Two Augusta commissioners will push to put codes enforcement under the elected Richmond County Marshal’s Office at a Tuesday meeting.
Wayne Guilfoyle and Sean Frantom are calling for the division to move from Planning and Development to the marshal’s office, effective Jan. 1.
MORE: New AU president shares keen future goals and vision
The marshal’s office has code enforcement officers in its enforcement division, which investigates complaints of illegal dumping, littering, inoperative vehicles and similar issues.
Planning has about a dozen employees who investigate property maintenance complaints, abandoned buildings, junk cars and the like.
The commission’s Administrative Services committee will take up the request at its Tuesday meeting. Members include Frantom and commissioners Francine Scott, Tony Lewis and Jordan Johnson.
Other items going before the committee for a recommendation include:
- A $257,599 change order for Dickinson Architects’ design services for a new fleet management facility. The commission approved $108,000 plus 8.5% for the project in 2022.
- Additional funding of $460,400 to expand the scope of services for Johnson Laschober & Associates to design and provide construction oversight at Fleming Park.
New grocery license, Recreation strategic plan go to committee
Going before the commission’s Public Services committee include:
- Beer and wine package sales and on-premises consumption at Fresh Take Grocery, to be located in the former Whole Foods Market on Washington Road
- A strategic plan for Augusta Parks and Recreation is up for discussion. Raftelis Financial Consultants created the plan, which includes the following strategic priorities:
- Customer and community service emphasizing compassion and exceptional service
- A positive employee experience enhancing development and a culture of engagement and recognition
- Operational excellence and efficiency with accountability throughout
- Park and facility investment using an asset management approach emphasizing safety and accessibility
- Communications and engagement that’s internally proactive and inclusive and externally strategic
- Financial sustainability with a cost recovery strategy for all programs and the pursuit of alternative sources
Engineering wants 1% budget cuts restored
The Engineering Services committee will hear Engineering and Environmental Services Director Hameed Malik request to restore 1% budget cuts he says excessively impact several operations budgets.
These include a $14,310 cut to the $1.4 million total streets and highways budget and a $135,890 cut to the $15 million stormwater utility fee budget, according to the agenda item.
Augusta man appeals for grant to save dogs
Roger Bellow will speak to the Public Safety committee about the commission’s decision to not accept what he describes as a $910,898 grant from Best Friends Animal Society. That’s the amount the services the animal charity is said to be donating to Augusta Animal Services such as veterinary care under its proposal.
The commission so far has not embraced the offer, saying it is an all-or-nothing proposal that will put people at risk. The charity has been sued in large cities for adopting out dangerous dogs which have attacked their new owners.
“Three-thousand dogs are killed annually at Augusta Animal Services,” he said. “Of all the counties in Georgia, that is by far the most deadly rate.”
Best Friends has “a proven history of greatly reducing death rates at shelters,” he said. “The Augusta Commission has rejected this most generous, thoughtful proposal. They don’ know what help is when it knocks on their door. Tell the commission to take the money and stop the slaughter of dogs in Augusta.”
