The Waycross City Commission approved emergency expenditures last week totaling more than $62,000 for repairs in the waste water treatment system.
The action came in two resolutions for parts at the Kettle Creek Lift Station and treatment plant. The resolutions were among five commissioners passed during their bi-monthly meeting Tuesday, July 7 in City Hall.
Another measure was for the purchase of a ground penetrating radar unit with a fourth to surplus seven vehicles and trailers to be sold on govdeals. com. The final resolution adopted updates to the Waycross-Ware County Joint Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioners also approved the second readings of four ordinances and the first reading of three others. They also set a public hearing for 4:45 p.m., Tuesday, August 4 on rezoning request from Central Baptist Church to subdivide a portion of its property for possible sale.
In executive duties, the commission presented Waycross Police Officer Seth Dixon with the Employee of the Month Award for July while Dr. Mesiah Porter, Jr. received the Sgt. Kennedy L. Sanders Outstanding Citizen Award.
All five commissioners were present for the meeting conducted by Mayor Michael-Angelo James. There was no executive session.
Resolutions
The submersible pump for the lift station is being provided by a vendor in Garden City, Ga. at a cost of $48,576. The treatment plant part is a tubular perforated roller costing $13,607.
The radar unit is for the Public Works Department in its underground infrastructure work at a cost of $20,482. The department has one unit currently in operation, but Director Matt Elwell said this is a more sophisticated model.
It not only will be used for detection purposes like leaks and items buried underground, but will be able to map areas to provide future directions for contractors needing underground access for their projects. That currently is the case with Tru-vista as it works to lay fiber optic cable in the city.
Elwell said having a second unit would allow the city to responde more quickly to an underground issue and thus have shorter interruptions in services to the public. Each of the items from those resolutions will be paid from the water sewer equipment fund.
Each of the items placed into surplus are more than 20 years old. Among them are a 1988 Ford F600 trucks, a 2000 Kawasaki Mule, a 500-gallon water tank trailer, a 1983 8x18 Hudson trailer and a 500gallon water tank trailer.
The 121-page joint comprehensive plan is a regularly updated, state-mandated growth strategy designed to manage local zoning, housing, and sustainable development. It operates in tandem with specialized planning documents, like the 2026 Comprehensive Transportation Plan, to improve regional infrastructure, maintain community character, and support the Waycross Ware County Development Authority.
The update consists of community goals, needs and opportunities, community work program, broadband services, economic development, land use, transportation and a joint land use study and policies. The original plan was adopted in April, 2021.
Ordinances 2nd readings
The first ordinance deleted some outdated sections of the charter and revised others to make them current.
For example, there is no longer a city health department, city physician or animal control board. Likewise, the charter says the Mayor can issue arrest warrants.
City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford said earlier this year, outdated and obsolete portions of the charter had been identified and would be updated or deleted in bulk when possible, like this ordinance. Changes on other cases would require their own ordinances, such as the second.
That ordinance changed the section governing who can speak at commission meetings, now limiting it to Waycross residents and business owners. They will be able to speak on agenda items at scheduled or called meetings or any city issue at planning and information sessions.
The third item abandoned and closed a portion of an unopened alley running from Columbus Street to Garlington Avenue with the city retaining appropriate easements and quit claim deeds to the abutting property owners.
Finally, Newtown Community Park will be renamed J.B. Merritt Newtown Community Park, effective October 5, in honor of the longtime resident of the neighborhood. Merritt was central to nearly all neighborhood activities until his death in March, 2023 at age 69. Neighbors sought the name change said.
Ordinances 1st reading
Each of the three ordinances were related to zoning. Their second readings would come at the commission’s July 14 meeting.
The first removed text exempting churches and nurseries in the RS — single family district. The second amended text on side yard setbacks for residential property to make it more uniform for community planning.
