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Elizabeth Hanson and Daulton Corbett address the Board of Commissioners.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 – 9:00 a.m.
Courthouse Annex, 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia
All five commissioners, County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye and Ginny Blakeney to take the minutes, County Manager (CM) John Hanson, and County Attorneys Rob and Tom Morton.
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))
Carol Bass asked to move Executive Session up on the agenda after the Invited Guests. [Note from the Editor: This is unusual; however, when commissioner Jarrett had to leave the meeting early, I assume that this is reason for the change.] CM Hanson asked that Seth Zimmerman from Stalwart Films be allowed to address the commissioners and add this at the end of the meeting. Motion to approve both changes. 5-0.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2))
a. Minutes of the August 26, 2014 Regular Monthly Meeting.
b. Minutes of the August 26, 2014 Public Hearing – Tax Levy.
c. Minutes of the August 26, 2014 Special Called Meeting.
6. INVITED GUESTS
a. Ben Dunn and Billy Elder from Georgia Department of Corrections Probation Operations, Griffin Circuit.Ben Dunn introduced Chief Probation Officer for the Griffin Circuit Billy Elder and addressed the commissioners about utilizing community service in our community. Commissioners were given a summary report of January 2 to date. Upson County is doing this and was used as an example. So far this year, there has been 4,793 hours of community service hours performed there for Upson County and 2 entities there. 3,480 hours for Upson County alone. Generally, a Pike County case would be performed in Pike County, and they could help maintain buildings, pick up trash, mow the lawn on the Courthouse Square, paint buildings, etc. CM Hanson saw an office that was painted and the floors were buffed and the overlook that had been rebuilt at Sprewell Bluff. He clarified that these are probationers where they would be report to Brandon Rogers and are not incarcerated individuals. If we get into trash pickup, this is typically done on the weekends and would need someone to watch them so we are not going in that direction. Construction including painting and electrical work could be utilized. We could perform projects by using this labor and just pay for materials and they would get credit for the hours. CM Hanson stressed that we would be saving work hours at the rate of $7.25/minimum wage and that the county would be doing this during regular work hours. Mr. Dunn explained the program in detail to commissioners as far as how to credit hours or how to deal with a possible problem with performance of duties. Minimum of 16 hours per month is required for community service.
It was explained that these are people who are privileged to serve their sentences outside of the jail system. Their hours and performance are monitored. Commissioner Jarrett asked if these were non-violent offenders. Mr. Dunn said that this is generally the case and that there are certain restrictions on how and where offenders are placed. The county has discretion on this. If there are any problems, they can be removed, but most are drug offenses. Sheetrock work, masonry, etc. are specialty projects that could be a savings to the county at higher than $7.25 an hour. Chairman Johnson asked what if they get hurt on the job here at Pike? He was advised that the probationers assume all liability because an agreement is signed with probation and they are not paid for their services. He said that a lot of them are so good with their job that people might want to buy them lunch but they ask that this not be done because they are performing a service to the community. If there is neglect, there is a possibility of lawsuit, but that is the only way that the county could be sued.
CM Hanson asked that the commissioners authorize this. County Attorney Morton advised procedure. This is going to get rolling and could be on the night meeting agenda. Authorize the CM to fill out the application to be submitted to the Chief Judge of the circuit and present a contract that will be reviewed at the next meeting. Approved 5-0.
b. Elizabeth Hanson and Daulton Corbett to address the Board regarding 4-H project request.
These Pike County High School Seniors were well prepared for today’s meeting and passed out information to the commissioners as well as shaking everyone’s hand at the table. They asked for permission to use the sign company that the county uses to make six signs that will read "Pike County 4-H Welcomes You." These signs (30 by 24 inches) will be placed at entrances into Pike County below the existing county entrance signs at Hwy. 19 north and south, Hwy. 18 east and west, Hwy. 362 and Hwy 74. This will allow the purchase of signs at a reduced cost of approximately $52.50 each. This is their Leadership in Action Project for Pike County and they are raising the money needed to pay for these signs by selling donuts, holding car washes, and bagging groceries. Commissioner Jarrett praised them for the initiative that they are taking for our county. Commissioner Bass praised them as well as asked that if they need the use of any county buildings for their fundraising (like selling donuts on the square) to make it available. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
Motion to go into Executive Session. 9:26 a.m. [Note from the Editor: This was moved up from the end of the meeting. No decision was made in Executive Session. If they had made a decision, it would have been announced when they came back into session.]
c. 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 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(6); germane to the Public Works Department.
Back into session at 10 a.m. Commissioner Jarrett left at this time.
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 ............................................................................................ $1,052,662.08
Fire Dept. Donations........................................................................................ $1,200.52
Cash Reserve Account................................................................................. $176,535.68
Jail Fund ........................................................................................................ $38,709.99
E-911 Fund .................................................................................................... $36,415.96
DATE Fund ................................................................................................... $34,890.81
Juvenile Court Fund....................................................................................... $18,377.66
Residential Impact Fee ................................................................................ $264,753.44
Commercial Impact Fees ............................................................................... $11,427.53
General Obligation SPLOST Tax Bond Sinking Fund, 2011...................... $239,404.25
L.M.I. Grant (DOT)..................................................................................... $278,331.90
c. County Manager Comments.
CM Hanson advised that the Animal Control building is complete inside and now work is ongoing for sidewalks and kennels. He said that Brandon Rogers and Jonathan Smith have done a good job out there.
CM Hanson met with the administration and captains of the FD last week. He is assembling a panel on this, and it will meet next week. The panel will be announced after they are appointed. He said that he is looking forward to the transition from Interim to New Chief. Pike County Emergency Services is following the current administration until an Interim Chief has been appointed with Chief Singleton, Chief Smith, and Chief Totten acting as Chief 1, 2, and 3.
Public Works is working on Old Zebulon Road to get it open and the project is coming along well. There have been some heavy rainstorms there and they are trying to get it dried out so they can continue. Patching is going well with the new system. They have been working on Williamson Road and will be finishing there next week, then moving to Tanyard Road.
d. Commissioner Reports.
Chairman Johnson thanked Ben Maxedon for the Prayer Walk at the schools and the job that they did on this. None of the other commissioners made a report.
e. County Attorney Report to Commissioners.
None.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consider one appointment to the Pike County Recreation Authority to fill an unexpired three-year term, set to expire June 30, 2017. Applicants have met criteria.
There were two applicants: Daniel Morgan, and Howard (Tripp) Busby III. Item dies for lack of a motion.
b. Consider one appointment to the Pike County Board of Assessors to fill an unexpired six-year term, set to expire June 30, 2020. Applicants have met criteria.
There were several applicants: Steven Yerkes, Howard (Tripp) Busby III, Gary Hammock, and Daniel L. Morgan. Motion to appoint Gary Hammock. Bass, Powers. Approved 4-0.
c. Request funds from Impact Fees for lighting/ceiling repair in the Sheriff’s Department/Jail.
There were some lighting issues at the Sheriff’s Office with lights blinking and not coming on at all because of corrosion that have been addressed and corrected. CM Hanson said that the ceiling had been there since the beginning and it was more advantageous to replace everything at once now so an inmate with specialized training with ceilings and lighting was utilized to replace this at cost. The cost is split between jail and Sheriff’s Office and will only cost the county $4,600. Sheriff said that he would pay for ½ of this through drug confiscation as well. Commissioner Bass thought that was restricted. County Attorney Morton said that he could check into this but thought that it qualified. Commissioner Bass said that she was not comfortable using the drug confiscation fund for the other ½ of this project, but that is not what was on the agenda for approval. The item on the agenda was to approve the use of Impact Fees from Jail and Sheriff’s Office to cover the county’s portion of $4,600 which is ½ of the cost to cover the materials in this project. County Attorney Morton said that the Sheriff does not need approval for his part of this project. He advised that the Sheriff can make that decision on his own, and all that we have to deal with is the ½ that we have been asked to pay. Motion to approve the use of Impact Fees for $4,600. Approved 4-0. CM Hanson to follow up with the Sheriff and check the legal language on this based on Commissioner Bass’ concern.
d. Clarification of building permit request by Teen Challenge Boys Academy to enlarge their dormitory space for students.
They would like this to be enough space for 20 more students. A study was done of the past minutes when this was approved, and nothing prohibits enlargement fo the facility or the number of students. There was a limit on ages with students only allowed between 13 and 18 and that the facility could be brought back before the commissioners if there is a violent offense against a Pike County resident. The reason that this came before the commissioners was simply make them aware of the possibility of the expansion and to decide under which category they wanted to place expansion under so Director Allen could apply the right Impact Fee.
County Attorney Morton, CM Hanson and Director Allen met on this already. Discussion of Impact Fees based on Pike County Ordinances: A dormitory might be larger than 2,000 feet so that would meet the criteria for Impact Fees. This doesn’t fit neatly into any regular category. County Attorney said that this could be tied to religious or this could tie into a hospital because it is a treatment facility like Pinewoods, etc. that deal with mental health so it could be tied to the health industry. Discussion that this probably fits hospital more than religious because placement at the facility can be mandatory rather than voluntary. Motion to approve to use the hospital definition for the Impact Fee that will be paid to the county and that this would include the current 75% on Impact Fees that is county-wide. Approved 4-0.
e. Seth Zimmerman addressed commissioners about closing IB Howard Road for a few days.
Request for Stalwart Films to close IB Howard Road on the 15th through the 17th. Seth Zimmerman addressed the board on this. The original request was approved a couple of weeks ago. The 11th episode starts filming tomorrow so they ask to close the road next week for safety purposes for the last of the filming and to move out equipment. He said that neighbors have seemed to enjoy their presence so far. Motion to approve the road closure. 4-0.
Commissioner Bass wanted to discuss the application procedure for our boards. Motion to add this to the agenda. Approved 4-0.
9f. Discussion of application process for appointment to any Pike County board.
Commissioner Bass said that our procedure might be too restrictive based on the time period that people have in which to apply for a board. She suggested that we have an open application process rather than applying within a certain time period. CM Hanson said that there needs to be an end date in order to get it to a meeting though the starting date could be open including a closing date of maybe 5 days before a meeting. He said that the system could be changed to allow some changes to the system including stipulations could be placed on this including a review period. Commissioner Jenkins suggested 3 or 6 months because of keeping up with applications. CM Hanson said that it looks like commissioners are wanting to get the right person to fill each position rather than just filling in a spot on a board. Commissioner Powers said that he likes a couple of months rather than a 2 or 4 week application period. 90 days may be more reasonable. Currently, applications go into a folder and could be pulled for a board application if that is what commissioners want to do. CM Hanson will bring something to commissioners on this with the help of the County Attorney. County Attorney Tom Morton said that in an example like the Tax Assessor’s form. There is nothing on that application to give background information or to let people know that there are requirements including a 40 hour school that must be attended.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT- (Limited to 5 minutes per person)
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. 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 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(6); germane to the Public Works Department.
[Note from the Editor: This item was moved up to 6c on the agenda.]
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn. Approve 4-0. 10:36 a.m.
Agenda subject to revision.
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