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Council confirms staff appointments, approves authority ordinance and several measures in March 11 session
Summary
At a March 11 Columbus, Georgia City Council meeting the body confirmed two clerk appointments, approved a new Sports and Entertainment Authority ordinance (as amended), appointed a replacement councilor, approved a lifeguard wage increase to support pool openings and authorized two legal settlements reached in executive session.
Columbus, Georgia999999999999999999999999999999 The Columbus, Georgia City Council took a series of formal actions on March 11, including personnel appointments, passage of an ordinance creating a Sports and Entertainment Authority (with a nonvoting hockey designee added as an amendment), the interim appointment of a city councilor, a pay adjustment for seasonal lifeguards and approval of two legal settlements.
Among the personnel votes, the council unanimously confirmed Lindsey McLemore as Clerk of Council and Tamika Colbert as Deputy Clerk of Council. The resolution naming McLemore records a salary of $89,513.58 (pay grade 131) for the remainder of the two-year term through the first council meeting in January 2027; the deputy clerk post was listed at $48,049.79 (pay grade 122) for the same term.
On the Sports and Entertainment Authority ordinance (an item that drew discussion at earlier meetings), councilors voted to adopt the ordinance as amended to add a nonvoting designee from the hockey community. The ordinance was approved as amended; the clerk recorded the vote as 7-2 in favor.
The council confirmed an interim appointment to fill the District 9/At-Large seat vacated by Councilor Judy W. Thomas. John Anchor was appointed to the vacant seat by council vote. Anchor addressed the council after his confirmation.
Faced with staffing shortages for the department of parks and recreation27s pools, the council approved a temporary, across-the-board raise for lifeguards and certain pool staff to aid recruitment: proposed hourly increases were $2 for lifeguards and comparable $2 increases for pool managers and concession staff. Councilors voted to approve the pay changes so aquatics staffing could be expanded in time for planned pool openings this spring.
In executive session the council approved two settlements brought forward by the city attorney: a $50,000 settlement of claims brought by Kenya Baron related to a March 27, 2023 accident, and a $100,000 settlement of claims brought by Janie Murray arising from an September 7, 2022 accident. The council voted to authorize both settlements.
Other routine items on the agenda included appointments and board confirmations that were placed on the public record for future meetings, and a number of planning and infrastructure items that the council received for information.
Votes at a glance: - Lindsey McLemore: appointed Clerk of Council (salary and term specified in the resolution). Outcome: approved by voice vote; no recorded no votes. - Tamika Colbert: appointed Deputy Clerk of Council (salary and term specified). Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Sports and Entertainment Authority ordinance (as amended to add a nonvoting hockey designee): approved; recorded vote 7-2. - John Anchor: appointed to the District 9/At-Large seat vacated by Judy W. Thomas: approved by council vote; Anchor delivered brief remarks after confirmation. - Lifeguard and pool staff wage increases (temporary adjustments to aid recruitment): approved by voice vote; council instructed staff to implement immediately for the summer season. - Settlements: Kenya Baron, $50,000; Janie Murray, $100,000: both approved in executive session.
Councilors and administration said they would continue to publish details on implementation steps (for the pay changes and appointments) and make related documents available through the clerk27s office.
