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OFFICIAL MINUTES

August 13, 2002

 

The Thomas County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on the above date at 6:00 p.m., in the second floor courtroom, with the following members present: Chairman Josh G. Herring, Vice Chairman Karl Abrams, Commissioners Bobby D. Brown, Moses Gross, I.L. Mullins, J. Elaine Mays, Ricky Smith and Mary Jo Beverly. Also present, Honorary Commissioner James Hathaway.

 

I.L. Mullins gave the Invocation.

Commissioner Beverly made the motion to approve the minutes of the July 22, 2002 Regular Board Meeting with corrections and additions. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mullins and approved unanimously.

 

Chairman Herring recognized James Hathaway as Honorary Commissioner for the month of August for District 7. Commissioner Mays presented Mr. Hathaway with a Thomas County quail pin and an Honorary Commissioner name badge.

 

Chairman Herring welcomed everyone to the meeting and opened the floor for old business.

 

Chairman Herring made the motion to rescind the action to implement July 9, 2002 mandatory door-to-door garbage pick up and the Thomas County Solid Waste Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Brown and approved with a 6-2 vote. Commissioners Herring, Smith, Mullins, Abrams, Brown and Gross voted Aye. Commissioners Beverly and Mays voted Nay.

 

Chairman Herring presented a list of names composed of citizens in Thomas County to serve on an Advisory Committee to assist the Solid Waste Committee with finding a solution to the solid waste problem in Thomas County. Chairman Herring advised the Board would need a recommendation before the budget is prepared in November. The list was presented as follows:

 

Chairperson, Bob Hutchinson, 2405 E. Pinetree Blvd. Thomasville, 31792, 228-0585

Margaret Lawrence, 9599 Spring Hill Rd, Thomasville, 31757, 226-7249

Lamar Miller, 19747 US Hwy 19 N. Thomasville, 31757, 228-4331

Judy Baggett, 647 Dixie Chastain Rd. Ochlocknee, 31773, 574-5255

R. K. (Bob) Taylor - 7082 Ozell Rd. Boston, 31626, 735-3745

Hal Pullen, 492 Pullen Ln, Coolidge, 31738, 226-2431, Beeper-371-1706, Car-224-9259, e-mail, pullen@rose.net

Gene Hickey, 31281 Ga. Hwy 3, Meigs, 31765, 683-3545 Car 403-9500

Mozell Williams, 20466 Ga. Hwy 3 Thomasville 31792, 226-4519

Gary Jones, 125 Mystic Pines Dr. Thomasville 31757, 226-1643

Michael Greene, P.O. Box 98 Pavo, 31778

Merrill Baker, Jr. 107 Barnes St. Thomasville, 31792, 226-5076

Lee Cook, 1817 Summerhill Rd. Thomasville, 31757, 226-7827

Charles R. (Dickey) Demott, 1721 E. Washington St. Thomasville, 31792, 226-2015

Danny Rogers – 105 Pine Wood Lane Thomasville 31757 228-0228

Jim Miller – 125 Shallowbrook Farm Rd. Thomasville 31792, 226-1646

James Lawyer 303 Peach Street, Thomasville 31792, 226-7897

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Chairman Herring explained the committee systems and how recommendations are processed.

 

He also stated that the County would have to find a better solution to address the solid waste problem in Thomas County.

 

Chairman Herring called for Public Comment.

Chairman Herring recognized John White.

Mr. White thanked the Board for taking the opinions of the citizens of Thomas County into consideration and rescinding their action.

 

Chairman Herring recognized Lewis Rehberg.

Mr. Rehberg stated he appreciated the vote the Board took in rescinding the July 9th ordinance.

 

Chairman Herring recognized Lawson Croft.

Mr. Croft thanked the Board for rescinding their action and asked how was the Advisory Committee selected.

 

Commissioner Mays explained how the committee members were selected.

Chairman Herring recognized Charles Greggs.

Mr. Greggs asked why was the “roll off truck” purchased.

The Chairman explained that the City of Thomasville no longer services the roll off bins for the County and Thomas County had to purchase the truck in order to service those bins. The truck was purchased prior to the passing the door-to-door garage collection ordinance.

 

Chairman Herring recognized Judy Baggett.

 

Mrs. Baggett asked what does the County plan to do with the slab at the Springhill dumpster site.

 

Chairman Herring stated that this would be something for the Advisory Committee to address and bring a recommendation back to the Board.

 

Chairman Herring recognized L.D. Johnson.

Mr. Johnson asked was the Thomas County Ordinance of July 9, 2002 still valid.

Chairman Herring explained the action the Board had just taken to rescinding the ordinance of July 9, 2002.

 

Chairman Herring recognized Charles Greggs.

Mr. Greggs asked what was the County going to do now about the trash problem in Thomas County.

 

Chairman Herring stated we did what the citizens of Thomas County asked us to do.

Chairman Herring recognized Sylvia Wilson.

Mrs. Wilson thanked the Board for rescinding their action. She also stated she learned from coming to the meeting how and who to contact to report illegal dumping and it has made her more aware of how the county departments function.

 

Chairman Herring recognized Cindy Carter.

Miss Carter noted the Board accepted the public transit bid for MIDS May 15, 2002 and wanted to know “What is Public Transit.”

 

County Manager, Michael Stephenson explained that public transit is a federally funded program administered by the State of Georgia and made available to Georgia’s counties. Georgia Department of Human Resources provides operating funds and Georgia Department of Transportation provides capital funding to purchase buses. No local tax dollars are required to operate the program.

 

Miss Carter asked when would the public be notified that this service is available.

County Manager, Michael Stephenson stated that County expects the buses in late September 2002 but no definite date has been set.

 

FORMAL ACTION

Commissioner Brown made the motion to approve the final plat for Whipporwill Subdivision contingent upon receipt of a grassing bond good for 1-year of the date of acceptance and final plats for signatures. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Herring and approved with a 7-1 vote. Commissioners Brown, Herring, Abrams, Smith, Beverly, Mullins and Gross vote aye. Commissioner Mays voted nay.

 

Commissioner Beverly asked, if this motion, could be made contingent upon the three mobile homes that Mr. Oaksford has been asked to remove off U.S. Highway 19 North and has failed to do so.

 

County Attorney, Bruce Warren, stated no.

Commissioner Mullins made the motion to approve the preliminary plat approval for Colonial Square Development and final plat approval for lots 7C, 8C, 9C, 10C, 11C-1 and 11C-2. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith and approved unanimously.

 

Commissioner Smith made the motion to approve the 2003 LARP Resurfacing Request List and any new county maintained roads that might be added through September 2002. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mullins and approved unanimously.

 

PURCHASING

Commissioner Brown made the motion to ratify 8,500 gallons of 89-octane gas from Plantation Petroleum at $.8352 per gallon. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mays and approved unanimously.

 

Commissioner Brown made the motion to ratify low sulfur diesel from Petroleum Products at $.7137 per gallon. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mays and approved unanimously.

 

By recommendation of the Purchasing Committee, Commissioner Brown made the motion to ratify the Environmental Grant pickup truck from Allan Vigil Ford Governmental Sales for a 2002 Ford F150 for $19,800.00. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abrams and approved unanimously.

 

By recommendation of the Purchasing Committee, Commissioner Brown made the motion to award bulk cement bid (B-Green Road) to Florida Rock with 1% discount allowed (low bid considering payment terms is Florida Rock –1%/10 day pay.) for $93.20 per ton for a total of $93,250.00. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith and approved unanimously.

 

By recommendation of the Purchasing Committee, Commissioner Brown made the motion to award asphalt bid (B - Green Road), 3,100 tons at $29.00 per ton to the Reeves Construction Company, Moultrie Plant for a total of $89,900.00. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith and approved unanimously.

 

By recommendation of the Purchasing Committee, Commissioner Brown made the motion to award the double wall polyurethane pipe bid to Consolidated Pipe for $5,827.72. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith and approved unanimously.

 

By recommendation of the Purchasing Committee, Commissioner Brown made the motion to award the Tax Assessor’s Office computer bid for $8,796.20 as follows: Purchase hardware directly from Dell and pay Rumbles separately for the setup, transfer, and configuration of the network. Estimate 2-5 hours at $65.00 per hour.

 

Previous Recommendation $9,331.00

Revised                                  $6,512.00      Dell

                                                            $   352.00       Rumbles

                                                            $1,959.20      Required software not included in the previous

                                                                                    recommendation

                                    $8,796.20      Total

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mullins and approved unanimously.

Chairman Herring recognized Judy Baggett.

Mrs. Baggett asked would the Environmental Specialist contract be renewed after a year.

County Manager, Michael Stephenson stated the County is not mandated by law to renew the grant.

 

Commissioner Gross made the motion to approve the 2002 Local Law Enforcement Block Grants for $16,922.00. Thomas County agrees to provide a 10 percent cash match ($1,692.00) before the end of the 24-month obligation and expenditure period. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abrams and approved unanimously.

 

Commissioner Smith made the motion to solicit bids for a side arm mower and tractor. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gross and approved unanimously.

 

Commissioner Brown made the motion to solicit bids for contracted side arm moving by a private contractor at cost per mile to be determined by the actual amount of work. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith and approved unanimously.

 

Commissioner Gross made the motion to approve the 2002 Scrap Tire operating Budget for $54,082.00.

SCRAP TIRE GRANT, 2002 OPERATING BUDGET

 

ACCOUNT NUMBER

ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION

2002

BUDGET

100-4000-4510-51-1100

Salaries and Wages

13,500

100-4000-4510-51-2100

Group Insurance

1,589

100-4000-4510-51-2200

Social Security (FICA)

1,033

100-4000-4510-51-2600

Unemployment Insurance

135

100-4000-4510-51-2700

Worker's Compensation

618

100-4000-4510-52-1202

Professional - Public Relations

500

100-4000-4510-52-2200

Contracted Repairs and Maintenance

250

100-4000-4510-52-3200

Communications

469

100-4000-4510-52-3300

Advertising

300

100-4000-4510-52-3400

Printing and Binding

1,413

100-4000-4510-52-3500

Travel

1,000

100-4000-4510-52-3700

Education and Training

250

100-4000-4510-53-1100

General Supplies and Materials

1,000

100-4000-4510-53-1168

Educational Supplies

1,000

100-4000-4510-53-1169

Vehicle Repair Materials

200

100-4000-4510-53-1179

Tool Expense

500

100-4000-4510-53-1270

Gasoline/Diesel

800

100-4000-4510-53-1600

Small Equipment

250

100-4000-4510-53-1701

Uniforms

375

100-4000-4510-54-2200

Vehicles

24,000

100-4000-4510-54-2400

Computers

2,500

100-4000-4510-54-2500

Equipment

2,400

TOTAL

 

54,082

 

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abrams and approved unanimously.

 

Commissioner Mullins made the motion to approve the ACCG-Group Self-Insurance Workers’ Compensation Fund Loss Control and Safety Incentive Discount Verification Form. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mays and approved unanimously.

 

Commissioner Smith made the motion to issue a guarantee in the sum of $750,000 from Thomasville National Bank as a part of a joint resolution entered into between the City of Thomasville and Thomas County in April 2000 concerning the ongoing operation of the Thomas County Emergency Services. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mays and approved unanimously.

 

Chairman Herring recognized Lewis Rehberg.

Mr. Rehberg asked when would the Coolidge Fire Station be considered certified.

Commissioner Brown stated ISO ratings are done yearly.

Chairman Herring recognized Billy Joe Lewis.

Mr. Lewis stated that Coolidge would never be less than a class 9 unless a water system is installed.

 

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT

County Attorney, Bruce Warren stated that the reapportionment of voting districts for Thomas County Commission Districts has been approved.

 

County Manager, Michael Stephenson discussed the 2002 Property Taxes and Preliminary Digest Figures.

 

 Pursuant to request of the Election Superintendent, Commissioner Smith made the motion to approve the Voter Educational Grant Allotment from Georgia Secretary of State to retain at least one voter education coordinator who will work in cooperation with the State level voter education coordinators for uniform, consistent and broad-based voter education programs. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mullins and approved unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Commissioner Beverly gave a report on the maintenance and renovations of the Hancock Center, Jail Justice Building and the Courthouse.

 

Commissioner Beverly announced there would be a Public Property Committee Meeting Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 7:00 A.M. 3rd floor courtroom.

 

Commissioner Abrams announced there would be a Prison Committee Meeting Thursday August 15, 2002 at 10:00 A.M. at the Prison.

 

Commissioner Brown discussed the proposal to change the intersection at Maddox and Stewart Road.

 

Commissioner Mays left the meeting.

Andy Maxwell, Public Works Superintendent informed the Board he had spoken with Donnie Murphy, liaison for Georgia railroads. Mr. Murphy invited Mr. Maxwell to a meeting in Atlanta on August 28, 2002.

 

The Board instructed Mr. Maxwell to attend this meeting.

Commissioner Mullins made the motion to pay all bills, accept committee reports and adjourn. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abrams and approved unanimously.

 

Signed by:

 

Josh G. Herring, Chairman 

Monnette Monahan, County Clerk