Hart County Board of Commissioners

May 28th, 2002

7:00 p.m.

 

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met May 28th, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

 

Chairman Joey Dorsey presided with Commissioners R C Oglesby, Don Burdick, Randy Banister and Ken Brown in attendance.

 

 

Call to Order 

 

Chairman Dorsey called the meeting to order.

 

 

Welcome 

 

Chairman Dorsey welcomed those in attendance.

 

 

Prayer 

 

Commissioner Burdick offered prayer.

 

 

Pledge of Allegiance  

 

Everyone stood for the pledge of allegiance.

 

 

Approve Agenda  

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to amend and approve the agenda as follows:

            13b.    open for discussion

            14g.    remove item

            15a.    add Kenneth Hodges

            15b.    add Virgil Ayers

 

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

 

 

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

            May 14, 2002, May 14, 2002 Executive Session

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held May 14, 2002. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

 

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

None

 

 

Reports By Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

 

County Attorney Walter Gordon reported that the Water & Sewer Utility Authority awarded the Old Beacon Light Road water project to Water Management @$199,845 and Sunset Road water project to Griffin Brothers Inc @$165,000. He reported that the Authority has negotiated a ten-year term water supply agreement with the City of Lavonia at a cost of $1.75 per gallon.

 

He also reported that the State Supreme Court released a unanimous opinion to ban video poker in the State of Georgia.

 

 

County Administrator's Report

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb reported that the Downtown Development Authority has requested funds for the StreetScape Project and has gotten the go ahead to solicite bids for the project. He said the project would be underway in two months.

 

 

Chairman's Report

 

Chairman Dorsey reported that a patrol car involved in a recent storm was declared a total loss.

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to transfer the Ford Crown Victoria that was used by General Government to the Sheriff's Department. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Chairman Dorsey announced a called meeting would be held May 29th at 4:30 p.m. to discuss roads and LOST negotiations.

 

 

Commissioners' Reports

 

Commissioner Burdick reported that the South Carolina D.O.T. has cleaned up the clutter on the bridge entering S.C. on 29N.

 

 

Old Business

a.                  Local Area Network Authorization

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to proceed with the purchase of the Local Area Network project and to transfer $7,500 funds from the contingency fund to cover the expenditure. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

b.                  Department Heads & County Administrator Indemnification discussion

 

Attorney Gordon explained the intent of the Indemnification Resolution.

 

 

New Business

 

            a.         Indigent Legal Representation Resolution  

 

Attorney Gordon explained that the Indigent Legal Representation consists of five counties in the Northern Judicial Circuit. He reported that among other things the office rental fee has increased therefore, increasing Public Defender's budget by 6% in FY'03. He suggested that the commissioners contact the Governor, Senators and Legislators and request that the State of Georgia fund the program 100%.

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to approve the Indigent Legal Representation Resolution as amended. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The Resolution is recorded in the minutes book.

 

            b.         Experience Credit - Jerry Shaw Jail Administrator   

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to credit Jerry Shaw with two-year previous experience for the Jail Administrator position. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

c.                  Hart County W/S Authority SPLOST II Funding Requests 

 

Executive Director Jere Johnson explained that five individuals on Sunset Drive have each paid the City of Hartwell $1,000 to set a meter and hookup to the city water. He said the residents have requested a refund of $350 each since the Water Authority will be taking over the lines in August.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to table the request. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Mr. Johnson requested $199,845 from the 1%SPLOSTII funds for the Old Beacon Light Road water project.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the funding request of $199,845. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Mr. Johnson requested $165,576.50 from the 1%SPLOSTII funds for the Sunset Road water project. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Mr. Johnson requested funding for engineering fees for Sunset Circle, Sunset Drive, Center of the World, Cherokee Ridge and Ernest Oliver Drive.

 

Chairman Dorsey suggested that the Water Authority survey the residents of the above roads to see if there is an interest for potential water customers.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to table the request for funding until further review of the 1%SPLOSTII cash flow. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            d.         Subdivision Plat Variance Request - David A. Stovall  

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to deny Mr. Stovall's subdivision variance request. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            e.         Fire Department - Air Pack Purchase   

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the purchase of thirty two air packs, amend the 1%SPLOSTII Fire Department Budget to increase line item number 54.2530 by $32,800. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            f.          Summer Student Program   

 

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve funding of $2,500 from the contingency fund for a summer student for the Administrative office. Chairman Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

g.                  Behavioral Health Center - Architect Recommendation

Item was removed from the agenda.

 

 

Public Comment  

            a.         Kenneth Hodges  

 

Mr. Hodges remarked that he has researched land parcels in the area surrounding his property and has determined that the properties are assessed at different values. He reported that higher land values are placed on parcels that are in the conservation programs.

           

b.                  Virgil Ayers  - was not in attendance.

 

 

Executive Session  

 

None

 

 

Adjournment  

 

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

 

 

 

 

_____________________________         _______________________________

Joey, Dorsey, Chairman                              Lawana Kahn, County Clerk