Hart County Board of Commissioners

August 10th, 1999

5:30 p.m.

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met August 10th, 1999 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

 

Chairman Joel Moore presided with Commissioners Ken Brown, Don Burdick, Harry Hannah and R. C. Oglesby in attendance.

 

Call to Order, Welcome, Moment of Silence

 

Chairman Moore called the meeting to order, welcomed those in attendance and offered a moment of silence.

 

Approve Agenda

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The agenda is recorded in the “1999-2000” minutes book.

 

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

            7/26/99, 7/27/99

 

Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held July 26th and July 27th, 1999 meetings. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

 

None

 

Reports by Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

 

County Attorney Walter Gordon reported all the parcels sold at the August 3rd, 1999 delinquent tax sale. He said the Tax Commissioners’ office has collected approximately $825,000 in delinquent taxes since June 1998.

 

Attorney Gordon also reported the Tax Commissioners’ office is closed for three days for mandatory state training. He announced the next delinquent tax sale would be held in October and possibly May or June 2000.

 

Attorney Gordon informed the board the Hart County Water & Sewer Authority met recently and discussed some areas of the water & sewer draft agreement between the authority and the City of Hartwell.  He said the City of Hartwell officials have submitted the agreement to Georgia Municipal Association for their review.

 

Commissioner Burdick asked when will the City officials respond to the Water & Sewer Authority’s draft agreement. Mr. Gordon said Chairman of the Water & Sewer Authority, Fort Oglesby, should receive a response from the City within seven to ten days.

 

County Administrator’s Report

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb reported he attended a Y2K community meeting and was pleased with the number of individuals attending the meeting.

 

Chairman’s Report

 

Chairman Moore reported the Board of Health would not hold the public hearing scheduled 12th August 1999 pending further analysis and review on the implementation of the health department regulations statewide.

 

Commissioners’ Reports

 

Commissioner Oglesby recommended Alton Leard be allowed to start with the third bushhog cut or be allowed to cut the intersections where excess growth is causing obstruction for vehicles entering onto county roads.

 

Chairman Moore expressed concern that high growth will be a problem later in the season if Mr. Leard proceeds with the third cut to soon.

 

Commissioner Burdick suggested Public Works Director Rick Haney and Road Superintendent Ronnie Dickerson review the situation and report back to the board.

 

Commissioner Oglesby stated the problem needed to be addressed soon. Commissioner Hannah suggested after Mr. Haney and Mr. Dickerson reviewed the situation Chairman Moore could make a determination based on the recommendation from the Public Works Director.

 

Virgil Ayers stated Mr. Leard is cutting too high and at a fast rate of speed and there are still bushes within three feet of roads. He also expressed the county is not getting their monies worth.

 

Consent Agenda

 

None

 

Old Business

 

None

 

New Business

a.                  ACCG lease purchase agreement/resolution – Rescue truck

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb read the resolution in its entirety. Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the resolution. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The lease purchase agreement and the resolution is recorded in the “1999-2000” minutes book.

 

Public Comment – Executive Session As Required – Adjournment

 

Gary Shuler property owner on Old Beacon Light Road addressed the board concerning development of land. He read a letter concerning some problems he has encountered trying to get septic tanks permits for three lots from the local Health Department. Mr. Shuler asked if the Board of Commissioners adopted the state requirements or has Gary Helmuth changed the rules. He said he would take any legal action necessary, including suing Gary Helmuth for abuse of power.

 

Mr. Shuler complained that he has spent money to do all that has been required of the Health Department and can’t get his permits. He stated he wants the septic tank permits so he can proceed with developing the three lots.

 

Commissioner Burdick stated he recognized the plat has ReMax Properties and asked if the property has been previously subdivided. Mr. Shuler stated he lives on Lake Lanier and requested ReMax to fax the plat to him.

 

Chairman Moore stated the minimum lot size requirement has to be resolved at the state level.

Commissioner Burdick said a community well to serve fifteen houses is a state requirement.

 

Mr. Charles Fields asked Commissioner Burdick why he asked the question to Mr. Shuler about ReMax. Commissioner Burdick said he was inquiring if ReMax was involved in Mr. Shuler’s development and he felt Mr. Fields was reading something into the statement.

 

Mr. Fields asked Commissioner Hannah if the Board of Health could exercise any authority over Gary Helmuth. Commissioner Hannah responded that Mr. Helmuth is a state employee and any complaints will have to be filed with his superiors.

 

Mr. Fields also asked if the Board of Health provides Mr. Helmuth with an office and a secretary. Chairman Moore stated Mr. Helmuth is an employee of the Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health under District #2 Director Dr. Melanie Stancil. He also stated Mr. Tom McCord is Mr. Helmuth’s immediate supervisor.

 

Mr. Fields said his request to acquire permits from the Health Department has been put on hold since May 14th, 1999 and he would appreciate any help the board could offer.

 

Chairman Moore asked Mr. Fields if he is re-platting Freedom Heights Subdivision. Mr. Fields responded he is re-platting as required.

 

Doug Crawford asked if the board has any sign ordinances. He complained individuals are putting business advertisements on stop signs throughout the county. Chairman Moore stated the county does not have a sign ordinance. Attorney Gordon said if signs are posted on utility poles it is in violation of the state. He also stated the advertisements could be removed from stop signs by the county.

 

Mr. Shuler asked how long before he could expect an answer from the board. Chaiman Moore suggested Mr. Shuler leave his telephone number that he can be reached at.

 

Virgil Ayers asked if the board has any intent to adopt the Board of Health’s minimum lot size regulation. Commissioner Hannah stated it is a State regulation the county will have to comply with.

 

Mr. Ayers said two counties in the State have adopted the minimum lot size regulation and this is a “back door way to zoning”.

 

Chairman Moore stated at this time the county has not adopted the new state regulation pertaining to minimum lot size.

 

Mr. Fields stated he wanted to understand the county has not adopted the state regulation. Commissioner Hannah apologized for holding up Mr. Fields development and stated the Board of Health is reviewing the legal aspects of the state regulation.

 

Commissioner Oglesby 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