The Waycross City Commission approved the first reading of two ordinances and a resolution during a called meeting last week in City Hall.
Both ordinances dealt with rezoning of property while the resolution canceled an existing city contract.
In other business, commissioners recognized Public Works Department staff member Daniel “Danny” Harvey as the city’s August Employee of the Month. They also approved Mayor Michael-Angelo James’ recommendation to appoint Barbara King as the city’s representative to the Southern Georgia Regional Commission’s Aging Advisory Council.
The session Thursday, August 7 was held after the commission’s regular bi-monthly meeting two days earlier was adjourned when a dispute on a point of parliamentary procedure arose surrounding approval the agenda for the session. With no approval of the agenda, the meeting couldn’t continue.
In addition to Mayor James, all four commission members were present for Thursday’s meeting.
Ordinances
Each of the ordinances approved will receive a second reading at the commission’s next bimonthly meeting August 19. They will be enacted 60 days after a OK of the second reading.
The first ordinance passed changed the property at 910 Berth Street between Byck and Sylvan streets from R-50 Residential to R-50 MH Residential Moble Home.
The second changed the parcel at 406 Gilmore Street between Drane and Pendergast streets from R-50HD Historic to C-2 Highway Commercial. A local church plans to establish a faith-based, shelter for adult men on the property.
Commissioners rejected a third ordinance seeking a change in the zoning for 1200 Colley Street between Martin Luther King Drive and Quarterman Street from RS-Single Family to R-45 Residential.
District 1 Commissioner Shawn Roberts said he would like to see the plans for the possible development necessitating the rezoning request before moving forward. The property is part of his district.
The ordinance was rejected o n a 3-1 roll call vote with Commissioners Sheinita Bennett and Alvin Nelson joining Roberts against while Katrena Felder was in favor of approval.
Each of the zoning change requests received a public hearing before the commission last month following approval by the City Planning Commission. Resolution
The resolution that was approved terminated the city’s contract with VC3 for cybersecurity and information technology services. Each party had an opt-out notice of 90 days prior to ending the contract, Business Integration and Information Technology Director Patrick Simmons said.
Simmons said bids for a new service provider will be sought beginning this week.
Employee of Month The Employee of the Month serves as highways and streets supervisor, being promoted to that post a year ago. He was a “non-traditional’ hire October 16, 2023 as an equipment operator in that he is a senior citizen who’s already retired from the military and civilian jobs as a truck driver.
“Danny Harvey is the kind of employee every director would love to have because he’s not here because he has to be. He’s here because he wants to be,” Public Works Director Matt Elwell said in introducing Harvey. “ ... He wants to help keep Waycross clean.”
Elwell praised Harvey’s high standards for his job, and the fact he imparts that to the 21 men and women in his charge.
“Danny also is focused on building employees up and making sure they’re equipped to do their best and do it safely,” Elwell said. “Danny knows that if his employees succeed at their job, then the city will in turn succeed. ... I’m grateful he’s on my team.”
SGRC appointment King has served on the SGRC council since 2020, Mayor James said. She works in the city’s Finance Department.
City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford reported the nine areas of key concern with the city’s canal system have been mitigated. Public Works now will resume its normal canal maintenance schedule and begin cutting the vegetation in alleys in October.
He also said the upgrades to parks at Bailey and Elizabeth streets and in Garlington Heights should be completed for use by mid-September. All the new park equipment has arrived and is awaiting installation, he added.
