After the city’s struggle to get utility companies to remove downed wires left from Hurricane Helene, the Augusta Commission Tuesday hired a contractor to remove them and track the owners.
The commission voted 8-0, with commissioners Alvin Mason and Brandon Garrett absent, to hire Current Edge Solutions LLC for an amount not to exceed $40,000.
Mayor Garnett Johnson said the city has tried to work with the telecom and other providers to get the wires up. Debris removal contractor Ceres won’t touch piles containing wires.
“We have three providers that in my opinion have not done a good job of getting that removed,” Johnson said.
FEMA doesn’t reimburse for wire removal, but city officials expect the utility companies to reimburse the expense. Johnson said getting the wires up will enable the city to complete debris removal faster to meet FEMA deadlines.
MORE: Nieci’s Green Bites offers healthy options for four-legged companions
John Manton, an attorney with the firm serving as interim general counsel, said the city has put the providers on notice a firm will be collecting the wires, documenting their owners and storing them at a safe location. The city will then bill the providers for the service.
Commissioner Jordan Johnson raised concerns about the city getting reimbursed. “Getting the money back is going to be paramount,” he said.
Bailey returns as board chair
In other business Tuesday, the commission also voted 8-0 to approve the nomination of Lynn Bailey to serve as chairwoman of the Richmond County Board of Elections. Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle said Bailey “brings something to the table.”
Bailey served as executive director for the board for 28 years prior to retiring in 2021.
MORE: Augusta holds final public hearing, takes no action on HB 581
More storm spending
Removing utility wires isn’t the only expense left for Augusta from the hurricane. Commissioners approved several more spending items Tuesday for which they hope the city will be reimbursed. They included:
- An additional $15.4 million for Ceres Environmental Services to continue collecting storm debris expected to reach 3.4 million cubic yards. The amount brings Ceres’ not-to-exceed total to $46.7 million
- A fourth supplement not to exceed $1.3 million for hurricane debris removal monitoring with Goodwyn, Mills & Caywood, bringing the firm’s total to $5 million
- Supplemental funding of $874,320 for Infrastructure Systems Management, the firm headed by former Augusta engineers Abie Ladson and Steve Cassell, who each garner $280 an hour to serve as team leads for debris removal coordination support services
- A first payment of $500,000 to Tetra Tech for hurricane cost-recovery services whose scope is expected to reach $1.9 million
