EC Georgia News

In this week’s Wednesday Wrap-Up of the Augusta Commission meeting held on February 21, 2023, elected officials accepted an array of action items, including approving $850,000 for restroom repairs for the Diamond Lakes Scoring Towers and accepting a $50,000 Learning Loss grant to close the educational gap for those dependent youth who reside in economically disadvantaged communities. View the news briefs below for more details.

Commissioner Francine Scott recognized for national appointment

During the Augusta Commission meeting, Commissioner Francine Scott was recognized for being appointed to the National Association of Counties (NACo) Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee. In this one-year appointment, Scott will provide strategic direction and guidance on matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including criminal justice planning, law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention, juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, emergency management, fire prevention and control, and civil disturbances.

Augusta Commission approve $850,000 for restroom repairs at Diamond Lakes Scoring Towers

The Augusta Commission approved $850,000 to repair the drain pipes and bathrooms in the Diamond Lakes Scoring Towers. The city will use $350,000 from SPLOST 7 and $500,000 from SPLOST 8 to fund the project. In 2022, the bathrooms were closed due to drainage problems.

ARPA dollars approved to help fund Augusta Engineering Projects

The Augusta Commission approved the reallocation of $1 million of Right of Way Quick Strike American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support these city projects: the installation of the Windsor Spring Landscaped Segment Irrigation System, the Richmond County Correctional Institution’s work with the Augusta Engineering Roadway and Drainage Vegetation Maintenance FY23 Services, and for the Vacant Lot Cleanup Program. As a result of this decision, the city will free up its Stormwater Program and other necessary funds for completing or providing other services under these programs.

The Commission also approved the allocation of $800,000 from the Street Lighting Program ARPA funds to support the Greene Street Lighting Reconstruction efforts at the segment between 5th Street and East Boundary. Street lighting in this area had been non-functional due to aging faulty underground electrical wiring, which resulted in a public safety concern. Therefore, this ARPA funding supports Augusta’s engineering team in their efforts in completing their street lighting replacement and reconstruction initiatives.

GEMA grant to support the Augusta Fire Department Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Response Team

Augusta Commission approves the agreement with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and the $30,000 grant from GEMA to support the Augusta Fire Department Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Response Team. The team consists of firefighters specializing in detecting, containing, and removing any release or potential release of hazardous substances to control or stabilize an incident. Therefore, the grant will provide the necessary equipment and training to maintain certifications and give high-level service to Richmond County residents.

Augusta Commission accepts Learning Loss Grant from the United Way of Greater Atlanta

The Augusta Commission accepted the $50,000 Learning Loss Grant from the United Way of Greater Atlanta to support the Augusta Richmond County Juvenile Court’s Thrive Program. The Court will use the funding to strategically focus on reducing learning loss for those dependent youth who reside in economically disadvantaged communities with higher concentrations of black and brown students.Augusta Commission accepts Georgia County Internship Program Grant for Summer 2023The Augusta Commission accepted a grant from the ACCG Civic Affairs Foundation Internship Program to allow the Augusta, Georgia, Human Resources Department to participate in the 2023 Georgia County Internship Program. The maximum number of hours for the internship is 200, and interns will be paid at least $12.00 per hour.

Augusta Commission approves lease agreements for the  2023-2024 Augusta Sculpture Trail

The Augusta Commission approves the Greater Augusta Arts Council lease agreement for the artwork featured in the 2023-2024 Augusta Sculpture Trail. The pieces of art in this year’s iteration of the sculpture trail include the Book Bench- A Novel Idea by CR Gray LLC., Rise by James E. Weitzel, Oraiste agus Liath by Aisling McDonald, What’s in the Queue by Gregory Johnson, Ruthless by Flaminio Antonio, Without Limits by Gustavo Ocampo, LLC., Duet’s Dance Herons in Conversation by Black Lily Studio-Lee Bell, Endeavour by Chris Plaisted, Soccer Dude by Gonz Jove, and Hurrying Home by Charles Brouwer.

Local real estate investor appointed to Augusta Planning Commission

Zelwin Davis of Davis Properties has been appointed to the Augusta Planning Commission representing District 4. As a board member, Davis will help regulate the subdivision of land, plan for the orderly growth and development of the community, and zone all land into various classifications. The Augusta Planning Commission meets every first Monday of each month in Commission Chambers located in the Augusta Municipal Building.

Employee Recognitions

For January 2023, 31 Augusta, Georgia employees celebrated 5 to 50 years of service, totaling 425 years of institutional knowledge. During the Augusta Commission meeting, employees who have served for 5 to 50 years with the government were recognized. These individuals include John Roche, 25 years of service with the Richmond County Marshal's Office; Thomas Weathers, 25 years of service with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office; Moses Cheatham, 25 years of service with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office; and Vincent Washington, 30 years of service with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

Original source can be found here.