It wasn’t on the regular meeting agenda, but storm debris was in the spotlight during Tuesday’s Augusta Commission meeting.
Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice, who asked to add the discussion, showed the group a photo of a large pile of cut trees recently dumped in the Henry Street median. She noted the amount of other debris still lining Augusta streets six months after Hurricane Helene.
“Masters is less than three weeks away,” Rice said. “I don’t see us being able within the next two-and-a-half weeks to pick this up.”
In cases such as Henry, Camellia Road and Powell Road, it amounts to illegal dumping, she said. “We’ve got to start fining these folks.”
Other constituents are asking for their stumps and root balls be hauled away, she said.
Mayor Garnett Johnson said neighbors on Henry would be able to identify who left the pile. It was someone “taking advantage of the system,” Johnson said.
“The majority of the debris from Sept. 27 has been collected in most parts of town,” Johnson said.
City Information Officer Leadra Collins, who’s been responsible for updating the public on the status of debris removal, said haulers began their “final pass” on Jan. 21 and that commission Districts 1, 2, 3 and 7 have been certified as complete.
“That means we will not be going back in those areas,” she said.
The final pass only applies to “vegetative debris” and not root balls or stumps, she said.
In addition, work done in Districts 4, 5, 6 and 8 has been “significant,” she said.
Several commissioners immediately questioned the status of work completed.
“If we need to go for a ride around District 8, I’d be happy to let you see some of the forgotten areas,” such as the Barefields subdivision, Commissioner Brandon Garrett said.
Commissioner Tony Lewis said the fallen trees still covering Doughty Park and nearby Nellieville were “deplorable.”
Commissioner Jordan Johnson asked about the riverwalk, which is still littered with debris. “Is there any plan to pick that up?” he said.
Collins said work on the riverwalk requires “specialized equipment” that contractors are working out a plan to use.
Administrator Tameka Allen said she’d send an update later on the various requests. The commission received the discussion as information.
Charter Review Committee update
In other action, during a brief discussion about Augusta’s charter review committee, Johnson said its work “can’t start soon enough” but that the process is in the hands of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
Hired to facilitate the process, the institute is “Is in the process of contacting” committee members about having a meeting, possibly before Masters Week, he said.
Proposal for 401 Walton Way presented
The commission heard a presentation from the Urban Land Institute about ideas for using the former 401 Walton Way jail site. The group proposed redeveloping the area with an innovation hub at the jail site, which is located within a federal Opportunity Zone.
Commissioners offered no questions or comments about the suggestion, which had no timeframe.
Sheriff raises concerns about 911 system
Richmond County Sheriff Gino Brantley addressed the commission about issues his deputies have had with 911 after a call for discussion of it from Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle.
Brantley said people who call 911 think they are calling for police and sometimes, the calls aren’t answered. Over the weekend, the sheriff’s office made 19 arrests on Broad Street with two deputies injured and needed more support, he said.
“We just need some help with making sure that their calls are being answered and people aren’t somehow pointing the finger at us,” Brantley said.
Commissioner Don Clarke urged the group to think “holistically,” involve all first responder departments and generate reports of response times. The commission approved the administrator, fire department, sheriff’s office, Central EMS and the Richmond County Marshal’s Office to meet to work to resolve any issues.
Study committee on residential development created
The commission approved creating a study committee on residential development co-chaired by commissioners Wayne Guilfoyle and Stacy Pulliam in response to Guilfoyle’s call last week to consider a moratorium on new apartment complexes.
The committee should look at policies, procedures, codes, methods used by other jurisdictions, permitting, best practices and other considerations, and involve the Metro Augusta and Greater Augusta Black chambers of commerce, said Commissioner Francine Scott, who called for the committee.
Pulliam said it should include representatives from local builders’ and realtors’ associations and the Planning and Development department.
Interim general counsel contract extended
After a closed-door session, the commission approved extending the contract of Interim General Counsel Jim Plunkett and his law firm through June 30.
