Board of Commissioners of Spalding County Regular Meeting Monday, October 2, :00 PM Room 108, Spalding County Annex Building

Board of Commissioners of Spalding County

Regular Meeting

Monday, October 2, 2017

6:00 PM

Room 108, Spalding County Annex Building

I. OPENING (CALL TO ORDER) by Chairman Bart Miller.

II. INVOCATION led by Pastor Mamie Harris-Smith.

III. PLEDGE TO FLAG led by Commissioner Rita Johnson.

Motion/Second by Johnson/Hawbaker to amend the agenda to include an Item #8 under New Business for consideration of a One Day Alcohol License for Jeffrey’s Bottle Shoppe who will be catering at the Marukan Grand Opening on October 25, 2017. Motion carried unanimously by all.

IV. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS - None

V. PRESENTATIONS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – None

VI. CITIZEN COMMENT

Speakers must sign up prior to the meeting and provide their names, addresses and topic in which they will speak on. Speakers must direct all comments to the Board only. Speakers will be allotted three (3) minutes to speak on their chosen topics and relate to matters pertinent to the jurisdiction of the Board of the Commissioners. No questions will be asked by any of the commissioners during citizen comments. Outbursts from the audience will not be tolerated. Common courtesy and civility are expected at all times during the meeting.

Pastor Mamie Harris-Smith, 1344 North 9th _{Street, Griffin, Georgia, stated that the}

traffic on North 9th _{Street has increased significantly since the detour has been}

going set up and that people are using that street as a raceway. The cars are coming from McIntosh headed north and south and it is really dangerous on North 9th

Street and Lakewood. Within the last seven days there have been two accidents near the church. She is concerned about the welfare and the safety of the people in the community as well as the ones who attend worship services at the church. She asked that something be done to slow down the traffic.

.

VII. MINUTES –

1. Consider approval of minutes for the Spalding County Board of

Commissioners Extraordinary Session on September 18, 2017, the Spalding County Board of Commissioners Executive Session on September 18, 2017, the Spalding County Board of Commissioners Zoning Public Hearing on September 28, 2017 and the Spalding County Board of Commissioners Executive Session on September 28, 2017.

Motion/Second by Ray/Johnson to approve the minutes for the Spalding County Board of Commissioners Extraordinary Session on September 18, 2017, the Spalding County Board of Commissioners Executive Session on September 18, 2017, the Spalding County Board of Commissioners Zoning Public Hearing on September 28, 2017 and the Spalding County Board of Commissioners Executive Session on September 28, 2017. Motion carried unanimously by all.

VIII. CONSENT AGENDA - None

IX. OLD BUSINESS - None

X. NEW BUSINESS –

1. Consider approval of Outside Amplification Permit from Union Baptist

Church, 1405 North McDonough Road, for their annual Fall Festival to be held on October 31, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Mr. Wilson stated this is their annual request. It has been reviewed by both the Sheriff’s Office and Community Development. They see no problem with it and actually a Sheriff’s Deputy will be in attendance at this event. Staff recommends approval.

Motion/Second by Johnson/Ray to approve an Outside Amplification Permit from Union Baptist Church, 1405 North McDonough Road, for their annual Fall Festival to be held on October 31, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously by all.

2. Consider approval of a new 2017 Alcohol License for Retail Sale of Beer and Wine for Super 5 Star, LLC d.b.a Toney's One Stop located at 4275 Hwy 19/41, Hampton, Ga 30228.

Mr. Wilson stated that this is a new licensee, fees have been collected in the amount of $600 and it has been reviewed by the Community Development Department and everything is in order with the Sheriff’s Office and they recommend approval.

Motion/Second by Ray Hawbaker to approve a new 2017 Alcohol License for Retail Sale of Beer and Wine for Super 5 Star, LLC d.b.a Toney's One Stop located at 4275 Hwy 19/41, Hampton, Ga 30228. Motion carried unanimously by all.

3. Consider approval of Contract amendment with the Sullivan & Ogletree to provide Violation of Probation Indigent Defense services in Spalding County State Court for FY 2018.

Mr. Wilson stated that we currently have a contract with Sullivan & Ogletree for indigent defense in State Court. However, that does not include Violation of Probation. The State now specifies that anyone who is charged with Violation of Probation is entitled to a Public Defender if they so desire. We received an amendment to the contract from Sullivan & Ogletree to provide these services. Mr. Fortune reviewed as to form and Judge Thacker reviewed as to charges. This is a contract that coincides with our existing contract which terminates on June 30th_{, 2018 and will automatically renews the same as the}

other contract. This contract is for $2,000 per month to provide Indigent Defense for Violation of Probation offenders.

Mr. Fortune advised that this contract provides for a 60 day cancellation by either side. Currently, neither side knows how much time this additional work will add, it may wind up that Sullivan & Ogletree look at it and decide it is not enough money for the additional work. On the other hand, if we feel that we are paying too much then we will not be locked into a long term contract. For now it is a trial basis.

Motion/Second by Ray/Johnson to approve the Contract amendment with Sullivan & Ogletree to provide Violation of Probation Indigent Defense services in Spalding County State Court for FY 2018. Motion carried unanimously by all.

4. Consider approval on first reading an amendment to replace, in its entirety, Part VII - Animals Control- Chapter 1 of the Spalding County Code of Ordinances.

Mr. Wilson advised that he was going to let Mr. Mosley and Mr. Fortune address this matter. Mr. Mosley is responsible for Animal Control and he, Brent Foster and Mr. Fortune got together to make some changes.

Mr. Fortune advised that the reason we are requesting that this Chapter be replaced in its entirety is because of the number of changes that were having to be made throughout the document. It made things easier to readopt an ordinance that was correct, so that you don’t have to go line by line to make the changes.

Eric Mosley, Assistant County Manager, stated that primarily what has been done is we have taken out the words dog and cat throughout the ordinance and replaced it with animals. This is due to problems we have experienced with loose pigs and loose reptiles and we needed the authority to address all of those animals other than just dogs and cats. Throughout the ordinance we wanted to have a broader view on animals versus specifically on dogs and cats which

is how the ordinance was originally written.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor asked if this document was reviewed by the Animal Care and Control Advisory Board.

Mr. Mosley stated that the document has not been reviewed as we have not had a meeting of this group in the last three to four months.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor stated that she feels this document needs to go through them that is what they are for. If there is some issues with participation then management needs to work to figure out if there is a problem and address it.

Mr. Mosley stated that the meeting schedule of ACCAB was revised because we felt that the meetings weren’t very fruitful. We were hoping by elongating the time between meetings it would provide a more robust agenda. We didn’t want to waste their time coming here, just to show up and leave.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor stated that what she has been told is you haven’t had meetings because the Chairperson is not available. This is an issue.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor questioned why the definition of Animal Control Board, “is the County Manager or his designee serves as the Animal Control Board.”

Mr. Mosley stated that he believes what Commissioner Flowers-Taylor is speaking of the Board for Vicious Animals or Dangerous Dogs.

Mr. Wilson stated there is technically a Board who is the County Manager who hears all dangerous dog cases. Those cases are not heard by ACCAB.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor stated that she did not note any change in that part of the Ordinance.

Mr. Mosley stated that the only changes made to the ordinance was to broaden the term from dogs and cats to animals.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor stated that that portion of the Ordinance needs to be clear as just reading it, it would be assumed that ACCAB would be the Board responsible in determining a vicious or dangerous dog case.

between the two groups.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor advised that she had additional questions, but she would get with Mr. Mosley, Mr. Foster and Mr. Fortune to go over her concerns prior to the second reading of the Ordinance.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor stated that one area of concern is if an animal comes into the shelter and is hurt or whatever, the Animal Control Supervisor will make the determination to euthanize or not. She stated that she is not sure he is qualified to make that decision. She doesn’t like the idea of one person being able to determine the fate of an animal because of illness or sickness. Do we take them to the vet? If they get kennel cough does somebody actually come out and see what is wrong with them.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor also stated there is a section that refers to Commissioners of the City, not county.

Mr. Mosley stated that they would set up a meeting to discuss Commissioner Flowers-Taylor’s concerns.

Motion/Second by Flowers-Taylor/Hawbaker to approve on first reading an amendment to replace, in its entirety, Part VII - Animals Control- Chapter 1 of the Spalding County Code of Ordinances. Motion carried unanimously by all.

5. Consider approval of revised contract detail officer agreement with the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education for FY 2018.

Mr. Wilson stated earlier this year the Board approved as a group all of the contracts for Contract Detail Officers. The Board of Education asked for two minor indemnity corrections that Mr. Fortune has reviewed and approved. We just wanted to get it on the books for adoption in its current form, it will be retroactive to July 1, 2017.

Motion/Second by Hawbaker/Johnson to approve a revised contract detail officer agreement with the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education for FY 2018. Motion carried unanimously by all.

6. Consider resolution authorizing declaration of taking for property acquisition for the new airport.

Mr. Fortune advised that every time the County gets ready to file the declaration of taking, we are given a new survey and advised that one of the

lines have been moved and the acreage has changed. To make the Declaration of Taking Resolution match the Declaration of Taking we have to use an accurate survey and although we have already passed this action, they have changed the description, so we are asked to do it over again. This is the reason this resolution is being presented again this evening.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor asked why the County is the Authority doing the taking. The airport is an authority.

Mr. Fortune advised that although the Airport is an Authority, they do not have the power of eminent domain, they cannot condemn.

Motion/Second Hawbaker/Flowers-Taylor to approve a resolution authorizing declaration of taking for property acquisition for the new airport. Motion carried unanimously by all.

7. 2016 SPLOST Projects Update.

Mr. Wilson stated that the SPLOST collections for the month of August were $711,482.48 that brings total collections for the 17 months to $12,029,938.04 which is 1.09% above estimated collections. Average collections are $707,643.41. You may recall that we anticipated $700,000 for collections.

• Fairmont HVAC is nearing completion from the contractor. Construction and Maintenance has done the work to remove the old fans and they have ordered the sheet metal to cover those areas.

• Mobile construction crew has resumed work on our Press Box remodel.

Architectural plans have been submitted to the County and to the City on the Pavilion remodel for review.

• Architectural plans have been authorized and begun for the gym remodel.

• The roundabout at Intersection #2 is almost complete, they are paving the area now.

• The culvert at that locations is almost complete as well.

He is awaiting information from Paragon as to when we will be able to have a joint Ribbon Cutting with the City for this $3.5 million joint project. He advise as soon as he gets the date.

The signs have been designed and are ready to be installed at all four intersections of this project that include both the Spalding County and the City of Griffin logos. They read “This Project Made Possible by SPLOST.”

• Orchard Hill and Sunny Side projects are 100% complete.

• The Pickleball Facility is now 100% complete. All of the trees and sod have been installed and we have a tournament in two weeks.

Commissioner Hawbaker added that beginning October 22nd _{there will be}

7 straight days of tournament. This first one, called the Atlantic South, has been in existence for 5-6 years and they have 400 registered for the event. That is almost double the participants of the next largest event of this kind.

• We are getting ready to bid out the 2018 LMIG and the match for that program comes from the SPLOST. The roads included on this LMIG are mostly the second half of the roads that were resurfaced in the 2017 LMIG. We have also acquired for our use the striping truck that was used by Two Rivers RC&D. It is currently being repaired and once it is ready we will be training some of our staff to do striping on that equipment and we will be doing striping ourselves.

These are all of the SPLOST projects that are currently underway. He stated that there has been mention of the Aquatic Center lately and the main thing that needs to be done is to pick a location for that Center. After the location has been selected, we will need to hire a design and engineering firm to work on that.

The Animal Shelter will be the same way, we know the location, but we will have to hire an engineering/architectural firm to come in and design that as well. Those are the two big constructions projects that are left on the 2016 SPLOST. There are a lot of smaller construction projects that we will be doing but those are the big construction projects.

He then asked the Board to be thinking and getting input on where we might locate the Aquatic Center.

Commissioner Hawbaker asked what the hold-up might be in getting to work on the modification of the Animal Shelter.

Mr. Wilson stated that we are just waiting on the money. The monies are currently being paid into the bond funds, the Board agreed to pay the bond funds first. He stated that next year is when the design and engineering of the Animal Shelter is scheduled to begin.

Commissioner Hawbaker asked if the Library had received their technology funds from the SPLOST.

Mr. Wilson stated that they hadn’t asked for it, but he would call and let them know that those funds are available.

• Mr. Wilson stated that there have been laptops (Mobile Data Terminals or MDT’s) installed in all Sheriff’s Office, Code Enforcement and Fire vehicles and are up and operational. We can now link back up to the CAD system at the 911 Center.

Everyone on Justice Boulevard, the 911 Center, the Annex, Public Works, etc. are all operating off of the City’s fiber network. We did have a problem with a vehicle pulling down the fiber connection which disrupted the fiber connection for a period of time. We met with the City last week regarding the development of a redundant line so that could not happen in the future.

Sheriff Dix stated that the officers are now able to spend more time in the field since they can complete their paperwork in their unit and do not have to go back to the Sheriff’s Office to complete their paperwork.

Mr. Wilson stated that the next item that the Sheriff will be asking for and that he will be recommending in next year’s budget will be printers for each one of the mobile data terminals so that we can issue citations right there on the scene rather than handwritten citations which will be a time saver as well.

8. Consider approval of a One-Day Alcohol Permit for Jeffrey’s Bottle Shoppe to cater the Grand Opening of the Marukan Vinegar (USA), Inc. facility on October 25, 2017.

Motion/Second by Ray/Flowers-Taylor to approve a One-Day Alcohol Permit for Jeffrey’s Bottle Shoppe to cater the Grand Opening of the Marukan Vinegar (USA), Inc. facility on October 25, 2017. Motion carried unanimously by all.

XI. REPORT OF COUNTY MANAGER

• At their September 20th _{meeting, the State Properties Commission voted to}

approve the conveyance of the Juvenile Justice Property and the Property across from the Law Enforcement Complex that is owned by the Department of Corrections to the County. That transfer will probably take another 90 days to complete and then be signed by the Governor. So those properties will be coming back to the County. You may recall that those properties were donated to the State as a match for us to have those facilities in the County and they served for many years.

• The Spalding County Health department held their annual drive-thru flu shots on September 26th_-27th_{, they gave out 1200 flu shots over the two days.}

• As soon has he receives something from Paragon on a Ribbon Cutting date with the City and the County for Intersection #2 we will get that information to you.

• He will be on annual leave Friday, October 6th_{, through next week. Mr. Mosley will}

He will be available by cell phone, tweet, email, text or whatever means you choose, but he will be out of state but will be accessible.

XII. REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Donald Hawbaker:

o Asked the Sheriff if there had been another accident at Birdie Road and 19-41. That it did not appear on the report received from the Sheriff’s Office.

Mr. Mosley advised that it was an older woman driving who was hit by an 18 wheeler. The woman was life-flighted to Atlanta because of her age and the fact that she had a broken pelvis.

Commissioner Hawbaker expressed his frustration over GDOT not responding to the numerous requests he has made at the GSATC meetings for something to be done at this intersection to notify traffic northbound on 19/41 of the upcoming traffic signal. He stated that he would be contacting Harlan Smith at GDOT and asking him to send out additional requests.

Captain Dewayne Jones advised that there had been an accident, but it had been handled by the State Patrol and that is why it had not appeared on the report. o He supports the idea of a Ribbon Cutting for the roundabout. It will make that a

safe intersection.

It has been approximately 12 years since a school bus has been able to cross over that bridge. 43 buses a day are routed around that culvert and Todd Harris at the Board of Education did a study for him that indicated that the cost of gas, employee time value, these detours costs the school approximately $200 per day.

Mr. Wilson stated that he would invite the Board of Education to the Ribbon Cutting as well.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor:

o Stated that she wanted to thank Sheriff Dix and his staff for cleaning up her neighborhood. She advised that she used to sit out on her porch at night and watch a soap opera, cars going fast up and down the street, people walking and all kinds of illegal stuff. Now it’s kindda boring when she sits on the porch. The entertainment is simply trying to identify what kind of car is driving by because that is the most exciting thing that has happened recently and she really appreciates what they have done in her area.

o She wanted to thank the County Staff for coming in to assist in the work session this morning. She feels that some of the items discussed will be beneficial to our employees. She is just trying to give them the “extra” that will put them on even ground.

o She saw some people at the BBQ and Blues Festival this past weekend, but it was obvious that not having someone in the Main Street position made a big difference in the turn out. There was a good crowd there, but with the weather she feels it could have been better attended. She is hoping that once we complete the process

that the organizations that didn’t participate this year will come back on line for this event.

Commissioner Raymond Ray

o Advised that there is an upcoming training series being held by the Fire

Department. CERT, is program that teaches people in the community skills in how to handle emergency events. This training would have been helpful during IRMA. Anyone interested in participating should contact the Fire Department for information.

o He wanted to acknowledge the job done by the Sheriff’s Office, last week they were given a big hurdle and they came out very well. Please keep that law enforcement officer in your prayers.

Commissioner Rita Johnson:

o She thanked Pastor Mamie for doing the invocation. She advised that the Pastor expressed concerns on Ninth Street that would be passed along to the appropriate departments.

o She then stated that Mr. Wilson had not talked about the TSPLOST like he had said he would do.

o Brett Bell who is one of the co-chairmen of the TSPLOST Committee has advised that they are accepting donations to purchase signs and get the information out to the public.

o She is excited about the upcoming Pickleball Tournaments. She was curious if we have seen any economic impact of these tournaments through hotel/motel taxes. o She stated that we have the Kiwanis BBQ coming up on Wednesday, this is the

kick-off of the Spalding County Fair and she asked that everyone come out and support the Fair. The Fair starts this weekend and goes through the 15th_.

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor stated that she would like to re-implement the tradition of having local pastors come in to do the invocation. She feels that would be a great idea, it would give the pastors an opportunity to come in and express their concerns and to see what is going on with the County. It would give us an opportunity to have some face-to-face time with them. To see who they are and who they represent. Commissioner Hawbaker added that he wanted to thank Mr. Wilson for the Service Delivery Strategy resolution with the City.

Chairman Bart Miller – No Comment.

Mr. Wilson stated that with regard to the TSPLOST, staff will be making informational presentations at Sun City Peachtree (tomorrow), at Griffin Daybreak Rotary

(Wednesday morning) and at the Chamber of Commerce (October 5th_{). We also have}

Kiwanis for next week and the Rotary Club the following week.

Eric Mosley, Mr. Wilson and Kenny Smith will be making the informational presentations and then turning it over to members of the TSPLOST committee after that. They will be available to answer any questions and the information is also published on the City and the County websites.

Mr. Wilson advised that early voting will start on October 16th_.

XIII. CLOSED SESSION

County Zoning Attorney requests an Executive Session to discuss pending or potential litigation, settlement, claims, administrative proceedings, or other judicial actions brought or to be brought by or against the county or any officer or employee or in which the county or any officer or employee may be directly involved as provided in O.C.G.A. § 50-14-2(1).

Motion/Second by Ray/Flowers-Taylor to enter into Executive Session at 6:58 p.m to discuss pending or potential litigation, settlement, claims, administrative proceedings, or other judicial actions brought or to be brought by or against the county or any officer or employee or in which the county or any officer or employee may be directly involved as provided in O.C.G.A. § 50-14-2(1). Motion carried unanimously by all.

Motion/Second by Johnson/Ray to close the Executive Session at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously by all.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

Motion/Second by Ray/Hawbaker to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m. Motion carried unanimously by all.