12/01/09 Regular Session Minutes
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held their Regular Meeting on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the main Courtroom of the Gordon County Courthouse.
Chairman Long called the meeting to order.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Invocation was led by Rev. John Allen and the pledge of allegiance was led by Chairman Long.
WELCOME
Chairman Long welcomed everyone to the meeting.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Chairman Long read the list of employees with anniversary hire dates in December. Commissioner Hood drew the name of Heath Smith as Employee of the Month.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Fire Chief Dave Hawkins presented special commendation to several Fire Department employees, firefighters, EMT’s and Paramedics for their roles in rescuing a small child who was found in a pond.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Long asked if there were any additions, omissions, or deletions to the Minutes for the Work Session November 17, 2009, and the Regular Meeting November 17, 2009, and a Special Meeting November 20, 2009. Commissioner Gordon made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Bailey seconded the motion and all voted aye. Minutes approved.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Dowling read the report into the record.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT
Vice Chairman Bailey advised that the Youth Leadership Class was in attendance at tonight’s meeting and introduced the instructors and committee members of this year’s class. Each student introduced themselves and gave the name of the school they attend.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC – GERMANE TO THE AGENDA
None
CONSIDERATION OF OLD BUSINESS
None
CONSIDERATION OF NEW BUSINESS
- PUBLIC BRIEFING REGARDING THE CLOSEOUT OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB CDBG GRANT
Administrator Dowling advised the Board that this is a public briefing regarding the closeout of the CDBG grant for the Boys & Girls Club facility. Mr. Dave Ronnigan, the grant writer, gave a brief public briefing. Mr. Ronnigan advised that the grant was for $500,000 and all of the funds were spent on the acquisition of a building. Nearly $900,000 from local resources, including in-kind services, material and labor was spent on the project to get the building ready. 260 kids benefitted, of which 221 were from low and/or moderate-income families. Fair housing flyers were made available at the briefing for the public. No one from the public came forward with any comments.
- AGREEMENT WITH THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR CONSTRUCTIOIN OF THE RESACA BATTLEFIELD PARK VISITORS CENTER
County Attorney Hutchinson advised the Board that this is an agreement with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the construction of the Resaca Battlefield Park visitor’s center. There is a 15-month construction schedule outlined in the agreement. Commissioner Gordon made a motion to approve the agreement. Commissioner Bailey seconded the motion and Commissioners Gordon and Bailey voted aye, Commissioner Hood opposed the motion. Chair votes with the motion. Motion passed.
- INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PREMISES OF THE RESACA BATTLEFIELD PARK
County Attorney Hutchinson advised the Board that this is an intergovernmental agreement with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the operation and Management of the premises of the Resaca Battlefield Park following the completion of the construction project. This agreement is for a 50-year term unless renegotiated by either party. Commissioner Bailey made a motion to approve the intergovernmental agreement. Commissioner Gordon seconded the motion and Commissioners Gordon and Bailey voted aye. Commissioner Hood opposed the motion. Chair votes with the motion. Motion passed.
- RESOLUTION AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONTRACT WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF GORDON COUNTY PERTAINING TO THE ISSUANCE OF A PROMISSORY NOTE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
County Attorney Hutchinson advised the Board that this is a resolution and intergovernmental contract with the Development Authority of Gordon County pertaining to the issuance of a promissory note for the Development Authority. Previously the Board approved temporary funding as requested of the Development Authority for purchase of the King property and this intergovernmental contract and resolution completes that agreement. Commissioner Bailey made a motion to approve the resolution and intergovernmental contract. Commissioner Gordon seconded the motion and Commissioners Gordon, Bailey, and Hood voted aye. Motion passed.
- APPROVAL OF RE-NOMINATION AND RE-APPOINTMENT OF MATT BARTON AND DAVID HAMMOND TO THE GORDON COUNTY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY FOR THREE YEAR TERMS
Administrator Dowling advised the Board that this is for approval of re-nomination and re-appointment of Matt Barton and David Hammond to the Gordon County Hospital Authority for three year terms. Commissioner Bailey made a motion to approve the re-nomination and re-appointments to the Gordon County Hospital Authority. Commissioner Gordon seconded the motion and Commissioners Bailey, Gordon, and Hood voted aye. Motion passed.
- APPROVAL OF SUBMITTING A SAFER GRANT FROM HOMELAND SECURITY FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Administrator Dowling advised the Board that this is a request from the Fire Department for approval for submitting a SAFER grant from Homeland Security. This grant would be used to pay for 100% of the actual salary and benefits cost of nine newly hired firefighters for a period of two years. Commissioner Hood made a motion to approve the application for a SAFER Grant for the Fire Department. Commissioner Bailey seconded the motion and Commissioners Hood, Bailey, and Gordon voted aye. Motion passed.
- BOARD APPROVAL FOR SENDING A LETTER OF COMMITMENT TO LG HAUSYS AMERICA, INC. TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS OR IN-KIND BENEFITS FOR A NEW PLANT PROJECT
County Administrator Dowling advised that the Board has received a letter from LG Hausys America Inc. requesting the County to make a commitment of assistance limited to no more than $200,000, or in-kind assistance from the County, for their projected $50 million expansion project to be located in Gordon County. Commissioner Bailey made a motion to approve the County sending a letter of intent committing that assistance to LG Hausys America, Inc. Commissioner Gordon seconded the motion and Commissioners Bailey, Gordon, and Hood voted aye. Motion passed.
Comments From The Public
Mr. Marvin Taylor came before the Board to voice his concerns with the countywide property re-evaluation and property taxes. Teressa Dempsey came before the Board regarding the Board’s spending of County funds and her concerns for the homeless and jobless of Gordon County.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Gordon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Hood seconded the motion and all voted aye. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
