MINUTES BIBB COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS October 16, 2007 The regular meeting of the Bibb County Board of Commissioners was held in the Commission Boardroom on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Board Members present: Chairman Charles W. Bishop, Commissioner Elmo A. Richardson Jr., Commissioner Joe O. Allen and Commissioner Lonzy Edwards. Staff present: Mr. Steve Layson, Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Virgil Adams, County Attorney; Mr. Doug Furney, Director of Lake Tobesofkee; Mr. Tony Rousey, Director of Information & Technology Services; Mr. Ken Sheets, County Engineer; Mr. Tommy Brown, Human Resources Director; Mrs. Shelia Thurmond, Clerk of the Board; Mrs. Christy Iuliucci, Assistant Finance Director; Mrs. Janice Ross, Board of Commissioners; Mrs. Barbara Wood, Public Affairs Officer. Also in attendance were Sheriff Jerry Modena and Chief Deputy David Davis. News Media: Keich Whicker, The Telegraph TV Representatives from 13, 41 & 58 PRAYER FOR THE DAY Chairman Bishop recognized and welcomed Pastor Steve Sawyer, Harvest Cathedral for the prayer. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairman Bishop announced that the Board was honored to have the 2007 Little League World Champions attend the meeting tonight. He stated that Warner Robins won the championship and the team was invited to come and be honored with a resolution from Bibb County for their achievement. In addition to a resolution and framed pitcher, each team member received a baseball autographed by Kevin Brown, former pitcher with the New York Yankees. Chairman Bishop also expressed appreciation to Jamie Kaplan for her role in securing the baseballs. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion of Commissioner Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Allen and carried, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 18, 2007 and Special Called Meeting of September 25, 2007 were approved as written. October 16, 2007 Page 1 of 8
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Chairman Bishop recognized and welcomed the following visitors: Johnnie Mae Stafford-Dawkins Nettie Thomas Dr. Lindsay Holliday Susan Hanberry-Martin Carol Lystlund Susan Long Trent Carriker Dalton Carriker David Umphreyville Carolyn Talbot Dorothy Gordy Alice & Red Boyd Annette Maxwell Michael Wells Macie Wells Gina Wells Nick Martens Dee Scott Kendall Scott Taylor Lay Cynthia Patterson Jean Sullivan Dorothy Gray John Earley Nell Culpepper Mary Jones Ron Lemon Alpha Bond Rachel Duddles Alex Mason Nancy Hathaway Dale Talley Carolyn Umphreyville Wendy Richardson Troy Edwards Michael Smith Hunt Smith Hunter Jackson Donald Richardson Hazel Giddens Chairman Bishop recognized Ms. Johnnie Mae Stafford-Dawkins for comments. Ms. Stafford- Dawkins stated that she was representing the Kings Park community. She stated, each year, they have a clean-up effort in the community and that the Bibb County Public Works Department provides assistance. She stated that in appreciation for all they do in the Kings Park area, she had a plaque for each of them. Next, Chairman Bishop recognized Dr. Lindsay Holliday for comments. Dr. Holliday welcomed Commissioner Edwards to the commission and stated that he was expected great things from him and that he brings a lot of talent and experience that will enrich the Board. He also stated that he understands the Board will be talking about mediation tonight. He further stated that he has an open records request pending on looking at and listening to some the tapes of commission meetings and suggested the Board consider changing its current method of recording and maintaining minutes of meetings. Next, Chairman Bishop recognized Mrs. Susan Hansberry-Martin for comments. Ms. Hansberry- Martin presented each member of the Board and the Clerk with a handout depicting FHR Traffic Volumes. She stated that she was representing the Forest Hill Neighborhood Association, Intown Neighborhood Association, Shirley Hills Neighborhood Association, Vineville Neighborhood Association, Corbin Avenue Neighborhood Association and Rosa Taylor Neighborhood Association. She stated that they are once again requesting that the FHR project be halted. She stated that the handout depicts traffic counts for the last 15 years which show no growth in the traffic on the road. She added that these counts came from GDOT and were completed and were done in the years when the Mall was in its hay day and in the past few years when it s been in its decline. She added some additional comments which included asking that Commissioner Richardson recuse himself from votes on all projects in which Stantec has an interest. She further stated that an ethics complaint has been filed with Board of Professional Engineers and it details the continuing relationship between Commissioner Richardson and Stantec. She also stated that she is not a lawyer and doesn t know if it s legal for Commissioner Richardson to vote on these issues, but she does know that it is not ethical and that it only right that he recuses himself. She October 16, 2007 Page 2 of 8
added some additional comments which included an article published n the Atlanta Journal on Monday. Next, Chairman Bishop called on the Clerk of the Board for the reading of the Board Agenda. REFERRALS: The following items were referred to Engineering/Public Works: 1. Correspondence from Wendell Bowden of Martin Snow, Attorneys at Law, requesting on behalf of Benjamin Griffith, III, that Bibb County abandon a portion of Barrington Hall Drive adjacent to property of Mr. Griffith which was never used. 2. Correspondence from Marvin F. Peterman, 1944 Tucker Road, requesting exemption from garbage service and related fees. 3. Petitions from Tom Ward for the registration of Abington Way and Abington Court as public roads of Bibb County. 4. Correspondence from Dr. and Mrs. Don Feibelman, Central Goal Club, requesting that bathrooms be built in combination with an area for concessions, complete with adequate electricity, near the soccer field at the Bibb County Sports Complex. RECORD AND INFORMATION: 1. Monthly departmental reports and agency activities received for record: Clerk of State Court. 2. Certification of election results from Ms. Elaine Carr, Supervisor of the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections, from the Special Election held on September 18, 2007 whereby Lonzy Edwards was elected to the County Commission District 1 seat. 3. Correspondence from Ms. Elaine Carr, Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections, announcing that the Bibb County Republican Party has appointed Mr. Richard F. Donnelly to complete the term of the late Donald F. Layfield. Note: Judge Bill Self, Probate Court, will administer the oath of office to Mr. Donnelly prior to the November 6 th City General Election. ACTION: 1. Ratification of Resolution presented to the Pine Forest Baptist Church on the occasion of its 100 th Anniversary celebrated on Sunday, September 16, 2007. 2. Ratification of Resolution presented to Mr. Herbert Dennard on the occasion of his being selected as the 2007 NAACP s Earl T. Shinhoster Freedom Fund Award recipient. 3. Ratification of Resolution presented to the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department in observance of Fire Prevention Week in Bibb County October 7-13, 2007. October 16, 2007 Page 3 of 8
4. Ratification of Resolution presented to Reverend Jacob Parker on the occasion of his 40 th Anniversary as Pastor of the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church and his 41 st Anniversary in the Gospel Ministry. 5. Ratification of Contract between Bibb County and the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority relating to funding for the acquisition of property, development of property, and related expenses. On motion of Commissioner Edwards and seconded by Commissioner Richardson and carried, the before mentioned actions were ratified. 6. A Resolution of Bibb County adopting the Bibb County Five-Year Short-Term Work Program Update and Capital Improvements Element Update for Fiscal Years 2007-2012. DISCUSSION Commissioner Edwards stated that he believes, based on the time that he s been here, the time may be right for the Board to have a retreat at which time they can discuss not only this matter but a number of issues he believes affect the future of this community and some things that maybe the Board needs to work through. He stated that the Legislative Delegation will be going into session in January and there are some things on his mind that he would like to hash out with his fellow commissioners to see whether or not they can arrive at some consensus as to some things they need to have happen. He stated there are some other ideas he has that he d like to run up the flagpole and he thinks it would be wonderful if the Board could spend some time chewing on those issues together and seeing whether or not they can come up with a plan of action and move forward in the new year. Mrs. Thurmond, Clerk of the Board, noted an October 31, 2007 deadline on the approving the resolution. Commissioner Edwards then offered a motion to approve the resolution, but added that the Board schedule as soon as possible a retreat at which time the Board can discuss not only these but other matters. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Allen and carried unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Chairman Bishop reported the following:. 1. The Committee of the Whole voted unanimously on the reappointment of Mr. Johnny Gordon to the Macon-Bibb County Board of Tax Assessors. His term will be effective October 1, 2007 and will expire on September 30, 2012. There being no objection, the above noted item was ratified. October 16, 2007 Page 4 of 8
2. The Committee of the Whole voted unanimously to approve the following slate of nominees for consideration for appointment to the Macon-Bibb County Hospital Authority: For the seat currently held by Mr. Ray Pippin, the nominees are: Mr. Ray Pippin Mr. Steve Kruger Dr. Joe Sam Robinson For the seat currently held by Ms Patricia Robinson, the nominees are: Ms. Patricia Robinson Ms. Joan Walton Ms. Teresa Robinson For the seat currently held by Dr. Joyce Schafer, the nominees are: Dr. Joyce Schafer Ms. Barbara Clowers Ms. Doris Adams There being no objection, the above noted item was ratified. 3. The Committee of the Whole voted to pursue resolution of the Forest Hill Road Project by engaging in mediation with representatives of Bibb County, persons who physically reside on Forest Hill Road, representatives from the Department of Transportation, representatives from Moreland Altobelli, and a representative from the City of Macon. The mediation will take place as soon as a mediator can be selected and a date established. It is the intent that the proposed mediation will not otherwise delay or stop the process of acquiring right-of-way along Forest Hill Road as is currently taking place nor delay the Project in any way. There being no objection, the above noted item was ratified. ENGINEERING/PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Committee Member Richardson reported the following: 1. The Committee recommends that the County Engineer be authorized to correspond with the Georgia Department of Transportation confirming that Bibb County is still interested in proceeding with the project to light the I-75/SR87-Riverside Drive Interchange, Exit 171, GDOT Project NHS-0002-00(847) ID No. 0002487. October 16, 2007 Page 5 of 8
2. The Committee reports that bids were opened on September 26, 2007, for patching and resurfacing Lower Thomaston and Tucker Road, PR000-S10-00(629), and that Georgia Asphalt, Inc. was the low responsive bidder with a total bid of $411,021.73. The Committee recommends that award be made to Georgia Asphalt, Inc. at the unit prices bid and that the Chairman be authorized to sign the contract as soon as satisfactory bonds have been furnished. FINANCE, TAX AND REVENUE COMMITTEE Committee Chairman Richardson reported the following: 1. The Finance Committee recommends that the December 30 th payroll be paid on December 21, 2007. 2. The Finance Committee recommends approval of authorization for Chairman Bishop to sign the contract with CLT. The authorization is contingent upon changes to the contract by the County Attorney. 3. The Finance Committee recommends approval of a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $5,500.00 to the FY 2008 General Fund Budget for the Sheriff s Office to replace an Intoxilyzer 5000 Breath Alcohol Machine. 4. The Finance Committee recommends approval of a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $10,750.00 to the FY 2008 Law Enforcement Commissary Fund for five (5) time clocks with Time and Attendance Software. 5. The Finance Committee recommends approval of a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $157,390.00 to the FY 2008 Law Enforcement Center Commissary Fund for a new Jail Management Information System. The Finance Committee recommends awarding the bid for a new Jail Management Information System to Police Central in the amount of $157,390.00. October 16, 2007 Page 6 of 8
6. Finance Committee recommends awarding the bid for Copier Rental to Georgia Duplicating covering two copiers in the amount of $375.07 per month for a term of 36 months. HUMAN RESOURCES AND INFORMATION SERVICES COMMITTEE No Report. TOBESOFKEE COMMITTEE Committee Chairman Allen reported the following:. 1. The Tobesofkee Committee recommends approval of the request from Troop 8 of the Boy Scouts of America to use Sandy Beach Park October 19-21, 2007 for a Junior Leadership Training Course and that all fees be waived. On motion of Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned 2. The Tobesofkee Committee recommends that the Claystone Bathhouse Improvement Project be rebid. On motion of Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned 3. The Tobesofkee Committee recommends approval of a change to the Bibb County Ordinance as it relates to Lake Tobesofkee. (Sec. 13-36 and 13-38) Commissioner Allen read the ordinances by the following captions: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA, TO AMEND SECTION 13-36 OF ARTICLE II, DIVISION 2, OF THE CODE OF BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA, ENTITLED DOCKS, BOATHOUSES AND SEAWALLS ; TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE; TO REPEAL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA, TO AMEND SECTION 13-38 OF ARTICLE II, DIVISION 2, OF THE CODE OF BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA, ENTITLED RIGHTS GRANTED TO PROPERTY OWNERS; RESERVATIONS; TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE; TO REPEAL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. On motion of Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE No Report. October 16, 2007 Page 7 of 8
LICENSE & TAX COMMITTEE Committee member Allen reported the following: 1. The License and Tax Committee recommends approval of a New Alcoholic Beverage License for 2007 for Anheuser Busch, Inc. located at 440 Joe Tamplin Boulevard. On motion of Commissioner Allen and carried, the before mentioned MACON WATER AUTHORITY No Report. HEALTH DEPARTMENT No Report. LAND BANK AUTHORITY No Report. PROPERTIES COMMITTEE Committee member Edwards reported the following: 1. The Properties Committee recommends approval of changes to the Camera and Access System. On motion of Commissioner Edwards and carried, the before mentioned 2. The Properties Committee recommends that no further legal action be pursued on the AC repairs to the Peacock Building. On motion of Commissioner Edwards and carried, the before mentioned RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE No Report. COUNTY ATTORNEY No Report. UNFINISHED BUSINESS For the benefit of citizens in the audience, Commissioner Allen wanted it noted in the record that the Board had discussed earlier that the mediator for the Forest Hill Road project could possibly be a Superior Court Judge. NEW BUSINESS None. There being no further business and on motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Shelia Thurmond, Clerk of the Board October 16, 2007 Page 8 of 8