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JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 2, 2015 7:00 P.M. The purpose of the meeting was to prepare the agenda for the November meeting. 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 meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Johnny Davis gave the invocation. Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to amend and adopt the agenda; the agenda was amended by adding the following: Tax Assessor Board Appointment to New Business as item b and Change Venue of Regular Meeting from commissioner’s office to the County Courthouse. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS Big Truck Parking Chairman McGraw expressed concern for the lack of parking for big trucks in Louisville. Commissioner New suggested the county owned property on US 1. Commissioner Wayne Davis suggested the county attorney do some research before the board made a decision. Tax Assessor Board Appointment Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to appoint Dale Harris to the Tax Assessor Board. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Mrs. Harris will replace Mr. Bill Timms on the Assessor board with her term commencing immediately and concluding September 30, 2018. NEW BUSINESS Board of Health Appointment Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to re-appoint Mr. Samuel Way to the Jefferson County Board of Health. Commissioner New seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Sidewalk/Handicap Access for County Courthouse County Administrator, Adam Mestres, addressed handicapped accessibility for the county courthouse and the sidewalk at the county courthouse. After much discussion the county administrator stated he would solicit from Ben Carter of the Carter Watkins architectural firm, plans incorporating a ramp in the front of the courthouse. Use of Vacant Courthouse Space Probate Judge, Asholyn Lampp and Clerk of Court, Anne Durden, were in attendance, requesting via the county administrator the use of space at the county courthouse, vacated by the tax assessor’s office and the tax commissioner’s office. Those two offices were previously relocated to 736 Peachtree Street in Louisville. After much discussion it was decided the county administrator would set up a meeting with the judges and the sheriff to discuss the vacant space at the courthouse. Move Meeting to Courthouse Chairman McGraw asked that the venue for November’s regular meeting be changed from the county commissioner’s office to the county courthouse to accommodate the expected crowd during the board’s recognition and honoring of Mr. Ollie W. Carter for his years of community service. Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to change the venue for November’s regular meeting from the county commissioner’s office to the county courthouse to accommodate the unusually large crowd they were expecting at the regular meeting. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Scheduled Public Comments There were no scheduled public comments. Public Comments on Agenda Items There were no comments on agenda items. ---PAGE BREAK--- Adjournment Commissioner New made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to go into executive session to discuss real estate and personnel. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Executive Session. Commissioner New made a motion to adjourn executive session and go back into the regular meeting. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. No action taken. Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting. Commissioner New seconded. The vote was unanimous. Adjournment Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2015 7:00 P.M. This was the regular scheduled meeting for the month of November. 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 meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The pastor of Wadley Baptist Church, Reverend Gene McCoy, gave the invocation. Chairman McGraw welcomed guests and presented Mr. Ollie W. Carter with a resolution honoring him and proclaiming November 10, 2015 as “Ollie W. Carter Day”. Numerous congregates from Mr. Carter’s church, Wadley Baptist; former coworkers and employees from Jefferson County Board of Education and citizens of Jefferson County expressed appreciation and gratitude for the numerous things Mr. Carter has done for the county, his church, and etc. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to amend the agenda by removing item f from New Business on the agenda and to forgo all the reports except the chairman’s report. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Commissioner Gonice Davis made a motion to adopt the minutes. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Chairman McGraw presented the chairman’s report and gave the following announcements; the open house for the Tax Assessor and Tax Commissioner offices (Bank Building) will be November 19th from 5 p.m. to 7p.m. Coastal Processing will host a job fair at Old Armory on November 17th. Consent Agenda Chairman McGraw read the Consent Agenda; the items were as follows: Motion to appoint Dale Harris to the Board of Assessors Motion to appoint Samuel Way to the Board of Health Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Commissioner Wayne seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS Big Truck Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- County Attorney, Dalton Dowdy, updated the board on the liability associated with a county sponsored/owned big truck parking area. The board decided to table this item at this time and have the county administrator check with other counties to ascertain what they have in place for big truck parking. NEW BUSINESS County Retirement Plan Revision GEBCorp Representative, Greg Gease, presented the information below on the county’s retirement package. The current plan allows for the employees to have a total of Mr. Gease recommended the county change to a plan that would allow a total of 12% with the employees contributing 6% and the county matching that percentage. Commissioner New made a motion to go with columns two and three which would be the employee contributing 6% and the county contributing 6% for a total of 12% contribution. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Gonice Davis wanted to know when this would start. The county administrator answered it would start January 1. Commissioner Gonice Davis then asked if the county had enough money in the budget to match the employee’s contributions. Mr. Gease explained the funds would come from the forfeiture account. Commissioner Johnny Davis asked that the employees are educated regarding making retirement contributions. Commissioner Wayne Davis stated he would like to see the numbers if the employees were to receive 50% of their earnings at the time of retirement versus 45% which is what is shown in the table on the previous page. Commissioner Gonice Davis asked that the board wait before making a decision, he wanted to see the numbers for 50% earnings. Commissioner Wayne Davis said move forward with the motion on the floor and look at the numbers at the next meeting, because they, the board, owed that to the employees. The vote passed with a vote of four to one. Chairman McGraw, Commissioners Johnny Davis, Wayne Davis and New voted yes. Commissioner Gonice Davis voted no. Service Center Annual Agreement County Administrator, Adam Mestres, presented the annual Ogeechee Behavioral Health Services (Service Center) lease agreement. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to approve the Ogeechee Behavioral Health Services (Service Center) agreement. Commissioner New seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ---PAGE BREAK--- DCA Cooperating Agreement County Administrator, Adam Mestres, presented a DCA Cooperating Agreement with the City of Louisville; this agreement allows for Jefferson County and the City of Louisville to jointly apply for a Georgia Small Cities CDBG/EIP grant from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to accept the DCA Cooperating Agreement and that any paper work, after the county attorney’s review, be given to the chairman for his signature of approval. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Tommy New asked if the county would be liable. The county administrator explained the county was not liable and this was not a matching grant. The vote was unanimous. UDA Appointments Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to reappoint Lil Easterlin and appoint Greg Sellars to the Unified Development Authority. Greg Sellars is replacing Tom Jordan on the board, his term will end in 2016; Lil Easterlin’s reappointment will end in 2017. Commissioner New seconded the appointment. The vote was unanimous. Water System Rate Change The county administrator presented information on a rate change for the county’s water system; he indicated there had not been a rate increase since 2011; the table below display the current rates. Residential Rates Water Rate - 0-2000 Gallons $15.00 Base Charge Usage over 2000 Gallons $ 2.50 Per 1000 Sewer Rate - 0-2000 Gallons $12.00 (Base Charge) Usage Over 2000 Gallons $ 2.00 Per 1000 Gallons (CAP @ $20.00) Residential Water Tap Fee Size ¾ “ $500.00 Size 1” $625.00 Residential Sewer Tap Fee $400.00 Commercial Rates Water Rate - 0-2000 Gallons $18.00 (Base Charge) Usage over 2000 Gallons $ 2.50 Per 1000 Gallons Sewer Rate - 0-2000 Gallons $18.00 (Base Charge) Usage Over 2000 Gallons $ 1.60 Per 1000 Gallons The table below reflect the proposed changes: Water Rates - Residential $16.00 Minimum Base 0-2000 Gallons $ 3.50 Per 1000 Gallons Over Minimum Base Allowance Sewer Rates – Residential $16.00 Minimum Base 0-2000 Gallons $ 3.50 Per 1000 Gallons Over Minimum Base Allowance Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to implement the water system rate increase. Commissioner New seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of four to one. Chairman McGraw, Commissioners Gonice Davis, Wayne Davis, and New voted yes. Commissioner Johnny Davis voted no. First Reading of Land Use and Development Ordinance This item was removed from the agenda. Employee Service Recognition Chairman McGraw discussed having an appreciation luncheon for all county employees; in the past the luncheon has been for those employees with milestone anniversaries. Commissioner Johnny Davis made a ---PAGE BREAK--- motion to have an appreciation luncheon for all county employees; with the employees submitting an RSVP. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. T. E. Buchannan Road Cultural Trail The board discussed placing a plaque on T. E. Buchannan Road marking General Sherman’s crossing of the Ogeechee River. Concern was expressed for the liability of having walking trails down to the river. The chairman indicated he’d like to see signs directing people to the walking trails by the river. Scheduled Public Comments There were no scheduled public comments. Public Comments on Agenda Items No comments on agenda items. Adjournment Commissioner New made a motion to adjourn the Regular meeting and go into the Executive Session to discuss personnel. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. No action taken. Executive Session Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to adjourn executive session and reconvene the regular meeting. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Adjournment Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. Commissioner New seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.