Augusta interim administrator joins list of finalists for job

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There’s a new name under consideration for Augusta’s administrator position: the current interim administrator, Takiyah Douse.

She hadn’t been automatically included in the mayor’s top three finalists forwarded to the Augusta Commission. But her name was added for consideration before Tuesday’s meeting of commission members.

She was added after some failed attempts to nominate the other two finalists, Robert Chess and Tameka Allen. Chess and Allen had been among three finalists selected by the mayor, but one of those three withdrew his name from consideration.

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After two failed attempts to nominate Allen (5-4-1) and Chess (2-8) on Tuesday, Douse was introduced as an official third candidate for the administrator position.

All candidates can still be considered when the motion comes back up at a special meeting of the commission on Feb. 13.

Douse wasn’t on Mayor Garnett Johnson’s initial list despite applying for the job after serving in the interim position for twice as long as Odie Donald, the man she replaced.

Augusta Land Bank

The Augusta Land Bank came under discussion at the meeting – in particular, a trip to Tampa.

Tax Commissioner T. Chris Johnson was representing the Augusta Land Bank at the meeting and said multiple times: “I won’t go into great detail.”

But he said the intention of the visit was to look into a potential project to bring to Augusta.

Commissioner Sean Frantom says this makes the city look bad, with this group competing with the Augusta Economic Development Authority. He said it makes things look like Augusta is playing in a “sandbox.”

“Nobody plays in the sandbox better than the Land Bank,” the tax commissioner said.

Augusta Boat House

Commissioners also discussed the Augusta Boat House, which was damaged by mold after water pipes broke during a freeze.

The city is in a quandary over whether the building is worth saving.

“In light of the positive condition of the boat house and the lack of ready alternatives, the Rowing Club recommends that the city reconsiders it’s decision to demolish the boat house,” said President of the Rowing Club, Kirsten Alywood. “This partnership should continue for the good of the local economy, to further Destination Augusta, and to create and support a healthy lifestyle for the people of our city”

On one side of Tuesday’s discussion, Commissioner Brandon Garrett and the Augusta Rowing Club say the building isn’t as damaged as some have claimed,“Don’t try to say all the freaking walls are- have mold in them. Because you’ve misled us before and I’m not going to let it happen again, ” said Garrett.

They conducted their own tests showing the mold is confined to the upstairs kitchen.

The Augusta Central Services Department says otherwise – that despite the building not looking damaged, the mold is spreading.

The department showed pictures of what it claimed is mold damage, although Garrett accused the department of misleading the public.

The commission will now come back in two weeks to discuss the state of the building.

The cost to renovate is in the ballpark of $4.5 million to $7 million if the commission wants to keep the building.

The president of the Augusta Rowing Club said it should be considered that the group has brought in lots of money for the city through its “Head of the South” regatta.

Frayed flags

Johnson gave an update on the appearance of the city.

He noted there are a number of missing or torn flags at the municipal building and missing light poles due to car accidents.

Officials are trying to work out who is responsible for the repairs and replacements, especially the flags.

Douse was asked to figure out who is responsible in the next two weeks.

Also at the meeting

• Commissioners got an update on the Newman Tennis Courts work that’s starting this year with completion projected for summer 2025. Augusta Parks and Recreation Department officials say no funds were available until recently to start the process. Illustrations are expected to go before the commission soon so construction can move forward. Although some proponents expressed frustration over lost revenue from tournaments that can’t be scheduled until the work is done, Parks and Recreation officials say the city isn’t missing out on any money for tennis matches that were not scheduled to begin with.
• Commissioners moved forward with a $6,200 concept for the sign of the newly named Tom Wiedmeier Utility Building. However, commissioners didn’t like the look of a $3,400 sign for the Edward McIntyre Riverwalk, so that goes back to the drawing board.
• Johnson wants to put forward a surplus line in the annual budget for capital, saying a $56,000 surplus wasn’t used in 2023. Johnson wants to roll forward $25,000 of that into the 2024 budget and push the rest into the general surplus. The motion was approved.

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