MINUTES BIBB COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS March 28, 2006 6:00 P.M. The regular meeting of the Bibb County Board of Commissioners was held in the Commission Boardroom on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. Board Members present: Chairman Charles W. Bishop, Commissioner Elmo A. Richardson Jr., and Commissioner Joe O. Allen. Commissioner Samuel F. Hart, Sr., and Commissioner Bert Bivins, III, were absent. Staff present: Mr. Virgil Adams, County Attorney; Mr. Steve Layson, Chief Administrative Officer; Mr. Ken Sheets, County Engineer; Mr. Doug Furney, Director of Lake Tobesofkee; Mr. Tommy Brown, Human Resources Director; Ms. Deborah Martin, Finance Director; Mr. Tony Rousey, Director of Information & Technology Services; Mr. Bill Johnston, Director of Buildings & Properties; Mr. Sam Kitchens, Asst. Dir., Buildings & Properties; Mrs. Shelia Thurmond, Clerk of the Board; Mrs. Janice Ross, Board of Commissioners; and Ms. Kari Johnston, Grant Resources Administrator. PRAYER FOR THE DAY Chairman Bishop recognized Reverend James L. Bumpus, Tremont Temple Baptist Church, and asked everyone to stand for the prayer for the day. Chairman Bishop also asked Reverend Bumpus to remember Deputy Sheriff Joseph Whitehead and his family during their time of bereavement. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chairman Bishop announced that beginning April 2006 the Board of Commissioners will hold its regular meetings on the first and third Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 4 th. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion of Commissioner Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Allen and carried, the Minutes of the Regular meeting of March 14, 2006 were approved as written and Special Called meeting of March 16, 2006 were approved as corrected. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS: Chairman Bishop recognized and welcomed Mr. Donald H. Richardson, Jr., Mr. Jim Thomas (Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission) Mr. Wally Peacock (Lake Wildwood) Ms. Hazel Giddens and Mr. George Fadil Muhammad. 1
Mr. George Muhammad addressed the Board about its support for the Pleasant Hill community. He stated that the said community is one of the foundational historic treasures of Macon and Bibb County. He stated that the community is under attack from many directions in terms of encroachment from the highway, people who are there who are not having integrity and caring about their property and needing more support and traditional centers. He stated that, specifically, the Booker T. Washington Center, needs the Board s support to serve the people there. Mr. Muhammad stated there are many people among the black youth that have problems with crime, lack of education and lack of access to resources and the Center is strategically located. He stated that the organization has been under funded for many years which he added reflects a type of institutional racism when you see the Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Tubman Museum, both very much needed in this community and both funded with hundreds of thousands of dollars while the Booker T. Washington Center, an institution that preceded both of the museums, is funded with $15,000.00 or $20,000.00 a year, small amounts that barely is enough to keep the lights on. Mr. Muhammad stated that he knows governments have a hard time covering essential services as fire and police, sanitation and engineering but at the same time, the people do have to be nurtured from a cultural standpoint and an educational standpoint and when you don t nurture the people, particularly the youth, then you find them engaging in very self-destructive habits. He continued that it s not just black youth, but all youth and they need to be invested in and he is asking the Board to reconsider its funding of the Booker T. Washington Center and funding of the Arts and Culture in general. Mr. Muhammad further stated that people do have to be responsible with the way they report to the Board and with the way they are handling the money, but by the same token, the funding needs to be there. He mentioned the tragic situation with Deputy Whitehead and stated that there are many incidents like that where there are youth that have been neglected. He stated they have no guidance and many of the institutions that have traditionally stood in the community are breaking down and they have no parents. Mr. Muhammad concluded by stating there is a growing perception in the community that Bibb County does not represent Macon, Georgia. And as another taxpaying citizen of Macon-Bibb County, he stated that he wants to reiterate that that perception does exist and they do need the County to represent the needs of Macon and to be involved in all of the things going on, including the hotel, because a bad decision has been made. Commissioner Allen responded to Mr. Muhammad that the City has its duties and the County has its duties and if he wants to do something better to merge the City and County. Commissioner Allen stated that the minority population in Bibb County does not want consolidation but it s something that needs to be done if this community is going to be saved. Commissioner Allen stated that he has worked with kids in this community for a long time including the Booker T. Washington Center. He added, however, that the Center s problem is one they ve got to work out and then the County can help them. Chairman Bishop thanked Mr. Muhammad for his comments. 2
Next Chairman Bishop recognized and welcomed Fernella & Yvette Cabey and Ms. Johnnie Mae Dawkins from Kings Park. He also recognized and welcomed Sheriff Jerry Modena and his wife, Mary Katherine. REFERRALS: The following item was referred to the Engineering/Public Works Committee: 1. Application for Variances from Matt McConnell of Sivica Homes proposing to reduce a 12.5 drainage easement at the southern property line to 9 to fit a single family home on a lot in The Highlands subdivision. RECORD AND INFORMATION: 1. Monthly departmental reports and agency activities received for record: Clerk of State Court. ACTION: 1. Ratification of the following Resolutions of the Board of Commissioners: Presented to Mrs. Lucile H. Clark on the fortieth anniversary of Lucile s Beauty Shop; Presented to The Macon Regional CrimeStoppers on the fifth anniversary of their service to Middle Georgia; Presented to Nancy Grace, a former resident of the Rutland community in south Bibb County, in recognition of her return to her hometown to promote the 2006 Cherry Blossom Festival and to adopt Georgia Avenue in front of the Walter F. George School of Law as an area of cleanliness, beautification and litter control; and Presented to SFC Gordon C. Williams in recognition of his work with the Northeast High School JROTC Programs from 1976 through 1993. On motion of Commissioner Richardson and seconded by Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned resolutions were ratified. 2. Ratification of the appointment of Rudell Richardson as a County appointee to the Macon Bibb County Urban Development Authority effective March 15, 2006. On motion of Commissioner Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned item was ratified. 3. Ratification of the appointment of Dr. Sherri Dennis-Flagg as a County appointee to the Bibb County Department of Family and Children Services Board effective March 15, 2006. 3
On motion of Commissioner Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned item was ratified. 4. A Resolution of Bibb County to transmit the Community Participation Program and Community Assessment documents to the Middle Georgia Regional Development Center and Georgia Department of Community Affairs for official review; and for other purposes. On motion of Commissioner Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned item was approved. 5. A Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Bibb County authorizing the relocation of a portion of Sheraton Drive and Utilities within such Right-Of- Way Deeds for the New Portion of the Sheraton Drive Right -Of-Way; Authorizing the execution and Delivery of a Quit Claim Deed Conveying the Abandoned Portion of Sheraton Drive and For Other Purposes. On motion of Commissioner Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned Resolution was approved. At this time, Chairman Bishop presented a Certificate of Appreciation and Service Pin to Commissioner Joe Allen for ten years of service on the Bibb County Board of Commissioners which he completed in August 2000. At this time, Chairman Bishop announced that Commissioner Hart was in Washington, D.C. on business and Commissioner Bivins was absent due to illness. COMMITTEE REPORTS: FINANCE, TAX AND REVENUE COMMITTEE In the absence of Committee Chairman Hart, Commissioner Richardson reported the following: 1. The Finance Committee recommends the bid award for Body Armor to Southern Tactical Concepts in amount of $27,202.00 be rescinded. Finance Committee further recommends awarding bid for Body Armor to Southern Tactical Concepts in the amount of $32,280.00. 2. The Finance Committee recommends awarding Requisition #45442 for Digital Video/Audio Recorders to Adaptive Digital Systems, Inc. in the amount of $27,200. 3. The Finance Committee recommends awarding the bid for a 2007 Ford Taurus to Riverside Ford in the amount of $13,242.00. 4
4. The Finance Committee recommends approval of the following fee schedule for the law firm of Chambless, Higdon, Richardson, Katz & Griggs: Workers Compensation Cases Partners - $130/hour Associates - $120/hour Paralegals - $70/hour Pension Matters Partners - $140 /hour Associates - $120/hour Paralegals - $70/hour These rates would be effective for services provided on or after April 1, 2006. 5. The Finance Committee recommends approval of authorization to submit the following grants: a. Local Development Funds to conduct a Preservation Master Plan of the Courthouse for $30,000. with local match of $15,000. b. Community Development Block Grant for $175,000 for street and drainage improvements at Wesley Glenn Ministries with no local match. c. Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department for training funds not to exceed $300,000 with no County match. Commissioner Richardson stated that the Board should commend Ms. Kari Johnston for the outstanding work she has done on these grant programs and bringing these funds in. 6. The Finance Committee recommends approval of a supplemental appropriation to the FY 2006 Tobesofkee Recreation Fund in the amount of $5,500 to cover the cost of a reservation system and advertising, and authorizes Chairman Bishop to sign the contract for advertising. 7. The Finance Committee recommends approval of authorization for Chairman Bishop to sign a ten-year lease for 10,320 sq. ft. of space at 2455 Pio Nono Avenue for the Bibb County Board of Elections. 5
. 8. The Finance Committee recommends awarding the contract for Repair and Upgrade of Closed Circuit TV Camera System at the Law Enforcement Center to ADT in the amount of $43,358.00. RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE No Report. ENGINEERING/PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE In the absence of Committee Chairman Bivins, Commissioner Richardson reported the following: 1. The Committee recommends that the County Engineer obtain a contract with Moon Family Properties, the developer of Azalea Glenn Subdivision, for the repair of the roads in Heathwood, Phase III, Subdivision and that the Chairman be authorized to sign said contract subject to legal review. Once the contract has been signed by both parties, the Committee further recommends that the County approve the registration of the roads in Heathwood, Phase III, subdivision and repair the roads in accordance with the contract. 2. With regards to the petition from Franchetta Trawick requesting street lights on a portion of Recreation Road, the Committee recommends that the County Engineer arrange for lights to be installed at the intersections of Lakeshore Drive and Lakeshore Avenue. 3. The Committee recommends that the request of Louis Goodwin, President, Macon Little League, for assistance with the maintenance of the ballpark grounds and facilities on Anthony Road be approved and that the County Engineer be authorized to perform the work prior to the beginning of the spring/summer season. LICENSE & TAX COMMITTEE In the absence of Committee Chairman Bivins, Commissioner Allen reported the following: 1. The License and Tax Committee respectfully denies the request of Mr. Leroy Thomas, III, for the removal of all penalties and interest for the 2000 and 2001 tax years as well as penalties, late charges and interest after December 2005.. 6
On motion of Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned 2. The License and Tax Committee respectfully denies the request of Mr. Tim Leskosky, President/CEO, LJL Truck Center, Inc. requesting removal of penalties, interest and late fees for tax year 2005.. On motion of Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned HUMAN RESOURCES AND INFORMATION SERVICES COMMITTEE No Report. PROPERTIES COMMITTEE Committee Chairman Richardson reported the following: 1. The Committee recommends that the property (house) located at the Bibb County Sports Complex be repaired at a cost not the exceed $15,000. TOBESOFKEE COMMITTEE Committee Chairman Allen reported the following: 1. The Committee recommends approval of the request from the Bibb County Chapter of the American Cancer Society to use Sandy Beach on May 19 & 20, 2006 for their annual Relay For Life fundraiser and that all fees be waived. On motion of Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned 2. The Committee recommends approval of the request from the GA Multisports Productions to use Sandy Beach on June 4, 2006 for the third Annual Rock & Roll Half-Ironman Triathlon. On motion of Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE Committee Chairman Allen reported the following: 1. The Ordinances and Resolutions Committee recommends approval of Resolution in support of Anti-idling Regulations in Middle Georgia. 7
On motion of Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned resolution was approved as presented. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE: Chairman Bishop reported following: 1. The Committee of the Whole voiced no objections to the Chairman s nomination of Kelly Joiner to the Region V EMS Advisory Council replacing Dr. Ralph Griffin who has been named Medical Director of Region V EMS Advisory Council. 2. The Committee of the Whole voiced no objections to the Reappointment of Mr. Marion McCarthy and Ms. Mary Modena to the River Edge Community Service Board. 3. The Committee of the Whole voiced no objections to the Reappointment of Don Sheffield to the DFCS Board. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Allen stated that he had two (2) ordinances he would like to have referred to the Ordinances and Resolutions Committee for discussion at the next meeting. He read the Ordinances by the following captions: 1. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA, TO AMEND SECTION 2-27 OF THE CODE OF BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA, ENTITLED COMPENSATION OF COMMISSIONERS ; TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE; TO REPEAL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 2. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA, TO AMEND SECTION 2-21 OF THE CODE OF BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA, ENTITLED DUTIES, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF CHAIRMAN ; TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE; TO REPEAL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Chairman Bishop consented to the before mentioned items being referred to the Ordinances and Resolutions Committee as requested. There being no further business and on motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Chairman Bishop reconvened the meeting at 6:26 p.m. for the purpose of considering a resolution that would enable the County to apply for grant money. He read the resolution by the following caption: A RESOLUTION OF BIBB COUNTY ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE BIBB COUNTY FIVE-YEAR SHORT-TERM WORK PROGRAM UPDATE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT UPDATE. Chairman Bishop added that this document amends the plan that is presently on file. 8
Commissioner Richardson motioned that the resolution be approved and that the Chairman be authorized to sign the same. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Allen and carried. There being no further business and on motion duly made and seconded, the reconvened meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Shelia Thurmond, Clerk of the Board 9