12/20/2016 BOC Work Session Minutes
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION MINUTES
DECEMBER 20, 2016
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners held a Work Session Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. in the conference room of the Administration Building
Chairman Hood called the meeting to order.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCES
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to open the public hearing for Amendments to Ordinances for the Shooting Ranges Ordinance, the Chickens and Poultry Ordinance, and the Soil Erosion Sedimentation and Pollution Control Ordinance. Commissioner Gazaway seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Gazaway, Sexton, and Steward voted aye.
County Attorney Ledbetter advised that a notice of the public hearing was run in the newspaper and it has been announced at previous meetings that the public hearing is today, December 20, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Two persons have signed up to speak at the public hearing.
Mr. James Chitwood spoke to the Board about his concerns for elderly people that raise chickens for eggs and that don’t have two acres of property, he suggested having some type of allowance or proration, maybe 6 chickens on ½ acre. Mr. Chitwood requested that the Board change the ordinance to accommodate people wanting to have a few chickens on less land than two acres.
Ms. Robin Curtis spoke to the Board and her concerns were also for allowing a few chickens on small lots. She admitted that she has less than an acre of land and she currently has a few chickens that she keeps for eggs and they are considered pets.
County Attorney commented that the Board appreciates the two citizens that came to speak at the public hearing. He advised the Board that no one else has signed up to speak at the public hearing. Commissioner Steward commented that if someone has less than two acres, they can apply for a variance and as long as their neighbors are ok with it they may be able to have chickens on less than two acres.
Commissioner Cunningham made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Gazaway seconded the motion and Commissioners Cunningham, Gazaway, Steward, and Sexton voted aye. Motion passed.
Ms. Louise McGowan with Dobbs & Company, the County’s auditing firm, spoke to the Board and presented the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2016. Ms. McGowan advised that there were no changes to the financial statement, all of the budget compliance was all there. There were no inconsistencies or problems or concerns that they were not able to resolve.
The Board discussed each item on the agenda for the Regular Meeting and made no changes or additions.
County Attorney Ledbetter advised the Board that the public hearing for the amendments to the ordinances has been held and the Board can now consider them for approval at the Regular Meeting. He also advised that on the Shooting Ranges ordinance, Building and Planning had suggested that, concerning the decibels, included in the ordinance there should be wording that would require anyone trying to start an indoor shooting range would have to show the data from a qualified sound engineer that the shooting range, at the time its being built, the maximum caliber limit allowed would not exceed 40 decibel for the largest caliber firearm allowed in the facility.
Commissioner Sexton commented that his concern is with the air quality. Attorney Ledbetter advised that air quality is addressed in the ordinance and must be within the OSHA requirements and the Lead Management requirements established by the National Association of Shooting Ranges. Gordon County does not have any means to enforce lead in the air, it takes a scientist to do that, the Georgia EPD doesn’t have anybody either.
County Administrator King advised the Board that the Hospital Authority Board has requested that the Board of Commissioners approve the reappointment of Nancy Nichols to their Authority Board for a three year term ending 12/31/2019. Also, the Board of Elections and Voter Registration has submitted their list of five members to be appointed to terms ending December 31, 2020.
There has also been a request from Mr. Doug Cabe with Limestone Valley RCD for office space. They have received a State grant for water quality improvements and for nutrient management plans for local row farmers. They will be setting up an office at the Environmental Health Department to help people with this type of assistance and the RCD needs some office space for use for the next year or so or until the grant is complete. There has been a space made available for their temporary use there, it has to be approved by the Board for credit on their grant application, it will be considered as an in-kind of $500 per month.
County Attorney Ledbetter explained the resolution to acquire property for the Health Department SPLOST project. This is an offer to the State of Georgia for two tracts of land belonging to the State of Georgia Game and Fish Commission that were transferred from Gordon County to the State back in 1961 and 1968. Acquiring the property back from the State would be conditioned upon requiring that the property must remain for use by the general public and that it would go back to the State if Gordon County ceases to use it for that purpose. The County would have to demolish the two office buildings on the property.
Attorney Ledbetter advised that the budget amendment to replace the Sheriff’s Department vehicle is for a vehicle that was damaged by another party whose insurance will be paying for that damage. The Sheriff’s Department needs an immediate vehicle replacement so is asking for a budget amendment and the County will be pursuing the other party’s insurance for reimbursement.
The last two items on the agenda are for a new license application for a location with new management, and the list of renewal license applications for 2017. The Clerk advised that all paperwork is in order.
Commissioner Gazaway made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Commissioner Cunningham seconded the motion and all voted aye.
There being no further business, the Work Session adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
