2/21/2017 BOC Work Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 21, 2017
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held a Work Session Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Administration Building.
Chairman Hood called the meeting to order.
The Board discussed each item on the agenda for the Regular Meeting and made no changes; one item was added to the Regular Meeting agenda later in the meeting.
County Attorney Jim Ledbetter explained the zoning applications and informed the Board that the item for Application #Z16-14 Con-onaula Farms’ request has been taken off the agenda. Mr. Brumlow, the attorney representing the applicant has advised that this is not a viable application.
Mr. Pat Rasbury, Magistrate Court Judge, came before the Board to request that the Board of Commissioners consider passing an ordinance that would make the parents of school students responsible for getting their children to attend school. He has been working with a Truancy Team that is looking into the problem. Their recommendation is to get the City Council and the School Board on board with this by drawing up an ordinance and a contract with the City so that the Magistrate Court could handle this. Judge Rasbury handed out sample ordinances and contracts from other counties and asked the Board to look at those and come up with some for Gordon County. There was a consensus of the Board to move forward with this.
Mr. Doug Jones came before the Board to speak about the growth of mega chicken houses in Sugar Valley. Mr. Jones advised that he wanted to re-emphasize that this problem is not just about Sugar Valley, it is about Gordon County. The growth of mega chicken houses is happening all over the South, and there is an article in a Chattanooga paper about a class action lawsuit in the area. People visiting in Gordon County and stopping at the outlet mall or downtown, when they get out, they can smell chicken houses. Gordon County is issuing more permits for chicken houses than any other county in the State. That industry around Highway 136 area is not just agricultural, they are using industrial amounts of water, industrial waste, industrial feed – that’s a chicken park.
Ms. Debbie Vance, E-911 Director, came before the Board to make the Board aware of some new technology at our E-911 Center before it goes out publicly. Gordon County wireless customers will be able to send a short message service text message to 911 for emergency help when unable to make a 911 voice call. Only wireless cell phones with contracts will be able to text 911. Ms. Vance advised how these voice calls will be handled and dispatched. This is not the best way to contact 911 but it is an alternative to those who cannot do it by voice, or are in a situation where it is too dangerous to do it by voice.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and all voted aye.
There being no further business, the Work Session adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
