The Waynesboro City Commission met in regular session on Monday, July 26th, 2021 at City Hall in Waynesboro. All commissioners were present, 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 Creasy 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 Commissioner Creasy seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved.
City Manager Hickman first distributed information to the commissioners regarding the TML conference coming up on September 18-21.
The first item of new business on the agenda was a request for a sewer tap at 1582 Old Highway 64 East. All the necessary fees have been paid. Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve the sewer tap, and Vice Mayor Davis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Next was a request for a water tap and gas tap at 190 Susan Lane. All the necessary fees for this location have been paid as well. Commissioner Warren made a motion to approve, Commissioner Creasy seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Next on the agenda was the PEP (Public Entity Partners) Safety Grant Resolution. This is a grant that the city applies for and is routinely awarded every year. The grant funds this year will be used for safety items such as barricades, cones, safety jackets, flashlights, etc. The $3,000 grant would require a 50 percent match from the city. Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Restructuring of the Waynesboro Municipal Golf Course rates and fees was next. Commissioner Warren requested that the new rates go into effect on January 1st, 2022; however, City Manager Hickman said that it would be better if they go into effect at the beginning of the next billing cycle. After further discussion, Commissioner Warren made a motion for the new rates to go into effect on September 1st, 2021, which is the beginning of the next billing cycle. Commissioner Creasy seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The new rates and fees are as follows:
MEMBER FEES
Membership Rates-(green fees & range balls): Single $500 per year, Family $600 per year
All-Inclusive Membership Rates-(green fees, range balls, cart fee or cart shed and trail fees): Single $750, Family $850
Corporate Memberships-(green fees & range balls) (To Be Paid Up Front Yearly): $1,500 for 5 players, $3,000 for 10 players
Out of County Membership-(green fees & range balls): Single $460, Family $560
Junior Rates (21 and Under) (green fees & range balls): $200 each
Cart Rental: 9 holes $5, 18 holes $10
Trail Fee: $3 or $150 for one year (members only pay)
Cart Shed: $150 per year
10% Senior (65 years)/Veterans discount (upon request). Not for previous membership dates or expenses.
NON-MEMBER FEES
Greens Fees, Total 9 holes: $8 plus tax
Greens Fees, Total 18 holes: $15 plus tax
Cart Rental: 9 holes – $5 plus tax, 18 holes – $10 plus tax
Play All Day: $35 plus tax
Seniors and Veterans Rate (cart included): 9 holes $10 plus tax, 18 holes $20 plus tax
The next item on the agenda was the first reading of the 2021-2022 Budget Ordinance. This budget includes a proposed revenue (money coming in) of $5,796,100. The proposed expenditures amount (money going out) is $5,556,000. This would leave the city “in the black” at $240,100.
There are several capital outlay projects in the budget, including paving, infrastructure, new equipment and vehicle purchases, improvements at the Municipal Golf Course such as new restrooms and golf carts, water line extensions, and improvements at the City Park including rubber mulch under the playground equipment and a 20’ extension of the concrete pad in front of Stage 64.
Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve the first reading of the budget. Commissioner Creasy seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
The final item of business on the agenda was the first reading of the 2021-2022 Budget Appropriations. This ordinance details how funds in the budget are distributed to each department. The proposed budget appropriates $1,941,321 to the general fund, and $3,614,679 to the proprietary fund. The proprietary fund includes gas, sewer, and water. Vice Mayor Davis made a motion to approve the first reading of the Budget Appropriations. Commissioner Warren seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Under open items on the agenda, Commissioner Howell said that people were complaining about the shrubs at the Mexican restaurant blocking their view when pulling out onto the four-lane. City Manager Hickman said that the area was being mowed that day.
Commissioner Warren recommended that foul nets be put up at the Sportsplex ballfields if they are not too expensive. City Attorney Polk commented that the foul nets at the Clifton ballfields cost between $3,000-$5,000. The commission agreed that City Manager Hickman would look into the prices further.
Vice Mayor Davis asked if a letter could be put in the newspaper regarding property cleanup that needs to be done. City Manager Hickman explained how the process works if the property owner chooses not to clean up the property: the city will take care of the property cleanup, but the cost is added to the property taxes of the property owner. Commissioner Creasy asked if tickets could be written to the property owners who do not comply, and City Manager Hickman said that he believed they could.
In closing, City Manager Hickman said that he was pleased to announce that the 2021-22 budget included NO increases on sewer, gas, sanitation, water, or property tax fees. He said that the city ran in the black all of the previous fiscal year. He went on to say that there is $1.6 million in the 2021-22 budget for capital improvements, which will pay for several projects including the ones mentioned earlier in the meeting.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner Warren made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Howell seconded, and the meeting was adjourned.
