10/16/2018 BOC Regular Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 16, 2018
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held their Regular Meeting on October 16, 2018 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the main courtroom of the Gordon County Courthouse.
MEMBERS PRESENT
BECKY HOOD, CHAIRMAN
CHAD STEWARD, VICE CHAIRMAN
NORRIS SEXTON, COMMISSIONER
KEVIN CUNNINGHAM, COMMISSIONER
BUD OWENS, COMMISSIONER
OTHERS PRESENT
JIM LEDBETTER, CTY. ADMINISTRATOR
ANNETTE BERRY, COUNTY CLERK
MEDIA
APPROXIMATELY 70 GUESTS
Chairman Hood called the meeting to order.
RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL GUESTS
Chairman Hood welcomed the Youth Leadership Gordon County class of 2019 to the meeting and called on their leader Mr. Larry Deaton to give the Board some information about this class and the Youth Leadership program. Mr. Deaton presented the class to the Board and said that this is the 25th integration of this program conducted over the past 25 years and consists of high school juniors and seniors from all four of the local high schools. The class is sponsored by the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce Leadership program. The class will be introduced to topics like team building, community health and public safety, economic development , service and agriculture businesses and government, and includes manufacturing services when they will tour local manufacturing plants. They will meet with the Calhoun City Council, Gordon County Commissioners, and will make a trip to the Capitol to meet with the state legislative delegation. This program’s vision is for the students to graduate and volunteer and give back to their community. Each member of the class spoke to the Board and gave their name and the school they attend.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Hood asked if there are any additions, omissions, or deletions to the Minutes for the Work Session October 2, 2018, the Regular Meeting and the Special Meeting of October 2, 2018. Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Owens, Sexton, and Steward voted aye. Motion approved.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Ledbetter read the Administrator Report.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT
Commissioner Cunningham reported that he attended the Public Safety Committee and spent two days in Jekyll at the ACCG Legislative Conference and commissioners classes. Commissioner Steward advised that he also was in Jekyll for the Legislative Conference and classes, also attended the College and Career Academy meeting. Commissioner Owens reported that he attended the Administration Committee meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
CONSIDERATION OF NEW BUSINESS
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ABANDON A CLOSED PORTION OF JOHNSON LAKE ROAD
Administrator Ledbetter advised this is the Board Notice of their intent to abandon a closed portion of Johnson Lake Road. In connection with the Union Grove Road improvements, Johnson Lake was re-routed. According to Public Works and the DOT this old road bed is no longer necessary for public use. The adjoining land owners have a potential deal with a major investor riding on whether or not this road bed becomes abandoned and doesn’t sit in the middle of their tracts as a county easement. This item is just an information matter, it’s not on the agenda for action. That will come to the Board in a few weeks after advertising proper legal notices.
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE OPERATION PLAN & AGREEMENT FOR SALLACOA CREEK WATERSHED STRUCTURE NUMBER 77
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is the Natural Resources Conservation Service Operation Plan and Agreement for Sallacoa Creek Watershed structure number 77. A number of watershed dams were put in back in the 1960’s. One of our dams has become structurally unsound, structure number 77 had developed sinkholes over the natural course of time with the limestone geography that we have. It was determined that the dam would be de-commissioned. We have been mowing and inspecting the dam for many years, this agreement would continue that obligation to mow and inspect the remnant of the dam for the next ten years just to make sure that there is no drastic sinkholes developing and to keep it open for inspection. Recommendation is to approve the Conservation Service Operation Plan. The Plan estimates that it will cost Gordon County $3,000 per year to comply.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the Natural Resources Conservation Service Operation Plan and Agreement. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Owens, Steward, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
CELLULAR SITE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH AMERICAN TOWER MANAGEMENT FOR THE SONORAVILLE CELL TOWER
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is the agreement that the Board accepted the details of at the last meeting which are; for a signing bonus of $30,000, reduce the renewal terms from eight to five, the agreement ends in 2049, the rent will increase by 3% per year, and if they hang more antennas on the tower the County will get a $200 cost sharing payment per month.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the agreement with American Tower Management. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion and Commissioners Sexton, Owens, Cunningham, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
BID AWARD FOR A HEAVY DUTY TRUCK LIFT FOR THE FLEET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is an item requested by our Public Works Department. The recommendation is for the low bid of $36,940.00 to A& H Automatic Group. This will allow our Fleet Management to service our new large fire trucks.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the bid award to A & H Automatic Group. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Steward, Sexton, and Owens voted aye. Motion passed.
BID AWARD FOR TWO BREATHING AIR CASCADE SYSTEMS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a bid award for two breathing air cascade systems for the Fire Department. The county solicited bids and received two bids. The recommendation is to award the bid to Vitco Fire & Safety, Inc. to be the most responsive and lowest bidder. The funds of $81,790.00 will come from the 2012 SPLOST account for Fire Services.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the bid from Vitco Fire & Safety. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Sexton, Owens, Steward, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
Chairman Hood advised that the Board would adjourn the meeting but would stay to allow the Youth Leadership class to ask questions and to speak with the Commissioners.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and all voted aye.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
