Warner Robins council OKs design contract for Vietnam memorial, shelter lease and 55‑acre annex

The Warner Robins City Council on Nov. 3 approved several measures intended to advance veterans’ recognition, homelessness services and local economic development.

Mayor Loranda W. Patrick presided as council voted unanimously to award JMA Architects of Perry a contract not to exceed $128,150 to produce conceptual and engineered designs and bid documents for a Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a project staff said should move through design in about six months. "We are recommending that we award that contract tonight and get that process moving," Councilman Holmes said during debate.

In a separate action aimed at expanding shelter capacity, council approved an intergovernmental master lease that will allow the Warner Robins Development Authority (doing business as Engage Warner Robins) to sublease city property to The Assembly church to operate the Haven Hope House outreach and shelter. Mr. Drinker, a city staff member who explained the arrangement, said the lease is structured at a nominal $1 per year for three years, with the assembly having a right to purchase after 12 months for $10 and the city retaining a right to repurchase at the same price within a 10‑year window if the property ceases to be used as a shelter.

"The way the lease is structured, it is a three‑year lease, structured at a cost of a dollar per year," Mr. Drinker told council.

Council also approved an ordinance annexing and rezoning a 55.448‑acre portion of tax parcel 052040 (Peach County) along Robins International Industrial Boulevard. The applicant, Gun Properties LLC, proposed phased warehouse and distribution development. No formal employment guarantee was in the staff packet; during discussion one council member cited a potential of about 200 jobs connected to the project.

The council handled routine business as well. It approved a consent agenda that included procurement of a bucket truck to support traffic engineering, a bridge agreement to address dental claims from a prior carrier and a change order for a CHIP‑funded townhome project to remove and replace unsuitable soils. Councilman Mack moved the consent agenda; the motion carried unanimously.

Staff also presented public safety data: Mr. Drinker reported 322 DUI incidents within city limits for calendar year 2024 (about 83 percent involving city residents) and 193 incidents for Jan. 1–Oct. 21, 2025 (about 80 percent residents). He told council the city has seen a slight decline in incidents compared with the same period in 2024 but urged continued enforcement and community action. "We have to do better," Mr. Drinker said.

During the public‑comment period, several residents raised concerns about Warner Robins High School’s mascot. April Wilson told council she had sought a school‑choice exemption on religious grounds and said, "I do not want my daughter to go to Warner Robins High School" because of the mascot, which she described as a barrier to her religious conviction. Rochelle Baker echoed those concerns and asked the city to consider options for parents.

All formal motions taken on agenda items 3 through 7 were approved by voice vote with council members answering "I" and the mayor declaring motions carried.

Council members used the meeting to promote upcoming events and voter participation, and the mayor closed the session after council comments.

What's next: staff will proceed with JMA Architects to finalize design scopes and bid documents for the memorial; the Haven Hope House lease will move to execution so the Engage Warner Robins/Assembly sublease structure can be implemented; annexation and rezoning ordinances take effect per city procedures.