Hart County Board of Commissioners

January 29th, 2001

12:00 noon

 

Chairman Oglesby called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. The meeting notice had been sent to newspapers, radio station and posted on January 25, 2001 in the afternoon. As stated in the meeting announcement, the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the acquisition of real estate.

 

Motion by Commissioner Burdick, 2nd by Commissioner Brown to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing real estate. Vote 5-0.

 

Commissioner Dorsey reviewed his conversation with Ms. Lewis. Her response was she was not interested in selling. The subject of condemnation was not discussed.

 

Walter Gordon discussed further the condemnation process, legally known as eminent domain. He also discussed how and how much was paid for the original library property.

 

The best information available on the adjacent parcel is it was purchased in 1997 for $4,500. The tax assessment is presently $4,800 and the recent professional appraisal is $10,000. The Literacy Council offered Ms. Lewis (independent of BOC action) $20,000 on January 23, 2001. The offer was declined. This property is zoned residential. There is a parcel adjacent to the Hartwell Sun that is on the market for $45,000. It is zoned commercial.

 

The possibility of relocating the Literacy Center elsewhere was discussed. All architectural and engineering fees paid to date will be lost and more importantly, much time will be lost. Most importantly, the Literacy Center needs to be in close proximity to the library. By putting them adjacent their "sum" is much more than their "individual" parts.

 

With no further discussion, Commissioner Banister moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Brown. Vote 5 - 0. Time was 12:25 p.m.

 

In open session, Commissioner Burdick made the following motion:

 

Motion to authorize the County Attorney to 1) contact the property owner, Ms. Lewis 2) offer her the appraised price of $10,000 3) discuss the earlier Literacy Council offer that was not accepted and 4) if these efforts bring no results, proceed as quickly as possible with condemnation procedures offering the appraised price of $10,000.

 

Motion was seconded by Commissioner Brown. No further discussion. Vote was 4-0 with Commissioner Dorsey abstaining. Commissioner Dorsey explained that he had a prior conversation on this matter with Ms. Lewis about 6-12 months ago, and felt he had a conflict of interest and therefore abstained.

 

Commissioner Brown moved that the Executive Session affidavit be approved. Second by Burdick. Vote 5-0.

 

Motion by Commissioner Brown, 2nd by Commissioner Dorsey, to adjourn. Vote 5-0. Time 12:30 p.m.

 

 

 

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R. C. Oglesby, Chairman                          Gary S. Cobb, County Administrator