Hart County Board of Commissioners
April 22nd, 2003
7:00 p.m.

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met April 22nd, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

Chairman Randy Banister presided with Commissioners R C Oglesby, Daniel Reyen, Ricky Carter and Joey Dorsey in attendance.

Call to Order  

Chairman Banister called the meeting to order.

Welcome 

Chairman Banister welcomed those in attendance.

Prayer 

County Administrator Gary Cobb offered prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance

Everyone stood in observance of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approve Agenda  

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to amend and approve the meeting agenda as follows:

                        Approve minutes of April 10

                        Move New Business items e & f to the Consent Agenda

Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Dorsey was not in attendance during the vote.

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

            4/8/03, 4/10/03

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held April 8th and April 10th, 2003. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities

a.               Tom Mullenix, DFACS Director

Mr. Mullenix requested additional funding of $3,200 for the remainder of the fiscal year to aid the foster care program.

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to fund the request from the Contingency Fund in the amount of $3,200 for the remainder of the fiscal year. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Reports by Constitutional Officers & Department Heads  

County Attorney Walter Gordon reported that the Water & Sewer Authority is in the process of interviewing applicants for the Executive Director’s position.

Attorney Gordon reported that the status of the local legislation for the non-partisan election has passed by both houses and is waiting for the Governor’s signature. He also reported that the Redistricting map was passed by the House of Representatives and is presumed to be in the Senate. He added that both bills would have to be cleared by the Justice Department.

County Administrator’s Report  

County Administrator Gary Cobb reported that this would be his last appearance as County Administrator however; it won’t be his last as a private citizen. He thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve the county. He encouraged the Board to consider the future with issues such as long term building projects, including a new courthouse, jail expansion, a new fire station, changing the Fire Chief position to full time, land use development, hire a Community Development Director, Financial Director, come to common ground with the City of Hartwell officials and study personnel salaries.

Administrator Cobb remarked that he would be available to assist the county during the transition to a new County Administrator.

Chairman Banister thanked Administrator Cobb for his efforts during his tenure with the county.

Chairman’s Report  

Chairman Banister requested that the Board discuss items 2 & 3 of Chapter 26, Article II Emergency Management Ordinance at the next meeting.

Commissioners’ Reports  

No reports.

Consent Agenda 

e.               Parmeter Subdivision 

f.                Prather Subdivision

County Administrator Cobb reported that the variance for both subdivisions has been removed.

Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda items as presented. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Old Business 

None

New Business

a.               Document Management System  

Administrative Assistant Mary Hughes presented a presentation for the Document Management System.

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to proceed with the purchase of the File Vision Solution Document Management System and adopt the budget resolution to provide funding in the amount of $18,300 from fund balance. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.  The resolution is recorded in the minutes book.

b.               EMS Recording System  

EMS Director Terrell Partain recommended that the Board consider purchasing the EMS Recording System from Voice Print in the amount of $35,728.

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to purchase the recording system from Voice Print. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

c.               Deputy Registrar Position 

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to change the full time position to part time after the recent resignation of Emily Brown. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

d.               Fire Truck Financing  

Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to purchase the fire trucks out right from the SPLOST II funds in the amount of $350,000. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

e.               Item was moved to the Consent Agenda

f.                Item was moved to the Consent Agenda

g.               Highland Springs Subdivision Variance 

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to table Highland Springs Subdivision Variance request. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

h.               Wal-Mac Springs Subdivision 

Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to approve Wal-Mac Springs Subdivision request. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

i.                Property Tax Study Committee  

After briefly discussing the concept of appointing a Property Tax Study Committee no action was taken.

j.                Resolution 2003-012, Regulate & Govern the Enactment of Ordinances

County Attorney Gordon read the first reading of the resolution to Regulate & Govern the Enactment of Ordinances.

k.               Driveway Pipe Policy 

After discussing the Driveway Pipe Policy, Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to table the matter and discuss it at a Work Session and continue installing pipe for new dwellings. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion.

Commissioner Carter requested that the Driveway Pipe Policy be clear and concise about the size of pipe, the amount of dirt and gravel used at each site installation.

Chairman Banister called for the vote. The vote carried 5-0 to table the matter.

Public Comment

a.               Ms. Ann Sequerth  

Ms. Sequerth requested assistance for relief from extreme noise caused by dirt bikes on a track of land owned by Mark and Terry Knott on Carnes Cemetery Road. She said the property owners in the area are prepared to move forward with measures to stop the activity. She presented a petition opposing the motor cross track in the neighborhood.

Track owner Knott reported that he has put up silt fences and silt ponds to reduce environmental issues. He said he built the track for his son and his friends and he is willing to sit down with the neighbors to discuss the matter.

Public Works Director Jon Caime explained that a stop work order has been issued on the motor cross-site.

Property owner Robert Gable complained that neighbors couldn't enjoy sitting outside because of the noise. He remarked that property values in the area are being destroyed.

Charlene Lee presented the Board with the results of coring Freedom Heights Road and reported that the entrance has been resurfaced according to county standards.

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to accept Freedom Heights Road based on the plat, without the cul-d-sac section on private property, into the county road system. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion.

After discussing the need for shoulder work on 25% of the road, Chairman Banister called for the vote. The vote carried 3-2; Commissioner Reyen and Commissioner Carter opposed.

Larry Ankerich of the Liberty Hill Community complained about a neighbor’s dogs that attacked his wife. He remarked that he knew the county does not have a dog leash law. However, he requested that the Board consider something to prevent future incidents from happening to someone else.

Commissioner Oglesby directed the County Attorney to review an ordinance that has been discussed in the past for animal control.

Attorney Gordon remarked that he would review the draft ordinance and also review Elbert County's animal control ordinance that they have recently enacted.

Randal Rowland requested that the Board consider waving the bond requirement as part of the bushhog contract that he has with the county.

Public Works Director Jon Caime explained that the bond is optional and the intent is to protect the county for losses if the contractor does not perform the work.

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to waive the bond requirement. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Nancy Evans resident remarked that the county needs an ordinance on land use and that the motor cross track is a commercial development in a residential area. She requested a complete set of engineering plans for the track and that the owners cease from operation immediately. She also requested a meeting with the Knott's and invited the Board members to attend.

Paul Crawford concurred with everyone else in the Rock Springs community about the noise of the dirt bikes. He remarked that everyone needs protection and it is the local governmental body that has the responsibility to protect its citizens. He also remarked that the board consider special use permits for anything other than standard use of land.

Buddy Groover resident of Lightwood Lane asked clarification on the right-of-way on Lightwood Lane.

Public Works Director Caime explained that a deeded right-of-way on Lightwood Lane has not been found.  County Attorney Walter Gordon is to determine if a deeded right-of-way exists.

Executive Session

a.     Personnel

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to exit into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters as required by O.C.G.A. 50-14-2, 50-14-3 and 50-14-4(b). Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The resolution and affidavit is recorded in the minutes book.

With no further action taken during Executive Session, Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to exit Executive Session and convene the regular meeting. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to appoint Public Works Director Jon Caime to serve as the Interim County Administrator. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Adjournment  

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

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Randy D. Banister, Chairman                          Lawana Kahn, County Clerk