Augusta commission meeting starts with "congratulations"

Tuesday, July 19, 2016 |

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Augusta Commissioners have approved money to analyze the Augusta Public Transit.

Leaders approved an up to $115 thousand dollar operational analysis for Augusta Public Transit Tuesday. Commissioners also approved a renewal of the contract with McDonald Transit through July of 2018.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016 |

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Tuesday's commission meeting began with congratulations to a handful of leaders.

Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle has become a Certified County Commissioner. Commissioner Bill Lockett has become the President of the Georgia Municipal Associations Seventh District.

The city's summer interns were even congratulated for their hard work.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- A jam-packed session is in store for Augusta city leaders as they work on several major items on Tuesday's docket.

One of the major items being discussed will be a motion to approve a Sheriff's substation in the Unisys building along the Riverwalk, after a recent shooting prompted commissioners to re-evaluate. If approved, the city will spend about $150,000 for the construction of the substation.

Another item on the agenda is approving a waiver of the Augusta Port Authority fees and reimbursing the Port Authority fee of $6,450 for the Augusta Southern Nationals. Before the drag boat races this year, organizers of the event said that the mandatory Port Authority fee made them consider not returning to Augusta.

City commissioners are planning to transfer $1 million from the city's emergency fund and use it to tear down at least 350 abandoned buildings. The city started a demolition program last year, but have only knocked down around 50 abandoned buildings so far.

City leaders will also be talking about efforts made to obtain a potential developer for the Regency Mall property. Eminent domain will be considered but used as a last resort.

An agreement with McDonald Transit Management, the public transit company the city has used since 2013, will also be renewed in the meeting. The company will continue operating city public transit through 2018.