The Waynesboro City Commission met in regular session on Monday, October 26th, 2020 at City Hall in Waynesboro. All commissioners were present, including Mayor Chris Bevis, Vice Mayor Jeff Davis, Commissioner Jeff Howell, Commissioner Lynn Warren, and Commissioner Tony Creasy. Also in attendance were City Manager John Hickman and City Recorder Paige Jackson.
Mayor Bevis called the meeting to order, and Commissioner Davis offered the invocation.
Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Davis, and the minutes were unanimously approved.
City Manager Hickman gave an update on recent city business, including:
-The City of Waynesboro received the TN CARES Act grant money from the state, and used the funds to purchase a 2020 Ford F250 for use in the Maintenance/Utility Department. The vehicle has a retail value of $53,010.00, but the city only had to pay $8,071.00 in combination with the grant funds for the purchase of the vehicle. The grant was awarded based on the fact that the Utility Department did not have enough vehicles for every employee, therefore the employees were not able to practice proper social distancing.
-The city will be sponsoring a Halloween Trunk or Treat at the Sportsplex on Saturday, October 31st from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Over 30 businesses, churches, and civic groups have committed to set up and give out free candy and treats for trick-or-treaters.
-Rogers Group will begin the paving project on several city streets on Tuesday, October 27th.
With no items of new business on the agenda, the meeting proceeded to Open Items. Commissioner Howell asked if anyone had been hired yet to fill the position at the golf course, and City Manager Hickman said that Michael Andrews had been hired and is doing a great job. Mr. Hickman went on to say that the golf course is up to 160 members at this time.
Commissioner Howell then said that he had received complaints about ditches being too deep in some areas, including the ones near the elementary school and South High Street.
Commissioner Howell went on to ask about positive COVID-19 cases in the city, and City Manager Hickman said that three city employees had tested positive and been quarantined so far.
Commissioner Creasy inquired about the painting of the water tank on Clifton Turnpike, and City Manager Hickman said that he is still waiting on an estimate from All Pro Painting. Commissioner Creasy then asked about the plaque dedicated to Robert Vencion that had been taken off the hospital helipad while it was being painted, and City Manager Hickman said that someone would probably have to contact Wayne Medical Center to find out where the plaque may be in storage.
Mayor Bevis said that the city may want to consider an alternative to the annual Christmas dinner that is held for city employees. The commissioners went on to discuss further options, including giving the city employees gift cards or money instead of having a dinner. This will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
Mayor Bevis then said that Mr. Harvey Baker has put in a lot of time and effort over several years for the local soccer teams and the soccer fields at the Sportsplex. He suggested that the city may want to consider renaming the soccer field in honor of Mr. Baker, and City Manager Hickman said that it would be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
With no further business to come before the commission, Vice Mayor Davis made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Creasy, and the meeting was adjourned.
