Waycross will be able to get grants and reimbursement funds for disaster response following action last week by the city commission.
Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security enabling the city to secure grants and reimbursements to aid in preparation for and/or recovery from disaster situations in the coming year.
The resolution was one of four approvals the commission gave at its bimonthly meeting Tuesday, July 21 in City Hall.
The other OKs came for the second readings of three ordinances, each related to zoning. Commissioners also set dates for their bi-annual planning retreats, quarterly budget presentations for Fiscal Year 26-27, and approved an applicant change on a privilege license.
All five commissioners were present for the meeting conducted by Mayor Michael-Angelo James. There was an executive session for personnel.
Resolution
The MOU with GEMA and Homeland Security is among the city’s annual operational items in the event of situations resulting from hurricanes or other natural disasters in the area necessitating funding for recovery.
Waycross City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford spoke about emergency preparedness at the commission’s planning and information session July 20. He said this hurricane season city supply distribution will be at district fire stations with City Hall the backup location.
They will operate on a drive-through concept where citizens pull up in their vehicle, have items loaded and drive away. He said if there is a declared emergency and power interruption, a daily situation update at 2 p.m. will be delivered from the steps of City Hall and a curfew would be imposed as a safety precaution.
Rayford said each past power interruption has resulted in a death because of the lack of lights at night.
“(Curfew) will be strictly enforced,” he said. “Our goal is to save lives and give our workforce safe operations.”
He urged all residents to take steps of preparedness like accumulating supplies like non-perishable food stuffs, bottled water, medications, fuel. He recommended those with the means buy a portable generator now and review insurance coverages ahead of any property loss.
The city partnered with Rural King and the Ware Childrens Initiative July 25 for an event in the Rural King parking lot to help with emergency preparedness planning.
Ordinances 2nd readings
Each of the three ordinances were related to zoning.
The first amended text in eight sections covering side yard setbacks for residential property to make it more uniform for community planning. Setbacks currently vary in footage depending on lot size.
The second removed text in a section on permitted uses exempting churches and nurseries in the RS-Single Family Zoning District.
The other rezones seven acres covering 25 parcels on Marion Street between Burgess Street and City Boulevard. The area would be rezoned from R75 Residential to R-75 Residential Mobile Home.
Other business
The city will hold its planning retreats Friday-Saturday, October 9-10, and Friday-Saturday, April 9-10. Rayford will present quarterly updates on the fiscal budget at 4 p.m. prior to Tuesday commission meetings October 6, January 7, April 6 and July 6.
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