The Augusta Commission on Tuesday accepted the resignation of General Counsel Wayne Brown, the city’s top lawyer, and awarded Brown a six-month severance package.
Brown has occasionally bumped heads with some on the commission, but no reason was stated for his departure. His resignation was unexpected, several city officials said.
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The vote was 8-1 with Commissioner Alvin Mason absent. Commissioner Bobby Williams voted no, saying he “couldn’t do it.”
Mayor Garnett Johnson said he appreciated Brown’s 16 years of service.
Brown, whose wife is an elected city judge, joined the city as deputy general counsel under former General Counsel Chiquita Johnson. He was named general counsel in 2019 after the resignation of Andrew MacKenzie.
Under the terms of his resignation, Brown is expected to be available during a six-month transition period. The city law office employs six other attorneys, including Deputy General Counsel Rachel Mack.
In other action, the commission transferred a parcel at 2815 Regency Blvd. to Augusta, Georgia Land Bank Authority, presumably to be used for some purpose. It also transferred .28 acres at 1310 Walker St. to PSH Downtown Augusta LLC.
PSH or Peach State Hospitality is said to be building an extended-stay hotel at the site.
A commission committee terminated the 2020 sublease to the Augusta Economic Development Authority of Lake Olmstead Stadium for C4 Live, the concert promoter that promised big shows during Masters Week and beyond but did not deliver.
The Augusta Economic Development Authority is seeking damages from the company, which has been unable to retain a lawyer to defend it.
Owner Carla Johnson Ferguson gets to leave three trailers that were moved without a permit to a site at Morning Drive and Highway 25 some 18 months ago. Some commissioners say they’re an eyesore in a residential neighborhood.
Planning Director Carla DeLaney said the city could take further action against the owner as she moves forward with plans to open a nursing outreach or adult daycare at the site using the modular trailers.
A committee approved adding a request for $500,000 promised by the Georgia Department of Transportation for a pedestrian bridge over the Augusta Canal in the Village at Riverwatch area.
Rep. Mark Newton, R-Augusta, worked on the project and securing the GDOT funds. He said its new proposed location is an area near Bass Pro Shops and TopGolf that will be visible from I-20.
Recreation candidates in hand, hiring on hold
Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse said the city has had 58 apply to be Augusta’s next Parks and Recreation director, and that staff have deemed 16 qualified.
Douse said Tuesday she could have a final seven from which the commission could choose in 2-3 weeks.
Commissioner Sean Frantom, who pushed for a Recreation department audit after the sudden resignation of former director Maurice McDowell, said the idea was for the audit to be done prior to the new director’s hire.
Finance Director Donna Williams said the audit needed another 90 days to complete, and the committee agreed to have a work session.
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle said city department heads should be involved in interviewing the director candidates.
“Their input is very valuable to me,” he said.
A committee approved loaning $1 million in American Rescue Plan HOME funds for construction of Watson Pointe, a low-income housing tax credit project in the 1400 block of Broad Street.
The development will house seniors 62 and older in 34 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom units, with 3,000 square feet of commercial space.
