Hart County Board of Commissioners

November 13th, 2001

5:30 p.m.

 

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met November 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 Brown entered a motion to amend the agenda by removing New Business items b, c, & d and approve the agenda. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the agenda. The agenda is recorded in the minutes book.

 

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

            10-23-01, 10-23-01 (Executive Session)

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held on October 23rd, 2001. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

 

Chairman Oglesby recognized City of Hartwell Mayor Joan Saliba and City of Bowersville Mayor John Bailey for attending the meeting.

 

a.                  Dr. Charles Lattuada, Hart Co. Health Board

 

Dr. Lattuada reported that he attended a public hearing in Franklin County for bulk septic storage ordinance. He stated that the Board of Health would enforce a county ordinance relating to land application of septage and/or bulk storage sludge. He also stated that Attorney Ken Jarrad of Forsyth County has experience in environmental issues pertaining to sludge ordinances.

 

Reports By Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

 

County Attorney Walter Gordon reported that $160,000 of delinquent taxes was collected on all the parcels of land that were advertised for public sale. Therefore, there was not a public sale required. He commended the Tax Commissioner and his staff.

 

Commissioner Burdick remarked that approximately 74% of the delinquent taxes collected goes to the Board of Education.

 

Attorney Gordon reported that the Hart County Water & Sewer Utility Authority has reached an agreement with the City of Lavonia to provide water for the north end of the county. He said the Authority is continuing to negotiate with the City of Hartwell on the issue of ownership of water lines in the unincorporated areas of the county.

 

Commissioner Burdick questioned Attorney Gordon about the status of the Take Back Georgia court order that required to group to pay legal fees to the county.

 

Attorney Gordon responded that when the Sheriff of Stephens County went to seize the Take Back Georgia assets the group no longer has a computer system. He added that no funds have been remitted as of this date.

 

County Administrator’s Report

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb reported that the new E911 system has been installed and been working for one week. He said that Hart Telephone Company is in the process of removing their equipment.

 

He also reported the 2nd annual Clean & Beautiful recognition dinner is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. November 15th, 2001 at the Senior Center.

 

 Chairman’s Report

None

 

Commissioners’ Reports

 

Commissioner Banister encouraged the public to support and remember our veterans of wars and to attend next years American Legions Veteran’s recognition.

 

Commissioner Dorsey reported that the Ad Hoc Building Permit Committee would meet at 4:00 p.m. in the Administration facility November 15th, 2001.

 

Commissioner Banister reported that the Magistrate Court has not heard the code violation against the owner of Lakeside Lottery. Attorney Gordon and Administrator Cobb were directed to review the situation.

 

Consent Agenda

None

 

Old Business

a.                  Acceptance of Heath Cove, Wren Road, Heathwood Circle

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to remove the item from the table and to accept the roads into the county road system as gravel roads.

 

He reported that sixty-foot right-of-ways have been acquired and he requested that the Public Works Director inspect the drains upon acceptance of the roads.

 

Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

New Business

a.                  Public Hearing – Greenspace Program

 

Public Works Director Jon Caime conducted the Public Hearing. He reported that there is $117,000 available from the State of Georgia to Hart County for the Greenspace Program. He stated that the county would not have to provide matching funds. 

 

Director Caime remarked that the county’s goal is to reserve 20% of land for the Greenspace Program. He said the program is designed to permanently protect land and water. It can be used for informal recreation, natural resources, flood plains, wetlands, marshes, agricultural, scenic, historical areas and cemeteries.

 

Director Caime also reported that the deadline for the grant to be submitted is November 30th, 2001.

 

City of Hartwell Mayor Saliba and City of Bowersville Bailey reported that they are willing to participate in the Greenspace Program.

 

A county resident asked who would be responsible to manage and purchase land for the Greenspace Program. Director Caime responded that the board has not gotten to that point.

 

Lee Freeman remarked that there is a Wildlife Preserve in the Liberty Hill area and asked what affect the proposed power plant would have on the wildlife area. Director Caime stated he could not comment on the proposed power plant.

 

Commissioner Dorsey asked if someone volunteers to participate in the program would there be a provision that would have to be met by property owners if the property changes ownership. Attorney Gordon remarked that a covenant will be attached to the property deed.

 

Ray Stowers reported that he attended a workshop recently to discuss Greenspace in Georgia. He said the only negative remark he heard is that Georgia is losing greenspace every day. He said no one is against growth, however it needs to be controlled in order to preserve the environment.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to proceed with the grant application, invite the municipalities to participate, adopt a resolution and establish an Advisory Committee. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

e.                  Request to allocate $175,000 of SPLOST II Funds for waterlines on Old Beacon Light Road

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to provide $175,000 of SPLOST II funds to install waterlines on Old Beacon Light Road. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion.

 

Commissioner Banister inquired about the status of the waterlines for Sunset Drive. Attorney Gordon responded that area is next on the Water & Sewer Authority’s priority list. The motion carried 5-0.

 

f.                    Sesquicentennial Committee Resolution

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to adopt the Sesquicentennial Committee Resolution. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The Resolution is recorded in the minutes book.

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to provide funds for a telephone for the committee. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

g.                  Revised/New Job Descriptions

(a)   Road Foreman

(b)   Truck Driver

(c)   Heavy Equipment/Solid Waste

 

Commissioner Dorsey entered a motion to adopt the revised/new job descriptions as presented. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

h.                  Resolution to Invest Solid Waste Tipping Fees/LGIP

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adopt the resolution. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Public Comment

 

Sonya Rayton voiced a complaint against DFACS policy to provide food stamps to low income citizens.

 

Chairman Oglesby responded that the county does not have any control over DFACS.

 

Lee Freeman and Tom Morris voiced their concerns of the proposed power plant in the Liberty Hill community. Both stated they felt it would affect the quality of life in the area.

 

Commissioner Banister remarked that the State and Federal governments has very strict rules governing power plants.

 

Commissioner Burdick remarked that he wasn’t sure that Enron will proceed with the construction plans since they are experiencing financial difficulties.

 

Rodrick Oliver, resident of 1591 Shoal Creek Road, complained that the bushhog contractor broke his driveway culvert. He requested that the county install another culvert. Chairman Oglesby directed the County Administrator and Public Works Director to review the situation.

 

Dr. Lattuada cautioned the board to watch closely for anything that the State may pass on to the county pertaining to environmental issues and power generating plants.

 

Executive Session

None

 

Adjournment

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

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