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Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 9 a.m.
Main Courtroom, Pike County Courthouse, Zebulon, Georgia
All five commissioners were present along with County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye to take the minutes, County Manager (CM) John Hanson, and County Attorneys Rob and Tom Morton. This meeting was held in the main courtroom of the Pike County Courthouse. [Note from the Editor: I am thankful for security that we have at every meeting.]
1. CALL TO ORDER .................................................................................... Chairman J. Briar Johnson2. INVOCATION………………………………………………………………………….Frank Winfrey
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ................................................................... Chairman J. Briar Johnson
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. § 50-14-1 (e) (1))
County Manager asked to include an amendment for the City of Concord and the City of Williamson with unfinished business 8a.
. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2))
6. INVITED GUESTS
a. Recognize Ginny Blakeney for earning her Regional Economic Development Program Certificate.
This is a four month process and she also completed her work at Gordon too while raising two children and working in the Commissioner’s Office too.
b. Recognize Kevin Teate for receiving the Georgia Recreation & Park Association 30 Year Service Award.
Kevin started in 1986 has been recognized statewide. CM Hanson said that he is a consummate professional and he has done well for our Parks & Recreation too.
7. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS, DEPARTMENTS, COMMITTEES, AUTHORITIESa. Monthly Reports submitted from County Departments and County Authorities, including a Revenue/Expenditure Statement for all departments and a summary check register.
Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
b. County Manager Report
Update on County finances for the following funds/accounts:
General Fund ............................................................................................... $857,464.26
Fire Dept. Donations ........................................................................................ $4,595.06
BOC – Jury Account………………………………………………………………$0.00
Cash Reserve Account ........................................................................ ….....$506,070.92
Pike County CD Special Revenue funds………………………………………….$0.00
Jail Fund ........................................................................................................ $16,870.17
E-911 Fund .................................................................................................... $34,669.47
DATE Fund ................................................................................................... $38,583.01
Juvenile Court Fund ....................................................................................... $14,614.47
Residential Impact Fee ................................................................................ $347,625.06
Commercial Impact Fees ............................................................................... $19,361.84
C.A.I.P FUND ................................................................................................. $3,009.53
General Obligation SPLOST Tax Bond Sinking Fund, 2011 ...................... $366,632.98
L.M.I. Grant (DOT) ......................................................................................... $6,007.06
c. County Manager Comment
CM Hanson said that we do have our October SPLOST and are almost $13,000 higher than this point last year. He wants to encourage citizens to keep shopping in locally here in Pike County.
d. Commissioner Reports
Commissioner Daniel commended John Hanson and Ginny Blakeney and all with a hand in the Christmas festivities on Sunday. It was a job well done.
Chairman Briar Johnson said that this is our last meeting of the year and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
e. County Attorney Report to Commissioners.
None.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Approve/deny Animal Control Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Concord and the City of Meansville.
The draft agreement has been submitted to Concord and has been adopted. The City of Meansville also adopted this on Monday. They will both come under Code Enforcement of Pike County for Animal Control and cases involving enforcement will go through Pike County Magistrate Court. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approve/deny acceptance of Industrial Way.This driveway on Hwy 341 was approved by the Industrial Authority. This has been reviewed and the Commission is asked to approve this as part of the County Road System.
Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
b. Consider one appointment to the J. Joel Edwards Library Board to fill a three-year term, set to expire August 31, 2019. Applicant has met criteria.
Aubrey Lanier. The Library Board recommends approval of this applicant. Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
c. Consider one appointment to the Environmental Review Board to fill a three-year term, set to expire December 31, 2019. Applicant has met criteria.
Patricia Dabbs. This is a reappointment and the Board and County Manager recommend her reappointment. Motion to reappoint. Approved 5-0.
d. Approve/deny renewal of Alcohol License (Retail Sales – beer & wine) for Saifullah Bhamawi d/b/a The Rock Store, Zebulon, GA. Applicant has met criteria.
Motion to approve. This is a reapproval. Approved 4-1 with Guy opposed. [Note from the Editor: Guy usually abstains rather than opposes based on his opposition to more alcohol in the county overall.]
e. Approve / deny / discuss the use of impact fee funds in the CIE Prep category for purchase of a new plotter for the Planning and Development department.
This is basically for the preparation of documents on processes with Planning and Development. This plotter is a 15 year item. The old one has been in place for the past 12 years and it cannot be repaired. It would be ideal to move this into the new office. This would be an ok to get bids on this and spend probably between $7500 and up to $10,000. They looked at Govdeals.com but really don’t think this will be ideal.
According to the County Manager Report, this plotter is needed in preparation of maps for CIE Prep, GIS, ISO, Tax Assessment, Redistricting, Emergency Planning, Road Designation, and more.
Jenkins mentioned a $4,000 software package. CM Hanson and Director of Planning and Development David Allen said that the size of the printing and memory size will influence this purchase. We want equivalent to what we have now. This is just for the approval of the search for this item with the use of Impact Fees. The final approval will come back before Commissioners.
f. Approve/deny use of committed Fund Balance for IDA debt reduction.
CM Hanson said that we talked about needs of water and development. The Industrial Park will be dedicated on Friday. The total debt is a little over $400,000 total, but this will be for principle reduction of $40,000 with the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) beginning to sell lots out there now. Water Authority is also on the table for later reduction of debt.
From the County Manager Report: During the budget process, the Board committed $100,000 of Fund Balance to address the economic needs in the county. The need to address the reduction of current debt on the Hwy 341 Industrial Park property was discussed at that time as well. The IDA has used their reserve funds and sale proceeds to develop the site for its first occupant, K&K Manufacturing. This $40,000 request will make a principal reduction on this existing loan of $414,000 as of November 30, 2016. The IDA is currently paying $3,341 per month on this loan with about 10 years remaining on the loan. Current plans are to use 100% of future land sales to reduce this debt and pay it off earlier if possible. “There are current prospects for the park and the IDA is aggressively pursuing opportunities to sell these lots while attracting viable companies to the County.” Motion to approve. Approved 5-0.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT- (Limited to 5 minutes per person) None
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn. 9:24 a.m.
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