Hart County Board of Commissioners

December 5th, 2000

Called Meeting

11:00 a.m.

 

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met December 5th, 2000 at 11:00 a.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.

 

Call to Order 

 

Chairman Moore called the meeting to order and announced the purpose of the meeting is to open bids for liability insurance.

 

Approve Agenda

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb asked that item c is added to the meeting agenda to include the secretarial position for the Water & Sewer Authority.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented with the amendment to add item c (New Business). Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

New Business

a.                  Insurance Agents Presentations

b.                  Liability Insurance Bid Openings

ACCG/IRMA                                                  $124,876.00

St. Paul/Franklin Insurance Agency                89,245.00 (option 1)

St. Paul/    "              "              "                         84,397.00 (option 2)

St. Paul/    "              "              "                    81,737.00 (option 3)

           Skelton Morris/Chastain Coile submitted identical package from St.

            Paul as Franklin Insurance Agency

Option #1 no deductible      

Option #2  $1,000 deductible

Option #3  $2,500 deductible

 

 

a.         Ben Pittarelli, Marketing & Field Services Manager representing ACCG/IRMA gave a presentation for liability insurance coverage. Mr. Pittarelli remarked that the ACCG/IRMA Insurance Pool is a non-profit member owned organization, which is tailor made for Georgia county governments. He stated their sole goal is to reduce the cost of insurance to local governments. He remarked that according to his experience insurance agents submit a low bid to get business then usually increase the costs within two years. Adding ACCG/IRMA has not passed along an increase to local governments in the past three years.

 

Mr. Pittarelli gave a brief presentation of the coverage limits as to the bid he submitted.

 

Chairman Moore asked if IRMA would be involved if a claim was filed against an employee hired by the Library Board as an example. Mr. Pittarelli said that if a claim were filed IRMA would investigate the loss to the county.

 

Chairman Moore asked if a lawsuit was filed against the County Commissioners how would it be covered. Mr. Pittarelli stated lawsuits are covered under Public Officials Liability.

 

Chairman Moore also asked if the county would still qualify for dividends under IRMA. Mr. Pittarelli said the surplus funds are forfeited by the county and distributed to other members when a county drops out.

 

Billy Kidd remarked that he has knowledge of the market place and is operating as a sub agent with Chastain/Coile Insurance Agency of Athens, Georgia. He said he tried to obtain information from the Sheriff's Department for the bid quote and did not acquire the information.  He previously asked for a letter of record from the county to authorize St. Paul Insurance Company to submit a bid to Skelton Morris through Chastain/Coile Agency but the Board declined.

 

Commissioner Oglesby asked Mr. Kidd what kind of relationship does he have with Chastain/Coile. Mr. Kidd responded he has a very good relationship with the agency.

 

Joe Cooper, representing Franklin Insurance Company, remarked that in mid November he started acquiring information from the county for insurance coverage. He requested St. Paul submit a quote and obtained it. He said as a local agent he feels he has the best proposal price wise and coverage wise.

 

Bill Young, representing St. Paul, remarked that St. Paul is one of the largest writers for governmental entities. He gave a brief presentation of the coverage through St. Paul. He also remarked that St. Paul would have to go with the will of the board.

 

Commissioner Oglesby asked who received the insurance quote first from St. Paul. Mr. Young responded that Franklin Insurance agent Joe Cooper received the quote first.

 

Billy Kidd said he had all the information in his office prior to November 13th or 14th to present his proposal and his father passed away and he was not able to prepare all the paperwork.

 

Mr. Young remarked that there was an in-house deadline to submit county information. Mr. Kidd said he did not know of an imposed deadline.

 

Joe Cooper remarked that there was a six-week period allowed to Skelton Morris to get back to the county with a quote.

 

Chairman Moore asked Mr. Young what other governmental entities does St. Paul represent. Mr. Young responded Hall, Union, Madison, Elbert, Franklin, Pickens, Newton, Tolbert and Cherokee counties.

 

Mr. Cooper remarked that his response was expedient, on a timely basis and he had information prior to the in-house deadline. He said it took him two to three days to gather the information he needed for a bid quote.

 

Chairman Moore said he asked County Administrator Gary Cobb to alert other insurance agencies that the county may be seeking insurance quotes.

 

Chairman Moore asked what kind of lock-in period St. Paul requires. Mr. Young said there is no lock-in requirement.

 

Mr. Pittarelli said ACCG requires a two-year lock-in period.

 

Chairman Moore also questioned what are premium increases based on. Mr. Young responded that premium increases are solely based on experience and if there is a substantial increase the county would be notified in advance as required by state law.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to defer the bid quotes to the County Administrator to review and authorized him to call upon other resources for assistance. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Kidd asked that the Board consider allowing the current agent to continue for the nine-month period.

 

c.         Job offer for W/S Authority Secretary position

 

County Administrator Cobb reported that the first candidate for the position declined the offer due to her schedule and availability. He presented his second choice, who also has a great deal of experience. He recommended that the board consider the second choice to have 10 years directly applicable experience setting a rate of $9.43 per hour to fill the position.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to accept the County Administrator's recommendation of $9.43 per hour. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 3-0 with Commissioner Oglesby abstaining.

 

County Administrator Cobb reported that according to the contract with GA. Highway Pavers for Kings Bench Road that the job should be complete by December 18th, 2000 or the county could impose a penalty. Commissioner Burdick recommended Administrator Cobb send a letter to GA Highway Pavers and meet with him to discuss the status of the work.

 

County Administrator Cobb was instructed that he could use his own discretion for use of the county vehicles that are assigned to the county office and the Public Works office.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

---------------------------------------------------         -------------------------------------------------

Joel Moore, Chairman                                   Lawana Kahn, County Clerk