The Waynesboro City Commission met in regular session on Monday, August 10th, 2020 at City Hall in Waynesboro. Immediately prior to the meeting, the two commissioners elected on August 6th, Jeff Davis and Lynn Warren, were sworn in to their positions by City Recorder Paige Jackson. These two commissioners were present for the meeting that followed, along with Commissioners Jeff Howell, Chris Bevis, and Tony Creasy. Also in attendance were City Manager John Hickman and City Recorder Paige Jackson.
The first item of business was the election of a Mayor and Vice Mayor for the new term. Commissioner Davis made a motion to appoint Commissioner Bevis as Mayor. Commissioner Warren seconded the motion, and Commissioner Chris Bevis was appointed Mayor with no opposition.
Commissioner Creasy then made a motion to appoint Commissioner Davis as Vice Mayor. Commissioner Howell seconded the motion, and Commissioner Jeff Davis was appointed Vice Mayor with no opposition.
Mayor Bevis then asked former Commissioner Charlie Mosley if he would be willing to remain Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board. Mosley did not seek re-election to the commission due to a conflict with his new career. Mosley said that he would remain Chairman of the Parks and Rec Board. He went on to say that he considered his last four years on the commission a blessing, and that he is excited to see the city continuing to move in a positive direction.
New Commissioner Lynn Warren said that he was glad to be elected to the commission, and that he loves the City of Waynesboro and is looking forward to helping make it even better.
Commissioner Creasy then made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Commissioner Howell seconded the motion, and the minutes were unanimously approved.
City Manager Hickman addressed the commission next, and mentioned several grants that the city was fortunate to receive that provided funding for new projects:
-the $800,000.00 grant that will fund the Highway 64 East water line extension from the Geisler Springs well to 48 Creek;
-the $105,000.00 SDG Site Development Grant that will fund more site development at the Industrial Park on Highway 64 East;
-the $81,000.00 grant that will fund additional street paving in the city;
-the $92,000.00 USDA vehicle grant which will fund the purchase of two new city vehicles;
-the COPS grant which will fund an additional officer for three years with the city funding the fourth year;
-a grant that will provide for the purchase of new Christmas lights and a NexGen software upgrade.
The City Manager also reiterated that the 2020-2021 City Budget contains no water, sewer, natural gas, sanitation, or property tax increases, along with no increase in user fees.
The next item of business on the agenda was the second reading of the 2020-2021 Budget Ordinance. City Manager Hickman pointed out that the budget includes $5,113,100 in anticipated revenue, and $4,800,000 in anticipated expenditures. Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve the second reading of the budget ordinance. Vice Mayor Davis seconded the motion, and the second reading of the 2020-2021 Budget Ordinance was unanimously approved.
Next was the second reading of the 2020-2021 Budget Appropriations Ordinance. This ordinance breaks down how the funds in the budget will be divided among all city departments. Commissioner Creasy made a motion to approve the second reading of the ordinance, and Commissioner Warren seconded the motion. The second reading of the 2020-2021 Budget Appropriations Ordinance was unanimously approved.
Under Citizens to Address the Commission, Charlie Mosley suggested that the commission may want to think about offering half-price golf course membership and City Pool admission to essential workers such as healthcare personnel, teachers, and police officers. Following a brief discussion, the commission decided to speak with current golf course members and other citizens to see how they would feel about the proposal.
Under Open Items on the agenda, Commissioner Creasy asked about the status of street repairs. City Manager Hickman said that bid notices would be going out in the next newspaper, and the streets that are in most need of repair would be decided upon within the next few meetings.
Commissioner Howell then showed photos to the commission of the exterior of the former Fast Pace building just off the square that now houses a car wash. The city owns the building, and it is in dire need of painting and exterior repair. The commission instructed City Manager Hickman to go ahead and get quotes on the necessary repairs to the building.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner Creasy made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Warren seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.
