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City Manager Diadra Powell hosted a chat with the manager meeting in the City Council chambers on August 26. She mentioned that there were plans to use Survey Monkey to reach out to citizens to see if they preferred a different time to meet than the lunch hours when she holds her Chat with the Manager meetings.

Powell told how government 101, a six-week program, was starting back Sept 23. The program teaches citizens about the workings of government. Powell asked that people who already attended refrain from attending to allow new members to participate.

Ethan Wolfe, candidate for Commissioner in District 3, questioned Powell. “Can you give an update on the streets and sidewalks and what’s been done with that? I know some of the sinkhole has been repaired.”

Public works director George Allen replied, stating that a few holes had been repaired in the catch basin of the drain that was within the sink hole. He mentioned a need for further repairs to the drain. “I need to go back out and reset the top on it to get it level, to replace the sidewalk.”

Responding to questions about street repair, Allen gave the start date for one resurfacing bid at Sept 30.

Deanna Pope, a member of the Sumter Trust Historic Board, addressed the meeting. She talked about how October 11-12 a large number of tourists would be visiting the City to see the downtown, tour historic homes, and come to events at the college and Lee Council House. She voiced concerns about the condition of the City. “I’ve had a prevailing question about our right-of-ways.” She mentioned concerns about putting their best face forward. “I just don’t know who is in charge of, for instance, one of the main walking quarters will be Jackson Street, and there’s a lot of edging cleanup that could be done.”

Pope also asked if there was a way to coordinate with local businesses to encourage clean-up. Powell stated the Down Town Development Authority would be a good board to approach.

Bethany Greeley, president of the non-profit Heart of Sumter, asked if inmates were used for work crews, and whether more could be tasked to the crews. Allen mentioned there were four vacancies for correction officers, making it an issue.

Greeley asked a question on behalf of Kimberly Baker, who plans on opening a business on Cotton Avenue, who wanted to know if speakers can be placed on the street similar to those playing music in the down town. Powell replied that the speakers were part of Down Town Development.

Allen also mentioned it was the first day of training for the new streetsweeper operator. Wolfe asked Allen how many full-time employees were in Allen’s department. He estimated 25. Allen stated that he thought the street department could use more.

Also, Finance Director Twany Edwards confirmed plans to resign September 6^th.

Currently, Qaijaun Willis serves as the interim tourism director. When asked if there were plans underway to find a permanenet tourism director, Powell replied; “this is not a permanent solution.”

Human resources director Ola Terrell-Jordan noted that Willis had worked closely with the previous director.

When asked if there were plans to coordinate with the college to better make Americus attractive to college students and young people in general, Powell noted she had attended meetings with the new president of Georgia Southwestern, Michelle Johnston.

Powell further detailed Americus’s relationship with the college. “We also are engaged when there’s activities at the school, when the kids are coming back, when they’re leaving.” She noted that Jennifer English, Mainstreet Program Coordinator, and Qaijaun Willis, director of the Downtown Development Authority and Mainstreet, would set up displays.

Powell also addressed the nature of the town. “I’ve heard the conversation about the college town, but I’ve also heard that it was a retirement town.”

She noted participation in Americus events by campus organizations. “There are times when we have activities that the college is participating in, whether it’s the Greek organizations or other organizations. We also have times when we have activities that our trolley is actually running through, picking people up.”

Powell mentioned that Mayor Lee Kinnamon and herself had been engaged with students on Georgia Southwestern. “We actually went out to GSW for their government affairs organization, and they asked a lot of questions.”