HART COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
APRIL 27, 1999
7:00 P.M.
The Hart County Board of Commissioners met April 27, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.
Chairman Joel Moore presided with Commissioners Ken Brown, Don Burdick, and R C Oglesby in attendance. Harry Hannah absent.
Chairman Moore called the meeting to order, welcomed those in attendance and asked for a moment of silence.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The agenda is recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
Approve Minutes of Previous
Meeting(s)
4/13/99
Commissioner Brown entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 13, 1999. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Chairman Moore reported the Tax Commissioners’ office has worked out an agreement with the Tax Assessors’ office concerning usage of a computer and printer. Therefore, the approval to purchase a computer and printer at the previous meeting will not be necessary.
Remarks by Invited Guests,
Committees, Authorities, Etc.
a. Sharon Steed, Northeast Ga. Animal Shelter
Ms. Steed reported the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter has been opened to serve the counties of Hart and Franklin County since October 24, 1998. She reported the shelter has an adoption rate of 23% with excellent quality pets available. She stated the shelter is doing a good job in serving the community. She also announced she is planning fundraising events beginning in May to help fund the shelter with operating expenses.
Ms. Steed submitted a financial report for the quarter ending March 31, 1999. The financial report is recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
Commissioner Burdick thanked Ms. Steed for her dedication to the animal shelter.
County Attorney
Mr. Gordon presented a check from the State of Georgia for Indigent Defense in the amount of $4,218.69. He expressed his gratitude to Governor Barnes, Senator Madden and Representative Powell for making the funds available to Hart County.
Public Works Director Rick Haney reported Harper Logging Company submitted a proposal to cut timber at the Recreation Park.
Commissioner Oglesby suggested Mr. Haney acquire proposals from several logging firms and submit the proposals to the board for consideration.
Mr. Haney reported he has gotten verbal confirmation from property owners on Gumbranch Road agreeing to change the road name to Vanna Waller Road.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve changing the road name from Gumbranch Road to Vanna Waller Road. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. Chairman Moore asked if all the residents on Gumbranch Road understand the responsibility they have to make all the changes to insure no interruption in any services due to changing the road name. Mr. Haney stated the residents do understand their responsibility concerning the issue. Commissioner Burdick inquired about updating the county map whenever changes are made. Mr. Haney stated the information is being updated frequently and submitted to the Department of Transportation. The motion carried unanimously.
None
Chairman Moore reported there would be a public hearing May 11, 1999 at 5:00 p.m. for the proposed DFACS facility.
He announced May 19, 1999 the EMS will be celebrating 25 years in service in Hart County. He stated there would be entertainment and refreshments for the event. He invited the public to attend the event at the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.
He also reported the request for a Community Development Block Grant to fund expansion of the library to house the Literacy Program has been denied.
None
None
None
a. John Hanley – Road problem
Mr. Hanley was not available.
b. Road grading bids
Public Works Director Rick Haney opened the road grading bids and read them as follows:
Teasley Grading $ 9,400 per mile
Billy Ethridge Backhoe 14,000 per mile
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to table the grading bids until Mr. Haney could study the bids. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. Chairman Moore requested the board moves forward with a decision and have a called meeting in the near future. The motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Moore reminded those attending to limit public comments to five minutes.
Kenneth Hodges stated the EPD grant reimbursement requests have been denied for the compliance officer’s salary. He asked how much of taxpayer money would be spent for the failed zoning and compliance officer.
Virgil Ayers inquired about the cutback requirements for bushhogging sides of county roads. He complained about an area that was not bushhogged on Holly Springs/Goldmine Road near his residents. Chairman Moore stated the cutback requirements are fifteen feet unless there are obstructions.
Commissioner Burdick stated he felt the bushhog contract is being fulfilled and they are doing the best job he’s seen thus far.
Mr. Ayers recommended the board review all bid request and make the right decision future projects such as the DFACS facility.
Chairman Moore stated a committee visited several DFACS facility sites and reviewed the quality of construction of each facility.
County Attorney Gordon stated the State of Georgia attaches the proposed DFACS facility to a fifteen-year lease. He explained when the lease is terminated at the end of the period the facility will be turned over to the county.
Chairman Moore stated he felt the board made the right decision for the contractor to construct the DFACS facility.
Annie Ruth Phillips requested the board maintain Phillips Way. She said the county road department has previously maintained the road. Ms. Phillips also said the banks would not loan her grandson funds to purchase a mobile home to move on the property unless the road is maintained.
Chairman Moore stated the road is not shown as a public road and the county could not maintain it unless property owners have acquired the required right-of-way deed.
Attorney Gordon reported a claim was filed against the county in the past for maintaining the road and an effort was made to try to acquire right-of-way. However, one landowner would not sign the right-of-way deed.
Commissioner Oglesby stated he would contact the adjoining landowners to sign and easement or right-of-way deed so the county can maintain the road.
Ms. Phillips asked the board to consider purchasing the right-of-way. Chairman Moore said the board would take the request under advisement.
Lenford Smith, Recreation Advisory Board, asked the board to move forward with the expansion of the Recreation Park. He said the park is in need of the additional ball fields.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
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Joel Moore, Chairman Lawana Kahn, County Clerk