Hart County Board of Commissioners

August 22nd, 2000

7:00 p.m.

 

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met August 22nd, 2000 at 7:00 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.

 

Call to Order, Welcome, Moment of Silence

 

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

 

Approve Meeting Agenda

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to add to the New Business item c. Intergovernmental Agreement and to approve the agenda. Commissioner Hannah 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)

            08/07th, 08/08th, 08/14th, 08/15th, 08/16th 2000

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held August 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, and 16th, 2000. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

None

 

Reports by Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

 

County Attorney Walter Gordon gave a brief report of the activity of the Hart County Water & Sewer Utility Authority. He said they approved the Intergovernmental Agreement between them and the City of Royston. He also reported the Authority is pursuing with a major step in the history of Hart County to install a seven mile water pipeline to serve customers along Highway 29N in the unincorporated area of the county. He said the project bids will be opened at a called meeting of the Authority September 21st, 2000 at 5:30 p.m. and anticipated awarding a contract at their September 26th, 2000 5:00 meeting.

 

Attorney Gordon reported the water line project would be funded by the 1%SPLOST funds approved by the voters in 1995.

 

Chairman Moore asked if all the necessary permits have been acquired for the water line project. Attorney Gordon reported that most of the permits have been acquired and there a still a few outstanding matters.

 

County Administrator’s Report

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb reported most of the Constitutional Officers and Department Heads had a training session to better equip them in personnel performance evaluations. He said the new performance evaluations forms will be more detailed and will provide better communication between the employee and supervisor.

 

Administrator Cobb also reported he and the Recreation Director met with the consultant for the recreation master plan to discuss details of scheduled meetings. He announced a Public Hearing will be held September 12th, 2000 and a Preliminary Plan will be ready to be adopted September 26th, 2000.

 

Chairman’s Report

 

Chairman Moore reported Senator Eddie Madden would hold a press conference on the courthouse square August 23rd, 2000 at 9:00 a.m. He reported the Grand Jury is currently in session.

 

Chairman Moore also announced budget meetings are scheduled for August 29th, 2000 and they will review the Master Plan for the Recreation Department August 31st, 2000 at 4:30 p.m.

 

Commissioners’ Reports

 

Commissioner Burdick remarked that with the potential increase in traffic to and from South Carolina he felt that the board should consider contacting the Department of Transportation about widening or constructing another bridge across the Savannah River. 

 

Consent Agenda

            a.         Contract for Ridge Road

            b.         Contract for Kings Bench Road

            c.         Appointment - Community Service Board

d.                  Amend FY'00 Road Department Budget/to include Master Plan

 

Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The Consent Agenda is recorded in the “2000-2001” minutes book.

 

 

Old Business

a.                  Ordinance to regulate & register Bona Fide Coin Operated

Amusement Machines

 

Chairman Moore remarked that the board has held two public hearings and has received input from the public for the proposed Bona Fide Coin Operated Amusement Machines Ordinance.

 

Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to adopt the Bona Fide Coin Operated Amusement Machines Ordinance. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion.

 

County Attorney Gordon reported this meeting would stand as the 3rd reading of the proposed ordinance. He reported the changes of the ordinance were made as a result of the previous Planning Session. He said after reviewing the ordinance this a.m. he added Section 10-1(14) 4 revocation of machine registration and prohibition of machine operation at any location which does not require an arcade license.

 

Chairman Moore called for the vote on the Bona Fide Coin-Operated Amusement Machines Ordinance and the vote carried unanimously.

 

Chairman Moore stated "we have tweaked it, massaged it, cussed it and discussed it and this was not the end, it’s the beginning." 

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb asked the board to consider a moratorium for registration forms to be completed by the owners of the coin-operated machines.

 

Commissioner Oglesby said it would be a total of sixty days from the time the registrant applies for a license to operate until the board considers the application.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to allow a moratorium of thirty days. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

New Business

 

a.                  Public Hearing – Comprehensive Plan – Short Term Work Program

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb explained the Short Term Work Program is a planning document and the purpose of the public hearing is for public input of the plan that was presented at the August 8th, 2000 meeting.

 

Dell Wideman asked why a decision was made to have an EMS facility near I-85. Administrator Cobb responded that from a planning standpoint that was the most desirable place for an EMS satellite station.

 

Ms. Wideman remarked that there was a twenty-minute response time for the EMS to get to her residence in Goldmine and why wasn’t Goldmine considered for a satellite station. 

 

Commissioner Oglesby added that it had been discussed that satellite EMS stations be housed in existing fire department facilities. Administrator Cobb he received input from the EMS department to consider the Shoal Creek area for a satellite station.

 

Chairman Moore reported the Comprehensive Plan is used for range preparation for budget purposes and is also an attempt to acquire funds from grant programs etc. to fund certain projects.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adopt the Comprehensive Plan Resolution. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The Resolution is recorded in the “2000-2001” minutes book.

 

b.                  Intergovernmental Water Agreement/City of  Royston

 

County Attorney Gordon reported the City of Royston and the Hart County Water and Sewer Utility Authority has executed the Intergovernmental Agreement and that it will be null and void if the 1%SPLOST referendum does not pass in November.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the Intergovernmental Agreement. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Public Comment

 

Rev. Hulan Bryant remarked that he is not familiar with legal terms and asked for an explanation on the moratorium and existing business.

 

Chairman Moore explained that every coin operated machine in the county will have to be registered beginning Monday August 28th, 2000 and the moratorium gives owners time to register the machines. He reported the county is now in the process of developing the license for the coin operated machines and they want to make sure it is done right.

 

Attorney Gordon explained that some applicants would probably strain the definition of existing business. He said that it could be determined by observation.

 

Herb Emmel suggested the board consider requiring names and addresses of lien holders on the registration form.

 

Martha Morris voiced her concern about an age limitation be placed on businesses that have the coin operated video machines.

 

Attorney Gordon said the ordinance covers all bone fide amusement machines to be registered. He suggested that if it appears that minors are congregrating in or around the business establishments it will need to be reported to the Sheriff’s Department.

 

Ms. Morris said she is worried about the morals of the children in the community. Attorney Gordon responded that parents has the personal responsibility of their children.

 

Ms. Morris complained about the bright lights that stay on all night at the three facilities near her home.

 

Chairman Moore said there is a nuisance provision in the Ordinance and the board has rushed to provide and ordinance. Adding we have kicked the can and kicked the can and now it is time to act instead of talking.

 

Adjournment, Executive Session as Required

 

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

 

 

 

 

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Joel Moore, Chairman                                       Lawana Kahn, County Clerk