The Waynesboro City Commission met in regular session on Monday, November 22nd, 2021 at City Hall in Waynesboro. All commissioners were in attendance, including Mayor Chris Bevis, Vice Mayor Jeff Davis, Commissioner Lynn Warren, Commissioner Jeff Howell, and Commissioner Tony Creasy. Also in attendance were City Manager John Hickman, City Attorney Josh Polk, and City Recorder Paige Jackson.
Mayor Bevis called the meeting to order, and Commissioner Warren offered the invocation.
First on the agenda was approval of the minutes from the previous commission meeting. Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve, and Vice Mayor Davis seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved.
Family members of the late Waynesboro City Judge Bob Turman were in attendance at the meeting. City Manager John Hickman, along with the City Commission, presented the family with a plaque honoring Judge Turman and his 37 years of service as City Judge. Judge Turman was the last City Judge in Tennessee that was not an attorney (the law changed several years ago, but Judge Turman was “grandfathered” in and able to retain his position). Judge Turman’s family members who were present included his wife Sarah; son Drew and wife Rachel; son Cole; daughter Sarabeth; and granddaughter Harper Mae. City Manager Hickman and the commissioners all shared their memories of Judge Turman, who was also an educator in the Wayne County School System for many years. City Manager Hickman said that the plaque will be on display for anyone entering the courtroom to see.
Department Reports were next on the agenda. City Manager Hickman distributed monthly investment reports and cash collateral statements to the commissioners for their review. He also reminded the commission that the Waynesboro City Christmas Party will be held on Friday, December 10th at 6:00 p.m. at Waynesboro Middle School. He also mentioned that City Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 25th and Friday, November 26th for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Next on the agenda was the approval of three abandoned vehicles as surplus property to be sold on govdeals.com. City Manager Hickman said that the vehicles had been in the impound lot for over 90 days, and the owners had been notified. Commissioner Creasy made a motion to approve the vehicles as surplus. Commissioner Howell seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Two requests for water taps were next on the agenda. City Manager Hickman confirmed that all the fees had been paid for both taps. The first water tap request was at 656 Waynesboro Highway. Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve, and Vice Mayor Davis seconded. The water tap was unanimously approved. The next water tap request was at 1420 Old Highway 64E. Vice Mayor Davis made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Warren second the motion. The second water tap was unanimously approved as well.
Under open items on the agenda, Vice Mayor Davis said that he had been informed that vehicles in the community were being “egged,” which is very hard on a vehicle’s paint job. City Manager Hickman said that he would have Police Chief Walter Smith look into that.
Vice Mayor Davis inquired about the Highway 64 East water line project, and City Manager Hickman said that the bores had been drilled and pipes are being laid. City Manager Hickman then told the commission that the smaller paving projects were done.
Commissioner Creasy asked about the progress on new restrooms at the golf course. City Manager Hickman said that he expected the planning for the project to be done this winter with construction to begin in the spring.
Commissioner Warren said that a streetlight was out next to Waynesboro Middle School. He also said that someone had requested more tables at the new City Park pavilion.
Commissioner Warren also said that the issue of driving laws on the square should be addressed. Many people are not aware of the rules concerning right-of-way on the square.
Commissioner Howell said that he had heard compliments from residents on the paving repairs that have been done. He went on to mention that the potholes on the tennis court at the City Park need to be fixed as soon as possible.
