12/17/2019 BOC Regular Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
DECEMBER 17, 2019
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held their Regular Meeting on December 17, 2019 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room of the Administration Building.
MEMBERS PRESENT
BECKY HOOD, CHAIRMAN
CHAD STEWARD, VICE CHAIRMAN
NORRIS SEXTON, COMMISSIONER
M. L. BUD OWENS, COMMISSIONER
KEVIN CUNNINGHAM, COMMISSIONER
OTHERS PRESENT
JIM LEDBETTER, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
ANNETTE BERRY, COUNTY CLERK
MEDIA
APPROXIMATELY 12 GUESTS
Chairman Hood called the meeting to order.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION – Employees with Anniversary Hire Dates in December
Commissioner Steward read the list of Employees with anniversary hire dates in December. Commissioner Cunningham drew the name of Benjamin Worley with the Sheriff’s Department as Employee of the Month for December.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Hood asked if there are any additions, omissions, or deletions to the Minutes for the Work Session November 19, 2019, and the Regular Meeting November 19, 2019. Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the Minutes. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Steward, Owens, Sexton, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Ledbetter read the report. (copy attached)
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT
Commissioner Owens commented that the Christmas Parade was a great success this year.
Commissioner Steward commented that he attended the Grand Opening of the new Food City.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to open the public hearing for zoning. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion and all voted aye.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZONING
A. APPLICATION #Z19-19 JOE BALDWIN’S REQUEST TO REZONE FROM A-1 TO R-1
County Administrator Ledbetter read application #Z19-19 Joe Baldwin’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. No one signed to speak for or against the rezoning.
Commissioner Steward made a motion to approve the rezoning from A-1 to R-1. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Steward, Cunningham, Owens, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
B. APPLICATION #Z19-20 PRESTON EDWARDS & MALLORY HENSON’S REQUEST TO REZONE FROM A-1 TO R-1
Administrator Ledbetter read application #Z19-20 Preston Edwards and Mallory Henson’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. No one signed to speak for or against the rezoning.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the rezoning from A-1 to R-1. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Owens, Sexton, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
C. APPLICATION #Z19-18 THONG TO’S REQUEST TO REZONE FROM A-1 TO CONDITIONAL USE
Administrator Ledbetter read application #Z19-18 Thong To’s request to rezone from A-1 to Conditional Use. This comes to the Board of Commissioners from the Planning Commission with their recommendations for denial. Several people signed up to speak and Administrator Ledbetter advised that the applicant is allowed to speak first and last. The Administrator then called Mr. To to the podium to speak. Mr. To brought a translator to speak for him. Mr. To, through the translator, requested the Board to postpone the hearing on this application to February to give him time to submit new plans that would address some of the complaints that were made at the Planning Commission hearing in opposition to this rezoning. Following some discussion, the date to table was decided on February 25, 2020 Board Meeting.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to table the public hearing on this application for rezoning to the second meeting in February, the 25th of February 2020. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Steward, and Sexton voted aye, Commissioner Owens voted to oppose the motion. Motion passed.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and all voted aye.
CONSIDERATION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
CONSIDERATION OF NEW BUSINESS
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR VOTING EQUIPMENT AND APPROVAL OF RELEASE AND DISPOSAL OF EQUIPMENT TO THE GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICE
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a request from the Board of Elections and Voter Registration for a declaration of surplus voting equipment. Gordon County will be receiving new voting equipment soon and the Secretary of State will be picking up all old equipment and destroying it.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the declaration of surplus property for voting equipment and release for disposal to the Georgia Secretary of State Office. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Sexton, Steward, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
STATEWIDE MUTUAL AID AND ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement with Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. This Agreement is valid until March 1, 2024.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Sexton, Steward, and Owens voted aye. Motion passed.
REAPPOINTMENT OF NANCY NICHOLS TO THE GORDON COUNTY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM ENDING 12/31/2022 AND ED MOYER TO FILL A VACANT POSITION FOR A TERM ENDING 12/31/2021
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a request from the Hospital Authority to reappoint Nancy Nichols for a term ending 12/31/2022 and to appoint Ed Moyer to fill an unexpired term
Ending 12/31/2021.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the reappointment of Nancy Nichols for a term ending 12/31/2022 and appoint Ed Moyer to a vacant position for a term ending 12/31/2021. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Steward, Sexton, Cunningham, and Owens voted aye. Motion passed.
340B HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ADVENTHEALTH GORDON
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this is a Health Care Services agreement with AdventHealth Gordon to continue to provide indigent services. This is for the hospital to continue to maintain their non-profit status.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the agreement with AdventHealth Gordon. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Steward, Sexton, Cunningham, and Owens voted aye. Motion passed.
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR THREE TRANE ROOF-TOP UNITS
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a declaration of surplus property for three old Trane Roof-Top Units, these will be sold for scrap for recycling.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the declaration of surplus property for the three old Trane units and sell them for scrap. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioner Sexton, Owens, Steward, and Cunningham voted aye. Motion passed.
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR FIFTEEN MISCELLANEOUS FIREARMS FROM THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a declaration of surplus property from the Sheriff’s Department for fifteen miscellaneous firearms that are seized property. State law requires the county to surplus seized firearms once every year and to sell at auction. We have done this in the past by using a registered firearms salesperson who posts these online and handles all the transactions for a small fee.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the declaration of surplus property for miscellaneous firearms. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion and Commissioner Cunningham, Sexton, Steward, and Owens voted aye. Motion passed.
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR MISCELLANEOUS TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT FOR THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a declaration of surplus property for miscellaneous technology equipment for the IT Department. The IT Department has vendors who will buy this for recycling and the County will make a small amount of money from it.
Commissioner Steward made a motion to approve the declaration of surplus property for the IT Department. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioners Steward, Cunningham, Owens, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A LOW BOY TRAILER FOR THE CHERT PIT AND THE PUBLIC WORKS
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a budget amendment for the purchase of a Low Boy Trailer for the Chert Pit and the Public Works Department. There was an estimate the County had for a front-end loader at the chert pit for around $300,000, and the actual cost was about $190,000. The County desperately needs a low boy trailer because the County right now doesn’t have a trailer that can legally carry our big equipment. This low boy will allow the County to transport our own equipment on our own trailer. The low boy costs about $72,750 and we’ve gone through the proper process of advertising for bids.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to approve the budget amendment to purchase a low boy trailer for the Public Works Department. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and
Commissioners Sexton, Steward, Cunningham, and Owens voted aye. Motion passed.
BID AWARD FOR A LOW BOY TRAILER FOR THE CHERT PIT AND THE PUBLIC WORKS
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is a bid award for a Low Boy trailer for the Chert Pit and the Public Works Department. The County accepted sealed bids and after reviewing the bids submitted, then selected West-Mark with a bid of $72,750 with the lowest bid that met the specifications. The funding will come from the Chert Enterprise Fund budget for capital outlay machinery.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to award the bid to West-Mark for the low boy trailer. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and Commissioner Sexton, Cunningham, Owens, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE SONORAVILLE PAVILION
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this is a budget amendment for the construction of the Sonoraville Pavilion. In the SPLOST list, we have the Pavilion and the Splash Pad in different years of SPLOST collection. It makes sense to build the Splash Pad and Pavilion at the same time because they are going to serve one another. We are proposing to go ahead and build the Pavilion, we won’t collect that money, we will borrow it from the landfill fund and then pay back with the SPLOST money when it comes in.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the budget amendment. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Owens, Steward, Cunningham, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
MALT BEVERAGE AND WINE LICENSE APPLICATION FOR MARTIN’S CORNER (NEW OWNER)
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is an application for a malt beverage and wine license for Martin’s Corner for a new owner of the store which is under new management. All paperwork is in order.
Commissioner Steward made a motion to approve the application for Martin’s Corner. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion and Commissioners Steward, Owens, and Hood voted aye. Commissioners Cunningham and Sexton opposed the motion. Motion approved.
2020 RENEWAL APPLICATIONS FOR MALT BEVERAGE, WINE, AND ALCOHOL LICENSES
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is the 2020 renewal applications for a license to sell malt beverage, wine, and alcohol. All paperwork is in order.
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the renewal applications for 2020 for malt beverage, wine, and alcohol licenses. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and
Commissioner Owens, Steward, and Hood voted aye. Commissioners Sexton and Cunningham opposed the motion. Motion approved.
QUALIFYING FEES FOR THE 2020 GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION
Administrator Ledbetter advised the Board that this is for the Board to set the Qualifying Fees for the 2020 General Primary Election. (copy attached)
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the Qualifying Fees for the 2020 General Election. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion and Commissioner Cunningham, Sexton, Owens, and Steward voted aye. Motion passed.
APPOINTMENT TO THE GORDON/FLOYD JOINT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR JESSE VAUGHN FOR A THREE-YEAR UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING 12/31/2021
Administrator Ledbetter advised that this is the appointment to the Gordon/Floyd Joint Development Authority for Jesse Vaughn for a three-year unexpired term ending 12/31/2021.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to approve the appointment of Jesse Vaughn to the Joint Development Authority. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Steward, Owens, and Sexton 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 7:20 p.m.
