Savannah City Council Addresses Hurricane Preparedness and Controversial Alcohol Licensing Decisions

Savannah City Council Tackles Important Issues Ahead of Hurricane Helene

In a lively session filled with both progress and debate, the Savannah City Council met on Thursday afternoon to tackle its agenda in preparation for the anticipated impacts of Hurricane Helene. The council managed to get through its agenda somewhat swiftly, but not without taking care of a few key policy items and acknowledging some intense discussions around alcohol licensing.

Major Water Expansion Approved

One of the highlights of the meeting was the unanimous approval of a $12.5 million contract with Hussey Gay Bell. This step is part of the next phase of expansion for the Industrial and Domestic Water Treatment Plant located at 6183 GA-21. As Savannah continues to grow, this expansion is essential. The city is looking to prepare for a 72% increase in water capacity over the next twenty years to meet the rising demand.

City officials noted that the current plant operates at 58 million gallons per day, pulling about 20 million gallons from the Floridan Aquifer. With the burgeoning population and the need for a robust water supply, the solution includes raising capacity to a target goal of 100 million gallons per day—a project projected to cost around $500 million.

Contentious Discussions Over Alcohol Licenses

On the flip side, the council also delved into some spirited disagreements regarding alcohol licenses. In a split vote of 7-2, they approved a packaged beer and wine alcohol license for a new Aldi store located on East Victory Drive. This decision did not come without contention, with Alderwomen Bernetta Lanier and Alicia Miller Blakely voicing their concerns over what they perceive as unfair practices in the approval process for alcohol licenses.

The crux of their arguments revolved around the fact that Aldi’s location is right next to B. Nicole’s Bistro—a restaurant that saw its alcohol license application denied for a second time earlier this year. Notably, the alderwoman for the district, Linda Wilder Bryan, voted against B. Nicole’s application, citing a lack of community support. Mayor Van Johnson, however, indicated that the circumstances surrounding Aldi’s license were different because it is not a restaurant.

This vote marked a continuation of the prior council meeting’s disagreements, where Blakely and Lanier focused on the perceived lack of equity in how alcohol licenses are granted. They pointed to B. Nicole’s Bistro and the Vintage Special Events Center in West Savannah—businesses owned by Black women—as examples of inequity in practice. Johnson responded by explaining that Vintage Special Events Center falls within an alcohol overlay district, which complicates the approval process.

Calls for Change

Lanier expressed her frustration passionately during the meeting, stating, “Black people in this city are upset by this procedure. They don’t feel like it’s fair. They feel like there is no equity. There’s disparity.” This led to an exchange between her and the mayor, who deemed her comments “out of order,” leading to her microphone being muted temporarily.

Inquiring about the representation of African American-owned businesses within the city’s alcohol licenses, Blakely asked City Manager Jay Melder for statistics on the matter. While Melder promised to gather that information, no updates were provided by the end of the meeting. This has raised questions about the transparency of the licensing process.

A Step Forward for Water Infrastructure

Despite the heated discussion over alcohol licensing, the council’s progress on water infrastructure is a significant win for Savannah. The approval for Phase 1b of the facilities expansion will not only lead to long-term planning and improvements but will also kick-start immediate upgrades. A master plan, a financial strategy for 10 years, and a demand analysis will pave the way for what residents hope will be a stronger system equipped to handle the city’s growing needs.

In conclusion, while Savannah grapples with both pressing infrastructure updates and questions of equitable business practices, it is clear that decisive moments like this council meeting are crucial for the community. The ongoing discussions, plans, and approvals reflect a city in motion, looking to balance progress with fairness.