WARNER ROBINS—At Monday’s Warner Robins City Council meeting, the daughter of a former employee addressed the council asking for changes to protocol and the governing body began discussing a community golf course.
A call for action in memory of a city employee
During public comments, Kristina Carlisle took the podium.
Carlisle’s mother, Cheri Adams, worked for the city from January to October 2023 and previously as publisher for The Houston Home Journal. Adams took her life in late October, something Carlisle said was due to pressure she faced as a city employee.
In Adams’ memory, Carlisle asked council for two actions; the first was law enforcement-led welfare checks. Carlisle said she, her sister and her brother-in-law conducted her mother’s welfare check.
“To safeguard the emotional well being of families, welfare checks should be conducted by trained law enforcement professionals. The traumatic event of discovering a loved one in distress should not be called upon by an untrained civilian. That day will forever be in my memory. The amount of trauma my family has endured is unfathomable,” she said.
The second action she called for was a revision of medication policies. Carlisle said city policy mandates employees disclose what medications they are using and it led to Adams ceasing mental health treatment to avoid stigma.
“This is not a plea for change. It’s a call to action to transform the city of Warner Robins to a workplace that is safe and supportive environment for all employees. Unfortunately, nothing I say here today will bring my mother back. But it is my hope that no other family endures the pain my family has and we will live with for the rest of our lives,” she said.
In response, council offered condolences to Carlisle, many saying they knew Adams personally and were greatly affected by her death.
Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said her thoughts stay with Adams’ family and said adjustments are being made to policy and practice. She also encouraged Carlisle to take her message beyond the city.
“I encourage you, in the name of our dear friend, Cheri Adams, to take that and continue to talk about it, and go to other municipalities, other corporate organizations, government entities, and say that same thing. … I encourage you to take it beyond these walls and go out, because that’s what’s going to make a difference,” she said.
The future of International City Golf Club
A talking point during pre-council was the city’s involvement in upkeep for the International City Golf Club, a city-owned course on Play Golf Lane.
According to Patrick, the course is losing money for the city. In response, she called for department heads to compile data on expenses and revenues, as well as next steps to improve the course.
“What we want to do is actually see the reports. We want to see the financial: to see what’s coming in, what’s going out and if it’s self sustaining. Are we having to cover it in other ways?” she said.
Councilman Charlie Bibb asked to see total membership, while Councilman Keith Lauritsen asked for amount of rounds played.
Councilman Clifford Holmes strongly advocated keeping the golf course, saying service provided goes deeper than finances. Councilmen Larry Curtis and Derek Mack agreed.
“The first time I did a round of golf was at that golf course and I worked with a guy, that’s where he learned how to play. It’s just sentimental value and provides a certain quality of life,” Mack said.
Considering guidelines for car washes
Also during pre-council, Mack began a discussion surrounding car convenience businesses, like automated car washes and quick oil change garages. He said car washes are cropping up close to each other.
He said that while he supports entrepreneurship, if businesses like this close down, it can be difficult to repurpose the building.
“I think there needs to be some parameters set as far as how we grow, how we invite those types of businesses. Because they make a lot of money; They’re cash cows. But, you’re forcing them to compete, and one is going to win over the other. Then, we’re going to have a bunch of blighted property,” Mack said.
Community and economic development director Kate Hogan explained the rise in car convenience business was due to a post-COVID economy where the public is leaning more heavily on car travel.
Patrick further explained that the city has no control in the matter as long as developers are choosing land already zoned for commercial. She suggested the city research the businesses’ pros and cons more thoroughly.
City Attorney Julia Mize said the city could also examine its zoning ordinance to specify how close in proximity the businesses can be. Patrick also proposed the idea of requiring a traffic study for incoming car convenience businesses.
Council discussed both topics in pre-council but took no action during council meeting.
The meeting’s agenda and supporting documents can be found here.
A full look at the council meeting can be found on the city’s Facebook page.
The next Warner Robins city council meeting will take place Monday, May 6. Pre-Council meeting starts at 4:30 p.m., council meeting following immediately.
The meeting will take place at Warner Robins City Hall, 700 Watson Boulevard.
