10/17/2017 BOC Regular Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 17, 2017
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held their Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room of the Administration Building.
Vice Chairman Steward called the meeting to order.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Representative from ACCG, Mr. Todd Edwards, spoke about Rep. John Meadows’ help in representing local governments and being a strong voice in State matters. Mr. Edwards presented Rep. Meadows with a commemorative legislative award from the ACCG.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chairman Steward asked if there are any additions, omissions, or deletions to the Minutes for the Work Session October 3, 2017, and the Regular Meeting October 3, 2017. Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Sexton, and Owens voted aye. Motion approved.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
County Administrator Ledbetter read the report into the record.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT
Commissioner Owens commented that he served as a speaker on servant leadership at a Georgia Leadership event in Gainesville. Commissioner Owens also commented that he wanted to thank Courtney Taylor for his response to his request to him to compile a list of things that could be improved in his area. Commissioner Steward reported that he attended the ACCG Leadership Conference in Augusta where he also completed the ACCG Revenue & Finance Specialty Track Program.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to open the public hearing for zoning. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and all voted aye.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZONING
APPLICATION #Z17-14 JOHNSON GROUP PROPERTIES’ REQUEST TO REZONE FROM A-1 TO I-1
County Administrator/Attorney read application Z17-14 Johnson Group Properties’ requesting to rezone from A-1 to I-1. This comes to the Board of Commissioner from the Planning Commission with their recommendations for approval. Mr. Jeff Watkins, representing the applicant explained the rezoning request. The prior use was a lay down for the Williams pipeline. At this time there is no intention to put a structure there, a possible use would be for temporary truck parking. Vice Chairman Steward commented that the 8.69 acres can only be utilized for what is requested, short and long term truck/tractor trailer parking. If the Board rezones this, the property can only be used for that drop lot and not for something else. It would have to come back to the county if the applicant should decided to build there. Attorney Watkins agreed. Commissioner Owens referred to the Road Department review stating that the culvert placed there now was permitted as temporary for a construction entrance and will need to be removed before a new one is installed. Also that the property owner will need to come to the Road Department and get a new permit. Further discussion followed regarding a truck driver missing the parking lot and going into the adjacent neighborhood, and the need for signage. Vice Chairman Steward added that Mr. Randy Rule, Chairman of the Planning Commission is in attendance, and asked if he would like to add anything. Mr. Rule commented that it appears that the only option a truck driver has once he goes through that 15-20 house neighborhood is getting to the end of the road and doing four or five turns backing down a dirt road, so signage would be helpful.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the rezoning application Z17-14 Johnsons’ Group Properties from A-1 to I-1. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Sexton, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
APPLICATION #Z17-15 STEPHEN M. CHASTAIN’S REQUEST TO REZONE FROM A-1 TO RA-1
County Administrator/Attorney read application Z17-15 Stephen M. Chastain’s request to rezone from A-1 to RA-1. This comes to the Board of Commissioners from the Planning Commission with their recommendations for approval. There was no one signed to speak for or against the rezoning.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve application Z17-15. Commissioner
Sexton seconded the motion Commissioners Cunningham, Owens, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
APPLICATION #Z17-16 ERIC & AMANDA ROWELL’S REQUEST TO REZONE FROM A-1 TO R-1
County Administrator/Attorney read application Z17-16 Eric and Amanda Rowell’s request to rezone from A-1 to R-1. This comes to the Board of Commissioners from the Planning Commission with their recommendations for approval. There was no one signed to speak for or against the rezoning.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve application Z17-16. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Cunningham, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to close the public hearing for zoning. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion and all voted aye.
CONSIDERATION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
CONSIDERATION OF NEW BUSINESS
BID AWARD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON THE BULL DOZER AT THE CHERT MINE
County Administrator/Attorney Ledbetter advised that this is a recommendation from the Purchasing Department to award the bid to a local company TEC Calhoun Georgia in the amount of $29,962.00. The lowest local bidder was within the policy of 4% of the lowest bid. TEC of Calhoun was offered the privilege of matching the lowest bid and they accepted.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve awarding the bid to TEC Calhoun Georgia. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Cunningham, and Sexton voted aye. Motion approved.
PROBATION SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH SUPERVISION SERVICES, INC. FOR SUPERIOR COURT, PROBATE COURT, AND MAGISTRATE COURT
County Administrator/Attorney Ledbetter advised that this is the probation services agreements with Supervision Services, Inc. for Superior Court, Probate Court and Magistrate Court. Supervision Services has been providing these services for several years and the recommendation is to approve these agreements.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the agreements. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Cunningham, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF G.R.T.P. GRANT APPLICATION FOR TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS
County Administrator/Attorney Ledbetter advised that this is a resolution authorizing submission of a G.R.T.P. Grant application for trail improvements. The grant is for up to $200,000, Gordon County is applying jointly with the City of Calhoun, and there will be a 20% match on whatever amount is awarded to Gordon County.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing to submit a G.R.T.P. Grant application for trail improvements. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Cunningham, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
CONSIDERATION OF INCREASE TO THE FREEPORT TAX EXEMPTION FROM 60% TO 80%
County Administrator/Attorney Ledbetter advised that this is for Board consideration of increasing the Freeport Tax Exemption from 60% to 80% effective January 1, 2018. This would affect the digest and returns for next fall. This would be applicable to all categories of inventory.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to increase the Freeport Tax Exemption from 60% to 80% effective January 1, 2018. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Owens, and Steward voted aye. Commissioner Sexton opposed the motion. Motion passed.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE DEED FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA FOR 1.26 ACRES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW HEALTH DEPARTMENT
County Administrator/Attorney Ledbetter advised that this is acceptance of the deed from the State of Georgia for 1.26 acres for construction of a new Health Department. CAA Ledbetter recommended accepting the deed so that he can go ahead and record the deed.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to accept the deed. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioner Cunningham, Owens, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Owens commented that he wanted to welcome and wanted to say thank you to Mr. Randy Rule in attendance tonight. On behalf of the Board of Commissioners he thanked Mr. Rule as a member of the Planning Commission and for his service to Gordon County.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and all voted aye. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
