Action Agenda

Board of Commissioners

May 13, 2010

7:00 P.M.

                                   

The Board of Commissioners of Fayette County, Georgia, met in Official Session on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room of the Fayette County Administrative Complex, 140 Stonewall Avenue, Fayetteville, Georgia.

 

                                                Commissioners Present:                                                          Jack Smith, Chairman

                                                                                                                                                Herb Frady, Vice Chairman

                                                                                                                                                Lee Hearn

                                                                                                                                                Robert Horgan

                                                                                                                                                Eric Maxwell

                                                                       

                                                Staff Present:                                                                           Jack Krakeel, County Administrator

                                                                                                                                                Scott Bennett, County Attorney

                                                                                                                                                Carol Chandler, Executive Assistant

                                                                                                                                                Floyd L. Jones, Deputy Clerk

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

7:03:19 PM

Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Chairman Smith called the May 13, 2010 Board of Commissioners meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

Commissioner Hearn gave the Invocation.

Chairman Smith led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

7:04:31 PM

Acceptance of Agenda.            

 

Commissioner Horgan moved to accept the agenda as published.  Commissioner Hearn seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION:

 

7:04:48 PM


A.                  Presentation of a plaque to the County by the Fayette Heritage Committee marking the Historic County Courthouse as listed in the National Register of Historic sites.

 

Executive Assistant Carol Chandler and Water System Director Tony Parrott, who are both members of the Fayette Heritage Committee, presented a plaque to the Board of Commissioners that identifies the Historic County Courthouse as being listed in the National Register of Historic sites.  Ms. Chandler reminded the Board that the Fayette Heritage Committee had approached the Board in December 2008 asking if the Committee could pay the expense to order a plaque that it would be attached to the Historic County Courthouse in order


to mark the fact that it had been included in the National Register of Historic sites since the year 1988.  Chairman Smith read the plaque to the audience, after which Ms. Chandler thanked the Board for giving its permission to attach the plaque to the Historic County Courthouse.

 

7:07:27 PM

B.                  Recognition of Lisa Quick for completing the Masters Education Management Development Certification Program through the Association of County Clerks’ Program and provided by the University of Georgia’s Institute of Government.

 

Executive Assistant Carol Chandler recognized a longtime employee of Fayette County, Ms. Lisa Quick, who serves Fayette County as the Administrative Manager for the Fayette County Water System. Ms. Chandler explained that Ms. Quick has earned the highest possible award offered by the Association of County Clerk’s Program at the University of Georgia’s Institute of Government – the Master’s Education Management Development Certification Program.  Ms. Chandler further noted that Ms. Quick is the first Fayette County employee to achieve this hard-earned certification.  Ms. Quick thanked those present saying that she has been a longtime employee with Fayette County, that it has been a pleasure to work for the County, and that the County has been a great place to work since it has been very good to her. 


 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

 

7:12:52 PM

Joyce Woodall: Ms. Joyce Woodall spoke to the Board of her efforts at Love-a-Pet, Incorporated, which she owns and operates.  She informed the Board that she is registered in the State of Georgia as a nonprofit corporation, and that she is licensed by the Department of Agriculture as “Animal Rescue”.  She told the Board that Love-a-Pet is comprised of volunteers from in and around Fayette County who give their time, money, and effort to save the lives of companion animals.  She said they are unpaid and only receive support from generous volunteers who want to reduce the suffering of abused, abandoned, and injured animals.  She stated that her organization provides food and cat litter to the Fayette County Animal Shelter as well as the  Clayton County, Henry County, and Grantville Animal Shelters. Moreover, she explained her organization works to find homes for animals whose owners have lost their homes during this economic downturn.  She spoke about her organization’s involvement with PetSmart, local veterinary hospitals, and police departments for the treatment, care, and adoption of pets.  She continued that her organization utilizes people who are working community service, and that, while caring for animals is hard work, those who work in that environment leave with a healthy respect for life.  She observed that a resident in the City of Fayetteville can have as many animals as desired without a license, but the same permission does not extend to residents in unincorporated Fayette County.

 

Ms. Woodall’s time expired as she was making her appeal and her comments ended at that point.

 

7:18:16 PM

Carol Gilbert: Ms. Carol Gilbert spoke in support of Ms. Joyce Woodall and Love-a-Pet, Incorporated.  She said that she runs a landscaping company and that, about one year ago, two mother dogs began hanging around her business and other businesses in the area.  She said the two dogs had puppies that began to scatter and were in danger of being killed so she called Joyce Woodall who came to the landscaping company within the hour to retrieve the dogs -- which were unable to be caught.  She continued when Ms. Woodall arrived at the scene she got onto the ground, rolled around, and earned the dog’s trust.  She was able to take the two mother dogs and the puppies, had them treated by veterinarians, and all the puppies were able to find good homes.  Ms. Gilbert was concerned about the number of animals that would have been “created” from the dogs if they were allowed to run loose. She added that since she runs a landscaping company she donates pine straw, lime, and other material to keep the animals alive and clean.  She appealed to the Board not to “take away” Love-a-Pet from Fayette County.

 


7:22:32 PM

John Simon: Mr. John Simon spoke in support of Ms. Joyce Woodall and Love-a-Pet, Incorporated.  He said he came to the County Commission meeting because he is a little perplexed since it seems that an individual and organization that are doing some good, especially for Fayette County, are “about to be taken away”.  He said he understood there are laws and ordinances that must be obeyed and that citizens are compelled to follow, but he implored the County to see if there is a way to make an exception or a variance so that Ms. Woodall and her organization could continue to provide a benefit to the community.  He closed by appealing to the Board to do what it could to “keep the facility open that serves the Fayette community”.

 

7:24:33 PM

Tyler Bell: Mr. Tyler Bell spoke in support of Ms. Joyce Woodall and Love-a-Pet, Incorporated.  He said he has been working with Ms. Joyce Woodall for approximately three weeks by working community service for her.  He explained that during his time with Ms. Woodall he has realized that she is doing “a lot of really great things” and it would be “horrible” if the County “shut her down”.  He told how she helped out one of his personal dogs that was severely injured and about how he is fostering animals and finding good homes for those pets.  He said she has helped him out personally and even when his community service is no longer required he will stand by her, “no matter what”.  He hoped the Board could find a way to let her stay and continue taking care of animals.

 

7:27:11 PM

Richard Clark: Mr. Richard Clark spoke in support of Ms. Joyce Woodall and Love-a-Pet, Incorporated.  He said he met Ms. Woodall several months ago after a large dog attacked one of his chiwawas and severely injured it.  He said he went to several veterinary hospitals but they would not help take care of his dog since he did not have any money.  A friend of his put him in contact with Ms. Woodall who, without question, placed the chiwawa in a hospital in Peachtree City where it had surgery that saved the dog’s life.  He said he is very thankful to Ms. Woodall for all her support during that time.  He continued saying a few months later he adopted another dog from Ms. Woodall.  He told the Board that it should give Ms. Woodall an accommodation for what she is doing since she is doing a great service for the people of Fayette County.  He concluded by asking for the Board to allow Ms. Woodall to continue doing what she is doing, and he thanked Ms. Woodall for what she did for him and his family.

 

7:29:58 PM

Kimberly Maupin: Ms. Kimberly Maupin spoke in favor of Ms. Joyce Woodall and Love-a-Pet, Incorporated.  She told about when she found a litter of kittens and their mother in some bushes at her house.  She did not have the ability to take care of the cat and kittens, and she was also concerned the mother would continue to give birth to more kittens.  Moreover, she was concerned the kittens ran a risk of becoming wild and hurting people.  She went to PetSmart who put her in contact with Ms. Woodall.  Ms. Woodall agreed to help treat the cat and kittens, get them evaluated by a veterinarian, and find good homes for the animals.  She did not understand why a person who keeps animals for only a certain amount of time is being denied that ability when it prevents overpopulation.  She asked that the County allow Ms. Woodall to find “best friend matches” for the cats and not to “shut her down”.

 

7:32:00 PM

Melissa Yeats: Ms. Melissa Yeats spoke in favor of Ms. Woodall and Love-a-Pet, Incorporated.  She stated that she has known Ms. Woodall for about eleven years and that it takes a special person to do what she does.  Ms. Yeats said Ms. Woodall is the one who helped her begin her own special work of taking care of special needs animals.  Ms. Yeats reemphasized that Ms. Woodall utilizes people who are mandated to perform community service and that many teenagers desire to work with her since she is “such a good person”.  She said those efforts help keep the kids focused on the “good things of life”.  She stated that unincorporated Fayette County has a three-animal limit, but she asked “where the problem was” if Ms. Woodall is fostering animals that are with her for only a short period of time.  She asked that efforts be made to allow the organization to continue.

 

7:35:17 PM


Bonnie Schaff: Ms. Bonnie Schaff spoke in support of Ms. Woodall and Love-a-Pet, Incorporated.  She informed the Board that she works at Braelinn Animal Hospital in Peachtree City and that she has known Ms. Woodall for about three or four years.  She said Ms. Woodall and her volunteers have the “biggest hearts she has ever seen”.  She explained that she has three rescue animals herself – the last two of which she acquired from Ms. Woodall.  She said those two

 rescue animals would not be alive today had it not been for Ms. Woodall.  She asked that the Board weigh the pluses and the minuses in this case: the pluses being the animals are living and bonding with humans who need help and the minuses being overpopulation of animals. 

 

7:37:19 PM

Rhonda Davis: Ms. Rhonda Davis spoke in support of Ms. Woodall and Love-a-Pet, Incorporated.  She said she has been a resident of Fayette County for approximately 20 years and during those years she has supported the Fayette County Humane Society as well as other humane societies.  She said there seems to be a lack of help available to animal lovers when they find animals on the street.  She said while people may call Fayette County Animal Shelter for a need they have, they do not get return calls.  She continued by saying Ms. Woodall will come right away and will do everything she can to take care of the animals, to save their lives, and make them feel better.  She noted that animals come and go frequently in her home since she takes them in temporarily in order to find a place for them.   She said Ms. Woodall has met a need that Fayette County has, and that she appreciated having Ms. Woodall in Fayette County.

 

7:39:34 PM

CONSENT AGENDA:

 

Commissioner Horgan moved to approve Consent Agenda Items 1-8.  Commissioner Hearn seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 


 

1.                   Approval of staff’s recommendation to extend Bid #709, Grass Mowing to SSFW Landscape Management, North Georgia Land Services, and Star Valley Landscape for an additional year beginning July 1, 2010, at an aggregate cost of $52,715.00.

 

2.                   Approval of staff’s recommendation to award Bid #749, Grass Mowing, to SSFW Landscape Management for Kiwanis Park grass cutting for one year at a total cost of $27,916.00.

 

3.                   Approval of staff’s recommendation to award bids for asbestos remediation of county-owned properties to Certified Environmental and to American Environmental at an aggregate cost of $18,571.11 utilizing Contingency Funds.

 

4.                   Approval of staff’s recommendation to award RFP #P730 PRI Circuit Replacement to Deltacom for the service agreement to replace the PRI (Primary Rate Interface) Telecommunications Circuit on McDonough Road.

 

5.                   Approval of staff’s recommendation to accept a grant from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency to replace a generator at Fire Station No. 8 and proceed with the bid process for purchase of the new generator.

 

6.                   Approval of staff’s recommendation to execute a Corrective Action Agreement with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for Corrective Action Plan Part A.

 


7.                   Consideration of the staff’s request to renew the annual agreement between Fayette County and the University of Georgia for the provision of the Cooperation Extension Service and Programs in Fayette County for the period beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011.

 

8.                   Approval of the April 22, 2010 Board of Commissioners Minutes.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 


 

7:40:01 PM

C.         Continued discussion of proposed amendments to the County’s Occupational License Ordinance.

 

County Attorney Scott Bennett reminded the Board that the proposed amendments to the County Occupational License Ordinance had been discussed during the April 7, 2010 Workshop Meeting, gave a brief update and explanation, and answered the Board’s questions.

 

Commissioner Horgan moved to adopt Ordinance 2010-01 and Ordinance 2010-02 as related to Occupational Taxes and Business Licenses.  Commissioner Hearn seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

7:42:59 PM  

D.                  Approval of staff’s recommendations related to strategies for managing financial investments.

 

Finance Director Mary Holland and Mr. Tom Tight, who represents Cutwater Asset Management, gave a brief explanation to the Board of the proposed strategies for managing financial investments and answered its questions. 

 

Commissioner Frady moved to approve the investment strategies, as presented, by working with Cutwater Asset Management in their role as investment advisor.  Commissioner Horgan seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 


 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

7:53:38 PM


 

E.         Approval of staff’s recommendation to award Proposal #P742 for professional services of a Certified Public Accountant for financial and compliance audits to Nichols, Cauley & Associates, LLC. for fiscal years 2010 - 2014 at a cost of $349,920.00.

 

            Finance Director Mary Holland explained Proposal #P742 to the Board before answering questions.

 

The Board directed that further information be provided to it before a decision is made.  The Board then tabled the request to be readdressed at the May 27, 2010 Board of Commissioners meeting.

 

8:02:28 PM


 

F.                  Consideration of an agreement between Fayette County and the Town of Brooks allowing the County to assume operational responsibility of the Brooks Water System.

 

County Administrator Jack Krakeel and Mayor Dan Langford of the Town of Brooks explained to and discussed with the Board an agreement that has been reached between Fayette County and the Town of Brooks that would allow Fayette County to assume operational responsibility of the Brooks Water System.  Mr. Krakeel informed the Board that the Brooks Town Council had already approved the agreement and that the Mayor had already signed it. He asked for the Board to authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement on behalf of Fayette County.  Commissioner Maxwell expressed concern with the agreement.

 


Commissioner Horgan moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the operational agreement between the Town of Brooks and Fayette County, Georgia allowing Fayette County to assume operational responsibility of the Brooks Water System.  Commissioner Frady seconded the motion.  The motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Maxwell voting in opposition.

 


 

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

 

There was no Administrator’s Report.

 

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

 

8:25:35 PM

State Route 54 and West Fayetteville Bypass Intersection Improvements: County Attorney Scott Bennett reminded the Board that during the April 7, 2010 Workshop Meeting it had approved a bid by American Contractor’s Incorporated to install a traffic signal at the intersection of the West Fayetteville Bypass and State Route 54.  He stated that he reviewed the contract before he asked the Board to authorize the Chairman to sign it.

 

Commissioner Frady moved to authorize the Chairman to sign a contract with American Contractor’s Incorporated for State Route 54 and West Fayetteville Bypass Intersection Improvements at a total base bid of $624,529.82.  Commissioner Horgan seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  

 

8:26:23 PM

Repairs to Filter #6 at the South Fayette Water Treatment Plant: County Attorney Scott Bennett reminded the Board that at the April 7, 2010 meeting it had also approved a bid for repairs to Filter #6 at the South Fayette Water Treatment Plant to Rehab Construction Company in the amount of $101,000.  He said the contract had been reviewed and was available for the Chairman’s signature.  He asked for the Board to authorize the Chairman to sign the contract.

 

Commissioner Frady moved to authorize the Chairman to sign a contract with Rehab Construction Company, Incorporated for Repairs to Filter #6 at the South Fayette Water Treatment Plant at a total base bid of $101,000.  Commissioner Horgan seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

STAFF REPORTS

 

There were no Staff Reports.

 

BOARD REPORTS

 

There were no Board Reports.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

There was no Executive Session.

 

8:27:11 PM

ADJOURNMENT

 

No further business came before the Board.  Chairman Smith adjourned the May 13, 2010 Commission meeting at 8:27 p.m. without objection.

 

 

___________________________

Floyd L. Jones, Deputy Clerk