Augusta commissioners return to some postponed items as well as new business during committee meetings Tuesday.
Among them, the Administrative Services committee takes up the procurement of a search firm to conduct Augusta’s search for a permanent city administrator.
Of approximately 10 applicants, a procurement committee last week recommended Developmental Associates of Chapel Hill, N.C., to conduct the search, but Commissioner Jordan Johnson asked to delay the bid award.
Hephzibah property owner Gus Gunderson is scheduled to speak to the Engineering Services committee about the repeal of Augusta’s stormwater utility fee.
“There has been no work of significance, nor has there been a public accounting of the fees and where they are ultimately allocated,” he said.
Rev. Ellis Godbee of historic Sprit Creek Baptist Church is speaking out about a proposed biomass facility going in near the church on Dixon Airline Road.
In an accompanying approval letter, Augusta Engineering and Environmental Services Director Hameed Malik says the application for a “proposed waste-to-energy (biofuel) operation has the potential of improving the Augusta-area environment.”
Malik also has a revision of Augusta’s solid waste ordinance on the agenda.
Augusta’s Downtown Development Authority has eyes for the former chamber of commerce building at 600 Broad St.
The building, designed by architect I.M. Pei, has seen limited use since the chamber moved out. Formerly on Augusta’s list of surplus properties, the DDA will use it as a “microenterprise center” under U.S. Small Business Administration guidelines and with a $2.25 million grant directed by Sen. Raphael Warnock, according to the meeting agenda. The DDA also has a presentation of its achievements on the agenda.
Augusta Housing and Community Development has on the agenda a partnership with Point-to-Point Environmental for acquisition of the Weed School on Mount Auburn Street.
Commissioner Stacy Pulliam revives planned discussion of city vacant lot and rights-of-way maintenance from the commission’s canceled July 18 meeting. She’s also called for discussion of clearing ditches and drains that contributed to June 22 flooding.
Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight has hiring a full-time arborist on the agenda.
Commissioners will hear a budget request from Jack Weinstein for operations at the Augusta Jewish Museum.
Referred from last week is the award of a $400,000 annual contract for certain road and rights-of-way maintenance to Pond Maintenance. Pond would take on maintenance in areas currently maintained by Augusta Parks and Recreation, many of them residential areas in the old city limits.
Also going for committee approval are an on-premises license for liquor, beer and wine sales for Another Broken Egg on Alexander Drive and a liquor, beer and wine license for Dang Daiquiri Booze Pops on Damascus Road.
