Hart County Board of Commissioners

December 9th, 2003

5:30 p.m.

 

The Hart County Board of Commissioners met December 9th, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hart County Administrative & Emergency Services Center.

 

Chairman Randy Banister presided with Commissioners R C Oglesby, Daniel Reyen, Ricky Carter and Joey Dorsey in attendance.

 

1.      Call to Order

Chairman Banister called the meeting to order.

 

2.      Welcome

Chairman Banister welcomed those in attendance.

 

3.      Prayer

Chairman Banister opened with prayer.

 

4.      Pledge of Allegiance

Everyone stood in observance of the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

5.      Approve Agenda

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to amend and approve the meeting agenda as follows:

            Add Item 7.                  Tom O'Bryant

            Add Item 13 c  Board/Authority Appointments

            Add Item 14 e  HVAC unit/Administrative Building

Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

6.      Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

·        11/25/03 Regular Meeting

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to direct County Clerk Lawana Kahn to review the video tapes of the meetings held November 11th and 25th before approving the minutes. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

7.      Remarks by Invited Guests, Committees, Authorities

Tom O'Bryant, Regional Planner GA. MTNS. RDC, explained the concept of the unified development code. He reported that Hart County's deadline for submitting the Comprehensive Land Development Plan is October 1st, 2005.

 

He also remarked that Performance Standards needs to be approached on the intensity of the use and have to be very detailed.

 

8.      Reports by Invited Constitutional Officers & Department Heads

None

 

9.      County Administrator's Report

None

 

10.  Chairman's Report

Chairman Banister reported that the second regular scheduled meeting for December will be cancelled due to the holidays.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to cancel December 23rd, 2003 meeting. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

11.  Commissioner's Reports

Commissioner Oglesby requested an update on the status of a dog ordinance from County Attorney Walter Gordon. Attorney Gordon responded that he has a draft ordinance for the board to review.

 

Commissioner Reyen remarked about an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution where a court order was issued to shut down a Landfill in Cobb County by December 2004. He stated that they will be hauling garbage to outlying counties and it is time to start looking at some sort of land use for Hart County.

 

Commissioner Carter asked about the status of the Christmas holidays for county employees. Interim Administrator Jon Caime reported that he had received an overwhelming response from county officials for an additional holiday on December 26th.

 

Commissioner Carter entertained a motion to withhold DDA funding until an official response has been addressed concerning an incident report that was filed by an employee of the DDA against a Hart County citizen and the issue will be presented at the commissioners' meeting in January.

 

Attorney Gordon responded that a criminal complaint was filed against an individual by an employee of the DDA.

 

Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Carter wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to move forward with an amendment to increase the requirements for issuing a building permit from $1,500 to $2,500. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

12.  Consent Agenda

None

 

13.  Old Business

a)      Discussion on Pending Environmental Regulations  

Interim Administrator Caime stated that the Environmental Regulations has to be in place by February 2004.

 

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to submit the Environmental Regulations to the Department of Community Affairs for their review. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion.

 

Commissioner Dorsey suggested drafting a letter to the State Senator,  State Representative and DCA that the Environmental Regulations are too restrictive and would place a hardship on future development in the county.

 

The vote carried 5-0.

 

b)      Performance Standards Regulation-Landfills

No action was taken.

 

c)      Board/Authority Appointments

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to re-appoint Dr. Irwin and Fanny Curry to the Board of Health. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to re-appoint Kim Blalock, Tim Gray, Stephanie Burton and Richard Byrum to the Recreation Advisory Board. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to appoint Ed Hopkins to the Board of Assessors. The motion did not receive a second.

 

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to appoint Donald Burdick to the Board of Assessors. Commissioner Carter provided a second to the motion.

 

Commissioner Dorsey commented that it will be a mistake to appoint Mr. Burdick and that in the past he has talked down to taxpayers. He stated that he felt there should be someone appointed to the Board of Assessors from each district.

 

Commissioner Reyen remarked that for several weeks the Chairman has been asking if anyone was interested in serving on the Board of Assessors to contact the administrative office. He added that it appears that a telephone campaign has been going on in the middle of the night in opposition of Mr. Burdick. Commissioner Oglesby responded that he has not been lobbying for anyone.

 

Commissioner Reyen remarked that he is well aware of Mr. Burdick's qualifications.

 

Chairman Banister remarked that he has talked with many individuals about the board appointment and no one has shown any interest.

 

Hedrick Isley recommended appointing a strong business leader such as a realtor.

 

Chief Appraiser Margaret Crossley reported that at a recent Board of Equalization tax appeal meeting Mr. Burdick personally attacked her and Chairperson Brown. She remarked that he conducted himself in a very unprofessional manner and was rude and obnoxious. Ms. Crossley suggested appointing people from different sectors of the county.

 

Commissioner Oglesby remarked that he didn't think that Mr. Burdick was being given the benefit of doubt.

 

Commissioner Reyen stated that Mrs. Crossley and Mrs. Brown's side of the story has been heard. However, Mr. Burdick has not voiced his opinion. He said Mr. Burdick has shown interest in the board appointment since he left public office.

 

Paul Roosenburg remarked that the land values are not fair and reasonable. He said that property owners in Commissioner District 2 have received the most increases in property values. Commissioner Dorsey asked Mr. Roosenburg if his assessment went up. Mr. Roosenburg responded by 300%.

 

Commissioner Dorsey asked if Mr. Burdick attends the Property Owners Association meetings. Mr. Roosenburg responded that he has seen Mr. Burdick at one meeting. 

 

Commissioner Dorsey also asked Mr. Roosenburg if he has any family members that serve on either Board. Mr. Roosenburg responded that his wife was appointed by the Grand Jury to serve as an alternate to the Board of Equalization.

 

Tax Assessors Hedrick Isley remarked that his term ends December 31st, 2003 and he appreciated the efforts of the Assessor Board. He reported that Mr. Burdick called him the night before the digest was to be submitted and attempted to block the tax digest in 2002.

 

Ben Fant asked for clarification of Mr. Burdick's attempt to block the digest. He stated that there may be a legality that needs to be explored and there could be a question of activity regarding Mr. Burdick's position.

 

Chairman Banister remarked that he voted not to block the digest and it would have held up collecting taxes and put the county in a cash flow problem within six months.  He added that personally he does not have the expertise to block the digest.

 

Chairman Banister entertained a motion to table the matter. The motion failed from lack of a second.

 

Chairman Banister called for the vote. The vote carried 3-2 (Commissioners Dorsey and Oglesby opposed).

 

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to re-appoint Kenny Carter to the Board of Tax Assessors. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

14.  New Business

a)      Bid Award - Batteries

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to award the battery bid to Clem's. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

b)      Discussion on Administrative Approvals of Simple Subdivisions

Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to grant permission to the Administrator to approve simple subdivision plats that meet all the requirements of Chapter 46 that are less than five lots. Commissioner Oglesby provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

c)      Assessors Office Software Upgrade 

Chief Appraiser Crossley reported that Wingap software is not owned by the State of Georgia. She stated that the technical support is limited and is being handled by state employees.

 

IT Specialist Mary Hughes presented a cost analysis of the Wingap software vs Novalis. She said that Novalis Software is superior from an "ease of use" perspective.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to table the software upgrade request. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion.

 

Ronnie Singleton remarked that other counties have changed Tax Appraiser software vendors and experienced problems by not having a safety net during their program conversions.

 

The vote carried 5-0 to table the matter.

 

d)      Beer and Wine Licenses

Renewals

Guy Tucker owner of the Member's Only presented a copy of his receipt from the Hartwell Sun to publish a one week advertisement for his beer and wine application renewal. He remarked that each year the board adds more and more requirements on the renewal process.

 

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to approve the following beer and wine renewal applications contingent on the VFW and Dad's Mini-Mart presenting proof of advertisement in the local newspaper. 

·        Jolin's Fish House

·        VFW Post 8076

·        Hartwell Golf Club

·        Yacht Club

·        The Members Only

·        Vanna Country Store

·        Dad's Mini Mart

·        Royal Food Store

·        Milford Oil Co. Inc.

·        Hickory Crossing Grocery

·        Leon Farmer & Co.

Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

            New Applications

·        Skelton Grocery

·        Royal Food Stores #3 & #5

             

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to approve beer and wine applications for Skelton Grocery and Royal Food Stores #3 & #5. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

e)      HVAC - Administrative Offices

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to approve spending $10,885 to purchase an HVAC unit from McGee Heating & Air for the Administrative Offices. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

15.  Public Comment

None

 

16.  Executive Session - To Discuss Litigation & Personnel Issues 

Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to exit into Executive Session to discuss litigation and personnel issues as required by O.C.G.A. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The resolution and affidavit is recorded in the minutes book.

 

After no further action taken during Executive Session, Commissioner Oglesby entertained a motion to exit Executive Session and convene the regular meeting. Commissioner Reyen provided a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner Dorsey entertained a motion to move the full time firefighters pay to grade 12. In addition, Teddy Gibson and Todd Jones will be offered the full time firefighter positions with twelve years experience (10 years as firemen plus 2 years as first responders). If one of the two individuals declines the position, Chris Kotal will be offered the position with 10 years experience. In addition to the regular benefits offered to all full time employees, the county will pay 100% of the full time firefighter's retirement fund. The full time firemen will be compensated for after hours fire calls from their stations and for after hours meetings. This does not include first responder calls. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Oglesby and the vote was 5-0.

 

17.  Adjournment 

Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Dorsey provided a second to the motion. The vote carried 4-0. (Commissioner Oglesby was absent).

 

 

 

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Randy D. Banister, Chairman                            Lawana Kahn, County Clerk