Hart County Board of Commissioners

February 8th, 2005

5:30 p.m.

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met February 8th, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

Chairman R C Oglesby presided with Commissioners Daniel Reyen, Gary Mize, Ricky Carter and Joey Dorsey in attendance.

  1. Call to Order

Chairman Oglesby called the meeting to order.

  1. Welcome

Chairman Oglesby welcomed those in attendance.

  1. Prayer –  Rev. Tommy Kennedy/Sardis Baptist Church
  1. Pledge of Allegiance

Everyone stood in observance of the Pledge of Allegiance.

  1. Approve Agenda

Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to amend and approve the meeting agenda as follows:

            Add Janet White to the agenda            

Remove New Business Item f

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

  1. Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held on January 25th, 2005. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

  1. Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities

None

  1. Reports by Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

County Attorney Walter Gordon reported that Tax Commissioner Pierce has reviewed the delinquent tax collections and wants to pursue tax collection efforts.

Attorney Gordon noted that he has reviewed the proposal that Appalachian Mountain Services, Inc. submitted and recommended that the BOC authorize the Chairman to execute the contract. 

Commissioner Carter asked if there was a payment plan to help people that really needed help. Mr. Baxter of Appalachian Mountain Services responded that the final decision would be up to the Tax Commissioner. Commissioner Carter stated that he did not want to take homes unless it was a last resort.

Tax Commissioner Pierce noted that his office would mail out delinquent tax notices prior to issuing a FIFA and he would seek advice of the County Attorney, the BOC and Mr. Baxter on delinquent tax issues. He agreed to keep the BOC apprised of Appalachian Mountain Services and his efforts to collect delinquent taxes.

After discussing the issue and determining that there would not be an impact on the Tax Commissioners’ budget nor an additional cost to the taxpayers, Commissioner Carter entertained a motion to authorize the Chairman to execute the contract on behalf of the BOC. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Attorney Gordon reported that the auditor has completed the Joint Development Authorities audit and it is ready for review. He also reported that the Governor has scheduled a meeting with the General Assembly March 7th, 2005 to repeal a number of amendments that are no longer applicable.

Attorney Gordon distributed a report on the distance requirements as determined in the City of Hartwell and State of Georgia beer & wine license ordinances.

Commissioner Carter stated that if there are a lot of changes in the beer & wine ordinance that they need to do all of them at one time not just one at a time.

Chairman Oglesby directed County Administrator Jon Caime to schedule a work session after 5:00 p.m. for the BOC to discuss the Beer & Wine Ordinance.

  1. County Administrator’s Report 

County Administrator Caime reported that the county is seeking bids for resurfacing county roads and first time paving for the upcoming season.

He reported that the ISO Committee has a vacancy and members of the Fire Department have recommended appointing Mike Milford to the committee.

Chairman Oglesby entertained a motion to appoint Mike Milford to serve on the ISO Committee. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Administrator Caime noted that the ISO Committee has submitted a report and made recommendations for purchasing new fire trucks and equipment. He noted that the issues will be discussed at budget time and during SPLOST negotiations.

He explained that HB218 is currently being looked at by the State.  This bill will allow very crucial confidential negotiations to take place with industry when the County is trying to secure new industry and jobs to the County.  Industries do not want their competition to know what they are doing and therefore require confidential negotiations when looking to locate a new plant. He further explained that Georgia and Hart County are at a handicap when similar negotiations in neighboring states are protected.  He requested that the BOC support HB218 which would be very important to Hart County and the State of Georgia.

Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to draft a letter to Representative Powell and Senator Schaefer requesting their support for HB218.  Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Administrator Caime reported that there is a public hearing scheduled February 17th, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

He reported that the City of Hartwell has tabled the county’s request to annex the new Recreation Park into the City limits. He noted that the county may consider requesting water hookup from the Hart County Water Authority.

Finally, he reported that the Board of Tax Assessors have forwarded a job description for an appraiser position and recommended the position be a grade 19.

  1. Chairman’s Report  

Chairman Oglesby noted that the BOC has received three individuals' names that are interested in the vacated position on the Board of Tax Assessors. He noted that the issue will be placed on the March 8th, 2005 meeting agenda.

  1. Commissioners’ Reports 

Commissioner Reyen reported that Chief Registrar Ray Lewis has brought to his attention that the early voting program will be extended the next election. Therefore, Mr. Lewis recommended that the BOC consider the impact that the early voting program has on the existing facility and personnel.

Commissioner Carter recommended that in order to speed up the process of reviewing the minutes, the BOC should pick up a draft of the minutes prepared by the Clerk, note any changes, and return them to the Clerk by Monday following the meeting.

Commissioner Carter entertained a motion to draft a letter to all State Representatives, Senators, ACCG, GMA, Federal Representatives, Congress, Federal Senators and the President of the United States on the impact of our economy and our nation by outsourcing jobs overseas so companies can make a bigger profit. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Dorsey asked about the status of the FY’04 audit. Administrator Caime responded that the auditor has stated that he will have the report by the March 31st, 2005 deadline.

Commissioner Dorsey requested that the county provide padding for the benches in the meeting room.

  1. Consent Agenda

None

  1. Old Business

None

  1. New Business

(before a): Janet White reported that George White is still living and she has power of attorney for him.  She noted that Mr. White home he once occupied has been vacated since 1994 and is in the process of being condemned by the City of Hartwell before they had it torn down.  She noted in the Tax Assessors' office that nothing could be changed since Mr. White did not file a return. Mr. White does not read or write and was not aware of the procedures to follow. She was appointed power of attorney  October 2003 after the fact of the property being appraised (almost doubled from the previous year) at $44,890.00 in 2002 and taxed on that amount for 2003. I did file a return in 2004 and the value dropped to $8,000. I filed an appeal letter that I hand delivered to the Tax Assessors' office due to the fact that they had the house valued at $5,000. The hand delivered letter was never acknowledged.

Ms. White requested relief for the taxes in the amount of $2,429.48. Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to waive the penalties and interests that have accrued since 1994.

Administrator Caime showed pictures of the dilapidated house.

Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to waive the penalties and interest and tax on the improvements since 1994 and to have the County Attorney review for legal compliance, request the Board of Tax Assessors' review the matter and allow the County Attorney time to review the BOA's decision and make sure the action is in compliance with State law. Chairman Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

a)      Comprehensive Land Use Plan Public Meeting #1

County Administrator Caime explained that the Comprehensive Land Use Plan as required by State law has to be updated every ten years. He noted that the planning process follows a 3 step process

1.      Inventory of existing Land Uses & existing conditions

2.      Review current & future conditions & needs

3.      Determine Land Use Goals & Programs for achieving Goals

He presented the timeline to complete the process by October 31st, 2005.

Administrator Caime introduced Ole Sleipness; a student at Clemson University is majoring in City & Regional Planning.

Mr. Sleipness noted that the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is mandated by the State of Georgia and gave a brief description of the purpose of the plan. He encouraged everyone to attend the February 17th, 2005 Public Input Session Meeting #2 at 5:30 p.m.

Administrator Caime read a petition as follows:

            We, the undersigned residents and/or property owners of Hart County, petition the BOC to begin the process of studying & discussing the issue of land use management. Recent events have indicated that a plan, which protects all interests and is adapted to the unique needs of Hart County, may now be necessary. Such a plan should protect recreational, residential, agricultural, as well as commercial & industrial interests & provide for intelligent, managed growth in Hart County. The petition was signed by 172 individuals.

Dale Banister asked if the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is zoning. Administrator Caime responded that the plan is not zoning but in fact an update to the county's existing plan.

b)      Bid Award - Communication Tower

EMS/EMA Director Terrell Partain presented a comparison of the bids received from Nationwide Tank & Tower base price $70,121and World Tower base price $45,381. He noted that the total cost to complete the project includes lighting, antennas and labor at $56,554.

Chairman Oglesby entertained a motion to fund the project out of General Fund in the amount of $56,554. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

c)      EMA MOU  

Commissioner Carter entertained a motion to authorize the chairman to execute the Memorandum of Understanding. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

d)      Bid Award - Road Stone

Administrator Caime recommended awarding the road stone bid to Stratton Trucking and to further use T-Rock when Stratton is not available.

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to award the Road Stone contract to Stratton Trucking. Commissioner Mize provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

e)      COE Boat Ramp Leases 

Administrator Caime reported that Hart County currently has three boat ramps that we are leasing from the Corp of Engineers and they expire in April. He noted that the county maintains the ramps; however terminating the lease will require the county to bring the area back to the original state.

Chairman Oglesby entertained a motion to renew the boat ramp leases for a period of twenty-five years. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

f)        Consolidated Copier Proposal 

Item was removed from the agenda

g)      Change order I-85 Industrial Park Phase 1b

Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to approve the Change Order request in the amount of $59,700. Chairman Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

h)      Dink NeSmith - Citizen group update Courthouse  

Mr. NeSmith noted the history of the background of the courthouse committee and presented the BOC with a list of their goals. He requested that the committee and the BOC meet at a work session to discuss the courthouse.

i)        Courthouse Architectural Proposals 

Administrator Caime noted that the Architectural proposals will be looking at the utility of the courthouse. He recommended awarding the contract to Precision Planning in the amount of $30,000.

Chairman Oglesby entertained a motion to award the contract to Precision Planning. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

  1.  Public Comment

None

  1. Executive Session

None

  1. Adjournment 

Commissioner Reyen entertained 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