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NOTICE THAT A QUORUM MAY EXIST
Thursday, June 28, 2012 – 9:00 a.m.
Courthouse Annex, 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia
Please be advised that the possibility exists for a quorum of the Pike County Board of Commissioners to attend a Town Hall meeting at the Courthouse Annex Meeting Room located at 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, GA 30295 at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2012.
The purpose of the Town Hall meeting will be to receive public input on the proposed EMA Ordinance. The Town Hall meeting will be moderated by Jimmy Totten, Pike County EMA Director, and Ed Westbrook, GEMA Region 4 Field Coordinator. There will be ample opportunity for questions and answers, and the public is encouraged to attend.
This was a standing room only crowd that included all five commissioners and the county attorney. EMA Director Jimmy Totten presented a revised copy of the ordinance to commissioners and attendees of this meeting. He asked for suggestions from the public on this ordinance.
Many of the suggestions centered around not having an ordinance at all or tailoring something specifically for Pike County. Some suggested getting rid of all GEMA/state references. It was also suggested that a citizens group such as the Citizens Advisory Task Force the reactivated to review and make suggestions on this ordinance. Personal liberty and personal responsibility were emphasized by many of those who spoke.
It was revealed during this meeting that ACCG (Association County Commissioners of Georgia organization) wrote this model ordinance and that the state has sent this out to all of the counties for review. The City of Zebulon has signed onto this ordinance as it is written. Many counties have done the same including Spalding, Meriwether, Troup, Webster, Upson, Dooley, Houston, Macon-Bibb, Jones, and Stewart Counties.
A citizen advised commissioners that past county manager Bill Sawyer had signed the GEMA/Homeland Security Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement in February of this year without their knowledge.
EMA Director Jimmy Totten told citizens that he appreciated them coming to the meeting and asked them to send suggestions to ema@pikeemergencyservices.com.
Editor's Note: Click here and read down at item 8.d. under New Business to download a copy of the two ordinances that were discussed in the meeting. The GEMA-Homeland Security document is non-negotiable. However, the Pike County EMA document can be rewritten with any kind of changes that the commissioners would like to put in it. I do not have a revised copy of the EMA ordinance online but am hoping that it will be uploaded to the Pike County Government website soon.
Thursday, June 28, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Courthouse Annex, 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia
1. CALL TO ORDER .............................................................................. Chairman Doug Mangham
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ............................................................ Chairman Doug Mangham
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. 50-14-1 (e) (1))
4. WORKSHOP: To provide information to the Board of Commissioners on the proposed EMA Ordinance and related issues. Presentations will be heard from Jimmy Totten, Pike County EMA Director, and Ed Westbrook, GEMA Region 4 Field Coordinator.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Agenda subject to revision.
EMA Director Totten was asked if his intent is to work on this revised ordinance and the answer was yes. Commissioners advised that they are not happy with the way this ordinance is currently written. Commissioners each spoke on the ordinance and gave their thoughts. Mr. Westbrook stated that this is a model ordinance and the county can change it as necessary.
some of the questions that need answering are: Who has the authority to declare disaster in Pike County? Is there a way to limit gouging of citizens in a time of emergency by requiring to anyone who comes into the county to register with the county? It was noted that state law only goes into effect if the governor declares a state of emergency. Looting was bad in Spalding county before the governor declared an emergency there. Discussion continued on his can make decisions during a time of emergency and who should be at the top of the list to make decisions for the county during an emergency.
Some commissioners were not happy that the past county manager signed a mutual aid agreement without their knowledge. There was an old agreement that expired at the end of four years prior to his signing of disagreement. There was a question of whether the signed agreement was valid because the past county manager was not given authorization by the board of commissioners to sign this on their behalf.
Mr. Westbrook advised that the mutual aid agreement cannot be altered and that the county does not have to be a part of this. County Attorney Morton asked whether being a part of this mutual aid agreement would have an effect on our local qualified governments status. It was noted that this agreement covers the cost of mutual aid between counties during a time of emergency. There was a question about some of the wording as to whether participating counties are obligated to provide assistance during a time of emergency. It was stated that the intent of this agreement is for regional pooling of resources.
Commissioners were provided with a revised draft before the 9:00 AM Town Hall Meeting. Mr. Morton ask them to review this draft and provide a written list of comments and concerns before the next meeting. A suggestion was made to discuss the reactivation of the CATF at the July 11 meeting. Commissioners are going to review this matter and discuss it more at the July 11 meeting.