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JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING JULY 6, 2016 6:30 P.M. This hearing was held to discuss the Fishing from County Right of Way Ordinance; it was held at the Jefferson County Courthouse. Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Gonice C. Davis, Member: Tommy New, Member; Johnny Davis, Member; Wayne Davis, Member; Adam Mestres, County Administrator; Dalton Dowdy, County Attorney; and Bonnie Wells, County Clerk. Chairman McGraw called the hearing to order; Deacon Arthur Braddy, Jr. gave the invocation. NEW BUSINESS Fishing from County Right of Way The county administrator and the county attorney presented the Fishing from County Right of Way Ordinance and answered questions from the board and the constituents in attendance. Chairman McGraw adjourned the public hearing and went into the July Work Session. Attest: County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Gonice C. Davis, Vice Chairman H. G. Thomas New, Member Johnny A. Davis, Member Charles Wayne Davis, Member JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION JULY 6, 2016 7:00 P.M. The purpose of the meeting was to prepare the agenda for the July meeting. It was held at the Jefferson County Courthouse. Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Gonice C. Davis, Member: Tommy New, Member; Johnny Davis, Member; Wayne Davis, Member; Adam Mestres, County Administrator; Dalton Dowdy, County Attorney; and Bonnie Wells, County Clerk. Chairman McGraw called meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Deacon Arthur Braddy, Jr. gave the invocation. ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to amend the agenda by removing items d and e (Public Works Vehicle Purchase and Public Works Tractor Purchase respectively) from the agenda; these were New Business items. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. OLD BUSINESS There weren’t any Old Business items. NEW BUSINESS Final Reading & Adoption – Fishing from County Right of Way’s Ordinance County Administrator, Adam Mestres, reviewed the revised Fishing from County Right of Way Ordinance. The county administrator explained the only modification to the previous ordinance is shown below highlighted in yellow, which reads as follows: “Fishing from a public roadway or a public bridge shall be a violation of this article. Fishing from a public right of way shall not be a violation of this article”. His recommendation was for the board to adopt the ordinance as read. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to adopt the aforementioned Fishing from the County Right of Way Ordinance. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of three to two. Commissioners Gonice Davis, Johnny Davis, and Wayne Davis voted yes. Chairman McGraw and Commissioner New voted no. Hospital Operations Overview Mr. Steve Widener spoke on behalf of Jefferson Hospital Authority Board by providing a brief synopsis on the hospital since 2013. Included in his synopsis was the graph below which depicts the days of cash on hand and the accounts payable total by the month. ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner Wayne Davis expressed concern regarding the board of commissioners not being notified in December or January of the problems the hospital is facing. Commissioner Johnny Davis’ sentiment echoed those of his fellow commissioner. Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to take everything regarding the hospital’s status into consideration. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of four. Chairman McGraw, Commissioners Gonice Davis, Johnny Davis, and Wayne Davis voted yes. Commissioner New did not vote at all. Code Enforcement/Building Department Vehicle Purchase County Administrator, Adam Mestres, presented the bids below on a vehicle for the code enforcement office. CODE ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE BIDS FAIRWAY FORD 2017 Ford Expedition 4x4/w Light Package $34,815.25 BRANNEN FORD 2017 Ford Expedition 4x4/w Light Package $35,828.00 GERALD JONES FORD 2017 Ford Expedition 4x4/w Light Package $34,117.25 After reviewing the bids. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to accept the lowest bid which was from Gerald Jones Ford for a 2017 Ford Expedition, at a cost of $34,117.25, with the funds coming from 2016 SPLOST. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Scheduled Public Comments The following people made scheduled comments regarding agenda item “Hospital Operations Overview” keeping the hospital open and the raising of the mill to generate revenue for Jefferson Hospital: Jessica Guy Amy Howard Sandra Nelson Wilburn Joseph Wheeler Marie Alexander Charles Hendricks Wynder Smith Mary Sue Rachels Roger Burge Jennifer Tanner Nancy Cox Public Comments on Agenda Items The following people made comments regarding agenda item “Hospital Operations Overview”. Theresa Salter Sandra Nelson Wilburn Robert Jackson Josephine Johnson Preacher Harris Steve Newberry Ray Davis, Hospital Authority Chairman Lee Wood, Hospital Authority Board Member Lauren Stewart, Physician’s Assistant Sidney Lamb McGahee Two more gentlemen spoke but did not give their names. Chairman McGraw asked that Dr. J. B. Polhil and Rita Culvern to stand; the former chief of staff and former CEO respectively. Adjournment Commissioner New made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. ---PAGE BREAK--- Attest: County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Gonice C. Davis, Vice Chairman H. G. Thomas New, Member Johnny A. Davis, Member Charles Wayne Davis, Member JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CALL MEETING JULY 11, 2016 7:00 P.M. This was a Call Meeting to discuss Jefferson Hospital Operations Plan. It was held at the Jefferson County Commissioners’ office. Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Gonice C. Davis, Member: Tommy New, Member; Johnny Davis, Member; Wayne Davis, Member; Adam Mestres, County Administrator; Dalton Dowdy, County Attorney; and Bonnie Wells, County Clerk. Chairman McGraw called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Wayne Davis gave the invocation. Commissioner Gonice Davis made a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. Hospital Operations Plan County Administrator, Adam Mestres, opened the discussion regarding the operations and state of the hospital. Jefferson Hospital Representative, Steve Widener, made a request of the commissioners to increase the millage rate by three mills. The commissioners discussed the hospital extensively after which the county administrator recommended a tentative mill increase of one mill. The rate would then be 16.102; it is currently 15.102. Commissioner New made a motion to accept the administrator’s recommendation which was to raise the millage rate one mill higher than it is today, 15.102 to 16.1025, the hospital will receive funding when they said they need it, September 1st, at an amount of $100,000 per month that will continue at least until the March payment. The referendum goes up March 21st; if it passes the hospital continues to get $100,000 per month and in July of next year we will set the millage rate again, we will increase it by two mills. And that’s all based on the referendum measure passing. July 1, we will start collecting on that three mill increase and the $600,000 shortfall will be recouped. The hospital can ask for up to three mills, but the board still has the option to say yes or no. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Adjournment Commissioner Gonice Davis made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Attest: ---PAGE BREAK--- County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Gonice C. Davis, Vice Chairman H. G. Thomas New, Member Johnny A. Davis, Member Charles Wayne Davis, Member JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING JULY 12, 2016 7:00 P.M. This was the regular scheduled meeting for the month of July. It was held at the Jefferson County Commissioners’ office. Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Gonice C. Davis, Member: Tommy New, Member; Johnny Davis, Member; Wayne Davis, Member; Adam Mestres, County Administrator; Dalton Dowdy, County Attorney; and Bonnie Wells, County Clerk. Chairman McGraw called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Gonice Davis gave the invocation. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to forgo all reports. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to adopt the minutes. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Consent Agenda Chairman McGraw read the following Consent Agenda item: Motion to purchase Code Enforcement/Building Department Vehicle Commissioner New made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda item. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS Adoption of Fishing from Right of Way Ordinance Revision County Administrator, Adam Mestres, presented the following ordinance on Fishing from Right of Way for adoption. The only revision is the highlighted portion of the ordinance which is as follows: “Fishing from a public roadway or a public bridge shall be a violation of this article. Fishing from a public right of way shall not be a violation of this article.” ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to adopt the Fishing of Right of Way Ordinance with the modifications and have all “No Fishing from Right of Way” signage be removed from all places in the county. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. Discussion: Chairman McGraw asked if “No Fishing from Bridge” signs were going to be put up. Commissioner Johnny Davis said no. Commissioner Wayne Davis said not unless there was a safety issue somewhere and if there is the sheriff department needs to let them know and the public works should be able to put a sign up with no problem. The motion passed with a three, two vote. Commissioners Gonice Davis, Johnny Davis, and Wayne Davis voted yes. Chairman McGraw and Commissioner New voted no. Public Works Vehicle Purchase The county administrator presented the following bids on a 2017 Ford Truck for the Public Works department; recommending the bid from Fairway Ford for $31,631.30. The bids are as follows: Fairway Ford 2017 Ford F-250 XL Crew Cab 4x4 w/Light Package $31,631.30 Brannen Ford 2016 Ford F-250 XL Crew Cab 4x4 w/Light Package $39,333.00 Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to purchase the 2017 Ford F-250 from Fairway Ford for the price of $31,631.30 which is listed above utilizing funds from 2016 SPLOST. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Public Works Vehicle Tractor Purchase The county administrator presented two bids on a tractor purchase for the public works department. The bids were from Lasseter Implement Company ($66,063.00) and Blanchard Equipment Company ($66,948.00). Lasseter Implement Company 2016 John Deere 6105 E Cab Tractor $56,900.00 Powergard Warranty $2,663.00 BH 327 Bush Hog $6,500.00 Total $66,063.00 Blanchard Equipment Company 2016 John Deere 6105 E Cab Tractor $58,485.00 Powergard Warranty $2,663.00 BH 327 Bush Hog $5,800.00 Total $66,948.00 ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner Gonice Davis made a motion to purchase the 2016 John Deere 6105 E Cab Tractor from the local company, Blanchard Equipment for $66,948.00. Commissioner New seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. NEW BUSINESS Setting 2016 Tentative Millage Rate The county administrator presented information on a tentative mill increase. The current millage rate is 15.102, increasing the rate would put it at 16.102. The table below shows the computation of the millage rate. Commissioner New made a motion to increase the millage rate by one mill for the hospital, until the time that it can be placed on the ballot to let the people decide if they want to continue it or not. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Bateman Senior Nutrition Services Contract The county administrator presented information on a new vendor providing meals for the senior center. The regional commission seek bids every year for the nutrition services contract for the senior center. This year Bateman offered meals at a lower rate, therefore the regional commission opted to switch from the previous year’s vendor, which was GA Foods. County Attorney, Dalton Dowdy, informed the board this contract was basically the same as the previous contract and it was his recommendation the board accept and adopt the contract with Bateman. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to accept the attorney’s recommendation and accept the contract with Bateman. Commissioner New seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. FY17 Cooperative Agreement for Nutrition Services CSRA Regional Commission The county administrator presented the cooperative agreement with the regional commission. The agreement states in part, they, the regional commission, would pay ninety percent of the cost of the meals and the county would pay the remaining ten percent of the cost which is reimbursed to the county. The administrator recommended the board move forward with the agreement. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to accept the FY 17 Cooperative Agreement. Commissioner New seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Paving of County Roads Commissioner Johnny Davis asked that the county administrator and the county attorney start the process of acquiring deeds for Hannah Branch Road and Pecan Place Road. The county administrator explained you ---PAGE BREAK--- would need 80 ft to build a road, 60 ft of right of way and a 20 ft easement which after construction is done goes back to the property owner. This item was for discussion purposes only at this time. Purchase of Trash Truck for Landfill The county administrator and Commissioner New opened the floor for discussion regarding the purchase of a garbage truck. Commissioner New made a motion to obtain bids for a garbage truck. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Gonice Davis said he stopped by one of the dumpsites and saw a great deal of oil on the ground and wanted to know if the oil came from the trash truck. Public Works Director, Ken Thomas, stated the oil did indeed come from the truck. Commissioner New asked the age of the truck. Mr. Thomas explained the truck was a 1998 year model. The vote was unanimously passed. 2017 LMIG Program The county administrator made a request for the list of roads to be paved with the 2017 LMIG funds. The list of roads are expected at the August Work Session. Scheduled Public Comments There were no scheduled public comments. Chairman McGraw allowed the Hospital Administrator, Steve Widener and opportunity to speak. Mr. Widener shared with the board the proposed open house at Jefferson Hospital Thursday between the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dorethea Davis made comments regarding the convenience centers. Public Comments on Agenda Items There were no comments on agenda items. Adjournment Commissioner New made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Attest: County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Gonice C. Davis, Vice Chairman H. G. Thomas New, Member Johnny A. Davis, Member Charles Wayne Davis, Member JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING JULY 28, 2016 9:00 A.M. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss a tentative mill increase. The hearing was held at the Jefferson County Commissioners’ office. ---PAGE BREAK--- Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Gonice C. Davis, Member: Tommy New, Member; Wayne Davis, Member; Adam Mestres, County Administrator; Dalton Dowdy, County Attorney; and Bonnie Wells, County Clerk. Commissioner Johnny Davis was absent. Chairman McGraw called the hearing to order; Commissioner Wayne Davis gave the invocation. NEW BUSINESS Mill (Tax) Increase The county administrator explained the board is required to have three public hearings to allow the public input regarding the proposed mill increase. This will be the first of the three hearings. Adjournment Commissioner New made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimously passed. Attest: County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Gonice C. Davis, Vice Chairman H. G. Thomas New, Member Johnny A. Davis, Member Charles Wayne Davis, Member