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April 28, 2020 – 6:30 p.m.
Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street, Zebulon, Georgia
Courthouse Doors on East/South Sides open at 6:00 p.m. Town Hall Meeting at 6:15 p.m.
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Pike County Board of Commissioners will be following and enforcing the Executive Orders issued by Governor Brian Kemp due to the COVID-19 virus. [Note from the Editor: Our temperatures were checked by a medic from Grady, and chairs were marked where the commissioners and the audience were all 6 feet from each other.]
All 5 commissioners, County Clerk Angela Blount, County Manager Ron Alexander, and County Attorney Rob Morton.
1. CALL TO ORDER………………………………………………………..Chairman J. Briar Johnson
2. INVOCATION………………………………………………………………….……..Silent Invocation
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 March 11, 2020, Regular Monthly Meeting.
b. Minutes of the April 2, 2020, Special Called Meeting.
c. Minutes of the April 20, 2020, Special Called Meeting.
6. INVITED GUESTS
a. Greg Hobbs, Pike County Department of Property Assessment, to address the Board regarding the update of the 2020 Digest.
The county's property tax values are governed by the State of Georgia on an annual basis. If the county fails this audit, fines can be levied and the county could lose grant monies. This is NOT where the county is now, but the county is at a point that this needs to be addressed. There have been in an attempt to address this in the past, but there was not enough or there was no sales data compiled to determine the true base cost of the square foot of a residence so there is little to no market support for factoring adjustments. If this goes unresolved, it could affect the tax millage rate. If the tax burden is not equally distributed, the county could face fines.
To address this, the appraisal staff and a 3rd party appraisal group, Bethesda Appraisal Services, LLC, did a market study with current market trends to determine true base cost dollar per square foot for the residential side of things. They found inconsistencies that need to be addressed from 2019 and prior years. Accessory building costs are included as well as factoring adjustments. The base cost increased for 2020. Multiple componenents and accessory schedules have been adjusted to reflect market trends in the county.
A value increase does not always equal a tax increase but it could, but this ensures that everyone pays their fair share. This will ensure that we don’t have penalties as a county that could negatively affect the county.
From January 1 to April 1, the Tax Assessor opens the books for changes in the county. Property owners have the opportunity to address changes like this from January 1 to April 1 each year. The books are closed on April 1.
Notices will go out in the next couple of weeks as soon as the Board of Assessors goes over this and review this on May 5th. After the notices have been mailed, we are prepared for phones to start ringing. He stressed that we were required by law to fix this. There is 45 days to appeal if the owner disagrees.
By July 15, this will go the Tax Commissioner and then by September 15 it will go to the state. Properties are accessed at 40% of the fair market value. "Fair market value is defined by the State as 'the amount aknowledgeable buyer would pay for the property and willing seller would accept for property at an arm's length bona fide sale.'" Costs have increased because there is a limited number of properties for sale.
Commercial lots are on the list to be reviewed next. That may happen next year or it could wait until 2022.
He ended by saying that they are concerned about this being a difficult time. He stressed that they will work with any and ALL property value owners who have had an issue with losing jobs, etc. if this property valuation has affected them badly. He said that there was no way they could have predicted this current situation when they began this process last year. He said to please call them and talk to them if there is a problem.
You can read this verbatim by clicking here. [Note from the Editor: Special thanks to Chief Appraiser Greg Hobbs for sending this to Pike County Times so quickly.]
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
Update on County finances for the following funds/accounts:
General Fund ............................................................................................ $4,063,243.04
Fire Dept. Donations ........................................................................................ $6,168.63
BOC – Jury Account……………………………………………………………...$0.00
Cash Reserve Account ........................................................................ ….....$107,547.56
Pike County CD Special Revenue funds………………………………………….$0.00
Jail Fund ........................................................................................................ $28,395.79
E-911 Fund .................................................................................................. $221,064.45
DATE Fund ................................................................................................... $52,536.14
Juvenile Court Fund ....................................................................................... $11,082.40
Residential Impact Fee ................................................................................ $685,376.24
Commercial Impact Fees ............................................................................... $89,829.39
C.A.I.P FUND ............................................................................................. $180,952.45
General Obligation SPLOST Tax Bond Sinking Fund, 2016……………..$964,707.94
L.M.I. Grant (DOT) ..................................................................................... $110,298.40
c. County Manager Comment
CM Ron Alexander has received a couple of calls about the conditions of the roads in Wellington Subdivision. After reviewing the history, it appears that the county looked at possible repairs for the streets including 2 quotes from December of 2019. A seal coat for $20,000 and milling the streets for $75,000. He has visited the site and agrees that something needs to be done because the streets are starting to crack and settle. He is looking at possibly adding this to the budget. He will bring it back before commissioners along when he knows more about how much money the county will have for projects like this.
He advised that the commissioners have waived the requirement for the mandatory appointment appearance tonight because of the coronavirus. County Attorney Rob Morton advised that a vote be taken on the record to waive personal appearance for the board. This is not changing anything in our ordinary rules, but only waiving the requirement tonight because of the emergency requirements. Motion was made and approved in a 5-0 vote.
d. Commissioner Reports
District 3 Commissioner Jason Proctor ran down a short and very concise list of items. He said that Hwy McKinley and McCard Lake Roads are looking good. He said that he liked that the check register was added to the report. He wants to move the Town Hall to the end of the meeting. He wants to see an Assistant County Manager position added. He said that the Road Department and Public Works need to give reports, and he wants to see a road schedule so that commissioners can be knowledgeable when they get calls from constituents. [Note from the Editor: I need to add a note of history to explain why there is a Town Hall meeting at the beginning of the agenda. This has been around since Steve Fry was commission chairman. It was added at the beginning of the meeting as a way for citizens to address commissioners about items on the agenda prior to their vote. As it is, citizens can get on an agenda and speak under public comment, but all of the voting has already been done by the time they sat through the entire meeting so it could be a waste of time even though their comments end up as part of the official record. This has been a way for citizens to voice their support for or against various items such as contracts or other items of interest that may not come up in a typical meeting. Without the history behind it, it may not have made sense why we do things the way that we do. Overall, I was very pleased with a first time commissioner being knowledgeable enough to ask for the items that he did! And the suggestion of an assistant county manager is an interesting one that deserves to be looked at since it was brought up. Logistics such as money, duties, etc. are running through my head as a task that should not be undertaken lightly.]
Chairman Briar Johnson gave a shout out to Building and Grounds on their reports and their work. He also introduced Pam Thompson, candidate for Clerk of Superior Court, who was present in the meeting.
e. County Attorney Report to Commissioners.
None.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Approve/Deny REZ-20-01 – Owner Janet Whitley and Applicant Mark Whitley are requesting the parcel to be re-zoned from A-R (Agricultural-Residential) to C-2 (General-Commercial). The purpose of this request is to build a roughly 3,000 square ft. structure to house for an antique store. The property is located at 14814 US Hwy 19 Griffin, GA 30224, Land Lot 104, District 2, Parcel 074-100.
This is the final decision for this. The public hearings have already occurred. Anything beyond this will have to adhere to overlay regulations. Commissioner James Jenkins asked about line of sight on this. He is concerned about the DOT and where they stand on this at this point and time. He asked specifically about a decel lane. He made a motion to deny based on safety issues. Motion failed for lack of a second. Motion to approve and said that the DOT will work with them at a later point because that is their job. Guy, Proctor. 4-1 with Jenkins opposed.
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consider one appointment to the Pike County Joint Board of Elections and Registration to fill an unexpired four-year term, set to expire December 31, 2022. Applicant has met criteria.
Harold O’Baner meets the qualifications. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
b. Consider one appointment to the Pike County Board of Appeals Board to fill an unexpired three-year term, set to expire December 31, 2020. Applicant has met criteria.
John Blakeney meets the qualifications. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
c. Consider two appointments to the Pike County Animal Shelter Advisory Board. Applicants have met criteria.
All met the qualifications, but there were only 2 appointments. Staff recommended David Allen and Susanne Aaron and thanked Tiffanie Barker for her interest and encouraged her to apply again to serve on Pike County Board appointments that become available. Commissioner Tim Daniel asked if we had a veterinarian on the board already, and we do. Motion to approve David Allen and Susanne Aaron. Approved 5-0.
d. Consider one appointment to the Pike County Water & Sewerage Authority to fill an unexpired five-year term, set to expire December 31, 2022. Applicant has met criteria.
A person can be on two separate boards. Anything more must have board approval. John Blakeney meets the qualifications. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
e. Consider on appointment to the Pike County Water & Sewerage Authority to fill an unexpired five- year term, set to expire December 31, 2023. Applicant has met criteria.
This board has asked for a member of the Board of Commissioners to serve. Chairman Johnson has agreed to serve. Motion to approve Briar Johnson. Approved 4-0-1. Briar Johnson abstained.
f. Approve/Deny MOA between Pike County and Mike Powell with Family Connection.
This is a renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding that allows Pike County Family Connections to use this space at the old health department as it provides a service to citizens in support of various family related matters. CM Johnson asked the Board to authorize Chairman Johnson to sign the contract. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
g. Approve/Deny Assignment of Contract between OTGTech, Wired Technology and Pike County.
The County Manager report advised that the county's IT consultant recently sold its company to Wired Technology. [Note from the Editor: Jantzen Shivers was present at the meeting.] According to the report, the county must agree to accept Wired as the new IT consultant and sign a Consent to Assignment contract. CM Alexander advised in his report that he has met with Wired on several occasions and that they appear to be providing the same level of quality of service as OTGTech was providing. He requested that the Board allow the him to sign the required paperwork. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
h. Approve/Deny Grady Emergency Medical Services Agreement.
[Note from the Editor prior to the meeting: I reported in May of 2019 that then County Manager Bobby Bickey "advised that both parties agreed that there would be no further negotiations through 2022 pending a final commission vote on this amended contract." In 2015, "Mid Georgia Ambulance bid $370,000 to continue service with options for one, three, and a five year contracts, Spalding EMS bid $350,000 for a three year contract only, and Grady EMS bid $275,000 for new service with one, three, and five year renewable contracts with a specification that they would hire anyone from Mid Georgia who met their requirements and all current Mid Georgia employees would keep their pay, benefits, and seniority." To read more and click on links to articles going back to the awarding of the ambulance contract to Grady EMS in 2015 for $275,000 for new service with one, three, and five year renewable contracts, please http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSambulance5.2.19.html" I will upload copies of the 2017 and 2019 signed contracts tomorrow. Readers can read the current proposal by following the directions to go to NovusAgenda at the top of the page.]
From the written CM Report: The current contract with Grady was a one-year contract with 4 possible renewal, this year being the last of five years. I have met with Grady and also discussed the new contract via phone on several occasions. The new contract indicates an increase over the previous year of $75,000. The increase as Grady explains the plan, is due to the low number of calls. With low call volumes, Grady’s out of pocket operating expenses is higher. Normally, I would say a contract of this nature would need to be put out to bid. However, with all that has been going one, and the time constraints surround the contract and the bidding process, I would say the county should renew the contract, and look at putting it out to bid in the coming year. [End of written report.]
This was the last of a 5 year contract. Grady said that the increase is due to the low number of calls. CM said that normally he would suggest that this would go out to bid. He suggests renewing this year and putting out for bid next year.
Commissioner Tim Guy made a counter offer for approval for $350,000 rather than $375,000. Vice President Bill Compton was asked to come forward. The contract that has been submitted is basically a 5 year contract that can be ended at the end of each year if the county chooses. He talked about giving metrics to the county each month. He said that they have a great working relationship with the Sheriff’s Office where Grady dispatchers are working with our county. There is only one provision that they would need. If we could have the county help us with the utilities, we would consider that.
Commissioner Tim Guy said that we are possibly looking at going with an RFP. Commissioner Tim Daniel said that nothing else changes, right? Bill answered by saying that metrics could be provided daily if needed. He said that if Meriwether County goes with Grady, it could reduce the subsidy to Pike County even if it’s at the middle of the year.
Commissioner Tim Guy mentioned training for the fire department and said that Grady EMS has not been able to set up times to train with the fire department. County Attorney Rob Morton said that the county received, prior to Ron’s tenure, complaints that we were not receiving training here in Pike County and training was moved to Atlanta at times that were not convenient for our volunteers, etc. He said that in a December 12 conversation, the Grady representative that he spoke to said that training would be brought to Pike and it was addressed last year in documentation.
Rob said that he doesn’t think it’s because they don’t want to do this, he thinks that it’s just been a matter of logistics that has fallen through the cracks. It says in the contract that any training given to Grady's staff will be available to our volunteer fire fighters, Sheriff’s Office, etc. Compton agreed that it would be addressed and said that they do training all over the state. Randy and the Fire Chief need to get together to resolve this.
Commissioner Tim Daniel said they are currently housed by Dairy Queen and in Hollonville. So now moving to Zebulon and into the Concord Station? Staying on Concord Road in the Hollonville Road. (Not moving to Concord.) [Note from the Editor: I mixed this up too.]
Chairman Briar Johnson then went back to the $350,000 across the board. Bill said plaintly that Grady would agree to do that if we will cover the utilities. Commissioner Tim Guy thanked them for their services and said that there have been minimum calls from disappointed citizens.
Motion to approve at $350,000 across the board with the county paying the utilities. Discussion after the 2nd: County Attorney Rob Morton advised that this is a 1 year contract with 4 extensions. Commissioner James Jenkins said that this cost us money last year and this year. He wanted to put this out for bid. Commissioner Tim Daniel verified that there is an annual review no later than March 15 of each year written in the contract. County Attorney Rob Morton clarified the intent is that if there is a regional component, that could reduce the amount that the county is paying. Call for a vote. Approved 4-1 with Jenkins opposed.
[Note from the Editor: Special thanks to our commissioners for standing up for our volunteers here in the county to ensure that training is going to be given to our volunteers here in Pike County (rather than in Atlanta) at a time that is convenient for them. Most of our volunteers work regular jobs so going to Atlanta to receive training may not be "convenient" and does not fulfill section Ig which says: "Contractor will provide to County law enforcement, firefighteres, and first responders any training that Contractor provides to its own employees at no additional cost (excluding travel expenses and equipment and supplies necessarily related to such training." Kudos to Mr. Compton for agreeing to this in a public meeting, and I encourage commissioners to keep an eye on this to ensure that it happens.]
10. PUBLIC COMMENT – (Limited to 5 minutes per person)
a. Randall Moss to address the Board regarding 2020 Bill of Peace.
Mr. Carl Swensson will address the board for 10 minutes instead of Randall Moss addressing for his 5 minutes and then switching.
b. Carl Swensson to address the Board regarding 2020 Bill of Peace.
This was a 2 year endeavor by an activist in regard to the Constitution. He said that local, state, and federal systems are out of control. This deals with the Oath of Office. This deals more with federal than local because locals have a tendency to handle things themselves. He gave a history lesson from 1946. www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/battle-athens-group.html [Note from the Editor: This is pretty cool history that I have read before. Enjoy!]
He then asked commissioners... How would you or a family member feel if your baby was taken from you at the hospital? Is it ok if that child was earmarked by someone in another county? Would you stand for that? He said that he has a hard time dealing with this and that the mother didn’t willingly give up the child 8 years ago. The grandparents didn’t willingly give up the baby. He’s been in a living hell for 8 years. The baby should be returned.
He said that this is a problem that is going on all over the country. Every county is dealing with out of control county courts. At some point, there will be a reconning. What do you do if the court system takes a child from you? He is fighting courts the best that he can. Everybody needs to see who stands by and lets these children be stolen with no recourse. This shouldn’t be happening, but it does.
He wants the commission and the audience to think about what they would do if their child was earmarked for adoption in another county. Would you stop them? Judgement was rendered by the courts. He said that there is a problem here, and he prays that somebody will stand up for Randall Moss and get him before a seated Grand Jury. He said that it’s the right thing to do. He said that the Grand Jury can make a decision on this. He said that each commissioner could do something to help him get his family back. He asked what commissioners would do if it was their family in this position.
[Note from the Editor: My search box is not bringing up all of the articles that I have written concerning Randall Moss and the fight that he has carried on for his granddaughter. I'm going to include them here for history's sake. I was not able to dig into this case more than I did, but I did attend several DFCS meetings and go to court to follow his case.]
REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MONTHLY MEETING Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Pike County DFACS Holds Monthly Meeting from 2.22.13
Judge Dismisses Prewarrant Applications Against DFCS Representatives from 4.3.13
Pike Case to Be Heard in the Georgia Supreme Court from 1.5.16
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn. 7:29 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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.]