COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus City Council holds its regular meeting today, Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers on the second floor of the City Services Center, 3111 Citizens Way. The agenda posted on the city's meeting portal lists seven ordinances on first reading, a Housing Authority bond resolution, a $400,000 federal grant request and a long slate of board appointments. Mayor B.H. "Skip" Henderson III is listed as presiding, and the agenda is subject to change before the gavel falls.

Housing and zoning: the biggest items

The ordinance that may draw the most attention would add accessory dwelling units, often called ADUs or backyard cottages, to the city's Unified Development Ordinance. According to the agenda, the text amendment (REZN 08-26-1678) would place ADUs in the category of "Dwellings, Accessory" and set the requirements that apply to them. The agenda says the Planning Department and the Planning Advisory Commission recommend approval, and Councilor Toyia Tucker is listed as the sponsor.

A second housing-related ordinance would amend Articles III and V of Chapter 8 of the Columbus Code. The agenda describes it as adopting building code standards pertinent to "Tiny Houses" and updating certain references to the State of Georgia and International Property Maintenance Code. That item is also listed under Councilor Tucker.

Four rezoning requests are on the agenda. The Planning Department and the Planning Advisory Commission recommend approval of each one, according to the agenda. The table below lists the cases.

All four, along with the ADU amendment and the Chapter 8 amendment, are listed as first readings. Councilor Cogle is listed as the sponsor of the Lumpkin Road and 12th Avenue cases and Councilor Garrett of the mill district case, while the Fulton Road request is listed under the mayor pro tem. A first reading is the first time an ordinance appears before the full council, and the agenda does not say when a vote on final adoption is expected.

Police promotions and Housing Authority bonds

An ordinance revising Section 17-25 of the Columbus Code would change certain Columbus Police Department promotional requirements. The agenda notes that the item was continued on first reading from the Oct. 27 meeting, so it has been before the council once already. The agenda does not describe what the revisions would be.

A resolution would authorize the Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia to issue bonds to finance a project in Columbus. The agenda lists it as a request of the Housing Authority and does not name the project, its location or the amount of the bonds. Anyone interested in the details would need to check the agenda packet or ask the authority.

City manager's agenda: a $400,000 grant and routine purchases

The city manager is asking for approval to submit, and accept if awarded, a grant from the federal Office of Justice Programs. The money would support programs that implement the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, including its sex offender registration and notification provisions. The agenda says the request is for $400,000 or as otherwise awarded, requires no local match and would amend the Multi-governmental Fund budget by the amount of the award.

Several purchases are also listed, including:

• On-call low-voltage wiring services through a Georgia statewide cooperative contract
• A Ram ProMaster 3500 cargo van and a 2027 Ford F-450 regular cab pickup for METRA and Operations, both through Georgia statewide cooperative contracts
• An X-ray machine for the Muscogee County Prison, through a federal GSA cooperative purchase

The list also includes extensions of annual contracts for paper and plastic products and for emergency medical supplies. The agenda also includes an infrastructure update from Ryan Pruett, director of Inspections and Code, Will Johnson, director of Planning, and Vance Beck, director of Engineering. Bid advertisements are attached for resurfacing the tennis courts at Lakebottom Park and Double Churches Park, an annual on-call irrigation contract and work at the Fox Senior Center.

Public agenda and appointments

Six slots appear on the public agenda, and one of them is marked pending approval. The speakers' names are listed in the agenda. Their listed topics include blight and participatory budgeting, the demolition of a property on 21st Avenue, forgiveness, blighted districts compared with the $8.4 million pickleball investment, and other uses for $8.8 million.

On the board side, council appointments listed for confirmation include Wayne Anthony and John Wells to the Board of Honor, Vicki Hardage to the Board of Tax Assessors to succeed Lanitra Sandifer Hicks, Nicholas Smith to the Board of Water Commissioners and Nargarina Burkley to the Tree Board. Nominations may also be confirmed for several boards with vacancies or expired terms, including the Audit Committee and the Public Safety Advisory Commission. The agenda lists the openings but does not say who will be nominated.

Routine items include approving the Oct. 27 minutes, a resolution changing the council's January 2027 meeting schedule and resolutions excusing Councilors Simi Barnes and Cathy Cook from today's meeting. The agenda also lists a $405.84 mileage reimbursement for Councilor Tucker's travel. The full agenda is posted on the city's meetings portal for anyone who wants to read each item.

How to watch or take part

The meeting is open to the public at the City Services Center, and the agenda and agenda packet are posted on the city's Municode meetings portal. People who need a disability accommodation can call 706-653-4492 promptly, according to the agenda. The next regular council meeting is listed for Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 9 a.m., and Columbus city services will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day, according to the city.