11/20/2018 BOC Regular Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 20, 2018
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held their Regular Meeting on November 20, 2018 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room of the Administration building.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Becky Hood, Chairman
Chad Steward, Commissioner
Norris Sexton, Commissioner
Kevin Cunningham, Commissioner
OTHERS PRESENT
Jim Ledbetter, County Administrator
Annette Berry, County Clerk
Media
Approximately 35 Guests
Chairman Hood called the meeting to order.
PUBLIC HEARING – Abandon A Portion Of Johnson Lake Road
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to open the public hearing. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Sexton, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
Administrator Ledbetter advised that the road is closed as part of the relocation of Johnson Lake Road by the DOT. There is no longer a public need for the roadbed, the request is for the Board to abandon that portion of the road described in the legal description in the newspaper ad and on page one of your meeting package. The portion to be abandoned would then revert to the property owners of the roadbed as their interest might appear.
No one signed to speak at the public hearing.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve abandoning a portion of Johnson Lake Road as outlined in the public notice attached. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Steward, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Steward, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Hood asked if there are any additions, omissions, or deletions to the Minutes for the Work Session November 6, 2018 and the Regular Meeting November 6, 2018. Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the Minutes. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Steward, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Ledbetter read the Administrator’s Report into the record.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT
None
PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZONING
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to open the public hearing for zoning. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Steward, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
APPLICATION #Z18-22 JOHN ROSS AND BRANDON ROSS REQUEST TO REZONE FROM A-1 TO CONDITIONAL USE
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is application #Z18-22 John and Brandon Ross’ request to rezone from A-1 to Conditional Use. This is for rezoning 90.34 acres to build six chicken houses.
Mr. Terry Brumlow came before the Board representing the applicant and explained the application for rezoning and that the Ross family already had poultry houses nearby. The Ross son, Brandon, wants to get into the business using new techniques, such as, they store the dead chickens in freezers that are then hauled off the property.
Mr. Marvin Blalock appeared before the Board in opposition to the rezoning. He has a honey business and his concern is for the bees that will be wiped out due to the ammonia in the air that disorients the bees causing them to be unable to return to the hive. Charlene Hendrix spoke in opposition, and Tina Collins, daughter of the bee keeper wants to continue the business and expand it for her livelihood. Steve Bradshaw spoke in opposition stating that the chicken houses will wreck future plans for his children and grandchildren. Anthony Dutton is opposed and his concerns are with property values. James Youngblood spoke and stated that Tyson, Pilgrims, or whomever, controls how the chickens are raised, the grower does not own the chickens and has no control of how they are raised. Betty Payne is opposed and stated that Gordon County has too many chicken houses and not enough honey bees. Jacob Williams, with Georgia Poultry Equipment, spoke in support of the Ross’ request for rezoning and building the chicken houses. John Ross and Brandon Ross, the applicants, spoke and explained how the business will be run and asked that the Board take all of this into consideration.
Administrator Ledbetter asked that the minutes incorporate pages 7 through 21 of the material in the Board’s packet and any material that would be in the record from the Planning Commission as part of the record of this meeting. Chairman Hood asked if the application meets the most current ordinance with the new more strict stipulations that were passed, and Administrator Ledbetter advised that it does.
Following questions and further discussions with the applicants and clarifications from some of the people who spoke in opposition, Chairman Hood asked if there is a motion for Application #Z18-22. Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the rezoning request. No one seconded the motion and motion fails due to lack of a second.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Cunningham seconded and all voted aye.
CONSIDERATION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS
SECOND READING OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is the second reading of the Emergency Management Ordinance. This ordinance has been worked on by the Director of Emergency Management, Courtney Taylor, this prevents the County from having to do a resolution every several years, this ordinance makes it become a permanent ordinance of Gordon County. This is for emergency powers if the County has a disaster.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the Ordinance. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Sexton, Steward, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
CONSIDERATION OF NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF SERVICE DELIVERY STRATEGY AGREEMENT PRESENTED BY THE CITY OF CALHOUN TO GORDON COUNTY
Chairman Hood advised that this is for Board consideration of the Service Delivery Strategy Agreement presented by the City of Calhoun to Gordon County. This agreement is presented after must deliberation with the attorneys.
Commissioner Steward made a motion to approve the Service Delivery Strategy Agreement. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion and Commissioners Steward, Sexton, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 2019 MEETING SCHEDULE
Chairman Hood advised that this is the 2019 meeting schedule for the Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the 2019 meeting schedule. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Steward, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
BUDGET AMENDMENT TO ACCEPT THE 2018 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $90,775.00 AND APPROVAL OF THE GEORGIA EMA RECIPIENT AGREEMENT
Chairman Hood advised that this is a budget amendment to accept the 2018 Homeland Security Grant from the Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $90,775 and approval of the Georgia EMA Recipient Agreement.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the grant award and the Georgia EMA Agreement. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Sexton, Steward, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
RE-APPOINTMENTS TO THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION FOR NATHAN SERRITT AND EDDIE SMITH FOR FOUR-YEAR TERMS ENDING 12/31/2022
Chairman Hood advised that this is for re-appointments to the Planning & Zoning Commission for Nathan Serritt and Eddie Smith for four-year terms ending 12/31/2022.
Commissioner Steward made a motion to approve the re-appointments to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Steward, Cunningham, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR $50,329 FOR SPILLMAN TECHNOLOGIES FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INSTALLATION AND FIRST YEAR MAINTENANCE AT E-911
Chairman Hood advised that this is a budget amendment for up to $50,329 for Spillman Technologies for project management services, installation and first year maintenance for E-911. This is for Administrator Ledbetter and gives him the ability to negotiate with Spillman.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the budget amendment for Spillman Technologies for service and installation and first year maintenance at E-911. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Sexton, Steward, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
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 7:00 p.m.
