. Ladies and gentlemen, it is a very special time in our community where uh Savannah becomes Irish. Uh whether you are uh totally of Irish uh descend um descendants or you have 2% like I do, y'all know I was going to say it. 2%. Um, this is a time as a city um that really embraces people, embraces um the things that make us different, but yet the things that make us all the same. Um, for over 200 years, we have celebrated um the greatest St. Patrick's Day parade uh in our country. We will say very clearly that uh Savannah is the Irish capital of the United States. Um very clearly we have I've been told the second largest only behind New York. Um I have gone to Ireland on multiple occasions and everybody over there wants to come over here because they say we celebrate it better than they celebrate it. Um, and it is because of the hard work uh of the folks that are behind me um that work year throughout the year to not only make sure that we have a safe experience uh but to have an experience that really embodies the um the spirit of St. Patrick. St. Patrick's is a

religious observance first and and they work very hard to to do that. Um and then they turned it into a a public observance, a public festival, and we have enjoyed that uh for for many years here in the city of Savannah. Uh really really happy, and I I'll talk about that a little bit later, but um uh so we're here again. Last Friday, we set our brand new fountain green. Um and everything around us just turns green. Uh and that is again the spirit of collaboration, the spirit of resiliency, um the spirit of um unity that we have within our city. So uh they have come. I don't know why they're here. I thought they were coming for Girl Scout cookies, too, but it must not be. I don't know. Mr. Jill, chairperson, are you going to come?

If that's if Girl Scout cookies are a bonus, we will not turn them down. Well, that's why I asked them first because I didn't want to get in their nerves. So, Mr. Chairperson, please. Honorable Mayor O. Johnson. Thank you, sir. Appreciate that. My pleasure.

Distinguished council women and men, it is our honor and privilege to be in these chambers, especially after uh last year being at the uh the temporary site. We're back in the home. So that's really a a privilege for me uh being chairman this year. Um mayor, unlike my predecessor Tim Mahoney, I do not come bearing a bunch of blney about how we would have to fill the backlog of St. Patrick's Days by having a parade once a quarter because uh these guys on my executive committee and I could really use a nap. Um planning a parade once a quarter would be just way out of the uh out of the the element of possibility. So considering our mutual love of music, I came bearing the limmerick pipe and drum band. I believe it's the first time a pipe and drum band has played in these chambers. Is that the is that the case?

It's been a while. Okay. Wonderful. I haven't been around that long, but Yes, exactly. And neither have I. So, first time for you and I. Thank you. Absolutely. Um, Mr. Randall Fleiner, do you have a uh do you have a another gift for Mayor Johnson? This is not a bride. Mr. attorney.

So this executive committee behind me, these guys are absolutely incredible. They just the time, the focus, the sheer selfless dedication that they commit to what we will produce on Tuesday is truly something that no other city can claim. And not to be redundant, but yes, we do have the best trade in the world.

Thank you. We couldn't do it without all of you. We can't tell you how much we appreciate everything that you do for us. So, without further ado, what must I uh what must I do next to uh make sure that this thing is going to be able to step off at Abberorn and Gwynette Streets at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17th. Introduce your grand marsh.

Yes. Thank you. So, there's uh something that you may have heard a few times in the past, that thing that's that people refer to as the luck of the Irish. Well, never have I been granted with such luck as this year when it was when I had the pleasure of announcing that the man that was elected for our 2026 grand marshalhip was none other than Mr. Marty Hogan. You probably would never think this, but I'm speeched out. I had 70 engagements, but I will say like the reverend said that uh you know, we come from a land, this land in in in Ireland, where, you know, we bow our head to no king but the king of heaven. And we bend no knee to any queen but the queen of heaven. And God is good. am just so blessed to look at every these Savylvanians that participate in uh this the feast of St. Patrick and it means so much to me because as all you have to worry about is you know the River Street and the goings on and the craziness but to our community you know whether it's the Basilica St. Benedict the Moore nativity St. James, it means something to us and uh you know being an expat like many of us are whether you got Chief Gunther from Cardinal Hayes up in the Bronx or this guy from Arasmus High School in Brooklyn or a kid born in Greenwich Village in New York City. Uh it's just

great to be down here and uh Savannah's very welcome and and opening and then I come down here and go to high school and and I got a assistant chief of police, Devon Adams. So and then Gavin, this is a wonderful community and uh I wish my mother Bernardet was here. I know she's seeing me up there, but I just wish he was here to to celebrate with me. But one day we'll meet. But she just said, "Always treat someone or people like you want to be treated." And she said, "And if they have a problem with that, then you got to go back what your grandfather taught you. Jab, chop, hook, cut. Bob and weave, don't get hit." So that's all I have to say. I just love all my aids right here that's been through. Yeah. Let me let me me start if there's uh my son Colin Hogan. Uh there's Colin. My son Liam is coming tomorrow. He's uh he's going to Trinity College in Dublin uh studying global business. So, he'll be on the the the the next flight tomorrow. And then I got Michael Carney right here. And I got Michael Lynch. I got Robbie McGrath. I got Tony O Sapone. Had to throw an Italian in there. And then I got Corey Mccclimmans. And my classmate, the one and only Johnny Coleman. Man, I love you, boy. And uh and all these guys behind me uh that I served with. all the executive committee and uh and my chauffeur that I won't have after March 19th because no one's going to know who I am after that. But but that said and and the mayor and we traveled together on delegations. He saw this man saw my hometown. My where my father was from. He even was out I showed him the outside of the house, knocked on the door. She came out. She wanted to cook him food and sandwiches and whatnot. and I had to pull him out. He was going

in. But anyway, I'll turn it over to this guy because like I love this mayor and and we always had a great time together and all of you and uh let's get it on and God bless and let's keep the saint in St. Patrick. Godspeed.

Yeah, it it was an interesting thing in Limmerick and I have my Limmerick tie on. There you go. Limmerick. and um walking up on the childhood home and we're walking and then Marty says, "This is where I this is where I grew up." It's like, "Oh, really?" Say, "Well, is anybody there? Let's knock and find out." So, we knocked on the door and lady was so kind and nice and wanted to invite us in to eat and all right. I mean, uh but I know Limmerick is very very proud of you. Uh and and certainly someone like Marty who is well known in this community is a great ambassador for this community. I'm very very very proud of him. Uh and really proud of what he represents. Um the greatest of our community. Uh and so to have the greatest honor that Irishman can receive here in this city, you're welld deserving, sir. And again, um yeah, for you to be speechless is a pretty significant thing. Maybe we need to do that again next year. So So um Mr. Chair, Mr. Chairman, you there was something you wanted to talk about? Yes. Should have brought the brink stroke.

Yeah, I got you said parking ticket. I got a few of them. Can we get Well, whatever I need to do to make sure that this thing we call the St. Patrick's Day parade. Don't say whatever. Well, I only have so much money. So, don't say whatever. The attorney's over here like having having a condemnion. Well, our our counselor advised me to basically Well, you you advised me then be nice. Be kind. I think I had Do I have that covered? Do I have that covered? Ask the Girl Scout struck over here really quick.

Girl, Girl Scouts, do you enjoy the St. Patrick's Day parade? Would you like to see the St. Patrick's Day parade step off at 10:15 a.m. this coming Tuesday, March 17th? You would? Sell some cookies. Could you encourage the mayor to hand me a document called the permit so that we can make sure that happens? All right. So, thumbs up or thumbs down? Should we or should we not? I see one, two, three, four.

I think y'all need to buy all the cookies. All the cookies. Ladies and gentlemen of council, what is your pleasure concerning this? Move for approval, Mr. Mayor. Been properly moved and seconded um on the Girl Scouts um um recommendation. The Girl Scouts recommendation that we issue you this permit uh for the St. Patrick's Day parade. It's the 202nd, I believe, right? on March the 17th at 10:15 a.m. Um 6,000 on foot, 380 units, sorry, 300 units and 50 floats.

Between three and 400 between three and 400 floats. All right. And this and this is granted on the condition um that you buy all the cookies they have to sell. Check. Mr. Treasur, y'all are playing. We will revoke this. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Opposed? Motion passes. Congratulations.

Mr. Mayor. Yes, Mr. Mayor. That gentleman over there, Mr. Son. He told me he was an Italian descendant of Alapone. And if you didn't give him this permit, that was a backup plan. Oh, we threw an O in front of his hand. That's right.

Well, again, we appreciate the the work uh that you do. Um for for many people they don't recognize as two separate really events but we weave so well and work so well together. Miss city manager team Savannah uh for the work that they all do uh to make this a great safe experience for uh not only our locals but people who are visiting from around the world. So we are looking forward uh to this and we look forward to seeing Marty cry at least five more times before it's all over. And we had some great ice cream at Leapose. Yeah, we did. I'm just getting over the ice cream and Leopold. You had a taste in the mall.

I did. So, uh, thank you all so much and we're excited. Mr. Chairperson, executive committee, thank you all for doing what you do to keep us Savannah strong. God bless. Erin, go bra.

Now, who should they contact about the cookies? There are 4,000 cases. They got it.

See, this is called collaboration. This is called public private partnerships, right? We're all working together. So, u, Mr. Bandagar, I want to take a brief moment before we bring our young ladies up. Um, again, this is one side of it. There is another very very critical side of of of amazing uh individuals, the best in the world, team Savannah, uh who make this happen year after year. As they're working, they're working. When they're falling asleep, they're still working.

And again, I just want to appreciate and have you recognize them at this time. Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Our team Savannah looks forward to St. Patrick's Day parade every year. It's our Super Bowl to be able to partner with the parade committee um and celebrate this wonderful event with our community. Um, in addition to the 282 law enforcement um, personnel that'll be out on the parade site, in addition to the 148 dedicated solid waste professionals um, that'll be out as well as in addition to our entire um, Savannah Police Force and our entire Savannah Fire Department. Um, we also want to recognize our 80 city marshals um, who are with us today. and uh and they'll be out making sure that everybody has a safe and healthy, enjoyable time um not only on parade day, but for the festivities that I think begin at about 3:30 today and last till about 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. And I want to thank all of our city marshals and all of our first responders and all the agencies that partner with the city and partner with the parade committee to make sure um that we throw the greatest um St. Patrick's Day festivity in the nation.

I did we call them solid waste professionals. Now so we uh so let me go ahead and thank again our 148 dedicated solid waste professionals that make sure that we are clean and green on Wednesday morning. Thank you team Savannah. Well done.

Now y'all can stay if you want to. Wait a minute. Hold up. Hold up, Mr. Manager. Make him stay. They've got work to do, Mr. Mayor. Party starts in a few hours. Well, thank you all so much again. We're excited. Congratulations.

Yes. Absolutely. Now, let's let's show some love for our wonderful Girl Scouts. Come on up, Girl Scouts.

Thank you. the years. I need so

we're here today with these.

So, in the blue, in the blue, you're able to tell a real

Girl Scout by not what they say, but what they do. And so these young ladies were so kind to allow these old guys to have their moment. And we are so proud of you for you allowing them to get a parade. I mean, you actually helped make that happen. So big round of applause for all of you making that happen. And so we're here for a very, very special purpose because the Girl Scouts are celebrating a birthday, right? So, who was who's going to tell us about it? Okay. Are you a Girl Scout?

Well, Mr. Mayor, we we saw that we were going to go second on the agenda, so we actually did bring bribes, but now now we don't need it, a bribe, so we're just going to give you a gift. Okay, I'll take that. But today is our 114th birthday.

And you all know the history of Girl Scouts because you're sitting here at the birthplace of the Girl Scouts 114 years ago when Juliet Gordon Low had this incredibly radical idea that girls could get out of the house, serve as city leaders, mayors, and perhaps in the future even on the parade committee. And that's how we are here today, 114 years today. Um, she also had this radical idea that the city of Savannah would turn everything green for her birthday, and it happened. Thank you. So, we are so excited. We have our Girl Scout troops here today. And in addition to that, we always live by our Girl Scout promise and law. As you mentioned, it's about what we do, not what we say. And we actually have a Daisy, our Trisha, who would love to share the Girl Scout promise with us.

Everybody can see. Repeat after me. All my honor. All my honor. I will try I will try to serve God and my country. to serve God in my country. To help people at all times to help people at all times. And to live by the Girl Scout law. To live by the Girl Scout law. All right. Yes. I just want to say thank you all for celebrating um our Girl Scout birthday. Uh and we're ready for 114 more. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. So, we want all of these these young ladies to tell us their name and their school and and the troop you're representing. So, we'll start from all the way over here. Come here. Say really loud. Okay. Um my name is Eva. Um, I am a ambassador Girl Scout from Savannah Arts Academy and I'm actually a Juliet Girl Scout, which means I am independently registered and I do all the troop activities on my own.

Hi, my name is Anna. I'm from 30284. I'm a junior and I go to Susie King Community School. Hello, my name's Arisha. I go to H. I'm a Daisy. That's right.

My name is Elise Williams. I am a junior Girl Scout and I'm homeschooled. My name is Aris and I'm a brownie and I'm homeschooled. This doesn't happen without district since 1968. I'm Nadia Fton. I became a Girl Scout in June of last year.

My name is Chelsea Simpson. I'm community engagement manager for Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia and I am also a Girl Scout. My name is Molly Andrade. I'm a troop account manager for Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia. I am also a troop leader for Troop 30284 who has girls all across Chattam, Brian, Effingham, and Liberty County. Well, yes.

We're very excited about that as well. So, um, y'all have cookies for sale. We got all these great city professionals that would love and we'll open up city halls. They would love city manager loves Girl Scout cookies.

See, so uh, so I have a proclamation. I want to read that uh just says this. Whereas March the 12th, 2026 marks the 114th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the largest and most impactful leadership program for girls in the world. And whereas the Girl Scout movement began on March the 12th, 1912 when Juliet Daisy Gordon Lo, a native of Savannah, Georgia, organized a group of 18 girls and provided them with the opportunity to develop physically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. And whereas for over a century, Girl Scouts of the United States of America has advanced its mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Today, more than 50 million women, trailblazers, visionaries, and leaders are Girl Scout alums who have made the world a better place. And whereas since its beginnings, Girl Scouts has emphasized public service and civic engagement and has fostered a sense of community. During a time when girls are experiencing increased levels of anxiety, stress, loneliness, and depression, Girl Scouts continue to provide community consistency and connection for girls across the world and in a safe haven for those that are dealing with uncertainty. And whereas girls say that Girl Scouts support their mental health and that is an accepting secure space where they feel free to be themselves and where leaders and other girls are sources of support during difficult times. And whereas the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia serves more than 7,000 girls across I'm sorry 7,000 girls across and 3,000 adults in 122 counties in Georgia. Two count in South Carolina and one

county in Alabama. Girl Scouts offer girls 21st century programming in science, technology, engineering, and math, the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and beyond, helping girls develop invaluable life skills. Therefore, I Vanna R. the second mayor of the city of Savannah to hereby applaud the Girl Scout movement and Girl Scouts of historic Georgia for providing girls with a secure inclusive all girls space where they can hone their skills and development uh develop leadership abilities and I declare March the 12th uh 2026 is Girl Scout Day in Savannah, Georgia and witness where I've here to set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Savannah to So, I'm going to present this to you. You want to take it?

Big round of applause for our girls. Yes. Now, um, when can you and a manager get together? Who's going to bring some and he's going to buy all of them? Yeah. Literally only have 4,000. All the Oh, he All right. Quick. So, how many you Samoa people? Samoa people in here. All right. How many thin meds? All right. What? What are the other ones? Shortbread. Where the shortbread?

All we got shortbread. What else? What else? Explore. It's chocolate on chocolate. It's good. Okay. And what else? Huh? Adventure Fools. It's your favorite. limit up and limit up. Anybody lemon?

All right. So, we know pretty much what we need around here. So, but thank y'all so much. Thank you for being amazing women and and I will tell you March is women history month. Uh we recently celebrated International Women's Day, but our best history with women is the history still yet to come. So, thank you so much. Okay. All right. Y'all be great.

Right. Thank you. Oh yes, thank you. And we have an amazing procurement practice here, Mr. Manager. Um, is it procurement month? I think it is procurement.

It is procurement month. We did all this to lead up to procurement month. It's a very, very important and very, very special month in our city. We've been waiting all year for procurement month. How things happen. I hope so.

All right. Thank you very much,

John. That's what I'm talking about. Proclamation reads as follows. Whereas the city of Savannah recognizes the importance of effective and efficient procurement practices in the successful operation of government and business. Whereas in addition to the purchase of goods and services, procurement professionals add value to the organization by performing such functions as executing, implementing, and administering contracts, developing, don't go too far with that, developing strategic procurement strategies and cultivating working relationships with suppliers and other departments within the organization. Whereas March is a time to highlight and celebrate the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly in the field of procurement to ensure transparency, fairness, and the accountability in acquisition of goods and services. And whereas the city of Savannah is committed to fostering excellence in procurement practices to better serve the needs of our residents and businesses. And whereas recognizing and celebrating procurement month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the significance of procurement uh in promoting economic development and responsible uh stewardship of public resources. Now therefore I Vard Johnson the second mayor of the city of Savannah do hereby proclaim the month of March 2026 as procurement month in the city of Savannah. And I urge all citizens to join me in recognizing the contributions of procurement professionals and to appreciate their efforts in ensuring the city's fiscal responsibility and delivery of quality services. And whenever I've set my hand and caused the seal of this city to be a fix, ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you this and

as someone now who leads two national organizations of elected officials, I will tell you this. It is procurement folks that stop us from going to jail. period. Poo and P. Um the reality is is that for us there is a process. For us there is a system, there is a pattern. And so we have to have individuals at the highest um character to be able to carry those processes out because we know when those systems fail, we know that people go to jail and we're not going to be one of them. We know he's not going to be one of them. And so whereas people will say very easily, man, you know, give me that give me that contract. Y'all all got that. Um the fact is that we refer them to the professionals that ensures it's carried out um in accordance with with federal and state law. And so these are the individuals that serve uh us internally everything that we need. they help us um we they help to make sure that we're able to arrange and they do it in a very professional way. So, I'm glad we have a great month uh to be able to um salute them for the work that they do uh in keeping Savannah strong. So, uh Mr. Director, sir, congratulations.

I just want to say I'm honored and grateful. Thank you, Mayor Council, uh, for recognizing procurement month. Your support highlights the vital role procurement professionals play in ensuring transparency, efficiency, value for the greatest community in the world. So, we proudly celebrate the impact of public professionals um, and the impact they make on public procurement. Thank you. Thank you.

Uh, thank you, Johnny. And, um, you know, great public service starts with great public servants. These are great public servants. You approve and authorize me to enter into all the contracts that they work year round to do. So the procurement's a year round work and um uh they keep us moving. There's three goals of procurement that we have in the city of Savannah. Um one that we're um procuring the goods and services that we need to serve our residents. two, that we're being um very good stewards of our taxpayer dollars from procuring those goods and services, and three, that we keep as many taxpayer dollars right here in the city of Savannah by supporting our local um and minority vendors. And this team does a phenomenal job. And why don't we all come up and um give us our name and the years of service um with the city of Savannah so you can be properly honored. Come on up,

Allen. purchasing technician 33 years. My name is Daryl Arnold. I've been with the city for six months. Um started out with the temp agency for four months. So you welcome. Uh my name is Levi Manuel. I've been with the city for six months. Tiffany Daniels, five years on the 15th. Good. Bernell Mitchell, 19 years.

So, you can tell this is a pretty experienced team. Uh, and it's a very, very Oh, I've got somebody. Why you Well, she's pushing everybody up. I thought you went. Yes, they're the staff. if I wanted them to go first. Oh, Katrina Hagen. I've been with the city for nine months. I came over from the school board and prior to that, Department of Corrections.

Uh again, we we we we want to thank you all for for what you represented, particularly the work that you do. Again, it's important for an organization to maintain its integrity, and you help us to do that. So, thank you for doing that. Thank you for the customers that you serve internally. Uh thank you for all that you do to making sure we have what we need when we need to have it. Mr. Manager, thank you for allowing this recognition. Thank you.

Thank you. All right, ladies and gentlemen, let us rock and roll. Uh, under alcohol license hearings, uh, we have items number seven, 8, and nine. Uh item number seven is approval of a class E beer and wine by the package alcohol license to Toby Broxton for baby cakes at 1820 McGomery Street between 34th and 35th Street. This is a convenience store in automatic district 2. Item number eight is approval of a class C liquor, beer and wine by the to drink alcohol license with Sunday sales to Anthony Deborah Nissi for Leva Levetta, a restaurant at 15th West Broen Street between Whitaker Street and Bull Street Automatic District 2. Item number nine is approval of a class C liquor beer and wine and class E beer and wine by the package with Sunday alcohol sales license to James Coyle for Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District at 220 East Bay Street. Um are there any is there are there any pullouts regarding these items?

No sir. Okay. This is a public hearing that I'm now declaring open. Does anyone have anything against any of these licenses? Speak now if I ever hold thy peace. Going once, going twice, three times. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Ask that we close the hearing, sir. Second. Second. And properly moved and seconded that we close these alcohol license hearings. All in favor of the case by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Item number seven. Uh, this is baby cakes at 1820 Montgomery Street. Alderman Lean. Yes, sir. Mr. Merrick, do we approve the class E beer wine by the package alcohol license to Toby Broxton for baby cakes? Second. Second.

Probably moved and seconded. All in favor of the cake by saying I opposed. Motion passes. Item number eight. Uh this is for Levetta at 15 West Bron Street. Alder Alderman Leget. Yes sir. Mr. Mayor asks that we approve the class C liquor be wine by the drink alcohol license with Sunday sales to Anthony de Brini for Levleta. Second. Probably moved and seconded. All in favor of the key by saying I oppose. Motion passes. Item number nine is uh for tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District 220 East Bay Street Alat District 2. Alderman Leget.

Yes sir. Mr. Max that we approve the class C liquor beer wine by the and class E beer wine by the package with Sunday sales alcohol license to James Coyle for Temple by Hilton Savannah Historic District. Second and probably moved and seconded. All in favor of the K by saying I opposed. Motion passes. Thank you all so much. Go forth. Be great. All right.

We're moving now to zoning hearings. We have uh one hearing today with a corresponding item. Uh item number 10 is petition of Bridget Litty on behalf of the mayor and alderman of the city of Savannah for a text amendment to article 2.0 0 review bodies and administrative section 2.5 historic preservation commission and 2.6 Savannah downtown historic district board review and article 3.0 0 application and review procedures section 3.12 special exemptions 3.18 certificate of appropriateness for local historic districts and local historic properties uh 3.19 certificate of appropriateness for the Savannah downtown historic district 3.21 variances and 3.23 appeals.

Hello sir, how you doing? Excellent. How are you sir?

Good. Thank you for joining us. for representing the MPC today. Uh I'll speak to you all briefly about a zoning ordinance text amendment for uh articles two and three. Article two uh of the zoning ordinance distributes different authorities to various boards. Uh and so we've got some changes to the powers granted to the historic preservation commission and the historic district board of review. Uh and article 3 contains application and review procedures. And so we've got some changes to particular applications uh that come before these boards, specifically special exceptions, uh variances, um certificates of appropriateness and appeals of decisions uh by these boards that would be uh terminal decisions. And so, uh as you all know, the zoning ordinance was adopted back in 2019. And obviously uh as we uh work more with the ordinance and we understand what works about it, what doesn't, it's always necessary that we um reconcile differences where we discover that there are issues. And so these are largely aimed at achieving greater efficiencies and also eliminating some inconsistencies between different sections of the zoning ordinance that we observe just in the course of working together. Uh and so city staff and NPC staff did work together to come to some resolution on these issues. Uh these were presented to the historic district board of review on April 9th and to the Historic Preservation Commission on April 23rd. And so staff has done um some work to ensure that we included those perspectives for you. Just to summarize these for you, uh the authorities in uh two section 2.5 regarding the HPC. Uh there are some minor modifications to clarify the HPC's jurisdiction um excludes downtown and also to add special exceptions to uh the items that it reviews before they are forwarded to this body for disposition. Also in section 2.6 the HTVR um they will receive the explicit authority to grant limited uh variances within their

jurisdiction and also it codifies that that board would be uh nine members rather than the potential 11 that the ordinance uh currently leaves open the possibility for uh with regard to sections 312 318 19 and 3.21 21. I'll say that one of the overarching changes with regard to special exceptions, variances, and COAs is that we would like to standardize the valid uh validity period for these approvals to two years. Right now, there are some differences with variances only being valid for about a year. Uh certain special exceptions valid for a year, others for two years. Uh and COAs are presently two years. This would make all of those consistently valid for a period of 24 months. Uh COAs would have the ability to be extended for about six months. And all of this in recognition that uh sometimes these processes do take a little bit longer than we expect. Um with regard to special exceptions, there are some minor changes there to ensure that we're um clear on what it is that should be approved. So limiting exceptions uh to non-measurable design standards and adding historic compatibility criteria. Uh also we are um again formalizing the fact that the HTVR would have variance granting authority uh and the HPC not and again standardizing that review period and finally uh this text change would send approvals of the HTBR COAs as well as variances granted by the planning commission to superior court. So uh just to summarize those changes for you in looking at the criteria here uh we did find that this is generally consistent as we are not adding new changes here. These are all uh provisions that are present within our current zoning ordinance and we're ensuring that these uh are functioning as we intend for them to. Again, they're aimed largely at improving um the functioning of our current provisions. Um one thing I would like to point out is that with regard to compliance with higher law, this will bring our current functioning more so consistent with the state zoning

procedures law. Uh in that right now we have decisions of one quasi judicial body uh that are being referred to another. And so with regard to the COAs that come out of the historic district board of review, uh we would send those COAs to superior court, which is more so consistent again with the zoning procedures law. Uh just to offer you some view on um staff's analysis here, these changes are GPS aligned. This does um clarify authorities where now there are some uh inconsistencies in our understanding that occasionally impede our ability to function effectively. Uh and this does again bring us into compliance with higher law. But I would like to point out that there are some uh disparities that are created in between the historic boards. In particular, the HDVR will now officially receive the ability to grant variances where the HPC will not. Uh there is also the ability for um minor changes that occur within the downtown historic district for staff to continue to review those where that power does not exist within the uh territory governed by the HPC. Uh also there is the similar treatment of the COAs issued by the two boards. These are things that we can continue to work on. However, uh as this moves forward. So, uh following the presentation of these changes at uh the planning commission, there was some interest expressed um in receiving feedback from a broader range of uh stakeholders with regard to the appropriateness of the 24-month validity period. uh to report back. In regard to that, city staff did engage the Historic District Board of Review, the HPC, uh the Downtown Neighborhoods Association, Ogort Plan Coalition, uh the Forite Park Community Alliance, the Savannah Area Chamber, and uh the Savannah chapter of the AIA, and again, the feedback that was received was that the 24-month validity period was an appropriate uh time frame for uh the extension. And again, uh these are things that continue to evolve as we continue to work with these ordinances. Uh finally, uh city

staff did clarify the intent behind the development activity as the metric as to whether or not um the petitioner who had received either a COA or a variance was actually making progress in order to justify that we should continue to hold that open. um and uh development activity was found to uh to align with demolition uh construction or site development permits having been applied for or uh issued. So uh again some clarification to items that were discussed. Uh with that the planning uh commission did recommend approval of this item uh with that one condition which uh was subsequently discussed with stakeholders. I'm happy to answer any questions you all may have.

Thank you. This is a public hearing. Let it be noted that the clerk has submitted to council a letter from Paul Kovit representing the downtown neighbor association and they have indicated support for this. This is a public hearing that I've now declared open. Does anyone have anything against of this item as presented going once going twice speak now forever hold your peace Mr. Mayor? Yes, like to close the hearing. Second motion properly moved and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying I opposed. Motion passes going to the corresponding item number 11. They're requesting we are requesting first and second reading on it. Mr. Mayor. Yes. Alderman Palumbo.

I move the the first reading be considered the second. The ordinance placed upon its passage and pass. Second. Then properly moved and seconded the first. It's been properly moved and seconded that the first reading be considered the second and an ordinance placed upon its passage and pass. All the women.

Yes, Mr. Mar, please. I read through this and I've also spoken to the city manager. I'm trying to get some clarity. So, someone would come and apply for a variance. Is that correct? For historic preservation. Uh so if the proposed uh construction would say for instance place a structure within a required setback. A lot of times in our historic districts we have a development that um demonstrates characteristics that are a little bit different than what we see today. And so it's very common for people to uh build within setbacks or to have uh something that might require a little bit of additional lot coverage. And so these are the variances that are commonly observed within those districts that the HDBR would now have the ability to grant without having to involve the zoning board of appeals.

Got it. Okay, that part and this just applied to the downtown historic area, right? The HTVR uh would be the only board that would have the ability to grant these variances. Thank you for that. Thank you. Any other questions? All in favor indicate by saying I I oppose. Motion passes. Miss Marorrow, come back up a minute, please. Mr. Manager.

Uh, thank you, mayor. First, I just I want to thank um Melanie Wilson and Ed Marorrow and and all the team at NPC for their collaboration with um the city staff on all of you on this ordinance change and many more that are coming through the pipeline as we um recognize things that we need to uh clarify and correct with our ordinance. And then secondly, I did want to take this opportunity to recognize Edward Morrow for his outstanding job um as the um development services head over at NPC. He's done a great job. I think believe this is his last meeting um with city council. How how good how good of a job did he do in that role? He did a he did a wonderful job.

How wonderful. Um well, he did a wonderful job. Uh and um and and luckily for us um this is not the end for Edward Marorrow in the city of Savannah. He will be joining our team as assistant director um planning and urban design. So uh I will say he was stolen by the planning department. It it's it's called appropriate spot.

It was it it's called appropriating. You know I think you guys you guys have a habit. you know, we train folks and then y'all take them, but that's okay. Um, but no, I I personally want to take this opportunity also to thank Edward for all of the work that he's done uh within uh MPC. I've known him for a long time. Uh, and I think that he is going to be an incredible addition to the city. He gets to work in an area that's his passion, which is with the neighborhood. So, I was very happy to hear that he gets that opportunity.

Y'all took Latin. He been working on that for a long time. So, we get him back. Well, like I said, it's his passion project is to basically work with the folks in the community and I think that this is great. You know, development services is not easy. Uh we deal with a whole bunch of folks. Uh so you'll see me for the next few meetings. Um but that's okay. I enjoy seeing all of you. Uh but I want to definitely thank you so much for uh the work that he's done and thank you Jay for stealing my staff appropriating excuse me forating for for appropriating our staff person but we know he's not far so thank you we look forward to seeing you with a city of Savannah ID

go J. Thank you. All right let's look under purchasing items. Thank you Miss Wilson. Yes. On the um purchasing items, items number 12 through 14. 12, please. All right. There's a a poll for 12. Is any polls for 13 to 14? Mr. Mayor, if there are no more pull outs like to make an approval for the purchasing items for items number 13 and 14.

Item number been properly moved to second that we approve item number 13. Authorize the city manager executed contract for trailers with K and B incorporated in amount not to exceed $78,225. Uh and then item number 14, authorize city manager to execute a contract for the design, procurement, and installation of a prefabricated storage building at Daffen Park with Guardian Incorporated in an amount not to exceed $330,191. Uh this was continued from 226. All in favor of the Kate by saying I opposed.

Question. One moment. Motion passes. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Manager, uh, you all were supposed to see if you could find somebody here in the city that could do that job. What happened? Cuz I'm looking at it and it looks like it's going back to the same people.

Yeah. The the takeaway actually was that Alderman Palumbo and I would be meeting with the Parkside neighborhood who had some concerns and questions as well as the historic Savannah Foundation um, who had some concerns and questions. We met with them Monday afternoon in my office and addressed those concerns and uh they left uh pleased with um the item and and we wanted to move forward. Obviously every time just like I said in procurement um we try to work towards always um trying to keep our dollars here locally um but in some cases um we do need to go outside in order to meet um the other two goals um in our procurement which is to provide the service we need and to do so um uh being good stewards of taxpayer dollars being

you're telling me that we couldn't find anybody in Savannah I'm telling that we went through a public procurement process on this um and and this is the this is the result of that public procurement. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. All right. Thank you. Item number 12 is authorize city manager execute contract modification number one or garbage construction company for construction services for the waterworks building stabilization project to establish the guaranteed maximum price of $9 million. Alwoman Laneir.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I pulled this item because I wanted to bring further attention to it in the six neighborhood associations that I have visited since last week and I want the rest of the residents and the city uh citizens to know that when they pass the waterworks building at Styles and Gwynette and they see the fencing going up, this is what this item is all about. uh we are moving one step closer to manifesting a long soughtafter vision of having a community market and entrepreneur center west and this step is the shuring up or the stabilization of that facility. So when you go past there and you see the lovely construction that's going on do know that we're moving towards uh making this vision happen of a wonderful community asset in our city. So at this time I'll move to authorize the city manager to execute this contract as written.

Second. Probably moved and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying I

opposed. Motion passes. Item number 16 is resolution authorize city manager to enact article B major special events of chapter 6 special events of part three public safety of division 2 of the code of the city of Savannah for the dates of 6 p.m. Friday, March the 13, 2026. Saturday, March the 14th, 2026. Sunday, March the 15, 2026. Monday, March the 16th, 2026. Tuesday, March the 17th, 2026. And 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18th. Uh, this is various uh enactments of of um articles to include establishing our festival dates. the city won't want to issue any out of town motor coach parking permits in the to- go cup zone. Um and the extension of the toe cup zone temporarily and that we will not issue any permits for private activities and public rightaways um uh as as designated. All in favor by saying was there a motion for second

properly moved and seconded. All in favor by saying I opposed. Motion passes. We can take items number 17 and 18 together. Yes, Mr. Mayor, I move for the approval of items number 17 and 18. Second. Probably moved and seconded. Um 17 is approval of a water and sewer agreement with WI Land Development LLC for Bull River Bluff Town Homes in unincorporated Chattam County. Item number 18 is approval of a second amendment to the original water and sewer agreement with CEDA dated uh June the 21st uh 2018 for the Savannah Cadam Manufacturing Center. All in favor indicate by saying I

I opposed. Motion passes. We're going to go back to um boards commissions and authority appointments. Uh under our pension board, we had one vacancy and one term expiring. Um the nominations were to uh reappoint Paul um W. Mosley senior junior and a junior Spencer Wheeler senior senior senior he's the it's the son the junior no he's a senior got it and and Spencer Meler to our pension board. All in favor indicate by saying I.

I. Opposed. Motion passes. Under traffic comment committee. Uh we had the district one appointee. I do not have that name in front of me. Aldwoman Laneir. Yes. I'd like to uh nominate or appoint Miss Pat Jenkins Spy of Kyler Brownsville Community. Is there a second? Second. Then probably moved and second it. All in favor of the K by saying I opposed. Motion passes. Ladies and gentlemen, now that ends 191 19. We have a settlement. Yes, sir. Oh, go ahead. Yes. I'm sorry. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to move to authorize the city attorney's office to settle the claim of Sheena Street Bowman for $450,000. So moved. Second.

And properly moved and seconded that we would authorize city attorney's office to settle the claim of Sheena Street Bowman for $450,000. All in favor indicate by saying I oppose. Motion passes. Um that ends our agenda. Ladies and gentlemen, the remainder ladies and gentlemen, I'm out. The remainder of this meeting depends on you. We're out. I have one um I have an announcement. Well, we'll start with Alderoman. If you don't have to, you don't have to. Alderman Laneir.

Yes. I have one quick announcement and this is I would like to invite the community to join me as I host an environmental town hall meeting on March 31st which is a th a Tuesday at Coastal Georgia Center from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Thank you very much. Alderman Lean.

Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, I would like to celebrate the life of Mr. Michael Gregory Senior. His funeral will be uh this weekend. We'll be out of time, but I just wanted to publicly uh offer our condolences on behalf of the city. Also, I want to uh lift up the name of Raven Mitchell. Um she uh lost her life also from diabetes, 27 years old. And also this morning, we found out that the Reverend David Thomas uh passed on. Um his we all may know his wife um Sandra Styles Thomas. So, we just want to make sure we uplift the life of all those people. Thank you very much. Uh, no one else. Alderwoman, I got one. Alderwoman Shabbass.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would like to make an announcement that on Saturday, Saturday, March the 14th at 2:00 p.m., the Savannah Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance called for the total community for a SOS, which means safety, outreach, support, protest, march, and rally. It's going to start at the Sanctuary Church located at 912 Woodfield Avenue and it will end at the Chattam County Police Station at 9306 Woodfield Avenue and that will start on at 2:00 on this coming Saturday, March 14th. the other uh and we asking the entire community, the entire entire Chattam County to please come out and and join us on Monday, March the 23rd, starting at 6:00 p.m. I will be I'm hosting uh my fifth district town hall meeting. It will be held at the Tatumville Community Center. That is Monday, March the 23rd, 2026 at 6 o'clock p.m. at the uh Tatumville Community Center. I will be bringing updates along with city manager and team Savannah, updates on the legacy uh project, the fairgrounds project, DOS Avenue uh project, and also project DN. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Alderwoman Mela Blakeley. Alman Palumbo. Oh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just a quick apology to my pension friend Paul Mosley senior. Also, what is your secret? You are ageless and congratulations to both appointees. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I just want to congratulate Nick Roberts and our recreation department. He left already. Um, I had the opportunity to attend the track and field uh team uh competition on Saturday and I just want to say that my granddaughter Ayria Dream Blakeley won first place in the long jump jump and the 200 meter run, seven years old. And I want to shout out my grandson Amir Blakeley uh for participating in the science fair with the Savannah Classical Academy. And also all the women len did not mention it but um the weeping time festival was phenomenal. Uh we honored Josie Shepard, Gary Gordon and ILA Local 1414. They did a phenomenal job and can't wait till we do it again next year. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you, Alderman Bell. All right, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all so much. Let us be safe. Let us keep our community safe. Let us get to work. Erin, go bro. Savannah strong.