HART COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
APRIL 13, 1999
5:30 P.M.
The Hart County Board of Commissioners met April 13, 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.
Chairman Moore called the meeting to order, welcomed those in attendance and offered a moment of silence.
Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The agenda is recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
3/23/99, 3/30/99
Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held March 23 and March 30, 1999. Commissioner Burdick requested a change in the minutes of the March 23 meeting concerning percentage of revenues from delinquent taxes collected to read seventy percent instead of sixty percent.
Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.
a. Harris Little/Franklin-Hart Airport Authority
Mr. Little was not available to make a report at this point of the meeting. The agenda item was skipped until Mr. Little arrived.
County Attorney Walter Gordon asked the board to consider purchasing a computer and printer for GTS to access information from the Tax Assessors’ office for delinquent tax purposes. Mr. Gordon stated the cost for a computer and printer should not exceed $1,200. Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to allow County Clerk Lawana Kahn to purchase a computer and printer not to exceed $1,200. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
No report
Chairman Moore reported the board is still in the process of reviewing resumes for the County Administrator’s position.
Chairman Moore announced the Department of Human Resources has submitted a letter of commitment to support the county proceeding with the final design/construction plans for the DFACS facility. The letter is recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
Chairman Moore also reported Georgia Mtns. RDC is reviewing the final draft of the HB489 (Service Delivery Strategy) report. He stated the report would be ready to be submitted to the Department of Community Affairs by July 1, 1999.
Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.
a. Harris Little/Franklin-Hart Airport
Mr. Little reported the Franklin-Hart Airport authority has established a five year plan to improve the airport facility at a cost of approximately $1.2 million dollars. He said the first phase of the plan was the terminal building that has been completed. He added the following are the proposed phases of improvements: Extend the runway, pave the apron along the runway, extend the runway an additional 5000 feet and provide extra space for hangers. He stated there are Federal and State funds available to help fund project improvements. He said Franklin County Board of Commissioners have agreed to fund some of the improvements with the 1% SPLOST.
Commissioner Burdick asked Mr. Little to explain the need to make improvements to the airport facility. Mr. Little explained the improvements are needed from an economic development standpoint. He also stated private individuals largely use the airport.
Chairman Moore asked if there has been an increase by users since the authority began the improvements. Mr. Little stated since the construction of the terminal the airport has been used more.
Commissioner Burdick asked how many individuals use the facility. Mr. Little stated he did not have the figures with him.
Commissioner Hannah stated Springs Industries uses the facility on a regular basis and he is pleased with the improvements that have been made.
Mr. Little reported the authority plans to add a fuel service center at the airport facility in the future.
No reports
a. Thomas Habel/plans – Industrial park/Elberton Highway
Chairman Moore read a statement not to invest county funds in land acquisition of development cost associated with the proposed municipal Industrial Park, the Habel property. Commissioner Brown entered a motion to approve the board’s statement not to invest county funds in land acquisition for the industrial park project. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The statement is recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
b. Bushhog contract – Alton Leard
c. Lawn Maintenance contract – Marvin Ross
Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to approve the bushhog contract and the lawn maintenance contracts effective April 1, 1999. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The contracts are recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
a. Hospital Lease
Commissioner Burdick reported he received a letter from nine physicians and several registered nurses from Hart County Hospital encouraging the board to approve the Ty Cobb Health Services lease agreement.
Chairman Moore stated with a long-term commitment the decision to approve the lease agreement weighs on the board quite heavily. Adding that regardless of the decision the board will be questioned. He commended Ty Cobb Health Services for their accomplishment with the Hart County Hospital facility.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the second amendment to the Cobb Foundation, Inc. lease agreement. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion.
County Attorney Walter Gordon stated for clarity that state grants and donations would not be used as part of the reimbursement formula.
Dagmar Bell said she has never heard anyone have any positive remarks about Hart County Hospital. She asked board members if they had parents that needed to have a serious operation, would they use the Hart County Hospital facility.
Commissioner Hannah stated yes he would use the facility and has used it in the past. Commissioner Oglesby stated he is very satisfied with the hospital facility.
Commissioner Burdick stated he shared Ms. Bell’s concern, however he felt the majority of residents are satisfied with Hart County Hospital.
Andrew McDonald complained that he was not allowed to be admitted to Hart County Hospital for political reasons. He explained that Dr. William Ford is his physician.
Commissioner Oglesby asked Ty Cobb Chief of Finances, Max Milford, if the hospital turns anyone away. Mr. Milford replied they do not turn anyone away and Mr. McDonald’s physician is not a staff doctor at Hart County Hospital.
Ron Clements complained that Hart County Hospital delayed treating his mother.
Commissioner Oglesby asked Hospital Authority member Robert Clark if he has received any complaints by telephone. Mr. Clark responded he has not received any complaints.
Charles Bonner stated he surveyed twenty-five people about their feelings toward Hart County Hospital and the responses he received were not to go to the Hart County Hospital facility.
Mr. Bonner asked why Ty Cobb does not have an anesthesiologist on staff. Ty Cobb Administrator Matt McRee replied Ty Cobb has staff RNA’s who administer anesthesia at the request of some the physicians.
Chairman Moore stated the motion and a second have been provided to approve the lease agreement. The motion carried unanimously.
b. Budget amendment resolution – Tax Assessors’ office
Commissioner Brown entered a motion to adopt the budget amendment resolution. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The budget resolution is recorded in the “1998” minutes book.
Chairman Moore publicly announced changes in the internal organization of the Public Works Department as follows:
· The planning office, as such, has been discontinued effective 13 April 1999
· The position of planning officer has been abolished and re-established as an environmental compliance officer
· The permitting and E-911 addressing functions will remain in place; other functions carried out by the planning officer will be reassigned internally or to other departments as required
· Job descriptions for affected positions are in the process of being revised; county ordinances, resolutions, and other administrative documents will be updated to reflect these changes
· The services our citizens have come to expect from the county will not be interrupted
Virgil Ayers asked about the road status for Holly Springs/Goldmine Road. Chairman Moore stated it is the first road on the paving list.
Commissioner Brown entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------
Joel Moore, Chairman Lawana Kahn, County Clerk