City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you. Hey yo, don't wear your pineapples. Stop.

Oh, wait. All right. Um, Mr. Clerk, you ready?

Mr. Clerk, if you'll please call a role. Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, Mayor Van Johnson, present. Mayor Prom in District 5, Alderwoman, Dr. Estella Edward Shebass, present. Chairman and District 4 Alderman Nick Palumbo present. Vice Chair and District Three Alderwoman Linda Wilder Bryant. Happy Valentine's Day. Let's go. Post one alderwoman Carolyn H. Bell present. Post two alderwoman Alicia Miller Blakeley. District 1 Alderwoman Bernetta B. Lane Lenir present. District two alderman Dietrich Leget here. And District 6 Alderman Curtis Pertie. Last but not least, I'm here. Come on through, Kurt. Mr. Mayor, you have a quorum.

Thank you. All eyes. I call this meeting of the Savannah City Council uh to order. Today is um Thursday, February the 12th, 2026. It is 2:15 p.m. It is the 293rd birthday of the greatest city on earth and the 13th colony of this country. You should clap right there. YEAH. Happy birthday to us. Yeah. And 293 has never looked so good.

It's also love weekend. Yeah, it is. And if you can't love who who you are, then love the one you're with. As they say, Savannah will be a safe, environmentally healthy, and economically thriving community for all. And for us, all means all. Today's invocator will be uh introduced by all the woman uh post one at large Carolyn Hodgers Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Today our invocator is Jamal Barl. Jamal is a retired United States Air Force veteran who honorably served for 28 years before retiring in 2025. Throughout his distinguished military career, he demonstrated a steadfast commitment to leadership service and excellence. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration, equipping him with a strong foundation in governance, leadership, and community development. Jamal serves as a minister, not just a minister, he is an elder, in fact an associate pastor at Jonesville Baptist Church and remains deeply engaged in his community. He is the vice chair of the inner city night shelter and a board member of sponsors of new and talented artists inc sonata. In 2014 he graduated from leadership savannah further strengthening his commitment to civic engagement and servant leadership. Jamal is married to Terresa Barl. They have three awesome children, Samuel, Samantha, and Simone. Through faith, service, and community and community involvement, Jamal continues to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Elder Jamal Barrel,

I want to first of all, thank you. Thank you.

City on earth. Always remember that we never cease to give prayers to you inquiring of the Lord that he would give you wisdom, knowledge and understanding and doing the bidding of the people. Let us pray. God, we understand that you are the God of generations. In Jeremiah 29 and verse number six, you called your people to build families, nurture children, and increase even in uncertain times. Today, we lift our city to you with the same hope. Lord, let our city be a place where families flourish and children are safe. We pray for an end to violence and fear to be removed from our streets. We ask you to help us disarm hatred and heal trauma. Turn hearts away from destruction and toward purpose. Protect every son, daughter, mother, father, and grandparent and caregiver. Lord, we ask that our community may not be diminished, but that it would be increased in peace, strength, and opportunity. We pray for continued prosperity. Bless our schools, our businesses, churches, and neighborhoods. Let there be meaningful work, stable homes, and resources that sustain families. May growth not be a benefit for a few alone, but uplift every corner of our city. Lord, bring unity where there is division. Help us value one another across racial, cultural, and economic lines. Teach us to stand together for common good. Replace suspicion with understanding and bitterness with reconciliation. God, we ask you to help us to establish equality and justice in our systems and institutions. Let fairness guide leadership. May policies reflect compassion and wisdom. Ensure the welfare of all citizens, the young and the old, the struggling and the thriving. so that no one is forgotten. Lord, help us to build, to plant, and to

multiply good in this awesome city. Let our legacy be one of peace, righteousness, and shared prosperity. May generations to come say that we chose faith over fear, unity over division, and love over violence. Lord, we trust you to increase us and not allow us to diminish. In Jesus's name, amen. Amen. Thank you. Let us honor our country. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you so much, Minister Barrow. Thank you so much for gracing us today. We receive that that and uh thank you so much for your service uh to our country. We appreciate you being here. Uh let's go ahead into our agenda. Uh as it relates to item number one, adoption of regular meeting agenda. Um Mr.

Just a couple of notes here. Um, I understand item number 12, a petition of Tom Bolton on behalf of Vintage Homebuilders LLC for a special use permit to establish a hotel in TC1 uh zoning district has been requested by the petitioner to be uh continued uh until further notice. Mr. Mr. Attorney, um do we need to put a date on this and come back to it or can we just hold it? All right, we'll just hold it per the petition's request. Uh, can I get a motion regarding that, Mr. Mayor? Yes. Like to make a motion for the uh item number 12 to be continued until further until further notice.

Second properly moves and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying I oppose. Motion passes and I'm going to add an appearance. Uh, are my 211 folks in here? No. Yes. Yes, they are. Where they are? Oh, okay. All right. Okay. Hiding behind the camera. All right. I'm going to make a uh I want to add an appearance by United Way. Yes. Uh 211 in honor of 211 day which was yesterday in the rain. Uh so um can I get a motion for the adoption of the regular meeting agenda? So move second. Is there a second? Properly moved and seconded. All in favor of the by saying I opposed. Motion passes. Mr. Mayor.

Yes. I would like to make a motion for the adoption of the regular agenda meeting for February the 20 February the 12th, 2026 along with all of our been properly moved and seconded that we approve the minutes for the regular meeting held on January the 22nd, 2026 at 2 p.m. Is there a motion? Is there a second? Second. Properly moved and seconded. All in favor of the Kate by saying I

opposed. Motion passes. Mr. Um, adding on to that, today the city council held an executive session for items related to personnel, litigation, and real estate. I'm asking for a motion that you authorize me to sign off affidavit that our discussion was limited to those items and that no votes were taken during the meeting. Is there a second? Probably moved and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying I opposed. Motion passes. All right, Mr. Mayor. Yes. I'd like to make a motion for the approval of the minutes for the regular meeting held on January the 22nd, 2026 at 2 o'clock p.m. We just did that. We did that. So moved anyway. Yeah, we did it. We already we already moved it. Yes, sir.

All right. Um so we're very excited to have with us, as you know, it is February. Uh February is known as Black History Month, and we're always very happy. Um the last 37 years the city of Savannah has been a partner with the Savannah Black Heritage Festival um which has reached middle age. So we're glad to have Amanda Hollowwell here with us uh as we talk about this year's festival. Welcome and we're glad to have you. Thank you. You caught me off guard with that whole age 37

37. You know a lady never tells her secrets. Um, Black History Month is actually in its 100th year celebration as well this year. And so there is a lot of time for us to honor things, but this is the 37th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival. The theme this year is the tapestry of us. This is presented by the Sav Savannah State University with a grateful investment by the city of Savannah that we are always so appreciative of every year. The festival is in full effect. We started February 1st and though the weather u slowed us down a little, we still had events. Um and we um just recently did our opening at the African-American monument this past Sunday. Last night we had Cleo Parker Robinson perform at the Otis um J. Johnson Cultural Center. And we have plenty of more events for you all to participate in. These are all free and open to the public. I just want to highlight some events that we want to make sure that the public is able to attend over the next few weeks. First, this weekend we have tracing your roots at at Chattam County Bull Street Library. We've done this in our third year where you're able to trace back your roots, especially for our folks who are part of the dysphoria. On February 17th, we partner with the links incorporated, the Savannah chapter for the New Beginnings art installation where we have young folks from all over the county submit their work and we put them up in the cultural arts center. Please join us at 6:00 p.m. That same night, if you didn't do anything nice for your lover on over the holiday weekend, you can take them to a jazz concert for free on Tuesday, February 17th at the JA for our annual future of jazz. Then we've got um our Black Art Expo in partnership with the city on February 21st, but we've added something new this year in partnership with my organization called Color of Change. We are doing a cultural day of legacy. This is to replace our grand day, our grand

festival day. This will be at the Ralph Mark Gil Gilbert Museum. Everyone can enter the museum from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. free of charge. That is being paid for. And then from 400 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., we will be in the in Dr. Dr. Priscilla Thomas's annex featuring speakers Mark Lamont Hill, Dr. Tonia Edwards, um Harina Glass Hill, Vanette Walker, and Dr. Amir Tore. So, this will be a full day of lectures about the importance of our history with performances and spoken word and a few celebrities coming into town to speak and give us keynote words. We close the festival on February 28th as usual, Forged by Fire with local storyteller um Lillian Grant Baptiste. I want to thank you all for your investment and for your time. Please for that updated information. You can go to savannah blackheritagefestival.org and thank you and have a great day.

Miss Hollowwell, thank you so much uh for being here. Thank you for your work. And we always lift the name of Shirley Barbara James uh for the work that she's put in. Uh this is clearly volunteer work for you all. and I know the many of hours that you have put into uh the Black Heritages Festival. We certainly want to thank the Savannah State University uh as well and the city of Savannah is glad to be a partner and co-sponsor. We would have it no other way. So, thank you so much. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm very glad to ask our friends uh if well if um the Black Heritage Festival is 37, Visit Savannah is turned 50. So, we're going to ask our friends from Visit Savannah to come up. Joe Marinelli doesn't look don't look a day over 49. So I it was it was put on the um agenda that we were recognizing Visit Savannah for the 50th anniversary for promoting Savannah as a premier destination. Um we were a little um gracious and humble. We we're really celebrating Visit Savannah for marketing us as the premier designation and there is a difference. Um this organization you don't see their work here but you see their work around the nation. I've had the opportunity to be on some of these activations and see uh the length and scope that they do um that bring all the folks here that um enjoy our city and that help pay us pay our bills and we love them for that. Absolutely. And the proclamation reads

as follows. Founded whereas founded in 1976 as the Savannah Convention and Visitors Bureau, now known as Visit Savannah, the organization was established to market Savannah as the premier destination and to grow the local visitor economy. And whereas in 1980, local leaders made a pivotal and forwardthinking decision to reinvest hotel motel tax revenue into tourism marketing, creating a sustainable funding model that continues to deliver strong economic returns for Savannah and Chattam County. And whereas visitor volume has grown grown substantially over time, increasing from approximately 1.3 million visitors in 1977, generating an estimated $60.8 $.8 million in direct spending to an estimated 12.9 million visitors in 2024, producing 4.1 billion dollar in visitor spending. And whereas in 2010, the organization formally rebranded as Visit Savannah, reflecting a modern destination marketing strategy and Savannah's rising national and international profile. Whereas the visitor economy has become one of the region's most powerful economic drivers, generating 3.9 billion with a B in tur total visitor spending in 2023 and 4.1 billion in 2024. Visitor activity has directly supported more than 28,000 hospitality related jobs and estimated 41,000 indirect and induced jobs across the local economy. And whereas for five decades, Visit Savannah has strengthened Savannah and Chattam Countyy's economy, supported jobs, generated critical public revenue, and enhanced the quality of life for residents while elevating Savannah's reputation on the global stage. Now, therefore, I Van R. Johnson, second, mayor of the city of Savannah, to hereby recognize and congratulate

Visit Savannah upon its 50th anniversary. We commend its leadership, vision, and impact and express our appreciation for your enduring contributions to the economic vitality and cultural pride of Savannah. A witness where I've set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Savannah to be affixed. Thank you so much for being Savannah Strong.

Come on, man. Come on. Got to take pictures. Hello.

Here we go. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor and members of council. On behalf of the 54 full and part-time employees of Visit Savannah and our board of directors, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for this recognition. 50 years ago, this organization was founded on a simple yet powerful belief in Savannah and Chattam County. That belief has has not only endured but also strengthened over the decades. I am deeply proud of the work of our team, past and present, and all that they've accomplished to position Savannah as the premier destination that honors its rich history while thoughtfully embracing the future. Over the past five decades, our organization, originally established as the Savannah con Savannah Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and now known as Visit Savannah, has served not only as a tourism marketing entity, but as a dedicated steward for this community. It has espe it is it is especially meaningful to celebrate this milestone alongside leaders who understand that the work that we do each day directly supports our residents, strengthens our businesses both large and small and contributes to the overall quality of life in our community. While today we mark 50 years of progress and achievement, it is it also compels us to look ahead. We remain focused on one question. What are we doing today to ensure an even stronger tomorrow? While the continued partnership of this council, our community, our stakeholders, and this exceptional team, I am confident that the next chapter of visits visit Savano will be as impactful

and forwardlooking as the first. Thank you again for this honor and we appreciate your ongoing support. Thank you very much. So, I I want to just uh introduce our team. Um Angela Westerfield is our chief marketing officer. Erica Bakis is our director of public relations.

I should have saved that for last. Supria Christopher is our director of public relations. Kelly Linder is our chief sales officer heading up all of our convention sales effort. Britney Wilson is one of our social media experts. And over there behind the camera is Hunter Coughlin, our videographer. And I think that's everybody. But thank you very much. Thank you.

So um they they they'll grow bigger and stronger. Um the greatest part about uh our being here is that we don't have to visit Savannah. We live in Savannah. Uh um but certainly you have done Yman's job in helping to market us to the world. And uh folks come and again when you go other places, you don't see ads in Savannah here. You wouldn't. Um but you see them everywhere else just like I look at other people's stuff here. Well, you know, we we we do a good job of stealing folks from other places. So, thank you so much for all you do and we really appreciate you to 50 more. Terrific. Thanks very much.

Yeah, Mr. Mayor, thank them for being a community partner for uh Savannah Chattam. I know you already started planning. Thank you, Joe. Thank you. Now, we have uh the Savannah Trustees Garden Club that are here. All right. Thank you. Come on. Come around. Come around. Come on. Come on. All right. All right. Where's Catherine? Well, where's Catherine? Well, we can't we babes. Where's Catherine? Well, we can y'all come back next next week when Katherine is here.

We can't do it without Catherine. Oh, okay. Or should we just go ahead? Sorry, Catherine. Bates up. Bates, come on. Come on up here. They want you to come and stand.

Now, substituting for Catherine, her husband Bates. Love it. Whereas the Savannah Trustees Garden Club was founded on February the 15th, 1926 in Savannah, Georgia. And in 2026 commemorates 100 years of dedicated service, civic engagement, and the stewardship of horicultural, historical, and environmental traditions. And whereas Savannah Trustes Garden Club took its name from the Trustees Garden, the very first public garden in the state of Georgia, established in 1733. Nick by the Trustees of the Georgia Colony as an experimental garden to assess the viability of cultivating indigo and malberry trees to support silkworm production and other agricultural enterprises vital to the colony success. And whereas the club has had a long and significant history of community involvement through beautifification, restoration, and preservation of many of Savannah's landscapes and properties. This list includes EMTT Park and Colonial Park Cemetery, the Scarboro House, Columbia Square, Roadhouse Museum, Garden at Bamboo Farms, among many others. And whereas for a century, the Savannah Trustees Garden Club has honored this legacy through its commitment to gardening, conservation, education, historic preservation, and community beautifification, enriching the cultural and civic life of Savannah. Whereas in 2022, Trustees Garden Club gifted a master plan of Foresight Park to the city of Savannah. In partnership with the city of Savannah, the club has created a shade garden in Foresight Park to commemorate its centennial. And whereas the club's

members have contributed countless volunteer hours and resources to promote and preserve local heritage and foster a deeper appreciation of Savannah's unique natural and historic landscape for present and future generations. Therefore, I Van R. Johnson II, mayor of the city of Savannah, to hereby proclaim February 15th, 2026 as Savannah Trustees Garden Club Day in the city of Savannah and commend the Savannah Trustes Garden Club on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, congratulating its members on a century of distinguished service and distinguishing best wishes for continued success in the years to come. and witness where I've set my hand and caused the seal of the city of Savannah to be a fix you all don't look anywhere near 100 years old.

So congratulations. Thank you. I'm Connie better than 100 years.

I'm Connie Williams who's the president now. We just want to thank the mayor and alderman for recognizing our hundred years and how we have really enjoyed working with the city and working and doing all kind of things service and projects in the city for 100 years and we hope we'll be here 100 more and I just and I will introduce I've got four past presidents with me. I've got Karen Panel and Beverly Reynolds, Connie Darby and Elizabeth Skas and just you got it. And we had a big flower show and I think poor Catherine's working there and I hate it. But thank y'all so much. We really appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. No, thank you.

Ladies, ladies, before you leave, I just want to personally thank you for all that you've done for the city of Savannah over 100 years. All of you haven't been there for 100 years, but I feel privileged because some of a few of these ladies I've known for most of the time I've been in Savannah. So, thank you for all that you do. Thank you. And um when we're looking forward to the ribbon cutting for the shade garden. So excite I I will be there. Thank you so much. So talking about shade. Uh but Mr. Mayor did it. Yes. That is a second district entity. It is a second district.

That's a second district entity. All right. Is Gordon here? Oh, come on. Come on. All right. You heard that, right? They've enjoyed.

All right. Whereas the city of Savannah is one of America's most beautiful cities whose urban forest has more than 70,000 trees which provide valuable shade to her parks, squares, roadways, and neighborhoods. And whereas the urban forest promotes the mystique and charm of Savannah as well as one of her most distinguishing and noteworthy features. And whereas the urban forest increases property values, attract visitors and future residents, and promotes economic growth and development in our community. And whereas the urban forest promotes community health by reducing stress and providing peaceful and serene settings. And whereas high quality street trees provide neighborhood cohesiveness and a sense of community. And whereas the urban forest reduces storm water runoff, absorbs carbon dioxide and pollutants, and produces an abundance of clean, healthy air. Whereas the city of Savannah has been called the forest city for more than 130 years and has been designated as a tree city USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation yearly since 1983. Now therefore, I Van R. Johnson II, mayor of the city of Savannah, to hereby proclaim Friday, February the 20th as Arbor Day in Savannah, Georgia, and urge our citizens to ensure our urban forest legacy by protecting and preserving our trees and witness whereby I uh set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Savannah to be a fixed. Congratulations and thank you for all you do and helping to make us a tree city USA. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. Uh Mr. Mayor, council, city manager, you know, it's always a privilege to be up here at this time to celebrate tree planting. Um as you know, next week we do our annual tree planting at a school and this year it'll be at Juliet Low School uh at 10:30. You know, we invite everyone out to come enjoy. We'll plant a um black tupelo. It's a native tree. It's a deciduous tree and it's a beautiful tree. Uh but it's just an opportunity where we get to sit with the children and explain the benefits of trees and just watch what they come up with and hope the future just continues to carry our legacy. So thank you very much. Thank you very much.

So uh I I did want to add and I will I want to add our our friends from United Way to come up. Yesterday was February the 11th of 2026. And if you take February the 2nd month and you add the 11th day, it is 211 day. And I wanted to take a moment uh because the impact in our community has been so profound uh to invite uh Kimberly Walla, the CEO of the United Way of the Coastal Empire uh to come and receive a proclamation. I've already presented uh in honor of 211 day. Um let's be very clear about the statistics. Uh eight people eight people that work in the um United Way um provided assistance and connection to 8,600 people just last year.

8,600 people. Um, these are people who did not call 311 because they were able to get what they needed from 211. Uh, so it assists us. Um, we know the worst thing in life is that you need help, but you don't know how or where to get the help. And so, uh, Miss Waller, uh, for all of the great people, United Way that we celebrated yesterday with all that good pizza in the rain. Um, and the Inky Britley, um, traveling show montage is going out. Um, we want to come and celebrate you and celebrate the work that you've been doing, uh, the role that you play in strengthening, uh, community resilience and reducing barriers to essential services. And so I proclaimed it yesterday, but I'm going to proclaim it again uh as two on one day. And uh we want to give them a big round of applause for all that they do.

Um thank you all so much, Mr. Mayor. Appreciate you all. Council members, appreciate you all. Um 211 really is at the heart of United Way. Uh I so wish that I could have had the 211 team here with me today. they are back at the office up the street answering 211 calls. Um so wanted to make sure they were still doing that. 8,600 people impacted by this. We know the need is greater than that. And so we have done some really really exciting partnerships with our colleges and universities. It takes a village. It takes a whole community to do this. So now we have several federal work study students and masters and social work students who are going to be coming and joining us. We've already had several join us. We're going to continue this. They're giving back to the community. we're investing in them because they're our future leaders here in our community. Um, a lot of the data that we have, so we've been very very intentional about collecting data so that we know that where we're making investments, it's where the needs are most. We're tracking locations of callers. We're tracking needs of callers. It's really important that we understand where the resources need to go and how we need to be supporting our communities. You all have been incredible partners in this. I uh commit to you that we will continue to grow this, invest in this, and make this something that is available for every single person who calls has a person to talk to. So, thank you very much.

Thank you. Yes, ma'am.

Mr. Mayor, thank you so much. Um Waller, I just want to commend you. uh as long as I've known you for a few years, um one of the key things and I heard you say it just now that that you do is that you reach out and you touch uh our our coming generations and giving them an opportunity and giving them a window so that they can come and uh have an hands on uh environment uh to prepare them uh for the work that they are about to embark in on especially from their education. ational standpoint. So, I just want to commend you for continuously allowing the United Way uh to be one of those um hubs um that our our young people can come in and um and practice and get experience and hands-on because it really it really makes a difference. Yes. When folks can have access to some real world and real life stuff. So, thank you so much for that. and 211 and the mayor is saying it 211 is a number that you dial like 411, like 911, but 211 gets you to the resources um that's available through United Way and thank you for continuing the phenomenal job of United Way.

Thank you very much, ma'am. Samir. Yes, ma'am. Um, I actually sit on the board and in my absence know that I'm always there for you and want to wish her a happy belated birthday. You just slid right into Bren seat. You did a good job. We appreciate you and thank you for being a community partner and always being there for us. Yeah, we see you. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to commend United Way, Director Waller, so much for your leadership and your predecessors leadership for establishing and continuing this service. Yes. I all of us remember the time before 211 where uh alderman, members of council were connecting directly to social services and helping and you've done such an incredible job uh providing that network for our community. Uh, and then to hear that it's datadriven design, that you're speaking directly to the constituents that you serve, so you know how to make the best critical decisions for your organization and for so many community service providers. It's smart government. Uh, and I really appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you very much, sir. Thank you, Alderman Miller Blakeley.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, mirroring everything that uh my colleagues have already said, thank you so much for your service and your tiring efforts, and it is so good to see you. Okay. Yes, ma'am. Kim Kim, again echoing what everyone has said, thank you for all that you do and your staff at United Way. I think you all know that I love United Way. Yes, ma'am. Thank you for everything. Second district resident, constituent, and friend. Yes. Well, thank you. Thank you so much. And quick fun fact, you know 211 began in Georgia in our great state.

Yes. So, we are leading with legacy and leading with power. So, thank you all so much.

Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, you know, we've been singing these songs all day. We got one for her. 211 is not a joke in our time. That's right. That's right. Yeah. Appreciate it.

And I'm I'm going to ask the city manager up when he's finished blushing. Um and uh this is a time that our employees certainly been waiting for. Um the employee engagement team will recognize the 2025 fourth quarter employee of the quarter um winners. So here we go. These are like these are like the Grammys for City of Savannah employees. Yes. Let's do it again.

All of our winners, I always call them City of Savannah celebrities. So, yes, let's introduce our fourth quarter. Hello everyone. My name is Christina Chandler. I'm the chair of the employee engagement team. I want to first start off by shouting out my team. Okay. None of this work would be, you know, done without them. So, I appreciate that. Thank you for those who could come today. Um, okay. So, I'll tell you a little bit about a little bit about the program and then I will um let Jay announce who our winners are. So, here at the city of Savannah, we know that happy employees drive powerful results. When you feel valued, supported, and seen, everyone wins from our departments to our community. That's why recognizing the outsitting public service that our employees offer isn't just a nice gesture, but it's becoming a part of our culture. Our employee of the quarter program was created to spotlight those who go above and beyond not just in performance but in passion, creativity, and the positive energy that they bring to the city. So, one rockstar from every service center is honored as the employee of the corner quarter. Um, they get a cash reward, 24 hours of incentive leave, and a chance to win employee of the year. So, you'll see us again back in April. Um, and again, shout out to my team. And now I'm going to pass over the mic um to Jay, our city manager, to announce our fourth quarter 2025 employees of the quarter.

Yeah,

thanks Christina. Awesome job. The entire employee engagement team. Um we love the employee engagement team because what great public service starts with great public servants. That's right. Um and this is an opportunity for team Savannah to honor um team Savannah. This is employee um built, employee led and and the decisions are the employees and uh these are folks that we honor every quarter are folks that go above and beyond for their teams, for the community, for the people that they serve. Um we've heard that saying that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. And uh we think that you know more of that percent team Savannah does the work but these are the real heroes um within our service centers within our departments within our communities making things happen and thank you council for the time to be able to honor them today. So a few of them are not here but we're going to call their names anyway. Um so let's get started in our community services center with 20 years of service. Natasha Butler, community programs activity coordinator at the Pennsylvania Avenue Resource Center.

Mor I'd like to mention that Natasha is a community partner with my elder babies. Her son is in ICU. Please pray for her. That's why she's not here. We're praying for her and I'll hold on to this. I'll hold you. Yay. audit that we're going to put in government operations with two years of great service to the city of Savannah maintenance supervisor for historic squares and park maintenance Gregory Pikney. All right, Greg. Come on.

Yeah. Gregory. Excellence. Come on, Greg. Stick your chest out. Good job, sir. Congratulations. Thank you, sir. In information and public affairs with seven years of service for the city of Savannah, our customer service representative, the 311 Action Center, Miss Latrell Favors. Latrell uh Latril couldn't be with us today. Miriam is gonna accept on her behalf. Mayor, hand it over to Miriam. Hand it over. Yeah. Well done, Latril.

Um, in management services with four years of amazing service as a budget analyst and a little bit more than that recently, Satia Joseph Jarvis. Well done.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that's right. Be proud of her. Yes. So, enough. Great job, Santia. All right. In planning and economic development with five years with the city, our permit technician in development services, Mr. Tim Welch. All right, Tim. Tim. All right, Tim. Yeah. Y good job, Tim. Okay, with the Savannah Fire Department. Yeah. With 11 years of service. Yeah.

Our fire engineer, Ranatada Peters. All right. Yes. Our lady. Yes. Phenomenal work. Yes. All right. Okay. Not to be outdone, the Savannah Police Department with nine years of service, our record supervisor and information management division, Miss Amanda Green. Great job, Amanda. That is not easy work. Yeah, that's right. Congratulations, Amanda. Go, Amanda. Congratulations.

Yeah. And last but not least, in water resources with 18 years of service to the city, our water shed compliance and education program coordinator, Miss Laura Walker. All right, Laura.

Great job, Laura. Keeping it fresh, keeping it clean out there, Laura. And those are your employees of the quarter for the last quarter of 2025. We can't wait to see who wins employee of the year coming up soon. Well done. Employee engagement team. Well done. Another big round of applause. Yeah.

And we have another outstanding presentation. We have an appearance and recognition by the city manager emerging leaders academy cohort 4 participants. Ladies and gentlemen, these are those have come through great trial and tribulation. They have worked and worked and worked and they're here today. Mr. City Manager. Thank you. Uh Dr. Jennifer Bllelock, please join me. We'll talk more about this. Dr. B. Dr. B. BE

to be to to provide great public service, we have to be great public servants. That's right. And that means that we've got to invest in developing great public service.

Um and uh and growing those professionals to make sure that they're equipped with the resources, skills, and knowledge to be able to do that job. And this program that we began four years ago, which we've been continuing to build, is identifying true talent and our next leaders within our organizations at every level. Um, and we're so excited for cohort four. Um, you know them by their green shirts. Um, and they have graduated and they know that that graduation, this opportunity was not a pat on the back, but it was a tap on the shoulder. And we can't wait to see all of the wonderful things that our emerging leaders who are now leaders. They have emerged are going to do for our city and for our community um in the coming months and years and careers. And I with that, I'll turn it over to Dr. B for some more.

Thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. city manager, mayor, council, senior director of HR, Jeff Grant, our assistant city manager, uh, manager's office and our COO and all of the leaders who support this because this means that in addition to their regular day jobs, they go through a rigorous selection process and they do additional work in addition to their daily responsibilities, including that infamous capstone presentation. And this time it was a packed house. About 120 people were there. This is our fourth cohort. They are now alums. And so I'm going to ask them to come up. Um, every council person has a copy of everybody's names and pictures. I want Come on. Come on, Gwen. Come on, Gwen. We had our first first graduate from the clerk's office. And thank you, Mark, for supporting the program in many ways, as well as as a mentor. Um, this year, just a few things of note about the largest class. Every service center was represented. Oh, that's amazing.

We had our first married couple. She made sure he got there on time. I'm just kidding. Kevin, where you at? Kevin, where you at? Um, that was fantastic. And then we had two babies. We had two babies. One of our members actually had the baby and the other was dad and and rooting them on. They all did a fabulous job uh of conquering fears, public speaking. And you'll see under their picture, I'm going to ask them on the count of three to share their mantra that they do to support each other. You guys ready for this? Count of three. One, two, three. We believe in you.

So, in order to help each other. Yes. Very beautiful. Um, if I have Can I read their names real quickly? Outstanding. Uh, we love that. All right. So, we have Grace Abrams, Celeste Adams, who became a mom, Latoya Atkins, David Alexander, Antia Brown, Christina Chandler already leading, Elena Laney Clark,

Donna Cooper, Adriana Cornelius, Ariana Dorsy, Dylan Dwire, Terresa Graham, David Greer, Marcus Henderson, Antoanet Hill, Butine Hillyard, Tammy Amy Hines, Eric Horn, Gwen Jones, Lindy Kimell, Stephanie Levert, Sheree Lockett, Anthony Martin, who became a new dad, Amari McDonald, Scott Miner, Asia Nicks, Colin Phillips, Danielle Riley, Ashley Sap, William Slater, Eddie Smalls, Ashley Sullivan, Ty Swinton, Trible, Lauren Wilson, Akquila Wright, Kevin Wright, Tamisha Fleming, Glenda Francis, Naomi Oer, and Lewis Peterson. Congratulations everybody. THANK YOU. THESE ARE great public servants.

Thank you. Again, we're really Let's give another round of applause. We um as you know, we we charged our city manager when he joined us that um as much as it's important to be able to seek talent, it's also important to build talent. Um, and so we know that great leadership is taught. Uh, and so, Mr. Manager, we thank you so much for, um, being intentional about creating ways of of of building our bench. We know that our success is tied to our succession. And so, uh, thank you all so much. I know this wasn't easy. I know some of y'all were stressed out about it. I saw y'all social media complaining about it, but you did it.

And so, we appreciate that. And we hope that transcribes into great careers, long careers um with the city of Savannah. I mean, the baby things were a little extreme, but I mean, it's okay. It's all right as long as you do it in the city of Savannah. So, congratulations. Congratulations.

We appreciate you. And we hope y'all don't mind. Um it's a poor frog that doesn't praise his own pond, so we had to love on us a little bit. So, let's let's get to work. Yes. Good job. Good job, Christina. Appreciate you, baby.

All right, moving to Y'all can stay for the alcohol license hearings if you like. Moving to alcohol license hearings. We have uh uh three items. Items 9, 10, and 11. Are there any pull outs for any of these items? Okay. If that's the case, item number nine is approval of a class E beer and wine by the package with Sunday sales alcohol license to Matil Patel for pumping pantry at 2014 Waters Avenue, a convenience store located at Southeast 36th Street and East 37 Street. uh in automat district 2. Uh in item number 10 is approval of a class C liquor, beer, and wine by the drink alcohol license with Sunday sales to author Rudy Gastic Gastic for the Brass Coyote at 309 West River Street, a bar lounge between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Barnard Street Ramp and Almad District 2. And item number 11 is approval of a class E beer and wine by the package with Sunday sales alcohol license. Tar Tarak Kamoir Patel for Waters BP at 5806 Waters Avenue, a convenience store located between 72nd Street and East Dur Avenue and Automatic District 3. Uh, this is a public hearing that I'm now declaring open. Uh, does anyone have anything against any of these licenses? Going once,

going twice. Speak now forever. Hold thy peace. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Ask that we close the hearing. Second. Probably moved and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Item number nine. Uh this is Matu Patel for Pump and Pantry, 2014 Waters Avenue. Alderman Leget. Good. Thank

License to Matu Patel for Pump and Pantry uh 2014 Waters Avenue. Second. Probably moved and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying I. I opposed. Motion passes. Item number 10, Alman Leget. Yes, sir. I ask that we approve the class C liquor, beer, wine, by the drink, alcohol license with Sunday sales to author Rudy Gas Gastic for the brass coyote 309 West River Street. Second. Second. Properly moved and seconded. All in favor of the K by saying I opposed. Motion passes. Item number 11, Alderwoman Wilder Bryan.

Number 11. Number 11. Approval of the beer. I ask that you have approval of the beer for Sunday sales alcohol license to to Rakar Patel for Waters BP at 5806 Waters Avenue. Second and probably moved and seconded. All in favor of the Kate by saying I

opposed. Motion passes. Thank you all so much. Go forth and please be great. Item number 12 has been continued until further notice. Item number 13 is a petition by the mayor and alderman uh for the city of Savannah for a text amendment uh to section 7.7 historic property overlay district. Mr. Mayor, yes.

I would like to um in reference this Yeah, this is M. Yeah, he's on his way. Okay, you're presenting. Okay. Okay. I'm looking at Mr. Marorrow like mosing on by. I'm like, "Okay, where you going?" All right. Go ahead.

Oh. Um, we're working on it right now. Let's get it up. All right. While you're getting that together, we will um we can move to some other stuff. Let's go toward the um back of the agenda. Let's go ahead and do um item number 32 under resolutions. We're moving to adopt a resolution to accept the donation. And a big thank you to the Bonaviche Historical Society uh for a donation in the amount of $6,975. Mr. Mayor, yes. I move to adopt the agenda item as written. Second. Second. Been properly moved and seconded. Y'all want to come say hello?

I mean, we usually don't, but since giving us some money, come on. while he's getting that together.

No, go ahead. Go ahead. No, go ahead. You're fine.

Trtoal Society and we are so very pleased to be able to present this check uh to our partners with the city. um very blessed to have a wonderful working relationship with the city which just enables us to get more done. Um and what's good for Bonaventure is ultimately good for our beloved city. So and you're very welcome. Well, thank you. We we're blessed to have a wonderful relationship with you and thank you so much uh for this this very very generous donation. Thank you so all in favor I

opposed. Motion passes. Let's go to let's go ahead and run the table. 33 through35 under agreements authorize city manager to accept a workforce innovation opportunity act FY26 uh rapid response grant from the technical college of Georgia in the amount of $70,000. Item number 34 authorize city man to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Chattam County for county roadway and drainage improvements. 35 authorize the approval of a water sewer agreement with Little Aguchichi Partners LLC for Hopton West Development and Travis Field Treatment Plant Service Area located on Matt District 5. Mr. Mayor, yes. I move to adopt agenda items as written. Second motion proply moved and seconded. All in favor of the K by saying I

opposed. Motion passes. One second. Let's go ahead and item number 36 is to approve the um authorization well approve authorize the approval of a bronze plaque at 122 West Broton Street. Um and 37 is to authorize the city manager to approve a major subdivision Meadow Lakes phase 3 in automatic district 5. Mayor. Yes. I move to adopt the agenda item as written. Motion properly moved and seconded. All in favor saying I. I

oppose. Motion passes. Thank you so much, Miss Morgan. All right, moving going going back to uh item number 13, petition of the mayor and alderman of the city of Savannah uh for a text amendment to section 7.7 historic property overlay district.

All right, now I'm set. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor and the members of the council. I am Subashi Karnata, a planner from MPC Delvin services. So I'll be presenting uh both items 13 and 14 together because they are uh pertaining to the same uh information which is a text amendment for historic property overlay district and a zoning map amendment to amend uh to apply that overlay. Um okay so this request in front of you is twofold. The first is the uh text amendment uh where the city is proposing to add clarifying standards to section uh 7.7 under article 7 historic property overlay district. Uh these standards will establish a formal framework for local historic property designations uh by addressing uh the overlay's relationship to the base zoning district um its applicability classification of reser sources the COA process design and maintenance standards. Uh the second part of this request is a zoning map amendment uh to apply this his historic property overlay to the respective properties. So what we're looking at is um the first designation of this overlay which is to the property at 4241 Uichi Road which is known as the Savannah Powder Magazine as the first property um under this overlay. And this property will be given the zoning overlay designation of HPO1 in addition to its base zoning uh which

is right now conservation park. So the process uh that uh is applicable for this is uh the property will be um first reviewed by the HPC uh where it's um uh standards will be uh applied uh for the local historic property designation and an approval for a COA is required as the first step and then it will go to the MPC for recommendation for uh the resoning and if there's any text amendments for that as well. And then it will come here for the city council approval finally uh for the reasonzoning and if there is a text amendment for that. Um and according to the section 3.17.24 in the zoning ordinance, the local historic property designation is given to a historic property which is associated with a significant historic event or a person or if there's uh such a property has a distinctive characteristic of a type, a period or method of construction or if it has um yields important historic information and then that will be uh listed as a local historic property. And once it has that uh criteria fulfilled, it will go through the proposed zoning text that you're seeing here right now. And uh that property has to fulfill uh the criteria such as the COA, the design criteria and the maintenance criteria. And then it will be listed um under section 7.7.3. You can see that already there's HPO1 listed as number one which is the Savannah powder magazine and uh a second

property will be listed as HPO two and three and so on and they will also be uh indicated on the zoning map. Um there is a difference between the historic property overlay and the historic uh local historic districts that we are much familiar with uh such as Kyler Brown, downtown Savannah or Victorian because the local historic districts are there to provide a uniform procedure to protect broader areas like neighborhoods um that shares a common and a significant historic or architectural or cultural Whereas this overlay is applicable for um one property with um the the intention to promote and the preservation of that significant property itself. And most of the time these properties will be located outside the local historic district. So it doesn't have that uh protection itself. So, what we're looking at right now is the Savannah Powder Magazine, which is our first um historic property that's going under this overlay. And Savannah Powder Magazine was constructed in 1898 as a municipally owned facility for safe storage of dynamite and other explosive material. Its location on Oichichi Road outside the safety limits during that time was intentionally chosen uh because it was isolated and it was uh safe for public. Uh the powder magazine served as the city of Savannah's only non-military facility of its kind and it operated continuously until 1971. And in recent decades, the city has taken steps to preserve its structure,

including commissioning a restoration plan and uh securing more funding. Uh when we move on to see what the zoning and future land use looks like around this property, uh the existing zoning designation is conservation park as you can see on the map on your right. And uh the flume designation is as you can see on the map on your left. So by applying this uh overlay in addition to the protection given to the uh to the to the property right now there will be uh more uh historic preservation uh standards applicable for this. So on top of the base zoning district this overlay will uh act together to give more integ historic preservation integrity to the property. Um, additionally, in February 2025, the building was listed on the National Register for Historic Places for its association with Savannah's growth and its unique design. Um also the proposed text and map amendments support the Savannah GBS goals um that is stated as invest in equitable community development and resiliency by identifying and protecting significant local historic and cultural resources outside the downtown national historic district. Um the proposed amendments uh further are further supported by uh findings from uh a 2020 study uh Savannah surplus property land use preference survey report uh which identifies the powder magazine as a site suitable for continued city ownership with a mix of passive recreation and civic uses. Um the proposal further

ensures that long-term stewardship of one of the few known surviving municipal powder magazines in Georgia while aligning with the city planning and preservation goals. So with those findings, the historic preservation commission reviewed and approved this the designation as um on its meeting on uh 1119 2025 and those uh recommendations and findings, the MPC uh recommends approval of both the text amendment and the map amendment for these. Mr. Mayor,

thank you. So, this is items uh 13 and 14. The corresponding items are 16 uh and 17. This is a a public hearing. Um is is Tommy Holland here? He was over there. Come here, Tommy. Okay. Come. I want you to come over here. Well, you want to come sit there? Come on. There. Come on. Come on. Come on. Before I know. I know. I know. No, we're we're we're better. But uh you uh you have been uh if there's been anybody who's been more identified with this project and the preservation of getting us where we are has been you. And I want to salute you

for um for your work uh in in doing that. Um, we did not see it at first. Um, but often with vision, it takes someone to light the fire. Can I say a couple of words? You going to let me? Well, when I get there, I'm not there yet. Hey, I know you're a lot of times you don't want me to open my mouth. But this time, I want you to, but go ahead. Thank you. And state your name for the record. Ladies and gentlemen, you have two minutes. Uh, this is a public hearing that we've declared open. I have three um cards here, but you have two minutes. Um, I might give Tommy two and a half, but um, just go ahead. So kind. Go ahead.

So kind. Uh, there about 35 years ago, my uncle showed up at my mother's house for Sunday Dunner, and he said, "Can you believe the city of Savannah is selling that little castle and 20 acres of land for right at $400,000?" I'm going, "What are you talking about?" He told me where it was. I remembered it as a kid riding up and down 17th. I went out there and I'm going, "No, they're not." That Thursday, they had already removed it from the agenda. We fought. We formed the Powder Magazine Park Committee. We did not stop. We did not stop when they sold the 5 whatever acres of land on the other side. I'm not sure if it was Domad or Michael Brown. got Brian Gore to call me to make sure it was okay with me if they sold that five acres of land, which was fine because it was on the other side of the railroad track. We, you know, and you all know I fought long and hard and I want to thank y'all right now for I'm I'm I'm hoping you're going to approve this and that'd make me mad, wouldn't it?

But, you know, I think it's a good thing. I've worked with uh Luciana and uh Ellie here over the last several years. Um we I think everybody's got a good intentions, good plan and we just hope that you will allow the community to be involved. I mean the Powder Magazine park committee actually only two of us that are still alive, but there is a community interest in it. I have people all the time, every time it pops up on Facebook, Tommy Holland, Tommy Holland, Tommy Holland, I'm like the city's taken care of. We got good people there looking out for it right now. But just I'm just asking you to please let the community be involved with whatever takes place out there. It's a definitely the opportunity to be a crown jewel of Savannah. It's got history. It's got uh 14 acres of trees and and native species of uh uh greenery, but we want to be a part of it. We thank you for what you're doing, what you've done, and uh I just It almost makes me cry to think that we finally got this far.

Please don't cry. I'm one of them streamers want to cry. Yeah. Thank you so much. All right. Thank you. We We're in the public hearing stage. Yeah, we do. All right. Uh um who's that young lady? One one moment. Um we're still in the public hearing. So, Kalia Neil Neely. Collier Neely. Well, I'm going by cards and then Ellie Isics. Mr. Mayor, council, I'm caller Neely. I'm the uh the CEO for the Historic Savannah Foundation. And just real quick, I want to give my time to Ellie Issacs because she's worked very hard to make this happen.

All right. Thank you. I don't even need all that time, but thank you. Um, don't give it to Tommy.

I'm Ellie Isac with Landmark Preservation Consulting and um, we are the ones that helped achieve the National Register nomination um, last year and this has been a passion project of mine for over 10 years and like Tommy said, his has been over 35 years. So, this is um, the second step. The first step was the National Register listing. So, the second step is the local um the local protections in order to uh the long-term plan to restore this building. So, um I just want to thank you guys because you guys as the owner of the building allowed allowed us to do the national register nomination um and to help move this forward. So, well, thank you so much for your hard work and your dedication to this project.

And I I just want to say that the Historic Savannah Foundation supports uh this. I really appreciate y'all taking it up, creating an opportunity to recognize historic local landmarks so we can save them, tell their stories, uh, and then honoring the Powder Magazine as the the first one. So, thank y'all. Thank you. We are the council of hard decisions. Are there any other comments from one moment? One moment. Okay. Yes, sir. Any more comments from the floor? Going once. Going twice. Mr. Mayor, speak now. If I ever hold thy peace, Mr. Mayor, one moment. Luchana, you have anything you want to say? You good with this? All right. All right. Go ahead. Since this is in the fifth district, Mr. Mayor, I'm I'm just trying to move that you're trying to close the hearing.

Yes, sir. Like to close the hearing. Second. Properly moved and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying I opposed. Motion passes. Are there any comments from council? Yes, sir. We're not there yet. Mr. Yes, Mr. Mayor.

Yes, ma'am. I would like to um state that um this this little house is commonly referred to as the little castle in the woods and we would like to thank again the historic Savannah Foundation. Uh so much for this and the uh landmark preservation consultants uh for the work that they have done. Uh not leaving out Mr. uh Tommy Holland who has been working as he stated and everyone else has stated for such a long time. This has been this has been a a a piece of property that's been having uh lots of conversation on city council for many many years and and over a decade and I've been working real closely the whole time um with uh this this particular project. So this is an exciting day on today. Also, I want to thank city manager along with um Mrs. Bridget Litty who has on on our side who has kept her hands uh on the pulse of this of this project of this piece of property. Thank you uh Miss Litty uh for for the work and keeping me real close uh with this uh particular work. Also, uh it's been been said about the um historic I got we got to say this part the um historic property overlay district uh the council mayor and council we approved this overlay u before but today we make history and we make history because Mr. Tommy Holland and Savannah uh the Savannah uh historic Savannah Foundation Landmark Preservation Consultant. We are making history in Hersy on today because the Little Castle

in the Woods is the first project under our historic um property overlay and that is huge and like the mayor say, put your hands together for that. All right, Aldwoman Wilder Bryant. Yes. Yes. Yes. I just want to tell um you guys that Tommy does amazing things. He is doggedly when he is on you about something. I want to thank you for the cemetery piece. Tommy, great job. He's always This is what we call civic engagement. You don't always have to agree, but he's just a wonderful work for because if he's on a project, he's going to make sure that it's beat up, teared up, torn down, and put back together. I appreciate you. I'm glad you're out of the hospital. We were praying for you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you. One moment. Um, Aldwoman Laneir, you had something. Yes. Yes, sir. Go ahead. Thank you very much. Mr. Holland, congratulations on being steadfast in this. Uh, Jay, this is the property that I mentioned to you where Tmont Park residents asked me to make sure that they are notified and something pertaining to this property because it is an asset for their community also and they have an affinity also uh to this property. So, we want to make sure that that we get the message out for them wide and people do need to be more engaged like uh Mr. Holland. So, thank you very much. Thank you. Uh, I saw Aldib Perti.

Thank you, uh, Tommy. It's it's a pleasure. Thank you so much. Um, you know, he wears many hats and, uh, singer, songwriter, historian. Uh, if you can imagine, he does it. And I knew the history behind the the Powder Magazine. I had no idea where it was. I remember hearing about it and one day this gentleman took Alderman Plumbo and I out to the woods and I was I'll admit I was a little scared. Didn't know where we were going or what. But you made it back though, right?

You made it back. He he came out there and I thought, well, he's going to sing us a song or play a guitar in the woods. We'll have that Wooah moment. But um but he he enlightened us as to the the property, the details, the history behind it. And what a what an awesome piece to be able to preserve. And I I think it's great. Congratulations on you, sir. Thank you so much. Yeah, he always gets a show and tell. All all the woman um Miller Blakeley.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh Mr. Tommy Holland, this is my first day meeting you or even hearing about you and um yeah, I I I met him walking through the um area there and he was loud and I was looking at who that loud man is. But I'm glad to know that you are so passionate about what it is that you were doing. 30 years that you've been fighting for this and you got a super duper partner right next to you in El Isaac's and I want to tell you all thank you. Now I would like to know where is this located? Oh because I want to go and see it.

Don't play behind Sonic on 17. Alder woman bell. Gotcha. Don't start him. Don't start him. Don't start him. Don't start him. All right. All right. So, uh let us go ahead and move. This is going to be uh on first and second reading 16 and 17. Um because there sequential, we might need to take them one by one. Yes. Uh so we'll take 16 first. Yes, Mr. Mayor. like to move that the first reading be considered a second and the ordinance placed upon it passes and pass. Second. Probably moved and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying I

I opposed. Motion passes. Item number 17. Mr. Mayor, I move that the first reading be considered the second and the ordinance placed upon it passes and pass. Second motion properly moved and seconded. The first reading be considered the second. This ordinance placed upon its passage and pass. All in favor indicate by saying I. I oppose. Motion passes. Now you clap. is done. Good job. Yeah. So, we look forward to the next one, Tommy. Yes. All right. Um

No, thank you. Congratulations. Um moving back to item number 15. Um this is a first and second reading. We're putting this on first reading. Uh Mr. Clerk, let's go ahead and advertise uh the hearing. So, it'll just be on first reading today and the next meeting we could do the uh actual hearing. Okay. All right. Thank you. Um let us move to the purchasing items. Items number uh 18 through 31. Mr. Mayor, uh are there any pullouts? If there are no pullouts, I'd like to make a motion for the approval of the purchasing items for items number 18 through 31. Second move

probably moved and seconded that we approve item number 18. Authorize city manager to execute contract modification number one. Yes.

Okay. Um then let's let's change that to 19 through 31. Item number 19. Authorize city manager to author a water construction contract to Griffin contracting for uh canal drainage improvements in the amount of $1,348,488. Item number 20. authorized city manager to execute a contract modification number one for landfill cover material with Savannah River utilities local in the amount up to $450,000. Item number 21, authorize city manager executed contract for Crush Stones from ZBS and Associates LLC local in the amount not to exceed $200,000. Item number 22, authorized city manager executed contract for Sunset Park multistation play structure with Game Time Care of Dominica Recreation Products in the amount not to exceed $317,89. Item number 23, authorized city manager executed contract modification number one with Central Industries Local for the upgrade of the fueling station at the sanitation headquarters in the amount of $74,661. Item number 24, authorize city manager to execute a contract for two heavyduty rescue fire trucks uh from 108 fire and safety care of peers manufacturing the amount not to exceed $2,529,253. Item number 25 authorize city manager and execute a contract for fire department uniforms from A1 uniforms in the amount not to exceed $150,000. Item number 26, authorize city manager execute a contract for temporary staffing services from Robert Half International Care of H-GAC by in amount not to exceed $100,000. Item number 27 authorized city manager executed a contract for two sets of heavy capacity mobile lifts from lift

now automotive equipment care of Ster Coney USA in the amount of $167,94. Item number 28, authorized city managed contract for VMware from MGT Impact Solutions LLC in the amount not to exceed $71,680. Item number 29, notification of an emergency purchase for generator and switch gear from WW Williams in amount not to exceed $313,918. Item number 30, authorized city manager executed contract for contract modification, I'm sorry, number one for multimmoal transportation implementation plan um contract with Kimley Horn Associates in the amount of $72,600 and item number 31 authorized city man to execute a contract modification number one for generator maintenance for storm water management with current age in amount of $300,000.

You've heard the motion. Uh all in favor of the K by saying I opposed. Motion passes. Item number 18, authorize city manager execute a contract modification number one to the construction contract with Reeves Young to establish the guaranteed maximum price for the Civic Legacy Arena Removal Project of $10,900,000. Alderwoman Miller Blakeley. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh Mr. city manager. Um, this particular company, I know we say we want to do Savannah first, right? This particular company, when I went and researched,

has an office on Bull Street with just a a desk in the room. Is this a viable Savannah First Company? Reeves Young. Yes.

Uh, I can give you the information on Reeves Young. This is but the to to go back to refresh council's memory. This is a CMR contract s uh construction manager at risk. This is the second time that this particular item with this has come to council. Right. So um uh city man city man construction manager at risk contracts have several parts to it. The first part is preconstruction. Um, city council approved the first um, pre-construction contract with Reeves Young in October of last year for $15,000. And remember that all Seymar contracts I'm going to bring to council for pre-construction, no matter whether they're under my procurement authority or not, because it's an establishing a long-term relationship um, with a construction manager throughout the project. If you recall that this is a I know we've talked about this many times. This is a procurement strategy um that we use to keep costs low this particular project. Um now this is the second part which is the guaranteed maximum price for the construction right for the work that we need to be done. uh this particular part of the contract has a 20% um MBE WMBBE goal and that at least 10% of that 20 meaning half of that 20% has to be local DBE um for this contract that's been recommended here in the schedule of DBEES that have been certified uh by the city um uh this in this meets uh exceeds the 20% at 20.3% % um uh minorityowned business and exceeds the 10% local um at 15.5%.

So um in both of those categories, the DBE schedule for this GMP portion of the Seymour contract um has uh exceeded the the goals put on the contract, which is a very very good thing. So let me ask you this question. We're only guaranteeing 10% DBE participation locally. Is that what I just heard? Yes. So, so why don't why aren't we doing more

than that? Because when you talk about demolition of a building or whatever, we got folk in our city that know how to operate uh dump trucks, that know how to remove stuff. I mean, we tear stuff down really well. So, I think that we should be looking at utilizing more of local based on the information that I read on uh the Reeves Young. Better yet, let me ask you this. Can I get a list of all of our local DBE participants and the other DBE participants that's not local?

Uh, yes. And I can give you that and I can also if you'd like go through a little bit of um so all of this work um was uh that the semar goes through for to to understand what subcontractors going to have all went through which is an open bid competitive process right so this was essentially almost like a public procurement that they're doing um for their subcontractors um each one of those in in the in the different categories ories of work that they're looking for subcontractors for. Each subcontractor there was the lowest bid contractor um as well as the contractor selected meeting the DBE goals. On certain con construction contracts, we don't have the ability to um do a Savannah first um or or a local designation shielded procurement over construction projects. So there's only certain types of procurements that we can have a shielded procurement market over which allows us to go after um Savannah first markets. we can put subcontracting goals which we do. Um and the standard there is is 20% of the of the guaranteed maximum um price of the contracts including the subcontracts go to women and minorityowned business participants and that at least half of that 20% 10% are local womenowned minority owned businesses. So, um, so that's been that's the that was the case on the mo the most recent GMP Seamar um contract that council approved uh several meetings ago for the IND plant expansion. Um and every other Seymar project we'll go through when we get to these GMP the the guaranteed maximum price phase will you know we'll the we were able to share and certify the schedule of minority and womenowned

business enterprises that are participating the percentages of which they're participating um as well as the percentages and the vendors that are participating that are local um women and minority owned businesses um I can tell you the the WNBs that are participating um in this um if you'd like um I will absolutely do so. Let me pull uh that information up. Mr. Manager, um there is there is a difference between deconstruction and demolition. Yes, there is. Absolutely. And I didn't address that. Well, I think I think I think there's a nuance there. I mean, it's not just blowing stuff up and hauling it away. No. and we go through a that was just a hypothetical.

No, no, no. I'm just I'm but I'm I think that No, I think you raised a good point which I he needs to explain

and council approved this Seymour contract in October and we went through a very very intentional RFP process for this deconstruction because it's very sensitive, takes some specialized uh skill and ability, right? And that was all part of the RFP. Um we had um you know respondents to that RFP. It went through a scoring criteria. We brought that scoring criteria and the recommendations to council. Council approved um to get to to enter into this relationship with Reeves Young as our construction manager at risk. Now we're here in the second phase where where we've gone through and negotiated with them on uh the the guaranteed maximum price for the scope of the work that was in that RFP. um and the the the MWBE participation that they have to meet um there as well which has been submitted and certified. Um so the the vendors um on this project on the MWBE participation is um technique concret uh concrete construction um um they are a DBE and they are a local DBE and they are receiving 5.2% of this work. Um uh uh then we have technique concrete construction again um receiving another 4.9%. So in total they're uh just at 10.1% of the work. They are DBE. They are a local DBE. We have Master Steel um which is not a local DBE but they they are a DBE. They are doing 1% of the work. JSL Construction um is a DBE non-local at 4.5% of the work. And then we have SAB SA Brown uh which is a DBE and a local DBE doing 5.4%

of the work um and 4A's construction LLC um which is a DBE non-local doing.3 um percent of the work as well. Um and I can tell you even though uh we cannot uh we do not differentiate which type of woman or minority owned business because we cannot do by law. I can tell you that from what we understand technique concrete is an African-Americanowned firm. Uh Master Steel is a womanowned uh firm. JSL Construction is a um Hispanicowned firm and SA Brown is an African-Americanowned for firm and 4A's Construction is an African-Americanowned firm.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Is there a motion? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I make a motion to close. Second property moved and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying I. I oppose. Motion passes. Ladies and gentlemen, that ends our agenda. Uh, no better way to end a lovely day on a note of love. But how long we stay here, Mr. Mayor? Depends on you all. What the What? Now 15. Which way did I start? 15. I The last time I didn't start that way this time. I thought last time I started that way. No, you started this way. All right. Closing comments. What did we do at 15, Mr. Clerk? Mr. May 15. Yeah, I did. Yeah. First reading only. Okay. Okay. Thank you.

We want to make sure we uh it's it was asked to be moved the first reading. So, all right. Aldo Laneir, anything? One thing? No, I don't have an announcement. I have a question from the city manager. Um, did I write it down on Little Neck Road near Henderson? Is that in the county? I know the lines. I think that's in the county. I'm gonna have to pull up a map. Um, it gets a little uh I think it's county,

you know, Swiss cheese out there. County, too. But I wanted to make sure I know the line is pretty close. And I was asking because some citizens, including myself, tree lovers, there's a 300 plus year old oak tree out there that's about to be chopped down because of the electric wires because and and I was just trying to get bring some attention to that and so I guess if it's if if we can I'll get with you afterwards and I'll get the exact details and follow up. We need to save that tree if we can. Yes, sir. Thank you very And there's some trees to that. And thank you all in there. Um right behind the arena that all of a sudden next to that train uh track has all of a sudden started coming down in between Brickyard and the arena. So something's going on over there. Get that question. Yeah. Okay.

All right. Thank you. That's it. Alderman Lair. Yes, sir. All I get. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. uh want to bring mention uh also on behalf of our second district and all the aldermen we want to continue to uh have prayers go out to our brother Joe Sheer House on the loss of his brother. Uh we want to bring mention also and lift up the name of Ronald Mitchell in the second district Simmons in the second district and we also lost one of our community partners Mr. dealing with the League of Bron who always gave uh multiples of toys and clothes to young people. So, please continue to keep all of those families in your prayers. Thank you, Aldwoman Wild Brian.

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to uh formally uh invite everybody to the St. Valentine's party that we have scheduled for Stillwell Lando's Landing in the Park. Um we're having an old school king and queen fashion contest, all of that. And I also want to make sure that we acknowledge the loss, horrific loss of my friend and community partner Shemica Simmons from Ladder um Strategies. Um she is going to be uh funeralized on Saturday at St. Paul. Make her life a blessing, please. Is it two is it two o'clock or one o'clock? Two o'clock.

Oh, yes. Um we want people in the East Savannah area off of Skittleaway to protecting your family members there. There is

on Anderson um the veranda houses we need to take better care of our people. It is not uncommon that our people the elderly people in our neighborhood are taken advantage of right and so they don't have a lot of advocates but when they say something we need to act on it whether it's true or not true we owe them the expectations that the people that they um rent from they get every penny that they deserve and it's a disservice if we can't bind together to make sure that our elder babies are are taken care of in any way that we possibly can. Let that be a blessing today um all the things that we need to do and we do and we're moving forward trying to do the things that make our city great. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you. I want to thank you and Alderman Leget for um alerting me to that and we've been in contact with the uh housing authority of Savannah who's helped as an intermediary um between us and the um the the management group and so um there we we've been following up with them. So thank you for that. Appreciate all the woman she

Thank you Mr. Mayor. I would like to also um send out our condolences uh to to my sister Shemica Simmons who is also uh uh one of the members of the top ladies of distinction. She is Lady Simmons and her funeral as continuing to to report on this with my colleagues is going to be at St. Paul CME Church on Barnard Street on Saturday, February the 14th, starting at 2:00 p.m. Also we are celebrating and I do believe that 365 days out of the year are days of love but globally uh we set aside uh this particular weekend as a weekend to celebrate love, affection and uh just being romantic to to one another and caring about each other. So happy Valentine's Day everybody.

Thank you Alderman Palumbo. Uh thank you Mr. Mayor. I wanted to commend our colleagues, everybody who's reappointed uh and appointed to leadership positions at the National League of Cities. Of course, we have Mayor Van Johnson serving as first vice president of National League of Cities. And we've learned uh our colleague, Alderman Perti, has been reappointed to the public safety and crime prevention committee. That's right. Oh, yes. Anybody Anybody else? Any other committees? Carol Bell to women government board and Alderwoman Carol Bell to the women in government committee as well. Women and municipal government women in municipal government women

you know the I'll make up for it uh with the profound hearing loss. And then one more for all the lonely hearts out there. I wanted to wish uh Mrs. Palumbo mi Mrs. Hky. Uh, the most romantic gesture I could make for Valentine's Day is wishing you happy Valentine's Day from the Das of Savannah City Council. So, Kristen, I love you. A Dietrix. Dietrix on transportation. I'm all per you want to top that. How do you top that? Hey, Dietrix on transportation. Dietri on transportation and I'm just a member. So, I wish every season was a season of love. Um, you know, often times we hear of

a lot of stuff on the news and a lot of stuff in the community, a lot of division and um, you know, folks just can't seem to can't get along anymore and we we've lost the art of negotiation and the uh, the art of mediation and being able to to sit down and have casual conversation with with casual disagreements. Um, so with that being said, love your neighbor, okay? As yourself. And then please have some love for yourself, too. Um, and spread the love. And hopefully every month can be the season of love. Kirk, don't forget about that. Thank you. And and I I did have a Barry White voice that I could sing for you. The death in your church. You got a song. Van started that. You had a You had a passing in your church.

Yeah. The passing Barbara Pearson. What What was her name? He's an elderly lady. Very well. stronger. Condolences. Yes. Alderwoman Miller Blakeley. Thank you, uh, Mayor Johnson. I don't know who Kellwins is. I'll tell you in a moment. Thank you for the chocolate. Yes. Um, um, I went to a ribbon cutting yesterday. Uh, Kilwins is actually in Ellis Square. Oh. Um, right across from um on the side of Wexford's the um Oh, that's cute. Um, right on Congress Street. And so they have chocolate, a lot of chocolate. And they have fudge. And that's right. And fudge. Fresh fudge.

It is actually a recipe from Meno Island, Michigan. One of my favorite places to go. Yes. Oh. So yeah. So you gave us these hearts, man. No, they brought them over here. So we thank Oh, yeah. Thank them for bringing this to today for us. Okay. Well, let me say this. Um, happy heavenly birthday to my daddy. A

today. He would have been 90 92 years old. Um, congratulations to one of my 41 member Grand Clan uh, participants, Akira Mack Calvary Day School. She was um, uh, recognized as top senior basketball player. and also to uh my grandson. We call him Buddy Brown, but his name is Wrich Robinson, who gave me my third great granddaughter about three weeks ago. So, congratulations. Congratulations to all of them. Thank you, Mr. May. Thank you all.

And let me say this right here on in reference to stop talking about my grand clan members. Um, in reference to Shemica Simmons, when I tell you she was an icon in this city, she started out with us uh as My Sisters Keeper Productions with My Sisters Keeper Productions. We did a uh full figured fashion show motivation uh for women that were plus-siz and she was one of our models and she was a phenomenal and I say phenomenal participant and model. She was and she's truly truly going to be missed. Thank you. Thank you very much Bell.

Briefly, Mr. Mayor, I would like for this council to extend condolences uh to the family of Dr. Annette Brock and in the in recognition of her husband's passing recently. The funeral was last Saturday. Um I haven't gotten to her yet. Thank you. But uh we appreciate everybody who turned out and celebrated a a life well-lived frog. The other person uh and they were neighbors. They lived across the street from each other in Thunderbolt. The other person is Dr. Margaret Chisum

Robinson. Dr. Robinson. Yes. Dr. Robinson passed away. She celebrated in October of 25 75 years as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority which made her a diamonds sora but she was um funeralized on last Saturday and I didn't attend Savannah State but I am happy to say that after coming to Savannah she became one of my mentors and she poured a lot into my life so I appreciate the gift of knowing her. Thank you.

Thank you. Um I I'll I'll share for Shemica uh Simmons who I had the opportunity to work very closely with over the years and uh just certainly a a devastating loss to our community. Um

she was reachable, she was touchable. We just um and she was always on everybody's band, on everybody's team. So we'll we'll miss her. And I had the opportunity to speak at the funeral of Mr. Otis Brock Jr. uh who I knew for years and certainly was the father of one of my dearest friends, Otis Brock III. Uh and Dr. Margaret Robinson uh who is just an icon at the Savannah State uh University. I used to run from her classes. Um because I just knew I went past them. I just knew because she she was that much focused on excellence. Ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate you all being here. is

listen the family of Shemica Simmons will be receiving visitors and friends today at 6:30. Um the house is on the corner of Fair Street in Woodville, I believe. So if anybody wants to uh go and um sit with the family, they'll be receiving people at Thanks for let us know. Mr. Mayor, can I also say something about Dr. Margaret Robinson? Dr. Margaret Robinson was the dean of my college at Savannah State University and she rose to that position as the first woman

dean of the uh school of engineering and all disciplines of engineering for mechanical electrical and civil engineering. So I had to say that about her. We we called her um the the lion. um all of the students did because she just did not play the radio none whatsoever with us. Uh so we we we too send our condolences out to her her son who's our our friend and and and the rest of her family. Oh my goodness. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Manager. Do you have anything? All right, Mr. Attorney, you have anything? Mr. Clerk, you have anything?

No, sir. Uh for closing thoughts, uh for me, it takes a fool to learn that love don't love nobody all day. And I found love on a two-way street. Oh Lord, come on. Don't talk about love right now, my love. And I lost it on a lonely highway all day long. We're journed. Listen, man. You can listen to some some music.