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Wednesday, November 13, 2019 – 9:00 a.m.
Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street, Zebulon, Georgia
www.pikecoga.com/novusagenda has an online agenda and accompanying information for this meeting. Monthly information from Animal Control, Coroner, Fire Department, Grady, Library, Magistrate Court, McIntosh Trail CSB, Planning & Development, Registrar, Superior - Juvenile Court, Tax Assessor, and the Water Authority are included as well during the morning meeting only.
1. CALL TO ORDER .................................................................................... Chairman J. Briar Johnson
2. INVOCATION……………………………………………………………………………Ben Maxedon
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ................................................................... Chairman J. Briar Johnson
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. § 50-14-1 (e) (1))
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2))
a. Minutes of the October 29, 2019 Regular Monthly Meeting.
6. INVITED GUEST
a. Employee Recognition for service to Pike County.
Jamie Strickland was honored for 20 years of service at the Pike County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Jimmy Thomas commended Jamie for his hard work and service to the county. He is over Investigations and school resource.
Justin Greene was honored for 5 years of service to Pike County. Sheriff Thomas said that Justin started out in the jail and has worked his way to the road. Justin was praised for an excellent job.
Sandy Mitchell was honored for 20 years of service. Judge Lynn Brandenburg called Sandy the ultimate multitasker and said that his office would not be able to operate without her.
Sheriff Thomas said that it is a pleasure to work with this group of commissioners.
7. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS, DEPARTMENTS, COMMITTEES, AUTHORITIES
a. Monthly Reports submitted from County Departments and County Authorities, including a
Revenue/Expenditure Statement for all departments and a summary check register.
Discuss/Approve/Deny
Commissioner Jenkins asked if ICM Rob Morton has ever received any information about the cost of the fireworks. He has not, but said that he will get it this week.
b. County Manager Report
Update on County finances for the following funds/accounts:
General Fund ........................................................................................... …$763,579.92
Fire Dept. Donations ........................................................................................ $6,045.60
BOC – Jury Account………………………………………………………………$0.00
Cash Reserve Account ........................................................................ ….....$107,491.30
Pike County CD Special Revenue funds………………………………………….$0.00
Jail Fund ........................................................................................................ $33,596.66
E-911 Fund .................................................................................................... $75,518.51
DATE Fund ................................................................................................... $52,439.64
Juvenile Court Fund ....................................................................................... $10,964.96
Residential Impact Fee ................................................................................ $707,660.88
Commercial Impact Fees ............................................................................... $83,367.37
C.A.I.P FUND ............................................................................................. $180,861.75
General Obligation SPLOST Tax Bond Sinking Fund, 2016 .................... ..$405,399.65
L.M.IG. Grant (DOT)………………………………….…………………..$157,897.11
c. County Manager Comment
The Complete County Committee (CCC) has been brought to the attention of the commissioners through ACCG. This deals with the counties throughout the state helping with the 2020 Census. Apparently a list of 18 community members were presented in 2016, but Brad Vaughan from Planning and Development and County Clerk Angela Blount have looked for something further than the list of members but can find nothing. Here are the groups from the Post Agenda: The list consist of J. Joel Edwards Public Library, Lela’s Miami Tanning, City of Zebulon, Pike County Board of Commissioners, City of Molena, City of Meansville, City of Concord, Pike Senior Center, H J Wings, First Baptist Church, Sweet Memories, First Hispanic Mission, Pike County Health Department, Will Maddox Chamber of Commerce, Pike County Complete County Committee, Keep Pike Beautiful, Hair Fanatic and J & L Auto Repair. It was noted that we would probably have to start from scratch if we do this or we can let ACCG know why we aren’t going to participate. What do the commissioners want to do this? Tim Daniel said that he met up with Mrs. NeSmith at a conference that Pike is the only one of a small group of counties that don’t participate. Further discussion. What does this committee do? We don't have an accurate description of what they do. And notice was so late that the meeting is tomorrow and we’ve had about a week’s notice. Rob said that this committee assists with This will include working with the volunteer workers from the Census. Commissioner James Jenkins said that we need to comply with this. Discussion that at the very least, the mayors of each city should be invited to be a part of this. Motion to support this. Approved 4-0. Info was to be sent to those who are meeting tomorrow to let them know that Pike County will participate.
Annual update to their Comprehensive Update Strategy. We received it on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and it was due on the following Friday. Rob contacted Ginny, and she gave some suggestions that were forwarded to Three Rivers. He wants to be sure that the Commissioners are ok with the suggestions. Here are the suggestions from an email on November 7, 2019: 1) $6,000,000 for Industrial Corridor Gas Improvements related to the Hwy 41 Industrial Corridor. Infrastructure improvements and expansion of a 6" HP steel main along the Hwy. 41 Corridor - serving major industries such as Yancey, Supreme, and K&K - also resulting in future capacity in place for additional recruitment. 2) Industrial Corridor Property Acquisition and Infrastructure Improvements. $12,000,000 Acquisition and development of approximately 270 (acres?) along the Hwy 41 Industrial Corridor including the necessary infrastructure improvements to accommodate existing industries and provide capacity for recruitement of new industry at the site. 3) the Industrial Corridor Fire Protection. Adding a fire station to the industrial area may be feasible as well. It’s not a commitment, but it’s looking to see if we can find partnerships for funding. Commissioner James Jenkins asked why we were looking at something that costs 18 million dollars. Where is the money coming from? Chairman Briar Johnson said that is more for grants, etc. and ICM Morton said that this is for future planning for bringing in business in the future so they can see our plans. Rob said that we are just giving a description of the projects and an estimated costs along with estimates for future job growth. We haven’t committed to this specifically though. This is an economic development strategy. James said that he doesn’t understand it and went looking at the numbers behind it and he is concerned. Briar said that this is a plan for the future. Rob stressed that this is just a strategy plan. Commissioner Tim Daniel said that he thinks this is more of a wish list and several of these projects are not happening any time soon. Commission Tim Guy confirmed that we are not obligated at this time. Rob said that this is part of the economic strategy that could possibly bring in grants, etc. Motion to approve. Approved 3-1 with Commissioner Jenkins opposed.
Email from the National Association of Counties asking for participation to retire flags. If we agree to participate, we will be provided with a box to retire flags. Moody-Daniel and the Boy Scouts do this already. [Note from the Editor: Our local American Legion does this too.] Rob said that this is where our partnership comes in. This would require putting out a press release saying who the partnership is with on retiring the flag. Motion to approve. Approve 4-0.
Annual Christmas Lunch. Recommendation to use the Concord Café as we have in the past. This is the most accessible and cost effective location. Employees receive a voucher and have 3 days to use it for a Christmas lunch. Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
Rob said that much of the information today came from Angela Blount’s work.
December 8 use of the courthouse grounds. Last year, there was supposed to be a float, but the event was cancelled due to the extreme cold. This parade will be a 3 p.m. We are planning to do this again this year and ask for commissioner participation. Ginny and Brandon are doing a lot of work with this event getting everything ready and will be coordinating the float efforts.
ACCG District Meeting next week in Carroll County. Rob will be attending. If anyone else wants to go, they can ride together. James is going to go.
Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement. Last year, a decision was made that committed funds to employees who participated in this program. This would be like a paid holiday for employees much like a credit card giving an amount back for using their card. Asked commissioners to approve a resolution that would use the $12,500 for this purpose. Motion to commit this to the fund balance for this purpose. Approved 4-0. Verified that this was NOT a paid holiday.
Receive another email re: ACCG grant. 200 hour paid internship that is available for the county. We need to submit the application for the grant if we want to participate. This person could work on a variety of projects. 8 grants will be rewarded. There is no match on this—it is fully funded by ACCG. Motion to approve. Approved.4-0.
Phone call from Walker Chandler about the status of the animal control donation. We have proof of the donation. There was another criteria that was discussed. They are planning to donate in December. They ask that the money be used within one year and any leftover funds be donated to the 501c3 of their choosing. Rob advised that there would be no problem with Pike County using the funds.
[Note from the Editor: This is from the Pre-Meeting Report that was emailed to Commissioners prior to the meeting.]
Dear all:
I hope you are all well and enjoying a little blast of winter. The Veterans Ceremony yesterday went well and the weather was great.
Regarding tomorrow's meeting, we do have 3 employee recognitions: Jamie Strickland with the Sheriff's Office with 20 years of service; Justin Greene with the Jail/Sheriff's Office with 5 years of service; and, Sandy Mitchell with the Probate Court with 20 years of Service.
Regarding County Manager report/comments, I do have several items to address that are not on the regular agenda. I addressed the first two additions in an email to you all this past Friday. The first item is the "Complete Count Committee" in connection with the 2020 Census. I will be asking you to either approve such a committee or agree as to why Pike County will not participate (as requested by Michele NeSmith with ACCG). The second item relates to the update of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). I will be asking for you to approve the items recommended by Ginny Blakeney that were attached to my email on Friday (Industrial Corridor Gas Improvements-$6,000,000; Industrial Corridor Property Acquisition-270 acres-$12,000,000; Industrial Corridor Fire Protection Services-$150,000.00).
Other items that I will be addressing during my report will include the following: Whether to support the placement of "Flag Retirement Collection Boxes" as recommended by NACo/ACCG; Christmas Lunch for the employees; Float for the Christmas Parade; ACCG District Meeting 11-21-19 from 4-6 pm; Resolution to transfer $12,529.74 from Committed Funds to Fund Balance related to Health Insurance Reimbursement to provide employees with premium payment holiday and reimbursement; and, Internship from ACCG Civic Affairs Verizon Grant for rural counties that provides 200 hours of a paid internship ($12.00 per hour) for work by an intern on specific project to benefit Pike County.
Unfinished Business: we have no unfinished business.
New Business items:
Items 9 a through 9 e related to the annual renewal of alcohol licenses. All of the applicants listed have met the criteria and are being recommended for approval.
Regarding Item 9 f, the application is for the use of the Courthouse Grounds and parking areas for the Christmas Celebration and is being recommended for approval.
Regarding Item 9 g, you have been provided materials related to this request to revise a previously approved final plat, and the revision is being recommended for approval.
Regarding 9 h, the applicant is no longer building the residence for which he has already paid Impact Fees and is requesting a refund. The request is reasonable since no construction has taken place.
Regarding Item 9 i, I am presenting you with a proposed text amendment that will allow for the terms of appointments (Boards and Authorities) to be uniform starting on January 1 and ending December 31 for the specific term, unless otherwise provided by State Law or By-Laws. This amendment will simplify the process of making such appointments.
Regarding Item 9 j, you have been provided with information related to the cost to erect the metal building that has been ordered for the Concord Fire Station. Brandon Rogers is recommending that you approve S&T Construction to erect the building as they have done several jobs for Pike County and there has been no issues with their work.
There is no Public Comment and the Executive Session is for the purposes of discussing the County Manager selection process.
Other Items of interest:
Public Works: We have completed the advertising for a Heavy Equipment Operator and will interview the applicants and make a determination for a new hire. As you know, we have received an invitation from the DOT to make comments regarding the impact of the DOT's proposed bridge improvements in Pike County under the LIBP (bridge on Concord Road over Birch Creek and bridge on Williams Mill Road over Little Potato Creek). The deadline for any response/comment from Pike County is November 29th.
Administration: We are investigating audio transcription and will be providing you with a recommendation at the night meeting for your consideration. This capability will assist our Clerk with transcribing the minutes.
I am also working with Britain to research options for back-up when we have system failures such as we did with Verizon and Spectrum this past month.
The Department of Labor has made a recent change in the rules related to exempt/non-exempt employees with the minimum salary being increased for salaried employees to $35,308 from the existing $23,600. It is my understanding that the change will be effective January 1st, 2020. There are 2 individuals with Pike County that will need to be addressed and I will present recommendations to you at the next night meeting with supporting documentation.
I will end here to keep this report from being too lengthy. As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments or concerns. Thanks.
Yours truly,
Robert L. Morton
End of this report.
d. Commissioner Reports
Commissioner Jenkins asked about the Reconnect Program. It’s a program set up by the USDA that helps provide broadband. Rob asked Ginny and Brandon if they would like to go to this program, and they attended and brought back some handwritten notes. It was in one of the handwritten reports. Rob said that we are looking at this. James said that we need this.
Chairman Johnson recognized Jerome Finley and Jason Proctor for being in the meeting. December 3 is the runoff.
e. County Attorney Report to Commissioners - None
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
9. NEW BUSINESS
Consensus to approve all alcohol license renewals at once. Rob advised that all have met the required qualifications. Briar read through all of the requests before the vote. Motion to approve all five. Approved 4-0.
a. Approve/deny renewal of alcohol license (Pouring - beer, wine and distilled spirits) for Keven Sasser
d/b/a Barnstormer’s Grill and Event Center, LLC, 349 Jonathan’s Roost Rd, Williamson, GA.
Applicant has met criteria.
b. Approve/deny renewal of alcohol license (Retail Sales – beer and wine) for Jason Mask d/b/a/ Frank’s Filling Station, 6764 Hwy. 362 Concord, GA. Applicant has met criteria.
c. Approve/deny renewal of alcohol license (Retail Sales – beer and wine) for Parvez Dawoodani d/b/a Mountain View Convenience Store, 3181 Hwy 19 South, Meansville, GA. Applicant has met criteria.
d. Approve/deny renewal of alcohol license (Retail Sales – beer and wine) for Saifullah Bhamani d/b/a The Rock Store, 4131 Hwy 10 S., Zebulon, GA. Applicant has met criteria.
e. Approve/deny renewal of alcohol license (Retail Sales – beer) for Mitul Patel d/b/a Caddies Corner, 10030 Hwy 19 North, Zebulon, GA. Applicant has met criteria.
f. Consider request from Ginny Blakeney of the Christmas Parade Committee to use the courthouse lawn and sidewalks for the Pike County Christmas Festival and Parade on Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
g. Approve/deny PC-05-16 revised final plat for Windyhill Subdivision.
This is simply a revision to a previously approved plat. Planning and Zoning Director Brad Vaughan said that this came before commissioners from 2005. They are moving some land from one parcel to another, and both are over three acres. This is basically a formality. Rob said that the recommendation was for approval. Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
h. Approve/deny request for refund of residential impact fees from John Traylor.
Brad said that we had an application for a building permit that required both permit and impact fees. The property is undeveloped, and Brad confirmed that there has been no building on this property besides a driveway. If he wanted to begin building later, he will be required to come back and receive a permit from the county. Brad recommends a refund. Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
i. First Reading of Text Amendment of the Pike County Code of Ordinances Section 33.07 (B), Boards, Commissions, Authorities, and Other Organizations relative to terms for appointments.
Rob said that we have spent a lot of time tracking down times for positions on various boards. Some are consistent with anniversary dates and others January to December. This would be first reading. We can do this uniformly so we can put out notices for the terms. Motion to accept the first reading. Approved 4-0.
j. Approve/deny S & T Construction Company for erection of building for the Concord Fire Station.
Rob received an updated email from Brandon yesterday. He would like to obtain one more bid. He doesn’t expect this to be erected until January. 5 guys who have been erecting buildings for the county have formed a company so he is asking for a postponement in order to obtain one other bid on this project. Consensus to wait.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT - None
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 9:53 a.m.
a. Interim County Manager requests Executive Session for discussion or deliberation on the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a county officer or employee as provided in O.C.G.A. § 50-14-3(6) germane to County Manager in the Administration Office.
Back in Session at 1005 a.m. minus Tim Daniel.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn. 10:06 a.m.
Agenda subject to revision.
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