Hart County Board of Commissioners

January 22nd, 2002

7:00 p.m.

 

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met January 22nd, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

 

Chairman Joey Dorsey presided with Commissioners Randy Banister, Ken Brown and R. C. Oglesby in attendance. Commissioner Don Burdick absent.

 

Call to Order, Welcome, Moment of Silence

 

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

 

Approve Agenda

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

The agenda is recorded in the minutes book.

 

Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

            01/08/2002

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on January 8th, 2002. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities, Etc.

None

 

Reports By Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

None

 

County Administrator's Report

None

 

Chairman's Report

 

Chairman Dorsey reported that he and Commissioners Banister, Burdick, Water Authority Chairman Fort Oglesby, Executive Director Jere Johnson, and Reporter Nathan Golden toured the John Rainey Power Plant in South Carolina, which was very educational.

 

Old Business

 

County Attorney Walter Gordon reported that he has completed Almar Road abandonment research. He stated that there is a property owner at one end of the road that he would need to contact and he suggested that the board make their final decision at the February 26th, 2002 meeting.

 

New Business

 

a.                  Arcade License Renewals:

Borderline Bait & Tackle

Borderline Trading Post

Borderline Sports Bar

           

                        Borderline Bait & Tackle

 

County Administrator Gary Cobb reported that after the staff review, the applications were in order.

 

Commissioner Oglesby asked why the renewal applications were not submitted before the deadline as per the county ordinance. 

 

Attorney Henry Bauer representing the owners of the establishments stated that they thought the State Law to abolish the machines would be effective therefore, they did not think it would be necessary to renew their license. He requested that the board not penalize his clients since they have complied with the law in the past.

 

Commissioner Banister asked if the owners have any knowledge of illegal payouts and if they are taking measure to insure that they will not in the future.

 

Mr. Winchester, site manager of two of the business', remarked that they have complied with the laws of Georgia and will continue to comply.

 

Ed Khoury, an in-house auditor, reported that he receives a weekly financial summary from each establishment for auditing purposes.

 

Attorney Bauer also remarked that they are doing business properly and that meter readings are taken on the video gaming machines.

 

Ralph O'Neal was recognized. He remarked that he would very much like to see the video gaming machines removed from the county.

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to approve Borderline Bait & Tackle renewal license application. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

                        Borderline Trading Post

 

Auditor Khoury reported that the CPA firm that audits the Borderline Trading Post follows the same format that he does.

 

Attorney Bauer remarked that the county ordinance requires that the establishments submit accurate financial records and that individuals that sign them verify the figures. He also stated they can submit records to back up the information.

 

Commissioner Banister questioned if the owner has taken appropriate measures to insure that illegal payouts are not taking place. He also questioned the redemption of arcade winnings for lottery tickets if the proceeds are recorded in the gross income records.

 

Auditor Khoury explained that if someone redeems a prize for lottery tickets those funds are included in the lottery tickets gross income, which is allowable by State Law.

 

Commissioner Brown entered a motion to approve Borderline Trading Post renewal license application. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion.

 

Attorney Gordon remarked that renewal of the license is only for such a time period that the State Law permits the activity. Attorney Bauer acknowledged that he understood that the license is contingent on a final ruling of the Supreme Court.

 

The motion carried 4-0.

 

                        Borderline Sports Bar

 

Chairman Dorsey questioned the financial statement as provided in “Exhibit A” of the renewal application for the Borderline Sports Bar. Auditor Khoury remarked that he would go over the figures again and that he would stand behind his report.

 

Attorney Bauer remarked that there is no intention to deceive anyone and that if Auditor Khoury does not give satisfactory information that he would appear before the board at their next meeting. He also stated that the books are available for review.

 

Commissioner Banister questioned Auditor Khoury about the submittal of the financial records to his office. He replied that he receives the information on a monthly basis.

 

Commissioner Banister also questioned how the sales of lottery tickets are counted. Mr. Winchester explained that the lottery tickets sales are on the state computer system and the state sends a report of the proceeds monthly. He remarked that an individual does not get a register receipt for lottery tickets.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve Borderline Sports Bar renewal application pending the corrections to “Exhibit A” is submitted to the Board within ten days. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

b.                  Arcade License – General Discussion

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to authorize Commissioner Banister, County Attorney Gordon, County Administrator Cobb and himself to review the possibility of hiring a hearing officer and a prosecutor for the arcade licenses applications that are pending due to the countywide sting.

 

Attorney Gordon remarked that a hearing officer will take in all the evidence and report factual evidence.

 

Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

c.                  Gateway Industrial Park Engineering Services

 

Administrator Cobb reported that the committee met and interviewed four firms for the Gateway Industrial Park Engineering Services. The committee recommended the Athens Georgia firm of Jordan, Jones and Goulding.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve a contract with Jordan, Jones and Goulding and authorize the chairman to execute the contract pending the county attorney’s review. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

d.                  Clerk of Court – Jury Transportation

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to amend the Grand Jury budget to allow for transportation of jurors by $1008 for a driver and $100 for gasoline for a six-week period.  Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion.

 

Chairman Dorsey remarked that he would attend the City of Hartwell’s next meeting and try to negotiate a parking permit for jurors.

 

The motion carried 4-0.

 

e.                  Position Grade Change – Maintenance Shop

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to temporarily reclassify the Grade 16 Mechanic/Welder to a Grade 14 Mechanic and when a qualified shop employee is determined, reclassify the Grade 14 back to a Grade 16 and fill with the qualified employee. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

f.                    Solid Waste Disposal Dept. Budget Amendment

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Budget as follows:

                        Acct 54.2100 from $11,400 to                    $4,250

                        Acct 52.2320 from            0 to                     $5,000

                        Acct 52.3200 from            0 to                      $1,800           

                        Acct 52.3210 from            0 to                      $     50

                        Acct 52.3500 from            0 to                      $   100

                        Acct 52.3600 from            0 to                  $   100

                        Acct 52.3700 from            0 to                  $   100

 

Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

           

            g.         Beer & Wine License Applications:

(3) Royal Food Stores

            Lavonia Hwy – Shell Station

            Royston Hwy – Intersection Bethany-Bowersville Rd

            Royston Hwy – Marathon Station

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to approve the beer & wine applications for the Royal Food Stores. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

            h.         Qualifying Fees

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to set qualifying fees for the 2002 elections as $162 for Board of Commissioners and $36 for Board of Education and authorize the advertisement of the fees in the Hartwell Sun by February 1st, 2002. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

i.                    Immediate Threat and Danger Application

 

Chairman Dorsey entered a motion to authorize the county to apply to the Department of Community Affairs for a $50,000 grant to provide water to residents along Hodges Mill Road and Tefel East. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

j.                     Arts in Hartwell Festival

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to permit the Hartwell Downtown Development Authority to use the courthouse grounds for their festival April 13th, 2002, contingent on the grounds renovation project. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

k.                  Pre-Fourth Festival

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to permit the Hartwell Junior Service League to use the courthouse grounds for the Pre-Fourth Extravaganza June 29th, 2002, contingent on the grounds renovation project. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. Commissioner Banister also stated that it should be understood that individuals retain the free and unfettered access to the property. The motion carried 4-0.

 

l.                     B Bailey Road Bridge Bid Opening

 

The following sealed bids were received for the B Bailey Road Bridge project:

·        Steve Milford       $47,800.

·        Saan Teasley      $24,576.

·        Billy Ethridge       $11,555.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to refer the bids to the County Administrator and Public Works Director and authorize the Chairman to sign the contract. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

m.                General Fund Budget Amendment

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to transfer $3,000 from the contingency fund to the Sheriff's Department line item 53.1715 for ammunition. Commissioner Banister provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

n.                  Bid Opening - Mapping System Support

 

Keck and Wood were the only company to submit a sealed bid for the mapping system.

 

Commissioner Banister entered a motion to refer the bids to the Chief Appraiser, Board of Tax Assessors and the County Administrator for study and to make a recommendation at the February 12th, 2002 meeting. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

Public Comment 

 

Hulen Bryant appealed to the board to change the format of the meeting agenda to allow Public Comment before business items are discussed.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to discuss the matter at the February 12th, 2002 meeting. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

Jere Johnson updated the board on the status of the ownership of water lines on 29S. He said the Water & Sewer Utility Authority has reached an agreement with the City of Hartwell and they will be locating two meters on 29S. He reported that the engineering firm will conclude the study for Sunset Drive and the project will be ready to bid in forty-five days. He also reported that Old Beacon Light Road project bid will be ready to bid in forty-five days.

 

Executive Session

None

 

Adjournment 

 

Commissioner Oglesby entered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Brown provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

 

 

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Joey Dorsey, Chairman                               Lawana Kahn, County Clerk