MINUTES BIBB COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS March 9, 2004 6:00 p.m. The regular meeting of the Bibb County Board of Commissioners was held in the Commission Boardroom on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. Board Members present: Chairman Tommy C. Olmstead, Vice Chairman Samuel F. Hart, Sr., Commissioner Charles W. Bishop and Commissioner Elmo A. Richardson, Jr., Commissioner Bert Bivins, III. Staff present: Mr. Virgil Adams, County Attorney; Mr. Bill Johnston, Director of Buildings & Properties; Mr. Sam Kitchens, Assistant Director, Buildings & Properties; Mr. Tommy Brown, Director of Human Resources; Ms. Deborah Martin, Finance Director; Mr. Don Hoch, Director of Lake Tobesofkee; Mr. Ken Sheets, County Engineer; Mr. Tony Rousey, Director of Information & Technology Services; Mrs. Barbara Wood, Public Affairs Officer and Mrs. Shelia Thurmond, Clerk of the Board. News Media: Mr. Travis Fain of The Telegraph. Chairman Olmstead recognized and welcomed Reverend Bob Moon, Martha Bowman Memorial United Methodist Church, for the PRAYER FOR THE DAY. Chairman Olmstead asked Commissioner Bishop to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairman Olmstead announced that there would be a public meeting on the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan on Thursday, March 25, 2004 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the office of the Middle Georgia Regional Development Center located on Emery Highway. He stated that the public would be given an opportunity to express their concerns and ideas about establishing bicycle and pedestrian facilities as well as support programs in the Middle Georgia region. He stated that the public would be able to review and comment on the proposed goals and objectives for the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and provide input by participating in an assessment survey. He further stated that questions related to the public meeting can be directed to Mr. Phil Clark, Senior Planner at the Middle Georgia RDC. He added that this will be an informal and informative session. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion of Commissioner Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Hart and carried, the Minutes of the regular meeting of February 24, 2004 were approved as written. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS 1
Chairman Olmstead recognized and welcomed Major Billy Thigpen, retiree, Bibb County Sheriff s Department; Ms. Fernella Cabey, Kings Park; and Ms. Johnnie Mae Dawkins and Ms. Nettie Thomas of Kings Park. Chairman Olmstead also recognized Mr. Allen Freeman of the Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission/Cherry Blossom Festival. Mr. Freeman stated that he comes with greetings and an invitation to each Commission member as well as the entire residents of Bibb County to come and celebrate in the 2004 Cherry Blossom Festival. Mr. Freeman stated that it s an exciting time and they have a wonderful event planned. He stated that there were several times they would like for the Commissioners to be present and be recognized at some of their special events. He stated that this was their festival as they play a major role in supporting the event and he would really like to have all of them present. Mr. Freeman provided each Board member with the 2004 lapel pin and asked that they wear it the rest of the month in support of the Festival. He also presented them with this year s Cherry Blossom print and events brochure. Mr. Freeman added that this year s print was done by an artist from Atlanta, who has supported their Mulberry Arts and Crafts Festival for many years. He stated that her name is Anni Moller. He further added that she had put together a great collage of some historic sites surrounded by cherry blossoms. Mr. Freeman stated that the Cherry Blossom prints were a fund raiser for the Festival and helps them to offset some of the cost for their other projects. Mr. Freeman continued that he was pretty excited to say that the Festival is one time that Macon and Bibb County come together and that it is a great time to be a Maconite and a Bibb County citizen. Mr. Freeman concluded by extending an invitation for everyone to come out and enjoy their Festival. On behalf of the Board, Chairman Olmstead thanked Mr. Freeman for coming and for the gifts. He added that the members of the Board look forward to participating in the Cherry Blossom festivities. Chairman Olmstead further added that arrangements are being made again this year the Commissioners to ride on the Bibb County fire truck in the parade on Sunday, March 21. Mr. Freeman stated that they have a great line up for the parade and great entertainment throughout the week. He continued that one of the biggest changes is that the Balloon Fest is moving to Herbert Smart Airport permanently and they ve increased it from 17 balloons to 25 balloons. He stated that they are hoping to take the Festival to a world-class event and he hopes that the Commissioners will be a part of that celebration. Mr. Freeman stated that he also wanted to mention that at budget time the Commissioners had that they find some events for Tobesofkee. He stated that he and Don Hoch have been working on trying to put a sanctioned event at the lake and that he appreciates the Board s support as well as Don s support in helping to get that together. He stated that it was going to be a start-up event this year and possibly work into a really large event during the Festival. He stated that the event was a bike race and he was really excited about it. Mr. Freeman also extended the invitation for the Commissioners to attend the Interdenominational Worship Service in Third Street Park which will honor the late Dr. 2
Jimmy Waters who put the event on for 20 years. He stated that the dignitaries would go as a group from there to the Pink Pancake Breakfast and from there to Reverend Biggers church, Community Church of God, at 11:00 a.m. Commissioner Bishop expressed appreciation to Mr. Freeman for getting the event at Lake Tobesofkee. Mr. Freeman stated, too, that they replaced the Balloon Fest with the Grand Finale which is a fireworks show at Wesleyan College. On behalf of the Board, Chairman Olmstead commended Mr. Freeman for the great job he is doing. REFERRALS: The following items were referred to the ENGINEERING/PUBLIC WORKS: 1. Petition from Mr. Danny Harrison for the registration of Luke Drive as a public road of Bibb County. 2. Petitions from Mr. Charlie McGlamry for the registration of Buckingham Mews, Barrington Villas Court and Barrington Villas Drive as public roads of Bibb County. 3. Petition from Mr. Joe Thomas for the registration of Joseph Chandler Drive as a public road of Bibb County. 4. Letter from B.J. Walker, Southern Pine Plantations Commercial Group, requesting a variance on the right-of-way for the Scarlet Oaks Subdivision development located on Thomaston Road. 5. Correspondence from Ms. Kathy Bowden, Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, requesting the County s approval of the new road at I-75 Business Park being named in honor of Mr. Frank Amerson. RECORD & INFORMATION: ACTION: Monthly departmental reports and agency activities received for record: Tobesofkee Recreation Area. Ratification of the following Resolutions of the Board of Commissioners: S Honoring Mrs. Julia G. Baldwin and Mrs. Elaine Hollis-Pritchard upon their achievement and recognition by the Career Women s Network during Women s History Month; 3
S Honoring Mrs. Charlayne Hunt-Gault as the 2004 recipient of the Shelia Award presented by the Tubman Museum. On motion of Commissioner Hart, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and carried, the before mentioned Resolutions were ratified. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chairman Olmstead gave a report of his activities since the last meeting. He reported as follows: 2/26 - Macon-Bibb County Convention & Visitors Bureau Meeting 2/26 - Town Hall Meeting at Porter Ellis Community Center 2/28-3/2 NACo Legislative Conference, Washington, DC 3/03 - Meeting with Legislators, RDC Representatives & Houston County Reps. 3/03 - Taste of Macon 3/05 - Dodge Tour De Georgia Press Conference 3/08 - Meeting with Bill Vaughn, Deborah Martin & Virgil Adams 3/08 - Meeting with Bill Vaughn and Sammy Thompson FINANCE, TAX AND REVENUE COMMITTEE - Committee Chairman Hart reported the following: 1. The Committee recommends approval of the following dates for FY 2005 budget hearings: Friday, May 14, 2004 9:00 a.m. Retreat to review budget totals Monday, May 17 - Friday, May 21 Wednesday, May 26 Department budget hearings Department budget hearings On motion of Commissioner Hart and carried, the before mentioned recommendation 2. The Committee recommends that Requisition #35358 be awarded to IBM as a Sole Source purchase in the amount of $18,500.00. On motion of Commissioner Hart and carried, the before mentioned recommendation 3. The Committee recommends that effective April 1, all transfers between operating line items must be approved by the Finance Committee. 4
On motion of Commissioner Hart and carried, the before mentioned recommendation 4. The Committee recommends that authorization to apply for a Community Development Block Grant Application for $500,000,00 for construction of a new Crisis Stabilization Unit on Fulton Mill Road be denied. On motion of Commissioner Hart and carried, the before mentioned recommendation RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - No Report. Commissioner Bishop stated that he wanted to give a report of his activities for the past couple of weeks. He reported as follows: S Attended an ACCG Breakfast with the State Legislature on March 3 S Attended a meeting with the Local Legislative Delegation and Representatives from the Governor s Office on regarding funding for South Bibb on March 3 S Attended an MEDC Meeting on March 1 S Attended a Macon Water Authority Meeting on March 4 S Attended Town Hall Meetings held in Commission Districts One, Three and Four S on February 23, February 26 and March 1 Commissioner Bishop stated that he hopes the Commissioners will schedule more town hall meetings in the future because he feels they are essential to better communication with the public. ENGINEERING/PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE - Committee Chairman Bishop reported the following: 1. The Committee recommends that an emergency purchase order be issued to Gregory Bridge Company in the amount of $59,160 to repair all piles and caps on the Tucker Road Bridge over Rocky Creek. Chairman Olmstead stated that the contractor said the it would take approximately three weeks to complete the work. 5
2. The Committee recommends that the petitions to register Alex Bailey Court and Shelby Court as public roads be approved and that said roads be placed on the Official Road Register for maintenance by Bibb County forces. 3. The Committee recommends that the petition register Sheraton Boulevard as a public road of Bibb County be approved and that said road be placed on the Official Road Register for maintenance by County forces. 4. The Committee recommends approval of the Ordinance of the Board to fix the maximum speed limit on McManus Road, South at 25 miles per hour. 5. The Committee recommends approval of the Ordinance of the Board to change the name of Edwards Drive, from Allen Road to its end, to Edwards Drive, South. 6. The Committee recommends approval of the Ordinance of the Board to change the name of Jones Road located in Sheltering Pines Mobile Home Park to Jones Court. 7. The Committee recommends approval of the Ordinance of the Board to change the name of Lake Drive located in Sheltering Pines Mobile Home Park, to Lake Drive, South. 8. The Committee recommends that the Chairman be authorized to sign the Right of Entry for Environmental Assessment and Response to the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, for Parcel Nos. W080-0071, W070-0012, W080-0053, U090-0023, X080-0220 and X080-0227 for the purpose of ordnance removal from the former Camp Wheeler Site, Project No. I04GA003301. 6
9. The Committee recommends that the current contract with Southland Waste Systems, Inc. for Residential Collection and Disposal be extended for a 5-year period from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2009 in accordance with their proposal dated February 12, 2004 as follows: Household garbage 1x per week Containerized and un-containerized yard rubbish Every other week Weekly recycling $7.40 per month per home $1.17 per month per home $1.56 per month per home Subsequent years subject to an annual adjustment based on the CPI not to exceed 3%. All other provisions of the existing contract to remain in full force and effect. The Committee further recommends that the County Attorney draw up the necessary contract documents for the contract extension and that the Chairman be authorized to sign said contract. Commissioner Richardson stated that he thinks this will be in excess of $96,000.00 per year savings for the County and that it was very good that the County was able to negotiate this extension. TOBESOFKEE COMMITTEE - Committee Chairman Bishop reported the following: 1. The Committee recommends approval for Spincycle Sports Marketing, LLC to conduct cycling events at Sandy Beach Park and Claystone Park on March 27 & 28, 2004. The event will be known as the Georgia Cup. The Committee authorizes the Chairman power-to- Act on the event contract. Commissioner Bishop added that he would like for all the Commissioners to be present at this event. 2. The Committee recommends approval for the Central Georgia Marina to complete construction improvement plans as submitted during the 2004 year. 7
3. The Committee recommends approval for the 19 th Air Refueling Group, Robins Air Force Base, to conduct its annual 101 Critical Days of Summer Safety Fair on July 12, 2004 at Sandy Beach Park and that all fees be waived. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE - No Report. HUMAN RESOURCES AND INFORMATION SERVICES COMMITTEE - No Report. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE - No Report. Commissioner Bivins reported that he also attended the NACo Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, recently and brought back some information related to the new rule for Seniors as it relates to Medicare. He stated that he will be bringing this information to share with the Commissioners in the near future because this is something the Board needs to be informed about. Commissioner Richardson stated that he would like to commend County Engineer Ken Sheets and Van Etheridge of the Road Improvement Program for their swift action in getting the Tucker Road Bridge taken care of. He stated that there has been some indication that the contractor may be able to move in next week and get started. He further stated that, hopefully, in three to four weeks, they ll have that bridge back in operation. Mr. Sheets added that it was a temporary fix. LICENSE & TAX COMMITTEE - Committee Chairman Richardson reported the following: 1. The Committee recommends that the request of Mr. Sam Stefano for a refund of excessive taxes paid for tax year 2003 on property located at 3522 Flamingo Drive be respectfully denied, based on the information provided by the Chief Appraiser that no factual error was identified to support a refund. On motion of Commissioner Richardson and carried, the before mentioned recommendation 2. The Committee recommends approval of the following New 2004 Alcoholic Beverage License applications: a) Wal-Mart Supercenter #2890 located at 5955 Zebulon Road b) Magnolia New South Grill located at 5580 Thomaston Road-Suite 20 c) Amoco Food Shop located at 2579 Emery Highway 8
On motion of Commissioner Richardson and carried, the before mentioned recommendation Chairman Olmstead added that Wal-Mart has announced its opening for March 17 at 7:30 a.m. PROPERTIES COMMITTEE - No Report. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None. NEW BUSINESS - Mr. Allen Freeman readdressed the Board to announce that the Great American Cleanup which is a part of Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful will be held on Tuesday, March 16 at 12:00 Noon at Third Street Park. He stated that Mrs. Barbara Wood was Chairman of the event this year and has done a great job so far. He encouraged the County to put together a team to come out and help with the event. Commissioner Bishop stated it was mentioned at one of the Town Hall meetings that there were no Cherry Trees on Houston Road. He advised Mr. Freeman that he needs to make this a priority. Mr. Freeman added that they are very busy with Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful and a lot of times the Cherry Blossom Festival gets a lot of recognition in the community but KMBB just had one of the biggest Arbor Day celebrations they ve ever had and they planted more than 200 trees. He noted that Chairman Olmstead attended the event. Mr. Freeman stated that with this Great American Cleanup they are trying to revitalize that event and get more people involved in it and that Mrs. Wood has done a great job in putting the event together and that this year s theme is, Trash to Treasures, where they would be hiding golden bricks in the downtown area and as the teams are out picking up trash, it s a possibility they will pick up a treasure. He continued that they would bring the treasure to Third Street Park where it can be traded in for a gift. He added that this was an incentive program to get people to help in this effort because it is a learning tool to, hopefully, prevent litter in our community. Mr. Freeman added that this is a time that they clean up and get ready for the thousand of visitors and that they would like to have some teams from the County to participate in the event. He stated that there will be food and entertainment. There being no further business and on motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Shelia Thurmond Clerk of the Board 9