Council approves multiple zoning, procurement and settlement items; settlements total $527,000

During a meeting heavy with public comment, the Columbus City Council on June 16 took a number of routine and non-routine actions: multiple property rezones and zoning approvals were approved on first motion; the technology overlay to the Unified Development Ordinance was adopted; procurement purchases including mold remediation contracts were approved; and two litigation settlements were authorized.

Zoning and consent items: The council approved a series of zoning actions with motions and voice/hand votes for items including rezoning at 2458–2464 Martha's Loop, parcels on Apex Road and 13th Avenue, a mill redevelopment district and establishment of urban service and business improvement districts.

Procurement and facilities: Council approved a package of purchase orders and contract extensions including elevator maintenance, post-accident drug-screening services, inmate food-service contract amendments, public-works equipment, washer-extractors for the county prison and multi-year grant-writing services. A mold remediation contract was presented covering extensive mold removal at the Liberty Theater (~$670,000) and separate work at Frank Chester Recreation Center (~$60,000) for a combined total presented in the meeting of approximately $730,670; council approved that item.

Litigation settlements and personnel confirmations: After executive session, the council authorized a federal court settlement for the Clarence Nash matter in the amount of $500,000 and a separate settlement for Darius Sparks for $27,000. The council also confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Pedro F. Cardanis as deputy warden of security for the Muscogee County Prison, subject to state board approval.

Next steps: Staff will finalize procurement details and process settlement paperwork. Several items (e.g., the technology-overlay UDO) will involve subsequent planning and permitting steps before any project approvals.