Hart County Board of Commissioners

February 13th, 2001

5:30 p.m.

 

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met February 13th, 2001 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

 

Chairman R. C. Oglesby presided with Commissioners Randy Banister, Ken Brown, Don Burdick and Joey Dorsey in attendance.

 

Call to Order, Welcome, Moment of Silence

 

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

 

Approve Agenda

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the meeting agenda with the amendments presented by County Administrator Gary Cobb. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The agenda is recorded in the "2000-2001" minutes book.

 

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

            01/22nd, 01/23rd, 02/05th, 02/06th, '01

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held on January 22nd, 23rd and February 5th - 6th , 2001. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

a.                  Billy Ray Vickery, Fire Chief

 

Fire Chief Vickery was not able to attend due to an illness.

 

Reports By Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

 

None

 

County Administrator's Report

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb reported the following:

·        Advertisement seeking bids for bushhogging county right-of-ways

·        Advertisement lawn maintenance

·        Interviews scheduled with two candidates for the Public Works Director

·        Meeting agenda set by noon on Friday prior to Tuesday meeting, fax to newspaper and via e-mail by request

·        Scheduled meetings with the Fire Chief & Fire Training officer to discuss ISO issues

·        Public hearing 6:30 p.m. February 27th, 2001/grant application

·        Consider ordinance to ban smoking - Recreation Park spectator areas

 

Commissioner Burdick remarked that he is personally looking for the application to be submitted to the ISO to consider lowering the fire rating.

 

Commissioner Dorsey questioned why the county does not utilize detainees to cut and maintain the lawns. Attorney Gordon responded that the county and city were funding someone to supervise community services workers to maintain the lawns at county owned facilities. However, the City of Hartwell requested additional funding and the county decided to contract the lawn service out.

 

Commissioner Banister asked how did the public hearing come about. Administrator Cobb responded that the hearing will determine if the county should pursue a grant to build a Mental Health facility.

 

Commissioner Burdick remarked that he needed more information, such as who will maintain the facility etc.

 

Chairman's Report

 

Chairman Oglesby reported that the retreat held February 5th and 6th was very interesting and that a lot of positive ideas were discussed. He thanked everyone that attended.

 

Old Business

a.                  Gaines Court

 

Commissioner Dorsey entered a motion to remove Gaines Court from the table for discussion. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Commissioner Dorsey entered a motion for the county to continue to maintain .357 miles of Gaines Court from Clay Brown Road as a dirt road, with a 60' right-of-way, and authorize the County Attorney to begin abandonment proceedings for the remainder of the road and the area between the eight mobile homes. Adding these parts of Gaines Court serves no purpose or benefit to the general public. Also, authorize the County Administrator draft and send notification, in the form of a registered letter, to Mr. Paul Martin that he must comply with the Land Development Standards Ordinance. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion was then open for discussion.

 

Commissioner Burdick remarked that the commissioners as part of the county road system have adopted Gaines Court. He added that two years ago he went out to the area and the road was not in the shape it is now and that it was platted and accepted by the county.

 

Commissioner Banister stated that the road does not serve the public's interest. Commissioner Burdick said the county has a lot of roads that are the same way that are on the road system. He remarked that the county accepted Gaines Court into the road system not as a subdivision.

 

Commissioner Burdick remarked that during a planning session it was asked if the right-of-ways had been acquired. County Attorney responded that all the right-of-ways had been acquired and that the issue on the table is to abandon a portion of the road.

 

County Administrator Cobb remarked that he has not received an official application for a subdivision from Mr. Martin.

 

Chairman Oglesby read a copy of a letter that was sent to Mr. Martin July 6th, 1998 from former Public Works Director Robert Banks. He then asked Mr. Martin did he have plans to subdivide the land. Mr. Martin responded that at the time of Mr. Banks letter he did not have plans to subdivide the property.

 

Commissioner Burdick asked if as of this date if Mr. Martin has officially applied to subdivide the land. Mr. Martin said everyone should know from the beginning what he planned to do with the property.

 

Former Public Works Director Robert Banks reported that it was very clear that Mr. Martin had plans to subdivide the property and he discussed the county's requirements with him.

 

Mr. Martin remarked that the county should have investigated the road situation prior to September 11th and 26th meetings. He reminded the board that he complied with the county's road acceptance policy in 1998.

 

Commissioner Dorsey asked former Commissioner Joel Moore for insight into the situation. Mr. Moore responded that Mr. Martin made an honest attempt to bring the road into the county road system. Mr. Moore referred the matter to the former County Administrator. Mr. Brooks explained the options pertaining to the road adoption policy. Adding that afterwards Mr. Martin had an installment sale to an individual living there at the time, he had a plat with the sixty-foot right-of-way and met county requirements.

 

Two residents that live on Gaines Court voiced their opposition to abandon the road.

 

Chairman Oglesby stated it was not the board's fault that Mr. Martin did not do the work he was supposed to do. Adding that he is making money off the tenants and the taxpayers have to pay for the road.

 

Commissioner Dorsey asked the tenants what Mr. Martin has done to maintain the road prior to October. One of the tenants responded that Mr. Martin has made an effort to put gravel and install pipe on the road. However, the gravel has washed down to the lower section of the road.

 

Chairman Oglesby called for the vote. Commissioner Burdick opposed abandonment. Chairman Oglesby abstained. The motion carried 3-1.

 

New Business

a.                  E911 lease purchase financing agreement

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to enter into a lease/purchase agreement with Wachovia for the purchase of the new E911 system and authorize the Chairman to sign the agreements, pending review by the County Attorney. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

b.                  Board/Authority appointments

 

County Administrator Cobb reminded the commissioners to consider two appointments for the Water & Sewer Utility Authority. He said Mr. Haley and Mr. Oliver's terms expire March 31st, 2001.

 

c.                  Hartwell Service League request/Pre-4th Extravaganza

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to allow the Service League use of the courthouse lawn for the Pre-4th Extravaganza. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

d.                  Subdivision Plat - Arnold Mize

 

Commissioner Dorsey entered a motion to approve Mr. Mize request to subdivide 15.46-acre tract of land. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

e.                  Bid opening - Fire Training Facilities waterline materials

 

Whiz Construction Company 40'x12" road bore   $2,000.

Consolidated Pipe & Supply  materials                             $9,200.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to refer the bids to the County Administrator and Chairman to review and to place purchase orders if bids are in order.  Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

f.                    Amend - Code of Ordinances Section 2-58

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to amend Code of Ordinances Section 2-58/Agenda. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

g.                  DDA request/Arts in Hartwell Festival

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to allow the DDA use of the Courthouse grounds for the Arts in Hartwell Festival scheduled April 14th, 2001. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

h.                  Literacy Center Project

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign on behalf of the county the assignment of the contract dated July 24th, 2000 between Howell/Pope to the Howell Group pending review by the County Attorney. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

i.                    Resolution/Pre-application Dept of Natural Resources Grant

 

County Administrator Cobb reported the grant is in the amount of $50,000, which will require 50% match from the county.

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to adopt the Resolution supporting the Pre-Application for the Department of Natural Resources Grant for improvements on the new recreation property.  Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

j.                     Authorization transfer funds

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to transfer tap fees collected by the county and the balance of the budgeted funds for the Water & Sewer Utility Authority to the Authority.  Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

k.                  ARC Grant Application/Gateway water tank

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to endorse the efforts of the Joint Development and the Water & Sewer Utility Authority in their efforts to secure a 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank for the Gateway Industrial Park. Pledging to match the grant funding for the project. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Public Comment 

 

Virgil Ayers thanked the board for a good open meeting. He requested the board check with Elbert County and see how they got an ISO class 5 rating.

 

Mr. Ayers questioned the exact cost for the E911 system. County Administrator Cobb remarked that the contract is in the amount of $199,195 through InterAct Computer Systems.

 

Mr. Ayers felt the E911 system should be self-supportive since the county has collected fees to enhance the system.

 

Adjournment

 

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

 

 

 

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R. C. Oglesby, Chairman                                Lawana Kahn, County Clerk