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Tuesday, September 25, 2012 – 6:30 p.m.
Courthouse Annex, 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia
By Editor Becky Watts
All five commissioners were present at this meeting, Interim County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye and former County Clerk Teresa Watson to do the minutes, County Manager (CM) Mike Phillips, Tom Morton, and Rob Morton. [Note from the Editor: Yvonne Langford took the minutes at the last meaning and Mrs. Watson was standing in her place tonight. CM Phillips said that this was done in an effort to help with the workload in the BOC Office where there are two working in that office and doing the work of three people. This is the final meeting where this type of help will be needed.] The agenda was amended to add an Executive Session for Ongoing and Potential Litigation: Personnel.
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. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - (O.C.G.A.§ 50-14-1(e) (2))
Minutes of the September 10, 2012 Special Call Meeting and the September 12, 2012 Regular Monthly Meeting.
5. INVITED GUESTS
6. 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: CM Phillips said that the county's finances are in good shape right now and they are not anticipating having to reach into TAN note right now. County financials are provided at the morning meeting in each month.
c. County Manager Comments
- Courthouse renovation update: They are close to doing the painting in the courthouse and are moving people around now. Requests for furniture will be coming soon. He advised commissioners that all departments have been advised to put together a list of essential needs. He also advised that they have been asked to compile a wishful things list that might have to wait until budget time next year. Commissioners can expect these lists around the middle of next month.
- Update on any pertinent departmental issues: Nothing outstanding to note.
- LOST Renegotiation efforts complete with no mediation/arbitration required.
- No draw as yet to the recently approved TAN line of credit: See note above under County Manager report.
- The concept of some type of animal control is still being researched: This will be addressed in Commissioner Tamra Jarrett's comments.
d. Commissioner Reports
District 1 Carol Bass referenced the ACCG meeting that is coming up and asked if anyone could attend. Motion to apoint Tamra Jarrett as a voting delegate on behalf of Pike County. 4-0-1 with Commissioner Jarrett abstaining.
District 2 Tamra Jarrett said that she and EMA Director Jimmy Totten attended a dinner last Thursday night in which Mid Georgia Ambulance was recognized as one of only 152 agencies across the nation that is CAAS Accredited. She offered her congratulations and was glad for the opportunity to share in this honor with them. She brought up the animal control workshop that is scheduled for next Thursday at 5 p.m. She said that several people have contacted her about this 5:00 PM workshop and she suggested that there be a workshop on Saturday, October 6 as well. There was a great amount of discussion. One commissioner commented that two is too many workshops. Discussion continued that they originally asked for a Saturday workshop. Commissioner Tommy Powers and Chairman Doug Mangham cannot attend on Saturday. Motion to have the workshop on Saturday, October 6 beginning at 9:00 AM. Approved 3 - 2 with Commissioners Powers and Mangham voting against it only because they cannot attend. Citizen Joy Walker was allowed to speak on this matter and she said that 5:00 PM was not a good time to hold a workshop like this since it would be hard for people to attend who work. She suggested either holding it earlier or later. [Note from the Editor: The Thursday, October 4th workshop that was scheduled at 5 p.m. has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 6th at 9 a.m. The public is invited to attend and discuss animal control.]
District 3 Tommy Powers had no comment.
Update 9.26.12:
District 4 Don Collins said that he received his tax bill and asked what happened to the discussion about moving the tax of the date to an earlier time so the county would not have to borrow money between the end of the year in July and the tax due date in December. Attorney Rob Morton advised that a report on this matter was given to commissioners during the summer but no action was taken in the meeting. Commissioner Collins said that he would still like to see this matter addressed to cover the gap in time created when the county went from a 12 month to eight month budget and a new year end.
Chairman Doug Mangham - None.
e. County Attorney Report to Commissioner: Attorney Rob Morton advised that the primary election cases were dismissed yesterday. He also advised that the Rigsby ordinance violation case will be going before magistrate court at 9:00 AM on Friday before Judge Fletcher Sams. Mr. Morton is prosecuting the case.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Changes to the form requesting use of Courthouse grounds to provide for accommodation of other County facilities, i.e. Meeting Room, carried over from the September 12th Regular Monthly Meeting.
Attorney Morton advised that both of these documents should be ready for the next meeting. He wants commissioners to be able to review the document prior to the meeting so if it cannot be prepared before the morning meeting, it will be presented prior to the night meeting.
b. Implementation of Vehicle Use Policy carried over from the September 12th Regular Monthly Meeting.
See above.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approval/denial of resolution to adopt The Capital Improvements Element 2011 Annual Update as transmitted on July 11, 2012 and approved by The Department of Community Affairs on July 24, 2012.
Planning and Zoning Director David Allen advised that Three Rivers and the Department of Community Affairs have both approved this. Motion to approve. 5-0.
b. Consider one appointment to the Pike Area Transportation Committee (PACT) for a 2-year term set to expire 7-1-2014. Applicant meets all criteria.
Only one application was received this position. Brad Weiser met all of the qualifications. The motion to appoint Brad Weiser. Approved 5-0.
c. Revisit discussion regarding distribution of insurance refund.
There was more discussion on how to handle the refund from the insurance provider with the specific question of whether to pay a refund to those who are no longer employed by the county. The board had previously decided to pay premium refunds to current employees with checks. However, there has been a question posed to the commission because a previous employee is expecting a refund on insurance premiums paid last year. Apparently, the insurer sent out letters to those who paid in last year regardless of whether they are currently working for the county or not. There was compassion for those who paid premiums and are no longer employed with the county, though the question was asked on what it would take to track employees to ensure that they are not employed elsewhere and also getting a refund there on their insurance premiums. Matt Bidwell, MSI Benefits Group (Broker) who helps the county obtain quality insurance each year, advised that most companies are only refunding current employees. Suggestion that people who are paying for COBRA insurance with the county be included. County manager and staff will research this matter prior to the next meeting so a decision can be made.
d. Consider request from Pike County Board of Education to utilize a small sliver of property owned by the County adjacent to the Board of Education’s bus facility located at 111 Adams Street, Zebulon.
The Board of Education has asked to use a portion of county property for bus driver parking. It would involve clearing some dead trees along the driveway. CM Phillips said that they do not want to own or have an easement to this property--just simply would like for their bus drivers to be able to park there. Attorney Morton advised that the firm could put together a legal arrangement says that the BOE would be responsible for those parking there. Attorney Tom Morton advised that a revoked license along with an idemnification provision to hold the county harmless in case of an accident going into or on the property would be sufficient. Commissioners wanted a 30 or 60 day notice in case the county has a use for this property. The motion to approve concept with understanding that commissioners will see the final contract prior to final approval. Approved 5-0.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT- (Limited to 5 minutes per person): None.
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION for Ongoing and Potential Litigation: Personnel began at 7:05 p.m.
Back into Session at 7:37 p.m. Motion to extend the job of the present Interim County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye until a selection is made for a permanent County Clerk. Approved 5-0.
11. ADJOURNMENT: 7:38 p.m.
Agenda subject to revision