This online news website is owned and operated by Becky Watts. The Editor can be reached at 770-468-7583 or at editor(at)PikeCountyTimes(dot)com. Pike County Times is a website for citizens to keep up with local events and stay informed about Pike County government. It began on November 13, 2006 as a watchdog on county government and has turned into an online newspaper.
If you enjoy reading Pike County Times, consider buying an advertisement for your business or sending a donation to support the only free online newspaper in Pike County. Donations can be sent to: The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Thanks for supporting Pike County Times.com!
Wednesday, February 12, 2014 – 9:00 a.m.
Courthouse Annex, 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia
1. CALL TO ORDER....................................................................................Chairman J. Briar Johnson
All commissioners with the exception of Chairman Briar Johnson (who was dealing with issues with his job due to the storm) are here today along with County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye, CM Hanson, and County Attorney Tom Morton. Vice-Chairman Tommy Powers ran the meeting today. County Attorney Rob Morton came in to the end of the meeting at the tail end of the Executive Session.
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))
County Manager Hanson asked commissioners to amend the agenda as follows: C. Ratify the declaration of emergency from the storm and Executive Session: Personnel matters - Board of Commissioners.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2))
Minutes of the January 28, 2014 Regular Monthly Meeting.
Redistricting is ongoing according to Registrar Sandi Chamblin. A bill is going through the Legislature and she needs two weeks before we get our ballots approved and ready for voting.
6. INVITED GUESTS
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.
b. County Manager Report
Balances as of February 7, 2014. These are no longer being read aloud but they are provided during the meeting now where they weren't always before.
▫ Update on County finances for the following funds/accounts:
General Fund ............................................................................................ $3,553,322.54
Fire Dept. Donations........................................................................................ $1,400.15
Cash Reserve Account................................................................................. $176,484.18
Jail Fund ........................................................................................................ $27,450.49
E-911 Fund .................................................................................................. $121,091.69
DATE Fund ................................................................................................... $24,681.17
Juvenile Court Fund....................................................................................... $20,048.32
Residential Impact Fee ................................................................................ $280,461.15
Commercial Impact Fees ............................................................................... $11,424.21
General Obligation SPLOST Tax Bond Sinking Fund, 2011...................... $222,875.50
L.M.I. Grant (DOT)..................................................................................... $646,953.44
c. County Manager Comments.
CM Hanson briefing on Tuesday with local media about our animal control ordinances. The last couple of days have been interesting. He told the commissioners that he emergency responders, SO, EMA and PCES, Public Works responded over 300 calls for trees on roadways, Red Cross with help with those without power. We faired well overall but there are going to be some repercussions especially on dirt roads after this storm. He will have some numbers after this is over. Commissioners commended CM Hanson for his work on this.
d. Commissioner Reports.
Commissioner Carol Bass - Because we declared a state of emergency, is there a chance that we can get state funds? Possibly. What about gravel needed for our roads? CM Hanson is working with Public Works Director Todd Goolsby on this. The emergency has been declared through Sunday so the county is tracking expenditures through that time and we are going to turn this into the state in hopes of recooping some of our costs. Because of the amount of trees down, can we get an outside source to help with this? CM Hanson is talking with Director Goolsby on this if it is needed. The county doesn't want to do this without funding. She thanked Director Goolsby for his work and that of his department. She wants a letter of thanks to go to them for their work in these conditions for the county. Thanks to EMA Director Jimmy Totten and the Red Cross for their volunteer work in this storm as well. She asked that all who were involved to get a letter of thanks from the Commissioners. She praised CM Hanson for keeping in constant contact with the commissioners during the storm and for taking care of business during this time for the county.
She wants a date scheduled for ordinances because she doesn't want it pushed down the road.
She told Commissioner Tommy Powers that it was good to have him back.
Tammy Jarrett - Thanks to those who helped out with this storm. She suggested maybe having a small reception for volunteers and county workers to show their appreciation.
Asked for a status report on the animal control facility and wants to keep this ball rolling. She wants the county to pour a concrete base on this for humane
She also welcomed Tommy back.
Tommy Powers - Thank you for the prayers sent out for him over the past 5 weeks. He said that he feels good and he is glad to be back at work. He has been out checking the roads. He thanked Todd, John, and EMA, Fire and the SO because they have gone above and beyond what what expected. He wants to have a get together for everyone for a job well done.
He commends the communication that was tirelessly done by CM Hanson. He said that he didn't hear any negative this time that he has seen in the past. Everyone realized that the job was being done.
James Jenkins - Vicky Simpson called him. She lives in Williamson. She called about signs not to litter and probationers or someone out there picking up litter so it doesn't look so neglected. CM Hanson said that Benji Dunn contacted him about a meeting to utilize sources like this.
e. County Attorney Report to Commissioners.
Tom Morton said that they are pleased that Commissioner Tommy Powers is back. He commended the county manager for the countless hours that he spent up here at the office during this storm.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Nominate Employee of the Quarter.
Department heads nominate this person. Public Works Director nominated Kay Landers for this honor. He said how willing she is to help department heads with financial matters and that she does it with a willingness and she is very much appreciated here in the county.
b. Approve/deny funds from Sheriff’s Department Impact Fees in the amount of $13,300.00 for roof repair at the Sheriff’s office.
This is in the process and should be finished soon. This has a miniumum 10 year lifespan, but they anticipate it lasting longer than that. Motion to approve. 4-0.
c. Ratify Emergency Declaration from Governor Deal. CM Hanson waited to be sure that we were being diligent and held off until it was known that the county would need Declaration of local emergency that began at 6 p.m. on February 12th and it is ongoing through Sunday to coincide with the Governor's state of emergency. Our Emergency Operations Center opened before that. Pike County was not on the initial emergency list for the state but were added later. Motion to ratify. Approved 4-0. Commissioner Bass said that the citizens in our county did an awesome job and took care of themselves so much. CM Hanson said that we have a great group of citizens who took care of themselves and stayed off of the roads. The impact on our emergency services is very much appreciated because they stayed at home and off of the roads.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT- (Limited to 5 minutes per person)
a. Randall Moss desires to address the Board regarding DFCS case.
Tom Morton said that prior to the meeting Mr. Moss handed out some documents and noted for the record that these documents were received and handed over to the county clerk. He said that there was a wrongful taking of his granddaughter in 2011. He said that people who instigated "the stealing of granddaughter" are not even licensed by the state. He said that unqualified people have testified against him and his daughter and that there are other victims who are going through what he is going through. He walked through parts of his case and made clarifications for commissioners including a shot record that he is contesting. He made accusations against DFCS and said that his family was coerced into handing over this child and named an official in state government that he says has been involved in this case. He said that he and his family don't deserve this and that he has worked to be a good citizen in this county. He asked commissioners for a letter to review the facts on his case and give a letter of support for his case. Click here to read more about this from a past court session that Pike County Times covered last year. [Note from the Editor: The commissioners listened to Mr. Moss and received his documentation, but they did not respond to his accusations or offer to take a side on this case.]
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 9:45 a.m.
a. County Attorney requests consultation to discuss pending or potential litigation, settlement, claims, administrative proceedings, or other judicial actions brought or to be brought by or against the county or any officer or employee or in which the county or any officer or employee may be directly involved, as provided in O.C.G.A. §50-14-2(1), germane the Magistrate Court.
b. Also County Commission Personnel
Back in session at 10:56 a.m. Jarret motion to amend the admin payroll position to include duties from the public works dept and increase that position to 40 hours a week at the same rate of pay that it is now. Approved 4-0.
12. ADJOURNMENT: 10:58 a.m.
Agenda subject to revision.
[Note from the Editor: If you appreciate being able to read information from county meetings for free on Pike County Times, please make a donation to Pike County Times through the PayPal link at the bottom of the page or by check to Pike County Times at PO Box 843, Zebulon so I can justify the amount of time that I am spending away from family. It may not seem like much but sitting in a meeting and then typing it up takes a lot more time than you might imagine! Thanks for reading Pike County's only FREE newspaper.]