HART COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JULY 23RD,
2002
7:00 p.m.
The Hart County Board of Commissioners met July 23rd, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.
Chairman Joey Dorsey presided with Commissioner Randy Banister, Don Burdick and R. C. Oglesby in attendance. Commissioner Ken Brown absent.
Chairman Dorsey called the meeting to order.
Chairman Dorsey welcomed those in attendance.
Commissioner Oglesby opened with prayer.
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to amend and approve the agenda as follows:
New Business
g. Budget Amendment – Engineering Services (Methane Gas Remediation)
Executive Session
a. Real estate and pending litigation
Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Approve Minutes of Previous
Meeting(s)
July 9th and July 15th, 2002
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held July 9th and July 15th, 2002. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
a. Alice Worthan
Ms Worthan, representing the Ga. Mountains Community Service Board, gave a report on the changes that HB498 would have on the Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse programs. Adding that terms for the board members will be changed from two years to three years, and the number of regions will be reduced from thirteen to seven. Further Hart County will be placed in the Rome, Georgia Region. Therefore, clients will be transported to Rome instead of Atlanta.
Ms. Worthan thanked the Board for allowing her to serve on the GA. Mtns. Community Service Board.
Commissioner Burdick thanked Ms. Worthan for her dedication to the community.
Chairman Dorsey stated he has drafted a letter to the Department of Human Resources concerning HB498. He said that by placing Hart County in the Rome Region it would have a serious financial impact on the Sheriff’s Department. Adding that transporting clients to Rome would take a complete eight-hour shift for the deputies and as a result would be a considerable expense to the taxpayers.
b. Larry Pool, Hart Partners
Larry Pool representing Hart Partners reported on “The Imagination Library” that is proposed to start in the fall. He said the program would supply a book to Hart County children once a month from birth to age five. He said their goal is to help every child arrive at school ready to learn, and ready to read. Mr. Pool requested funds of $500 to support the program.
Commissioner Banister stated that there are various reading programs already in place and that he would be willing to give individually. However, he did not want to tax families for the program.
Commissioner Burdick asked if 100% of funds go toward the program. Mr. Pool remarked that funds go to Ferst Books Foundation, which provides graphics and printing the materials.
Commissioner Burdick suggested that matter be considered at budget time.
County Administrator Gary Cobb remarked that there are funds in the current budget for community related programs. He said the book program is a pre-school type program.
No motion was entertained for Mr. Pool’s request of $500.
County Attorney Walter Gordon reported that water will be flowing through the lines to the North and South Schools, delivery to customers within ten days and the water pressure at the school sites is at fifty five pounds.
Gary Cobb reported that the task to scan all past board minutes has been completed and that individuals can purchase them on compact disc at a cost of $15. He reported that he was pleased to complete the inventory of computers and work has begun on establishing a web site.
Mr. Cobb also reported that the Road Department is two weeks ahead with paving projects since they began working four ten hour days per week.
Mr. Cobb asked for input for the LARP list that will be submitted to the DOT.
Chairman Dorsey reported that he has sent another letter to the City of Hartwell concerning the LOST negotiations.
He reported that he attended the DOT meeting in Lavonia concerning the proposed by-pass.
Commissioner Banister read a letter in regards to his opposition to the EMA Ordinances that were adopted July 9th, 2002. He requested a copy of his remarks be recorded in the minutes. Commissioner Banister asked the board to consider amending the Curfew Ordinance.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to consider amendments to the Curfew Ordinance and place the item on the next meeting agenda. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
a. Board/Authority Appointments
Commissioner Banister entered a motion to remove the item from the table. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner Banister entered a motion to re-appoint Ranny Adams to serve on the Ga. Mountains Board of Directors. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to table appointments to the DFACS and RDC. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
b. Surplus County Property
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to remove the item from the table. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to declare surplus vehicles, real property and personal property to be disposed of. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0. The complete list of surplus property is recorded in the minutes book.
a. Highway 17 Utility Relocation
The DOT requested the county provide funding to relocate utilities on State Route 17 for the proposed by-pass.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to reject the DOT request. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion.
Chairman Dorsey stated that the utility relocation is very expensive and that local governments have little input on how the project will be carried out. He also stated that it is a state project and he could not see Hart County taxpayers paying for it.
The vote carried 4-0.
b. County Seal/Signage
Commissioner Oglesby remarked that the county logo on vehicles and equipment needed to be uniform. Adding that some vehicles have lettering while others have a county seal.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to form a committee to review the logo and make a recommendation to the board. The motion died due to lack of a second.
c. Budget Amendment-Fire Hydrants
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adopt the budget amendment resolution to provide $12,400 for purchasing fire hydrants in the Life Insurance Premium Account line item 54.2510 from fund balance. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0. The resolution is recorded in the minutes book.
d. Budget Amendment-Solid Waste Building
Commissioner Banister entered a motion to adopt the budget amendment resolution as follows: Revenue line item number 33.4110 in the amount of $29,796 and expenditure line item number 54.1220 in the amount of $29,796. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
e. Agreement with Tariff Billing Specialist
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the agreement with Tariff Billing Specialist to audit the voice and data line charges from local operating companies to identify that the lines and services are billed correctly. Chairman Dorsey provided a second to the motion. Commissioner Oglesby abstained from voting. The motion carried.
f. Cline Drive
Commissioner Oglesby reported that there is a safety problem for a resident on Cline Drive traveling out of the road. He said that when it rains the resident slides out into the main highway.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to tar/gravel or asphalt Cline Drive at a cost of $2,400. The motion died due to a lack of a second.
g. Budget Amendment-Engineering Services (Methane Gas Remediation)
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the budget amendment resolution to transfer $15,000 from line item 45600-52.1210 to 45600-52.1215. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Jason Alderhold requested a subdivision variance to property he owns on Windy Hill Road.
Chairman Dorsey suggested that Mr. Alderhold submit the paperwork to the County Administrator to review before the next meeting.
a. Real estate matters and pending litigation
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss real estate matters and pending litigation as required by O.C.G.A 50-14-2, 50-14-3, 50-14-4(b). Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0. The resolution and affidavit is recorded in the minutes book.
With no further action taken during Executive Session, Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to exit Executive Session and adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
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Joey Dorsey, Chairman Lawana Kahn, County Clerk