A new city cleanup program that provides community service hours got a go-ahead Tuesday, but Augusta Commission committees took no action on several other agenda items, including a downtown zipline, the Weed School and Tiffany’s Eatery.
Mayor Garnett Johnson, who brought Operation: City Clean-Up to the Public Services committee, said the proposal is a collaboration between the mayor’s office, the Richmond County Sheriff’s and Marshal’s offices, Richmond County State Court, the Solicitor’s Office and local probation offices.
The idea is to address the amount of litter in Augusta’s public spaces, but also to create community service work “to engage our community in a productive and meaningful way,” Johnson said.
Once the program starts, every Saturday the cleaning crews will move around the city, picking up trash while completing community service hours at a rate of 2 to 1, he said.
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“I don’t see this as punishment,” he said, adding that some Saturdays, “I’m going to be out there.”
Addressing the committee about the program, State Court Judge Kellie Kenner Mcintyre said the agencies had all been willing to work together to build the program, which will help many low-level offenders, such as shoplifters, complete their sentences.
Solicitor General Omeeka Loggins the program will provide meaningful service that contributes to the community and is safe.
The committee approved the program 4-0 and it goes before the full commission next week.
Tiffany’s decision sent to full commission
Commissioners again heard Tuesday about problems the sheriff’s office is having with Tiffany’s Eatery, a Broad Street restaurant accused of operating more like an unruly nightclub.
Appearing before the committee, Sheriff Gino Brantley said the sheriff’s office recommends suspending the venue’s alcohol and restaurant licenses.
He and Inv. Jose Ortiz presented details about the venue’s violations, which they said include serving alcohol after hours, collecting a cover charge and claiming it’s for food, allowing smoking, operating a dance floor with a DJ without a license and lying repeatedly to investigators.
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Commissioner Jordan Johnson said the commission has gone easier on establishments where murders have taken place. He said other clubs have similar problems with smoking and fights. Johnson suggested revoking Tiffany’s Sunday Sales license and placing its alcohol license on probation for six months.
Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice said she supported the sheriff’s recommendations. One deputy has already been injured dealing with the crowd, and after the weekend’s tragic death of a Columbia County deputy, “what’s next?” she asked.
Commissioner Francine Scott made a motion to refer the Tiffany’s decision to the full commission without a recommendation. Her motion passed 4-0.
Parks may be sold
A committee heard from Abie Ladson, the former city engineering director whose company now contracts heavily with the local government.
Ladson said the firm has devised a system of ranking city parks to determine which should be retained.
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle said after selling underutilized parks, the city can “use that money to focus on our bigger parks,” such as Diamond Lakes Regional Park. It could also be used to improve the Riverwalk and New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam, he said.
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Plunkett said the commission couldn’t negotiate directly with buyers but could put the properties out for bids.
Commissioner Tony Lewis said the city ought to get input from the surrounding communities before getting rid of a park.
“No community is going to want their parks to be put on that hit list,” Lewis said.
Ladson said his firm will complete its recommendations in a few months. He said it needs usage data and is collecting it by placing cameras at every park, a move questioned by Commissioner Alvin Mason and Plunkett.
Opioid committee formed
A committee approved Mayor Garnett Johnson’s request to form a commission to determine ways to use Augusta’s opioid settlement money. Johnson said the funds have grown to more than $2 million and will likely continue to come in over the years.
The committee typically includes the mayor, police and fire chiefs, coroner, representatives from healthcare, behavioral health and the court system, a relative of an opioid victim and others with a connection to the epidemic, said Beverly Brown, an opioid public health analyst from the regional health district.
Potential appointees will have to complete a talent bank application and reside in Richmond County.
In other inaction
Committees agreed with little or no discussion to postpone several agenda items from Tuesday committees to future meetings. These included:
- An agreement between the city and The Forge Augusta Inc., which intends to operate a zip line and urban adventure center on the river downtown.
- Johnson’s request to reestablish a city public works department tasked with maintenance of public spaces and roads.
- A request from Housing and Community Development to loan $960,000 in American Rescue Plan HOME grant funds to build E.W. Estates in the former Weed School building.
- Hiring UHY Advisors Mid-Atlantic Inc to audit the Recreation and Parks department.
- Revising Augusta’s historic preservation ordinance in effort to make it more user-friendly.
One motion that did pass after the full commission had a closed session was a purchase agreement to buy 3310 Old Louisville Road, formerly Southside Elementary, from the Richmond County Board of Education for $800,000.
