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Monday, February 4, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.
Courthouse Annex, 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia
All five commissioners were present along with County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye and County Attorney Rob Morton. The only thing on the agenda was discussion of County Manager and his 6 month evaluation. However, the agenda was amended to allow public discussion and asset tags for county inventory. [Note from the Editor: I spoke with the County Manager, County Clerk, and Chairman Johnson after the meeting was over to get the following information as well as numerous members from the community who were kind enough to call me when I couldn't attend the meeting tonight.]
Robert Adams, Patricia Beckham and John Morrison spoke during public comment session of the meeting. The commissioners voted to move $1,700 from contingency into a supply line item in order to buy asset tags for county inventory.
When the commissioners came out of Executive Session, they had made a decision in Executive Session that was announced to the public. The County Manager must start county manager certification and financial courses. Chairman Briar Johnson will review the evaluation with the County Manager. The commissioners will also compile a list of pro's and con's on the job that Mike Phillips is doing as county manager and present them to Chairman Briar Johnson who will then go over this information with County Manager Phillips. The meeting was just a little over an hour long.
Post Agenda
Chairman Briar Johnson convened the meeting, and Commissioners Carol Bass, Tamra Jarrett, Tommy Powers, and James Jenkins attended. County Manager Mike Phillips, County Attorney Rob Morton and County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye were also present. (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2))
1. CALL TO ORDER................................................................................. Chairman Briar Johnson
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ............................................................... Chairman Briar Johnson
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. 50-14-1 (e) (1))
Motion/second by Commissioner Bass/Commissioner Jenkins to amend the agenda under #4, Order of Business, to include discuss asset tags and information sheet as item a, Public Comment as item b and to move Executive Session to item c. Motion carried 4-0, Commissioner Powers not present.
4. ORDER OF BUSINESS
a. Discuss asset tags and information sheet.
Chairman Johnson stated even though they had approved purchasing the asset tags, when he found out how much they were he wanted to make sure the Board was aware of the cost. County Manager Mike Phillips went over the forms the Board had in front of them which included an asset information sheet and the quote from Camcode regarding the price of the asset tags. Mr. Phillips explained the information sheet will be used to track inventory items; there will be a sheet for each item. He also recommended ordering 2000 of the asset tags for the cost of $0.75 each; he allowed we should have enough tags left over for future use.
Motion/second by Commissioner Bass/Commissioner Jarrett to transfer $1700 from contingency to Supply line item. Motion carried 5-0.
b. Public Comment (Limited to 5 minutes per person)
Mr. Robert E. Adams, Jr. addressed the Board stating he would like to see a 2-year contract offered to the County Manager, he commented they like the County Manager’s form of government and would like to see that continue. Mr. Adams relayed they have never seen anything anywhere else that could beat that and his background in Pike County in the last six months. Mr. Adams asked the Board if they would let them know what the outcome of the Executive Session will be in which Chairman Johnson advised him they could not tell him what goes on in Executive Session but they will be voting.
Mr. John Morrison addressed the Board stating he has worked closely with or against every County Manager Pike County has had since Tommy Burnsed; he noted even though he and Mr. Phillips have had different ideas, Mr. Phillis is willing to talk about anything you would like to talk about. Mr. Morrison relayed Mr. Phillips has made extended efforts to get out and meet the people in the community, the clubs, organizations and getting to know what the people feel is needed. Mr. Morrison stated Mr. Phillips had good ideas, good attitude and feels the County Manager deserves more time.
Ms. Patricia Beckham addressed the Board on behalf of the County Manager. She stated she had the opportunity to listen to Mr. Phillips at the Leadership meeting and she went along with some of the ideas he had for the County, especially for future businesses. She commented he talked about industry coming in and helping with the offset of the tax base; she stated if he could help implement or aide in achieving that goal she would like to see him have that opportunity to do so.
No other speakers came forward; Chairman Johnson closed the Public Comment section of the meeting.
c. Board of Commissioners requests Executive Session for consultation with the county attorney, or other legal council, for discussion or deliberation on the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a public officer or employee or interviewing applicants for the position of the executive head of an agency, as provided in O.C.G.A. § 50-14-3(b)(2), germane to evaluation of County Manager.
Motion/second by Chairman Johnson/Commissioner Bass to enter into Executive Session at 7:18 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
Motion/second by Commissioner Powers/Commissioner Bass to adjourn Executive Session at 8:04 p.m. Motion carried 5-0
Motion/second by Commissioner Jarrett/Commissioner Bass to enter into regular session at 8:04 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
County Attorney, Rob Morton asked the Board to entertain a motion to require the County Manager to proceed with obtaining his certification as a Certified County Manager. Mr. Morton recommended as part of that, the Board be provided that information by the next meeting or the meeting after that, from ACCG on what would be required to get the certification as a Certified County Manager and possible time frame. Mr. Morton stated in addition to obtaining the certification for Certified County Manager they ask the County Manager to get financial training which in essence will help with the upcoming budget process. Motion/second by Commissioner Jenkins/Commissioner Bass to approve. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Morton presented a second motion for the Board to entertain which is to authorize Chairman Johnson to meet with the County Manager to review the evaluation and comments. Mr. Morton advised as part of that motion if any of the Commissioners would like to provide specific comments to the Chairman please do so by the next meeting.
Motion/second by Commissioner Powers/Commissioner Jarrett to approve. Motion carried 5-0.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Motion/second by Commissioner Powers/Commissioner Jarrett to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0.