The Augusta Commission named a member from south Richmond County, Brandon Garrett, to serve as mayor pro tempore Tuesday, Jan. 3. It was the first meeting over which new Mayor Garnett Johnson presided.
Garrett had lobbied for months for the post, which serves as stand-in for the mayor. He had six supporting votes to secure the two-year term.
“I got the feeling that a few were a bit disappointed. But I think it turned out the way it should have turned out,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight.
Garrett, who represents rural District 8 and Super District 9 Commissioner Francine Scott emerged as frontrunners for mayor pro tem. Scott fell short one vote Tuesday.
Nominated by Commissioner Jordan Johnson, Scott had support from new commissioners Tony Lewis and Stacy Pulliam as well as Johnson and commissioner Bobby Williams. Garrett and Commissioner Alvin Mason abstained while commissioners Sean Frantom, Wayne Guilfoyle and McKnight voted no, leaving Scott with only five votes.
In the subsequent vote on Garrett, he had support from Lewis and Mason as well as Frantom, Guilfoyle, McKnight and himself. Johnson, Pulliam and Scott voted no, and Williams abstained.
MORE: Garnett Johnson: Q&A with Augusta’s very soon-to-be mayor
Southside developments turned down
In the handful of business on Tuesday’s agenda, a south Augusta group succeeded in warding off two planned developments in the 2300 block of Windsor Spring Road.
Spokeswoman and Rollins Area Neighborhood Association President Juanita Burney said the developers only made contact with the neighborhood after residents raised questions about the planned apartment complex and convenience store.
“We need development that requires ownership in the community,” Burney said of the apartments, planned on 11 acres. “We are a community that’s going to require that we be involved.”
Burney said there were six convenience stores within a mile of the planned In-and-Out gas station.
For both rezoning cases, opponents had presented petitions with 130 or more signatures. The city planning commission previously recommended against their approval. The commission voted 10-0 to deny Tuesday.
Adult ordinance second read, garbage contract extension pass
In the commission’s second reading of revisions to the adult entertainment ordinance, Guilfoyle said the changes will create “something to disappoint people wanting to come downtown.”
The revisions make it easier for strip clubs to operate if they remain in industrial zones. Augusta has had none since two clubs closed in downtown Augusta, and the clubs are now banned downtown. Guifoyle, Mason and McKnight opposed the second reading.
In a final vote requested by the mayor and Williams, the commission approved extending Augusta’s solid waste collection contract with Waste Management until Dec. 31, 2025 and agreed to annual contract increases based on the Consumer Price Index. The commission also voted to restore a contract with Coleman Sanitation to pick up out-of-compliance waste.
MORE: Former mayor’s spending spree continued up to last day in office
Mayor, pro tem make Augusta committee assignments
Johnson’s first meeting presiding was otherwise uneventful.
“It’s been a great day,” he said.
As part of his and the mayor pro tem’s official duties, they named commissioners to commission committees.
Named to two-year terms on the Engineering Services committee were: Mason as chairman; McKnight as vice-chairwoman; Lewis and Garrett as members.
McKnight will chair the Public Safety committee, with Mason as vice-chairman and Williams and Garrett as members.
Frantom will chair the Public Services committee, with Williams as vice-chairman and Pulliam and Guilfoyle as members.
Johnson will chair the Finance committee, with Guilfoyle as vice-chairman and Scott and Pulliam as members.
Scott will chair the Administrative Services committee, with Lewis as vice-chairman and Frantom and Johnson as members.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
