Hart County Board of Commissioners

June 13^th, 2000

5:30 p.m.

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met June 13^th, 2000 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

Chairman Joel Moore presided with Commissioners Don Burdick, Harry Hannah and R. C. Oglesby in attendance. Commissioner Ken Brown absent.

Call to Order, Welcome, Moment of Silence

Chairman Moore called the meeting to order, welcomed those in attendance and asked for a moment of silence.

Approve Agenda

Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The agenda is recorded in the official minutes book.

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

5/22, 5/23, 5/30/00

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings held May 22^nd, 23^rd and 30^th, 2000. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

None

Reports By Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

None

County Administrator's Report

County Administrator Gary S. Cobb reported the interviewing process for the Fire Training Officer will begin within the next few weeks. He also reported the Recreation complex/restroom facility and the Courthouse/Annex renovations are complete.

Chairman's Report

Chairman Moore reported the commissioners have met with the municipalities to prepare for the 1%SPLOST referendum. He also reported the following schedule to meet with other agencies to discuss allocation of the proposed 1%SPLOST:

Hart County Water & Sewer Authority June 13^th @7:00 p.m.

Hart County Fire Chief & Station Commanders June 14^th @7:00 p.m.

Hart County Recreation Board June 15^th @7:00 p.m.

Chairman Moore stated the planning meetings are open to the public and the commissioners will probably have a called meeting next week to discuss allocation of funds for the 1%SPLOST.

Commissioners' Reports

Commissioner Burdick commended Public Works Director Rick Haney and Road Superintendent Ronnie Dickerson for the great job of resurfacing county roads in all the districts.

Consent Agenda

a. Solid Waste - $5.00 minimum tipping fee

County Administrator Gary Cobb reported there has been an increase of citizens using the Transfer Station to dispose of household garbage without using the bag system. He suggested increasing the minimum-tipping fee from $2.00 to $5.00.

Commissioner Burdick reported the tipping fee to transfer garbage out of the county has increased. County Administrator Cobb suggested leaving the tipping fee at the current $40.00 per ton.

b. No Parking Zone - State Road 17 @ mile post 1.2

County Administrator Cobb suggested removing item b from the consent agenda.

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to approve the consent agenda and to remove item b. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The consent agenda is recorded in the official minutes book.

Old Business

None

New Business

a. Seraph Pointe Subdivision/Charles Sanford & Tom Hardigree

Counties Administrator Gary Cobb said the subdivision request is the first one submitted since the commissioners amended the Land Development Standards. He said the subdivision would be an asset to the county.

Commissioner Burdick entered a motion to grant Sereph Pointe Subdivision applicants Charles Sanford and Tom Hardigree a variance to Section 46-156(a) of the Land Development Standards permitting a section of 30-foot right-of-way per their plat. Further, to approve the plat contingent upon a letter addressed to the Commissioners from a certified water supplier, stating their intent and ability to provide water to the subdivision under conditions to have a 56 gpm at 20 psi flow rate at the furthest tap location in the subdivision. Further, water flow test results will be required from a registered engineer taken at the furthest tap location in the subdivision showing a minimum flow rate of 56 gpm at 20 psi before a second building permit is issued. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

b. Personnel policy update

Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to adopt the personnel policy update by incorporating the changes and additions contained in the document, "Proposed Updates to Personnel Policy - June 13^th, 2000." Chairman Moore provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The document is recorded in the official minutes book.

c. Selection of architect/Battered Women's Shelter

Commissioner Hannah entered a motion to appoint Carter Watkins Associates as the architect for the Battered Women's Shelter being purchased and renovated under the FY2000 CDBG. Commissioner Burdick provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Public Comment

Chairman Moore reminded the Commissioners that they have a number of Board/Authority appointments to make.

Chairman Moore reported he has received several requests for refunds from taxpayers that were overcharged on their property taxes. He said the Board of Commissioners could not act upon the request until the appeals procedures have been followed. He added the request has to be approved by the Tax Commissioner and Board of Tax Assessors.

Chairman Moore reminded the public attending to limit comments to five minutes. He also said anyone that request to be placed on the agenda should notify the Board office three days notice of the meeting and give the topic they wish to discuss.

Virgil Ayers stated the Chapter 46 Land Development Standards should be null and void since there was no minutes taken when the committee members met. He said according to the Open Records Act the meeting agenda should be posted no more than two weeks with the items to be discussed.

County Attorney Walter Gordon said the Chapter 46 Land Development Standards amendments were followed under a different set of laws. He said the agenda is published in the local paper and is made public prior to the meetings.

Mr. Ayers voiced his opinion concerning the Commissioners meeting four times a month.

Attorney Gordon responded the Planning meetings are designed to discuss the matters placed on the agenda. He also said the Planning meetings are open to the public.

County Administrator Cobb responded that the agenda is sent to the Hartwell Sun a week before the meeting and the agenda is also posted in the Administrative Building.

Chairman Moore said that the Open Records Act provides changes to items to be discussed on the agenda.

Mr. Ayers said the Planning meetings beginning at 4:30 p.m. were not suitable for the public to attend.

Mr. Ayers questioned the amount of taxes received from the E911 fee. He said he had a problem getting the correct information he requested for the total number of telephones in the county. He stated he thought the 911 charge was for upgrading the 911 system and connect lines to the fire stations.

The Board of Commissioners does not decide Attorney Gordon explained the 911 fee is a user fee. He added the fee is authorized by the State Legislatures, the FCC and the voters of Hart County approved the referendum.

Mr. Ayers said since the county is receiving $15,000 to $20,000 per month from the telephone companies the administrator should know how many telephones are in the county.

Commissioner Oglesby directed County Administrator Gary Cobb to give Mr. Ayers the information he request and how much the 911 system is costing the telephone companies to maintain the lines etc.

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Hannah provided a second to the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

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Joel Moore, Chairman Lawana Kahn, County Clerk