- Courthouse Renovation: The Architects are making arrangements for geologic and hydrologic studies for the Annex Addition portion of the site. The focus of the evaluation will include detecting the presence of any underground water or voids, if any exist, that may affect the integrity of the proposed building.
- Animal Shelter: Bids were received and opened on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 2 p.m. Nine companies submitted bids. The base bids ranged from $1,275,000 to $1,943,000. Numerous alternate deductions were specified in the bids that may reduce the construction costs. These will be considered in the recommended bid award and the selected contractor will be asked to value engineer the project to further reduce costs. I expect to recommend the contractor and construction contract at the next meeting on February 6, 2018.
- EMS: Gordon County continues to work with Gordon Hospital on a contract extension for EMS services that will save the tax payers money, specify performance objectives and establish a performance review committee.
- Surplus Firearm Auction: Conducted by American Auctioneers on Friday, January 26 at noon at the UGA Extension. Only valid holders of a Federal Firearms License may purchase.
- FirstNet: Members of various city and county public safety departments participated in a presentation from AT&T on its FirstNet Program. FirstNet participants receive priority status on cell phone service. FirstNet allows critical safety personnel to make cell phone calls when towers are saturated and service may, otherwise, be unavailable. Because of the nature of this program, cell phone costs will actually decrease although services and options will be enhanced.
- Weather Impact January 16-19: EMA Director, Courtney Taylor, began monitoring the weather system on the weekend of January 13, 14 and on the MLK Holiday, January 15. Weather briefings intensified on Tuesday, January 16. Falling temperatures and frozen precipitation were predicted to arrive in Gordon County around 4 p.m. so a decision was made to close government offices at 3 p.m. The offices were not re-opened until Thursday. Public Works and Public Safety Officials were heavily involved in keeping the roads clear and public safe. Some examples of their work are:
- Sheriff’s Office, deployment of storm capable/emergency equipped 4wd bravo units along with extra personnel, response to 20 motor vehicle crashes, assisted 12 stranded occupants of disabled vehicles, and transported E911 employees safely home. 43.25 hours of overtime were incurred;
- Public Works, pre-treated 24 priority areas (bridges and hills), treated and bladed portions of 65 roads, used 160 tons of gravel and 8,000 pounds of salt. 76 hours of overtime were incurred;
- E911, received calls regarding 28 accidents in the City and County with no injuries and 5 with injuries, received and distributed icy road reports; and,
- Building and Grounds, monitored all county buildings, addressed a power outage at the GSP, closed the top floor of the parking deck and disbursed 300 – 400 pounds of salt at entrances and walkways to about 12 buildings.
