The Waynesboro City Commission met in regular session on Monday, April 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 City Manager Hickman offered the invocation.
First on the agenda was approval of the minutes from the previous commission meeting. Commissioner Creasy made a motion to approve. Commissioner Howell seconded the motion, and the minutes were approved.
Next was the approval of the sale of surplus items, including two abandoned vehicles, a 2004 Chevrolet Impala, and a 1999 GMC pickup. Vice Mayor Davis made a motion to approve the sale of the surplus items on govdeals.com. Vice Mayor Davis made a motion to approve the sale of the surplus items. Commissioner Warren seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
Wayne County JECDB Director Rena Purdy then introduced a representative from MDN Development, the company that is interested in purchasing land at the Industrial Park on Highway 64 East. He stated that his company has studied the feasibility of constructing a housing community for independent-living senior citizens at the site, and they believe that it would be successful. He said that the first phase of the project would be the construction of 42 apartments, and local builders would be used for the project. The commission took no action on the sale of the property at this time, but they are taking it into consideration.
Next, Mr. Allen Mathis came before the commission once again to discuss a buy-out of property he owns that he said was promised from the city in 2003. Mr. Mathis previously distributed copies to the commissioners of documents pertaining to various civil litigations that he has brought before the courts over the past several years. City Attorney Polk told Mr. Mathis that he has not had a chance to fully research the situation, but stated that once he has familiarized himself more with the details, he will contact Mr. Mathis for further discussion.
Under open items on the agenda, Commissioner Howell stated that he has received several complaints regarding the condition of the RenCass property that was almost completely destroyed by fire several months ago. City Manager Hickman said that letters have been sent to the property owners, but there has been no response. The commissioners discussed whether or not the city can clean up the property, but decided that nothing can be done until contact is made with the property owner.
Commissioner Howell then mentioned the trash on the square. City Manager said that the county inmate crew would be on the square for cleanup the next day. The commissioners discussed how the loss of inmate labor from the boot camp, along with less county inmate labor, has made a great impact on getting things cleaned up all over the county.
Commissioner Warren said that he had received a complaint regarding the dirty playground equipment at the City Park. City Manager Hickman said that he would send a crew to spray it off and clean it the best they can.
City Manager Hickman told the commission that damage from the recent flood, including a fence and motor at the water plant, the Haggard Street bridge, and the City Park, has been turned in to FEMA for repair funding.
Commissioner Warren asked if Juvenile Court is now being held at City Court since Judge James Ross is now the City Judge, and City Manager Hickman said that it is.
Commissioner Creasy told the commission that he had conversations with parents who have children that play baseball at the Sportsplex, and he agreed that temporary fencing needs to be put back up on some of the baseball fields for the younger players. The commission agreed that the temporary fencing needs to be put back up.
Vice Mayor Davis said that he has noticed several properties that still need to be cleaned up. He also asked about the construction of new restrooms at the golf course, and City Manager Hickman said that it would be discussed in the upcoming budget meetings.
Mayor Bevis said the he had measured the restrooms at the City Park, and suggested that something similar may be built at the golf course.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner Creasy made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Howell seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.
