Hart County Board of Commissioners
March 26th, 2002
7:00 p.m.
The Hart County Board of Commissioners met March 26th, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.
Chairman Joey Dorsey presided with Commissioners Randy Banister, Ken Brown, Don Burdick and R. C. Oglesby in attendance.
Chairman Dorsey called the meeting to order, recognized Mayor Matt Beasley and City Manager Phil Hertz and welcomed those in attendance.
Chairman Dorsey offered the prayer.
Chairman Dorsey led the pledge of allegiance.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to move New Business items h and I to Old Business and approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Approve Minutes of Previous
Meeting(s)
3/12/02, 3/25/02
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held March 12th, and March 25th, 2002. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Sandy Campbell, Army Corps of Engineers
Dale Bowen presented a slide program in the place of Sandy Campbell. He explained the Corps lake level and drought management program.
Chairman Dorsey thanked Mr. Bowen for his report.
Commissioner Banister introduced Dr. Max Daughtry who was previously appointed to the Board of Health Dr. Daughtry thanked the board for the opportunity to serve the community.
Dr. Daughtry thanked the board for opportunity to serve the community.
County Administrator Gary Cobb did not have anything to report.
Chairman Dorsey reported that the trial parking arrangements during court session on March 11th and 13th worked out beneficial. However, there were only forty-five jurors called. He remarked that he would approach the City of Hartwell to make arrangements for the June session of court when a full complement of jurors would be called.
Commissioner Banister reported that a hearing officer and lawyer have been identified to review the pending video gaming applicant charges. He remarked that at this time hearings would be preliminary.
None
a. EMC Land Exchange
County Attorney Walter Gordon explained that the Hart EMC is proceeding with the transfer of 9/10-acre tract to the county in exchange for tract A & B. He remarked that the exchange would provide easy access to the county property that adjoins the Hart EMC property.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adopt the Resolution and authorize the Chairman to sign a Memorandum of Agreement evidencing the terms of the property exchange. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
b. Bid Award – Landfill Testing Services
Commissioner Banister entered a motion to award the Landfill Testing Services to Advance Environmental. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
c. Literacy Center/Library CO #2
d. Literacy Center/Library CO #3
County Administrator Gary Cobb reported that the net total cost to finish the basement, parking lot, detention pond, outside lighting and a wall covering upgrade for the first floor would be $50,169 including A&E costs. This cost estimate includes using the Project Contingency Fund and $3,100 of external funds for the Parking Lot Lighting Project. The original contract called for bathrooms, storage area, and kitchen area in the basement assessable from the library lower level. CO#2 would complete 3500 square ft of the remaining basement space into one large meeting room and a storage room.
Joel Gunnells remarked that the Literacy Center is an important project and they have nine teacher and over seventy students. They offer computer classes and GED classes to the county citizens that have been displaced due to plant closings or layoffs. He expressed that it is a keystone to Economic Development for the county. He remarked that the basement area of the facility would accommodate civic and community organizations.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to provide funding from the General Fund Economic Development Investment funds to complete the basement area of the Literacy Center. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion.
Commissioner Banister expressed his concern to fund the change orders since they were not budgeted items. He inquired about the downstairs area of the Library that could be used for meetings.
Library Director Richard Sanders stated that the existing downstairs meeting rooms are in constant use by the public.
Chairman Dorsey remarked that as leaders they need to take a proactive stance to plan for the future.
Commissioner Burdick remarked that in the final plans completing the basement area was not removed to fund the Domestic Violence project.
Commissioner Oglesby remarked that there are just as many people paying taxes that use the facility.
Emily Gunnells remarked that taxpayers requested the facility and invited the commissioners to tour the facility. She thanked them for their support.
Commissioner Banister voiced his concern that he wanted to make sure that all the aspects of the request are understood.
Chairman Dorsey called for a vote. The vote carried 5-0.
a. Resolution-Ambulance Lease Supplement
After discussing the lease supplement, Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to proceed. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
b. Sales Tax Collection Contract
County Administrator Cobb explained that a private agency submitted a contract to collect state sales taxes paid by the county for contract work. He said the agency would be paid thirty percent on anything it collects. He remarked that there is no risk to the county.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to allow the County Attorney to review the sales tax contract and if there are not any issues involved to move ahead. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
c. Johnson Street Project – County Assistance
City Mayor Matt Beasley requested assistance to provide labor and equipment to widen portions of Johnson Street that has been approved for the DOT LARP assistance program. He said that traffic has increased on the road and they needed to improve the infrastructure.
Commissioner Oglesby remarked that the board took funds out of two districts to provide pipe for the widening project. He inquired about why the pipe that was not used for the project was not returned to the county.
City Manager Phil Hertz said that the infrastructure was not complete and that the property owner asked the City to remove the pipe from the lot that it was stored on. He remarked that the City is going to use the pipe and any unused pipe will be returned to the county.
Chairman Dorsey asked if the City is in the position to fund the asphalt to go ahead with the project.
Commissioner Oglesby inquired about how they could purchase the asphalt for Johnson Street and neglect Harry Hannah, Hattie Brown and Poplar Street.
Mayor Beasley said he thought the request to provide labor and assistance would save taxpayers money and asked to rescind his proposal.
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to assist the City with their request provided that the City acquires the asphalt within two weeks. Chairman Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Commissioner Brown opposing.
d. Vacation Policy
Commissioner Banister entered a motion to create a committee to review the current vacation policy to include the Chairman, the County Administrator and two employees. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
e. Subdivision Plat Variance – James Elgin
Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to grant the subdivision plat variance. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
f. Inclement Weather Policy
Commissioner Banister entered a motion to adopt an Inclement Weather Policy for county paid employees. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
g. Bid Opening – Lawn Maintenance
The following individuals submitted sealed bids for lawn maintenance:
· Donavan Bradshaw
· Eberhardt’s Landscaping
· Franklin Lawncare
· Tallent Lawn Service
· Adonai Lawncare
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to refer the bids to the Chairman, County Administrator and Public Works Director to evaluate and award the contract. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
County Administrator Cobb remarked that public opening of bids could be done more efficient by allowing the bids to be opened prior to the meeting in the county administrative office.
Commissioner Banister entered a motion to try the procedure for a three-month period. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 3-2. Chairman Dorsey and Commissioner Oglesby opposed.
None
a. Potential Litigation
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to go into executive session to discuss potential litigation as required by O.C.G.A. 50-14-2, 50-14-3 & 50-14-4(b). Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to exit Executive Session and back into open session. Commissioner Brown provided to the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The resolution and affidavit is recorded in the minutes book.
Commissioner Brown entered a motion that the county will no longer fund cattle crossings from this date forward. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 3-2, Commissioners Dorsey and Oglesby voting against the motion.
Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
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Joey Dorsey, Chairman Lawana Kahn, County Clerk