A meeting of the Habersham County Board of Commissioners was held on Monday, April 17, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the Jury Assembly Room at the Habersham County Courthouse in Clarkesville, Georgia. Present: Chairman Victor Anderson; Commissioners Natalie Crawford; Stacy Hall, Andrea Harper, and Ed Nichols; County Attorney Donald Hunt; County Manager Phil Sutton; County Clerk Crystal Ward; and Administrative Assistant/Deputy Clerk Lindsay Underwood. Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Commissioner Crawford led the Invocation. Commissioner Crawford led the Pledge of Allegiance. ADOPTION OF AGENDA unanimously to adopt the Agenda with the following changes: Add item a. under Presentation and Announcements: a. Update from Habersham County Animal Care and Control concerning the recent seizure of over 300 neglected animals Correction to wording of item i. on the Consent Agenda: i. Consider/Approve Habersham County Church League (HCCL) Facility Usage Agreement PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS: a. Update from Habersham County Animal Care and Control and the Humane Society of the United States concerning the recent seizure of over 300 neglected animals (added during the Adoption of the Agenda) b. Congratulations to Crystal Ward, County Clerk, for completing the Certified County Clerk s Program through Carl Vinson Institute c. Proclamation declaring the month of April 2017 as National Donate Life month in Habersham County d. Proclamation declaring April 27, 2017 as Northeast Georgia CASA Volunteer Appreciation Day in Habersham County
PUBLIC COMMENTS: If you signed up to speak at the meeting tonight, you will have three minutes. If your name is listed on the Agenda, you will have five minutes. PUBLIC HEARINGS: By permitting opponents or speakers to present public comment to the county, the county does not acquiesce or waive its ability to challenge to the legal standing of the speaker(s) in the event of litigation. 1. Consider/Approve Resolution for the Abandonment of a section of John Loudermilk Road *Note: Tabled until the April 17, 2017 Commission Meeting* Chairman Anderson turned the meeting over to County Attorney Donnie Hunt to conduct the Public Hearing. Director of Public Works Derick Canupp addressed the Board and stated he met with the remaining property owners and dealt with the concerns raised at the March 20, 2017 Commission meeting. County Attorney Donnie Hunt asked for comments in favor of the application: No comments were made. County Attorney Donnie Hunt asked for comments in opposition of the application: No comments were made. County Attorney Donnie Hunt closed the comment portion of the public hearing and retuned the meeting to Chairman Anderson. unanimously to approve the Resolution for the Abandonment of a section of John Loudermilk Road. CONSENT AGENDA: unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as amended.
a. Consider/Approve The Minutes of the Commission Work Session on Monday, March 20, 2017 b. Consider/Approve The Minutes of the Commission Meeting on Monday, March 20, 2017 c. Consider/Approve The Minutes of the Executive Session on Monday, March 20, 2017 d. Consider/Approve Board of Tax Assessors affidavit of correction 2016-15 e. Consider/Approve Board of Tax Assessors affidavit of correction 2016-16 f. Consider/Approve classifying 2806 B.C. Grant Road (Gibby House) as surplus property, and authorize the sell, removal, or demolition of the house g. Consider/Approve Scrap Tire Abatement Reimbursement Contract h. Consider/Approve Rapids Futbol Club (RFC) Facility Usage Agreement i. Consider/Approve Habersham County Church League (HCCL) Facility Usage Agreement (wording corrected during the Adoption of the Agenda) j. Consider/Approve City of Cornelia s request to place radio water meter towers within County right-of-way k. Consider/Approve Alcohol Sales Application for Harry s Pantry #3 located at 2059 Cool Springs Road: Change of Ownership REPORTS: a. Fiscal Status: Heidi Hook b. Manager s Report: Phil Sutton APPOINTMENTS: ETHICS PANEL 1. Blake Foster and Aubrey Motz: Chairman Anderson Motion by Chairman Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Crawford, and voted unanimously to reappoint Blake Foster and Aubrey Motz to the Ethics Panel. 2. Ernest Burns and Kathryn Ralston: Commissioner Harper
Motion by Commissioner Harper, seconded by Commission Hall, and voted unanimously to table the appointments until the May 15, 2017 Commission meeting. 3. Mike Duncan and Jack Foster: Commissioner Nichols Motion by Commission Nichols, seconded by Commissioner Harper, and voted unanimously to reappoint Mike Duncan and Jack Foster to the Ethics Panel. 4. Phil DeMore and Holly Borrow : Commissioner Crawford Motion by Commissioner Crawford, seconded by Commissioner Harper, and voted unanimously to table the appointments until the May 15, 2017 Commission meeting. 5. Larry DeMore and Walter Jarod: Commissioner Hall unanimously to appoint Matt Hayes to the Ethics Panel. unanimously to table the appointment until the May 15, 2017 Commission meeting. HOSPITAL AUTHORITY 1. Michael Shirley: Chairman Anderson 2. Kim Crawford: Commissioner Crawford 3. Stuart Sanders: At Large *Note: Tabled indefinitely at the March 20, 2017 Commission Meeting* UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: a. Consider/Approve request for improvements to Coon Creek Road unanimously to approve the request for improvements to Coon Creek Road contingent upon right-of-way acquisition. b. Consider/Approve redistribution of 5% funding for Local Victim Assistance Programs for FY2018 budget to include the District Attorney s Office
Motion by Commissioner Crawford, seconded by Commissioner Nichols, and voted unanimously to approve the redistribution of 5% funding for Local Victim Assistance Programs for FY2018 budget to include the District Attorney s Office. c. Consider/Approve proposed Recreation Department registration penalties and discounts Motion by Commissioner Nichols, seconded by Commissioner Crawford, and voted unanimously to approve the proposed Recreation Department registration penalties and discounts. d. Consider/Approve revisions to Sections 15 and 21 of the Habersham County Employee Handbook and Policy Guidelines unanimously to approve the Resolution amending Sections 15 and 21 of the Habersham County Employee Handbook and Policy Guidelines. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Commissioner Nichols gave thanks to the many volunteers who recently helped with the large-scale animal seizure and stated that he hopes the public will continue to volunteer with new and old animals at the shelter. Commissioner Crawford commended the Animal Care and Control Staff for their countless hours of hard work. Commissioner Hall echoed Commissioner Crawford and Commissioner Nichols statements and added that our Animal Care and Control staff did an outstanding job. Commissioner Harper also commented on the wonderful staff at Animal Care and Control and thanked the volunteers. Harper recognized Ray McAllister from Mt. Airy for his attendance and stated that April 22, 2017 is Mt. Airy Georgia Cities Day. EXECUTIVE SESSION: NONE ADJOURN: 6:49 p.m. unanimously to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted, By: Chairman Victor Anderson Posted by: County Clerk Crystal Ward, April 18, 2017 Attest: County Clerk Crystal D. Ward