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Council previews ordinances to elevate tourism director role and shift Greenway to tourism
Summary
City staff presented two second‑reading ordinances to reclassify the tourism manager to tourism director and to move Greenway operations and staff into a restructured tourism department; staff proposed interim equipment storage and future capital‑sales‑tax funding for Greenway improvements.
City administration on July 13 presented two linked second‑reading ordinances that would elevate the tourism manager position to tourism director and restructure tourism to incorporate Greenway operations, staff and programs.
"We're moving the Greenway team from Parks and Rec into Tourism," the city administrator said, framing the change as aligning outward‑facing responsibilities among director roles. The ordinances were identified as 2nd readings (ordinance number 20 26 dash 15 to rename the position and 20 26 dash 16 to restructure the department) that council previously discussed in study sessions and council meetings.
Staff said the three‑person Greenway team would move administratively into Tourism. For near‑term storage of equipment, staff proposed using the bays at the old public safety headquarters while noting building environmental issues prevent regular office use there. The city administrator and staff also described a possible future capital‑project sales tax wedge to support Greenway paving and a plan to replace an aging Johnson & Johnson Electric facility with a smaller building that could house Greenway storage and a restroom.
Parks & Recreation Director Rick Meyer supported the consolidation, saying the Greenway is an undervalued tourism asset that draws race organizers and regional events. Tourism Manager Carl Waldhauer added that Explore North Augusta had recorded over 13,000 website visitors since January and highlighted a local event with 17 registered teams as an example of the Greenway's draw.
Council asked whether moving the Greenway out of Parks & Rec would affect eligibility for park impact fees. The city administrator said impact fees generally cannot be used to maintain existing facilities but could fund extensions to new neighborhoods or expansions; staff offered to provide more specific legal guidance if council desired.
No formal vote occurred during the study session; the items remain set for second readings at the upcoming council meeting.
Ending: Staff said department leaders (JD and Tommy Paradise) would be available to answer detailed planning or staffing questions at the regular council meeting when the ordinances are on the agenda.
