The Columbia County Community and Emergency Services Committee voted to accept more than $3,000 in donations to Animal Services in its meeting Tuesday morning.
Columbia County has presented its side of the story about several reports to Animal Services (ultimately three, according to the county) leading up to the pit bull attack that left 11-year-old Jason Gilstrap hospitalized.
Any proposed new animal control protocols, procedures or policies in the wake of the reported pit bull mauling would go before the Community and Emergency Services Committee, currently chaired by newly sworn Commissioner Alison Couch. However, any new regulations for Animal Services operations would first have to be proposed by the Animal Services Advisory Board, which exists for just such purpose, per county ordinances.
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The next advisory board meeting is scheduled for March 8, at the Animal Services building in Grovetown. In the meantime, however, some eight individuals have donated funds totaling $3,140 toward the shelter and to support the spaying and neutering of animals.
The CES Committee also considered the purchase and installation of new playground equipment at Martinez Park for more than $1 million.
The design for the playground project, via an independent contract with Bliss Products and Services, includes three separate play areas featuring nature-themed climbers: Treehouse, Woodlands and Bouldering, connected through trails. The playground would be custom designed to complement existing site characteristics, such as retaining walls and landscape features.
“We tried as much as we could in the concept phase to utilize the natural landscapes and the slope of the area as much as possible,” said Community Services Director John Luton. “What we’ve worked with Bliss and Landscape ID is truly unique sort of play area that residents of the area are truly going to enjoy.”
The life expectancy for these structures is 50 years, and they come with a 10 year warranty. The project would be funded by funded by 2017 general obligation bonds. The CES committee approved moving the item to the Board of Commissioners’ consent agenda for its next meeting.
After the CES meeting, the Public Works and Engineering Committee had its meeting, during which it approved a revised relocation agreement with Georgia Power for the Horizon South Parkway widening project.
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In August 2021, the Board of Commissioners approved an agreement between the county and Georgia Power to relocate its utilities along the SR-388 corridor to make way for the widening. The county’s contribution to these costs was not to exceed $530,329.
This agreement was good for one year, with construction work scheduled to begin some six months after. The agreement has since lapsed, as construction did not start due to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to the item document presented by the Road Construction Department.
The revised agreement with Georgia Power is now for $605,303. Engineering Services Director Kyle Titus told the committee that construction, contracted to E.R. Snell, was scheduled to begin in early February.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
