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PIKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Pike County Board of Commissioners held its Regular Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room in the Courthouse Annex at 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia. Convening the meeting was Chairman Doug Mangham, and Commissioners Carol Bass, Tamra Jarrett, Tommy Powers, and Don Collins attended. County Manager Bill Sawyer, County Attorney Rob Morton, and County Clerk Teresa Watson were also present. (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2))
1. CALL TO ORDER ................................................................................... Chairman Doug Mangham
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE .................................................................. Chairman Doug Mangham
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. 50-14-1 (e) (1))
Motion/second by Commissioners Powers/Bass to amend the agenda to discuss personnel,
specifically the resignation of John Peavy in the Tax Assessors Office, as Item i under New
Business.
Motion/second to approve the agenda as amended by Commissioners Bass/Powers carried 5-0.
4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - (O.C.G.A.§ 50-14-1(e) (2))
a. Minutes of the August 10, 2011 Regular Monthly Meeting, the August 16, 2011 Special Called
Meeting, the August 22, 2011 Special Called Meeting, and the August 23, 2011 Workshop.
Motion/second by Commissioners Powers/Collins to approve minutes as presented carried 5-0.
5. INVITED GUESTS
a. Pike County Fire Chief Mike Grant will update the Board on first responders.
Chief Grant provided an overview of Pike County Emergency Services (PCES) and its scope of
services. The EMS program, which provides for a greater degree of emergency services,
supplements the fine job that Mid-Georgia Ambulance Service does for the County. PCES is
petitioning for a first responder license and already holds an ambulance license. A used ambulance
donated to the County will be fitted for use by the EMS program which will work out of the
Zebulon station. A response time of 4-6 minutes can sometimes make the difference in providing
life-saving service while awaiting arrival of the ambulance. Two cardiac instances recently in
Concord resulted in life-saving procedures being done by EMS trained personnel. As of this
afternoon, there are 100 volunteers, 4 paramedics, 18 are EMTs, 30 are first responders, and 48 are
firefighters. The current EMT class has 7 personnel, and they each pay $1500 out of their own
pockets for this 18-month course. About 17% of calls are EMS related and it complements the fire
calls well. Currently 52% of personnel are medically certified, which is amazing for a volunteer
workforce. They are exploring repainting the converted ambulance and hopefully will roll it out by
October. He thanked the Board for its support.
Also there currently exists no firefighter rehab, and with 60 lbs. of turnout gear for fire fighters in this heat this is a real need, so several officers put their heads together with support staff to rectify this situation. They obtained a trailer on a state grant four years ago and one volunteer has researched and written a standard operating procedure (SOP) for firefighter rehabilitation. They have trained at the county-owned house on Adams Street and this should work well to enhance firefighter rehab.
Fire Chief Grant reiterated he knew that finances for the County are tight; so, PCES has applied for every type grant available. For instance, they recommissioned and put into service a trailer valued at $8000 to $13,000 for only $2,000. Also, they have put PCES back into NFPA compliance. Also, they are looking into state training and certification for those who cannot afford to go the ten days straight in Forsyth.
Chief Grant said they were meeting today with a couple of chiefs to identify some projects that are in progress and need to be completed, but there are a great many people in this department with huge hearts for service.
Mr. Sawyer responded to a question that the Mayor of Meansville was reviewing the proposed agreement; they desire to add the $5,000 payment in the contract and use the same doctor that PCES uses for medical services. Dr. Cox has agreed. Once things were laid in place, Fire Chief Grant said he and Major Snyder visited with them. They will train EMS and fire personnel with the department and use Dr. Cox. Chief Grant and Chief Huckaby will get together on training.
6. REPORTS – From Commissions, Departments, Committees, County Manager, Attorney
a. Monthly Reports submitted from County Departments and County Authorities – None*
*A Comprehensive Report will be provided at the first monthly Board meeting in September.
b. County Manager Report
• Update on County finances for the following funds/accounts:
General Fund ....................................................................................... $ 30,906.76
Jury Account ..................................................................................................... 0.00
Cash Reserve Account ............................................................................. 82,655.45
Jail Fund .................................................................................................. 29,142.17
E-911 Fund .............................................................................................. 11,467.26
DATE Fund ............................................................................................. 10,790.31
Juvenile Court Fund ................................................................................. 27,951.82
Residential Impact Fees ......................................................................... 265,744.59
Commercial Impact Fees ......................................................................... 12,116.35
General Obligation SPLOST Tax Bond Sinking Fund 2006 ................. 21,649.24
(Checks to Cities for this will be done this week)
General Obligation SPLOST Tax Bond Sinking Fund 2011 ............... 80,819.28
Total .................................................................................................... $ 573,243.23
• County Manager Comments
-Mr. Sawyer and staff monitor every day the County’s financial status, and a recent memo
went out to departments to be mindful of spending. The County is better this year than last and
we are not prepared to do furloughs at this time, but the situation will be closely viewed.
c. Commissioner Reports
District 1 – Commissioner Bass had no comment.
District 2 – Commissioner Jarrett had no comment.
District 3 – Commissioner Powers had no comment.
District 4 – Commissioner Collins stated it has been two years since the fiscal year was altered to
the current July 1 to June 30, and he felt some consideration should be given to closing the shortfall
that was created by this action by considering alternative measures to close this gap, such as
changing the date taxes are due.
At Large – Chairman Mangham had no comment.
d. County Attorney Report to Commissioners – No comment beyond Executive Session.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Appointment of member to fill the unexpired term of David Brisendine, Jr. to the Pike County
Water and Sewerage Authority for a five-year term set to expire December 31, 2015.
County Attorney will address.
Chairman noted there are two applicants for this board position: Larry Lynch and Rick Lewis. On
motion by Commissioner Collins, seconded by Commissioner Jarrett, Larry Lynch was
appointed by a vote of 3-2 with Chairman Mangham and Commissioner Powers opposing.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a. PUBLIC HEARING: #REZ-07-13 – Receive public input on Reversion of C-3 (Heavy
Commercial) zoned property to C-2 (General Commercial) zoning, property owned by Ark
Builders, Inc., Tax Map Parcel #065 037.
ACTION: Approval/denial of #REZ-07-13 for Reversion of C-3 (Heavy Commercial) zoned
property to C-2 (General Commercial) zoning, property owned by Ark Builders, Inc., Tax Map
Parcel #065 037. Motion/second to approve by Commissioners Jarrett/Bass. Motion/second to
amend to include the following Planning Commission stipulation: Access to the property shall be
either through the adjacent mini-warehouse property or a pave d McKinley Road with no access
to the property through an unimproved (unpaved) road. Motion carried 5-0.
b. PUBLIC HEARING: #REZ-11-01 – Receive public input on Rezoning of M-2 (Industrial) zoned
property to A-R (Agricultural-Residential) zoning, property owned by City of Griffin, Tax Map
Parcel #018 022.
ACTION: Approval/denial of #REZ-11-01 for Rezoning of M-2 (Industrial) zoned property to AR
(Agricultural-Residential) zoning, property owned by City of Griffin, Tax Map Parcel #018 022.
Motion/second to approve by Commissioners Powers/Collins carried 5-0.
c. PUBLIC HEARING: #REZ-11-02 – Receive public input on Rezoning of C-2 (General
Commercial) zoned property to A-R (Agricultural Residential) zoning, property owned by Virgil
Brown, Tax Map Parcel #072 050.
ACTION: Approval/denial of #REZ-11-02 for Rezoning of C-2 (General Commercial) zoned
property to A-R (Agricultural Residential) zoning, property owned by Virgil Brown, Tax Map
Parcel #072 050. Chairman recused himself from the issue at hand. Motion/second by
Commissioners Bass/Jarrett to approve carried 4-0 with Chairman abstaining.
d. PUBLIC HEARING: #REZ-11-03 – Receive public input on Rezoning of C-2 (General
Commercial) zoned property to A-R (Agricultural Residential) zoning, property owned by Adel
Filsoof & Mossanen Freydoon, Trustee for David & Nader Filsoof, Tax Map Parcel #086 052.
ACTION: Approval/denial of #REZ-11-03 for Rezoning of C-2 (General Commercial) zoned
property to A-R (Agricultural Residential) zoning, property owned by Adel Filsoof & Mossanen
Freydoon, Trustee for David & Nader Filsoof, Tax Map Parcel #086 052. Motion/second to
approve by Commissioners Collins/Powers carried 5-0.
e. PUBLIC HEARING: #REZ-11-04 – Receive public input on Rezoning of C-2 (General
Commercial) zoned property to A-R (Agricultural Residential) zoning, property owned by Eddie
Lee and Maggie Louise Head, Tax Map Parcel #050 009.
ACTION: Approval/denial of #REZ-11-04 for Rezoning of C-2 (General Commercial) zoned
property to A-R (Agricultural Residential) zoning, property owned by Eddie Lee and Maggie
Louise Head, Tax Map Parcel #050 009. Motion/second by Commissioners Powers/Jarrett to
approve carried 5-0.
f. PUBLIC HEARING: #REZ-11-05 – Receive public input on Rezoning of C-2 (General
Commercial) zoned property to A-R (Agricultural Residential) zoning, property owned by Mid-
Georgia Nursery, Inc., Tax Map Parcel #070 053D.
ACTION: Approval/denial of #REZ-11-05 for Rezoning of C-2 (General Commercial) zoned
property to A-R (Agricultural Residential) zoning, property owned by Mid-Georgia Nursery, Inc.,
Tax Map Parcel #070 053D. Motion/second to approve by Commissioners Powers/Collins carried
5-0.
g. Approval/denial, on first reading, of policy to govern use of the Courthouse grounds for local events. After extensive discussion, Commission Jarrett moved to approve this policy on first reading, with the amendment that applications shall come before the Board before final approval is provided. It will still fall to the County Manager, Section 34.05 to receive, review, investigate and provide the Board a recommendation for placement on the next agenda. The County Attorney will amend in other areas as needed to adhere to this desired amendment. Items a and b would need to be revised, and at the end of Item 3, delete that language in its entirety pertaining to the CM’s approval. The application form will need to be adjusted, as well. Commissioner Bass seconded, and motion carried 5-0.
h. Approval/denial of request of Mr. Nawaid Sadid, Mountain View Convenience Store, for the Board consider a Resolution to Call for Authorization of Sunday Package Sales, pursuant to SB 10. Commissioner Powers moved to deny the resolution, stating he was against Sunday sales. He felt those who desired to imbibe on Sunday can obtain on Saturday night, particularly since most operations are open late. Commissioner Bass seconded the motion to deny which carried by a vote of 3-2 to with Commissioners Collins and Jarrett opposing.
i. Discussion of resignation of John Peavy from the Office of Tax Assessors. Commissioner Powers noted that Mr. Peavy has resigned as of September 15, 2011. With economic and financial constraints, he felt it wise, and moved to, abolish the position and put any salary monies saved back into General Fund. Commissioner Bass seconded but noted she would prefer to be more specific and direct said monies to Contingency. Amendment was agreed to the motion and second by Commissioners Powers and Bass to reflect that the saved salary from Tax Assessors department that result from this resignation shall be placed in Commissioners Contingency.
Commissioner Collins voiced great appreciation to Mr. Peavy for his excellent performance. As a contract employee, he provided the County with a valuable service that enhanced the Office of Tax Assessors greatly. For a large portion of his employment, he used his own vehicle and did an outstanding job. Commissioner Bass asked that a letter of appreciation be issued to Mr. Peavy. Amended motion and second carried by a vote of 5-0.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT (Limited to 5 minutes per person) – None
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. County Manager requests consultation with the county attorney, or other legal counsel, to discuss pending or potential litigation, settlement, claims, administrative proceedings, or other judicial actions brought or to be brought by or against the county or any officer or employee or in which the county or any officer or employee may be directly involved, as provided in O.C.G.A. §50-14-2(1), germane to Magistrate Court.
Motion/second by Commissioners Powers/Bass to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:20 p.m. carried 5-0. Motion/second by Commissioners Bass/Powers to adjourn Executive Session at 7:48 p.m. carried 5-0.
Motion/second by Commissioners Powers/Collins to reconvene to Open Meeting at 7:48 p.m. carried 5-0.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Motion/second by Commissioners Powers/ Jarrett to adjourn at 7:49 p.m. carried 5-0.